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

It was already daylight outside. When Xie Xun woke up, he found that his wounds had been re-bandaged, but the technique was very rough.

His lips were pale as he looked around and realized he was still in the cramped bathroom.

All the items the woman used for bathing in the bathroom had been taken away, leaving only a small couch where one could half-lie down. He was left curled up on the couch all night.

He looked down at his wound, which had become festering and worsened, requiring a new dressing; otherwise, he wouldn't last long.

"Squeak." The door to the inner room was sealed with rosin, and when it opened, the pleasant scent wafted into the room along with the lake breeze outside the window.

Ning Yu, who had just finished copying the scriptures, was taking a nap at noon. Her alluring face looked innocent as she lay obediently on the bed.

Xie Xun stood by the bed, looking down at the woman. "Miss."

Ning Yu was a light sleeper. She vaguely heard someone calling her. When she opened her eyes, which were shimmering with water, she met the man's dark and cold eyes.

She was instantly startled, quickly sat up, grabbed the blanket to cover herself, and said angrily, "Who let you in?"

Xie Xun glanced at her modestly dressed body, took two steps back, and said in a relatively gentle voice, "Last night was an emergency, and I apologize for offending you, young lady."

Seeing him like this, Ning Yu recalled his cruelty last night and rolled her eyes inwardly.

A man of unknown origin, wrapped in a gentle and kind facade, but inside he is a dark and vicious man.

She touched her neck, cleared her throat, and said, "I've saved your life, so give me the antidote and leave now."

She couldn't care less whether he could escape or not.

"I am too badly injured and need to rest for two more days. I would be grateful if you could help me find some medicine. I will give you the antidote before I leave."

"---"

The words sounded nice, but they were clearly a threat to her, and Ning Yu was furious.

"Can't you see my hair is up? Call me Madam."

Xie Xun glanced at the woman's delicate face, then his gaze moved upwards. Her jet-black hair was styled in an updo, and judging by her age, she had just come of age.

A Crown Prince's consort? There aren't many Crown Prince's consorts in the capital, and someone her age...

As if he had remembered something, a subtle, enigmatic glint appeared in his eyes as he stared at the woman.

Ning Yu threw off the covers and got out of bed. She took out the medicine bottle and bandages that Qing He had brought over last night from the cabinet and placed them on the table.

When she changed his dressing last night, she even took off his inner clothes, but she didn't see any bottles or jars. She didn't know what kind of poison he had given her, and she didn't dare to make any rash moves now.

"I only have wound medicine here, please make do with it."

Xie Xun thanked him and left with the medicine.

Ning Yu frowned slightly as she watched his retreating figure. Could she have gotten caught up in some kind of power struggle?

It's no wonder she thought that way, because this man looked like someone of high status and power, exuding an air of nobility in every gesture.

She tried to recall all the high-ranking officials and nobles of his age in the capital, but couldn't find any.

In less than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, the man returned.

Ning Yu's face fell when she heard his words. "It's long past lunchtime. We'll only have something to eat when the masters bring over vegetarian food in the evening."

This is just an ordinary temple, but this is the Huguo Temple, where all the officials and nobles come. Getting some food is a piece of cake for them. Xie Xun's gentle expression softened slightly.

Seeing his expression, Ning Yu remembered the valuable jade pendant she had seen on him last night, and her tone softened.

"I'll go look for it later. You hide well first. If the patrolling soldiers outside see us, neither of us will be able to escape."

The Ning family has no real power, and the heir is dead. Her title as the heir's wife is just for show. She doesn't know what kind of person this man is, so it's best not to offend him.

"Thank you, Madam."

Because of the assassin incident, Huguo Temple is now under heavy guard, and Qinghe cannot go down the mountain to buy things, so she can only go to the kitchen to get some snacks.

Xie Xun didn't like sweet and greasy food, so he just ate a couple of bites to fill his stomach.

"Miss, I've inquired, but the news is being kept very secret. They only say there was an assassination attempt, but they don't know the specifics of what happened."

"But I heard that the Crown Princess was secretly escorted back to the East Palace last night, and that everyone in the temple after the incident, regardless of whether they were princes or nobles, was left in the temple."

Ning Yu sat on the stool, listening to Qing He whisper in her ear, her brows furrowing.

No matter how powerful the Crown Prince is, he cannot trap so many people in the temple because of an assassination attempt. What happened that would cause such a commotion? Could it be because that man tried to assassinate the Crown Prince?

No, that man looks like a powerful figure. Even if he's a political enemy in the court, he wouldn't do it himself. If it's discovered, assassinating the crown prince is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family.

"Miss, if that man is indeed a criminal being investigated by the imperial court, we are harboring a criminal—" Qinghe whispered fearfully, "that's a capital offense."

Ning Yu lowered her eyes and thought for a while, "You go out and stand guard outside. If anyone comes to search again, just say I'm sick."

"Yes."

After Qinghe left, Ningyu looked at the tea swirling in the teacup, picked it up, and took a small sip.

The courtyard was silent. The bathhouse and the inner room were separated by only one door. With Xie Xun's internal strength, he unsurprisingly overheard the conversation between the master and servant.

He calmly straightened his clothes, burned the blood-stained gauze in the brazier, and walked to the window.

When Ning Yu came in, she saw him looking out through the crack in the window. Before she could even open her mouth, he glanced at her sideways.

"What is it?"

Ning Yu glanced at the brazier on the ground, covered her nose with a handkerchief, and said, "Are you trying to attract everyone by lighting this fire?"

"---"

Seeing that he didn't speak, Ning Yu went over and covered the brazier, instructing him, "The outside is now full of Imperial Guards searching and patrolling."

The implication was clear: "Don't cause me any trouble." Xie Xun, having been immersed in officialdom for many years, could easily understand her unspoken meaning.

"Where does your esteemed home lie, Madam?"

"Um?"

Xie Xun gently closed the doors and windows. "Last night, thanks to your help, Madam, you are deeply grateful. I will definitely come to your door to express my gratitude."

Ning Yu instantly became wary. Why was she asking her about her purpose?

"No need, just give me the antidote."

"This medicine takes effect very slowly and is painless. The antidote will be provided before you leave, so please do not worry, Madam."

"---"

A hypocrite with a dignified air.

Ning Yu didn't want to waste any more words with him. She guessed that he probably wouldn't give her the antidote, but reporting him wouldn't do her any good and might even lead to her death. Weighing the pros and cons, the best choice was to protect herself.