An autumn rain brings a chill. Chen Ningzhu gathered her cloak, buried her face as much as possible in the white fox fur collar, lowered her eyes and said,

"Let's talk about it when we get back."

He walked towards the carriage.

The man frowned, but eventually followed. Seeing that there was no tension between the two, Liu Zhiyi gradually felt relieved.

Song Hanchuan picked her up with one hand, his arm across her hips. Liu Zhiyi rested her chin on Song Hanchuan's broad shoulders, and he held her face to face in his arms.

In the other hand he held an oil-paper umbrella.

He walked towards the carriage of the prime minister's residence with steady steps.

It was raining heavily and thunder was roaring one after another.

When Chen Ningzhu returned to her boudoir, most of her clothes were wet, and her outer garment was covered in mud spots.

Hot water was already ready in the kitchen.

When he saw someone returning home, he immediately carried him behind the screen.

The two of them took a hot bath and changed into clean clothes, shoes and socks. Fuling and Shaoyao came in, each holding a bowl of ginger soup.

Chen Ningzhu didn't like the taste of ginger soup, so she drank a cup of warm boiled water, put two hot water bottles in her pocket, took off her shoe repair socks, and got into bed.

Because of the rain, the room was already dark at 15:00.

The maid came in and quietly lit a few oil lamps, then lit a brazier in each corner of the room, and then quietly retreated.

All of the carbon used is high-quality silver wire carbon, which is not only resistant to burning, but also smokeless and odorless.

The flickering candlelight reflected the scene on the bed on the slightly fluttering gauze curtains. Although covered with a thick quilt, it could not hide the woman's graceful figure.

After drinking the ginger soup, Jiang Xuanyan came to the couch and continued the original topic through layers of gauze.

"Since ascending the throne three years ago, the Ministry of Rites has begun preparing for the empress's canonization."

"So even though time is tight, there's still time. As for your identity, just tell everyone that you're the daughter of the Prime Minister's family, Song Hanchuan's younger sister who's been stranded away."

"Do you have any objections to this arrangement?"

Chen Ningzhu pulled the quilt over and covered herself tightly, leaving only her head exposed.

The exquisite fox eyes lifted slightly, and through the veil, they met Jiang Xuanyan's dark and cold eyes, and she spoke in a soft voice, word by word,

"Jiang Xuanyan, what do you want?"

Seeing no response from outside, he continued to persuade her,

"If you need a queen, there are many noble ladies in the capital who are willing to take that position. If you want an heir, Jinxiu Huanian is your child."

Jiang Xuanyan pursed his lips, his eyes flickering, and after a moment of silence, he said,

"I want you."

The fish took the bait.

Shen Ningzhu smiled and lifted a corner of the curtain with her bare hands. She stared into his eyes and said very seriously,

"I can promise you that from now on you can come and go freely in my yard."

"You are the only man I will ever have."

Jiang Xuanyan's eyes flashed with a glint of disbelief. He grasped the woman's wrist, which rested at his side, and his fingertips couldn't help but caress the smooth skin.

Pull it over and place it in the palm of your other hand.

I gently kneaded her white knuckles and smelled the faint gardenia fragrance emanating from the skin of her fingertips. My heart suddenly felt hot and a little unreal.

She actually accepted him?

Then I heard Shen Ningzhu pursed her lips and continued, “But I don’t want to enter the palace, nor do I want to be the queen.”

Jiang Xuanyan was startled, his pupils gradually widened, as if someone had poured a basin of cold water over his head and feet. The initial heat was extinguished in an instant, and the coolness spread throughout his limbs.

His thin lips parted slightly, his eyes were filled with confusion.

"Why?"

The man's face darkened, and his aura instantly subsided. His eyes were filled with anger after being fooled.

Shen Ningzhu smiled gently.

The exquisite fox eyes sparkled with light, and there was a gentle charm in them.

Her small, pink lips parted slightly as she spoke calmly, "I like my freedom, and I don't care about the trivialities of the harem, and I don't want to live within those square palace walls."

"I like the sunrise and sunset, the spring scenery all over the city, the free air, and the hustle and bustle of the streets."

"Brother Yan, I left before not because I didn't love you, I just like freedom. Without freedom, I would be like a bird losing its wings, I would die~~~"

When the woman finished speaking, her voice was choked with sobs.

There were crystal tears glittering in her eyes, and she spoke earnestly, looking hesitantly into Jiang Xuanyan's eyes.

Strands of candlelight fell on her body, enveloping her entire body in a faint golden glow.

The fox eyes, filled with tears, sparkled brightly in the candlelight. She did not look as charming as usual, but rather had a bit more pure desire and allure.

No matter how angry he is, he can't vent it.

But if I agree to her request, I would be reluctant.

How could Jiang Xuanyan's woman live in this remote and dilapidated place without any official status? Wasn't she just a lowly concubine who was not allowed to be seen in public?

How could the prince's biological mother be a concubine?

Jiang Xuanyan is not a heartless person, and he would not allow his woman to be his mistress.

However, after experiencing Chen Ningzhu's stubbornness countless times, he gradually learned his lesson.

It was rare for her to speak so softly, and if he didn't take the ladder and go down the stairs, it would probably be difficult to end the situation.

So, I can only put this matter aside for now.

"Forget it, let's discuss this later. It's raining heavily tonight, how about I stay with you?"

Chen Ningzhu opened her mouth slightly and was about to speak when she heard a knock on the door.

"master."

Jiang Yi's voice came.

Jiang Xuanyan's handsome face fell, his jawline tightened visibly, his expression darkened instantly, and he said coldly,

"What's the matter? Tell me quickly."

There was silence outside for a moment before he hesitated and said, "There's news at the door that Princess Qingyi is looking for you. The carriage is waiting at the door now."

"not see."

The man interrupted angrily.

Jiang Yi hesitated and said, "But the princess said that she has something important to discuss with you and must see you immediately. Otherwise, she will wait at the door until you show up. Your Majesty, the princess has always been weak. What if..."

Jiang Xuanyan snorted coldly.

"Let her wait as long as she wants."

Jiang Yi was confused when she heard such a ruthless reply. If she didn't care so much, why did she spare her life during the palace coup?

Although I was confused, I still did what I was told.

Inside the house

The gauze tent is warm and the candlelight flickers.

Jiang Xuanyan stood up, took off his leather belt, and took off the jade hairpin on his head. His black hair fell down, shining black and gleaming faintly in the candlelight.

After doing all this, he quickly crawled into Chen Ningzhu's bed, waved his big hand, and the candlelight went out.

In the darkness, the man breathed shallowly.

He lay quietly, waiting for a long time with a worried look on his face, but he didn't see Chen Ningzhu chasing anyone away. Finally, he felt relieved and his tense body gradually relaxed.