Su Xiaoning and Su Qingcai continued on their way back to the capital. Because of the assassin incident, after discussing it, they disguised themselves as a group of merchants and hurried to the capital.

That day, the group passed through a small town called "Tongcheng." As soon as they entered the town, they keenly sensed that something was amiss.

There were hardly any pedestrians on the streets of the city, and even those who were there were hurrying along, with few people interacting outside. Every household kept their doors closed. In contrast, there were many soldiers on the streets, patrolling in long, imposing columns, their sharp eyes constantly scanning the surroundings.

"Don't you think they seem to be searching for something?" Su Xiaoning nudged Bai Hua beside her and whispered.

Surprisingly, Bai Hua, who was usually so carefree, looked serious. His eyes were unfathomable, and he awkwardly lowered the brim of his hat, saying in a low voice, "Who knows? We'd better hurry up and leave; this is not a good place to linger..."

As he spoke, Bai Hua retreated to the very back of the group, appearing very low-key.

His attitude was really strange, but seeing that he didn't seem to want to talk to her, Su Xiaoning didn't say anything more and went to the street to look for an inn to stay in.

To better understand the situation in this small town, Su Xiaoning stopped a woman on the street and asked with a smile, "Auntie, why does the atmosphere in this town seem so tense? Could it be that some fugitive is hiding here?"

"You've come from out of town?" The woman looked at Su Xiaoning with surprise, then glanced around nervously before lowering her voice and saying, "You don't know, this Tongcheng is under the control of a gang called the Canal Gang. Even the government has to listen to them. These soldiers are indeed arresting someone. Although that person isn't a fugitive, he's no different from anyone else..."

The woman seemed to want to continue speaking, but their commotion alerted the soldiers not far away. The soldiers glared at the woman, who shivered and quickly left.

As the woman left, the soldiers approached Su Xiaoning and her group.

The leading officer glanced at Su Xiaoning and Su Qingcai, who were standing at the front of the group, and demanded sternly, "Who are you people? Tell the truth!"

Su Xiaoning and Su Qingcai were disguised and did not want to clash with the government. She smiled and said, "Sir, we are merchants from out of town. We are just passing through Tongcheng and stopped here to rest. Please be kind and let us leave."

"Merchants? Where would they be going to do business and pass through Tongcheng?" The soldiers' suspicions grew, and their eyes darted back and forth between Su Xiaoning and Su Qingcai. "Then tell me, what is the relationship between the two of you?"

As soon as the words were spoken, Su Xiaoning and Su Qingcai spoke at the same time.

"couple."

"Brother and sister!"

Two different answers came from the two people. Su Xiaoning's eyes widened, seemingly unable to understand why Su Qingcai would give such a shocking answer.

Upon hearing this completely different response, the officers and soldiers were furious and immediately ordered their men to surround Su Xiaoning and her companions.

"Guards! Arrest them! These people are suspicious; they must be thoroughly interrogated!"

Su Xiaoning's heart tightened suddenly, and she subconsciously shrank closer to Su Qingcai.

This is troublesome. Disguised, they can't easily take action. If they are arrested and taken to the authorities, their identities will probably be exposed. It seems that the only way is to find a way to prove that their relationship is real!

Su Xiaoning made a firm decision and immediately took Su Qingcai's arm, clinging to him like a dodder vine.

"We...we really are husband and wife! But I usually like to call my husband 'brother,' so when people asked me this, I didn't realize it and just said we were siblings. Officers, we have children waiting for us at home. If you arrest us, things will be very difficult for us..."

A blush crept onto Su Xiaoning's face. She hesitated, seemingly eager to prove her relationship with Su Qingcai, and mustered her courage to kiss Su Qingcai on the cheek.

The soft lips touched Su Qingcai's face briefly before parting, but a sudden tingling sensation ran through Su Qingcai's body. He held Su Xiaoning's hands tightly, and the two gazed at each other affectionately, appearing to outsiders as a loving couple.

Knowing he had inadvertently disturbed the young couple's mood, the officer felt a little embarrassed. He coughed awkwardly and said, "When you're out and about, you need to know the rules. What are you doing playing these games? Alright, alright, you should hurry up and go. You won't find a place to rest when it gets dark!"

"Thank you, officers!" Su Xiaoning smiled brightly and hurried to find an inn after the officers dispersed, seemingly not taking the kiss to heart at all.

Su Qingcai unconsciously touched the still warm arm, a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes.

...

After a brief hiccup, the group finally found an inn to stay in, but they didn't expect that there weren't enough rooms, and Su Xiaoning, a woman, would not be able to stay in a room by herself.

Considering it was getting late and it wouldn't be convenient to look for another inn, Su Qingcai immediately decided to let Bai Hua and Wang Fan stay together, while Su Xiaoning would stay in a room with him.

Even though she was unwilling, Su Xiaoning had no choice but to accept the proposal due to the situation.

In the evening, after washing up, Su Xiaoning pounced on the bed, but to her surprise, Su Qingcai pulled her up.

"Go and sleep on the floor."

Su Qingcai said calmly, then sat down on the bed, acting as if this were his throne.

He was still annoyed by how intimate Su Xiaoning had been with Bai Hua the whole way, and how she had kissed him on her own initiative and acted like nothing had happened, which had made him depressed until now. He had to teach her a lesson!

"Why?!" Su Xiaoning protested loudly.

“You can speak even louder, ideally attracting all the guests in the inn.” Su Qingcai was unwilling to compromise. “It’s settled then. Either you sleep on the floor, or you don’t sleep at all!”

"You!" Su Xiaoning was so angry that her face turned green, but she still couldn't go against Su Qingcai's wishes. In the end, she could only take her quilt and go to make a makeshift bed on the floor. Before falling asleep, she glared at Su Qingcai fiercely.

Su Qingcai didn't pay much attention. After watching Su Xiaoning fall asleep, he lay down on the bed and fell asleep comfortably as well.

He thought it would be a peaceful night, but unexpectedly, in the middle of the night, Su Qingcai felt something strange and woke up with a start.

A warm sensation came from beside her, and Su Qingcai subconsciously turned her head to look, only to be greatly surprised.

Su Xiaoning was actually standing next to him!

He had completely forgotten the consequences of Su Xiaoning's sleepwalking before. She was probably sleepwalking tonight, which is why she inexplicably climbed into his bed!

Su Qingcai's ears suddenly felt hot. He lay down next to Su Xiaoning without daring to move, his back already soaked with cold sweat.