After being reborn, the aloof prime minister was once again forced by a tyrant.

As expected, Xiao Jingyuan circled behind him, hooked his fingertips on the slipknot of the white silk, and gently lifted it upwards. Xie Qinglan was instantly suspended in mid-air, with only his toes barely touching the edge of the bed.

Xiao Jingyuan took the damp silver bells and then stuck them on from behind.

Xie Qinglan panicked and struggled desperately: "No, it's not all done yet, there's still—"

Xiao Jingyuan wrapped his long arm around his slender waist, holding him tightly in his embrace: "What are you afraid of? There's only one left."

Xie Qinglan shook her head repeatedly: "No, this can't be. I've already said everything I needed to say, you can't keep tormenting me like this."

Xiao Jingyuan laughed and said, "You'll have to experience it for yourself to know whether I'm really that weak or not."

As soon as the words were spoken, the two bodies pressed together, completely intertwined.

Xie Qinglan suddenly realized, feeling both angry and aggrieved: "You...you're just making up some excuse to torment me...no matter what I say or not, no matter how I say it...you won't let me off the hook, will you...?"

Having his thoughts exposed on the spot, Xiao Jingyuan felt slightly guilty, and became even more unforgiving.

He leaned on Xie Qinglan's shoulder, panting and chuckling, looking utterly unrepentant: "Innocent! How could I be so shameless?"

"You've never been shameless."

Xie Qinglan was furious, but her body was too weak to resist, so she could only let him do as he pleased.

Xiao Jingyuan simply stopped arguing and kept teasing him until he was speechless, then teased in a low voice, "Why are you so quiet now? Still dare to say I'm weak?"

Forced into a corner, Xie Qinglan pleaded intermittently, her voice trembling with tears, "I... I shouldn't have said you were weak... Please stop... I can't take it anymore..."

"This is nothing!" Xiao Jingyuan was in high spirits. He supported the man's knees with both arms and pulled him steadily into his embrace. "It will take at least seven times to prove that I'm not faking it."

Xie Qinglan was so confused by the commotion that tears streamed down her face. In her dazed state, she blurted out, "I was lying to you! You're the best. I was just making things up. Please forgive me..."

Xiao Jingyuan's tone suddenly turned dangerous: "Oh? Another lie? If you don't think I'm weak, then why won't you let me touch you? Tell the truth."

Xie Qinglan instantly regained her senses, biting her lower lip and refusing to speak.

Xiao Jingyuan's eyes darkened. He got up, took the pair of gold filigree rings, and came back to carefully put them on for him.

Xie Qinglan was furious. She grabbed his hair and yanked it hard. "Are you never going to stop today?! How dare you treat me like this! Do you want a beating?!"

Xiao Jingyuan's scalp tingled from the pulling, but he wasn't angry. He just lowered his eyes and softened his voice by eight octaves, feigning a pitiful expression:

"We used to be inseparable, but suddenly you won't let me touch you, and you're even going so far as to act out a story for me—this is serious. I'm so worried until I figure it out. Qinglan, please tell me, okay?"

Xie Qinglan let go of his hand, tapping his forehead with her fingertip and scolding, "I just wanted to correct your bad habits! You demand things every day without restraint. Everything in excess is bad. Having sex once every ten days or half a month is normal."

Xiao Jingyuan's eyes widened, his face full of disbelief: "You clearly enjoy it too, so why would you be willing to only be intimate with me once every ten days or half a month? You're obviously just fooling me again."

This person is exceptionally perceptive in these matters; there's no way to fool him. Xie Qinglan's eyes darted around, and she simply changed the subject, raising an eyebrow and asking, "Me, enjoying it? Which eye of yours saw that I enjoyed it?"

"I can see everything clearly with both eyes." Xiao Jingyuan leaned closer, seemingly justified. "You scold me fiercely, but every time you hug me tightly, and your fingernails are always scratching my back..."

Xie Qinglan's ears burned red, but she stubbornly refused to admit it: "That's...that's because it hurt so much that I had nowhere to put my weight on! Who benefited from it? Stop trying to make yourself look good!"

Seeing his flushed ears and insincere expression, Xiao Jingyuan was in a good mood. He reached out and untied the white silk ribbon, then pulled the exhausted man into his arms.

Xie Qinglan thought it was finally over and breathed a slight sigh of relief. She sat in his lap and twisted her waist impatiently, saying, "Hurry up and get it for me."

"Okay, lift your back slightly."

Xie Qinglan's legs were weak and sore, so she could only lightly grab his shoulders for support and barely lift herself up.

A sly glint flashed in Xiao Jingyuan's eyes as he deliberately dawdled. Once the bell had rolled onto the bed, Xie Qinglan, exhausted, fell straight back into his warm embrace.

"Ah—Xiao Jingyuan!"

Xiao Jingyuan grunted and chuckled softly, "This isn't my fault. You were just careless... and got caught red-handed."

"I think you did this on purpose!" Xie Qinglan tried to get up by supporting herself on his shoulders, but Xiao Jingyuan held her waist tightly.

He was both ashamed and angry: "What are you doing? Let me go!"

"I won't let go," Xiao Jingyuan said, getting up from the bed with his arm around his waist and hips. "If we don't get the truth out of him, we'll continue the torture."

He walked erratically, swaying with each step, and pressed in a low voice, "Will you confess or not?"

"I'll swear at you!" Xie Qinglan angrily scratched his back.

He wrapped all four limbs around Xiao Jingyuan, intending to subdue him, but this only emboldened the man further. Xie Qinglan was thoroughly tormented, her body aching unbearably, yet she was bound by the pair of golden rings, unable to find relief.

He couldn't bear it any longer and reached out to take off the gold ring, but Xiao Jingyuan grabbed his wrist.

"Want to take it off?" Xiao Jingyuan looked up at him, a smile in his eyes. "Then tell the truth, and I'll untie it for you."

Unable to bear it any longer, Xie Qinglan's eyes filled with tears. Finally, she gave in and pleaded with him in a tearful voice, "Take it off first... I... I'll tell you..."

"That's a good boy." Xiao Jingyuan lightly pecked him on the lips, then carried him to the chaise lounge and took off the pair of gold filigree rings for him.

Once the confinement was gone, Xie Qinglan instantly went limp, collapsing into his arms. After a long while, she turned her head and buried her face in his neck, her voice barely audible: "I've heard people say... if a person is overexerted, their youth will easily fade. You bully me like this every day, and every time I'm faster and more worn out than you... if this continues, I'll definitely age faster than you."

"Where did you hear this nonsense?" Xiao Jingyuan was both angry and amused. "Did you secretly rummage through those old fogies' tattered books at the Imperial Hospital again? You can't believe those old men's one-sided stories?"

Xie Qinglan said in a muffled voice, "There's no smoke without fire. I'm almost thirty, no longer young. If my looks have faded and I'm not as beautiful as before... and you're the most lustful of all, you'll get tired of me sooner or later."

Xiao Jingyuan frowned and pulled the person closer: "What nonsense are you talking about? How could I possibly dislike you? I wish I could tie you to my belt and stick to you every day. Even when your hair turns gray in the future, my feelings for you will not change."

Xie Qinglan was skeptical, and hummed in a nasal tone, "You're just using sweet words to coax me. Whatever, you have to restrain yourself; you've ruined my body."

"What's wrong with it?" Xiao Jingyuan laughed. "It's just that I've spoiled it a bit, it's nothing serious."

Xie Qinglan glared at him fiercely: "I've been feeling increasingly weak and short of breath lately, and it's all your fault! You still say it's nothing? I'm reading proper medical books; excessive sexual activity ages you prematurely! If you really care about me, you should restrain yourself."

"Don't believe those fallacies," Xiao Jingyuan said casually. "A person needs to be physically and mentally relaxed, and have smooth blood and energy flow, to grow younger and younger. Look at your hands—"

He took Xie Qinglan's hand in his hand and kissed it. "So white and tender, there's not a trace of aging in you. In fact, you're even more radiant than before. It must all be thanks to me."

Xie Qinglan turned her face away: "Stop talking nonsense."

"Really." Xiao Jingyuan said sincerely, "If you don't believe me, let the innkeeper see you tomorrow. He'll definitely praise you for looking like an eighteen-year-old young man."

"Really, I'm not blind." Xiao Jingyuan said with a straight face, "Since you're afraid of getting old, you should spend more time with me. As the old saying goes, yin and yang should be in harmony, and rain and dew should nourish the body. The more tenderness you show, the more you can keep your appearance young and stay young forever."

This string of fallacies made Xie Qinglan laugh in exasperation. She raised her hand and lightly slapped him: "Don't talk nonsense... ugh!"

"I'm not talking nonsense." Xiao Jingyuan picked up the person and moved to the dressing mirror. He held the person's chin with one hand and forced him to look at the bronze mirror. "You'll know when you see for yourself."

The mirror reflected the two of them embracing. Xie Qinglan's hair was disheveled, her face flushed, and her eyes still moist. She was held in Xiao Jingyuan's arms like a crabapple tree soaked by the night rain.

"Look, after we've been intimate, you're like a delicate flower nourished by rain and dew, so tender you could practically squeeze water out of it." Xiao Jingyuan murmured, nibbling at his earlobe. "That's why we should get closer to each other more often; the closer you get, the younger you'll look. I'll water you again now, soak you completely, and I guarantee you'll be radiant tomorrow, even more youthful than you are now."

Before he could finish speaking, he became restless again, rubbing against the bronze mirror while holding the person in his arms.

The mirror reflected the swaying shadows, an ambiguous and alluring scene. Xie Qinglan wanted to turn her head away in embarrassment, but her chin was firmly held in place, leaving her with no choice but to watch the two intertwined, letting him do as he pleased.

After struggling for a long time, Xie Qinglan was exhausted and muttered weakly, "You bastard... if you don't kill me today, I'll beat you to death..."

Xiao Jingyuan chuckled softly, "So fierce?"

"I'm naturally fierce!" Xie Qinglan gasped for breath, filled with remorse. "I spoiled you too much before, which made you more and more reckless. This time, I will not let you off easily."

Xiao Jingyuan didn't care at all, only lowered his head to bite the corner of his lip, and mumbled, "We've spoiled him for so long, what's wrong with spoiling him one more time? Hmm?"

Xie Qinglan retorted angrily, "Do you think I'm made of clay? You've bullied me like this today; just wait until I calm down, you'll get what's coming to you!"

The two played until sunset, when Xiao Jingyuan finally lay down, satisfied, holding the other man. He kissed his sweaty temples, panting, and pulled him back into his arms, kissing his swollen eyelids. He whispered, "Qinglan, are you satisfied with my affection?"

Xie Qinglan caught her breath, then immediately kicked the man a long way away. She sat up, wrapped in the blanket, panting, and cursed, "Satisfied? I think you're tired of living! Get out! Sleep in the stables tonight, and don't let me see you again!"

Xiao Jingyuan was kicked and rolled to the foot of the bed, clutching his chest, his face filled with disbelief: "Qinglan, how could you be so heartless? I just finished working so hard for you, and you—"

"Get out!" Xie Qinglan grabbed a pillow and threw it at him. "If you don't leave, I'll break your legs!"

Seeing that he was truly angry, Xiao Jingyuan dared not be cheeky anymore, so he got dressed, stood up, and slunk out.

The next morning, Xie Qinglan slept until late morning. She got up and looked out the door—usually, even if Xiao Jingyuan was kicked out, he would shamelessly squat at the door to guard it, but today there wasn't a soul in sight.

Xie Qinglan frowned slightly, thinking to herself: This idiot, he wouldn't actually go to sleep in the stable, would he?

He put on an overcoat and went out to look for him. Just as he reached the courtyard gate, he saw Xiao Jingyuan squatting in the middle of the yard, confronting a passing stray dog.

The big dog barked at him, and he, not to be outdone, barked back. The two of them were barking at each other, neither willing to back down first.

Xie Qinglan leaned against the door frame and watched for a while, her expression subtle.

As if sensing something, Xiao Jingyuan turned around, saw Xie Qinglan, immediately forgot about the dog, stood up, grinned, and quickly came to greet her: "Awake? Are you hungry? Let's go have breakfast."

"It's alright." Xie Qinglan looked him up and down. "You really slept in the stables last night?"

Xiao Jingyuan immediately retorted, "How could that be! I booked another room to sleep in."

Xie Qinglan gave a faint "Oh".

After finishing his meal, Xie Qinglan put down his chopsticks and said, "Let's pack up and get going."

Xiao Jingyuan was somewhat surprised. Yesterday's commotion had gone so far; he expected a cold shoulder and torment, but it turned out they just sent him out to sleep for the night and let it go so easily? Xie Qinglan truly had a good temper, and was becoming increasingly indulgent towards him. He felt secretly pleased, even contemplating that perhaps he could be bolder in the future.

But his smugness didn't last long—he soon realized that the real punishment lay hidden in the words "on the road."

Xie Qinglan took off the white silk ribbon from last night, and then took out a leather neck ring from the cabinet. Without saying a word, she put it around Xiao Jingyuan's neck. One end of the white silk ribbon was tied tightly to the neck ring, and the other end was firmly tied to the saddle.

Having done all this, he nimbly mounted his horse, flicked the reins, and rode off.

Xiao Jingyuan was suddenly pulled and stumbled, and could only do his best to keep up with the horse.

The horse was incredibly fast; if he slowed down even half a step, the white ribbon would pull him so hard he would stumble and almost fall. He could only bury his head and chase after it desperately, running until he was drenched in sweat and panting heavily, crying out as he ran, "Qinglan, I was wrong! Please forgive me! I can't run anymore! Slow down!"

Xie Qinglan, riding on horseback with her clothes fluttering, didn't turn her head: "Aren't you full of energy and have brute strength to spare? From now on, traveling like this every day will be a good way to wear down your excess strength and curb your stubbornness."

The horse galloped into the bustling street, and Xie Qinglan pulled on the reins and strolled leisurely. Passersby stopped to watch, pointing and discussing among themselves.

"Hey, what's going on here?"

"I'm afraid the young master has done something wrong and has been dragged out by his wife as punishment for being paraded through the streets."

"Look at this tall, big guy, he's actually been completely subdued!"

The air was filled with laughter and chatter, making Xiao Jingyuan's face flush with embarrassment and utterly humiliated. He pleaded in a low voice, "Qinglan, there are so many people on the street, can't you give me some face? I'm, after all—"

"Who do you think you are?" Xie Qinglan tilted her head slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips. "You've always been shameless, why would you care what others think?"

Having said that, he raised his hand to adjust his hat, and then swung his whip again: "Giddy up!"

Xiao Jingyuan was on the verge of tears, panting heavily as he ran behind the horse: "I really know I was wrong! Please slow down! I'm out of strength! If I keep going like this, I'm going to fall right down in the street and make a fool of myself!"