Thinking about the division of the family property, some things need to be arranged in advance. Shen Li has already been buried, and the old lady is still seriously ill. She did not go back to attend the funeral, but she reluctantly said that she would not go. Not going back to visit the old lady would be unfilial. Shen Wan decided to go back to the Pingyang Marquis's residence tomorrow.

Not knowing whether Xie Jingyan would accompany her back, Shen Wan hesitated whether to ask. At this moment, the maid Dong'er came in and said, "Your Highness, the Prince wants you to grind ink for him."

If she was thirsty, she would bring her tea; if she was sleepy, she would hand her a pillow. Shen Wan would immediately get up.

Inside the study, Xie Jingyan was looking at account books. He had never looked at these before. His leg ailment was not yet healed, and he was tormented by the thought of dying and living a miserable life every day. He had no time to care about these things. It was Shen Wan who told him that he would rebel. Although he believed that he was not that kind of person and would not have such thoughts, he had no interest in that position. But what if what he wanted was not the throne, but the life of the person sitting on the throne?

One may not have the ambition to rebel, but one cannot lack the strength to rebel.

Looking at the account books was just too boring; he needed some motivation, so he sent a maid to invite Shen Wan.

Xie Jingyan thought Shen Wan wouldn't come, but he was surprised that she not only came, but also came so quickly, leaving him somewhat stunned.

I feel like she's not as resistant to him as she used to be.

Was it just his imagination?

Shen Wan walked to the desk, picked up the ink stick and began grinding ink for him, making it thick and dark, then hesitated to speak.

Xie Jingyan said, "Speak your mind."

Shen Wan said, "The old lady and the second wife have fallen ill. Although I don't really want to go back, I'll inevitably be criticized if I don't..."

So she came so quickly because she needed his help. When this woman didn't want him, she pushed him away, but when she needed his help, she acted like a submissive wife. He was soft-hearted and couldn't bear to refuse her or disappoint her.

Xie Jingyan put down the ledger, rubbed his shoulders and said, "My shoulders are a little sore, can you massage them for me?"

This bastard expects something in return for every little favor he does for her. At least he used to ask for it afterward, but now he just asks for it upfront.

However, the thought of the jade pendant made Shen Wan feel very guilty. How could she refuse such a small request?

Shen Wan walked behind Xie Jingyan and massaged his shoulders. Xie Jingyan raised his eyebrows sharply. She actually massaged his shoulders. It wasn't a big deal that he wasn't going to accompany her back to the Pingyang Marquis's residence. There was no need for her to do this.

Xie Jingyan wasn't sure if he was satisfied with the strength of Shen Wan's shoulder massage or with the result of his own probing; the smile on his lips lingered for a long time.

Well, there's a saying, "Give me an inch and you'll take a mile," which is perfectly exemplified in this man's case. A simple shoulder massage wasn't enough for him. When Chen Wan's hands started to ache from massaging and her neck started to hurt from drooping, Xie Jingyan pulled her into his arms and asked, "Is there something else you want from me?"

Shen Wan was taken aback for a moment, then quickly said, "Nothing else, just this one thing..."

"Really not?" Xie Jingyan didn't believe it.

Shen Wan's ears turned slightly red. "Put me down. I'm not comfortable sitting like this."

Putting it down was out of the question, but Shen Wan didn't want to sit in the chair, so he didn't mind moving to another place.

Xie Jingyan picked up Shen Wan and sat her on his desk. He touched Shen Wan's face and said, "You're suddenly being so nice to me, and you haven't asked me for anything important yet. Does that mean you've done something wrong to me?"

Shen Wan immediately felt guilty, her eyes darting around, "No, no..."

Xie Jingyan, "..."

He just said it casually, and judging from his expression, it seems he got lucky.

Xie Jingyan said, "Speak, what have you done to wrong me?"

Shen Wan shook her head repeatedly, "No!"

Xie Jingyan asked, "Did you smash my things?"

Xie Jingyan couldn't think of anything else besides this, since Shen Wan hadn't left the Ling Prince's residence for several days.

She already said no, why is he still asking?

She has never been good at lying, and when he pressed her for details, she felt incredibly guilty.

Xie Jingyan stared into Shen Wan's eyes. He could see through the subtle expressions on Shen Wan's face. He was certain that Shen Wan had done something wrong to him. Now it was up to him to see if he could get her to talk.

He looked at Shen Wan's lips, which were like washed cherries, radiating an alluring luster. The pose was particularly ambiguous. Thinking of the kiss in the study yesterday that had left him wanting more, he swallowed hard and kissed her.

Poor Shen Wan was still trying to figure out how to get away with it when her mouth was covered by a kiss, leaving her weak and disoriented. A deep, husky voice sounded in her ear, "What wrong thing did you do?"

Shen Wan shook her head again, but Xie Jingyan continued to kiss her, as if he would keep kissing her until she confessed.

Heaven have mercy, she only showed a hint of guilt and remorse, and he caught her. She hadn't done anything to wrong him in this life, so why was she feeling guilty?

Shen Wan's resolve hardened, and his kiss moved from her lips to her earlobe, precisely where Shen Wan was most sensitive. He put the South Sea pearl earring in his mouth, and Shen Wan's mind went blank for a moment. Involuntarily, she wrapped her arms around his neck. But just then, an untimely voice rang out, "Sixth Brother, help..."

The sound startled the two who were lost in their kiss back to their senses. Shen Wan glanced over and saw the Eighth Prince Xie Jingxuan, who had run in and was standing dumbfounded at the door of the study.

Xie Jingxuan blushed deeply and quickly turned his back, saying, "Sorry to bother you."

He walked away, and even closed the door behind him.

He knew that his sixth brother and sister-in-law had a good relationship, but this was still broad daylight, in the study, and the door wasn't even closed.

He was used to coming and going freely at his sixth brother's residence, and without thinking much, he barged in. Xie Jingxuan had never encountered such an embarrassing situation before, and he would never come to his sixth brother's residence again.

Xie Jingxuan was embarrassed, and Shen Wan was even more embarrassed. She was so angry that she wanted to strangle Xie Jingyan. Xie Jingyan coughed lightly and said, "Come in."

Xie Jingxuan closed the door, unsure of what to do. If he left, no one would help him except Sixth Brother; if he stayed, he feared he might spoil Sixth Brother's fun and get beaten up.

Sixth Brother is in a wheelchair; if you wanted to beat him up, he couldn't escape, let alone now that he's recovered.

Just as I was hesitating, I heard Xie Jingyan's voice.

Xie Jingxuan, “…???”

Xie Jingxuan blushed with embarrassment.

Sixth Brother is busy; wouldn't it be inappropriate for him to go in?

Xie Jingxuan rushed into the study and said, "Sixth Brother, you go ahead with your work. My matters aren't that urgent..."

"Shut up."

Xie Jingxuan quickly shut his mouth. At this moment, the door creaked open, revealing the dark face of a certain prince. Upon seeing Xie Jingxuan, his heart skipped a beat.

It's over.

Sixth Brother is really angry.

He came here hoping Sixth Brother would save his life, not to take his own.

Shen Wan endured her burning face as she went out. When she passed by Xie Jingyan, she couldn't help but stomp on his foot hard. Xie Jingyan's forehead trembled in pain. Xie Jingxuan was stunned. Sixth Brother was already domineering and fierce enough, but he didn't expect Sixth Sister-in-law to be even more so.

Fearing that Shen Wan would kick him, Xie Jingxuan quickly took two steps back to make way for her.