"Creak—"

Consort Qin gently pushed open the long-sealed Niao Na Palace, not caring at all about the withered branches and fallen leaves on the ground, and stepped inside.

The furnishings here have remained unchanged, preserving their original appearance. Zhao Xuanyang deserves some credit for this; if he hadn't sealed it off, it would likely have been completely altered by the fleeing palace servants.

Consort Qin's face showed no sorrow, but rather a relaxed smile, and she was humming a tune. Her personal maid, Lüping, followed behind her with a somber expression, carrying a deep red wooden box.

Once inside, Lvping placed the box on the dressing table, cleaned the chair, and then allowed Consort Qin to sit down.

Consort Qin was in a good mood today. Perhaps it was because of the makeup, but she looked much younger, just like when she first entered the palace.

I can't remember how many years ago it was, when the country had just been established and Zhao Yunyu was not yet the emperor. In fact, among his brothers, he was relatively weak.

However, for some unknown reason, Cai Yuping, the eldest daughter of the Cai family, insisted on marrying no one else, causing much discussion in the capital.

Qin Niao's elder brother, Qin Deng, was a retainer of Zhao Fangli.

Zhao Fangli was the later posthumously honored Third Prince. He was devoted to his country and wanted to save the people from suffering. Qin Deng, though talented, found it difficult to survive in the chaotic world, so he simply followed him.

However, Zhao Fangli realized that Zhao Yunyu had changed his mind, so he asked Qin Deng to send his sister to his residence, who was Qin Niao.

Qin Niao was not actually Qin Deng's biological sister. He only had a younger brother from the same mother, who was the head of a pavilion in Cicheng.

As for Qin Niao, she was his uncle's daughter, so they were related by blood. However, his uncle had passed away at a young age, and Qin Niao had been raised by him.

Zhao Fangli's order came suddenly, and Qin Deng hesitated. In chaotic times, heroes emerge everywhere. Although Qin Deng was talented, he was not highly regarded, after all, Zhao Fangli did not need another retainer like him.

This is a chance to make a contribution.

Looking at the naive and innocent Qin Niao, Qin Deng could never bring himself to tell her about it.

However, Qin Niao was not stupid. Seeing her brother always looking at her with great distress, she began to have some guesses in her heart.

Qin Niao went to Qin Deng's subordinates and finally learned the whole story.

She was terrified, really.

If Zhao Fangli harbors suspicions about Zhao Yunyu, then Zhao Yunyu will certainly not be completely unguarded towards him.

If she went, Zhao Fangli would definitely have her monitor Zhao Yunyu, but she would be on guard and unable to gather any information, so she would end up getting nowhere on both occasions.

But if she didn't go, her brother would be in a difficult position. If she angered Zhao Fangli, he might be punished. As for what that punishment would be, she dared not think about it.

So Qin Niao made a decision. She found Zhao Fangli and offered to go to Zhao Yunyu's residence.

Qin Deng was shocked, but Qin Niao remained resolute. It must be said that this move did indeed solve his immediate problem.

Qin Niao was sent to Zhao Yunyu.

Before she left, Qin Deng gave her a bowl of something to drink—a contraceptive soup.

Every medicine has its side effects, and Qin Deng couldn't bear to let her get hurt. But if she really got pregnant, that would be the biggest problem.

When she went to Zhao Yunyu's place, Cai Yuping was also there, and it is said that they were already discussing marriage.

To her surprise, although Cai Yuping didn't particularly like her, she never made things difficult for her. In fact, at the beginning, Cai Yuping even took good care of her.

She was a true lady of high birth.

Cai Yuping's care was the first warmth she felt here. Even after they became mortal enemies, Qin Niao never forgot these past events.

On the third day, Qin Niao was informed that Zhao Yunyu would come to her courtyard that evening and that she should prepare to serve him in bed.

Preparation... how do I prepare for this...?

Qin Niao was so scared that her heart trembled. The maid Lüping, who had brought her from the manor, held her with heartache, but could not say a word that could comfort her.

Qin Niao was served a bath by her maids.

They had her soak in a pool filled with floating flower petals to clean her up, then stuffed her naked into a quilt, and lit Zhao Yunyu's favorite incense before they were considered ready.

When Zhao Yunyu arrived, Qin Niao was shivering under the covers. Hearing the servants bowing to him, she stopped abruptly, then trembled even more violently.

Noticing that incense had been lit inside, Zhao Yunyu stopped in his tracks and immediately saw Qin Niao, who was wrapped up like a cicada pupa.

Seeing that she didn't even show her head, he raised an eyebrow, walked to the bedside and sat down, admiring the trembling "brocade quilt" with great interest, and then, in a playful mood, reached out and pulled it down.

"Aren't you bored?"

A deep, melodious voice reached her ears, and Qin Niao was slightly startled, not even daring to open her eyes. "I...I've met you before..."

"What have you seen?"

He replied jokingly, but Qin Niao was at a loss for words; she really didn't know how to address him.

She had already washed herself clean and was waiting for him, but calling him "Young Master" felt somewhat distant, as if he had bought her virginity.

But this is only their first meeting... no, she hasn't even opened her eyes yet, they haven't even met, it's really awkward. If she doesn't call him "Young Master," then what should she call him?

"Hmm?" Seeing that she didn't say anything, he tugged at the blankets on her body, as if he would pull them off if she didn't speak.

Noticing his movement, Qin Niao was startled, her face flushing red in an instant. She quickly gripped the quilt tightly. She was completely naked and couldn't let him see.

Qin Niao bit her lower lip, steeled her resolve, and said, "I...I've met my brother-in-law."

"..."

There were only the two of them in the room, and as soon as she finished speaking, the air became quiet.

Zhao Yunyu frowned in surprise, "...Brother-in-law? Why are you calling me brother-in-law?"

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