Zhou Empress’s eyes flashed with a hint of mockery, a half-smile on her face. "A-Yue, what do you want to say to this Empress?"

"Empress Aunt, actually… Senior Sister Qingwu is no longer pure. She had illicit relations with someone while she was still in the sect."

Gao Minyue lowered her head, stammering.

She seemed embarrassed, but there was a faint anticipation in her eyes.

Zhou Empress looked at her coldly, without answering.

Seeing that Zhou Empress didn't speak, Gao Minyue thought she was furious.

Overjoyed, she lowered her voice and said excitedly, "Although I don't know who that man is, the sounds that night were quite loud. My residence is separated from Senior Sister Qingwu's by two or three rooms, but I could hear it clearly. One can imagine how lewd she is. If such a person enters the royal family, I'm afraid… it will bring shame to the royal family?"

"Such a person can't enter the royal family, but you, a married woman, can?"

Zhou Empress suddenly sneered.

Gao Minyue's body trembled, and her face turned white instantly.

"Alright, step back."

Zhou Empress waved her hand, clearly impatient.

Gao Minyue wanted to say something more, but Zhou Empress had already been helped into the inner chamber by the palace servants.

How could Empress Aunt react like this? Shouldn't she be questioning that bitch?

Gao Minyue stared at Zhou Empress's retreating figure, unwilling, her fingers gradually tightening.

She would never let that lowly merchant woman go!

Outside the window, the cold wind blew, and dark clouds loomed, covering the entire imperial city with a layer of gloom.

"Your Highness, are you really not waiting for A-Yue?" Yu Qingwu raised her eyes and looked at the misty sky, kindly reminding him, "The weather is unusual today; I'm afraid there will be a blizzard in less than half an hour."

She raised her eyebrows, her pair of peach blossom eyes seemed to contain affection, yet also resentment, as she smiled at the noble and jade-like man in front of her, tapping his chest and saying, "Your Highness's heart is full of A-Yue. Doesn't Your Highness know that she needs comfort the most right now?"

"Does Shijie (Senior Martial Sister) not want me to accompany you?" Xie Jin Yan grasped the small hand poking at his chest, seemingly intentionally, squeezing it hard.

Yu Qingwu frowned and withdrew her hand heavily.

Looking at the man's playful appearance, she became serious and said, "Xie Jin Yan, don't blame me for not reminding you, your mother has murderous intentions towards A-Yue. You better keep a close eye on her."

"What did Mother say? She wants to use your hand to kill A-Yue, is that it?"

As soon as Yu Qingwu finished speaking, Xie Jin Yan suddenly asked.

There wasn't a trace of ripple in his eyes, but a faint mockery hung on the corner of his lips.

He looked deeply in the direction of Fengzao Palace, smiling bleakly, "This is why I didn't want A-Yue to enter the palace, and why I didn't immediately bring her to the capital when she had an accident before."

"A-Yue always thought that Mother still loved her as she did when she was little, but little did she know, it was all just manipulation from the beginning."

"Alright, let's not talk about this, let's get on the carriage."

"As for A-Yue, it's time for her to face reality."

As he spoke, Xie Jin Yan stepped onto the carriage.

Yu Qingwu stood in place, looking at Fengzao Palace, then at the two-wheeled carriage Xie Jin Yan had prepared for A-Yue, her mood suddenly becoming very complicated.

After a moment of silence, she slipped into the carriage and slowly sat beside Xie Jin Yan.

Taking advantage of the fact that they hadn't set off yet, she gently patted his arm and said softly, "Your Highness, why don't… you wait for A-Yue? I can go back alone."

"When did Shijie become so kind-hearted?" Hearing Yu Qingwu's words, Xie Jin Yan was slightly stunned, a hint of a smile appearing on his eyebrows. He raised his hand and pulled her into his arms.

His handsome face pressed close, his pair of deep black eyes looking at her leisurely, teasingly, "Shijie went to the palace and was possessed by Yue Lao (the God of Marriage)? Wanting to bring together this pair of ill-fated lovebirds, me and A-Yue?"

The scorching breath sprayed on her face, Yu Qingwu's ears slightly heated up. Knowing that the man in front of her was using her as a shield for his beloved, she couldn't help but feel nervous.

"You… Xie Jin Yan, if you truly care for A-Yue, you should be with her now."

Yu Qingwu pursed her lips tightly, her small hand pressing hard against Xie Jin Yan's approaching lips.

But her little strength was no match for him.

She couldn't push him away, but he grasped her hand, as if holding a priceless treasure, gently stroking it in his palm.

Serious, gentle, and faintly revealing a trace of infatuation.

This bastard… wouldn't do that kind of thing in the carriage, would he?

Yu Qingwu's face flushed red, and she suddenly felt extremely afraid.

"Alright, since Shijie is so kind, I can't refuse your good intentions." Just as Yu Qingwu was panicking, the big hand holding her suddenly withdrew.

Immediately afterward, he straightened his clothes and leaned over to get out.

Boom!

"Ah!" A clap of thunder exploded, Xie Jin Yan's fingers hadn't touched the door panel yet, when the woman suddenly hugged him from behind.

The small hand that had been extremely resistant just now was now like shackles, tightly fastened around his waist.

The soft body, separated by thick robes, accompanied by an alluring fragrance, trembled slightly.

Just like when she was young, she hugged him tightly.

Only then, she would always pretend to be calm and say to him again and again, "Jinyan, don't be afraid."

But now, she was like a frightened deer, pitifully seeking comfort in his arms.

Xie Jin Yan turned his head, only to see Yu Qingwu's pale face full of tears, her eyes glistening with tears.

"Are you still letting me go?" He leaned back and sat down, slowly putting his arms around her.

At this time, the carriage was already speeding along the palace avenue.

Claps of thunder roared, as if to split the carriage open.

Yu Qingwu didn't speak, only burying her head tightly in his arms, tears rolling out of the corners of her eyes in large drops.

Those cruel and painful memories from her childhood flooded her mind like a raging beast.

She bit her lip tightly, whimpering softly.

For a long time, until the thunder stopped and the sky began to snow heavily, did she slowly break free.

When she looked at Xie Jin Yan again, she felt a little embarrassed.

"Wipe it off." Their eyes met, and the man's eyes seemed to have a hint of pity. After a slight pause, he handed over an ink-colored brocade handkerchief and said softly, "It's okay, I'm here."

"You're not allowed to tell anyone about what happened today."

Yu Qingwu took the handkerchief and forcefully wiped away the tears on her face. Looking at Xie Jin Yan's gentle and compassionate eyes, she felt a little guilty and a little embarrassed.

Logically speaking, Xie Jin Yan should be with Gao Minyue today, after she had suffered so much grievance. She loathed Gao Minyue, but as an orphan, she understood Gao Minyue's feelings at this moment more than anyone else.

But now, because she was afraid of thunder, she had forcibly kept Xie Jin Yan here.

Yu Qingwu bit her lip tightly, her reddened eyes slowly looking at the man, and then said, "If you don't tell anyone, I will definitely protect A-Yue's life, and cover for you, so you can be a pair of peaceful and happy immortals."

"Call me husband." Before Yu Qingwu finished speaking, Xie Jin Yan suddenly said.

?

Yu Qingwu was stunned, her face blank.

Xie Jin Yan tilted his head and looked at her, his expression playful, his fingers gently hooking her pointed and delicate chin, and said again with a light smile, "Call me husband, say you love me, otherwise I will tell everyone what happened today."