The Grand Secretary has no heir? His concubine gives birth to triplets.

The inner courtyard of the Prime Minister's residence, a side room.

Morning light filtered through the window screen into the room. Jiang Guo'er yawned delicately and slowly sat up.

As the quilt slipped off, she felt something strange in her right ankle. Looking down, she instantly became fully awake.

On her fair ankle, a red gold filigree lotus scroll inlaid with gemstones was encircling her delicate ankle.

It was glittering with gold and dazzling with rubies.

"What is this?" Jiang Guo'er asked in surprise as she leaned closer to examine it closely, secretly astonished.

Such intricate and luxurious craftsmanship is something that cannot be replicated in ordinary jewelry shops.

She tried to untie it, fumbling around for a long time, but found that the gold clasp was tightly sealed and there was no keyhole at all; it was obviously locked with a special mechanism.

Jiang Guo'er puffed out her cheeks and muttered softly:

"Does the Prime Minister think I'm some kind of sparrow kept in a brothel? And you even lock me up?"

Although it was a complaint, she felt as sweet as if she had drunk honey.

This must have been secretly put on her by the Prime Minister last night.

They had just told the old lady they wanted to make her a concubine, and then they sent her such valuable gifts.

It seems that I am becoming more and more important in the Prime Minister's heart!

Pick a suitable day, reveal your true identity to him, and the Prime Minister will surely help you!

Just then, heavy footsteps came from outside.

Pei Yan lifted the beaded curtain and walked in, bringing with him the chill of early winter into the room.

Jiang Guo'er's face lit up with joy. She immediately jumped out of bed, not even bothering to put on her embroidered shoes, and rushed over barefoot.

She buried her face in Pei Yan's arms, wrapping her arms around his lean waist.

"The Prime Minister is back!" she said softly, her voice slightly hoarse from just waking up.

This natural dependence and intimacy softened Pei Yan's heart.

He instinctively raised his arms and hugged her back.

But the arms that were holding him felt like vines exuding a sweet, blackish stench, making him feel both sweet and frightened.

If everything from the beginning to now was an act, how terrifying must her scheming be!

But Pei Yan remained silent for a long time, and in the end, he still couldn't bear to push him away.

She helped him untie his outer robe and then pulled him to sit down on the daybed.

"Your Excellency, this anklet is truly beautiful. Thank you for the gift."

Jiang Guo'er squatted by the couch, looked up at him and smiled, then changed the subject.

"However, this bracelet is far too valuable. The Prime Minister should also send the Madam a piece of jewelry, something even better than Guo'er's!"

"Madam was so frightened, she should be comforted. I am just a concubine, how could I be worthy of wearing such fine things? If the servants see it, they will gossip again."

Jiang Guo'er's words were entirely for Xue Lingyi's sake.

She knew the rules of the household well. If the prime minister favored her too much, she would inevitably be labeled as someone who favored his concubine over his wife in the future.

At that time, Lingyi will be in an awkward situation, and he himself will become the target of public criticism.

She believed that her words were appropriate and very tactful.

But in Pei Yan's heart, not a single word was something he wanted to hear.

Does she really enjoy pushing him into other women's rooms?

If she truly loved him, how could she not feel the slightest bit jealous? How could she give up the favor she had earned so easily?

Pei Yan's face darkened.

He grabbed Jiang Guo'er's wrist, which was still untying her belt, and with just a little force, Jiang Guo'er cried out in pain.

"Prime Minister?" Jiang Guo'er looked at him in confusion.

"This Crimson Lotus Knot is a unique piece from the previous dynasty," Pei Yan said through gritted teeth. "I secretly took it from my private treasury, never intending for a third person to know. I thought you would be delighted, but I never expected..."

Jiang Guo'er was stunned. This bracelet was actually a unique piece?

It was taken secretly from the Prime Minister's private treasury!

She suddenly felt the gold ring around her ankle was burning hot.

The Prime Minister has always been very particular about rules and regulations, so it is really against etiquette for him to bestow such a rare item upon his concubine.

"Prime Minister, since this is a unique item, we cannot accept the package."

"According to the rules, Guo'er's expenses, whether for food, clothing, or other necessities, cannot exceed those of the mistress! Prime Minister, please take out the key and retrieve it for me."

"Shut up!"

Pei Yan roared angrily.

Jiang Guo'er was so frightened that her shoulders trembled violently, her nose stung, and her eyes instantly reddened.

Overwhelmed by panic and helplessness, she looked at him with a wronged expression, forgetting even to breathe.

Seeing her on the verge of tears, Pei Yan's anger not only didn't subside, but burned even brighter.

That mix of disappointment, anger, and madness surged through my chest.

"Just accept this as a gift. Why all the nonsense?"

"You went to great lengths to please me before, wasn't it all because you wanted me to be good to you?"

"Now that I'm being nice to you—you're not happy about it!"

How could he have fallen for such a hypocritical and pretentious woman?!

He suppressed the urge to turn hostile, softened his voice, and suddenly threw out a name: "Xie Qing."

Jiang Guo'er's heart skipped a beat.

"I heard some rumors circulating outside when I finished my shift today."

Pei Yan stared at her face, not missing any subtle expression.

"Some people say that you were having an affair with Xie Qing at Wenyanzhai. He even called you... Shunshun."

Jiang Guo'er's blood instantly turned back to normal.

He really did start to doubt himself!

She bit her tongue hard, using the pain to calm herself down.

We absolutely cannot drag Xie's brother into this quagmire. If we anger the Prime Minister, the Xie family will be destroyed in an instant.

But she had long since severed ties with Xie Pan, and their past affection had vanished like smoke.

Honestly, she only had Pei Yan in her heart and there was absolutely no way she would get entangled with Xie Pan again!

Pei Yan suspected her of infidelity based on just a few rumors; that's far too distrustful of her.

Jiang Guo'er felt extremely wronged. She blinked, and tears instantly streamed down her face, landing on the back of his hand.

"Your Excellency is wise! I don't know that young master at all."

"That day, Guo'er was reading with the lady at Wenyanzhai when that man suddenly rushed up and stopped me, rambling incoherently."

"Guo'er thinks that person is a madman who has lost his mind. He probably lost his lover, which is why he's randomly recognizing people on the street..."

While wiping away her tears, Jiang Guo'er called Xie Qing a fool.

But his words were all meant to exonerate Xie Pan and protect his reputation for being "devoted to love".

At this moment, due to extreme tension and fear, her heart was pounding like a drum, and her chest was heaving violently.

The silk doll was tucked into her bosom.

A trembling voice echoed clearly in Pei Yan's mind:

[Brother Xie is innocent; I absolutely cannot involve him... God help me, he absolutely cannot be harmed.]

Pei Yan felt a deafening roar in his ears.

He laughed in exasperation, a chilling low chuckle emanating from his chest.

She pretended not to know him, but in her heart she kept calling him Brother Xie!

To protect another man, she could cry so miserably in front of him and tell such a huge lie!

Unable to bear it any longer, Pei Yan raised his hand and grabbed Jiang Guo'er's lower back.

"ah--"

Jiang Guo'er let out a cry of surprise and was thrown onto the daybed.

Her back hit the pillow, and although it didn't hurt, she still felt wronged. Pei Yan's tall body pressed down on her like a mountain.

The man's large, calloused hand gripped her chin tightly, forcing her to tilt her head back.

"Prime Minister...it hurts..."

Jiang Guo'er frantically slapped his arm, her eyes filled with terror.

Pei Yan gave her no chance to catch her breath.

He leaned down, with a ruthless intent to destroy everything, and pressed his lips firmly against those deceptive, soft lips.

He forcefully pried open her teeth, like a wild beast invading its territory, trampling wantonly.

Jiang Guo'er felt her breath taken away, her fingers curling up and crumpling the robe on his chest.

She instinctively struggled, turning her head away from the rough kiss, her legs kicking haphazardly on the bed.

"Don't hide, don't resist!" Pei Yan's eyes were bloodshot.

Jiang Guo'er's resistance only further enraged him.

Did she also hold hands, hug, and even... kiss Xie Pan?

How could she let another man touch her!

He only loosened his grip slightly after a long while, until Jiang Guo'er was almost suffocating.

Their noses touched, their breaths mingling.

Pei Yan breathed heavily, his fingertips rubbing hard against her swollen, broken lips, his dark eyes swirling with a black flame that could devour a person.

"What a fine brother Xie." He whispered in her ear, his voice as cold as a demon crawling out of the water.

"They're calling each other so affectionately."