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

Ning Yu came out from behind the artificial hill and walked around to the path by the lake. The scene just now kept replaying in her mind, and she closed her eyes tightly.

She was incredibly glad she hadn't told Xie Yan where she wanted to go; she left the capital because she didn't want any further involvement with the men of the Xie family.

Thinking of the maid who had just been looking for her, she quickly cleared her mind and wanted to calm the person down first.

She had only taken two steps when she suddenly thought of Xie Xun.

Xie Xun was a very suspicious man. If someone already knew that she had been lost around the rockery for a while and told Xie Xun, he would definitely have some doubts.

Thinking of this, she glanced at her wrist, which had been gripped red, and then fixed her gaze on the other side of the lake.

The maid walked around the octagonal pavilion but still couldn't find Ning Yu. She panicked and hurriedly went to call for help, but as soon as she reached the lakeside, she saw people climbing up the lake.

Upon closer inspection, I saw a familiar face and was startled. I quickly walked to the lakeside and reached out to pull it.

"Madam, Madam, how did you fall into the water?"

The shouts quickly attracted the attention of the patrolling people nearby. The maid shouted in panic, "Don't come any closer! Don't come any closer! Find a matron to bring the lady's cloak over here!"

The guards heard the sound of someone falling into the water and quickly realized what had happened. None of them dared to go over, and instead sent someone to fetch clothes.

"Madam, how could you have fallen into the water like this? It's so cold outside, I would be utterly responsible if you caught a chill."

Ning Yu quickly climbed ashore, her wet clothes clinging to her body, her hair disheveled, and she was shivering from the cold.

"I accidentally tripped and fell, and the hairpin fell down, so I went to pick it up."

Looking at the hairpin in the lady's hand, the maid said helplessly, "The lady has many more exquisite and valuable jewelry boxes than this. Why go through the trouble of going into the water for a hairpin? We servants could have gone to find one ourselves."

"It was sent by the Governor."

Seeing her so affectionate expression, the maid sighed. Every piece of clothing, accessory, and silver jewelry worn by the lady was a gift from the governor. What was so special about a hairpin?

She thought this to herself, but didn't say it aloud. She helped the person up to the covered walkway.

The nannies arrived quickly, and more than a dozen of them immediately surrounded her, tied the cloak around Ning Yu's body, and helped her hurry back.

The head matron glared at the maid, who broke out in a cold sweat. Seeing that everyone had left, she quickly followed.

I'm really unlucky; I'll be punished by the nanny when I get back for failing to protect my master.

Xie Xun was originally handling matters in the palace when he heard from Qingfeng that Ning Yu had fallen into the water. Since the palace physician had already gone there, he put down his official duties and returned to the palace first.

As soon as he entered the waterside pavilion, he heard the woman inside muttering that she didn't want to take her medicine. He frowned and strode in.

Ning Yu was leaning against the bed, looking at the bowl of medicine in front of her with a worried expression. When she saw him return, she immediately got off the bed barefoot and pounced into his arms. Her soft body was still trembling. "Why did you take so long to come back?"

The maids and servants serving them immediately lowered their heads, not daring to look, upon seeing the two acting so intimately.

Xie Xun had never seen her so enthusiastic before. He suppressed his suspicion and picked her up in his arms.

"You fell into the water and didn't even put on your shoes. Aren't you afraid of making your illness worse?"

Ning Yu is sensitive to the cold, and even though it's only October, the house is already heated by the underfloor heating, so it's not cold with the windows open.

She rested her head against his chest. "The doctor said it's just a bit of a chill. I'm in pretty good health. I'll be fine after taking the medicine and sleeping through the night."

"How did you end up in the water?"

She knows martial arts and isn't reckless. How could she fall into the water?

Before Ning Yu could answer, the kneeling nanny immediately explained the whole story, afraid of being punished and not daring to say more.

Xie Xun glanced at her ankle. "Is it injured? What did the doctor say?"

"No, I just missed a step. The doctor said it's nothing."

She trembled and burrowed into his arms, clutching his clothes tightly with both hands, her expression hidden.

Xie Xun wrapped his arms around her waist and took the medicine bowl that the nanny handed him. "Drink your medicine."

"It's too bitter, I don't want to drink it."

"I'll feed you?"

It was clearly not a proper feeding, so Ning Yu immediately took the medicine bowl and gulped it down in small sips.

A maidservant handed her some candied fruit, which she took and put in her mouth. After eating it, she rinsed her mouth with water.

During this time, Xie Xun kept staring at her without saying a word, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

Ning Yu noticed this, and after the cool minty taste in her mouth dissipated, she immediately changed the subject, "Are you very busy? You're coming home later and later."

Xie Xun ignored her words, glanced at the clothes she had changed into, and took her hand in his, rubbing it gently. "The lake water must be very cold, your wrists are so red."

Ning Yu snuggled into his arms and pulled her clothes down a bit. "Your clothes are all red too. The lake water was so cold."

Seeing her usually fair and delicate skin turn red and cold, Xie Xun's expression visibly darkened.

"Knowing it's freezing cold, you went into the water for a hairpin?"

"I had just fallen onto the riverbank and was thinking of picking it up when a loose stone gave way, and I accidentally fell in."

"The lady was in a bad mood, so she decided to go for a walk. On the way, she kept talking about how the governor was going to get married. She was so distracted that she missed a step."

The maid who spoke was the one who always accompanied Ning Yu. Fearing that she would be punished for failing to protect her mistress, she quickly stepped forward to embellish Ning Yu's story, making it seem as if she had personally witnessed Ning Yu falling into the water while retrieving a hairpin.

"Thinking of the hairpin the governor had given me, I couldn't bear to throw it away, so I went to pick it up."

These words make it sound like she's being jealous, but this girl seems to think she's upset because of Xie Xun's marriage.

Just what she wanted, Ning Yu didn't argue, and leaned weakly against the man's chest.

Xie Xun glanced at the maid who had spoken, his expressionless gesture frightening her so much that she lowered her head even further.

The lady was sickly on the couch all afternoon. She even went into the water because of the hairpin the governor gave her. When she came out, she looked distraught. Wasn't it because she was upset about the governor's marriage and wanted to compete for his favor?

She was a maidservant who served the mistress. In order to help her mistress win favor, she naturally had to say what her mistress couldn't say herself.

"I'm sick, so I'd better go and rest in the side room. I don't want to pass my illness on to the Governor."

A somewhat somber voice came from the woman in his arms. Xie Xun withdrew his gaze, tucking her clothes around his neck. "I'm not that weak. You're so cold. Shall I take you for a medicinal bath?"

"I'm feeling a bit weak, probably from catching a cold. I want to lie down and sleep for a while." She looked up at him with her wet eyes. "I heard your wedding date is set. When are you going to take me to the villa?"

"Stay here, why go to some villa?"

"But aren't you getting married next month?"

Xie Xun wondered if she cared about his marriage since she had brought it up herself.

He casually hummed in agreement. It didn't matter to him who he married; he didn't need to rely on marriage alliances to consolidate his power. It didn't matter who he chose.

He couldn't help but look down at the person in his arms.

"So, once you're married, you won't abandon me, will you?"

Her soft voice carried a hint of disappointment. Could it be that she was really afraid he would abandon her? Xie Xun's mood improved a bit, and he was too lazy to care what she had lied to him about again. "If you're afraid, then behave yourself."