The last rays of the setting sun slowly swept over the rows of houses, and the shadows of the trees gradually stretched westward.

"Miss, the Prince is here."

In the afternoon, Luo Jiu's condition was somewhat frightening, and Jin Xia dared not approach her until Xiao Zhuo's arrival gave Jin Xia an excuse to go in.

"Him?" Luo Jiu asked, somewhat puzzled.

Didn't you say you had something to do? So your "something to do" is something you can say you have or you can say you don't?

"Master and Madam Jin are in the front hall and want Miss to come over."

Luo Jiu remained silent for a while, showing absolutely no urge to leave the chaise lounge.

"Let him go back to where he belongs."

She spoke with a hint of irritation, her voice terribly hoarse. It sounded like she hadn't spoken in a long time, yet it carried a subtle sensuality and allure.

“But…” Jin Xia wanted to say something, but was interrupted by a voice.

"I was thinking of my wife while I was dealing with government affairs, but I didn't expect to hear these words as soon as I came in. It really hurts my heart."

Wearing Liang Ye's mask, Xiao Zhuo waved his hand, signaling Jin Xia to step back, and then strode into Luo Jiu's boudoir.

Upon hearing this, Luo Jiu propped herself up with one hand and sat up lazily.

She followed the sound and looked in the direction of the person. The white silk covering her eyes fluttered in the air, and a light gauze dress fell to the ground in a messy but gentle manner.

Luo Jiu's face was flushed with embarrassment, like a child caught talking badly, incredibly lively.

"You... just came in like that?"

Luo Jiu was once again amazed by Xiao Zhuo's shamelessness. She had already said all that, yet he still brazenly walked in? He really was a scoundrel.

"This is my wife's boudoir, so naturally we should come in and have a good look around."

With a mischievous smile on his face, Xiao Zhuo slowly walked towards Luo Jiu while looking around the girl's boudoir.

"Besides..."

At this point, Xiao Zhuo paused and chuckled softly: "Every time I entered my wife's room before, it was under the cover of darkness, and I would sneak in through the window."

"Sneaking around certainly has its own charm, but..."

He walked to the chaise lounge and sat down, looking at Luo Jiu with deep affection, and smiled:

"It seems like it would be nice to walk in through the main entrance as well."

Luo Jiu, who had been teased again for no reason, was completely blank in her mind.

"Close your eyes! Haven't you seen enough of a young girl's bedroom?"

As soon as the words left her mouth without thinking, Luo Jiu realized something was wrong.

After a brief silence, an undeniable awkwardness and ambiguity followed.

"Sizzle!"

Xiao Zhuo's laughter broke the brief moment of peace. "Wife, are you jealous?"

Luo Jiu's face flushed red instantly, and even the white veil couldn't hide it.

Jealous? You're the one who's jealous! If you're bad at Chinese, don't embarrass yourself in public. Why don't you just go home and enjoy nine years of compulsory education?

She pouted, looking even more like a juicy and tempting peach, making one want to taste her beauty.

Thinking this way, Xiao Zhuo did just that.

He leaned over and gave Luo Jiu a bite on the cheek.

Yes, it's as sweet as I expected.

"Don't worry, I only went into your room, that's enough."

[Ding, congratulations host, male lead's favorability +5]

"Aaaaah, are you a dog?"

Having just returned from the system's disruptive noise, he couldn't help but curse. He quickly wiped the spit off his face onto the other person's collar.

Don't think I'll forgive you just because I give you +5 points of favorability. You still dare to bite me!

Luo Jiu went into a frenzy, like a cat with its fur standing on end.

Xiao Zhuo chuckled softly and slowly placed his paw on Luo Jiu's black hair.

The black hair beneath his hands was soft and smooth, as silky as silk.

Once Xiao Zhuo's wicked sense of humor kicked in, he wanted to mess up her long, black hair and leave his scent on it.

Luo Jiu angrily slapped his hand away, but not long after, Xiao Zhuo stuck it back on, ruffling his hair, tangling it, and then combing it with his fingertips, seemingly enjoying it immensely.

"My lady's full head of black hair is truly beautiful, like a waterfall..."

Before Xiao Zhuo could finish speaking, he noticed a delicate jade earlobe hanging beneath Luo Jiu's dark hair.

He touched it with his hand; the emerald green earrings hanging below his snow-white ears looked like a delicate summer shaved ice, cool and refreshing.

What should I do... I want to possess this person in front of me and savor every wonderful aspect of her every day.

However, a sliver of reason stopped him, and he remembered the purpose of his visit.

"My lady, how could you be so careless as to lose an earring?"

After saying that, he gently stroked Luo Jiu's other empty ear, "These earrings are really unique. I'll have another pair custom-made for you tomorrow."

Speaking of this earring, Luo Jiu seemed to remember something, and her eyes, hidden beneath the white silk, darted around.

Xiao Zhuo has always wanted to steal the treasures of the Prime Minister's mansion. Why not lead him to visit the ancestral hall? Maybe that can solve her current predicament.

After all, Xiao Zhuo has the male lead's halo.

Who knows what strange things might happen if someone keeps feeding their blood to the Gu worms?

She looked puzzled and asked, somewhat confused:

"It's strange, but when I went to the ancestral hall today and lit incense, I suddenly fainted. This earring probably fell to the ground around that time."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhuo, as Luo Jiu wished, immediately showed interest: "Why?"

Luo Jiu explained Jin Xia's explanation to him, and Xiao Zhuo did not question her further.

After all, such a crude excuse wouldn't fool Xiao Zhuo.

The moonlight quickly obscured the twilight's afterglow, casting its shimmering glow.

Luo Jiu and Xiao Zhuo found themselves in another problem.

"My lady, it's getting late. Why don't we retire for the night?"

Xiao Zhuo must be very interested in Luo Jiu's bed; just thinking about it made him lose his voice.

"I refuse. Go back."

Xiao Zhuo's actions and thoughts were practically pushing the boundaries of Luo Jiu's bottom line. Who gave you the courage?

“Little Jiu’er, your father and the whole group from the Prime Minister’s residence saw me enter your boudoir with their own eyes. What if you were kicked out in the middle of the night…”

Xiao Zhuo deliberately left his words unfinished, his voice lingering with unspoken meaning, causing Luo Jiu to frantically imagine the impending interrogation by all her relatives. Just thinking about it gave her a headache.

"Then sneak out the window and come back in the morning."

Luo Jiu's words silenced Xiao Zhuo.

He turned around, picked up Luo Jiu, and placed her on the bed with care and tenderness. Then he pulled over the blanket from the side and gently covered Luo Jiu with it, tucking her in.

Xiao Zhuo gently rubbed Luo Jiu's head, speaking in a soft yet helpless tone:

"Don't worry, I won't do anything to you. At least not until you fall for me."

Luo Jiu lay in her warm bed, listening to Xiao Zhuo walking around the room, probably carrying a cup, intending to rest on the floor for the night.

The cool breeze of a summer night blows in through the window, bringing with it the sound of cicadas and the delicate fragrance of flowers.

Luo Jiu inexplicably felt a good night's sleep and had no dreams.