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

Ning Yu knew that making a scene wouldn't solve the problem, so she looked at the old lady whose face didn't look too good.

"Grandmother, a woman's reputation is of utmost importance. I am the widow of the heir apparent. Young Master Wei publicly humiliated me and ruined my reputation. If word gets out, where will the Xie family's face be?"

In large families, reputation and face are of utmost importance, let alone a family like the Xie family.

Before the old lady could speak, the third madam immediately tore off the mask, "Stop bringing up the Xie family. As the Crown Prince's wife, how dare you kick a man in the lower abdomen? It's incredibly shameful."

First, a maid challenged her, and now she dares to kick her nephew. She completely disregards her and her aunt's dignity.

"Third Aunt, does that mean the Xie family isn't shameful just because I was humiliated by him at Qingchi River?"

"You—" the Third Madam gritted her teeth in anger, "You're sharp-tongued."

"Aunt---" Wei Mingqi cried out in pain, "I'm in so much pain! That bitch dared to kick me, I'll make her pay!"

"Alright, stop arguing," the old lady said, displeased. "Go downstairs and treat your injuries first, see what the doctor says."

Wei Mingqi was unwilling to let the matter rest so easily and cried out, "Uncle, please, Uncle, do me justice!"

The Third Master had close ties with the Wei family and had private relationships with various families in the Elders' Council. Although he disliked his nephew Wei Mingqi, he couldn't let him be bullied for no reason.

A hint of disgust flashed in his eyes as he looked at Wei Mingqi, but he still spoke up for him, "Princess Consort, regardless of whether Qi'er pulled you or not, you shouldn't have kicked him so boldly, and even made his mouth full of blood."

This clearly shows that regardless of the facts, the third branch of the family is biased towards Wei Mingqi.

Everyone else understood this principle, and Ning Yu naturally knew it too. A cold glint appeared in her eyes. "Then what does Uncle intend to do?"

"Such recklessness is worse than sending him to the estate to recuperate for a while."

Once sent to the manor, far from the emperor's reach, he wouldn't even know how he died. The crowd's expressions instantly changed, and they all began to scrutinize Ning Yu as if watching a spectacle.

Xie Hemian was lazily leaning back in his chair watching the commotion when he looked up and met his second brother's gaze.

He cleared his throat, straightened his back, and laughed, "Third Uncle, this young master from the Wei family came to my Xie family to cause trouble and even tried to drive my sister-in-law to the estate. If word gets out, people will laugh their heads off and think that our Xie family is afraid of the Wei family."

A brash voice suddenly rang out, and everyone instinctively looked over. Upon closer inspection, it was none other than Third Master Xie Hemian.

"You're everywhere, always talking too much," the second master scolded in a low voice.

Xie Heming scoffed, completely ignoring his father's words, and stood up. "Wei Mingqi, is your brain stuck in your crotch? All you do is stare at pretty girls all day. If your older brother were here, I'd rip your head off."

"You!" Wei Mingqi was so angry that his face turned red and his neck bulged. "Vulgar, just as expected of a brute from the military camp."

Saying that Ning Yu was fine, and then scolding Xie Hemian in front of the Xie family, immediately made many people present look ugly.

The third wife quickly grabbed him and said angrily, "Anyway, Qi'er must be given an explanation for this matter."

"Grandmother." Suddenly, Xie Xun, who had been silent all along, stood up. "Grandson will take his leave now."

This sudden remark drew everyone's attention. The Grand Princess, who had been watching the commotion, quickly stood up, saying, "I haven't even eaten a few bites of food yet."

"Quarrel."

Xie Xun said something and got up to leave. As he passed Wei Mingqi, he glanced down at him.

Wei Mingqi wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he always felt that the man's eyes were terrifying.

As soon as Xie Xun left, Xie Hemian launched into a tirade against Wei Mingqi, nearly causing a fight between the two. The old lady was furious and ordered the guests to be escorted away.

Now that no one was paying attention to Ning Yu, she quietly slipped back to her own courtyard.

As soon as Wei Mingqi left Qingchi River, he was taken away with his head covered. His shrill screams quickly echoed through the sky, but no one could hear them.

News of Wei Mingqi's death spread on the fifth day. It was said that he died at Tianxiang Tower, on a woman's belly.

Ning Yu was stunned when she heard the news. "Dead?!"

"Yes, I heard it from the servants in the manor. They said he died from excessive indulgence, but I heard from others that it seems that Young Master Wei's hand was chopped off."

Ning Yu was startled, as if she had thought of something, and a chill ran down her spine.

"By the way, Miss, Aunt Wen's child is gone too?"

"What?"

Qinghe said, "I heard that she and the Third Master had some kind of aphrodisiac and it went too far, causing her to lose the child. Aunt Wen overdosed on the medicine and damaged her health, so she was sent to the estate. They're not allowed to spread the word. I only heard it from Qin Mama in secret."

What a coincidence! Could this be related to Aunt Wen?

East Garden.

Xie Heming sat on the chair below, looking at the man who came out of the inner room, and smiled, "It's all taken care of, and the Wei family's side is also settled."

Xie Xun had just returned from court and changed his clothes. Upon hearing this, he hummed in agreement.

"Second brother," he asked with a playful, gossipy tone, "what are you thinking?"

"Just a pet I keep around."

Hearing him say that, Xie Hemian stroked his chin and nodded with a smile.

He was right. If his second brother really liked that woman, he would have taken action himself long ago. Why did he have to step in every time?

After all, she was a woman he had slept with. Wei Mingqi calling her a slut was a slap in the face to his second brother. Given his second brother's past brutality on the battlefield, it was normal for him to kill her.

"By the way, Second Brother, are you going to see Princess Zhaohua later?"

Princess Zhaohua was the wife chosen by the Xie family for Xie Xun. She was beautiful and delighted when she saw Xie Xun.

Xie Xun didn't like it that much. It didn't suit his taste, and the powder on its body was so pungent that Xie Xun couldn't sit down, so he left quickly.

When they came out, they ran into Miss Xiao.

Qingfeng followed behind his master and, seeing the shy demeanor of the Miss Xiao, couldn't help but recall the fates of the women who had tried to seduce his master in the past.

His master was a cold-hearted and ruthless man. He wouldn't fall for any woman's advances. Thinking about this, he suddenly remembered Ning Yu and quickly overturned his previous idea.

Well, he couldn't fathom his master's thoughts anyway. Perhaps his master was of age and wanted to experience the pleasures of a woman, and the Crown Princess just happened to be there.

"Then please take care, Governor."

Xie Xun gave a calm "hmm," but his expression changed drastically as soon as he got into the carriage and ordered someone to throw the box away.

It was already afternoon when he returned to the Xie residence. He had been busy dealing with court affairs and hadn't done anything for several days.

Xie Xun couldn't help but recall the way she sat aloof at the banquet on the day of the Heavenly Festival. "Go and call her over."

"Sick again?!"

A short while later, Qingfeng returned with news that the person was sick. "Yes, the person said that the blanket was too thin and the person caught a cold during the night. Now the person is unable to get out of bed."

"I don't think she's sick, she's just gotten too bold."

With a bang, the inkstone was smashed down, and the man's face suddenly turned dark and frightening.