Xie Jin Yan didn't seem to care on the surface, but when he asked the question, a hint of nervousness flickered in his eyes.

It couldn't be blamed on him for overthinking things; it was just that the things he had done in the past were too outrageous.

And A-Wu had forgiven him too easily.

This forgiveness contained the helplessness of being used, the catalyst of Yu Qi's appearance, and more or less, the complex emotions of having depended on each other for survival.

Therefore, Xie Jin Yan was always a little uneasy.

He stared fixedly at Yu Qing Wu, at that clear, cold, and bright face, which he had bullied into tears countless times, his fingers tightening even more.

However, in the next moment, Yu Qing Wu did not answer.

Instead, her face suddenly became serious and solemn, and she asked him in return.

"Jin Yan, if one day, I grow old and lose my beauty."

"Or if, in order to survive in that imperial city, I gradually change, will you still love me?"

"What do you think?" Xie Jin Yan breathed a sigh of relief, looking at the concern in the woman's eyes, and a sweet feeling rose in his heart. He smiled at her and said, "Besides, how much better can your temper be now?"

But what he loved was precisely this aloofness, this unwillingness to humble herself easily.

A complex emotion flashed in Yu Qing Wu's eyes, and a smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she said softly, "Jin Yan, if one day you no longer love me, I will not love you either."

"If there really is such a day, in my eyes, you will only be the Crown Prince, the husband, but never again Xie Jin Yan."

"And I will not forgive you a second time."

Yu Qing Wu's words were very calm, and there wasn't even a trace of fluctuation in her eyes, but it made Xie Jin Yan feel a chill in his heart.

That feeling was like the one from years ago when she asked him why he pushed her into the water.

Seemingly calm, but in reality, revealing a sense of determination and warning.

However, this made Xie Jin Yan even more pleased.

In the past, when she showed this kind of look, she only cared about him as a junior brother.

Now, she treats him as her husband, as the person she loves.

Thinking of this, the chill in Xie Jin Yan's heart instantly dissipated. He raised an eyebrow at Yu Qing Wu, put on his usual纨绔 (wankong - playboy) face, and replied, "Alright, if I really do something to let you down one day, you don't need to forgive me, I will atone for my sins with death."

"Alright, stop calling me *niangzi* (wife), it's disgusting." Yu Qing Wu reached out and covered Xie Jin Yan's mouth, feeling that these words were unlucky, and indeed disgusted by his "niangzi."

After all, she wasn't quite used to this kind of address.

Xie Jin Yan naturally saw through her thoughts, hooked his lips, and raised his eyebrows, "Why is it disgusting? Aren't you my *niangzi*?"

"Besides, what else should I call you? I always feel that calling you *shijie* (senior sister) is a bit of a loss."

"Call you A-Wu?"

"Xiao Feng Yun calls you that too, I'm still at a loss."

"Or call you Wu'er? Or darling…"

"Xie Jin Yan! Aren't you ashamed of yourself?"

Dong, dong, dong, as the two were bickering, a knock came from the door outside.

Then, Yan Qing Qing's voice came from outside, with a bit of timidity, and asked softly, "Shijie, can I come in?"

Qing Qing?

Could it be that, as Xie Jin Yan said, Qing Qing doesn't plan to go with them?

To be honest, Yu Qing Wu was still a little worried.

But after thinking about it, she got up and opened the door, smiling and calling Yan Qing Qing, "Come in."

Yan Qing Qing slowly entered the door, glanced at Xie Jin Yan lazily sitting aside, and then looked at Yu Qing Wu, stammering, "Shijie, I may... may not go to the capital with you."

"Why?"

Although she had already guessed it, Yu Qing Wu was still a little disappointed in her heart.

She frowned slightly and asked, "Is it because of your niece and your elder brother and sister-in-law?"

"Yes, and no."

"They always bullied me before, always said I was useless, and even cheated away my dowry. I think that now I have some ability, I want to... take back the things my mother left me."

"Also, now that I think about it, I always feel that my mother's death was a bit strange, and the reputation of me being a jinx was also spread strangely."

A hint of resentment flashed in Yan Qing Qing's eyes as she said with a heavy expression.

Originally, Yu Qing Wu wanted to say a few words of persuasion, after all, Yan Qing Qing had not yet left the borders of Shu, and she was afraid that Master Xiao Rong Qi would take action to bring her back.

However, hearing Yan Qing Qing's words at this moment, Yu Qing Wu no longer tried to persuade her.

She only remained silent for a moment before asking her softly, "You suspect that your elder brother and sister-in-law... poisoned your mother?"

Hearing this, Yan Qing Qing didn't speak.

After pondering for a long time, she nodded and said, "I suspect so now, but I have to investigate to know whether it is or not."

"Alright, since you want to go back, I won't try to persuade you."

"But Qing Qing, I'll only ask you one question, you are still within the borders of Shu, and there are Master's eyes and ears everywhere, can you handle it?" Yu Qing Wu held Yan Qing Qing's hand and said with some worry.

"I..." Yan Qing Qing really had no confidence in this matter, after all, Master's reputation in the martial world was not just for show. Naturally, he had some ways and some power to be qualified to cultivate talents for the imperial court and the martial world.

Thinking of this, Yan Qing Qing's eyes darkened.

Yu Qing Wu's worry deepened.

For a time, the atmosphere suddenly fell silent.

Yu Qing Wu lowered her head, frowning and thinking about how to solve this matter.

Just as she was thinking, a hand was placed on her shoulder, Xie Jin Yan leaned to her side, still with his usual lazy look, and said.

"A-Wu, this matter is easy to solve, as long as I recognize Qing Qing as my younger sister, and give her the title of *junzhu* (county princess) or *gongzhu* (princess) or *xianzhu* (county lord) or something, it's fine. No fief, no other things, others won't pay too much attention. But if something happens to her, and it's within the borders of Shu, then it's Master slapping the imperial family in the face."

This... is that really the case?

But...

Yu Qing Wu looked at Yan Qing Qing, then at Xie Jin Yan, and nodded slightly, "Your Highness, the idea is a good idea, but Qing Qing has neither the merit of protecting the emperor nor the effort of following the dragon, and she has not made any contribution or construction to the country. This... is not very appropriate, right? His Majesty is afraid that he will not agree."

"Hey, if she doesn't have it, then we'll just arrange one, won't we?"

"Anyway, it's just a show for Master to see, and Junior Sister Yan has not obtained any benefits from it, so Father Emperor will not say anything."

Xie Jin Yan smiled, and as he spoke, his eyes slowly darkened again. He took a deep look at Yu Qing Wu, lowered his voice, and said in a low and serious tone, "Furthermore, Master actually wants to control the crown prince of a country, wants to control the crown princess, and control the future bloodline of the imperial family. Shijie, do you think Father Emperor can tolerate it?"