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

The Xiao family's private residence was located near the clan school. Although the environment was quiet and secluded, other officials' sons also lived around the house, so they inevitably heard rumors about this place.

Last night, the entire East Alley was sealed off, and no one could enter or leave. Soldiers in black armor surrounded the area, and even Lord Rong stood guard outside in fear, without uttering a sound.

Everyone was curious about what had happened, and who the person who mobilized so many troops was. They watched the spectacle with curiosity, and privately speculated about the notices posted by the government a couple of days ago.

In the alley, the mounted generals were already clearing the way ahead, and the inconspicuous carriage behind them had just slowly started to move.

Shen Huijun, who had chased after the carriage, watched it depart. Thinking of the identity of the person inside, his face flushed red and his eyes turned bloodshot. Did the emperor have the right to forcibly take another man's wife? Miss Liu clearly didn't like it.

Qingfeng, who was riding beside the carriage, saw him and, fearing he might be talking nonsense, immediately dismounted, walked to the courtyard gate, and pulled Shen Huijun over. "Are you out of your mind? Why did you chase after me?"

"Is that His Majesty? Is Miss Liu a concubine?"

Qingfeng didn't know if the person in the carriage had heard him. He pulled him towards the door, stuffed a bag of silver into his hand, and said, "Don't fantasize about people you shouldn't be thinking about. Your life is your own."

After saying that, he turned around to leave and then turned back to instruct, "Pretend you never met Madam, and don't talk nonsense outside or you'll lose your life."

The clattering sound of the carriage gradually faded away, and Shen Huijun stood at the dilapidated doorway watching the disappearing figure.

The cold wind blew through his thin clothes, and his hand loosened, causing the gleaming silver ingots to fall to the ground and roll everywhere.

The news of His Majesty's departure from the palace had leaked out, and the court officials, members of the royal family, and the council of elders were all watching his every move; it was impossible to keep it a secret.

Before the emperor even returned to the palace, the news had spread far and wide.

It is said that His Majesty took a fancy to a commoner woman and abducted her from her family. The news spread throughout Xianyang City. Some people also said that the woman was the one His Majesty kept outside when he was a prince, and that she was a married widow.

When the news reached the palace, the Grand Princess, who was enjoying her retirement at the Imperial Palace, smashed a bowl in anger.

"Are you sure the emperor personally went to Xianyang and brought that woman back?"

"This servant heard it from someone's private residence in full view of everyone. The imperial censor at the morning court even said that the emperor had just ascended the throne but was already infatuated with women and forcibly took other men's wives. The Great Xia has no face to show its face---"

"You bastard!"

The servant was so frightened that he immediately shut his mouth, knelt on the ground, and dared not utter another word.

The Emperor's behavior was so outrageous that the Grand Princess clutched her chest and closed her eyes in anger. He hadn't even secured his throne yet, and he was already acting so absurdly. Could it be that Ning family girl who had been sent away again? He was truly blinded by greed.

"Has the young master returned to the Northwest?"

"I'm going back."

Xie Yan had only led his troops to the Northwest five days ago. He had not found Ning Yu's whereabouts and wanted to go to Lianhua Town to take a look himself.

With the Yanzhou pass wide open and a mutiny breaking out, he needed to lead his troops to the battlefield and had to go to the Northwest. So, after failing to find Ning Yu's whereabouts, he agreed to lead his troops there.

Tonight, a thick fog shrouded the entire water surface, and the hazy moonlight shone on the official ships at sea. In the middle, one could vaguely see the imposing warship heavily guarded by soldiers.

By the light of the fire, the passengers on the shore could also see the dozen or so giant ships. The children who had been buying goods with their mothers chattered excitedly as they watched the ships, and the lively sounds rose and fell on the dock.

Inside the ship.

Ning Yu had just woken up, and when she opened her eyes and saw herself sleeping in the cabin, she was completely numb.

Soldiers were guarding outside, and all the items inside the house had been searched and taken away, leaving only some women's belongings. There was also a nanny waiting by the bed to watch over her.

This old woman was summoned temporarily to serve her master. She was a servant in the palace and came to the ship after hearing the order. Knowing that she was serving the master in front of her, she immediately called in the food that had been prepared in advance when she saw that the person had woken up.

"Madam must be hungry. The meal is ready."

Ning Yu stared at the bed curtains without saying a word, then touched the back of her neck and frowned in pain.

She couldn't beat him; he was too fast. He snatched the hairpin in an instant, his body moving like a blur. She didn't even see him clearly before he was in front of her face.

She remembered the expression on the man's face before he knocked her unconscious, propped herself up, and looked around at her surroundings.

When the old woman saw that she was finally willing to get up, she knelt down by the bed to put her shoes on.

"No need, I can do it myself."

Ning Yu put on her shoes and got off the bed. The clothes she was wearing were probably what he had dressed her in after he knocked her unconscious. Her inner garments were all on backwards in a mess. She moved uncomfortably and put on her outer garment.

The guards outside the door said that no one could leave without His Majesty's order. Through the window, one could see more than a dozen giant ships with flames surrounding the warship, heading towards the capital.

Ning Yu could notice the old woman behind her staring at her nervously, probably afraid that she would jump out of the window. There were soldiers all over the deck, and her cabin window did not face the sea. If she jumped out, she would only be caught red-handed by the soldiers.

She glanced at it casually, then looked away and closed the window.

The candlelight in the four corners illuminated the interior of the boat. She glanced at the table full of delicious food, but didn't touch it. Instead, she obediently sat back down on the bed.

Xie Xun had just finished dealing with the urgent dispatches of folded paperwork all day. Leaning back in his chair, he rubbed his forehead wearily. Remembering something, he asked the person below, "Is she awake?"

Qingfeng immediately replied, "He's awake."

With a creak, the door was opened from the outside. Ning Yu, who was sitting on the couch, heard the sound but did not look. She leaned against the bed and remained motionless.

Xie Xun glanced at the food on the table, then looked at the woman who seemed oblivious to her fate, and said in a low voice, "Go down."

The old woman knew these words were directed at her, so she immediately bowed and left, closing the door behind her.

"Don't try to kill yourself, it's useless. Come and eat."

Ning Yu ignored him.

Xie Xun walked over and scooped her off the bed. Ning Yu struggled to push him away, but in no time, he lifted her up in his arms.

Xie Xun sat down on the round stool, pulled her onto his lap, took the soup from the table and brought it to her lips, his voice gentle and calm, "Drink this to nourish your body."

"I have no appetite."

"Are you still sulking with me?"

Ning Yu lowered her eyes and didn't speak. Her long, black hair was not tied up with a hairpin and was casually scattered behind her waist, falling onto the arm that was across her waist.

With a bang, Xie Xun put down the soup bowl, grabbed the back of her neck, and lifted her up.

Their eyes met. Ning Yu wanted to move, but the hand supporting the back of her neck tightened slightly, preventing her from turning her head. She could only frown and look at him.

Xie Xun looked at her beautiful and exquisite features, his tone indifferent and devoid of emotion, "Don't try to mess with me with your body; you'll only suffer."

Are you going to lock me up here?

"I'll let you out when you behave."

Ning Yu felt a chill run down her spine, realizing that he wasn't joking, and the resentment in her heart suddenly flared up like a fire.

Xie Xun seemed not to notice, loosened his grip on her, lowered his cold and aloof eyes, and affectionately nuzzled the top of her head, coaxing her to eat. To outsiders, it would seem that the two were deeply in love.