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

Waterside pavilion.

"What did you say?"

Qingfeng forced himself to repeat what Ning Yu had said, and then lowered his head even further.

Even without mentioning his master, he could tell that the Crown Princess was turning her back on him after using him.

Xie Xun sat on the high chair, still holding the file in his hand. His slightly raised eyelids were so cold that they seemed to have fine hooks that pierced into one's bones. "I understand. You may leave."

"Yes."

Once everyone left, Xie Xun's sinister expression was impossible to conceal. He glanced towards the northwest outside the window, his eyes seemingly plotting how to tear the man to pieces.

Ning Yu never expected that Xie Xun, that scoundrel, would be so petty. When she came back at night and heard Qin's mother's troubled words, she knew that someone must be deliberately targeting her behind her back.

The days that followed confirmed her suspicions. Her small kitchen was shut down, and not only were the finest silks and satins no longer supplied, but even the cold drinks and soups for summer were no longer delivered to the Mo Academy.

She couldn't believe who would interfere in the affairs of the Ink Academy like this, and how they could so quietly get the heads of various departments to obey them.

He had never targeted her like this before, and he would never interfere in these matters in the manor. It was only after she turned her back on him that day that he seemed to start tormenting her.

Ning Yu leaned back on the soft couch. She was going to live in the Xie family. If Xie Xun continued to target her, her life would be difficult.

She can only hope that he's just angry for a moment and will stop after a while when he gets bored.

With that thought in mind, Ning Yu got off the soft couch, took out a carved wooden box from the cabinet, opened it, and found several bills inside.

She took out a bill and handed it to Qinghe, "Go out and buy some food first, then see if you can buy some ice."

She couldn't stomach the food that came from the kitchen and didn't want to deprive herself, so she went out to buy some.

After Qinghe left, Ningyu looked at the empty bronze ice mirror and couldn't help but miss the relatively happy days of a while ago.

Without the master's permission, those in charge wouldn't have made it too obvious. Now, the difference in treatment is not just a little bit; they don't even give out fans or carriages anymore.

Qinghe quickly bought some food from outside, but Ningyu didn't think the desserts and ice cream were as good as those made in the small kitchen.

"Miss, I also bought honey smoothies. Would you like to have some to cool down?"

The night was relatively cool, and Ning Yu glanced at the presentation but decided not to eat it.

Qinghe knew that her young mistress could be quite spoiled and picky at times, so she said helplessly, "It would be nice if the young master were here."

When Ning Yu went to sleep at night, she opened the window and saw a misty lake outside. She tossed and turned in bed for a while before finally falling asleep.

The next morning, Ning Yu got up early to pay her respects to the old lady. She had dark circles under her eyes, and the old lady thought she hadn't slept all night, so she asked her a few questions with concern.

Just as Ning Yu was about to subtly mention it to the old lady, she heard a maid outside say, "The governor has arrived."

She immediately stopped talking and looked towards the door.

The maids standing on both sides lifted the beaded curtain, and the man entered wearing a crimson official robe and black boots. He looked very respectable and had just returned from the palace.

That face was beautiful, with highly distinctive features, yet it possessed an air of aloofness and asceticism, making it seem unattainable.

The old lady was overjoyed to see her grandson come to visit her as soon as he finished court, and she quickly invited him to sit down.

"Why did you come over so soon after court? Don't you go back and rest for a while?" She's never been so diligent in coming to see this old woman before.

The maidservant quickly served fresh tea. Xie Xun sat opposite her, his tone indifferent, "I heard my sister-in-law is here."

What kind of talk is that?

Ning Yu was taken aback, and her gaze subconsciously turned to the old lady's face. She saw the old lady being served by the maids, who were massaging her shoulders and legs, and her expression did not show much change.

But everyone else was staring at her. "What does the Commander want with me?"

"I think I left something with my sister-in-law."

Ning Yu was so frightened by his words that she could hardly react. What did he mean? Was he going to play with her? Why was he being so ambiguous in front of the old lady?

"You mean the sachet behind the rockery, Governor? I haven't had a chance to return it to you yet. I'll give it to Mother Qin later and have her deliver it over."

"What sachet?" The old lady looked at the two of them curiously.

Xie Xun didn't say anything, but picked up the water on the tea table and drank it.

Ning Yu had no choice but to bite the bullet and make up a story, "Yesterday I found the sachet that the governor was wearing in the Begonia Garden, and I haven't returned it to him yet."

"Begonia Garden?" The old lady seemed to remember something and looked at Xie Xun, saying, "You've never liked going to those crowded places since you were a child, so it's unusual for you to do so today."

Xie Xun didn't speak, but glanced indifferently at the person opposite him.

Ning Yu held the teacup to cover half of her face, and her slightly upturned eyes held a barely perceptible pleading look.

"I passed by yesterday."

The old lady didn't dwell on the matter. "Your mother brought up your marriage a few days ago, saying that Princess Zhaohua is good-looking and comes from a respectable family."

"And the third young lady of the Xiao family, I heard she's also back from the estate. You should take some time to visit her."

Actually, she preferred the young lady from the Xiao family. The Xiao family had been a powerful and influential family in the council of elders for many years, with their fathers and brothers holding high positions. However, the matriarch of the Xie family had always been from the royal family, a rule that had been in place for many years.

"It's up to Grandmother and Mother to decide."

Seeing that he didn't seem interested, the old lady advised him, "You should carefully choose someone who suits your taste so that your family won't have any trouble."

Xie Xun stood up. "Grandmother, I'll go back and change my clothes first."

"Alright, kid, go ahead."

He glanced in this direction as he left, and Ning Yu knew exactly what that meant; she almost dropped the teacup she was holding.

The food at the old lady's place was naturally excellent. Ning Yu served the old lady lunch and then slowly made her way out to the East Garden while the old lady took her afternoon nap.

He clearly meant for her to come out with him, and she's been dawdling for so long; she doesn't know if she'll offend him again.