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

It was already dark, almost midnight.

The spring water in the hot spring was steaming, and a tall, handsome man stood by the heated kang bed beside the pool, his clothes loosely draped over his shoulders.

Ning Yu on the kang was so exhausted that she couldn't make a sound. Her head was pressed down, and she couldn't even whimper. Tears were dripping from the corners of her eyes.

She didn't know how much time had passed before she felt dizzy and was finally released, collapsing onto the warm kang (heated brick bed).

Soon, two obsequious maids came in from outside, bowing respectfully as they cleaned the heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed).

Ning Yu was too tired to open her eyes, but she could hear other people making noises. She whimpered and pulled the white bear fur over her body.

Upon hearing the sound, the two maids couldn't help but look at the beautiful woman on the kang with her alluring eyes.

Her exposed skin was covered with red marks from being pinched and bitten, her face was flushed and weak, clearly indicating that she had been thoroughly pampered.

The emotionless eyes turned towards them, and the two maids immediately lowered their gazes, falling silent as if trembling in fear, and carefully knelt in front of the warm kang (heated brick bed).

"Miss, let me help you wash and bathe."

Ning Yu didn't even want to lift her arms. Feeling that they were going to forcibly lift her up, she had no choice but to open her eyes with difficulty and get off the kang with trembling legs.

The hot spring water is a year-round source of flowing underground water, and it's very warm. Even at night, the climate here is pleasant.

Ning Yu glanced around; the scoundrel was gone. She relaxed and let the maids serve her.

These two maids must be servants who have signed a life-or-death contract; they won't say anything out of line, so she can rest assured.

"What time is it now?!"

The maidservant respectfully handed her a cup of tea to rinse her mouth, saying, "It's three-quarters past 9 PM."

Ning Yu suddenly remembered something and quickly opened her eyes to get out of the water. The maid hurriedly said, "The mistress wants you to stay here tonight."

"What?"

"Master will be back soon. Would you like to eat something else, young lady, so you won't be too weak?"

Ning Yu understood the maids' unspoken meaning. Exhausted, he closed his eyes briefly. Had he really been with a woman? It felt like he had become addicted after experiencing the pleasure.

"Could you please pass on a message to the Ink Academy for me?"

The maid paused. "Please speak, young lady."

On his way there, the guard saw a large group of servants chasing after Qinghe. Not knowing what had happened, he ordered his men to tie them up.

When Ning Yu dragged his tired body back to the waterside pavilion, he heard the official who had given the report come out of the study, followed by his lackey.

She had just wrapped her robe tighter around herself and stepped onto the stairs when a maidservant hurriedly followed behind her, saying, "Miss, the person has been brought here."

Qinghe and her group were locked in a dark room, and Ning Yu heard the sounds coming from inside when she arrived.

She paused, as if remembering something, and said to the guard, "Could we take her out alone?"

She couldn't let the Grand Princess's nanny see her in this state at the East Garden.

Next to the dark room was a side room, and Qinghe was quickly brought over. As soon as she entered, she saw her young mistress drinking tea, dressed in men's clothes, and her face was obviously different from before.

It's clearly the same face, yet the subtle charm that shines through her brows seems to be an innate allure.

She glanced at the guards and maids outside, bowed, and said, "Greetings, Princess Consort."

"Close the door."

The door was closed, blocking the view from outside. Qinghe immediately came over and told him everything that had just happened.

Ning Yu breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, there was still time. If Xie Xun knew about her scheme, who knows what he would think of her.

"Miss, what happened to your mouth? Have you applied any medicine?"

Ning Yu touched her mouth, her mind involuntarily recalling what happened in the hot spring, and she cursed the person in her heart.

"It's alright. You go back and wait, I'll be back first thing tomorrow morning."

Hearing this, Qinghe vaguely guessed what was going on. Feeling bitter, she didn't ask any more questions and obediently went back first.

After seeing the people off, Ning Yu sat in the side room for a while longer. The soundproofing here was quite good, and she didn't hear the voices of the old women in the dark room. After pondering for a while, she got up and left.

These things obviously couldn't be kept from Xie Xun. As soon as Ning Yu entered the waterside pavilion, he heard his lackeys reporting to him.

"Princess Consort---" Qingfeng hadn't finished speaking when she remembered the relationship between her master and the Princess Consort, so she immediately changed her words, "Please come in, young lady."

"What are you doing running around with a bunch of old women in the middle of the night?"

A voice that sounded like a half-smile drifted over. Ning Yu looked at the man sitting on the high chair, wrapped her robe tighter around herself, and went inside.

The tearing pain made her legs tremble uncontrollably. She gasped and slowly walked over to sit down next to him.

Before her butt even touched the chair, he pulled her into his arms.

The people inside immediately lowered their heads, staring intently at their toes.

"Tonight, Granny Zhou led a group to the Mo Courtyard, saying that she was ordered by the princess to have me buried alive with my husband---"

He had just finished speaking when he lowered his eyes to look at her, his disdainful gaze revealing his displeasure.

Ning Yu tucked a stray hair behind her ear and continued, "They wanted me to be buried with the prince, so Qinghe and I ran away. That old woman probably discovered our trail and chased after us."

Her words were half true and half false, and Xie Xun had no interest in pursuing these trivial matters. He picked her up and carried her into the inner room.

Ning Yu was startled by his sudden movement and quickly hugged his neck to prevent herself from falling.

"Governor---" As soon as her body was placed on the soft brocade quilt, Ning Yu kicked and thrashed at the quilt.

Xie Xun grabbed her ankle and tore open her clothes, revealing her delicate body covered in red marks.

He seemed quite pleased with his masterpiece, lying on top of her, his gentle tone almost like a lover's whisper, "So tender."