So what if she's my sister-in-law? You seduced me first.

The doctor arrived quickly, rushing into the room with his medicine kit.

Outside the courtyard, all was quiet. Birds fluttered their wings and flew over the rooftops. Ning Yu stood under the eaves, unable to hear any sound except for the doctor's anxious calls from inside.

The maids and servants around her carried hot water in and out. Xie Xun went up the steps and walked towards her.

As the distance closed, Ning Yu instinctively took a step back, but before she could retreat even a step, he reached out and pulled her into his arms.

My back was pressed against his warm, firm chest, and through the thin fabric of his clothes, I could feel his beating heart.

Ning Yu looked at the scenery in the courtyard, closed her eyes, and did not struggle.

"See? Your older brother can't protect you; your only support is me."

Her nails dug into her flesh, but she didn't make a sound.

Xie Xun stroked her slender waist, leaned down and took a deep sniff of her neck, "As long as I live, you can only stay by my side for the rest of your life. You have no other thoughts, you can only be mine."

Ning Yu slowly and stiffly opened her eyes, her voice strained as if squeezed from her throat, "Our clandestine relationship is now public knowledge. How am I supposed to live from now on?"

"With me here, what are you afraid of?"

The warm breath crept into her neck, and a flash of sarcasm crossed Ning Yu's eyes. Had he forgotten that he was going to get married?

"The Grand Princess is still inside; I don't want to be seen."

Xie Xun glanced at the noisy room out of the corner of his eye, hugged her even tighter, and shamelessly leaned down to kiss her.

Ning Yu was so angry that her body trembled, and she couldn't help but want to push him.

But he was tall and imposing, and she couldn't push him away at all. Instead, he held her firmly in his arms, reaching out to brush away the stray hairs by her ears and tucking them behind her ears.

Her chin was suddenly lifted by him, and their eyes met. He half-closed his deep phoenix eyes, his cold, dark pupils staring at her like a fierce beast biting its prey's neck.

Ning Yu was startled by his gaze. Xie Xun noticed the panic in her eyes, calmed himself slightly, and gently wiped the corners of her reddened eyes with his fingers. His gentle voice sent chills down her spine.

"You told me yourself that you wanted to follow me and that I was the only person in your heart. But when you got to Big Brother, it became a transaction, and you even wanted to follow him. I haven't settled accounts with you yet, so don't anger me."

His rough fingertips gently touched her cheek. Looking at his handsome, aloof face, she felt a chill run down her spine.

"You don't believe me at all. Knowing that the Crown Prince is looking for me, you might as well play along and send someone instead."

"Ning Yu, this is to make you see reality: no one can protect you."

He's just setting things right now. She's his woman, so she should naturally follow him openly and legitimately, without needing to hide.

The gentle voice was like a sword cleaving through the void, pulling her back to the battlefield where she felt so uncomfortable. Ning Yu didn't want to recall what she had experienced that night, or the chaotic situation at the time.

He left her completely isolated and helpless, only able to depend on him and dream!

Xie Yan's injury was not fatal, and the archer had also exercised excellent control, resulting in only a minor injury.

He temporarily lost consciousness due to excessive blood loss caused by the lack of timely medical attention.

The Grand Princess looked at her son's pale face and recalled how Ning Yu had hidden behind Xie Xun without saying a word. A murderous glint flashed in her eyes.

It was because of this woman that her family suffered such misfortune, that her once most proud son made such a huge mistake, leading to a falling out between brothers and causing Ayan to be injured—all because of a woman?!

They shouldn't have agreed to spare her life in the first place. Otherwise, this absurd thing wouldn't have happened. Her two sons are the most valued heirs of the Xie family, powerful ministers who control most of the military power in the Elders' Council, with unlimited potential.

Everyone inside had already left. The Grand Princess glanced at the old woman who brought over the medicine and asked coldly, "Where is the Commander?"

Upon learning of this secret, the nanny naturally kept her mouth shut and dared not say a word. She wanted to remain invisible even more than usual. Only when she heard the princess's question did she say, "The governor has returned to his room."

Xie Xun had to attend the morning court session the next day, and seeing that it was almost dawn, he took Ning Yu back to their main house.

A silent atmosphere continued to spread in the room. Xie Xun stood by the bed, looking down at the woman kneeling on the couch, his voice unhurried and calm as always.

"Who are you trying to fool with that deadpan expression?"

Ning Yu lowered her head, her long black hair all gathered to the right, revealing half of her fair and delicate neck. She remained silent, as if she were silently confronting him.

Xie Xun's voice was displeased as he gently lifted her chin, "Still not learning your lesson?"

Their eyes met. Ning Yu looked at his face. His handsome features were expressionless, with an innate arrogance and nobility. He seemed to be bestowing his pity upon others, always using his power to oppress people.

She thought of the Grand Princess's anger, and that there were other aristocratic families like the Xie family waiting to deal with her.

She tried to recreate the feigned intimacy she used to have with him, but no matter how stiffly she tried to force a smile, she couldn't maintain a smooth and gentle demeanor.

With his large hands placed on Ning Yu's shoulders, Xie Xun pulled her into his arms.

Her black hair slid down her shoulders and neck, and with a muffled groan, Ning Yu's hand didn't even get a chance to move before he pinned her to the bed with one hand and pressed his lips heavily against hers.

Heavy breathing mixed with moaning curses echoed in the tent. When Xie Xun heard her voice, his anger inexplicably subsided. He lifted her legs and wrapped them around him, then wrapped one arm around her neck and forced her to look at him.

"You lied to me and tricked me, and I didn't even hold it against you, so why are you getting angry with me?"

His tone was slow, but Ning Yu sensed his coldness. Having witnessed his methods, she knew he would stop at nothing. No matter how gentle he appeared on the surface, she was still afraid of him.

"Would I be lying to you? What could I say? Should I tell the Crown Prince that I love you to death?"

Her tone was sarcastic and filled with self-mockery. Xie Xun looked at her reddened eyes, lowered his head and gave her a fierce kiss.

No matter how hard she tried to find Xie Yan and return to the Xie family, she had no way out now. Apart from him, no one dared to give her a place to stay.

"Mmm---" Ning Yu's breath was instantly taken away. Her tongue went numb from the kiss. She whimpered and grabbed his robe, trying to push him away, but he kissed her even deeper.

With a tearing sound, her clothes were ripped open, revealing her alabaster skin.

Ning Yu's eyes widened. Thinking of Xie Yan, who was still asleep in the guest room, she kicked her legs and struggled desperately, involuntarily cursing him, "Stop, let go---"

Xie Xun hadn't touched her body for two days, and every time he did, he couldn't help but miss her.

He bound her to the couch, untied her waistband, and used his knees to spread her legs apart.

Ning Yu angrily punched him, but he pressed her down on the bed and kissed and sucked her passionately. She reached out and tugged at the bed curtains, which fell lightly down and landed on her fair arm.

His bulging veins grabbed her hand back, and the heavy curtains fell, blocking out all the spring scenery inside.