After flirting with the aloof prince, the concubine ran away pregnant.

"Ah Zhen is an extremely talented child, and she's also very hardworking. Junior Sister Ning Zhen speaks highly of her," Ning Su Niangzi praised first, then changed the subject, "However, this child tends to keep everything to herself. The rumors about you in the capital recently have also reached the manor. Most of the girls here who learn martial arts come from relatively well-off families, and quite a few of them are gossipy. Ah Zhen was isolated by them for those few days."

Afu's heart sank.

She was so focused on feeling sorry for her younger sister's maturity that she didn't think deeply about the price behind it. A-Zhen didn't mention the grievances she had suffered; she was only worried about her sister.

"But don't worry," Ning Su Niangzi added, "this child is stronger than you and I think. She doesn't cry or make a fuss, she just studies embroidery even harder than usual, and in just a few days, she shut up all the other girls with her outstanding skills. Now, she and that girl named Yuanyuan are the best of friends."

Afu felt a tightness in her chest, a mixture of heartache and pride.

"Thank you for informing me, madam, and thank you and Master Ningzhen for your care." She bowed sincerely.

"This is all part of my duty." Ning Su Niangzi helped her up, but her expression turned serious. "The main reason I called you back today is for another matter."

She lowered her voice: "Your aunt, Jiang Caifeng, has come to the villa several times recently, insisting on seeing Azhen and saying she wants to take her home."

Afu's face instantly turned cold.

"Of course I didn't let her see her," said Ning Su Niangzi. "She came to make trouble again the other day, and I had the old women in the village drive her away. But, after all, she is A-Zhen's guardian on the household registration. If she takes the household registration documents to the authorities and says that our village is forcibly keeping her child, we have no grounds for argument."

"Miss Afu, if you truly care about this child, you should quickly find a way to transfer Azhen's household registration from your aunt's house. Ideally, it should be registered directly under our Yunxiu Manor. That way, even if the authorities come, we'll have something to say."

Ning Su Niangzi's words struck Afu's heart like a heavy hammer.

"I understand." Afu's nails dug deeply into her palm. "Thank you for reminding me, my lady. I will take care of this matter as soon as possible."

"That's good then." Lady Ning nodded.

After bidding farewell to Ning Su Niangzi, Afu walked hurriedly out of the manor.

The sky had completely darkened, with only a faint, yellowish glow remaining on the western horizon. She had to return to the manor immediately; Xie Xun should be finishing his shift at the yamen by now. If she got back late and didn't have time to prepare his usual late-night snacks, who knew what kind of torment that man would give her.

The anxiety and impatience in my heart grew wildly like weeds.

However, before she reached the carriage yard at the foot of the mountain where the carriages were parked, a muffled rumble of thunder sounded in the sky.

Then, without warning, large raindrops began to pelt down. In an instant, they turned into a torrential downpour, trapping her on this desolate mountain road, far from any village or shop.

The mountain path was muddy, and the rainwater mixed with yellow mud quickly soaked through Afu's skirt and shoes. She took refuge in a large tree with relatively lush foliage.

Fifteen minutes had passed, and the rain showed no signs of letting up. The sky grew increasingly dark, and the distant mountains almost blended into the gray-black sky.

If she gets back late, given Xie Xun's recent mood swings and suspicious nature, he might suspect her of impurity.

Therefore, she cannot come home late.

"Boom—" Another thunderclap exploded overhead.

Afu hugged her arms, her teeth chattering from the cold. She began to regret coming alone today; she should have at least asked Changsong to send a coachman with her.

Just when she was almost in despair, the sound of horses' hooves and wheels rolling over muddy water came from afar.

A blue cloth carriage slowly came to a stop not far away.

The carriage curtain was lifted by a hand with distinct knuckles, and a gentle male voice came through the rain clearly: "Miss, the rain is pouring down and the road ahead is difficult to travel. If you don't mind, I can give you a ride."

Afu looked up and, through the misty rain, saw the profile of the person inside the car.

It was Xu Heng, and she was overjoyed.

Young Master Xu Heng is renowned in the capital for his upright and honest character. He acted with integrity during the incident involving the luminous pearl, so it's truly fortunate that she encountered someone like him this time.

"In that case, thank you very much, young master." She curtsied slightly, her voice weak in the sound of the rain.

The coachman immediately jumped off the carriage, held up an umbrella, and came over to help her. Afu waved her hand, lifted her wet and heavy skirt (which felt like it was filled with lead), and climbed onto the carriage with some difficulty using the carriage bench.

The carriage was spacious, and a burner of elegant bamboo leaf incense was burning, dispelling the damp chill emanating from Afu.

Xu Heng was sitting by the window. When he saw her come up, he moved over to make room for her. His gaze swept calmly over her disheveled appearance, without a trace of disgust or inappropriate probing. He simply said gently, "Please sit down, Miss."

"Thank you." Afu said thank you, and chose to sit in the corner furthest away from him, trying to curl herself up as much as possible so that the mud on her body would not soil the clean cushions in the carriage.

"Put this on, so you don't catch a cold." Xu Heng took out a brand-new moon-white cloak from somewhere and handed it to him.

Afu was taken aback and subconsciously declined, "How can I do that? It will get the young master's clothes dirty..."

"It's alright, it's just a garment." His tone left no room for refusal, and he placed the cloak on the empty seat next to her. "If you catch a cold because of this, it would be my fault."

His words were polite, yet carried an undeniable gentle strength.

Afu stopped refusing. She was so cold that if she stayed like this, she was afraid she would really get sick. She whispered "Thank you, young master," and then, without further hesitation, picked up the cloak with its faint fragrance and wrapped herself up tightly.

Warmth enveloped her instantly, dispelling the chill that had seeped into her bones. Afu let out a long sigh of relief, and her tense nerves relaxed a little.

"Is the young lady going back to the city?" Xu Heng's voice rang out again.

"Yes," Afu replied softly through the light veil of the veil, "I would be grateful if you could find a convenient place near Suzaku Avenue to drop me off."

Zhuque Street is still some distance from the Yongning Marquis's residence. She can walk back; stopping directly at the entrance of the residence will definitely cause controversy.

"Okay," Xu Heng replied, and didn't ask any more questions.

Silence fell over the carriage for a moment, with only the rumble of the wheels and the incessant sound of rain outside the window.

Wrapped in a warm cloak, Afu gradually warmed up, and fatigue and drowsiness washed over her. Leaning against the carriage wall, her eyelids grew heavier and heavier, but her mind was still preoccupied with Azhen's household registration and how to face Xie Xun when she returned...

She didn't notice the gentle gaze beside her, which carried a hint of pity and absent-mindedness that she couldn't understand.