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

"Young Master."

The inner door opened, and Xie Yan looked at the maid who came out of the room. "Where is the Crown Princess?"

"The Crown Princess just returned not long ago and is still changing clothes inside."

Upon hearing this, Xie Yan dismissed the servants and went inside to wait.

When Ning Yu came out of the inner room, she saw the man sitting at the tea table. He had changed out of his military uniform and was wearing a black brocade robe with cloud patterns. He had sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, and his handsome features were sharp and deep. He had become even more mature and sharp than he had been five years ago.

"My husband."

Xie Yan turned around, paused when he saw the person, and smiled, "Why are you wearing such a high-necked shirt?"

Ning Yu went over to pour him tea. "The new clothes that the Imperial Household Department made a couple of days ago haven't been delivered yet, so I just picked out a random outfit to change into."

Xie Yan hummed in agreement, his eyes scanning her eyebrows, nose, mouth, and figure, finally settling on her eyes.

With a pair of beautiful fox-like eyes, he recalled what his subordinate had said and chuckled, "We met at the city gate five years ago."

Ning Yu smiled and said, "My husband has a good memory."

His memory was so-so, but he rarely saw such a bold woman. He could still remember how she charged at him fearlessly in the heavy snow, startling him so much that he quickly tightened the reins, and his warhorse immediately reared up and neighed loudly.

He looked down unhappily and saw the girl reaching out her hand to him.

"I was seriously wounded at the border. During my recovery period, my subordinates sent your portrait to me. That's when I learned that my family had arranged a marriage for me. I'm sorry you had to suffer during this time."

Ning Yu paused as he put down the teapot, then looked back at him. Their eyes met, and he looked at Ning Yu with a sincere and gentle expression.

She paused for a moment, then said softly, "I'm not wronged."

Xie Yan smiled, glanced at the decorations around the room, and said, "Let's move to the main courtyard; this place is rather simple."

Ning Yu suddenly remembered Xie Xun's words. If he found out that she was living with Xie Yan, he was afraid he would kill her.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Xie Yan said knowingly, "I just got back, so you might be having some trouble adjusting. But husband and wife are one, and we have a long life ahead of us. You'll get used to it gradually."

As Ning Yu listened to his words and looked at his face, she couldn't help but regret her impulsive seduction of Xie Xun.

Xie Yan seemed to have a much better temper than Xie Xun, and he wasn't offensive in his words or actions. If she had thought of other ways to save her life back then, she wouldn't be so worried and anxious now when Xie Yan came back.

Xie Xun, that bastard, has a bad temper, is ruthless and vicious. He looks respectable on the surface, but he'd kill you behind your back. He's just got a good-looking face, but all his other good qualities seem to have been swallowed by a dog.

What's the point of having such a good-looking man? Good-looking men are usually not good people.

East Garden.

In the study by the waterside.

Xie Xun sat in a round-backed chair by the window, listening to the report from the people below.

Despite the sweltering summer heat, Qingfeng felt a chill in the room, which was quite oppressive. He knew his master was in a bad mood, so he stood with his head down, not daring to speak.

"They've been inside for so long and haven't come out yet. What do you think they're doing?"

The man's voice was like that of a demon from hell, and Qingfeng felt his scalp tingle. He respectfully replied, "The young master has just returned, and the two of them do not know each other very well yet."

The air fell silent. After a while, he heard his master's words.

"Yes."

---

In the ink courtyard.

After Xie Yan understood the whole story, he patted her shoulder reassuringly, "Don't worry, get some rest tonight, and I'll take you to Dali Temple first thing tomorrow morning."

Ning Yu really didn't expect Xie Yan to be so easy to talk to. At most, the two of them were husband and wife in name only. Her pretentious look immediately disappeared, and a trace of guilt, barely perceptible, appeared in her heart.

In just a short while, she could tell that Xie Yan was an exceptionally good person, unlike Xie Xun, who had a strong temper and, despite being a seasoned veteran, possessed the noble bearing of a prominent clan.

They had only met three times in total. The marriage was arranged by the emperor, so there was no emotional foundation to begin with, but he was really good to her.

"If you feel uncomfortable now, wait two months, when I'm done with what I'm doing, I'll take you to the villa to relax, and we'll talk about it when we get back."

Xie Yan looked at her bright face, his dark pupils calm as still water. The light in the room was dim, which made his facial features look deep. Moonlight refracted in, and she hummed softly. He looked at her and a slight smile appeared in his eyes.

Just then, a guard's voice came from outside, "Your Highness, the Duke requests your presence."

The sudden sound broke the atmosphere in the room. Xie Yan paused in his gaze, looked towards the door, and vaguely saw the shadow of his attendant beside him.

"Perhaps your father wants to see me. You should wash up and get some rest."

Ning Yu gave a soft "hmm".

As Xie Yan left, he reached out and touched her soft hair. "Go on."

Ning Yu stiffened slightly, and breathed a sigh of relief after watching him leave.

The door was closed again, and she let go of her complicated emotions, lazily lying down on the soft couch behind her.

Scenes behind the artificial hill flashed before her eyes. Remembering his unkind words, she rolled her eyes. Let whoever wants to go, go. She wasn't going.

Xie Xun waited in the East Garden for most of the hour, but no one came. Needless to say, he knew what the woman was thinking.

He stood by the window, looking at the lake, then looked over the towering buildings towards the northwest, a cold glint flashing in his usually expressionless eyes.

After the young master returned, there were even more people coming and going in the Mo Courtyard. At night, the sound of guards patrolling could be heard occasionally. Ning Yu had already washed up and was lazily lying on the couch to sleep.

The curtains were lowered, and while her consciousness was still hazy, she suddenly vaguely heard the sound of a door being opened.

She lifted her sleepy eyes and looked up, and seemed to see a familiar figure.

She closed her eyes briefly, then opened them again in a daze, and saw a handsome face. Upon closer inspection, she noticed a hint of wickedness in his slightly upturned eyes.

It looks a bit like that scoundrel. But no way, why would he be here in the middle of the night?

Ning Yu felt like she was dreaming. She had been with Xie Xun for so long, but he had never come to Moyuan. Every time, she would sneak off to the East Garden. He didn't even want her dilapidated courtyard.

She closed her eyes again, and after a while, the bed curtains were lifted, and a strong sense of oppression came from above. Ning Yu felt something was wrong, and suddenly opened her eyes to see the man standing by the bed.

Their eyes met, and she caught her scream in time. She broke out in a cold sweat, sat up wrapped in the blanket, and her head jolted awake.

"Why is the Commander-in-Chief here?"

Looking at her rosy cheeks, Xie Xun asked in the gentlest voice, "Are you sick again?"

Ning Yu choked up; how could she possibly make up a story like this?

Her eyelashes trembled as she lowered her head, and before she could figure out what to say, he felt it wasn't enough. He slowly tugged at the hem of her clothes and watched her sit down on the edge of the bed.

Ning Yu glanced nervously at the window, which was closed, and the door was also closed. The candles inside were not lit, and only the moonlight could vaguely illuminate the interior.

"Are you mute?"