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

A voice from outside broke the pleasant atmosphere inside.

Xiao Zhuyan, who was joking, glanced at Shen Qingge, who was slightly stunned, and looked away if she didn't like it.

"My third brother is blinded by beauty. He's so reluctant to do even the smallest chores. Once Gu Ling marries in, serving the mistress will be her duty."

"Alright, you're pregnant, don't gossip like a busybody." After saying that, the old lady glanced at the person who was keeping his eyes down and not saying a word, "Sanlang is calling for you, so you should go back now."

Shen Qingge breathed a sigh of relief and respectfully got up and left.

After coming out, she saw Tie Yi by the door and asked, "What does Third Master want with me?"

"I don't know."

Upon arriving at the main courtyard where Xiao Zhiliu lived, Shen Qingge calmed herself down outside the door, put on a smile, and went inside.

Xiao Zhiliu was sitting at his desk writing something when he saw her coming over. He put his arm around her waist and placed her on his lap.

He didn't ask her what she was doing in her grandmother's room. He lifted her beautiful face, lowered his head, and kissed her.

Shen Qingge groaned, her almond-shaped eyes wide as she stared at his dashing features. Remembering what Xiao Zhuyan had just said, she nudged him.

Since she started dating him, she had never dared to go against his wishes in bed. But today was strange; he released her and raised an eyebrow.

"What's wrong?"

Shen Qingge took a breath. "I just heard from your older sister that they went to look for you again?"

"Who?"

"My aunt's family."

Xiao Zhiliu had no time to deal with it; he just had his subordinates pay them off. But he said, "Yes, I had someone send them back to Xianyang."

Shen Qingge looked at him seriously, "Next time they come, send someone to send them away. Don't agree to their unreasonable demands again."

"He keeps pestering me to call him son-in-law, how can I just brush him off?"

He smiled like a fox, but it only made Shen Qingge feel worse. "They're just a bunch of scoundrels. They think you're easy to talk to, so they'll beat you up and then not dare to mess with you."

"He's still family, after all." He lowered his head and tried to kiss her. "For your sake, I can't just hit him."

Spending a little money will make her feel guilty and follow him without complaint, saving him the trouble of coaxing her. Isn't that great?

Shen Qingge had no idea what he was thinking. She felt ashamed and dared not resist his forceful demands. She felt depressed.

In the warm pavilion of the Imperial Garden.

After eating, Xie Xun's complexion improved significantly. Ning Yu was picked up by him and buried in his arms, her eyes red with anger. She really wanted to bite him to death.

"If you dare bite it, I'll pull your teeth out."

The threatening voice echoed in her mind. Ning Yu was furious. She grabbed his clothes and kissed him on the mouth.

"Hmm---"

Tears welled up in her eyes. "No more, no more."

Xie Xun kissed her deeply, then picked her up and started to leave.

Ning Yu pointed to the tea on the table, "I want to drink some water."

The boiling water was still on the stove. Xie Xun placed her on the heated stool, picked up the teapot, poured a cup of tea, and let it cool.

Water cools down quickly in winter. Ning Yu saw that it was almost cooled, picked it up, took a few sips, and moistened her throat.

Wrapped in his cloak, feeling warm all over, she glanced at the man leaning back in his chair and handed him some tea. "Would Your Majesty like some?"

Xie Xun took the teacup, put it down, stood up, picked her up, and strode down from the warm pavilion.

The Imperial Garden wasn't far from the Hall of State Affairs. Ning Yu's mouth hurt and her body felt weak, so she used him without any qualms.

Behind the Hall of State Affairs is a warm pavilion. Xie Xun doesn't usually stay here, but since he's carrying her, he went straight into this warm pavilion.

Ning Yu never expected this dog emperor to be so insatiable and pretentious. He's only been holding back for a few days and he's already like this. He's so greedy.

"No, Your Majesty."

Xie Xun's entire body screamed for her, and he grabbed her hands with one hand, raised them above her head, and kissed her fiercely.

Ning Yu was panting heavily from the kisses. The flashing light illuminated the man's eyes, making him appear exceptionally fierce, like a wild demon or beast, ready to devour her alive.

"child---"

"Be gentle, Your Majesty."

"Ugh--" Ning Yu's curse was cut off before it could even be uttered.

The Southwest Commander-in-Chief raised an army in Moon City. People who did not want to become traitors rushed towards the capital with their families, but the water crossings were heavily guarded, and cities were destroyed wherever the iron cavalry trampled.

Officers in the southwest region, claiming that the new emperor was a tyrannical and incompetent ruler, said that the former crown prince Xie Jingchen had been murdered by treacherous officials and was now living among the common people. They claimed that the empire's righteous army was dispatched to punish him.

As Xie Jingchen's forces reached the North Sea, half of the Great Xia Empire was in turmoil. The Balin clan sent their personal guards to respond to the call, donating money and grain. The Muhe clan, which had been suppressed in the Northeast, also joined the struggle, and the Southwest was in turmoil.

After the imperial army arrived in the southwest, a fierce battle broke out, and the unexpected war stirred up huge waves in the North Sea.

Civil war broke out frequently in the southwest region. The generals who originally occupied Yanmen Pass turned around to provide support. But at this moment, Shangliang sent troops to interfere. Overnight, corpses piled up and the thousands of cavalry stationed downstream of Beihai were wiped out.

in the military camp.

Xie Yan looked at the letter sent back from the capital, carefully stroking the small characters on it, and tugged at his lips.

"Your Highness, why did you not send troops to obstruct us after receiving the bugle call, resulting in the unnecessary loss of several thousand cavalry?"

A rough, dissatisfied voice came from below. Xie Yan threw the letter into the brazier and burned it, speaking calmly.

"The clans in the southwest are loyal to the bloodline of the Great Zhao Emperor and are the stronghold of Crown Prince Xie Jingchen. Why do you think the southwest is fighting so fast? Those clans are all restless and waiting to see the new emperor make a fool of himself."

The new emperor was supported by the Xie family, backed by the council of elders, and was also the younger brother of the heir apparent. But why did this sound so awkward? The generals below exchanged glances and dared not speak.

"The southwest is in such a mess, yet the new emperor doesn't seem to be in a big hurry."

"General Xu, don't forget, the armies of Northern Yan, Southern Qiu, and Western Liang will soon be marching into our southwestern territory. Guess what the new emperor intends to do?"

Looking at the man sitting in the main seat, no one dared to speculate about the new emperor's thoughts. After all, their commander and the new emperor were of the same lineage and connected by blood.

The general frowned suspiciously. Did the new emperor want to use them as a sacrifice to make the various tribes of Northern Yan and Southern Qiu suffer heavy losses in the first campaign? He didn't want the southwest. But why would the crown prince come here?

Xie Yan, unaware of the wild guesses his generals were making, put away the letter and handed it to A-Zhou, saying, "Tell them the time has come; I'll be waiting for her in Beihai."