After Xu Can and the Xiaoyao Marquis hugged and cried for a while, sharing their father-son emotions, Xu Can initially planned to talk to his father about Qiao Xin’s family situation.

But when he looked around, he realized that they were nowhere to be found.

After a brief thought, he understood—they must have gone to deal with the wild animals.

Excited, he grabbed Xiaoyao Marquis and pulled him toward the back, gesturing animatedly as he spoke: “Dad, don’t be fooled by Aunt Qiao’s small size and thin frame. She can actually lift a huge bear with one hand and fling it several meters away…”

The Xiaoyao Marquis dotingly watched his son but couldn’t help wondering: Had he been too strict with his son, causing him to be so easily amazed by mere physical strength?

As they arrived at the back door, they unexpectedly ran into Shopkeeper Zhao, who was greedily bargaining down the price of the hunted animals.

Noticing Qiao Xin’s half-smiling yet sharp gaze, Xu Can’s face turned red with embarrassment.

Wasn’t this a slap in his own face?

He had promised Qiao Xin with absolute certainty that the prices would be fair.

Frustrated, he stepped forward and kicked the still-nagging Shopkeeper Zhao.

“Ow! Who dares—” Shopkeeper Zhao started to curse but, upon looking up and seeing Xu Can fuming with anger, swallowed his words instantly.

His curses turned into panicked pleas as he dropped to his knees and started kowtowing.

His mind was consumed by two words: I’m doomed!

Xu Can, still furious, gave him two more kicks. “You blind fool! How dare you be picky with my goods? Are you tired of living?”

After venting his anger, he pointed to Qiao Xin, who was leaning against the door, and then to the mountain of animals not far away.

Turning to his father, he said, “Dad, she’s the one who saved me from the bear’s mouth! Look, that very bear over there! The situation back then was extremely dangerous. If it weren’t for them, I’d probably be bear food by now. Just thinking about it gives me chills!”

“Aunt, this is my father! Dad, this is my savior!” He excitedly introduced Qiao Xin and her three children.

Xiaoyao Marquis studied Qiao Xin’s family, growing increasingly doubtful.

Apart from Qiao Yunxin, who was somewhat muscular, the others were all pale and thin—clear signs of long-term malnutrition.

One of them even had the appearance of a frail scholar.

How could such a group have possibly taken down a brown bear and four wild boars?

Narrowing his eyes, the Xiaoyao Marquis remained silent, carefully scrutinizing them.

Qiao Xin noticed his assessing gaze and lowered her eyes, while Qiao Yunqing took a step forward, cupped his hands, and respectfully greeted, “Student greets the Marquis.” The others quickly followed suit.

Only then did Xiaoyao Marquis give Qiao Yunqing a proper look.

He set aside his doubts for the moment and waved his hand with a hearty laugh. “No need for such formalities. Thank you all for saving my son’s life. Why don’t you come inside and rest for a bit? I have already ordered a reward to be prepared. Please wait a moment.”

Qiao Yunqing glanced at Qiao Xin, and seeing that she remained indifferent, he understood that she had entrusted the situation to him.

He promptly declined, “Thank you for the invitation, Marquis, but as long as the young master has returned safely, that is enough. We have urgent matters at home, so we won’t intrude on your family reunion.”

Xu Can desperately wanted to keep this family around, especially Qiao Xin—he was eager to know how a woman had trained to be so strong. “What urgent matters? Maybe I can help?”

“No need, but I appreciate your kindness,” Qiao Xin refused without hesitation.

Xu Can wanted to persuade further, but the Xiaoyao Marquis cut him off.

He signaled the steward to step forward and hand over a banknote for 2,000 taels of silver.

Qiao Xin took it without ceremony, counted out the portion she was due, and returned the rest. “1,300 taels is enough. These wild animals total 300 taels. As for the remaining wild boars in the mountains, we don’t need them. If the young master wants them, he may take them. The remaining 1,000 taels is our agreed-upon escort fee for safely bringing him back. The rest is unnecessary.”

The steward glanced at his master before sincerely advising, “Sister, just take it as a token of appreciation from our lord.”

Qiao Xin firmly shook her head. “A gentleman earns wealth through proper means. This amount is sufficient.” Then she turned to the ox cart and said, “Where should these wild animals be placed? We need to unload them quickly and return the cart.”

Shopkeeper Zhao scrambled to his feet and pointed to an empty spot in the backyard. “I’ll have someone move them there right away!”

“No need.”

With casual ease, Qiao Xin grabbed a bear’s leg, tested its weight, and effortlessly lifted the 300-400 jin brown bear.

She swung her arm and—bam—the bear landed precisely in the designated spot.

She then repeated the process for the wild boars. After finishing, she calmly dusted off her hands. “All done.”

Xiaoyao Marquis and his entourage, who had been watching the entire scene, stood frozen with their mouths agape, unable to utter a word for a long while.

His son had insisted she was as strong as an ox, but he had assumed it was an exaggeration—especially after seeing their frail appearances.

Now, he realized he had been the one judging by appearances! The embarrassment stung.

What a pity—she was a woman!

Despite his regret, Xiaoyao Marquis’s gaze swept over Qiao Yunxin and the others, his interest growing. He had a strong desire to form ties with them.

Qiao Yunqing, in particular, gave off an air that oddly reminded him of the seasoned officials in court.

Xu Can’s thoughts spun again.

As a noble young master, his way of recruiting people naturally carried an air of superiority.

Crossing his arms, he declared, “Why don’t you all follow me in the future? I guarantee you’ll live a life of luxury, eat the finest food, and even walk sideways through the capital!”

Qiao Xin had no interest in living under someone else’s roof and rejected the offer without hesitation.

At this point, even the dullest person could see that Qiao Xin and her family were not merely posturing to raise their value—they genuinely had no need for external support.

They had absolute confidence in their ability to carve out their own lives.

After a few more polite exchanges, Qiao Xin bid farewell.

Seeing that she truly had no intention of staying, Xiaoyao Marquis did not force the matter and courteously saw them off.

Once they were gone, Xu Can turned to his father and asked, “Why didn’t you recruit them?”

Xiaoyao Marquis sighed, for the first time earnestly explaining to his son, “I am a free-spirited Marquis. If I start gathering talented commoners, how do you think those in power will view me? I’m no longer the General of the Northern Campaigns. Besides, this family has both brains and brawn—do you really think they’d be content as mere subordinates? Right now, the most important thing is to figure out whether what happened to you was an accident or a deliberate scheme.”

Xu Can’s eyes darkened as he recalled the sachet Qiao Xin had told him to throw away…