Chapter 45: How About a Marriage Alliance?

Xu Feng being safe and sound allowed the three girls to breathe a sigh of relief, but soon their faces turned pale again, as if they had been caught red-handed. They stepped forward, sticking out their tongues playfully, and called out, "Father!"

"Father?" Xu Feng was beyond surprised. He turned his head and saw Marquis Luoxiqi frowning deeply.

These three girls were biological sisters, and the Young Misses of the Marquis’s household?

Xu Feng was truly surprised. Unlike many others, Xu Feng did not enjoy gossiping, so although he had chatted happily with the three girls along the way, he hadn't inquired about the young ladies' family backgrounds at all. He had originally thought they were just ordinary noble girls, never imagining they were actually high-born ladies of the Marquis’s estate.

The three girls glanced at each other, their hearts pounding. Although they were half-sisters, they were very close because they were the same age. The Marquis's upbringing was very strict; normally, they were not allowed to step out of the main gate or even the inner gate. Today, hearing there was a grand hunt, all three were tempted and begged their father to take them along, but Loshiki refused. His family was the elite among elites; how could the daughters of the Marquis show their faces in public so casually?

The three girls were extremely disappointed and gathered to sigh. As they chatted, Daisy, who was usually more daring, began to egg on her two younger sisters to sneak out. Linda and Fanny looked at each other; they certainly wanted to go, but if they were discovered by their father...

"What is there to fear? There are so many nobles participating in the hunt. As long as we are careful, it's impossible for Father to find out."

Thus, the three daughters of the Marquis secretly participated in the hunt behind their father's back. Being with Xu Feng was a deliberate move by the three girls. Firstly, in recent aristocratic circles, Xu Feng's deeds were practically legendary. Secondly, their father always had extremely high standards, yet recently he had repeatedly shown favor to Xu Feng. The three girls grew even more curious, wanting to see just how remarkable Xu Feng really was.

That was how it happened—it could be called a coincidence. And Xu Feng did not disappoint them. The youth's wit, his erudition, his temperament, and his outstanding bearing all attracted the three young girls. Although Xu Feng had no such intention, his excellence compared to other young nobles was unquestionable, especially the heroic posture he displayed when facing the tiger, which left the three girls completely captivated.

Thinking about having sneaked out, the girls all looked somewhat fearful. This was going to be bad; they would surely face the family rod upon their return.

Although the Marquis was angry, it was not appropriate to lecture his daughters in front of an outsider. He merely frowned and rebuked them, "You three girls are too bold, coming out to hunt without even bringing guards."

Strict as his discipline was, no parents in the world do not love their children. What angered the Marquis most was not that the three girls had snuck out, but that they were playing with fire. Setting aside the octopus monster they encountered today, even normally, there were tigers, black bears, and other fierce beasts here. If they had encountered one, the consequences would be unthinkable. At this thought, Loshiki broke into a cold sweat.

"We were with Big Brother Xu Feng, so there was no danger."

The youngest, Fanny, whispered softly. Her voice wasn't loud, but the Marquis standing nearby heard it clearly. He was somewhat surprised; how did his daughters know Xu Feng?

Meeting the Marquis's gaze, Xu Feng felt a bit awkward and gave a light cough. "Uncle Luoxiqi, I met your daughters by chance. Well, the three young ladies are lively and lovely, and we got along quite well, so I chatted with them for a while."

Loshiki's mind raced, and the surprise on his face was quickly replaced by a smile, even appearing somewhat radiant. "Haha, I see. Since they were with you, my dear nephew, I am relieved. These three girls are mischievous; I hope they didn't cause you any trouble!"

"You must be joking, Uncle. Of course not."

The two laughed together, leaving the three girls somewhat confused. However, seeing how friendly their father was with Xu Feng, their hearts felt as sweet as honey.

A high-level magical beast had actually appeared in the noble hunting grounds; anyone with a bit of sense could smell a conspiracy. Because of this unexpected incident, the subsequent hunting activities were naturally canceled. The scene was cordoned off for further investigation by the Constabulary, and the nobles dispersed.

Knowing Xu Feng's identity, Duke Walter naturally dropped the idea of recruiting him, but he showed enough friendliness toward this promising noble mage, inviting him to visit his estate. Xu Feng, of course, accepted happily.

Heading back, since they were going the same way, Xu Feng rode alongside Loshiki. As for the three girls, although they very much wanted to follow beside them, under their father's stern gaze, they had to obediently return to the carriage.

Surrounded by a large entourage along the way, the Marquis was extremely friendly toward Xu Feng. This youth was even more outstanding than he had imagined. At such a young age, he could take down a Demon Octopus; in time, there was no guarantee he wouldn't become another Saint Expert. If he didn't try to win him over now, when would he?

As a transmigrator, Xu Feng was also a socially savvy individual. Facing the Marquis's overtures, he showed sufficient goodwill. Loshiki was one of the core figures in the capital's power circle; building a good relationship with him was very beneficial.

The two sides conversed happily, while inside the carriage, the girls were whispering to each other, their pretty faces covered in a charming flush, occasionally parting the curtains to look outside.

"Uncle Luoxiqi, let us part ways here. Thank you for escorting me."

"Haha, Xu Feng, you are far too polite. It was on the way. When you have time another day, come visit my estate."

"Yes, thank you, Uncle. I will."

The two bowed and bid farewell. Xu Feng tugged the reins and headed toward his own manor.

Watching his back disappear, a smile appeared on Loshiki's face as he waved his hand. "Return to the manor!"

"Father!"

Daisy, Linda, and Fanny arrived outside the study with traces of fear on their faces. As daughters of the Marquis, their upbringing had always been strict. This time was bad; being caught sneaking out by their father meant they would definitely face the family rod. The girls were terrified.

"Come in!"

The three girls dithered before entering the study. Daisy, the boldest, secretly looked up and found that her father had a smile on his face and didn't seem very angry!

The young girl was puzzled, almost thinking she had seen wrong. Was her father not planning to lose his temper?

She secretly nudged her two sisters. The three had long had a tacit understanding. Just as Linda and Fanny were about to look up, they heard a burst of coughing: "What little tricks are you three... up to?"

"We aren't." Daisy's pretty face immediately put on a pitiful expression. "Father, please forgive us. We know we were wrong and won't dare to sneak out again."

"Yes, Father, we really won't dare anymore."

Linda and Fanny also looked full of regret. However, no one knew a daughter better than her father. How could Loshiki not know the girls were acting to avoid punishment?

"Hmph, you know you're wrong? You girls only know how to cause trouble. Daisy, speak—was it you who instigated this secret outing?"

"Father, I was wrong." Having her lie exposed, Daisy secretly stuck out her tongue and didn't dare to deny it further, hanging her head dejectedly.

"You girls, as young women, you don't know how to behave with propriety. Sneaking out like this is simply scandalous."

"But... other noble girls can participate in the hunt, why can't we?" Linda was a bit indignant and talked back in a small voice.

Loshiki frowned and glared at his youngest daughter, speaking slowly: "That is because you are the daughters of a Marquis. How can you be compared to those ordinary nobles? Your upbringing should naturally be stricter."

The world of Hailan was still in the medieval era, where the nobility was a privileged class with great power. However, the nobility was also divided into several ranks. The royal family went without saying, while those like Duke Walter and Marquis Loshiki belonged to the top-tier prominent families—in other words, the nobility among nobles. They followed the oldest court etiquette, and their family discipline was particularly strict.

A Young Miss would naturally not show her face in public casually, whereas other noble girls didn't have as many scruples. There were even some fallen nobles who, despite having a hollow title, lived lives no different from commoners.

The reason Loshiki was angry was not just because the girls had snuck out, but because they were too ignorant of the world. Setting aside the octopus monster today, even normally, the hunting grounds had tigers, black bears, and other fierce beasts. If they had encountered one, the consequences would be unthinkable. Thinking of this, even the Marquis felt a lingering fear.

He scolded his three daughters severely. Daisy, Linda, and Fanny didn't dare to speak and obediently lowered their heads. However, they felt a bit strange in their hearts. Although their father's scolding was fierce, he didn't seem to intend to punish them. What was going on? Sneaking out this time was a huge blunder; would their father really let them off with just a scolding?

Finally, the three girls obediently admitted their mistake. Seeing their insincere manner, the Marquis sighed: "You girls, how old are you now and still so mischievous? It seems it's time to find you husbands and marry you off, so someone can manage your naughty temperaments."

The three girls were shocked. They looked at each other and said in unison: "Father, we were wrong. We don't want to get married; we want to stay and take care of you and Mother."

"Nonsense. How can a girl not marry when she grows up?" The Marquis glared at them. "Tell me in detail how you met Xu Feng today while you were out, and what you did while you were together."

The three girls were a bit puzzled. Their father had just mentioned marriage, and in the blink of an eye, he shifted back to today's hunt. Among the three sisters, Daisy was the boldest, but in terms of being clever and quick-witted, it was Fanny. The little girl's eyes darted around as she thought of a possibility. Immediately, two blushes rose on her face, and a flash of joy appeared in her eyes. She stepped forward and recounted every word and action from their time with Big Brother Xu Feng today in great detail.

"I see!"

The Marquis nodded. Perhaps this was providence. He had been thinking about how to win Xu Feng over, and his daughters had this unexpected meeting with him. If the two families could be allied through marriage...

This was undoubtedly the best choice. As an Imperial Advisor, Marquis Loshiki's vision was unquestionable. He had met countless people but had never seen a young noble as promising as Xu Feng. In time, this boy's achievements would surely be dazzling.

Marrying his beloved daughters to Xu Feng was something the Marquis was absolutely delighted to do.

Moreover, from the expressions and tones of the three girls, he could see they were interested in Xu Feng. Wait... all three girls?

Thinking of this, the Marquis suddenly felt a bit of a headache. Surely all three of his daughters hadn't fallen in love with that kid, had they?