Taking her into his tent, he incurred the wrath of a powerful and mad minister, from which he could

Yuegui added, "I've heard that the local prefect is surnamed Li. Lord Li has an excellent reputation in Qingzhou and is deeply loved by the people. He only has this one daughter in his household, whom he cherishes dearly. The husband he has chosen is one of his colleagues. I wonder which young master is so fortunate."

"You silly girl, you've gathered quite a bit of information just by going downstairs."

Yuegui smiled and said, "It's not that I'm curious or like to ask questions, but I was just thinking that Young Master will be coming to Qingzhou to take up his post in the future, so I paid more attention to hear about the recent situation in the city."

Exhausted from days of travel, Mingyi was very sleepy. He moved to the daybed by the window and lay down, looking listless.

Yuegui looked up and saw the daylight outside the window, just as the girl usually took her afternoon nap.

He hurried forward, bent down and gently took off her shoes and socks, then raised his hand and closed the window halfway to filter out the hot sunlight outside.

Finally, he quietly retreated to the door.

The room was so quiet that only the faint sounds of the marketplace outside the window could be heard.

After an unknown amount of time, a series of steady footsteps came from outside the door.

Immediately afterwards, a slender hand with delicate joints, exuding a refined and gentle air, gently pushed open half of the wooden door.

Xie Huaiyu stepped into the house and gently closed the wooden door behind him. Feeling apprehensive about returning home, he stood still for a moment, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, before slowly walking into the inner room.

The room was dimly lit, with only a few soft rays of light streaming in through the window, gently illuminating the figure reclining on the daybed.

The girl's slender waist rose and fell gently with her long, even breaths, her figure graceful and delicate, like a tender willow swaying gently in the spring breeze.

Tranquil yet fragile.

Xie Huaiyu approached with light steps and saw a pair of slender legs slightly curled up, comfortably wrapped in a thin quilt. The feet were fair and delicate, small and exquisite, and could be held in one hand, exuding the innate softness of someone raised in seclusion.

Ji Mingyi was the woman he kept as a mistress.

Xie Huaiyu's gaze lingered on her sleeping face, and his thoughts became clearer.

He will not let go. Even if he cannot give her the title of his principal wife, he will take her as a concubine, treat her well, and support her for the rest of her life.

...

In her hazy state, Mingyi felt someone touching her face, which tickled her.

She suddenly woke up, opened her eyes wide, and stared straight into the man's warm and calm eyes.

Only when he saw that the person who came was Xie Huaiyu did his tense body relax, but his back was already soaked with a layer of cold sweat.

"So it was you..." Mingyi propped herself up on the soft couch, her heart still pounding with lingering fear, her chest still rising and falling slightly.

Xie Huaiyu smiled gently: "Look how scared you are, did you think someone broke in?"

She thought Zong Xian had come after her again and wouldn't let her go.

Mingyi naturally wouldn't say that. In an instant, she concealed the lingering panic in her eyes, replaced it with a soft and docile demeanor, and changed the subject: "Brother Huaiyu, when did you arrive?"

Xie Huaiyu lowered his gaze slightly: "I just arrived, and seeing that my sister was sleeping soundly, I didn't want to wake you."

Seeing that her hair was a little messy, Xie Huaiyu raised his hand to tidy it up for her, his movements practiced and natural.

Mingyi gently grasped the hem of his moon-white brocade robe with her fingertips, her voice tender and affectionate: "I thought you had already left Qingzhou. Fortunately, we didn't just pass each other by."

"Speaking of which, why did you suddenly come to Qingzhou, sister? Qingzhou is a long way away, and there are bandits along the way. Why didn't you wait for my news at the clan residence?"

"I just want to see you as soon as possible so I can feel at ease."

With just a few words, Xie Huaiyu touched the softest spot in his heart. Without a trace of doubt, he immediately reached out and gently pulled her into his arms.

Mingyi leaned comfortably against his arm and asked, "Brother Huaiyu, when will we get married?"

Xie Huaiyu's eyes flickered slightly. He placed his hand on her shoulder to comfort her and made an excuse: "I've been busy with official business lately. Once I return from the capital, I'll marry you immediately, okay?"

Mingyi didn't notice the strange look on his face and nodded gently, "Alright then, I'll listen to you."

Mingyi then took the opportunity to talk about his future plans, "After you take office, there will definitely be many places you need to take care of, and all of these will cost money. So I plan to rent a shop in Lin'an County and open a herbal medicine shop to supplement my family income."

Lin'an County is under the jurisdiction of Qingzhou City, and it will be the place where Xie Huaiyu will take up his post in the future.

Xie Huaiyu knew all along that she was a free spirit and disliked the constraints of a secluded mansion.

Hearing this, she couldn't help but furrow her brow slightly and gently advised, "Once you marry me, you will be the wife of a magistrate. Why bother with all this trouble? Just stay at home and enjoy a peaceful life."

Mingyi's expression immediately changed, and she suddenly looked up, staring straight at him.

"Could it be that you dislike my merchant background, fearing that my public appearances managing the shop would tarnish your reputation as an official?"

Seeing her anger, Xie Huaiyu hurriedly explained, "That's absolutely not what I meant, sister, please don't take it to heart. I've never looked down on your background!"

"Then what do you mean? Didn't you want to lock me up in the back courtyard?"

Xie Huaiyu was puzzled by her intense reaction, so she quickly softened her tone and gently patted her shoulder to comfort her: "I really didn't mean to restrict you, I just couldn't bear to see you work so hard and suffer. I will fully support whatever my sister wants to do."

Hearing this assurance, Mingyi finally felt relieved. "That's good."

The two chatted for a few more minutes, and the weariness accumulated from their journey surged up again. Mingyi covered her mouth and yawned.

Seeing this, Xie Huaiyu didn't disturb her rest and gently said goodbye, "Lord Li, is there anything else? Sister, please rest here in peace. I'll come to see you again later."

After closing the door, Xie Huaiyu turned around and immediately saw a figure standing under the eaves. The young man, dressed in a neat dark outfit, was looking at him.

Chang Sui withdrew his scrutinizing gaze, stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and introduced himself.

Upon hearing that this person was sent by Zong Xian to protect Ji Mingyi, Xie Huaiyu's expression immediately became more polite. He said, "You've had a long and tiring journey escorting me."

After saying that, he reached into the purse at his waist, poured out a few pieces of silver, and handed them to his attendant as a reward.

Chang Sui confiscated the money, his tone respectful yet distant: "Protecting the young lady was my duty. Now that I have safely delivered her here, my mission is complete, and I shall take my leave."

Xie Huaiyu watched the boy leave, then stepped downstairs, only to find a carriage parked outside.

The horses were the finest steeds, chosen from among the best, and the carriage was a magnificent chariot with a canopy. Several maids and servants in blue robes stood beside the carriage, and a curtain was drawn to keep others from peeping. This was quite a grand affair.

Seeing this, Xie Huaiyu paused slightly, the annoyance in his eyes vanished in an instant, leaving only a cold expression on his face.

Two maids lifted the carriage curtains to the left and right.

Li Yunwan, dressed in fine silk robes and adorned with jewels, sat regally inside the carriage, her posture haughty and aloof.

Her almond-shaped eyes were fixed on Xie Huaiyu, her tone filled with undisguised accusation: "You promised to come with me to admire the flowers today. I waited for you for ages in the sun, and here you are, in a place like this? What do you mean by this?!"