“That was all my mother’s idea. I didn’t agree!”

“What about her feelings for you?”

Xiao Zhenting sighed. “I can’t do anything to her just because she has me in her heart. Besides, Xiao Wu and I are sworn brothers. Ever since I found out that my mother tried to matchmake us, I moved out of the Xiao Manor until I married you.”

Old Mrs. Xiao was really satisfied with Xiao Linlang to the bone. She wished she could let Xiao Zhenting consummate their marriage on the spot. However, Xiao Zhenting had expressed his feelings from the beginning—he already had someone he liked and would never marry anyone other than that person.

At first, Old Mrs. Xiao did not know that his sweetheart was Shangguan Yan. She felt that although Xiao Linlang was good, if her son did not agree no matter what, she did not plan to become mortal enemies with him. Later on, when she found out that the woman her son was going to marry was actually a widow with a little burden, Old Mrs. Xiao almost died of anger.

This time, Old Mrs. Xiao could not take it anymore and directly brought Xiao Linlang into the manor with the excuse of being seriously ill. She wanted to create an opportunity for the two of them to get along, but who knew that Xiao Zhenting would move into the military camp without a word.

It would be a lie to say that Xiao Zhenting did not know Lady Wan of Bright Deportment’s feelings for him. However, that was more than ten years ago. How could Xiao Zhenting have expected that Xiao Linlang had not given up on him?

“I’m not good…”

“Who said you’re not good!” Shangguan Yan retorted.

Xiao Zhenting was stunned and looked at her in disbelief. “Yan’er, you think I’m good?”

Shangguan Yan turned around and pinched the handkerchief in her hand. “Is this the time to talk about this? You’ve provoked the Emperor’s woman. Just wait for the Emperor to execute your entire family!”

Xiao Zhenting said seriously, “I’ll take responsibility for my own actions. Don’t worry, if it really goes to His Majesty, I have a way to protect you.”

Shangguan Yan turned around and glared at him. She asked resentfully, “Have you never thought of protecting yourself?”

“I…” Xiao Zhenting was dumbfounded by her question.

Shangguan Yan said angrily, “Are you just going to let such a woman drag you down?”

He was a boor, not as considerate and meticulous as Prince Yan, and he did not understand women’s thoughts. However, at this moment, his blockhead suddenly had an epiphany. His eyes lit up as he asked, “Yan’er, are… are you jealous?”

He knew that she had married him because she did not want to owe him anything. It was also because Yan Jiuchao’s illness needed to be treated for a long time. She was worried that his patience would run out one day and he would no longer treat Yan Jiuchao.

She had no choice but to marry him. She actually did not like him. He never dreamed that she would have feelings of jealousy one day.

Shangguan Yan’s eyelashes trembled. “The rain has lessened!” She pushed him away and walked towards the wooden hut.

In the wooden hut, the Ninth Princess had already fallen asleep in Fu Ling’s arms. Yu Wan and Lady Wan of Bright Deportment’s conversation continued.

Yu Wan said indifferently, “Whether you admit it or not, you know best whether you’ve done it or not. I’m not here to force you to confess. I just have two questions for you. If you answer honestly, I won’t kill you.”

Lady Wan of Bright Deportment mocked, “You make it sound like you can kill me.”

“Do you want to try?” Yu Wan pinched a date leaf.

“Do you think I’m afraid of death?” Lady Wan of Bright Deportment sneered.

Yu Wan nodded. “That’s right. I almost forgot. The man you love has left you and your only child is gone. I really don’t know what else in this world is worth your nostalgia for. Ah, is my father one of them? If you die, you really won’t have a chance to be with him anymore.”

Lady Wan of Bright Deportment looked at her coldly. “You can even betray your father-in-law for Yan Jiuchao?”

Yu Wan said, “I didn’t betray him. I’m just telling you that if you still want to see him, don’t die in my hands.”

Lady Wan of Bright Deportment turned her face away and said, “If you have the guts, go report me to His Majesty.” She was unwilling to say.

Yu Wan was not discouraged. She pushed open the back door of the central room and looked at the gradually weakening rain. “Actually, there’s something I can’t figure out. How did you hook up with the royal family of Nanzhao? There are so many pitiful women in the palace, why did they choose you?”

Of course, Lady Wan of Bright Deportment would not tell her the truth.

Yu Wan continued, “There’s also the antidote for the Fragrance of Hundred Miles. If I’m not wrong, after you poisoned Yan Jiuchao, the poison never acted up. The royal family of Nanzhao thought that you had failed and haven’t contacted you since.”

Lady Wan of Bright Deportment looked at Yu Wan in surprise.

Yu Wan said, “Don’t look at me like that. Yes, you succeeded, but for some reason, the poison was suppressed.”