Many children, many blessings; a stunningly beautiful wife is given to you right from the start.

Late at night.

A cold moon hung in the sky, and the entire city lord's mansion was so quiet that only the sound of the wind could be heard.

On the warm jade bed, Bai Zhi's long eyelashes trembled, and she finally woke up from her deep sleep.

In her field of vision were unfamiliar carved beams, and in the air was that unique scent of Lin Mo that made her feel incredibly at ease.

She stretched contentedly, and the obviously ill-fitting oversized undergarment slipped off her shoulders, revealing her rounded shoulders.

"Well……"

She rubbed her eyes and looked out at the pitch-black night.

"Is it already this late?"

Has he not returned yet?

The moment this thought crossed Bai Zhi's mind, a sense of worry welled up inside her.

She sat up, and the blanket slipped off her.

A faint, lingering fragrance, not belonging to her, mixed with Lin Mo's scent, wafted into her nostrils once more.

It's the taste.

She smelled it before going to bed and thought it was left by one of the maids.

But after sleeping, the smell didn't dissipate; instead, it seemed to have become even more intertwined with Lin Mo's aura.

It has a sweet taste, and a hint of indescribable allure.

Bai Zhi paused, her heart skipping a beat for no apparent reason.

She looked down at the messy bed, and for some reason, Chu Mengyao's aloof figure suddenly flashed through her mind.

Could it be her?

No, it won't happen.

Bai Zhi shook her head vigorously, trying to shake off these absurd thoughts.

I must be too tired and overthinking things.

"Gurgle—"

An untimely noise broke the silence of the room.

Bai Zhi's cheeks flushed slightly, and she pressed her protesting stomach somewhat embarrassedly.

Having slept all day without a drop of water, it's no wonder I'm hungry.

Forget it, I don't want to.

He's been busy until now, he probably hasn't eaten anything yet.

Make him something warm so he can eat it as soon as he gets back.

The thought of her husband returning home weary from his journey, only to be able to enjoy a bowl of hot soup noodles made by her own hands, filled her with joy.

The inexplicable irritation in Bai Zhi's heart was dispelled, leaving only a feeling of sweetness.

It seems that this cold northern land finally felt a little bit like "home" because of him.

Without further hesitation, she threw off the covers, got out of bed, slipped on her shoes, and with light steps, humming a tuneless little tune, pushed open the door and went out.

The night breeze was cool and felt very comfortable.

As she passed a secluded courtyard, Bai Zhi unconsciously slowed her pace.

That was the residence of the Chu military advisor.

Strange, the light in her room is still on so late.

But the entire courtyard was deathly still, without even a single guard on night watch.

Bai Zhi shook her head, didn't think much of it, quickened her pace, and headed straight for the kitchen.

……

The room, which was lit up, was filled with steam.

In the huge bathtub, Chu Mengyao submerged herself completely in the water, with only the tip of her nose above the surface to breathe.

She's going crazy.

All day long, she felt that every inch of her skin, even the cracks in her bones, was permeated with that bastard's scent.

No matter how much I wash it, I can't get it off!

This is the third time she's gotten herself into this situation today.

The skin on her arms was red from scrubbing with a bath towel, but she still felt it wasn't enough.

That masculine and domineering aura constantly reminded her of the madness of last night.

The images of her actively pursuing and kissing him were like a branding iron, repeatedly etching shameful marks into her mind.

"Bastard! Scoundrel!"

Chu Mengyao cursed silently underwater, feeling both ashamed and angry. Her tears mingled with the warm pool water and vanished instantly.

No!

She wanted to wash herself clean, inside and out, as if that would wash away everything from last night and allow her to return to the pure and innocent Chu strategist she once was.

"Gurgle..."

Chu Mengyao held her breath and slowly slid down, letting the pool water overflow her head and completely submerge her.

Just then.

"Squeak—"

With a soft sound, the door to her room was pushed open from the outside.

A lazy, languid sound—the last thing she wanted to hear at that moment—sounded in the quiet room.

"Is the Chu military advisor there?"

Lin Mo!?

Chu Mengyao, who was in the bathtub, suddenly stiffened and her eyes widened!

How did he end up here?!

What's he doing here?!

Chu Mengyao's heart jumped into her throat. She had absolutely no idea what expression or posture she should use to face Lin Mo.

Just thinking about my proactive, enthusiastic, and shameless behavior last night...

She wished she could just die on the spot!

Hide!

Yes, pretend you're not there!

If he can't find me, he'll definitely leave on his own!

Okay! Let's do it this way!

Chu Mengyao made a decision quickly.

She took a quick breath and then quietly submerged her entire body in the water.

Glug glug...

A small string of bubbles leaped out of the water and burst quickly.

Underwater, Chu Mengyao's heart was pounding wildly, almost as if it would jump out of her chest.

Lin Mo walked into the room and looked around.

The room was brightly lit by candles, but it was empty.

"Not here?"

He muttered something to himself.

He and Meng Hu worked all day and finally managed to bury all the "surprises" for Yuwen Biao.

On the way back, he touched the thick files in his arms, thought for a moment, and decided to deliver them to Chu Mengyao first.

Without these things, her subsequent work to rectify official corruption would be difficult to carry out.

Lin Mo walked to the table and put down the booklet in his hand.

After thinking for a moment, he picked up the booklet again, walked to the bedside, and placed it directly on the neatly folded bedding.

"Now we should be able to see it."

After putting his things away, Lin Mo clapped his hands and prepared to leave.

But he had just turned around.

"Gurgle... Lu..."

A very faint sound of water came from behind the huge nanmu wood screen next to them.

"Um?"

Lin Mo paused in his steps.

He listened intently, but behind the screen, deathly silence returned.

illusion?

Not like.

He slowly, step by step, walked towards the screen.

The footsteps were very light, but to Chu Mengyao underwater, they sounded like the drumbeats of death, each one striking heavily against her heart.

coming!

He's coming!

Her lungs had begun to protest, and her chest ached terribly.

But she dared not move, her cheeks puffed out tightly, praying that Lin Mo would only glance at her and then leave.

Outside the screen, a tall, dark figure was projected onto it by the candlelight, growing larger and closer...