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

Mingyi's shoulders trembled slightly uncontrollably, as embarrassment and despair choked her heart.

The day has finally come.

Knowing about her illicit relationship with Zong Xian, how would Xie Huaiyu view her?

He would probably despise her for being opportunistic, willing to become Zong Xian's plaything, and for being a dissolute and self-respecting woman.

Her eyes reddened even more, her lips trembled slightly, and she looked up to meet Xie Huaiyu's bewildered gaze, saying with a look of grim determination:

"Brother Huaiyu, who you choose to marry in the future is none of my business. I'm returning to the capital with the Second Master tomorrow, so please don't bother me anymore."

She ultimately couldn't bring herself to tell Xie Huaiyu that she had already followed Zong Xian.

After forcing herself to finish speaking, she didn't dare to look at Xie Huaiyu again. Instead, she looked up at Zong Xian pleadingly, begging him not to pressure her any further.

Zong Xian gave a cold laugh, but seeing that she was still obedient, he didn't make things difficult for her.

He looked at Xie Huaiyu, who was stunned, and said, "Did you hear me? If you understand, I'll take her back."

Before Xie Huaiyu could answer, Zong Xian took Mingyi's hand and led her straight through the moon gate and left.

Xie Huaiyu suddenly woke up with a start and instinctively rushed forward, calling out, "Mingyi! Wait! What do you mean you're going back to the capital with your second uncle? Why are you going with him? What's going on?!"

A young man in a blue robe blocked his way, his face cold: "Young Master Xie, stop chasing her. She's someone you can't have."

...

In the corridor separated by a wall, Mingyi instinctively struggled, trying to break free from Zong Xian's grasp, her whole body radiating resistance.

Zong Xian suddenly stopped, his long, deep eyes filled with coldness as he locked his gaze on her: "Ji Mingyi, it seems you haven't learned your lesson yet."

Mingyi's eyes were red with tears. Being forced to separate from her beloved made her almost unable to suppress her hatred for the person in front of her.

She had absolutely no desire to act subservient in front of him anymore. She'd be lucky if he didn't stab her in the back!

Zong Xian smiled faintly, his tone carrying a chilling danger: "Since you're so eager to return to his side, then go ahead."

After saying that, he actually let go of her hand.

Mingyi was filled with suspicion, unable to believe that he would give up so easily, but the thought of seeing Xie Huaiyu again overwhelmed her doubts, and she turned to run back.

Before he could take two steps, a cold, emotionless voice came from behind him, "Guards, heed my command: kill Xie Huaiyu!"

Mingyi's pupils constricted sharply, and her blood seemed to freeze instantly. She turned around and cried out, "No! You can't!!"

Zong Xian raised one hand, his wide robes fluttering in the autumn wind.

As soon as he lowers his hand, the archers lying in ambush will unleash a barrage of arrows, and Xie Huaiyu will surely die!

In a panic, Mingyi rushed forward, grabbing his arm tightly with both hands. Tears streamed down her face as she shook her head and pleaded, "I won't go to him anymore, please don't kill him, I'll go with you, I'll go with you, please..."

Zong Xian stared coldly at her, his hand still raised, his killing intent hanging in the air.

He coldly and deliberately commanded her, "Kiss me."

Mingyi trembled all over, his eyes filled with humiliation, but when he thought of the arrows waiting to be fired in the dark, and that Xie Huaiyu would die in an instant, he was filled with humiliation.

She had no choice. She could only stand on tiptoe, trembling as she wrapped her arms around his neck, and passively and awkwardly press her lips against his.

...

On the other side, Xie Huaiyu was extremely anxious and just wanted to find Mingyi to get some answers.

No longer caring about the guards' attempts to stop him, he shoved aside the person blocking his way and quickly passed through the moon gate to catch up.

But the scene before him froze him in place, his eyes wide with disbelief.

His beloved sister Mingyi, whom he cherished and protected with utmost care, was now tightly embracing Zong Xian, taking the initiative to hug and kiss him.

At this moment, he finally understood how heartbroken Ji Mingyi was when he witnessed that scene while he was intimate with Li Yunwan that night.

But his heart ached so much, so badly, that he couldn't breathe. Was her heart aching just as much then?

Xie Huaiyu groaned, pressed his hand tightly to his chest, swayed, and fell straight to the ground.

"Young Master!!"

Upon seeing this, the servant who had followed hurriedly rushed forward to help him up.

With no one around to help, Xie Huaiyu fell down, hitting the back of his head hard on the edge of a bluestone, and bleeding.

Upon hearing the servant's panicked shouts, Mingyi quickly pushed Zongxian aside and turned around, only to see Xie Huaiyu collapsed on the ground.

She instinctively rushed over to check on Xie Huaiyu's injuries, but her wrist was gripped tightly by the man like an iron clamp.

"Don't forget what you promised me."

Tears welled up in Mingyi's eyes, and she could only force herself to look away from that person.

Zong Xian gripped her wrist tightly, not allowing her to break free, and turned to drag her away.

Behind him, only the servant's helpless cries and a glaring stain of blood on the ground remained.

"Young master, please wake up!" the servant cried as he helped his master up.

Xie Huaiyu groggily opened her eyes, her gaze fixed on the direction Mingyi had left in, murmuring reluctantly, "Mingyi, don't go..."

She completely fainted.

-

As night fell, the government office was locked, and the daytime chaos and noise dissipated, leaving only the sound of the wind in the quiet.

Mingyi lay alone in bed, the scene of Xie Huaiyu fainting on the ground during the day still lingering in her mind, her heart in turmoil, unable to fall asleep at all.

Suddenly, there was a soft sound, and the bed curtains were suddenly pulled open.

Mingyi opened her eyes and looked up to meet Zong Xian's unfathomable, dark eyes.

She thought that after what happened during the day, he wouldn't come tonight.

Mingyi immediately sat up in bed. She had already composed herself and put on a calm and docile expression. She said softly, "My lord has arrived."

Seeing that she was just sitting obediently, he forcefully lifted her chin with his fingertips, his eyes carrying a hint of pressure: "Now that the master has arrived, do you need the master to teach you what to do?"

Upon hearing this, Mingyi realized what was happening and said, "I'll help you change your clothes right away."

Zong Xian then released her, "You should refer to yourself as a concubine."

"...yes."

It was just a meaningless title, and Mingyi didn't care. Anyway, she was no different from a slave now.

Zong Xian raised his arms, lowered his eyes, and quietly examined the woman in front of him who was undressing him.

She wore only a light pink gauze dress, with a section of her fair skin faintly visible on her shoulders. Her long hair fell to her shoulders and waist, and her eyes still had a slight redness from crying.

Under the lamplight, she appeared delicate, fragile, and gentle, making her seem incredibly charming.

Zong Xian narrowed his eyes, raised his hand, and without saying a word, reached into her collar, heading towards the hidden and soft depths.

When he touched her like that, Mingyi was initially stiff all over, but after a moment she suppressed her trembling and calmly continued to undress him.

As soon as he untied the jade belt around her waist, Zong Xian couldn't wait any longer and grabbed her slender waist, lifting her up and tossing her onto the bed.