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

Ever since Ning Yu learned that Xie Xun was still looking for her, she dared not go out. She couldn't handle that kind of scoundrel and his schemes, so she simply stopped going out and sent Qing He to buy groceries, dressed as a man, of course.

In order to avoid being tracked down, she had honed her skills to perfection and could now do Qinghe's makeup with ease.

Qinghe sat on the stool, looking at the young lady's face in front of her, scratching her face because it itched, "I feel like this medicine isn't working well."

Hearing her say that, Ning Yu stopped what she was doing, put away the charcoal pencil, and carefully examined her face.

She couldn't leave the house all day and was trapped here. She could only find some amusement when disguising Qinghe and reading books. She was getting so bored that she was practically moldy.

Seeing that her cheeks were indeed a little red, as if she had an allergic reaction, I said, "How about I go out to buy groceries today, and you go wash your face?"

As she spoke, she began to apply the ointment.

Qinghe quickly grabbed her hand, "Never mind, Miss, let me do it. No matter how you do your makeup, your face will attract attention."

"I don't know if the road is passable anymore. If we go somewhere else, we can go out wearing our veils."

Last night, Shen Huijun brought them news that the city has been heavily guarded recently, with many soldiers of unknown origin. Since they cannot leave the city, they can only stay in his courtyard.

However, this courtyard was very close to the Xiao family school, and it was spacious and large, with front and back courtyards. She rented the back courtyard, so that if the guards came to search the main gate, she could still go out through the side gate.

"This servant will go now."

The weather has been bad these past few days; fine snowflakes are falling outside the window, appearing ethereal against the backdrop of the sky.

Ning Yu watched her leave, then sat on a chair by the window, chin in hand, brewing tea. Occasionally, birds and beasts would perch on the animal horns under the eaves, their two black bean-like eyes blinking and staring.

She didn't know how much longer she would have to live this life of hiding and dodging. Now she just hoped that he would get bored and be able to live a normal life.

"Miss Liu, Miss Liu."

Suddenly, Shen Huijun's panting voice came from outside the courtyard. Ning Yu quickly got up, went out of the house, and opened the courtyard gate for him.

"Young Master Shen, what brings you here?"

Shen Huijun's ears turned red, and he scratched his head, saying, "My elder sister came to see me and is having dinner in the front yard. She would like to invite you and Miss Qing to join us."

Ning Yu had heard him say that he had an older sister in the capital, and that he came to Xianyang City to pursue his studies.

I heard that his sister used to be a coroner, working in the yamen in Xianyang. Apparently, she married and moved to the capital.

"It's too much trouble. I won't disturb you siblings' reunion."

Upon hearing this, a hint of disappointment flashed in Shen Huijun's eyes. It was not easy for his sister to come all this way.

"This must be Miss Liu."

Suddenly, a woman walked over from under a pine tree not far away, holding an umbrella. She wore a light blue dress with a soft fur brocade cloak over it. Her face was delicate, and her peach blossom eyes looked at the two of them with a slight smile.

Ning Yu met her gaze instantly, and upon seeing who it was, she realized that this Sister Shen was not very old. She was smiling, but she couldn't hide the bitterness in her expression.

"Sister, what brings you here?"

"I noticed you hadn't come back, so I thought I'd come and see what was wrong with you." Shen Qingge patted the snowflakes off him and held the umbrella over his head.

Looking at his sister's gentle appearance, Shen Huijun suddenly remembered his sister's cunning and playful nature in the past, and a sadness flashed in his eyes.

"It's rare to hear this rascal talk about people with such enthusiasm. He's a truly remarkable person," Shen Qingge praised with a smile, then routinely asked if they needed anything so she could prepare it for them.

"Sister, please don't ask. Miss Liu is just staying here temporarily."

Seeing her younger brother's embarrassed expression, Shen Qingge glanced at Ning Yu, who remained calm and emotionless, and then realized that her younger brother had been the one who was enthusiastic about the task.

"Miss Liu is about my age. Please feel free to ask if you need any help."

Ning Yu said, "I hope Madam Shen can keep my stay here a secret."

The city is in a state of panic, and she really doesn't dare to go out to look for a house.

In a daze, she heard someone call her that. Shen Qingge's eyes flashed with confusion. Everyone in that mansion called her Aunt Shen.

"Jun'er told me, so Miss Liu, don't worry."

After exchanging greetings, seeing that Ning Yu didn't want to eat, Shen Qingge took her younger brother and left, inquiring about his studies and leaving him some silver before departing.

"I do not want."

"Listen to me, I don't know when I'll be able to come see you again. Next year, all the candidates will be going to the capital for the imperial examinations. If you pass with flying colors, your older sister will wait for you to be transferred to a post outside the capital and leave with you."

A bitter feeling flashed through Shen Huijun's heart. His parents had died early, and he and his older sister had grown up relying on each other.

The older sister was quick and efficient at her work. She had learned excellent skills from her previous coroner and worked in the yamen. The two of them lived a very happy life.

But the good times didn't last long. One day, a high-ranking official from the capital suddenly came to the government office. For some reason, he and his sister took a liking to each other. When his sister came back that night, she said that she wanted to marry and move to the capital. He could only see his sister when he went to the capital for the New Year.

Shen Qingge didn't have time to chat with him anymore; the man had only given her two hours, and the carriage outside was still waiting.

The Xiao family has a mansion in Xianyang City, which is magnificent and grand, with a golden plaque bearing the name "Xiao Mansion" hanging high, resplendent in gold.

After returning to the mansion, Shen Qingge went straight to her residence. As soon as she opened the door, she saw that the person had already returned and was sitting on the couch, sleeping, having just changed her clothes.

She took off her long fur coat, walked over gently, and stood behind him, rubbing his forehead.

"So slow?"

"I came back after seeing the person, it didn't take much time."

"That kid didn't cause any trouble, did he?"

Shen Qingge frowned. Ah Jun wasn't the type to cause trouble.

The man's voice rang out again quickly, "You don't want to hear it again? Wasn't it him who beat the young master of the Duke's mansion so badly he couldn't get out of bed last year?"

It's all because those people bully others by taking advantage of their power. They think Shen Huijun is helpless and use his family's influence to bully him, and they don't want him to stay in the Xiao family academy.

Unable to hear a sound, a strong arm reached back and pulled her onto the bed, right in front of him.

Shen Qingge was startled and quickly sat up. "Xiao Zhiliu, what are you doing?!"

That's right, the person who came was Xiao Zhiliu.

He was in Xianyang on official business. With the new emperor's ascension to the throne, the power of the Elders' Council was reshuffled, and the Xiao family was naturally not immune to internal strife.

"How dare you call me by my first name?"

Seeing that he didn't seem angry, Shen Qingge pursed her lips and sat up.

Xiao Zhiliu pulled her back into his arms and kissed her.

After all these years, I still can't get enough of kissing you.