Starting with choosing a wife, creating the most powerful Xia

Although it was said hastily, Xiao Ziqi had given it considerable thought.

Although she had only met Chu Xuan a few times, she only had a slight liking for him, far from being able to give herself to him.

But right now, there's no better option.

Whether it was submitting to the Prince of Liyang and being treated as a plaything before being discarded, or having a scion of a noble family take her place on the list, neither was acceptable to Xiao Ziqi.

On the other hand, Chu Xuan is a poet with extraordinary talent and a handsome appearance. He is sometimes unrestrained and extremely arrogant, and at other times he has the demeanor of a gentleman. In some ways, Xiao Ziqi might be more accepting of Chu Xuan.

This was the only option available to someone like her, born into a lowly family. There were no perfect choices, and freedom was irrelevant to her.

She appears glamorous to the public, a top courtesan and a talented woman, but in reality, she is nothing more than a caged ornamental bird.

Thinking of this, Xiao Ziqi couldn't help but feel a little sad.

Chu Xuan tapped his long, slender fingers lightly on the table, remaining silent as if deep in thought.

This posture made Xiao Ziqi panic.

"Does Young Master feel that Ziqi's sincerity is insufficient? If Young Master has any conditions, please feel free to..."

Xiao Ziqi tentatively began to speak, but her words trailed off abruptly halfway through.

She suddenly realized that she seemed to have nothing to offer Chu Xuan in exchange for anything other than this body.

As for status, Chu Xuan is a member of the Chu family, although only a collateral branch, he has now become a local lord.

In Xiao Ziqi's mind, someone like him might not even care about her meager wealth.

Even if she were to offer herself to serve him, the three wives around Chu Xuan each had their own unique talents and personalities. Even in terms of appearance, Xiao Ziqi felt that they were all about the same, even if she took off her veil.

Her only advantage is the title of courtesan and talented woman, which evokes a desire for conquest.

Seeing her anxious and uncertain expression, Chu Xuan couldn't help but smile wryly and shake his head.

"Miss Xiao has misunderstood."

"I was just wondering, does Miss Xiao really think this matter can be resolved so simply?"

"Is not it?"

Xiao Ziqi was taken aback and asked subconsciously.

But Chu Xuan quickly shattered her illusions.

“Miss Xiao, you should be a smart person, but you are too nervous in this matter and have lost your composure. Do you really think that the young master will let it go after someone took your place on the list?”

"If it's really that simple, then it wouldn't be a problem for me to step in and take the rankings; it's just a small favor. But what if it's not like that?"

Chu Xuan knew very well that if the young master were so easy to talk to, he wouldn't be the young master.

"What Young Master Chu means is..."

Xiao Ziqi's face immediately turned deathly pale.

Since she is known as a talented woman, she is certainly not a fool. There are some things that she just didn't think about at first, or subconsciously ignored.

Now, after Chu Xuan gave him a hint, he immediately understood.

At this moment, Chu Xuan delivered the final blow to Xiao Ziqi.

"Some wild beasts, when hunting, will quietly lower their dangerous posture, like flying a kite, slowly lingering behind their prey, seemingly leaving them room to escape. In reality, when do they ever have a chance to escape?"

"When a cat plays with a mouse, slowly witnessing the mouse's despair, and then accumulating its hunting desire to its peak, that's the best time to enjoy it. Miss Xiao, don't you think this is somewhat similar to you?"

Hearing this, even if Xiao Ziqi refused to believe it, she had no choice but to face this cruel reality.

The Prince of Liyang had no intention of letting her go.

This was just to make Xiao Ziqi feel that she had a choice, so that in the end she would find that no matter what she did, it would be in vain.

No one would risk offending the only son of a prince for the sake of a courtesan they've never met.

Even if they did exist, given the Crown Prince's immense power, they would merely be witnesses to his enjoyment of his prey.

Xiao Ziqi suddenly felt weak all over, and her eyes filled with tears.

She had never felt so lost.

Orphaned at a young age, she was sent to a brothel to serve tea and water, learning singing, dancing, poetry and painting. Was it all so that one day, when she was used as someone else's plaything, she could make the other party more comfortable?

At this point, she no longer held any hope for Chu Xuan, but she also did not hate him.

He's right. No matter what he does, it's all in vain in front of the Prince of Liyang.

They had no choice.

Upon realizing this, Xiao Ziqi seemed to have lost her soul. She stood up like a wooden figure, swayed, bowed to Chu Xuan, said goodbye, and prepared to leave.

The sight of it, resembling an ice crystal about to shatter, moved all three women.

Although Chen Xuening and A Leng were initially somewhat hostile towards her, they felt sorry for her when they saw her like this. If they hadn't met Chu Xuan, their fate would probably not have been any better than Xiao Ziqi's, so they empathized with her somewhat.

Chu Ling'er was the same; she was a wanderer who was sold to the Chu family, and she was very similar to Xiao Ziqi at this time.

Seeing her like this, Chu Xuan suddenly remembered a popular saying from before he transmigrated.

A woman's beauty, combined with any other strength, is a killer move; but if she is alone, it is a dead end.

But in the face of power strong enough to turn everything around, everything is nothing but a reflection in a mirror or a flower in the water, easily shattered.

Just as Xiao Ziqi was about to leave, Chu Xuan suddenly called her back.

Xiao Ziqi turned her head blankly, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Does Young Master Chu have any further instructions?"

"I didn't agree to help you, do you hate me?"

Chu Xuan looked at her and smiled.

Xiao Ziqi shook her head and bowed slightly.

"No. Although you did not rescue me, it is only natural. I cannot ask you to get involved because of my own troubles. On the contrary, I should thank you for answering my questions. I should have thought of that, but if you hadn't spoken up, I might have subconsciously avoided the possibility."

"But I'm afraid I can never repay your kindness, young master."

"From today onwards, we part ways amicably. May you have a peaceful and carefree life from now on."

Chu Xuan listened to her words, which were sincere and genuine, and was moved by them.

It is truly remarkable that a woman who grew up in a brothel, having not only acquired such skills but also possessed such a character.

He smiled.

"If that's the case, why are you in such a hurry to leave? I didn't say I definitely wouldn't make a move, did I?"

"what?"

Xiao Ziqi was stunned.

Chu Xuan had just told her this cruel truth, and now he was saying this again, leaving Xiao Ziqi at a loss.

Chu Xuan looked at her bewildered expression and shook his head with a faint smile.

"There's still a chance for things to turn around, but I'll help you on one condition."

"Sir, please feel free to speak."

Upon hearing that there was a chance for things to turn around, Xiao Ziqi was already overjoyed and no longer cared about anything else. She asked repeatedly.

“In the village I’m in charge of, the school is still short of a teacher.”

Chu Xuan smiled and looked at her.