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

"Prime Minister! What are you doing?"

Murong Shunshun helped Xuan Su Zhenren to sit down on the rosewood chair, then looked up and sternly rebuked her, "Calm down!"

Pei Yan stared at her with his scarlet, violent eyes, and let out a series of low, panting breaths.

Murong Shunshun took a deep breath, suppressing her wildly beating heart, and strode forward.

She tiptoed, pinched his earlobe, and gently kneaded it a couple of times.

The man, who had just been like a demon, had most of the crimson in his eyes fade in an instant.

His tall, imposing body relaxed, and he bent down, pressing his cheek tightly against her neck, nuzzling her affectionately yet possessively.

"Shunshun..."

His voice was hoarse, filled with an extreme possessiveness, as he gripped her slender waist with his large hand.

The little doll trembled with anger:

"You shameless brute! That's my body! Let me go back right now!"

"This spell has failed! Everyone shut up!" Murong Shunshun's head was throbbing.

She pushed away the tall body clinging to her slightly and said coldly, "Go wait in the outer room."

"Anyone who dares to make any more noise will be refusing to hug me tonight!"

Upon hearing this, Pei Yan pursed his thin lips, a deep sense of resentment flashing in his eyes, but he still obediently withdrew.

Murong Shunshun pulled out the little doll as well, threw it into his Ali, and then slammed the carved wooden door shut with a "bang".

Facing Master Xuansu, Murong Shunshun's expression was solemn and full of apology: "Master, I am truly sorry for what happened just now."

"But why is this happening?"

Master Xuansu wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief and sighed.

"The wisp of spirit remaining in Elder Pei's body is extremely domineering."

"The spirit is the master of desire and obsession. His mind is now in chaos, and his only obsession is with you, my lady."

"If I force the spell to work, we cannot merge; there is nothing I can do about it."

Murong Shunshun's fingers tightened inside her sleeve, and she bit her lower lip. "Is there really no other way?"

"...Yes." Master Xuansu's gaze sharpened slightly, and his voice lowered a few decibels.

"Since this physical body only cares about being the lady, then we can only do so when he is extremely relaxed, or..."

"Only when emotions run high will people lower their guard."

"I took this opportunity to perform a hand seal next door, so that the main soul could enter naturally and smoothly."

When emotions reach their peak?

Murong Shunshun was stunned for a moment, and her ears instantly burned uncontrollably.

The sparks traveled all the way to the side of his neck.

She coughed lightly and gave a shy curtsy.

"Thank you for your guidance, Master. I understand now."

"But I can't be sure about the timing yet; it definitely won't work today."

"Furthermore, using this forbidden technique will damage your lifespan and vital energy, so you..."

Master Xuansu waved his hand and sighed at Shunshun.

"This is the first time I've tried to help someone transfer their soul, and it really takes a lot of energy."

"It is only because of my profound Taoist skills, the inheritance of my master's essence, and the blessing of magical treasures that I was able to remain safe and sound."

"Even if the Prime Minister is willing to cooperate, there is still a possibility of failure along the way."

"Because no one will stand by and watch their vital energy... be completely depleted."

"Jiang Shouyue was actually able to succeed back then... I'm afraid it's already..."

Murong Shunshun was stunned on the spot, and it took her a long time to find her voice.

"You mean... Master Jiang might die because of this?"

If that's the case, then things make sense.

Why did Xin Yi and Xiao San refuse to reveal Jiang Daozhang's whereabouts?

They were afraid that if they and the Prime Minister found out, they would be filled with guilt, burdened by this immense favor, and suffer for the rest of their lives!

Murong Shunshun swayed a few times and held her forehead.

After calming down, I stood up.

Since Pei Yan's soul couldn't return for the time being, she could only send everyone away first.

Xuan Su Zhenren, Aluojia, and Liu Dieyi walked out while talking in hushed tones.

Lu Yunzheng deliberately lagged behind, his robe fluttering in the wind.

"Shunshun, you don't need to worry about Pei Lu's matter."

"I will use the Censorate's informants to thoroughly investigate what he has been doing in the Ministry of Justice's Huguang Bureau of Justice over the past few years, and whether he has made any wrong judgments."

"Let's find out why he might be secretly communicating with Prince Chen."

Murong Shunshun felt a warmth in her heart and looked up to give him a word of advice:

"Brother Lu, please be careful in everything you do. I'm waiting for your good news."

"Don't worry." Lu Yunzheng raised his eyebrows at her, then turned and disappeared into the sunset.

After seeing everyone off, Murong Shunshun had a light dinner, then changed into a plain long coat and hurriedly headed to the fourth house with Lüyi.

Before even stepping into the courtyard of the fourth house, one could hear heart-wrenching wails coming from inside.

Inside the main hall, Pei Lu's blackened body lay on a wooden board, not yet placed in a coffin.

The fourth wife, dressed in mourning clothes with her hair disheveled, threw herself onto the corpse, weeping bitterly.

"Fourth Master! How could you just abandon us, a widow and her children!"

She turned her head, glared at the servant kneeling in the corner, and demanded in a hoarse voice:

"You damned lackey! Why weren't you with Fourth Master today?!"

"They said he died suddenly! But his lips were all purplish-black, clearly poisoned! Who killed my husband?!"

Murong Shunshun stepped across the threshold, her face filled with sorrow, and walked slowly forward.

My deepest condolences to Fourth Sister-in-law.

She took out a plain handkerchief and gently wiped the corner of the fourth lady's eyes.

The fourth wife was sobbing uncontrollably and glanced at her.

"Why are you here, sister-in-law?"

Murong Shunshun leaned down, his gaze fixed on her eyes.

"Since Fourth Master's departure was suspicious, I naturally had to come and see for myself."

"Fourth Sister-in-law, think carefully. Has Fourth Brother offended anyone while he's out recently?"

"Or perhaps, you've encountered some major problem that you can't solve?"

Upon hearing this, the Fourth Madam's sobs suddenly caught in her throat.

Her body, trembling with grief, froze for a moment.

The Fourth Madam's eyes flickered, and she subconsciously avoided Murong Shunshun's gaze. She twisted her cuffs with her fingers and raised her voice.

"N-No!"

"My fourth master is always honest and dutiful while working in the yamen, never causing trouble. How could he possibly offend anyone!"

Murong Shunshun took in the panic on her face and sneered inwardly.

It is highly likely that the Fourth Lady was unaware of Pei Lu's defection to Prince Chen.

Women rarely have access to such secrets, and Pei Lu dared not tell her.

But her act of concealment suggests that she must know one of Pei Lu's fatal weaknesses!

Her body is a handle that could potentially ruin the entire fourth branch of the family.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have lied about Pei Lu's corpse.

"That's good. Fourth Sister-in-law, take care of yourself. The Prime Minister has already ordered people to investigate and will definitely give the Fourth Branch an explanation."

Murong Shunshun straightened up without showing any emotion, gave Manager Zhao a few instructions, and then turned to take her leave.

Once she left the fourth room, the gentleness on her face vanished completely.

"Is Xiao Shiwu here?" she called out to the eaves.

"Your subordinate is here." The dark figure landed silently in front of her.

"Keep a close eye on the fourth branch of the family, especially the fourth wife."

"If she goes out, or sends any trusted confidant out, be sure to follow her."

"yes!"

Because of the fire, Qingyi Courtyard is currently under repair overnight and is not suitable for living.

With her three children on her mind, Murong Shunshun took Pei Yan and the little doll with her to Songhe Garden.

Inside Songhe Garden, three wet nurses had just finished feeding three children and brought them to the old lady to show her.

Grandma Pei teased the child, showing particular fondness for Shunhui.

She looked quite well, but her brows were furrowed.

Upon seeing them enter, the old lady's gaze immediately swept over Pei Yan.

Seeing that his complexion was rosy and he didn't look like he was terminally ill, she forced a smile and glared at him reproachfully.

"You little rascal, you've only just recovered, why can't you stay still?"

The old lady tapped the ground with her cane.

"Rangzhi, your grandmother knows you love Shunshun. She has given birth to three legitimate sons; she'll be made the principal wife sooner or later. Why are you in such a hurry?"

"What?" Murong Shunshun was stunned, looking at the old lady with a puzzled expression.

The old lady sighed, picked up the paper from the table, and handed it to her.

Murong Shunshun took a look and immediately gasped.

This is a letter to our ancestors!

His words were crude and domineering. He bluntly stated that if Jiang Guo'er was not officially recognized as the wife in the ancestral hall tonight, he would drive those who opposed her out of the Pei family!

She subconsciously turned her head to look at Pei Yan beside her.

Pei Yan stepped forward, took Murong Shunshun's hand, and intertwined their fingers.

"Grandmother, I mean every word I say."

He raised his chin slightly. "Tonight, Shunshun must become my legal wife, the rightful matriarch of the Pei family."

The old lady was so taken aback by his reckless attitude that she trembled all over.

Seeing that he couldn't persuade her otherwise, he could only sigh.

"Fine, fine. Since you insist, then so be it tonight."

Because of the time constraints and the fact that it was nighttime, many red tape procedures were cut.

Inside the ancestral hall of the Prime Minister's residence, thick red candles were lit.

Murong Shunshun didn't even change out of her bright red auspicious robes; she was still wearing a long coat. She knelt with Pei Yan before the ancestral tablets of the Pei family, offering incense and wine.

The ceremony was rather simple, but Murong Shunshun couldn't suppress the urge to smile.

She knelt on the prayer mat, glancing sideways at the tall, upright man beside her.

From this day forward, she is no longer a concubine.

She was Pei Yan's legal wife.

No need for any grand gestures or elaborate displays.

As long as Pei Yan cherishes her and protects her at all costs, that's enough.