His fingertip rubbed against her skin, a gesture both caressing and threatening.

Those amorous phoenix eyes revealed a burning desire, intentionally releasing a certain unspoken seduction.

Just one look was enough to make Yu Qingwu's face flush and her heart pound.

Her eyes shrank slightly, and she lowered her head, avoiding Xie Jin Yan's ambiguous, gentle dark eyes.

Her face red, she stammered in rebuttal, "Xie Jin Yan, what… what nonsense are you talking about? We're just acting. If you like being called 'husband,' let A Yue…"

"If it's just acting, then why is Shijie blushing?" Before Yu Qingwu could finish, the man interrupted her softly, the large hand stroking his chin now sliding to her ear, his scalding fingertip pinching her rounded earlobe.

He applied a little force.

A wave of tingling and pain shot through her, and Yu Qingwu trembled violently.

She frowned and rebuked him in a low voice, "Xie Jin Yan, don't mess around."

Perhaps because she was too nervous, her whole body tensed involuntarily, and her chest heaved violently.

Looking at that flushed face, Xie Jin Yan was extremely pleased.

Not only did he not stop what he was doing, but he intensified it.

Suddenly, he pulled her into his arms, his eyes intentionally or unintentionally sweeping over the woman's trembling red lips, and then he chuckled and asked her, "A Wu, why are you so nervous?"

"Did I remind you of some… very beautiful memories?"

"Did you remember? Did you?"

His voice was as warm and smooth as jade, every word so refined and gentle.

But Yu Qingwu heard… teasing, provocation.

Although she was older than Xie Jin Yan, she was not as unrestrained as he was. Being teased by him like this, she was on the verge of collapse.

"Xie Jin Yan, you scoundrel!" Gritting her teeth, Yu Qingwu cursed in shame and anger.

Then she lowered her head and tried to push the man away with all her strength.

But the more she pushed, the tighter Xie Jin Yan held her, his palm gently stroking her hair, his low, hoarse voice accompanied by tenderness, coaxing her to say again, "A Wu, call me 'husband.'"

Yu Qingwu bit her lip tightly, her small hands resting on Xie Jin Yan's body clenched slightly. After a long while, she said嬌ly, "Hu… Husband."

"Do you love me?" he asked again, with a hint of threat.

Yu Qingwu's palms were already sweating. She took a deep breath and said with difficulty, "Love…"

Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's hum, carrying a hint of forced shyness, like a weak little white rabbit.

It made Xie Jin Yan even more moved…

He closed his eyes and gently stroked the back of her head, saying softly, "I… I love you too…"

Gentle, affectionate, the joy and excitement of having his wish fulfilled…

Yu Qingwu suddenly froze.

Her hands, which had been resting on his chest, trying to push him away, slowly dropped and, as if possessed, caressed the man's broad back.

Feeling the woman's response, Xie Jin Yan held her even tighter, his thin lips nibbling at her ear as he said again, "A Wu, I love you too, so much…"

Yu Qingwu's fingers trembled slightly. She bit her lip tightly and said nothing.

She admitted, she was moved…

But at the same time, she was also confused, afraid, and at a loss…

However, before she could think, Xie Jin Yan launched a new offensive against her.

This time, Yu Qingwu did not refuse, as if she were being led by him, cooperating eagerly.

Outside the window, there was another burst of thunder and lightning…

After a long time, the surroundings became quiet.

The sky had become much darker…

Yu Qingwu leaned silently on Xie Jin Yan's shoulder, still blushing at the memory of the intense kiss just now.

"What… what you said just now, was it true?" Gently playing with the man's hand on her shoulder, Yu Qingwu asked uneasily.

She raised her head, trying to discern his emotions from Xie Jin Yan's vaguely visible profile in the dim light.

Vaguely, she seemed to see him smiling.

But the next moment, the voice that came to her ears did not contain any hint of a smile.

It was just a little playful, as he asked in return, "What do you think?"

What did she think?

She thought he was teasing her…

"I don't know…" After a long pause, Yu Qingwu said in confusion.

Xie Jin Yan chuckled and said again, "Are you afraid?"

Yu Qingwu frowned, "Afraid of what?"

Xie Jin Yan rubbed her ear and said softly, "Afraid that I'm lying to you, afraid that I'm really using you as A Yue's shield."

"Isn't that what I am?" Hearing the word "shield," Yu Qingwu's heart, which had just been beating, suddenly sank again. She grabbed the large hand on her shoulder and shook it off fiercely.

Xie Jin Yan smiled faintly, wrapped his arm around her again, leaned his thin lips to her ear, and said triumphantly, "Since Shijie understands everything, then put some effort into pleasing me. Maybe one day I'll be moved by you and really fall in love with you."

Yu Qingwu rolled her eyes at him and did not answer.

She was just ashamed and angry beyond compare. It was clearly not the first time she had been teased by this scoundrel, but she had still fallen for his tricks.

She didn't know when her Shidi had become like this. When he was young, he was clearly the most honest and quiet…

While Yu Qingwu was lost in thought, the carriage had already arrived outside the Crown Prince's residence.

After nearly an hour of heavy snowfall, a shallow layer had accumulated on the ground, soft and fluffy.

Stepping on it, half of her embroidered shoe sank in.

Immediately, a chill surged from the soles of her feet.

Yu Qingwu shuddered slightly, her nose reddened from the cold.

She took another step forward and almost staggered.

Xie Jin Yan looked at her amusingly and sighed, "Alright, Shijie, stop groping. I'll carry you."

After saying that, he squatted down in front of her and said again, "Your weak body has only just recovered. Don't catch a cold again."

Yu Qingwu wanted to refuse, but after hearing what Xie Jin Yan said, she leaned over and climbed onto his back.

As he said, her body had already been made weak by A Yue's torment. If she caught a cold again, she would probably be confined to her bed every day.

Thinking of this, Yu Qingwu simply reached out and hugged Xie Jin Yan's neck, leaning her head on his shoulder to keep her body warmer.

"Are you using me as a heater?"

In the darkness, Xie Jin Yan chuckled and walked forward, a trace of sweetness rising in his heart.

"Shige…"

Just then, a female voice suddenly came from behind.

At the same time, the servants lit up the courtyard.

Xie Jin Yan's hand stiffened, and he turned around.

Gao Minyue stood at the gate, her eyes red and swollen, full of grievance and anger. Seeing the scene before her, even the last trace of grievance was drowned out. She glared angrily at Yu Qingwu, who was lying on Xie Jin Yan's shoulder.

Anger, unwillingness, and disbelief surged at the same time.

Her eyes reddened as she stared blankly at Xie Jin Yan. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she pointed at Yu Qingwu, questioning sharply, "You left me alone just to carry her, is that it?"

"What kind of voodoo has this bitch used on you!"

Gao Minyue stepped forward and suddenly raised her hand, slapping Yu Qingwu in the face. "It's you! You're the one who said bad things about me in front of the Empress Aunt, aren't you?"