After giving her contraceptives, she went mad, criticizing the prince for turning white-haired overn

"Elder sister, you don't need to worry."

Shen Yan turned to look at Shen Ning, feeling a pang of heartache.

"Little sister, stay home and wait for your brother to come back."

Shen Ning nodded: "Okay."

After getting into the carriage, Shen Yan glanced at Shen Ning again, feeling a pang of sadness.

As the heir of the Marquis's mansion and the eldest son of the main branch, he was constantly busy with official duties.

He couldn't take care of his two younger sisters, and this guilt remained a thorn in his heart.

After the carriage had traveled for about fifteen minutes, Shen Yan had the driver stop at the entrance of a secluded alley.

He switched to another, plain-looking carriage.

"Turn around and head to the Regent's Palace."

"Yes, young master."

The wheels turned again, heading towards the most powerful mansion in the city.

Half an hour later, Shen Yan got off the car at the side gate of the Regent's Palace.

He was led by the palace guards towards the Regent's Palace.

Just as they passed through a moon gate, they saw four or five black-clad guards dragging a blood-soaked person out of the west wing.

The person was silent and lifeless, clearly having passed away.

Shen Yan paused slightly and asked in a low voice, "Whom did Your Highness deal with today?"

The guard beside him replied, "I heard they're from Langya Pavilion."

"Langya Pavilion?" Shen Yan frowned.

Wasn't Langya Pavilion left to the Regent by the late Emperor?

Could it be that there's a traitor among them?

"Young Master Shen, please follow me." The guard led him further inside.

The study door opened, and Shen Yan immediately saw Xie Linyuan standing by the window.

The man, dressed in dark casual clothes, was slowly wiping the blood off his fingers with a plain white handkerchief.

Seeing Shen Yan enter, Xie Linyuan casually tossed aside the handkerchief, a faint smile appearing on his face.

It seemed as if he had just dusted off his sleeves.

Shen Yan's breathing hitched slightly, feeling that the Regent's methods had become increasingly ruthless lately.

"Young Master Shen, you've arrived."

"It seems you have important business to discuss with me today."

Xie Linyuan walked back to his desk, leaned back lazily in his chair, and looked up at him.

Shen Yan composed himself and sat down opposite him.

"Your Highness, this is the fifth person to be dealt with in Langya Pavilion."

Xie Linyuan said calmly, "They're just a few traitors."

Langya Pavilion was left behind by the late emperor, and the people in Langya Pavilion are loyal to the late emperor.

After the late emperor's death, he pledged allegiance to the regent, Xie Linyuan.

In his past life, he realized that the people in Langya Pavilion seemed to be loyal to him.

In reality, Emperor Wuzong, Prince Chen, Prince Yu, and even the Empress Dowager had planted many traitors within the palace.

These traitors nearly shook the foundations of the Qilin Army in their previous lives.

He also revealed all his secrets to Emperor Wuzong and the Empress Dowager.

Xie Linyuan said casually, "These people are not worth mourning."

"Your Highness is right, traitors should indeed not be spared," Shen Yan said.

"I apologize for coming today, as I am about to go to Suiyang to handle a case."

"The journey is long, and it will take at least a month, and at most half a year, to return to the capital. I really... can't bear to leave my two younger sisters at home."

Xie Linyuan raised an eyebrow slightly: "So, you want my men to secretly protect them?"

Shen Yan nodded: "Exactly."

Xie Linyuan smiled.

"Young Master Shen, you should know my character. I never do anything that doesn't benefit me."

Shen Yan frowned slightly: "What do you mean by that, Your Highness?"

"Your humble servant is dull-witted, please enlighten me."

"You want me to protect the Shen sisters? Fine. But I..." Xie Linyuan's eyes darkened as he looked at him quietly.

"But I want one person."

Shen Yan: "I wonder who Your Highness is looking for?"

"Your younger sister, Shen Ning."

As soon as Xie Linyuan finished speaking, Shen Yan's expression changed drastically.

"Ning'er?"

"When did Your Highness develop feelings for Ning'er?"

Xie Linyuan remained silent, only looking at him with a half-smile.

Shen Yan felt a chill run down her spine.

"Could it be that you're lusting after Ning'er's beauty?"

"Young Master Shen is right," Xie Linyuan said without any pretense.

"I, the king, am lusting after her beauty."

Shen Yan could hardly believe it.

He had known Xie Linyuan for many years and considered himself to have a certain level of friendship with him, yet he had never realized that Xie Linyuan had designs on his own sister.

"Your Highness, please consider this matter carefully."

"You and Ning'er are not a good match."

"So what if it's not suitable?" Xie Linyuan sneered.

"I want her."

Shen Yan: "Your Highness, forced relationships are never sweet."

"Ning'er is stubborn and is definitely not a good match for the prince."

"What if I insist on forcing it?" Xie Linyuan asked calmly.

"General Shen is currently far away on the northwestern frontier, and Madam Shen has passed away. As the eldest brother, you should be in charge of arranging the marriage of Miss Shen."

Shen Yan's face darkened: "Does Your Highness want me to arrange your marriage?"

"But have you considered the situation in the central government?"

"Nowadays, all the princes are eyeing the position of crown prince, and my father commands 200,000 troops on the northwestern border. His Majesty has long been wary of him."

"Your Highness, you hold the late Emperor's edict and military power, and are further supported by the Langya Pavilion. If the Shen family were to form a marriage alliance with the Regent's Palace, it would only make His Majesty and the Empress Dowager more uneasy."

"Even if Your Highness truly has feelings for Ning'er, there is absolutely no possibility of a formal marriage."

Xie Linyuan's gaze was deep and unfathomable.

How could he not know these things?

In her past life, she was a spy planted by Prince Chen in Langya Pavilion, who discovered his feelings for Shen Ning.

That's why he devised a vicious scheme, luring Prince Chen to come and propose marriage, acknowledging the child in Shen Ning's womb, and forcing her to marry.

In a fit of rage and despair, he forcibly abducted Shen Ning and brought her back to the palace for their wedding.

This also plunged the Shen family's eldest branch into an abyss of no return.

In this life, he would never act so impulsively again.

In his past life, he and his family were killed by Shen Ning and Prince Chen.

Because of what happened in his past life, he harbored some resentment towards Shen Ning.

But what he feared most in his life was that she would marry someone else.

She was even more afraid that those covetous people in Yanjing would target her.

Rather than that, it would be better to...

"Therefore, I only need Young Master Shen as a witness," Xie Linyuan said slowly.

Shen Yan asked, puzzled, "Could it be that Your Highness intends to take Ning'er as a concubine?"

"Not a mistress."

"What is that?"

Xie Linyuan said calmly, "On the surface, she is the second young lady of the Shen family, but in reality, she is my wife."

As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Yan felt a surge of anger rush to his head.

On the surface?

What does she take her sister for?

It's obvious he's after her sister's body.

That beast!

"I absolutely cannot agree to this. I urge Your Highness to reconsider."

"Your Highness's status is special, and the royal family's relationships are complex and intertwined. I do not wish for my sister to be involved."

"For me, the best outcome would be for Ning'er to marry into an ordinary family in the capital and live a peaceful and happy life."

Xie Linyuan's eyes were deep and unfathomable as he looked at Shen Yan's resolute expression. The suppressed anger in his heart was churning within him.

"What if I insist on doing it this way?"

Shen Yan laughed in fury, his tone resolute: "Then forgive this humble subject, but from today onwards, I will part ways with Your Highness and go our separate ways!"

"What I asked for today is hereby disregarded. Farewell!"

After saying that, Shen Yan turned and strode away.

Xie Linyuan sat lazily in his chair, watching Shen Yan's departing figure, his eyes swirling with anger.

The fingers with distinct knuckles tapped lightly on the armrest.

A very faint smile curved his lips.

"Shen Yan, you will."