Remarried to a top-tier playboy, her reborn ex-husband is filled with regret.

Mountain villa.

The mountain moon is immersed in the hot spring, shimmering with a light like shattered silver.

As Yun Shuyao approached on the bluestone slabs, Xiao Fang was leaning against a white stone by the pool.

His bright red outer robe was casually draped over the stone railing, and he was only wearing his inner garment, the lapel wide open, revealing his strong waist.

Water droplets trickled down her collarbone, gleaming coldly white in the candlelight.

Hearing footsteps, the man looked up, the fierceness in his eyes still lingering, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

"Why did it take you so long to get here?"

Xiao Fang moved aside, making room for a white stone large enough for the two of them.

"I almost fell asleep while waiting."

Yun Shuyao took off her outer robe, leaving only a moon-white inner garment, and stepped barefoot into the hot spring.

"I'll go talk to my mother a bit more, then I'll come and keep you company."

As the warm water reached her waist, she let out a soft hiss.

In her previous life, she loved soaking in hot springs, but after marrying into the Marquis's family, she was always afraid of losing face, so she never soaked in them again.

The rules of that time were like a shroud, suffocating her.

"What are you thinking about?"

Xiao Fang's voice was moist with moisture. He reached out and brushed his fingertips against the stray hairs at her temples, but his eyes lingered on her lips.

"I'm thinking about it."

Yun Shuyao looked up at him, the moonlight falling into her eyes, but it couldn't illuminate the deep affection in them.

"I used to think I should follow the rules, but now I feel more carefree and enjoyable..."

Before she could finish speaking, Xiao Fang had already moved.

He reached out and put his arm around Yun Shuyao's waist, pulling her closer to him, and the warm water rippled between them.

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His calloused hands pressed against the woman's back, and through the thin undergarment, he could feel the warmth of their skin and their slightly trembling breaths.

"How about trying it here?"

Xiao Fang leaned down and kissed her, his nose brushing against her neck, causing a slight tremor.

"Fine... to hell with the rules..."

Yun Shuyao's voice trembled slightly, yet it carried a sense of recklessness.

She proactively climbed onto Xiao Fang's shoulder, as if she were becoming more and more adept at it.

The man's fingertips traced across her back, where the scars had turned a pale pink.

"Does it still hurt?"

Xiao Fang bent down and kissed them, showing no disgust at the ugly, crisscrossing scars.

"My husband, blow on it and it won't hurt anymore."

When Yun Shuyao spoke for the first time, her face, already flushed with rosy cheeks, was full of alluring charm.

Xiao Fang's Adam's apple bobbed violently, his eyes seemed to be branding his prey, and his body gave the most honest reaction.

Yun Shuyao was amused by his appearance. Just as she turned her head to laugh, he pulled her onto his lap.

Xiao Fang tightened his arms around her, completely encircling her in his embrace.

The steam rising from the pool blurred their outlines and also clouded their reason.

But at this moment, he smelled the scent of soap in her hair, and she listened to the heartbeat in his chest.

All rules and regulations, all forms of self-restraint, have been stirred up into a turbulent mess.

"Xiao Fang..."

Yun Shuyao murmured unconsciously, her voice coming through the steam, sounding a little hoarse.

"From now on... I will break the rules with you..."

Xiao Fang lowered his head and kissed the corner of her lips, very lightly, yet with an irresistible possessiveness.

"Then we will not guard it."

His fingertips encircled her waist, lifting her up and then putting her down again.

"Your duty is to do whatever you want."

Xiao Fang looked into her eyes and spoke slowly and deliberately.

"Even if the sky falls, I'll hold it up."

Yun Shuyao's heart skipped a beat, like a stone thrown into a deep pool, creating ripples.

She suddenly leaned in and gave him a light peck on the corner of his lips.

It was very light, like a feather falling on the water.

Xiao Fang was stunned. The feeling of being actively provoked was like having the string of reason snapped.

He chuckled softly, the vibrations of his chest transmitting through our skin, carrying a burning heat.

He then held Yun Shuyao's nape and deepened the kiss.

Only a warm sensation remained between their lips and teeth, mingling with the warmth of the hot spring, allowing them to indulge completely.

The sound of patrolling guards could be heard in the distance, but Xiao Fang did not let go of his grip, only slowed his movements.

It seemed she didn't want anyone to hear even a whisper of her own voice.

Yun Shuyao buried her face in his neck, listening to his steady heartbeat, and finally managed to catch her breath.

But after the guards left, Xiao Fang transformed into a ferocious beast, tearing apart all her composure.

With the moon high in the sky, Xiao Fang pressed his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling as they calmed themselves.

Are you cold?

he asks.

"It's not cold."

Yun Shuyao shook her head, her fingertips trembling as she clung to his shoulder and gently shook it.

"I might not be able to walk anymore..."

Xiao Fang chuckled softly, straightened her disheveled clothes, and then lifted her out of the pool.

"You need to conserve your energy."

He smiled and said softly.

"It might be tough working out later..."

Yun Shuyao didn't refuse as usual. Instead, she buried her face in the man's neck and softly hummed in agreement.

The water stains on the stone path reflected the moonlight, stretching the two shadows long so that they overlapped completely, indistinguishable from one another.

Looking at the shadow on the ground, Yun Shuyao suddenly remembered her past life, those nights when she was always alone, and the sadness was gone.

Because now, she has another shadow by her side.

A reliable person who is willing to break all the rules with her, even if the road ahead is full of dangers and hardships, will stand in front of her.

The Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion.

In the west wing, the smell of medicine mixed with the stench of blood permeated the entire room.

Butler Wang lay on the bed covered with brocade quilts, the wound on his head having just been bandaged.

My broken right leg is in a splint, and every movement causes me to convulse in pain.

"Cousin! My dear cousin!"

Aunt Feng collapsed by the bedside, wailing and lamenting. Her gold hairpin was askew at her temple, and the rouge on her face was smeared with tears.

"That Xiao Fang is a complete scoundrel! How dare he lay such a vicious hand on the people of the Duke's mansion!"

And that vile woman Qin, she just stood by and watched you get beaten like this, I think she's just being too tough!

Butler Wang coughed up blood, his voice hoarse like a broken gong.

"He...he called me a lackey...and said...that I'm not even as good as a dog..."

"This is outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!"

Aunt Feng slammed her hand on the edge of the bed, and the silver bracelet jingled as it struck the pear wood bedpost.

"Why isn't the Duke here yet? Are you just letting them bully us like this?"

As they were talking, Yun Chongshan walked in with his hands behind his back, the hem of his gray-blue casual clothes covered in dust.

He had just returned from the ancestral hall and stood in front of the ancestral tablets for two hours, until his knees went numb before he came to his senses.

"What are you yelling about? Don't you have any manners?"

He frowned as he scanned the mess inside the room, his gaze landing on Butler Wang's face, which was wrapped up like a rice dumpling, a hint of disgust flashing in his eyes.

"Don't you know the saying, 'Don't wash your dirty linen in public'?"

"master!"

Aunt Feng immediately rushed over and grabbed his sleeve, crying with tears streaming down her face.

"You must stand up for my cousin! He's been beaten like this, what will people think of our Duke's mansion if word gets out?"

It must have been Qin who instigated Xiao Fang to do it! She's just holding a grudge against you for divorcing her and is deliberately trying to embarrass you!

Yun Chongshan shook off her hand and turned his back to look out the window.

The pomegranate tree under the corridor was planted by Qin herself. Now it is lush and leafy, but without her to water and prune it every day, the branches and leaves are a bit messy.

The Duke of Zhenguo's Adam's apple bobbed as he recalled that night twenty years ago when he met Qin Shi, who was only fifteen years old, during his most desperate moment.

She said, "Don't be afraid, I'll find someone to rescue you."

"master?"

Seeing that he was lost in thought, Aunt Feng waved her hand in front of his eyes.

"Please say something!"

Yun Chongshan snapped out of his daze, his expression darkening.

"Xiao Fang is the only son of the Prince of Zhenbei, and even the Emperor indulges him."

We can't afford to confront them head-on, or we'll just be asking for trouble!

"We can't just let it go like this!"

Aunt Feng stamped her feet, causing the pearl hairpins at her temples to shake violently.

"My cousin broke his leg and will be a cripple from now on!"

There are also the household expenses. Ever since Qin cut off the supply, the accountant's money has only gone out and not come in.

Our son wanted to eat the fermented duck at Zuixianlou, but we couldn't afford it..."

These words struck a nerve with Yun Chongshan.

He searched through the storerooms for the past few days and discovered that most of the money in the manor had already been depleted, and even paying the servants' monthly wages was a struggle to make ends meet.

Those businesses and industries that he looked down upon were actually the pillars supporting this empty shell.

"snort."

The Duke of Zhenguo stiffened his neck and snorted coldly, but his fingers unconsciously rubbed the jade pendant that Qin had given him at his waist.

"She thought that hiding in the manor would solve everything?"

The Duke himself will go there to see if she will return!