In a moment of impulse, I forcibly kissed my brother's best friend.

After Cui Yutang arrived at the Zhou residence, he had just passed through the hanging flower gate when Zhou Xuan'an blocked his way.

"Brother Yutang, where are you going?" Zhou Xuan'an asked with an unfriendly expression, arms crossed, standing in the middle of the road like a door god.

"I'll go check on Yige." Cui Yutang stopped, his tone suddenly turning cold. "I heard she cried herself unconscious this morning. Did the Xie family bully her?"

"Brother Yutang, you're very well-informed," Zhou Xuan'an said, narrowing his eyes. "How many spies have you planted in my house?"

Cui Yutang's face stiffened. Wasn't he learning from his past mistakes?

"Brother Xuan'an, please don't misunderstand." He softened his tone, "I'm just worried about Yige's safety, so I'm keeping an eye on her in case something happens and I can't react in time."

Zhou Xuan'an's expression softened slightly, but he was still very unhappy when he thought about what happened at the Apricot Garden Banquet that day. Fortunately, Xie Wanzhou was with him that day.

What if others gossip and spread rumors?

"Anyway, you can't go in today." Zhou Xuan'an's attitude was firm. "Yi Ge is resting."

"Brother Xuan'an, have I offended you in some way?" Cui Yutang asked with a hint of helplessness. "I'm just going to take a look."

You've offended me in so many ways—you abducted my only sister without a word, and before we were even married, you were already hugging and cuddling her. But he couldn't say those words out loud, so Zhou Xuan'an could only sulk in silence.

"Brother Yutang, you and Yige are not yet married. In broad daylight, people will gossip. You can't keep coming to my house every day." He said sternly, "Please go back."

"I'm sorry, it was my oversight." Cui Yutang said pleadingly, "I was just too anxious. Is she alright?"

Zhou Xuan's heart softened: "She's fine, she just needs to rest."

Baoyu watched as her master left the Zhou residence and returned to Liantang Residence in a daze.

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Not long after, Cui Shijiu brought over a pile of folding paper.

Besides the documents he wanted regarding Prince Rong'an, there were also a bunch of memorials his father had prepared for him to familiarize himself with court politics in advance, as well as important issues that needed to be addressed recently, which he was asked to contribute ideas to form reports.

The unfortunate man had actually been doing these jobs ever since he became the top scholar in the imperial examination—he hadn't even officially taken office yet!

As the Right Chancellor, his superior official, his father's life was quite a bittersweet one.

Cui Yutang had no choice but to calm himself down, sit down at his desk, and begin dealing with the pile of work he had to do that day.

The sunlight streaming in through the window illuminated his profile, making it appear distinct.

He reviewed the papers quickly, his gaze sharp as a knife, frequently adding annotations. He also wrote corresponding strategies on blank slips of paper. Only when the sun was setting did he finally find relief, letting out a long sigh.

He began reviewing the impeachments against Prince Rong'an. It seemed his father was still holding back, not openly confronting him, and issuing more of a warning. After all, it wasn't uncommon for regional princes to privately mine salt and iron; it was just that their power prevented anyone from reporting it openly.

He looked out the window; dusk was falling, and the last vestiges of orange-red on the horizon were fading away.

I wonder how she is doing.

There are still thirty-seven days left. How is he going to get through that?

Looking at his master's expression, Bao Yu couldn't help but mutter, "Young Master Zhou only said it couldn't be done in broad daylight..."

Cui Yutang gave Baoyu a meaningful look.

The copy of "The Genealogy of the Cui Clan of Qinghe" on the table shone brightly in the candlelight.

He slowly walked out of the room.

His white robe accentuated his slender figure, making him appear even more elegant and otherworldly. The lanterns under the corridor lit up one by one, casting a dim yellow glow on him. Every gesture he made exuded unparalleled nobility.

Bao Yu followed closely behind him, only to hear the person in front of her say something in a low voice.

"You and the Nineteenth have handled things well lately; your monthly salary has doubled this month."

"Thank you, Master! You are wise!"

Bao Yu was overjoyed, her smile stretching almost to her ears, and she wished she could burst into song on the spot.

The night was dark and windy, with no stars or moon.

The city of Chang'an fell silent, making it an auspicious day for robbery and plunder.

Two dark figures darted swiftly through the alley outside the back wall of the Zhou residence.

The man in black ahead was extremely light-footed, almost making no sound as he passed by. He stopped directly under the old pear tree whose branches bent outwards from the wall, and with a light step, he flipped over the high wall.

After landing, he immediately threw a pebble toward the tree, making a soft sound, and whispered.

"It's me, you don't need to get down."

The two bodyguards hiding in the tree exchanged bewildered glances—it was their future son-in-law. How should they handle this situation? Urgent!

They were still exchanging enthusiastic glances, trying to discuss feasible solutions.

Cui Yutang had already quietly sneaked into Xie Yige's room.

Xie Yige had just changed into a light nightgown and gone to sleep not long ago.

Only a dim candle flame remained in her boudoir, flickering weakly in the night, as if it might go out at any moment.

Through the transparent curtains, one could vaguely see the woman's reclining figure, her body arched into a lovely curve under the covers.

He approached silently, and the bed was filled with the rich and alluring fragrance of a woman.

It was her scent.

It smells good.

His eyes darkened, and he couldn't help but lift the curtain, only to see Xie Yige asleep with her eyes closed.

Her long, curled eyelashes cast soft shadows in the dim candlelight, her skin was as white as porcelain, flushed with a rosy blush, and her pink lips parted slightly with each breath, making her both innocent and alluring.

He felt his heartbeat quicken and slow down, and his breathing became erratic.

He slowly leaned closer, took a gentle sniff, and the fragrance became even more intense, instantly making him even more infatuated.

Just one kiss, one kiss and I'm gone.

He silently reminded himself that breaking into a woman's boudoir in the middle of the night was already an extreme transgression, and he was just checking on her, wasn't he?

Countless admonitions were still racing through his mind when his lips unconsciously pressed against her pink and tender skin.

The moment they touched, his whole body went numb.

It smells so good and it's so soft.

I'll give you one more kiss and then I'll leave.

The tip of my tongue couldn't resist sneaking inside. Once our lips and tongues intertwined, it was unstoppable.

Xie Yige woke up from a dream by holding her breath.

The moment she woke up, she was terrified and was about to struggle when she suddenly smelled the familiar cold sandalwood scent on him.

Her body relaxed before her consciousness did.

In the dim candlelight, she saw a handsome face so close to hers, with deep-set eyes, long eyelashes, and a high nose bridge, which was extremely alluring in the flickering light.

He noticed she was awake, but didn't pull away immediately. His lips were still pressed against hers, their breaths mingling, hot and wet.

"Why are you here..." Her voice was soft and hoarse, still groggy from just waking up.

"I wanted to see you." His voice was so low it was almost inaudible. His forehead pressed against hers, his nose brushing against hers. "I heard you were bullied today."

Those phoenix eyes were now churning with an undercurrent she had never seen before.