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

What could she do? The Crown Princess Ning Yu was already dead, and she was now an unregistered resident. If the Xie family was willing to spare her life, she would naturally want to stay far away from them, as if she were truly dead.

But this is the East Garden, and there might be sentries eavesdropping on their conversation from the roof beams or some other dark place, so she can't say it directly.

Ning Yu lowered her eyes and said, "I leave it to the old lady to decide."

Before the old lady could speak, the Grand Princess spoke first, her dignified and noble face filled with a cold killing intent.

"If the Xie family were in charge, they would naturally skin you alive. You know that in your heart, so there's no need for these high-sounding words to deceive us."

"Now it's because the two of them are protecting you that you're able to stand here and speak. But the Xie family will never allow the scandal of a brother taking his brother's wife to get out. If you're even slightly sensible, you'll know what to do."

Therefore, since the Xie family couldn't control Xie Xun, they put pressure on her.

A flash of sarcasm crossed Ning Yu's eyes. She sensed that these words meant she had no choice but to either die or try to persuade Xie Xun.

The Xie family had no intention of restoring order to things. The Crown Princess Ning Yu was already dead, and that was that. She couldn't continue living in the Xie family under the guise of being the Crown Princess, especially not in the East Garden, which would only lead to wild speculation.

Talking to a smart person is effortless. The Grand Princess saw that she clearly understood what she meant, and her anger subsided slightly.

She was a smart woman, but unfortunately, her family background was too low and she was a troublemaker, causing her two sons to turn against each other, which she absolutely could not tolerate.

"The governor is tyrannical and won't listen to me."

Upon hearing this, the old lady and the eldest princess both frowned, especially the eldest princess.

What do you mean her son is violent? The girls in the capital say that her son is gentle and kind, like a high mountain snow, unattainable. But in the mouth of this Ning family girl, he has become a violent person.

The Grand Princess was displeased, but remembering the outrageous things her rebellious son had done in the past two days, she did not refute him for the time being.

"Ayu, Grandmother is doing this for your own good. If it weren't for Xun'er interfering, you and Ayan would be a match made in heaven, and Grandmother wouldn't object to you. But things have already come to this, and we have to resolve them. You don't want Ayan to lose face."

Mentioning Xie Yan made Ning Yu's mind buzz. She thought of his injuries and what he said when he broke into the East Garden last night. Endless guilt overwhelmed her like a tidal wave.

She was the one who dragged him down to this point, making him lose all face.

"I—" she paused, "I wonder if Grandmother has been having trouble sleeping lately?"

Hearing her inexplicable remark, the second madam assumed she was afraid of death and wanted to win the old madam's favor, but no matter how she thought about it, something felt off. She put down her teacup and looked at her.

The old lady understood her unspoken meaning and remained silent for a while. "I've been having a headache lately because of your affairs. I remember you used to be good at making medicinal cuisine. Come with me to Rong'an Hall later."

The news that the old lady was going to take the lady away quickly spread throughout the East Garden. The guards who were originally ordered to guard Ning Yu immediately appeared and blocked the hall.

When the old lady came out, she saw a courtyard full of guards, and her face immediately turned cold. "What, are you all going to use force against me?"

"This servant dares not, but the governor has ordered that the lady must stay in the East Garden."

"Outrageous!" the Grand Princess roared. "Both are unmarried and neither is married. How can they be kept like this in the East Garden? When your Governor returns, tell him that he wants them to come to Rong'an Hall."

The guards did not obey, and the servants in the East Garden all obeyed the governor's orders, even when the old lady came.

Looking at the guards filling the courtyard, Ning Yu could sense that there were also hidden sentries watching. With such heavy guards, it would be difficult for her to escape from the East Garden by herself.

Although it's like dealing with a tiger for its skin, it's still better than making Xie Yan lose face. She doesn't want to let him down again.

She came out from the back and looked at the head guard in the courtyard. "The old lady asked me to go over and make medicinal cuisine. I returned in less than an hour."

The guard's face was cold and expressionless. "I cannot comply."

The guards of the East Garden were so arrogant that the old lady's face darkened as if ink were about to drip from it.

The Grand Princess, too lazy to waste words, took two steps down the stairs and slapped him across the face, saying, "Get out of my way."

Having said that, he grabbed Ning Yu's arm and tried to leave, but the guards from the East Garden surrounded them and drew their swords.

The Grand Princess was startled by the cold, sharp blade, but her anger only grew stronger. "Such audacity! Is the Eastern Garden plotting a rebellion?"

"This servant dares not, but I have no choice but to obey my master's orders."

"Alright, stop arguing." The old lady, with a headache, was helped down the stone steps. "You're coming with us."

Upon hearing this, the head guard hesitated for a moment before responding in silence.

After everyone had left, he lowered his voice and said to the person behind him, "Go and inform the governor."

"Yes."

The East Garden was quite a distance from Rong'an Hall, but Ning Yu hadn't seen many servants along the way, which made her feel a little relieved.

Upon arriving at Rong'an Hall, the old lady led her into the inner hall, and all the servants in the room withdrew.

"You all go back first, let Ayu go and get me a bowl of medicinal food."

The Grand Princess had a grim face. Her idea was to kill the Ning family girl now, because it would be too late if her son returned.

But the old lady didn't seem to want to kill her; she leaned wearily against the soft couch as if her headache had really flared up.

"Princess, let's go back first."

The second wife came over and whispered, "This matter can't be resolved so quickly. I heard that the young master went to the East Garden last night, fainted, and was sent back. I don't know if he's awake yet. Princess, you should go and check on him first."

When the Grand Princess came out, she glanced at the head guard who was standing in the courtyard. He was startled by her gaze, but he didn't leave and stood in the courtyard waiting.

Inside the room, after everyone had left, the old lady looked at Ning Yu below and asked, "Speak."

"Princess Ning Yu is dead. I will leave the Xie family and change my name from now on."

Her attitude was expressed in a single sentence. The old lady looked at her docile appearance and sighed inwardly.

A perfectly good young woman was forced to leave the capital, lose her identity, and never see her family again. It was the Xie family's fault.

"Xun'er's temperament---"

"If the old lady helps me leave the capital, I will never return to the capital in my life."

The old lady was startled. Looking at the determined look in her eyes, she suddenly felt as if she had never truly known this girl before. Was her obedience in the Xie family all an act?

It's fine to leave like this. Love is inherently ephemeral; with time, it will all fade away.

"Go ahead, I will prepare money and travel documents for you, and find a suitable opportunity to send you away."

Ning Yu felt a sense of relief and looked innocently at the old lady, "Can I stay in Rong'an Hall?"

This girl.

The old lady waved her hand, ignoring her, "Go and rest in the side room next door."