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

The burn on the back of my hand gradually subsided after two hours.

Ning Yu ate something to fill her stomach, and when Qing He came in, she saw Ning Yu staring at the clothes on the small couch.

"Miss, let me take it out and wash it first."

"No need to wash it, just leave it there."

"Would you like to take a bath first, Miss?"

Upon hearing this, Ning Yu glanced at the night outside through the wide-open window; it was already 7 PM.

"Go and put Yue and Xiang into the bathtub to soak."

Qinghe immediately took out all her bottles and jars from the cabinet, carefully picked out the moon and fragrance, poured them into water, and a very faint fragrance slowly wafted out.

Ning Yu took off her clothes and went inside to soak. After an incense stick's time, she dried herself off and came out wearing a light outfit.

After Xie Yan died, she wore plain clothes in the mansion, and was wrapped up very tightly. She basically didn't have any nice clothes.

She was wearing a lotus-root-colored dress, her face was bare of makeup, and she used a blue snail-shaped brush to outline the corners of her eyes, which made her look even more charming.

Even Qinghe, who was used to seeing beauties, had to admit that her young lady was the most beautiful. Even after so many years, she still couldn't take her eyes off her.

"Where are you going, Miss?"

"fishing."

Fishing?! Qinghe was suspicious, but when she saw her mistress pick up the cloak that was casually placed on the small couch, she immediately changed her mind and hurried over to help tidy it up.

Ning Yu didn't leave until almost midnight. It was so late, and there were very few people around in the mansion. The lanterns swaying under the eaves faintly illuminated the stone steps beneath her feet.

The Xie residence was so large that it took Ning Yu about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea to walk there. Only after seeing the gate plaque of the East Garden did she cross the ebony bridge and walk inside.

Someone in the courtyard was carrying a lantern, which illuminated the corpses lying haphazardly on the ground. The dim firelight revealed the man's cold and stern features. He was standing on the dying man in black, his eyes lowered, seemingly saying something.

Suddenly, the man turned his head, and his sleeve seemed to have eyes, watching her as she shot at him. Ning Yu immediately picked up a stone from the ground and threw it backhand.

The man's force was too great, causing her shoulder to ache sharply, and the hidden weapon pierced straight into the low bushes.

Seeing Ning Yu brought over, Xie Xun's fierce look softened slightly, his expression unreadable. "What are you doing here in the middle of the night, sister-in-law?"

Ning Yu's eyes darted around, her gaze involuntarily falling on the corpses and blood on the ground. These must be the group of people who shot Xie Xun at the gate of the mansion yesterday, and they have been captured and brought back.

She slowly raised her eyes. The lamplight covered half of his face, so she couldn't see his expression clearly, but she could see that his eyes were dark and motionless, like the alluring eyes of a demon.

For some reason, Ning Yu felt her back was damp with sweat. She used to think he wasn't a good person, but now she was a little afraid of him from the bottom of her heart.

She pursed her lips and handed over the clothes. "I'm here to return the governor's clothes."

He glanced at them, threw down the dagger, and gestured for Qingfeng to take everyone into the dungeon and lock them up. He then walked into the house himself.

Qingfeng understood. This princess had already witnessed her master's shady dealings several times, and he hadn't killed her yet, so one more time wouldn't make a difference. Therefore, he didn't say anything more.

Ning Yu saw him walk into the house and followed him.

A faint fragrance wafted from not far away. Xie Xun, with his back to her, stood in front of the wooden shelf washing his hands. Sticky blood flowed down his finger bones into the water. He looked up at Ning Yu, "Sister-in-law, you changed your sachet?"

Ning Yu put the clothes on the hanger and shook her head. "They probably smelled of the flowers in the yard."

Xie Xun lowered his eyes, took the handkerchief handed to him by the servant, and wiped his fingers clean one by one.

"I have a question for the Commander-in-Chief."

"Um?"

Ning Yu tugged at the hem of her robe and slowly said, "My grandmother is seriously ill, and my mother is also working tirelessly every day. I really don't want to bother her, so I wanted to ask the Governor when my husband's funeral arrangements will be made?"

With the great family reunited and Xie Yan having died on the battlefield, things must be very busy. However, she has not heard when Xie Yan will be buried in the mausoleum, and she doesn't know if there is still time.

Xie Xun handed the handkerchief back to the servant and sat down in the armchair. "My sister-in-law and elder brother only met once, but she has deep feelings for him."

Ning Yu said, "My husband died fighting for the country, which is a great act of righteousness, and I admire him greatly."

The wind outside suddenly picked up, seeping in through the crack in the door, and the palace lantern in the corner occasionally crackled with sparks.

"Sister-in-law, could I take a look at the sachet you're wearing?"

Ning Yu just stared at him with a puzzled look, then untied the sachet from her waist and handed it over.

It contained only simple spices, with little to no fragrance, and it didn't smell like what he had smelled.

Xie Xun stared at her, his eyes looking gentle, yet they seemed to pierce her heart, sending chills down her spine.

Ning Yu held her breath and reached out to take the sachet back, but accidentally touched his fingers.

His fingers were warm and smooth, but just as she was about to quickly roll the sachet back, he suddenly closed his fingers and grabbed her wrist as well.

She was momentarily distracted and stepped on the hem of her skirt, then lost control and fell forward, landing in his arms.

The whole process was so smooth and quick, it happened almost in the blink of an eye.

Their bodies were pressed close together. Ning Yu hurriedly tried to get up from his embrace, but then she heard him say...

"I've heard that people from Leshan are skilled at making incense, and that it's unparalleled in the world. I smelled this scent on you when I was in the Northwest. I wonder if you know the Lu family of Leshan?"

His face was inches away, and his breath seemed to linger around her nose. They were so close that Ning Yu could feel his strong, broad chest and hear his heartbeat.

She suppressed the emotions in her eyes, struggled with her wrist, and whether intentionally or unintentionally, her body rolled over, causing the fire in Xie Xun's chest to rise rapidly.

He suppressed his anger and held his breath.

This incense wasn't the kind of luxurious fragrance available on the market; it was just a normal fragrance that would make one's aura restless. Ning Yu wasn't afraid of him investigating and said calmly, "I don't recognize it."

After saying that, she tried to get up, but his strength was too great and she couldn't break free. Instead, she pushed herself into his arms.

Xie Xun frowned almost imperceptibly, and just as he was about to let go, she suddenly looked up and kissed his thin lips.

He paused, surprised that she would be so bold; no woman had ever dared to be so reckless.

Seeing that he was distracted, Ning Yu nimbly twisted her wrist and immediately stepped out of his arms, taking her sachet.

"It was an accident just now, please don't be offended, Commander."

His gaze made her uneasy. Ning Yu didn't linger. She turned her head and saw Qingfeng coming in to report. He had clearly seen her flirtatious behavior towards his master. She turned around and wanted to leave.