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

"Your father has high hopes for both of you. He was in a bad mood yesterday, so don't take it to heart."

Last night, the Duke of Dingguo summoned the two men to his study and berated them, and the candles burned for several hours.

Xie Yan's expression remained unchanged as he said amiably, "It was your grandson who was confused."

The old lady looked at him, recalling how the two of them had openly discussed some private matters of officialdom yesterday, and sighed, "Second Brother is usually very quiet, but I don't know what's wrong with his temper these past two days."

Ning Yu listened to their conversation with her eyes lowered, not daring to interrupt.

I don't know who's spreading rumors that Xie Xun is a scoundrel who claims to be pure and upright, but is actually a shameless scoundrel who slept with his own sister-in-law and is so eager for others to know about their relationship that he openly challenges his brother.

She felt that the old lady seemed to have figured something out and was giving her a warning.

Her heart was in turmoil. She remembered that since Xie Yan returned, his behavior had become extremely outrageous, which she couldn't handle at all.

She knew that the bastard wasn't jealous, nor did he have a particular preference for her; it was just his nature. He wouldn't allow anyone else to touch anything he didn't want, and if he lost it or killed it, it was his problem.

Shameless! Don't you know you're the one who can't be seen by others?

"Ah-Xun has had a strange temperament since childhood. As his elder brother, it is my duty to take care of him. Grandmother, please don't worry."

The old lady looked at him, and remembering how the elders had given most of their power to Xun'er because of his death in battle, a sense of unease arose in her heart.

There are many outstanding children in the younger generation of the Xie family, and the two grandsons raised by her are even more exceptional. Born to the Grand Princess, they are the direct descendants of the first branch of the family, and high hopes have been placed on them since childhood.

Xie Xun was the most outstanding among them. He went to the battlefield before he came of age, led troops at the age of fifteen, and became the commander at the age of seventeen. He defeated the Liang army and forced them to withdraw from Jiuli. However, his achievements were so great that they threatened the emperor. He was stripped of his power and banned from leading troops. All his glorious deeds were hidden and faded from the world's sight.

Over the years, the Sage has been unable to fulfill his ambitions, and he has risen to the position of Grand Commander and Commander-in-Chief of the Three Armies through his own efforts. He is very successful in the Council of Elders, and the clan also wants to hand over the power of the Xie family to Xun'er.

However, Xie Yan was the eldest son of the main branch of the family. He was capable and had not made any major mistakes. However, there were two factions in the clan, and internal struggles continued.

"You are brothers, you grew up together since childhood, and the Xie family needs your mutual support."

"Grandson understands."

The old lady didn't want to talk about those things anymore. She glanced at Ning Yu, who was silent, and said gently, "Before Ayan was here, I couldn't say anything. Now that he's back, the couple should still live together. It's not good to spread rumors."

Ning Yu was taken aback. The old lady even knew this. She subconsciously glanced at Xie Yan.

Xie Yan received her look and immediately said, "Grandmother, don't worry about these things, we'll save you the trouble."

"You silly boy, you've learned to protect your wives now," the old lady teased, feigning anger. "I used to think you two brothers were both quiet types, but now I see, you've both become much more discerning after getting married."

Xie Yan smiled and did not refute.

The two chatted with the old lady in the hall for a while longer. At noon, the old lady asked them to stay for lunch at Rong'an Hall, but Xie Yan said he had official business to attend to and left with Ning Yu.

The weather is fine today; the morning light is just beginning to shine, making everything around us bright.

Ning Yu wore a beautiful lake-colored phoenix dress and walked side by side with Xie Yan, leaving a beautiful sight in the mansion.

"I've arranged to play polo with some friends at the racecourse this afternoon. Ah Yu, would you like to come with me?"

Ning Yu was taken aback, and just as she was about to refuse, she heard him say again, "It's boring to stay indoors all day, I'll teach you how to ride a horse."

"it is good."

Ning Yu was originally married into the Xie family as a blessing. Since Xie Yan was not present, all the formalities were simplified. Ning Yu was not included in the Xie family genealogy, nor did she pass through the Mingtang.

Xie Yan wanted to open the ancestral temple and enter the Mingtang to fulfill the proper etiquette for her, and planned to inform his uncle.

Ruilou.

"The princes in the court are colluding with spies in the army, and the rebels in Ji Province have not been eradicated for a long time. The people of Shangliang are still here. What are your thoughts on this matter?"

In the study, Xie Xun heard his uncle's words and put down a chess piece. "The fall of the Prince of Jin benefits the Crown Prince. There are many factions in the army. I think we can send the Wei family to the north to quell the rebellion. With external enemies and internal strife, we can order them to be granted amnesty."

"My Xie family has controlled the council of elders for a hundred years, through several dynasties. Erlang must understand the advantages and disadvantages involved. The scions of a noble family share the same fate, whether it is prosperity or ruin."

He knew that his nephew was ambitious and had the potential to surpass the Elders, but the Xie family could not bear the infamy of being a traitor.

When Xie Yan led Ning Yu into the study, the two were sitting at a small table playing chess, talking about something, and the atmosphere in the room was somewhat oppressive.

Upon seeing Xie Xun, Ning Yu's body stiffened instinctively.

"Father Zhong."

"Why did you suddenly come at this time?"

As the two were talking, Xie Xun slightly lifted his eyelids and looked over. The two exchanged a glance, and Ning Yu quickly looked away, picked up the teacup on the tea table, and took a sip.

His impeccably dressed and respectable appearance completely concealed the wildness he displayed in bed. He wore a snow-white long-sleeved shirt, the lapels neatly folded, and sitting there, he exuded an air of tranquility and detachment.

"This matter—" Xie family head had just opened his mouth when Xie Xun spoke up, "Eldest brother has just returned, it is not appropriate for him to open the ancestral temple or perform the Mingtang ceremony, and the members of the clan will not agree to it either."

Xie Yan looked at him and said, "Ayu is my lawfully wedded wife, why does the imperial clan refuse to acknowledge her?"

"The wedding is over," he said casually. "There's no reason to open the ancestral temple over such a trivial matter."

Ning Yu's hand, holding the water glass, tightened and turned white as she listened to Xie Xun's deliberately provocative words.

The Xie family head noticed something amiss in their conversation. His cunning eyes swept across their faces, finally settling on Xie Xun's expressionless face, a cryptic glint in his eyes.

"What does Zhongfu think?"

Xie Yan threw the question back at him. The Xie family head was taken aback and looked at the woman sitting at the table.

The daughter of the Ning family.

Logically speaking, now that Ayan has returned, this Ning family woman should have disappeared. Marrying him a woman of equal social standing would be the best way for him to solidify his position in the Elders' Council.

How could Xie Yan's wife be such a lowly woman?

"According to custom, you should have worshipped at the ancestral temple the day after your wedding, but so much time has passed now---"

"Uncle," Xie Yan interrupted his excuses, "my wife must be legally married."

The Xie family head paused, then softened his tone, "Opening the ancestral temple and holding the Mingtang ceremony is no small matter. I'll tell your father that we need to choose an auspicious day."

"My wedding day is coming soon. You should know, Uncle, that the ancestral temple is not a place that can be opened casually."

Xie Xun suddenly put pressure on him, and the atmosphere in the room suddenly became silent.

The Xie family head had no idea what was going on with his second son, who suddenly started to contradict his brother on this matter. He was forced by the two of them to throw off his robe and give up.

"Go ask your father, don't come and bully this old man."