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

"How will you prove it?"

Mingyi bit her lower lip lightly, slowly got up from the chair, and adopted a docile and accommodating posture.

She stood on tiptoe, placed her hands on the man's shoulders, and leaned forward to kiss his lips.

With her soft, warm body in his arms, Zong Xian wrapped his large hand around her slender waist, slowly closed his eyes, and enjoyed her submissive and flattering manner.

He didn't care whether she was genuinely obedient or just pretending.

As long as she stays by his side and behaves herself, that's enough.

"I still have official business to attend to, I'll come and keep you company tonight," Zong Xian said, gently pinching her delicate chin.

Under his gaze, Mingyi slowly nodded.

Chang Sui stood guard under the corridor outside the courtyard. When he saw his master push open the door and come out, his expression relaxed and his whole body seemed much more at ease.

"Keep an eye on her and don't let her go out on her own," Zong Xian said casually, then strode away.

...

Because of Mingyi's good performance, Zongxian relaxed his restrictions on her, allowing her to freely enter and leave the courtyard, but she was not allowed to step out of the yamen's territory for the time being.

Yuegui and Ji Mingzhe were also brought over and settled in a side room in the courtyard.

Mingyi found a moment to meet the two of them.

Yuegui had already learned from Ji Mingzhe that he was returning to the capital tomorrow. She vaguely guessed the hidden story behind it all, and her eyes reddened as she tentatively asked in a low voice, "Miss, is it because of Master Zong...?"

"Shh, don't make a sound." Mingyi quickly raised her hand to stop her.

Ji Mingzhe was still in the outer room. Mingyi didn't want him to get involved in these sordid matters too early, so she wanted to keep it a secret for as long as possible.

Yuegui had no choice but to swallow her words, filled with worry.

She originally thought that with the downfall of the Li family and the annulment of Xie Huaiyu's marriage agreement with the Li family, her daughter would be able to fulfill her wish to be with Young Master Xie and become husband and wife.

After all, Young Master Xie still has feelings for his daughter.

Unexpectedly, the powerful Zong Xian suddenly appeared out of nowhere. With such forceful coercion, even if Xie Huaiyu knew the truth, what could he do?

At this moment, Mingyi gently grasped Yuegui's hand and whispered, "We have no choice but to agree to him for now. When we find a suitable opportunity, the three of us will find a chance to escape together."

Upon hearing this, Yuegui was startled and somewhat afraid.

It should be known that if a concubine were caught after secretly running away, her fate would be very tragic, and she might even be in danger of losing her life.

Would a ruthless man like Master Zong let her go so easily? It's obviously impossible.

Yuegui whispered, "Miss, this is far too dangerous. Now that you've agreed to follow the Second Master, you might as well settle down and live a peaceful life. Actually, there's nothing wrong with being the Second Master's concubine. He only has you by his side right now, so he'll definitely treat you well."

Mingyi shook her head, got up and walked to the window, her fingers gripping the windowsill tightly, her gaze cold: "Yuegui, you've been with me for years, you know my temperament best."

"If you want me to be content as a caged bird, a plaything for people's amusement, then you might as well kill me."

Yuegui wanted to say something more, but Mingyi turned around and said coldly, "Besides, I hate him to the core! Do you still think I'll be happy?"

Yuegui finally stopped trying to dissuade her, saying, "This servant only hopes that you will be well, Miss."

Mingyi's expression softened slightly, and she pulled her to sit down. "Don't worry, I won't act impulsively. I'll plan everything carefully and won't let you get hurt."

The most important thing right now is to find a way to get rid of Ji Mingzhe. Only when her younger brother is free from Zong Xian's control can she act without any worries in the future.

She hasn't thought of a safe place to go yet, and Zong Xian is probably still wary of her, so she can only endure for now and wait for an opportunity.

"Does the young lady not need me to serve her?"

"No need. You stay here to take care of Ah Zhe. I don't trust anyone else with him. I'll be going now."

As soon as she stepped out of the room, Ji Mingzhe saw her and immediately put down the book he was holding and stood up: "Aren't you staying, Sister?"

Zong Xian is going to stay at her place tonight, so she naturally can't stay here.

Mingyi concealed the suppressed emotions in her eyes and smiled gently, "I won't stay. This room is small. It will be more comfortable for you to stay over there, Sister. Anyway, it's not far away."

The boy did not try to stop him.

...

After leaving the side courtyard, Mingyi didn't want to go back to the main courtyard. Instead, she wandered around the yamen (government office) and unexpectedly bumped into Xie Huaiyu.

Mingyi subconsciously turned to leave, but Xie Huaiyu noticed her and hurriedly ran over to stop her.

"Mingyi, my little sister!"

Mingyi had no choice but to stop.

Xie Huaiyu looked at her much thinner face and felt heartbroken. "I'm sorry, I'm late. I never expected the Li family to make things so difficult for you. It was my oversight that caused you to suffer in prison for no reason."

Even now, Xie Huaiyu still believes that Mingyi's previous imprisonment was the work of the Li family.

Mingyi lowered her eyes and said distantly, "It has nothing to do with you, Brother Huaiyu, you don't need to blame yourself."

"How are you recovering?" he asked with concern.

"I'm fine now, thank you for your concern, brother."

This polite yet distant attitude stung Xie Huaiyu deeply. He gazed at her and asked softly, "Were you trying to avoid me just now, sister?"

"no."

Xie Huaiyu didn't believe it; she had clearly intended to leave without saying goodbye.

His eyes were filled with melancholy: "If you still resent my engagement to the Li family, I'll accept it. It was my own fault, and I have only myself to blame. If you have any anger in your heart, feel free to vent it on me, just please don't treat me so coldly."

Seeing his dejected appearance, Mingyi felt a pang of pity, and her eyes involuntarily reddened.

Seeing her eyes redden, Xie Huaiyu couldn't help but step forward and said sincerely, "My engagement with Li Yunwan is null and void. I will not marry her. Sister, would you be willing to give me another chance?"

Mingyi was deeply moved.

She had always wanted to marry him; she longed to agree to his proposal immediately and have him take her away.

Mingyi's lips twitched slightly, about to speak, when she suddenly caught a glimpse of a dark figure out of the corner of her eye.

Her face turned pale instantly, and she hurriedly lowered her head, not daring to utter another word.

Xie Huaiyu was slightly taken aback when he saw Zong Xian walking slowly towards him. He immediately composed himself and bowed respectfully, saying, "Second Uncle."

He thought Zong Xian had just happened to be passing by.

Zong Xian's gaze swept across Ming Yi's face, a seemingly casual glance, yet it sent a chill down her spine.

A faint smile played on his lips, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger: "It seems I've come at the wrong time, interrupting your reunion."

He turned his gaze to Xie Huaiyu and asked, "What did you ask her just now?"

Xie Huaiyu felt that vague sense of unease welling up in his heart again, but he didn't have time to think about it. He could only tell the truth: "I just told my sister... that my engagement with Li Yunwan is null and void. Could you give me another chance to ask her for a marriage proposal?"

"Can't."

The person who answered him was Zong Xian.

The usually gentle Xie Huaiyu frowned, his face showing displeasure: "Why did you answer for her, Second Uncle? This matter should be decided by Mingyi herself."

Zong Xian then looked at the woman who was pretending to be deaf and mute beside him. He had not missed the affection and hope in her eyes when he was watching from a distance.

He reached out and grabbed her slender wrist, pulling her sharply to his side. Then, he looked up at Xie Huaiyu and said in a deep voice:

"You tell him yourself!"