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

Xie Xun left, and Ning Yu watched his departing figure, feeling a vague unease as she recalled what the guard had said when he came to report.

The Xie family holds high positions in the court. Xie Xun's uncles and elders are all in the council of elders. The head of the Xie family is Xie Xun's uncle, who holds the position of prime minister in the court. He is powerful and influential. Can Xie Xun really control so many members of the Xie clan?

Not to mention the many clansmen in the royal family.

The nannies efficiently cleaned up the dining table, and a maid came in to help her take a bath.

Ning Yu looked at the night outside the window, wondering if Xie Yan had woken up yet.

She used to want to live a peaceful life under the emperor's nose, but now she doesn't want to and can't stay in the Xie family anymore, and she can't even stay in the capital city anymore.

Xie Yan woke up in the afternoon. His injuries were not very serious. As soon as he woke up, he sent people to look for Ning Yu's whereabouts.

It wasn't until the hour of You (5-7 PM) that he learned Ning Yu had already returned to the Xie family and was still living in the East Garden. He was so angry that his wound hissed with pain.

He did not go to the East Garden, nor did he disturb the members of the imperial clan. He simply sent word to all his uncles to come to the Xie family.

After all, a woman's reputation is important, and he didn't want Ning Yu to become the target of public criticism; it was Xie Xun's fault.

"Your Highness, the Commander has gone to the ancestral hall. Would you like to go there now?"

Xie Yan didn't move. He looked at the things on the table and started sketching on the paper with a pen.

The Xie clan members discussed important political affairs at the Chengguang Ancestral Temple. The Xie family ancestral hall was only open during the New Year's sacrifices; on ordinary days, only servants came to clean the dust, and no one else came.

Meanwhile, the once vast and empty ancestral hall was now packed with people, brightly lit all around. The head of the Xie family sat at the head of the table, while the other elders sat on either side.

Xie Xun strode in, cupped his hands, and said, "Greetings to Father, Mother, and all my uncles and elders."

The Duke of Dingguo looked at him with displeasure, without uttering a word.

The Xie family patriarch showed no unusual expression, but simply asked, "Who is that woman you brought back to your room?"

"Ning Yu." Xie Xun casually pulled out a stool and sat down.

Clearly, everyone had already heard rumors, and now that he had admitted it so readily, their faces turned extremely ugly, and the atmosphere became tense.

"You bastard! Do you know what you're doing? Where do you think you're putting your brother's face?"

"Erlang and your brother have been brothers in the north for many years. Now, because of a woman, things have come to this, which is a disgrace to the Xie family."

"Your uncle is right. The family must stand up for Ayan. If Erlang doesn't want things to get out of control, hand this woman over, kill her to save face for the Xie family, and also to protect your elder brother's reputation."

The sounds of people talking filled the ancestral hall, but Xie Xun's expression remained unchanged. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers lightly tapping on the table.

Seeing that he remained silent, the Xie family head said, "This was originally a matter between the two of you brothers, and it's not appropriate for us to let the members of the imperial clan interfere. Right now, there are only a few elders in the family. Erlang, tell me how you want to resolve this?"

"The matter is settled now. I would like to ask the elders to persuade my elder brother."

The faces of the gentlemen in the mansion instantly turned ugly, alternating between pale and flushed.

"Are you really going to brazenly parade around with that woman in public? My Xie family can't afford to lose face like that."

Xie Xun looked over at the Third Master who was speaking and chuckled softly.

"Third Uncle, I heard that a couple of days ago you abducted the daughter of an official at Yuchun Pavilion and played her to death. The minor official had nowhere to turn and committed suicide by crashing into the yamen. How was the matter settled?"

Upon hearing this, the Third Master was speechless, holding his breath and daring not to speak.

The others looked over with knowing glances. The Xie family head glared at the Third Master, but didn't ask any questions. He just looked at Xie Xun.

"We're talking about your business now, so don't bring up irrelevant things."

After saying that, the Xie family head glanced at the Duke of Dingguo, who remained silent, wondering if he was mute, since his father was not speaking.

"Erlang, you know in your heart that this matter cannot be brought up in public. The best solution is to kill the Ning family girl and quell all the rumors. Your father is doing this for your own good, for the good of you two brothers."

Xie Xun's voice was indifferent, "I will get her a new household registration and identity, and then bring her back to the manor legitimately. It won't bring shame to the Xie family."

Most importantly, it will prevent her from being pointed at and gossiped about.

"Outrageous!" Everyone was indignant, shouting angrily, "Are you going to marry her?"

The Xie family head's usually calm expression darkened, but he still didn't lose his temper.

His nephew holds immense power, sitting in the position of commander-in-chief of the three armies. Just two days ago, he forced all the noble families in the council of elders to agree to let several princes lead the expedition. He really didn't want to fall out with them over these matters.

"That lowly thing provoked you two brothers to draw your swords against each other, causing the Xie family to lose all face. You still think you can bring her into the manor legitimately? Dream on!"

"Don't forget, the person you're going to marry is Princess Huayang. The third young lady of the Xiao family, who was previously introduced to you, also took a liking to you. I heard that the Xie family chose Princess Huayang, but the young lady of the Xiao family said she was willing to be a concubine as long as she could marry you. Why should the daughter of the Ning family be on equal footing with these noble ladies?"

"Your paternal grandfather is right. Even if you change her identity and household registration, she still cannot marry into the Xie family, not even as a concubine."

Previously, they thought Xie Yan was dead and didn't bother to deal with her. Later, when A Yan came back, they originally wanted to secretly execute him and remarry him, but Xie Yan protected her and the matter was dropped. They then thought of marrying another concubine.

Later, the Ning family girl died, which conveniently freed up a place for her, and everyone was happy. But who knew that so many things would get out of hand?

Xie Xun's dark eyes flashed coldly as he swept his gaze indifferently over the elders present. He was not in power to be manipulated by others.

"I just want a woman, and I haven't even said I want to marry her yet, but all the elders are so opposed. In that case, there's no need to talk about it anymore. If you want to kill her, you'll have to step over my dead body first. But---"

He leaned back in his chair, his elegant face now cold and sinister, his icy expression inspiring awe. "Whether the Xie family can hold onto their position as head of the elders' council is a matter for the cabinet to decide."

"You!" Everyone in the Xie family was so shocked that their faces changed, and the ancestral hall fell into a deathly silence.

Xie Xun, the eldest son of the Xie family, was expected to achieve great things from a young age. He was the eldest son of the Xie family, whom the Xie clan tried their best to support. He was aloof and upright, but now he was going against his family and threatening them for the sake of a woman.

East Garden.

Ning Yu lay in bed, unable to fall asleep. She was pondering her next steps. Fuzhou was the place she knew best besides the capital.

She is currently an unregistered resident. In addition to needing an identity card and household registration, she also needs a travel permit, otherwise she cannot even leave the city.

With a click, Ning Yu frowned, pulled her clothes tighter, and got off the bed. Seeing the figure outside the window, she quickly took the clothes off the rack and put them on, then called out to the person outside.

Before she could even utter a word, she heard a familiar voice, "Ayu, it's me."

Ning Yu's heart skipped a beat. She quickly put on her clothes, went over, and opened the window.