After sharing a body with her husband

Qingzhi stepped forward and said coldly:

"How dare you! Who do you think you are, to call our lady 'sister'?"

Xiao Jing's expression was rather unpleasant.

"Ati, Axuan is my cousin, so naturally she's yours too."

Shang Lingjun raised her hand to smooth the stray hairs that had been blown about by the wind, and said in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft:

"I don't have any relatives of dubious origin. Mother just told me to persuade my brother not to get involved with shady people, but it seems he won't listen to me, so I won't bother trying. Yuan'er, let's go somewhere else."

She called to Xie Zhiyuan and turned to leave, completely ignoring Xiao Jing's shouts and failing to notice Xie Zhaoqing's incredibly ugly and distorted expression.

Once again...

Shang Lingjun embarrassed her in public once again!

Strange glances came from those around him, some even turning away in disgust, their eyes filled with contempt. Xie Zhaoqing's face was dark, and the anger between his brows was burning so fiercely it seemed like it was about to burst into flames.

"She dared to insult me..."

Unable to bear such stares, Xiao Jing dragged Xie Zhaoqing away in a sorry state. They went to Qingxi Lake, but because everyone had gone to watch the horse races, there were very few people there.

"Did you hear what that bitch said about me? She called me a slut! Why didn't you teach her a lesson just now?"

Xie Zhaoqing was so angry she went crazy.

Xiao Jing had to check if anyone was around while also calming Xie Zhaoqing down.

"Ah Xuan, don't do what she did. Let's walk a little further over there, so no one can hear us..."

"So what if I heard it!"

Xie Zhaoqing shook off his hand, her angry face masking a deep sense of grievance.

"Do you also think I've embarrassed you? I used to come from a prestigious family. Whenever I attended a banquet, I was always surrounded by a retinue of people. Have you forgotten?"

Xie Zhaoqing's eyes felt hot and moist.

Xiao Jing knew, of course, that Xie Zhaoqing used to be known as the "Poet Saint," and had many admirers. He also knew why Xie Zhaoqing was forced to fake his death to escape.

A subtle pang of guilt welled up in his heart again, along with resentment towards Shang Lingjun for her unrestrained speech.

"It's my fault. I didn't teach Ati well when she was young. She was harsh in her words and made you feel wronged."

"Oh right, you two met at Puji Temple?" he remembered.

Xie Zhaoqing sat on the grass, her back to Xiao Jing, and said irritably:

"When I was at Puji Temple, I was feeling unwell and asked her for help. Not only did she not help me, she also made me look bad in public."

She glanced at Xiao Jing sideways, her voice muffled.

"I told you long ago that Shang Lingjun is a two-faced bitch, but you wouldn't believe me. She's ruthless and vicious, a wolf in sheep's clothing, and you still treat her like a sister!"

Xie Zhaoqing was seething with anger, so he had to vent by uttering some harsh words.

Xiao Jing couldn't refute it, taking it as a way to vent Xie Zhaoqing's anger.

"It was indeed her fault. I'll make her apologize to you another day."

Seeing that Jinglang was on her side, Xie Zhaoqing felt slightly relieved. Thinking about how badly Shang Lingjun would be in trouble later, her anger subsided considerably.

Just wait and see, she's ready to watch the show!

Xie Zhaoqing opened her arms wide. "You said it yourself, give me a hug."

Xiao Jing looked somewhat helpless.

"Ah-Xuan, we're outside."

He didn't forget to look around, afraid that someone might come and he would be seen and gossiped about.

Since that embarrassing incident on his wedding night, this was the first time Xiao Jing had attended a banquet in public. He was much more reserved than before, always afraid that others would say something about him behind his back.

Xie Zhaoqing scoffed and turned away, sulking.

Having no other option, Xiao Jing, after confirming that no one was around, leaned closer and coaxed in a low voice:

"Okay, Ah-Xuan, don't be angry..."

Who knew that the next moment Xie Zhaoqing would cup his face and kiss him hard, making a "pop" sound because she used quite a bit of force.

Xiao Jing froze, his eyes filled with shock.

Xiao Jing first glanced around in a panic, and only felt relieved when he found no one was paying attention. He swallowed hard, wanting to reprimand her for behaving so improperly in public.

But seeing Xie Zhaoqing's arrogant expression that seemed to say, "What can you do to me?", her heart softened a little, and she said helplessly:

"You're always so playful."

Zhao Qing was unlike any other woman in the world. Her thinking was unconventional and unrestrained, and everything she thought and did always intrigued him.

Moreover, she was exceptionally talented, able to speak eloquently and fluently, and possessed unique insights into agriculture, commerce, and even politics.

Every time Xiao Jing heard her say those things, he felt that she was shining.

Xiao Jing took Xie Zhaoqing's hand. His Ah Xuan was far superior to those delicate women in the inner quarters.

But recalling Shang Lingjun's words, Xiao Jing's brows gradually furrowed.

"She just said that my mother asked her to persuade me? Does that mean my mother knows I'm keeping you in another house?"

Xie Zhaoqing also thought of this, and his expression changed slightly.

"Then... Jinglang, why don't you just propose to me and marry me? Anyway, Madam Pei already knows."

Xiao Jing looked troubled.

"Ah Xuan, it's not that I don't want to marry you, it's just that your current status isn't settled yet, and I'm afraid my parents won't easily agree..."

Xie Zhaoqing bit her lip. Of course, she knew that the fake identity she had made up couldn't be very good. General Xiao and his wife would definitely choose their daughter-in-law carefully, and they wouldn't be interested in the fake identity that Jinglang had made for her, right?

"You said you would find a way." Xie Zhaoqing turned her face away.

Xiao Jing was also very troubled by this matter. If he had known that when he was negotiating with Old Madam Wei, he would have added another condition, asking her to arrange a good background for A-Xuan, such as being an adopted daughter of an official family.

Now this thorny issue is weighing on his shoulders, and he can't ask his parents for help. He can only make arrangements privately, which is really difficult.

The only false identity he could provide for Xie Zhaoqing was that of a distant relative from out of town, and not even from an official's family.

He didn't have the ability to bribe any official to place Ah Xuan under someone else's name.

We can only say that we came from out of town to find our relatives, to avoid being checked, because Ah Xuan's identity is unregistered and cannot be verified at all!

Seeing Xiao Jing's gloomy face, Xie Zhaoqing couldn't bear to press him, but recalling the same looks from those people earlier, she couldn't bear the feeling of being looked down upon.

Therefore, she had to find a good identity for herself so that she could appear in front of everyone in Shengjing and be respected by everyone!

Xie Zhaoqing grasped Xiao Jing's hand in return and said earnestly:

"Now that your parents know about me, there's no need to hide it anymore. Take me back, and I'll convince them."

Xiao Jing was surprised. "How did you convince them?"

Xie Zhaoqing raised an eyebrow and smiled.

You'll find out soon enough.