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

Under the cover of night, the thief in black had already run towards the top of the wall. The Dragon Scale Guards gave chase, leaving only the carriage riddled with bullet holes in the quiet, secluded alley.

Xie Xun stood outside the carriage, listening to the soft voice inside, and suddenly remembered the dress he had torn to shreds.

He took off his robe and threw it in.

A short while later, the man got off the carriage wearing his clothes.

Under the moonlight, the woman's hair was disheveled, and her beautiful face was stunningly gorgeous. Perhaps due to excessive fright, the corners of her eyes were slightly red.

"Anyone who didn't know better would really think my sister-in-law was a weak woman."

Unintentionally, these ambiguous words suddenly entered her ears. Ning Yu lowered her eyelids and said in a low voice, "I have been in poor health since childhood, so I only know a little martial arts to strengthen my body. I have never seen such a scene before. Commander, please don't joke with me."

"Yeah?"

Xie Xun stared down at her, unable to see her face clearly, only a section of her fair and delicate neck standing out against her dark hair.

She is now undoubtedly gentle, having lost the cold and shrewish demeanor she displayed in the temple, as well as the decisiveness she displayed when killing. Her courage seems to be only a tiny fraction.

This gate was only for people from the East Garden to enter and exit, and even if someone saw her like this, no one would dare to say anything.

Ning Yu, feeling perfectly at ease, wore his clothes as she walked across the arched stone bridge. Watching the man walk towards the waterside pavilion, she said, "I'll wash the clothes and then return them to the Governor."

Xie Xun remained silent, but the lackey behind him spoke up, turning around respectfully and saying, "The Princess Consort can return via the Qingyuan route."

Ning Yu responded verbally, but her eyes were fixed on the departing figure, her aloof and arrogant demeanor truly repulsive.

Qingyuan is a remote place, and no one will notice us coming back from here. It was late at night, and we didn't encounter many people along the way.

It was already half an incense stick later when they returned to the Ink Courtyard. Qinghe was pacing anxiously in the courtyard when she saw someone coming around from the corridor in the distance, and she immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

"Miss, where have you been? You've been gone for so long. This afternoon—" Qinghe began, but then noticed the man's clothes she was wearing and gasped, "What's this?"

Ning Yu was exhausted after a long day and didn't feel like explaining, so she went straight to the point, "The Grand Princess is looking for me?"

"Yes, I told her that Miss had gone out to buy medicine, and a little while later a nanny came to tell her to come back and see the princess immediately."

Ning Yu entered the room, took off her long robe, and casually threw it onto the couch.

"Let's go tomorrow."

The next morning, Ning Yu got up early to see the Grand Princess.

Because of Xie Yan's death in battle, there were many things to do in the manor, and the Grand Princess had already gone to Rong'an Hall early in the morning.

When Ning Yu arrived at Rong An Hall, she saw that several ladies from the mansion had also arrived and were all waiting in the outer hall.

"As the Crown Princess, how can you not stay at your husband's coffin and instead spend the whole day out?"

The angry voice, neither too loud nor too soft, reached the ears of the people closest to her. Ning Yu could feel the gazes cast upon her, which made her face turn red.

She lowered her eyes and explained, "I was sick yesterday. There were many things to do at the manor. My grandmother was seriously ill, so I didn't want to bother the manor doctor. I went to the clinic to get a prescription and take the medicine. I also went to the Lantern River to release a lantern for my husband."

The Grand Princess paused, looking at her submissive demeanor, her hand still holding the silver stick and fiddling with the incense. "You certainly have a heart."

The high and mighty princess is a respectable person who wouldn't do those petty, veiled, superficial things, but she can make people die mysteriously.

Ning Yu understood this principle well.

"master."

Just then, a commotion came from outside. Ning Yu looked up and saw several men walking in from the outside.

When Xie Xun followed the crowd in, he spotted Ning Yu immediately. She was so eye-catching in the crowd that even in simple white clothes, she was still noticeable.

She seemed to have been scolded; her eyes showed embarrassment as she looked over. When she saw him, she bit her lip and lowered her head slightly.

There were many people gathered in the inner room, including the Duke of Dingguo. Ning Yu moved back a little, but could still faintly hear the old lady's questions.

"Yes, it's confirmed, it's set for the day after tomorrow."

The old lady's eyes were blurry with tears, as if all her strength had suddenly been released.

The Grand Princess glanced at the old lady's expression and said to Ning Yu, "Bring the medicine soup."

The piping hot medicinal soup had just been brewed. Ning Yu took the tray from the nanny and stirred it with a spoon to help it cool down quickly.

Xie Ling was standing at the doorway of the outer room. When she saw her walking over, she stuck out one foot.

Ning Yu caught a glimpse of it out of the corner of her eye, and immediately stomped on it, causing Xie Ling to scream in pain.

The sharp cry quickly attracted everyone's attention. Ning Yu calmly carried the medicine inside, and Xie Ling behind her immediately shouted angrily, "Stop right there!"

Seeing that she didn't react, Xie Ling gritted her teeth, stomped her foot, lifted the beaded curtain, walked in, and pushed her over.

Ning Yu actually sensed the palm strike. Looking at the man's figure in front of her, her dark eyes darted left and right.

With a force that was neither too strong nor too weak, she was pushed over, and she immediately screamed. The medicine in her hand was instantly spilled onto the man's back, and she fell to the ground.

The scalding medicine splashed all over the back of his clothes. Xie Xun groaned and turned around to find a soft body rushing towards him. He grabbed her wrist and steadied her.

With a loud crack, the sound of the porcelain bowl shattering was like a thunderclap out of nowhere. Everyone looked over in surprise, staring wide-eyed at the scene before them.

The Grand Princess turned around and saw the two people she had almost embraced. Her face immediately darkened, especially when she saw that other people's eyes were also on the two of them. Her expression became even more unpleasant.

"What are you doing?!"

The sharp voice instantly brought everyone back to their senses. Ning Yu quickly straightened up, squatted down, and picked up the porcelain bowl.

The maids and servants outside immediately came in to clean up the broken pieces of medicine soup, and quickly and efficiently dealt with the situation.

"Mother, my sister-in-law stepped on my foot, so I pushed her. It's not my fault."

The willful and arrogant voice reached everyone's ears. Ning Yu immediately admitted her mistake, "I accidentally stepped on Fifth Sister and knocked over the medicine bowl. Please punish me, Mother."

"How can you be so clumsy?"

"It wasn't my sister-in-law who stepped on Fifth Sister; it was clearly her who deliberately tripped her. I saw it." At this moment, the Seventh Young Master stood up and pointed at Xie Ling with dissatisfaction.

Xie Ling frowned. "You brat, shut up."

Upon seeing this, everyone immediately understood the reason for the situation, but their eyes still lingered on Xie Xun and Ning Yu, whispering among themselves.

Hearing the rumors and seeing her son's back completely soaked with medicine, the Grand Princess was furious and her face turned ugly.

The old lady also heard the commotion and sat up weakly. Seeing that her grandson's back was completely wet, she immediately told Xie Xun to go into the inner room to change his clothes.

"Go out and kneel down as punishment to reflect on your mistakes."

Ning Yu responded meekly. When Xie Xun stepped past her, he noticed that her hand was red from the burn, but he ignored it and went to the inner room to change his clothes.