After sharing a body with her husband

Shang Lingjun (Huo Chuan) was already in bed. He yawned.

"It's not hot. You can all go to sleep after you've tidied up. You don't need to keep watch tonight."

Shang Lingjun (Huo Chuan) sank himself completely into the fragrant, soft blankets. Only after he gained control of his body could he feel sensation and touch.

Lying in bed, Huo Chuan realized how different a woman's bed was from a man's; the soft bed even carried a faint, pleasant fragrance.

He was sleeping soundly, but the Xiao family was in complete chaos.

"Doctor, how is she? Is A-Jing's injury serious?"

Pei Zhiying was so anxious that he paced back and forth.

They were originally waiting for Xiao Jing at the back gate of the Xie family's residence, but unexpectedly, Xiao Jing was carried out and thrown out.

Pei Zhiying was shocked to see this.

She had intended to storm into the Xiao family again to seek revenge, but Xiao Jing grabbed her clothes and said that he and Old Madam Wei had already reached an agreement, and that the injuries on her body were from being beaten by Shang Lingjun when she left, and had nothing to do with the Xie family, so she shouldn't go.

Pei Zhiying had no choice but to bring Xiao Jing back and quickly find a doctor to treat his injury.

"The injury is quite serious. I've already prescribed some medicine. Take good care of yourself," the doctor said.

After the doctor left, Old Madam Xiao was furious.

"Tell me, why did you bring her back with you back then?!"

"I'm so old, and she treats me with such sarcasm and then seriously injured Ah Jing. What a bastard!"

Pei Zhiying was also furious, but she was also angry that Xiao Jing was too foolish.

"She hit you, didn't you even try to stop her? You just stood there and let her hit you?"

Xiao Jing remained silent, his face wrapped in bandages.

General Xiao's gaze toward Xiao Jing was sharp.

"Ati has always been quiet and gentle, she doesn't even have the strength to hold a sword. What did you say to her that made her hit you like this?"

Xiao Jing's eyes darted away.

"No... she didn't say anything. She just hated me because she loved me too much before, so she hates me too much now, and that's why she hit me to vent her anger."

She was holding an iron shovel, and I didn't grab it because I was afraid of hurting her. I'm fine, please stop talking. If it can calm her down, what's wrong with beating me up?

Madam Xiao was so angry that her hands trembled.

"You're too kind, child!"

Pei Zhiying frowned; she was becoming increasingly dissatisfied with Ati.

They are siblings who grew up together, how could she beat her own brother like this?

General Xiao spoke in a deep voice,

"Alright, let's get down to business. What did Old Madam Wei say?"

Xiao Jing's expression relaxed a little when this was mentioned.

"Father and Mother, rest assured, the outcome is good. Everything was blamed on Xie Zhaoqing. I was framed by her."

In the next few days, I'll need to trouble Father and Mother to visit the Xie family again to ensure this matter is handled satisfactorily. The Xie family will cooperate with us.

Upon hearing this, the group was overjoyed, and the pent-up frustration in their chests vanished instantly.

But General Xiao soon became suspicious again; things had gone too smoothly, so smoothly that it seemed strange.

"That Old Madam Wei isn't someone you can easily talk to. Did she agree to your request so readily? If Xie Zhaoqing really framed them, then the blame lies entirely with the Xie family, and it will be extremely damaging to their reputation. Ah Jing, did the Xie family offer any conditions?"

Upon hearing General Xiao's words, Pei Zhiying's expression tensed up again.

"What conditions did the Xie family offer?"

Xiao Jing would never reveal Xie Zhaoqing's true identity as a woman. If it were revealed, not only would Zhaoqing's family be punished, but even he...

Thinking of Old Madam Wei's words, a flicker of fear flashed across Xiao Jing's eyes, so quick it was almost imperceptible.

Xiao Jing looked up again, looking rather troubled.

"Of course, there are conditions. This matter will still require the help of Father and Mother..."

General Xiao and Pei Zhiying exchanged a glance and said in unison:

"explain."

……

The next day, at Qixia Pavilion, the real Shang Lingjun had awakened and regained control of her body.

[Is Meng Shu, the Grand Preceptor?]

Hearing Huo Chuan recount Xiao Jing and Pei Zhiying's visit and the true course of action regarding Xie Zhaoqing, Shang Lingjun was quite surprised.

[Yes, he will perform the ritual and determine that Xie Zhaoqing is possessed by an evil spirit, which is why he has gone mad. After the evil spirit is exorcised, Xie Zhaoqing will "commit suicide in anger." However, Xie Zhaoqing's death will be faked, and the Old Madam has promised Xiao Jing to spare Xie Zhaoqing's life.]

These were all things that Old Madam Wei told Huo Chuan last night.

Shang Lingjun's eyes were filled with astonishment. So this was the final outcome of the matter.

She never expected that Xiao Jing would use the fact that he was drugged with aphrodisiacs to clear his name, claiming that it was all Xie Zhaoqing's scheme and that he, Xiao Jing, was innocent.

The Grand Master Meng Shu determined that Xie Zhaoqing was possessed by an evil spirit, so no one would criticize the Xie family's corrupt upbringing.

The fact that the Xie family severely punished Xie Zhaoqing further demonstrates their upright family values.

In this way, the impact on the Xie family in terms of public opinion was minimized.

Who is Grand Master Meng Shu?

His origins are shrouded in mystery. He often wears a Taoist robe, with a strand of silver hair tucked into his hair. Legend has it that during a severe drought, he could summon wind and rain by making hand gestures and chanting incantations, and his predictions of good or bad fortune were never wrong.

His Majesty not only granted him the mansion of the late Prince's residence, but also bestowed upon him the title of "Grand Preceptor," granting him the privilege of freely entering and leaving the palace with his token—a privilege not even granted to princes.

People were almost superstitious about him, so when he said Xie Zhaoqing was possessed by an evil spirit, that was it, and no one would question it.

The rumors may be exaggerated, but Grand Preceptor Meng Shu held a very high position in the court.

Of course, the Xie family didn't have the influence to invite Grand Master Meng Shu to come out of seclusion, and logically, neither did the Xiao family. However, General Xiao and Grand Master Meng Shu had some dealings when they were still relatively unknown, and Grand Master Meng Shu owed General Xiao a favor.

Shang Lingjun knew this when she was in the Xiao family.

Shang Lingjun's brows gradually relaxed.

The old lady really thought of everything; this is indeed the best outcome.

By sacrificing Xie Zhaoqing, she avoided making enemies of the Xiao family, and even managed to make the Xiao family owe her a huge favor, minimizing all the damage.

She was struck by the depth of Old Madam Wei's scheming; had she foreseen that Xiao Jing would come looking for her?

Even if Pei Zhiying hadn't stormed into the Xie family yesterday morning, would Old Madam Wei have still released the news that Xie Zhaoqing had been expelled from the family register, just to test whether Xiao Jing would take any action?

No wonder they were so eager to expel him from the family register the day after what happened the night before.

Shang Lingjun's mind was racing with a thousand thoughts, but of course, it was all just speculation.

Regardless, Shang Lingjun was very satisfied with the Xie family's handling of Xie Zhaoqing.

That bitch, all she cares about is her promising future as a man. Doesn't she consider herself superior to the women of the inner quarters?

Now that you've fallen from the clouds, it must feel terrible, right?

However, their feud is not over yet.

Feigning death to escape, like a cicada shedding its shell?

Oh……

Just wait and see.

However, it benefited that bastard Xiao Jing!