After getting married, she spent every night alone in her room; when she asked for a divorce, he kne

"What are you thinking about?"

In the silence, Xiao Jinghan said, "Aren't you going to sleep? It's not even dawn yet. Sleep a little longer."

Liu Yuansheng was indeed very sleepy, but she couldn't sleep now.

She opened her eyes wide and looked around, then asked, "Are you going to sleep here?"

"You just asked me that question," Xiao Jinghan said, shifting slightly. "What, can't I sleep here?"

Liu Yuansheng opened her mouth, about to say that if Xiao Jinghan wanted to sleep here, she would go next door to book a room, but Xiao Jinghan suddenly said, "We are husband and wife."

"It is perfectly normal for husband and wife to share a bed and have children together."

What do you think?

Liu Yuansheng's lips twitched.

Sharing a bed and bearing children?

No, no, she's about to divorce Xiao Jinghan, how can she have children?

"Your Highness, there's something I want to tell you..."

Suddenly finding courage, Liu Yuansheng said to Xiao Jinghan, "I think..."

"I want to sleep." Xiao Jinghan interrupted Liu Yuansheng again, not only cutting her off but also reaching out to pull her to his chest. "You should sleep too, okay?"

The two were instantly very close, their warm breaths mingling and intertwining. The light, cool scent of cedar emanating from him enveloped her, leaving her nowhere to escape.

He lowered his eyes, his long eyelashes brushing against her trembling eyelashes, a deep, dark light covering his eyes, his faint breath repeatedly brushing against her flushed cheeks.

Liu Yuansheng's body stiffened, his back was taut, his heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to shatter his ribs, and his fingertips curled up involuntarily, hanging by his sides and trembling slightly.

She dared not look up at his overly handsome features, her gaze darting away in a panic. Her ears burned, and even her breathing became erratic. Her heart was filled with unconcealed fear and helplessness, afraid that she would succumb to this overwhelming intimacy at any moment.

"Your Highness, let me go."

After a moment, Liu Yuansheng said tremblingly, "I'll go sleep in the next room."

After saying that, she tried to break free from Xiao Jinghan's arm and sit up, but Xiao Jinghan held her tightly and wouldn't let go. "You're not allowed to go. Just sleep here. What's the point of all this commotion in the middle of the night? If others find out, they'll say we're not a loving couple."

Liu Yuansheng's arms were aching, and she was about to give up.

Her chin brushed against Xiao Jinghan's collarbone, as if she were about to lie down on him at any moment, which frightened her so much that she dared not relax.

"Okay, I won't leave, just let me go."

"Why are you letting go?" Xiao Jinghan exerted a little force, letting Liu Yuansheng rest her head on his shoulder, then turned around, lay on his side, and hugged her. "Let's sleep like this."

Liu Yuansheng froze abruptly, startled and flustered.

She instinctively raised her hand and placed it on his forearm, gently trying to break free from his tight embrace and escape his arms. But he held her firmly, and the slightest struggle only brought them closer, making her earlobes flush red.

"Let go of me, I... I need to get out."

She should have kept quiet, because once she did, Xiao Jinghan pulled her even tighter. "Go to sleep, I can't stay awake any longer."

After saying that, he truly fell into a deep sleep.

Liu Yuansheng was stunned.

Her struggles only resulted in shallow, labored breathing, which she could barely bear to listen to. Finally, unable to continue, she collapsed onto Xiao Jinghan's shoulder, drifting off to sleep.

Surprisingly, everything was peaceful and quiet, and the nightmares stopped bothering me.

They got up at dawn, had breakfast together at the inn, and then rushed back to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

The Duke of Zhenguo returned to the military camp, and Yuan Min was imprisoned. Xie Qinghe managed the huge Duke of Zhenguo's mansion in an orderly manner, which Liu Yuansheng greatly admired.

She couldn't imagine how devastated she would be if she were Xie Qinghe and discovered her husband's affair with her mother-in-law and the pregnancy.

Although nothing stays hidden forever, Xiao Jinghan used some unknown means to keep things calm outside for the time being. No one associated Yuan Shi's divorce with Xiao Jingting. The only thing the household said to the outside world was that Xiao Jingting had gone out to treat his leg and would return soon. Yuan Shi was divorced because she had been disliked by Xiao Xiuyan for bribing the household with money.

That was considered saving face for her.

However, Yuan Taifu, unaware of the truth, sent someone to find her, saying that he wanted to demand an explanation for Yuan Shi and that she should not be divorced in such an unclear manner.

"What do you mean by 'divorced without a clear explanation'? Weren't they told the reason? What are they making a fuss about?"

As soon as the two returned to Chenxiang Courtyard, a servant told Xiao Jinghan that Grand Tutor Yuan had sent people to rescue the Yuan family. Still sleepy, Xiao Jinghan said irritably, "Tell the people of the Yuan family that if they insist on making a big fuss, I don't mind losing face with them."

The servants relayed Xiao Jinghan's words verbatim to Grand Tutor Yuan, and as a result, the Grand Tutor's wife personally came to his door to demand an explanation.

"My daughter has acted improperly and has made mistakes, but she is still my flesh and blood, a piece of my own flesh. Even if you have grievances, you should not imprison her here and let her go hungry."

The Grand Tutor's wife, dressed in plain clothes, her eyes red, stood in the main hall of the Duke's mansion, suppressing a sob in her throat. Her tone was sorrowful, yet every word was resolute.

"Today, regardless of what others say or how much face the two families may have, I will bring my daughter back to the Grand Tutor's residence. Her mistakes will be strictly disciplined by the Grand Tutor and me at home. We will decide her life or death, and we absolutely cannot stand by and watch my daughter perish in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion!"

Xie Qinghe sat upright, her expression calm and undisturbed, her voice clear and gentle yet each word firm and unwavering, leaving no room for compromise.

"Madam Grand Tutor, you are too kind. The trouble caused by the Yuan family has already damaged the very foundation of our Zhenguo Duke's Mansion. This matter cannot be easily settled privately."

Her confinement here is not intended as deliberate mistreatment, but merely to prevent her from causing further trouble. She is provided with three meals a day in accordance with the prescribed portions; there is no question of her starving to death, so Madam need not worry.

"So you're saying you're not releasing them?"

"Yes."

Upon hearing this, the Grand Tutor's wife took a deep breath, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and her expression softened with the authoritative authority of an elder. Her gaze towards Xie Qinghe held a hint of disdain: "Xie Qinghe, I know you are the mistress of the household, but in terms of seniority, I am ultimately your elder. The Duke of Zhenguo and the Old Madam have not yet spoken; your immediate refusal is far too presumptuous. Yuanmin is the legitimate daughter of my Grand Tutor's household; her fate and punishment should be decided by me and the Grand Tutor. How dare you, a junior, arbitrarily detain my daughter?"

"Please step back for now and let the Duke or the Old Madam speak up so we can discuss this matter properly. Don't let your own opinion lead to a stalemate that could damage the relationship between our two households."

"There's no need to ask Father and Grandmother to come out."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Jinghan stepped in. "My sister-in-law's meaning is the same as my father's and grandmother's, and the meaning of everyone in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion."

These words greatly flattered Xie Qinghe, while simultaneously putting the Grand Tutor's wife in an awkward position. "Such assertive words, do you not take my Grand Tutor's mansion seriously?"

The Grand Tutor's wife concealed the sorrow in her eyes, straightened her back, and spoke in a deep, authoritative tone, each word carrying weight: "Xiao Jinghan, Xie Qinghe, and Yuan Min are the legitimate daughters of the Grand Tutor's mansion. This matter should have been handled entirely by our Grand Tutor's mansion. My humble arrival to take them away is already giving the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion ample face."

"If you insist on detaining her and force her into something bad, it will completely sever ties between our two families. In the court, my Grand Tutor's family will have its own explanation. At that time, it will not only damage the relationship between our two families, but also your dignity, Duke!"

Xiao Jinghan, his brows cold and deep, stood beside Xie Qinghe. His voice, though not loud, carried the solemn and oppressive weight of someone wielding power, each word ringing with conviction: "Madam, your words are putting the cart before the horse. Yuan Min committed the wrong first, causing trouble that implicated my Zhenguo Duke's Mansion. Now you're using the relationship between our two mansions and the political situation at court to pressure me?"

"If it weren't for this, you probably wouldn't have released my daughter!" said the Grand Tutor's wife. "My daughter was already wronged to marry your father as his second wife. Now, she has only made a small mistake, and you want to force her to her death. This is simply too much!"

"A minor mistake?" Xiao Jinghan sneered and said, "I didn't want to waste my breath on you, but you insist on pretending to be ignorant and lingering here, refusing to leave."

"Right now, I'm still sparing some face to preserve the Grand Tutor's family's dignity and prevent them from being pointed at and scorned by everyone. If you insist on being ungrateful and antagonizing me, then don't blame me for being ruthless. Within three days, the despicable things Yuan Min has done in private will spread throughout the high-ranking families in the capital. At that time, the Grand Tutor's reputation will be ruined, and you will be talked about behind your backs wherever you go. The entire Grand Tutor's family will never be able to hold their heads up again."

"Madam had better weigh the pros and cons carefully, lest you lose all face before begging me for mercy."

After uttering those last words, the Grand Tutor's wife's expression changed drastically.

After a moment of silent eye contact with Xiao Jinghan, the Grand Tutor's wife suddenly stood up and said, "Alright, Xiao Jinghan, remember what I said today."

Xiao Jinghan: "Please take care, Madam Grand Tutor."

"Hmph!" The Grand Tutor's wife glared at Xiao Jinghan before reluctantly leaving.

As soon as she left, Xie Qinghe, who had been tense, immediately relaxed and leaned back in her chair, saying, "Finally gone. Talking to them in such a formal way was exhausting."

"Sister-in-law, you've worked hard," Xiao Jinghan said. "Have a cup of tea to soothe your throat."

Xie Qinghe actually picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said, "Where's Yuansheng? Why didn't she come over?"

"She's playing with Yan'er at the Agarwood Courtyard," Xiao Jinghan said.

"Yuan Sheng treats Yan'er very well." Xie Qinghe put down her teacup and said meaningfully, "Don't you want to have a child of your own?"

"Yes, I do," Xiao Jinghan said. "Who wouldn't want a child of their own?"

Xie Qinghe was stunned for a moment, then suddenly fell silent.

Xiao Jinghan glanced at Xie Qinghe, stood up, and said, "If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now."

After saying that, he stood up to leave, but Xie Qinghe suddenly remembered something and hurriedly called out to Xiao Jinghan, "Wait."

Xiao Jinghan: "What's wrong?"

Xie Qinghe stood up. "I almost forgot to tell you, the Prime Minister's residence sent a letter saying that the Prime Minister is ill and asking Yuansheng to go back and check on him."

"Is Prime Minister Liu ill?" Xiao Jinghan asked. "Is it serious?"

"I don't know about that," Xie Qinghe said. "According to my fourth brother, Prime Minister Liu hasn't attended court for a long time since Liu Nianxi caused that shameful incident at our residence."

This is true.

"I understand. I'll tell Yuansheng about this and see what she says."

"it is good."

-

After returning to Chenxiang Courtyard, Xiao Jinghan told Liu Yuansheng about Liu Jingyuan's illness and how he had sent someone to invite her back.

Liu Yuansheng had just coaxed Yan'er to sleep and was exhausted. Hearing Xiao Jinghan's words, her weariness deepened. "Why did he call me back instead of a doctor?"

She refused without hesitation, "I'm not going back."

"Perhaps your father-in-law misses you," Xiao Jinghan said with a grin, sitting opposite Liu Yuansheng. "However, I suspect he has something else to discuss with you."

"Things?" Liu Yuansheng's head ached at the mere mention of those two words. She really didn't want to experience anything; she just wanted to live a peaceful life. Why was it so difficult?

She finally managed to visit Abbess Jing'an, but then she encountered Jiang Zhihuan's affairs, the Grand Tutor's wife's affairs, and Liu Jingyuan's affairs, leaving her no time to relax.

"Whatever he does, I don't care."

Liu Yuansheng said coldly, "I'm exhausted, I just want to sleep."

"What's wrong? Didn't you sleep well last night because of me?" Xiao Jinghan asked abruptly.

Ying'er was folding quilts when she heard Xiao Jinghan's words. She seemed to have made a connection to something, and immediately turned her head, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Liu Yuansheng.

Liu Yuansheng felt inexplicably embarrassed and was about to say no when a maid lifted the curtain and walked in, saying, "Madam, someone from the Prime Minister's residence has arrived and says they want to take you back."

"Take me back?"

"Yes."

Liu Yuansheng fell silent for a moment, unable to understand what was wrong with Liu Jingyuan's mind, why he insisted on making her go back.

"Father-in-law is really persistent," Xiao Jinghan said with a smile. "It seems you have no choice but to go back."

Liu Yuansheng frowned deeply.

Ying'er put the folded clothes into the closet, walked up to Liu Yuansheng, and said, "Miss, I suspect something has happened at the Prime Minister's residence. Should we go back and check? I think it's most likely related to Aunt Su and the Fourth Miss."

Liu Yuansheng remained silent.

She could guess that this might be Su Tinglan and Liu Nianxi's idea, but the more she thought about it, the less she wanted to go back.

Just as he was thinking of a reason to refuse, Xiao Jinghan said, "Why don't you go back and check? Don't worry, if your father-in-law refuses to let you come back before sunset, I'll take some people to find him. I'll make sure nothing happens to you."

After saying that, he patted Liu Yuansheng's hand reassuringly.

Liu Yuansheng abruptly withdrew her hand, suddenly wanting to escape this intimacy. "Okay, I'll go back."

As if to avoid Xiao Jinghan, she stood up and said to Ying'er, "Stop packing, let's leave now."

With a bellyful of worries in her heart, Liu Yuansheng returned to the Prime Minister's residence.

As soon as she got off the carriage, she saw the steward Han Bin. Ying'er hadn't seen her father for a long time, and like a little bird, she rushed into Han Bin's arms and sweetly called him "Dad".

Han Bin scolded Ying'er for being spoiled by Liu Yuansheng and becoming increasingly unruly, but he gently patted Ying'er's back with both hands, looking at her with tenderness and affection.

Looking at the scene before her, Liu Yuansheng felt a pang of sorrow in her heart.

She went home too.

But her father had never looked at her with such loving eyes.