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

"Your Highness, Vice Minister Gao has arrived."

Just then, the voice of a eunuch came from outside. Xie Jingchen paused, intending to get up and deal with official business first.

With the restraints around her waist loosened, Wei Qingrou's face showed a hint of sadness as she snuggled closer to him, somewhat reluctant to leave.

Since the emperor fell seriously ill and the crown prince took charge of court to attend to him, the two have rarely had time alone together. Sometimes, when he was busy too late, he would stay overnight in the palace.

The palace lanterns burned night after night, but she couldn't wait for his return. Now that she's back in the East Palace, she's been busy with official duties.

Xie Jingchen noticed her reluctance and paused in his act of getting up.

After his father fell seriously ill, he was busy with many matters and had not spent much time with her for quite some time.

"Let him in."

Wei Qingrou sat back down, a flicker of joy crossing her heart. Hearing the official's footsteps approaching, she straightened up slightly, appearing more dignified and poised.

The officials of the Eastern Palace disliked the Crown Princess, who came from the powerful Wei family and was pregnant with the Crown Prince's child. When they entered, they saw the Crown Prince dotingly massaging her waist, which made them even more unhappy, but they still lowered their heads and bowed.

The most urgent matter right now is the letter that just arrived.

"This old minister greets Your Highness and Your Majesty."

"Rise."

Vice Minister Gao handed the letter to the eunuch and presented it to him. "I have checked it. This letter came from the Northwest. I don't know who sent it to the Eastern Palace. Your Highness needs to verify it carefully."

The letter was delivered by the guards of the Eastern Palace early in the morning, but someone broke into the Eastern Palace and secretly placed the letter in his study.

The above is evidence of the crimes committed by the Seventh Prince Xie Chizhang in collusion with clans in the Northeast.

Xie Jingchen found it hard not to suspect that this was a conspiracy, and which of his brothers was the one who wanted to reap the benefits without lifting a finger.

"If Your Highness issues an edict to punish the rebellious Seventh Prince now, he will probably lead his troops to counterattack. But if you do not punish him, the northeastern clans and the Seventh Prince will use the pretext of defending the emperor to fight back to the capital. At that time, with their strong and powerful army, the Great Xia will suffer great devastation."

"Traitors and villains deserve a terrible death." The official from the Eastern Palace coldly retorted, "Your Highness, in my opinion, even if we send a military supervisor to escort the Seventh Prince back to the capital, leaving him in the north will only make him a threat sooner or later."

Xie Jingchen remained silent, wondering who wanted to add fuel to the fire of this struggle for the throne, causing the brothers to turn against each other and plunging the capital into chaos.

Looking at the Crown Prince, who seemed lost in thought, Wei Qingrou felt a pang of heartache. She knew nothing of officialdom and couldn't help him with anything.

Xie Xun went straight to Rong'an Hall as soon as he returned from the palace.

Just then, the old lady got up after a short nap, and several other ladies were sitting in the hall.

Upon hearing the maid's announcement, the old lady gave a wink to the nanny behind her, who understood and turned to leave.

"General, this way please."

The maid lifted the beaded curtain, and the maidservant serving beside her saw the man stride in and quickly and respectfully stepped forward to remove the cloak from his body.

"Grandmother, Mother."

"Please sit down." The old lady's face was solemn. "All of you, step back."

The servants who were serving inside quickly and orderly withdrew, leaving only a few masters inside.

"Look at the mess you've made! You've angered your father and uncle so much that they didn't even go to the morning court session."

As soon as they left, the old lady couldn't sit still and started scolding him.

"Your father went to the Mo Academy today, and I don't know what they talked about. If your elder brother insists on not letting you go and joins forces to put pressure on you in court and send you to the north, your mother will be heartbroken."

Xie Xun slowly lifted his robe and sat down in the chair, picking up a cup of hot tea.

"Grandmother, don't worry, she is."

She was naturally referring to Ning Yu.

The Grand Princess was so angry when she saw him come back to find that girl as soon as he finished court that she was dizzy and didn't want to say anything.

The old lady sighed helplessly and replied, "She's resting in the side room."

"Then my grandson will take her back first."

"Wait," the Grand Princess called out to him. "Your marriage is set for next month. Send her to the villa."

Xie Xun gave a casual "hmm" and turned to leave.

Once everyone had left, the old lady looked towards the doorway of the inner room and said, "Come out."

The Grand Princess was taken aback and looked towards the inner room. She frowned when she saw Ning Yu coming out, wondering why she was in the room.

"You heard what Xun'er said, A-Yu, right?"

Ning Yu knew that the old lady was afraid that she would make a mistake and be reluctant to leave Xie Xun. She was using Xie Xun's words to remind her that staying by his side would only make her a mistress who could not be seen in public.

She already knew in her heart that she wouldn't regret leaving.

"Ayu understands."

When the old lady came to call her, she thought the old lady had changed her mind and her heart was pounding. Little did she know that she was being asked to tell her about Xie Xun's marriage.

The old lady nodded with satisfaction. "Good child, go ahead."

Ning Yu bowed, enduring the varied and disapproving looks from the ladies, and turned to leave.

"Commander, the young lady is resting here. She probably just went to the kitchen."

Inside the side room, Xie Xun sat in a round-backed chair, his eyes scanning the surroundings.

How can it compare to Dongyuan? She must be out of her mind to want to live here.

Just then, Ning Yu walked in, followed by a maid carrying a medicinal meal. Seeing him in the room, she said to the maid, "Take this to the old lady first."

"Yes."

The door was closed from the outside, and Ning Yu walked into the room.

"Why has the Governor come over?"

"What did you talk about with your grandmother at Rong'an Hall?"

She walked to the table and poured herself a cup of tea. "The old lady was very disappointed in me, but she didn't say anything. She asked me to help her cook a bowl of medicinal soup."

On the way, Xie Xun was informed of everything in detail by the guards from the East Garden.

"You came to Rong'an Hall yourself." He squinted at her. "Do you think your grandmother can save you?"

Ning Yu's heart skipped a beat. Looking at him, she felt even more annoyed. She put down her teacup, walked towards him expressionlessly, and sat down on his lap with her legs apart.

The cold thought that had just surfaced in Xie Xun's mind was immediately suppressed by her, and his mood inexplicably improved. He then put his arm around her slender waist.

"Whether or not someone comes to Rong'an Hall is not up to me to decide. Didn't you see your mother and grandmother storming into the East Garden to demand an explanation?"

"What did Grandma say to you?" He gently stroked her waist with his hand.

Ning Yu buried her face in the crook of his neck, her voice muffled, "Let me persuade you not to go against your family, and let me leave on my own."

Xie Xun couldn't see her expression and didn't know if she was lying, but hearing her aggrieved words, his hardened heart softened a little, and he finally said, "Don't worry about it."

She nestled in his arms and softly hummed in agreement.

"Let's go back."

As he spoke, he got up to take her away.

Ning Yu quickly pressed his hand down and said softly, "Your grandmother's headache has flared up again, and I still need to brew some medicine tonight."

Xie Xun looked at her with lowered eyelids, his voice cold and calm, "Do I need you to do the work of a servant?"

"It's just that the maids didn't cook it carefully enough. The old lady is used to the food I make."

"The imperial physician will come to see you; we don't need you."