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

The night breeze ruffled her hair. Ning Yu looked at his disdainful eyes and, remembering her own brother still suffering in prison, smiled defiantly, "Whether I can protect him or not, he is still my rightful husband."

Xie Xun, whether amused or angry, tightened his grip on her chin. "He's your husband, and what am I?"

Ning Yu looked into his eyes, her smile growing even sweeter, her captivating beauty etched into one's heart.

"Does the governor think we could have any kind of relationship? It's a matter of mutual consent. You're married and I'm married. We're nothing to each other."

Nothing at all?! He looked at her face and felt his blood churning violently.

"Does he know that you wake up in my bed every day, does he know how you moan under me every day? Aren't you afraid he'll find out that I've slept with you?"

Ning Yu hadn't expected him to say that, her chest trembled, and she pushed him even harder, "And what kind of good person are you? Your temper is unpredictable, all you know is threatening people, and you'll stop at nothing to achieve your goals---"

"Ning Yu, I'm telling you what happens if you don't listen."

"I'm disobedient?" Ning Yu couldn't push him away, so she brought up old grievances. "You don't believe me at all. I told you, my face was swollen that day, but you made my brother go to jail because of this little thing. You deliberately punished me and forced me. I begged you so many times, but you refused to see me."

"Now that the young master is back, what's gotten into you again? You were just talking like that in the hall, trying to embarrass me?"

Xie Xun recalled what had just happened in the hall, his gaze slowly shifting downwards until it settled on her hands.

Ning Yu was initially angry at his reckless words, but now that he was silent, the wind cleared her head considerably. Following his gaze, she saw her hand resting on his chest.

She remembered how unpleasant his gaze had been back then, and her hand trembled as she immediately tried to pull it back.

But the next second, he quickly grabbed her wrist, so hard that he almost lifted her up.

Ning Yu winced in pain and instinctively stood on tiptoe, bumping into his arms.

"Should I chop off your hand or his?"

The way he looked at her was chillingly calm.

Ning Yu was frightened by him. Perhaps it was because he was relatively easy to talk to when they were in bed together before, and after making love, he repeatedly brought her those subtle emotions between men and women. Over time, she became much bolder.

Seeing that same look in his eyes now, even though he doesn't seem to have any emotion, is even more terrifying.

Having spent so much time together, she had a vague feeling that the angrier Xie Xun was, the calmer he looked at people. His gentle gaze made you think he was nice to you, but in reality, he was probably plotting how to kill you.

No, the two of them can't afford to have a falling out right now. She still doesn't know what the relationship between Xie Yan and him is like.

Thinking this, she immediately composed herself, her expression softened, and her eyes welled up with tears. "Don't be like this."

Xie Xun looked into her eyes, just staring at her without any emotion.

Ning Yu's heart pounded, and her palms trembled slightly.

In the summer, the lotus flowers were in full bloom, and a gentle breeze carried the fragrance of the lotus flowers throughout the pond. Just then, several maids carrying trays walked across the small bridge.

Ning Yu looked at the figures of the group and hurriedly tried to walk into the artificial hill.

But he suddenly moved, leaned over and pressed her against the artificial hill, and lowered his head to kiss her neck.

Ning Yu was terrified. If those maids had just glanced over, they would have clearly seen what was happening on this side.

She tried to push him away, but he held her down so firmly that she couldn't move and had to keep her mouth shut, not daring to make a sound.

His kisses were fierce, as if he were tearing her apart and gnawing on her bones with his fangs. Ning Yu bit her lower lip tightly, not even letting out a muffled groan. Her chest trembled rapidly, and their clothes had somehow become tangled together.

Once the person on the other end had gone some distance, Ning Yu, her eyes red, watched as the person's tail disappeared before hurriedly pushing him, panting, "Don't—don't leave any trace."

Unexpectedly, as soon as she finished speaking, he kissed and bit her even more beastly. In the past, when he was rough with her at night, her body would be covered with marks from their lovemaking, which would take several days to fade with medication.

Now that he's kissing her like this, leaving a delicate and alluring mark on her neck, walking around in such an ambiguous manner, she's practically asking for trouble.

Thinking of Xie Yan, she felt even more panicked. "I can't face anyone like this."

In the sweltering summer, she can't possibly wear high-necked clothes all day long.

"You can cover your face."

"---"

Ning Yu looked at his raised eyes, tugged at her clothes to brush against the marks on her collarbone, and understood what was going on. Her voice was hoarse as she said, "The prince and I will sleep in separate rooms."

In this state, she wouldn't even dare to see Xie Yan, let alone sleep with him.

"Do you think I'm so desperate that I'd want a woman who's slept with someone else?"

Should she hurry up and sleep with Xie Yan, begging him to let her go?

Ning Yu was quite angry with him, but dared not say it aloud. Looking into his unfriendly eyes, she whispered, "I'm going back first. I need to change my clothes."

Xie Xun listened to her words and thought about how the two of them lived together in the Ink Academy, "Come to the East Garden at night."

Ning Yu was taken aback, "No, I won't—"

Before she could finish speaking, he lifted her chin. "Are you still going to deal with your brother's matter?"

A cold gaze fell upon Ning Yu, and Ning Yu felt her breathing become rapid.

It was already past the time it takes for an incense stick to burn when Ning Yu returned to the Mo Courtyard. The lights in the main courtyard were not on. Ning Yu covered her neck and hurriedly went into her room.

Qinghe was guarding the door. Seeing her, she quickly followed her in. "Miss, what happened?"

"Bring me that bottle of white medicine."

As Ning Yu spoke, she walked to the dressing table and pulled her clothes down a bit.

He covered her in marks, was he trying to make her afraid to sleep with Xie Yan? He's insane. Doesn't he know his place? He has no self-awareness whatsoever.

"Miss, is this it?"

Ning Yu glanced at it, took it, and applied the medicine to her neck while looking in the mirror.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Ayu, are you done changing your clothes?"

It was Xie Yan's voice. Ning Yu was startled and quickly gave Qing He a look.