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

Before Ning Yu could speak, a sharp blade suddenly attacked from behind. She didn't have time to react and quickly bent over to dodge.

With a sharp whoosh, the assassin spun around and swiftly moved forward, his speed eerily fast, like a ghost attacking, his sword and blade dancing rapidly like a whirlwind sweeping away rain.

Ning Yu dared not be careless and struggled to cope.

Outside the waterside pavilion, a gentle breeze stood under the eaves. Through the door, he saw his master leaning against the soft couch, watching the fight with a hint of interest, and he secretly clicked his tongue in amazement.

That day, he sent people to the bottom of the cliff but couldn't find the person. He asked his master if he should switch the person out of the Xie mansion and assassinate them, but his master said no.

Why did they order Eleven to kill the Crown Princess today? Eleven didn't even try. Could it be that he just wanted to test the Crown Princess's martial arts skills?!

He couldn't help but turn his gaze to the fight. The Crown Princess's martial arts skills didn't seem high, but it was no easy feat for her to hold out against Eleven for so long.

Layers of clouds piled up on the horizon, with only a full moon shining on the pavilions and waterside terraces. Ning Yu, bare-handed, moved as fast as a leaf, his elbows thudding twice as his fists landed on each other's chests.

Under the moonlight, the two figures moved with incredible speed, fighting fiercely like two shadows. Ning Yu had no weapon and was unable to defend herself, so she was at a disadvantage for a time.

She knew the principle of "capture the leader first" to catch the thief, but Qingfeng kept blocking the entrance. The East Garden was surrounded by guards, and she couldn't break into the waterside pavilion at all.

Am I going to die here today?

Beneath the sycamore tree, the woman's figure moved gracefully, her white dress fluttering like a fairy under the moonlight. She was as light as a swallow, and her face radiated an undeniable glow in the night.

A breeze wafted by, carrying a subtle fragrance through the room. Xie Xun put down his teacup and slowly stood up.

With a thud, her soft body flew backward like a falling leaf.

The icy cold ground enveloped her entire body. Ning Yu struggled to support herself and try to stand up, but then she saw a pair of black boots in front of her.

She didn't need to look up to know who was standing in front of her, looking down at her.

"Raise your head."

Xie Xun's gaze fell on the woman's hair, which was wet from the lake. Her hair was jet black, her lips were full and red, and her beautiful fox eyes were captivating, as if they had been washed by a clear mountain spring. With every breath she took, she exuded a lively and alluring charm, like a bewitching fairy from the mountains and forests.

"I've heard there are three treasures in the world: the white crows of Shangliang, the horses of Daxia, and—" He gazed at her face, "the woman of Ximisha."

"My sister-in-law grew up in Kyoto, and her beauty is no less than that of Nishimisa."

Ning Yu inwardly spat at him, "Thank you for your praise, Governor. May I leave now?"

She could tell that the assassin wasn't trying to kill her; he wasn't after her life this time.

Xie Xun bent down slightly and reached out his hand.

Ning Yu didn't know what he meant and didn't want to get involved with him, but seeing his eyes filled with a smile, she didn't dare to disobey him and placed her hand in his palm.

The force of the palm pulled her up. Their eyes met, and Xie Xun glanced at her sleeve. "Sister-in-law, your wound has reopened."

"No need for the Governor to trouble himself, I'll take my leave."

Having said that, she pulled her hand away and turned to leave, but just then, a guard's voice came from outside, "Master, the madam is here."

Madam?! The Grand Princess! Ning Yu's face immediately turned ugly. If the Grand Princess saw her in her youngest son's garden, she didn't know what she would think.

She immediately turned her gaze to the man, her eyes seeming to say, "Where am I hiding?"

But the man ignored her and went into the waterside pavilion. She quickly lifted her skirt and followed him.

Xie Xun glanced at her but didn't stop her, letting her go inside and hide behind the screen.

When the Grand Princess entered carrying the food box, she saw her son sitting at his desk. The thin, cool moonlight shone through the window into the room, illuminating his face, which appeared both deep and shallow, like clouds dispersing after rain, and his beauty was unparalleled.

She couldn't help but think of Xie Yan, who was equally brilliant and talented, and felt a bitter taste in her heart, as if she had chewed buckwheat. "Erlang."

Xie Xun stood up. "Mother."

"You talked to your father about something in the evening, but you barely ate any food."

Xie Xun spoke calmly, "I talked to my father about the war in the Northwest."

The Grand Princess knew that the world was not peaceful, but she was not interested in those things. She placed the food box on the table and opened it.

"Your mother knows you are more thoughtful than your brother. Your brother fought bravely on the battlefield for many years, how could he die so hastily in the frontier? There must be a hidden reason. Your mother is old and can't be in two places at once, so you need to keep this in mind."

Xie Xun responded.

"Your elder brother's body is about to be brought back, along with several generals from the border. What are your thoughts on this?"

"The Emperor is old, and the Crown Prince needs capable assistants in court. General Qin commands 30,000 Northern Army soldiers. He is honest and loyal, and has followed my grandfather in battle for many years. He is a good man."

The Grand Princess looked out the window and gazed out the tower. She could vaguely see the inner city of the palace brightly lit and prosperous, illuminating the majestic palace standing in the night with an image of peace and prosperity.

Her eyes gradually turned ferocious and terrifying. "They supported him to become emperor back then, and now they've even set their sights on my son. Do they really think the Elders' Council is just for show?"

They killed her son and then sent her daughter from a humble family to humiliate the Xie family—all for good luck? Whose good luck are they trying to bring?!

Ning Yu listened to the sounds outside, her eyes darkening slightly.

The Grand Princess is the current emperor's aunt, and the emperor's ascension to the throne was also due to the Xie family's support. It seems that Xie Yan's death really had hidden reasons.

Actually, she had met Xie Yan before. The year she first transmigrated, she was caught in a sudden snowstorm on her way back from the manor and happened to run into Xie Yan, who was returning to the capital to report on his duties.

Layers of clouds piled up in the sky, and a dark mass of soldiers led the way. Xie Yan, in full armor, rode his warhorse at breakneck speed towards the capital.

She boldly tried to stop him, but was almost trampled under the horse's hooves. Xie Yan immediately tightened the reins and spurred the horse to avoid her, and even took her back to the capital.

So many years have passed that she had almost forgotten about it, but when she was betrothed to Xie Yan by imperial decree, she was suddenly surprised to realize that she had seen him before.

That man was only twenty-five years old, yet he died tragically in the borderlands, possibly in a conspiracy of imperial power, at the hands of his own people. How heartbreaking that must have been.

"Absurd! Your elder brother died without bearing any children. Instead of hurrying up and getting married and having children, are you going to hand over the Xie family to that scoundrel's son?"

The low, angry voice suddenly brought her back to her senses. Ning Yu peeked out through the screen and vaguely saw the man's expressionless face.

"The Xie family holds absolute power in the military and political affairs of the elders' council. You have no successor. How can this be? Your mother is thinking of you."

Xie Xun said calmly, "I understand, Mother. I'm sorry to trouble you."

"It's good that you're willing to do this, but what you said is absolutely right. This matter should wait until after your elder brother's mourning period is over." After saying this, the Grand Princess remembered Xie Ling's foolish words on the table and said coldly, "Stay away from the Ning family girl."

"Yes."

Ning Yu rolled her eyes when she heard the Grand Princess mention her.

She knew the Grand Princess's worries were justified. In a large family, there were many people and much gossip. Everyone knew that her relationship with Xie Yan was nominal, and she was even younger than Xie Xun. If she had more contact with him, it would inevitably lead to gossip.

She had no interest in dealing with someone as treacherous and cunning as Xie Xun, lest she die without even knowing how.