Many children, many blessings: Stealing the offspring of powerful figures to cultivate immortality.

"woke up?"

Ji Lingxiao turned his head and looked at Jiang Yining, who was huddled in the corner.

In those eyes, there was less indifference and more of a satisfaction that even he himself didn't realize.

Jiang Yining shrank further under the covers, watching him warily.

"Your Excellency appears refreshed; it seems the problem has been resolved."

The tone was barbed, but Ji Lingxiao wasn't annoyed.

He threw off the covers, got out of bed, picked up his undergarment from the floor, and put it on.

"Will the adults help the Chu family?"

"This matter..."

Ji Lingxiao, with his back to Jiang Yining, tied his belt with such elegance that it was as if the out-of-control beast from last night was not him.

"As I said, I want to see the evidence."

"But I will protect these members of the Chu family for you."

Jiang Yining breathed a sigh of relief, finally relaxing her nerves after a tense night.

At least it can save my mother-in-law and brother-in-law's lives.

"Thank you, sir."

"You're welcome."

Ji Lingxiao turned around and looked down at her.

"This is a deal."

He took out a jade pendant from his sleeve and threw it in front of Jiang Yining.

The jade pendant was smooth and warm to the touch, with intricate cloud patterns carved on it, and a powerful "姬" character in the center.

"Take it."

Jiang Yining was taken aback: "What does this mean?"

"If even a single word about last night gets out..."

Ji Lingxiao's eyes narrowed: "This jade pendant can save your life, or it can take it away."

Jiang Yining pouted.

This man doesn't recognize people once he puts on his pants.

"Don't worry, sir, I still need to keep my head to eat."

Jiang Yining held the jade pendant in her hand, feeling its warmth against her skin.

"Nothing happened last night. The master was just drunk. I was never here."

Ji Lingxiao felt inexplicably annoyed by her businesslike demeanor.

He didn't look like this when he was begging for mercy in her ear last night.

"That would be best."

Ji Lingxiao straightened his clothes and resumed his aloof and unapproachable demeanor as the prime minister.

He walked to the door, placed his hand on the latch, and paused for a moment.

"Jiang Yining".

"The Chu family is a quagmire. If we're smart, after we escape this time, we'll take that blind man and the old woman and leave the capital."

After saying that, he opened the door and strode out.

Old Zhao had been waiting at the end of the corridor all night. When he saw Ji Lingxiao come out, he was so frightened that he almost knelt down.

Only after that evil star had gone far away did he dare to run over, trembling.

"Young...Young Madam..."

Jiang Yining gritted her teeth, feeling her legs trembling with every step she took.

"Return to the residence."

Jiang Yining had just slipped into the Chu residence through a side gate when she bumped into Chu Sikong, who was carrying a bowl of medicine as he came out.

"Sister-in-law, why are you walking with a limp?"

How did you know?

Jiang Yining's heart skipped a beat.

She subconsciously straightened her back, but this aggravated the soreness in her body, causing her to gasp in pain.

"I can hear the difference in the weight of each foot landing."

I accidentally twisted my ankle.

Jiang Yining lied without batting an eye.

Her gaze fell on Chu Sikong's eyes, which were covered with white silk, and she felt slightly relieved.

Fortunately, he can't see.

Chu Sikong's hand holding the medicine bowl tightened slightly.

His nose twitched, as if he had smelled something.

"Why does my sister-in-law smell of cold pine resin?"

Cold rosin?

Jiang Yining clenched her fists tightly in her sleeves.

How come this guy's nose is even more sensitive than a dog's?

"It probably got there from the pharmacy."

Jiang Yining didn't dare linger and hurriedly walked past him to the backyard.

"I'm going to change my clothes; I'm covered in dust."

Chu Sikong stood still, without turning around.

Beneath the white silk, those lifeless eyes, though unfocused, exuded a chilling gloom.

Pharmacy?

Which pharmacy in the capital city has the tribute-grade cold pine resin?

"Click."

The porcelain bowl he was holding was actually cracked by Chu Sikong's forceful pinching.

The scalding medicine spilled out, burning his fingertips red, but he was completely unaware.

My sister-in-law is lying.

The Imperial Palace, the Imperial Study.

Dressed in red, Ye Wuhen leaned lazily against the dragon throne, toying with a gleaming dagger in his hand.

The bodyguards kneeling below.

"You mean, Ji Lingxiao slept with the young widow from the Chu family at Zuixianlou last night?"

Ye Wuhen paused, his slender fingers tracing the sharp edge, a cut appearing on his fingertip from which a bead of blood oozed.

He seemed oblivious to the pain, instead putting his finger in his mouth and tasting the metallic sweetness.

"Yes, I saw it with my own eyes. Madam Chu came out of Lord Ji's private room this morning."

"Interesting, very interesting."

Ye Wuhen burst into laughter, the sound echoing throughout the hall, sending chills down everyone's spines.

"I thought Ji Lingxiao was a saint, without desires or wants."

"Turns out he's just a hypocrite who lusts after women."

He stood up, walked to the huge map, and his gaze fell on the continuous mountain range in the north.

"Chu Jinglan, Chu Jinglan, everyone says you're dead, and they can't even find your remains."

"Why don't I believe it?"

"Go and spread this message to me."

"I want everyone in the capital to know about the unspeakable things between our upright and honest Grand Secretary and the widow of General Chu."

"The more erotic, the better."

The guard was taken aback: "Your Majesty, this... if Lord Ji's reputation is ruined, the court may be instable."

"I refuse to believe that once this green hat is placed on Chu Jinglan, he can remain silent and not show his face."

……

Within half a day, the winds in the capital had shifted.

The public, who were originally discussing the Chu family's treason case, have now completely been drawn to this scandalous affair.

Teahouses, taverns, streets and alleys were filled with the sounds of lively discussion.

"Have you heard? Prime Minister Ji slept with the young mistress of the Chu family at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion last night!"

"Really? Isn't Madam Chu still in mourning? This is utterly shameless!"

"You don't understand, do you? This is called 'to look beautiful, one must wear mourning clothes.' That young mistress of Chu is incredibly beautiful, and even the Grand Secretary, being a man, couldn't resist her."

"How come I heard that it was the Chu family member who seduced the Grand Secretary in order to save the Chu family?"

"Tsk tsk tsk, General Chu's body is barely cold, and his head is already covered in green—what a tragedy!"

Rumors seem to grow wings, becoming increasingly outrageous as they spread.

Some even vividly described the details of the two in the room, as if they were eavesdropping under the bed.

Bai Ze was training his troops on the drill ground when he heard his adjutant stammering as he reported the news. He immediately smashed the head of the stone lion in front of him with his spear.

"fart!"

Bai Ze's eyes widened in fury, his handsome face flushed crimson: "Ningning is definitely not that kind of person!"

"It must be that hypocrite Ji Lingxiao!"

Bai Ze recalled how that guy acted so high and mighty last night, yet he secretly did something like forcing a respectable woman!

No wonder Ningning had a neck injury yesterday and told him not to meddle in other people's business.

That means they were threatened!

"Ji Lingxiao, I'll kill you!"

Bai Ze mounted his horse, spear in hand, and charged toward the Prime Minister's residence without even removing his armor.