After sharing a body with her husband

"you……"

She never expected that Xie Hengzhi, such an upright person, would be so unforgiving towards her at this moment. It was clearly Shang Lingjun's fault!

Xie Hengzhi even threatened to have the Registrar investigate her background!

Xie Zhaoqing looked at Xiao Jing guiltily, feeling only fear and helplessness. Her identity as an outsider cousin was also a lie and could not withstand close scrutiny!

If it is discovered that she is an unregistered resident, she will be punished with caning and detention at best, and at worst, she will be confiscated as a government servant and registered as a slave!

Moreover, they were confiscated and made into government slaves, never to be redeemed for life!

Xie Zhaoqing's previous fierce and stern demeanor had vanished. Her calves went weak, and she clung tightly to Xiao Jing's sleeve, completely lost and unsure of what to do.

She knew that Xie Hengzhi was a very rigid person, and once he made up his mind about something, he would definitely do it.

Her identity is questionable...

"No!"

Xiao Jing blurted out, his heart pounding with panic. He knew, of course, that Ah Xuan's identity couldn't withstand close scrutiny.

He had to soften his tone.

"It was just a couple of words, is it really necessary to go to the Registrar? Editor Xie, you're making a mountain out of a molehill."

Compiler was Xie Hengzhi's official title. He had already passed the imperial examination and entered the court as an official.

Xie Hengzhi didn't speak, but looked at Shang Lingjun, adopting a respectful demeanor towards an elder, and asked:

"Auntie, what do you think?"

Xie Zhaoqing also looked at Shang Lingjun, almost grinding her teeth to powder. This vicious bitch would definitely not let her off the hook and would drive her to the brink of despair!

She's not some soft dumpling made of dough. If we really reach a dead end and she can't survive, then we'll all die together!

Seeing Xie Zhaoqing's frightened expression, Shang Lingjun (Huo Chuan) lowered his gaze. It was indeed a good thing to let Xie Zhaoqing not be reduced to slavery.

But if we really investigate in detail, what if the Xie family gets involved again, and old stories are brought up...?

Moreover, Xiao Jing is a reckless and impulsive person who doesn't know the truth. If there are any complications, it would be a loss that outweighs the gains.

Shang Lingjun had always lived a very cautious life in the Xie family...

Huo Chuan frowned. He was tired of feeling constrained at every turn. Returning to his own body as soon as possible was the most important thing.

Then, doing some things will be much easier and more comfortable!

"Forget it, what's the point of investigating a mere mistress?"

Shang Lingjun (Huo Chuan) spoke.

He used the word "concubine" again, but this time, Xiao Jing and Xie Zhaoqing dared not refute him, and even breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Luo Yao's lips moved; although he had no right to speak, he couldn't help but want to.

However, he wasn't as polite as Xie Hengzhi.

"It's true what they say, 'A big forest has all sorts of strange birds.' Hey, you surnamed Xiao, since you're so sure she's your cousin, why doesn't your sister recognize her? That's really odd. I think we should really investigate her background. Don't you all think so?"

The people watching the play from afar were all listening intently, thinking that what Luo Yao said made sense.

Yes, Xiao Jing and Shang Niangzi are siblings. How come Shang Niangzi doesn't recognize that so-called cousin, but instead insists that she is Xiao Jing's mistress?

As a mistress, how dare she demand the respect due to a noblewoman from a prominent family?

No wonder Madam Shang didn't give her a friendly look.

Xiao Jing's face was as black as the bottom of a pot, but before he could offer any excuses, Luo Yao continued with a sigh:

"But since my aunt is so magnanimous and doesn't hold it against me, I'll let it go. Tsk, the world is going to the dogs. This brother doesn't protect his own sister, but instead protects some so-called cousin?"

Xie Hengzhi glanced at Luo Yao in surprise. When did he start meddling in such trivial matters?

Shang Lingjun (Huo Chuan) raised an eyebrow slightly. Huo Chuan was quite satisfied that these juniors would protect Shang Lingjun.

The reason Xie Hengzhi and Xie Zhiyuan, brother and sister, spoke up for Shang Lingjun was twofold: firstly, Shang Lingjun was now their elder, and the Xie family's reputation was intertwined with theirs; secondly, their reputation was intertwined with theirs.

Secondly, this is naturally inseparable from the guidance of elders.

"Madam Pei has arrived!"

I don't know who shouted that.

Pei Zhiying arrived in a rage, and without saying a word, slapped Xiao Jing across the face.

Snapped!

"You worthless wretch! How could you blame your own sister for such a lowly...outsider? Is this how your father and I raised you?!"

Pei Zhiying's face was cold and furious. She had arrived long ago and heard Xie Zhaoqing's insults to Shang Lingjun, as well as Shang Lingjun's equally fierce rebuttal and Xiao Jing's accusations.

Of course, I also heard the gossip and comments from the people around me who were laughing at me!

Actually, she had just heard people gossiping that Xiao Jing had brought a woman of unclear identity, and that the two of them were intimately intertwined. The rumors were quite detailed and credible!

In such a crowd, gossip about any family quickly spreads.

Pei Zhiying was already furious, and seeing this scene only made her angrier.

That's so disappointing!

Reputation is of utmost importance to a man, especially when he is not yet engaged.

A-Ti's status in the Xiao family was already special. A-Jing had already taught her countless times that no matter how dissatisfied she was, she would always show A-Ti the utmost care in front of outsiders!

Why does this child let things go in one ear and out the other?

Xiao Jingsheng received a slap in the face. "Mother, what brings you here?"

"Can I not come!"

Pei Zhiying gritted her teeth and glared at him with a disappointed look. Xiao Jing lowered his head guiltily.

Pei Zhiying then looked at Xie Zhaoqing beside her, her gaze sharp as a knife.

Xie Zhaoqing's face tightened, and her eyes darted away. Her parents were unaware that Xiao Jing was keeping her outside the family home.

I never expected that we would meet under such circumstances today.

This first impression is so bad, how can she win over these two in-laws?

A dark glint flashed in Pei Zhiying's eyes, and he spoke in a cold voice:

"Your Meng family has fallen on hard times, and you're only related to my Xiao family through a distant kinship. I took you in out of pity, but you've used your status as a cousin to sow discord between my son and daughter. How can my Xiao family tolerate you any longer?"

The term "keeping a mistress" is already offensive, and bringing it to a spring banquet only adds fuel to the fire.

Therefore, she had to go along with what Xiao Jing said.

Pei Zhiying's voice was very loud, reaching the ears of everyone present.

Hearing Madam Pei say this, everyone realized that the woman was actually a distant relative.

This impoverished distant relative who came to seek refuge actually managed to bewitch the young master of the Xiao family.

No wonder the younger sister, Lady Shang, disliked that woman so much, constantly referring to her as a mistress; she must have been harboring resentment.

Xie Zhaoqing was shocked. Pei Zhiying actually knew that her surname was Meng. It seemed that he had known all along that Xiao Jing was keeping her outside!

How did she know?!

The impoverished Meng family? How could Madam Pei so readily label her as an impoverished family?

That's way too low!

After scolding Xie Zhaoqing, Pei Zhiying hurriedly went to Shang Lingjun's horse and said in a gentle tone:

"Ati, I know you're angry with your brother; he's been blinded by greed. It's also my fault; I was too soft-hearted and brought this troublemaker home. Don't worry, I promise I won't keep this disrespectful woman in the house!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the onlookers nodded in approval.

Madam Pei is a wise and sensible mother, truly a daughter of a military family.

Pei Zhiying's eyes flickered, but she remained silent.

In this way, Pei Zhiying successfully helped Xie Zhaoqing clear her name, turning her from a mistress into a distant cousin.

Huo Chuan didn't want to pay attention, but then he remembered the "persona" that Shang Lingjun had been telling him all along, so he dismounted and gave Pei Zhiying some face.

But he still had ill intentions, saying:

"I'm only thinking of my brother. He's already of marriageable age. With this woman around, wouldn't it make things difficult for his future sister-in-law? Mother, you should deal with this as soon as possible."

Upon hearing Shang Lingjun's words, Pei Zhiying's eyebrows twitched, as if deep in thought.