This time, my curiosity was piqued, so I grabbed Xie Yuancheng and asked, "The black booklet is so good, I must know about it."

"Tell me about it, I'm so curious!" I grabbed Xie Yuancheng's hands, determined to get him to explain.

"I'm not telling you, just to keep you curious. I can't say anything at all~"

"I won't let go until you tell me, let's see what you do then." I held onto his hands tightly and wouldn't let him break free. Just as we were making a fuss, a loud bang suddenly came, and thick black smoke billowed up from the other side, accompanied by a flash of lightning.

"What kind of fire is this? It even caught lightning?" I thought I was seeing things. What's going on?

"You could see the lightning, which means it's really destroyed. Let's go, let's leave early so you can play with the children for a few hours and go out tomorrow."

"Is it really ruined? Shouldn't you go see what it looks like now that it's destroyed?" I was worried something had happened, but he wouldn't go. I was just about to go see him when Xie Yuancheng broke free.

“Ying’er, show me your little map, and I’ll know what it looks like. You’re just not familiar with our young men, but they won’t do anything wrong.”

I guess he meant that if you do something wrong, you're already gone. This guy is always implying something, but luckily I've been with him for a long time, so I can tell what he's saying just by listening to his tone.

I opened the scroll and let him see it for himself. There really were no highlights. Several men in black also returned, and a red dot appeared in the background image.

Xie Yuancheng pointed to the red dot and a few very light-colored things next to it, "Ying'er, look here, it's all light-colored, and there's a red dot in the middle, which means it's gone. You see, you can't even understand the map yourself, it's better for me to look at it."

"Hmph~ No matter how powerful you are, you're still inferior to me. If I'm unhappy or upset, you'll be the one running around in circles~"

"You know that's good. Don't always try to go against me. We can only get things done if we work together."

"Okay, you're the best. I don't have to worry about anything. Also, give me some freedom. It would be even better if I could go out for a stroll."

"Do you want to go out and see men or women? Or are you going to go and provoke people I don't like?"

I turned to look at him, pulled on the reins, and the horse galloped away. This time, he finally showed a worried expression, which made me a little happier. Humph! Trying to play tricks on me.

"Ying'er, next time I'll tie you up and make you hang your hands and feet on me, let's see how you try to be naughty."

He took another route back. Since the original route was considered unlucky anyway, and I didn't want to take it, I let him be. The return journey was quick; we reached the gate in half an hour.

I looked at the gate, which was as solid as a fortress. How much money did all this cost? He must have almost run out of money. So I need to save up for him properly, so that he doesn't become too extravagant and end up with a huge hole in his pocket.

Thank goodness I came with him, otherwise who knows how many unexpected things would have happened. "I'm just so popular with you~"

"What?" Xie Yuancheng asked several times, but I deliberately didn't tell him. "You little rascal, I won't let you play with the children when we get back."

"You're the little rascal! I'll go straight to the courtyard when I get back, and you won't be able to stop me."

"What if the children aren't in the yard?"

"You, you." I pinched his leg. If he really moved Xizhi and the others, I'd pinch them until I left marks. "You promised, you're not allowed to play tricks on me. If you don't let me see them, I'll take them with me!"

"Ying'er~ They're still sleeping. Go back and rest for a while before you go see them."

I checked the time; it wasn't even 1-3 PM yet. We really should go back to sleep. Even if I were in the red cloak, I couldn't just watch them play. I deliberately fell into Xie Yuancheng's arms and bumped into him twice—what an excessive man!

Xie Yuancheng laughed behind me. This time we were on the right path, and with the red cloak, we quickly reached the door. I didn't want him to carry me down; I wanted to climb down from the other side.

Before she even touched the ground, he grabbed her and pulled her away. "Let go! You were on the other side, why did you come over here?"

"Ying'er, we're already inside the manor, don't do anything reckless, or everyone will laugh at you~" I didn't care. I struggled for a while, but he still wouldn't let go, so I just snuggled into his arms. I should save some face.

"I told you I wouldn't treat you badly, but you just didn't believe me. Now you know."

I couldn't be bothered with him, so I leaned back and didn't look up. When I got to Mercury Pavilion, I went to the side and quickly washed up and changed my clothes. I felt really bad about going out, so I needed to change.

"You have to change too, or I won't let you out!" When I went out to see Xie Yuancheng, he didn't change his clothes. I just grabbed him and ripped off his belt. I specially chose a reddish outfit so that he could look good.

"You're up to no good again. You haven't stopped for a moment on the way here." He stood up straight and let me change his belt for him. "Ying'er, the belt is tied wrong."

"I made the mistake on purpose, so you would always tease me. This time, I'll let you embarrass yourself too."

"If I look ugly, you'll suffer. You're always so well-dressed, and if you suddenly dress inappropriately, people will definitely start to speculate. You're right here next to me, so you'll be in trouble along with me."

I was just about to tie a very feminine knot for him, but after hearing what he said, it seems he's right. He's a marquis, after all; if I act recklessly, wouldn't I be in trouble too?

"Consider yourself lucky you've escaped. I'll change you into my clothes later. If you don't want to wear them, don't go to bed!"

"Alright, you've just gotten back and you're already running around everywhere. Eat something warm first, then rest for a while. I have things to do tonight, we'll talk about it later."

"Stop changing the subject. I want you back tonight. If you don't come back early, I won't talk to you for three days!"

“Ying’er, I need to go with my sister and the others tonight to arrange some things. You can’t expect me to go out wearing your clothes, can you? I don’t mind, but my sister will definitely ask, ‘I told you to start playing with the children properly this afternoon, how can you disregard my feelings?’”

"Just talk, don't, don't wink at me!" I pushed him away, but Xie Yuancheng still came over, leaning against me and hugging my arm tightly.

"You always copy me, or Yu'er and the others. You're an adult, but you don't act like one at all." I pinched his cheek; it was so wet it could practically drip water.

"Of course I want to learn from you, otherwise how can I win your heart and stay with you obediently?"

I gave in completely and let him arrange things as he pleased. He's really good at coaxing me, but as long as his intentions are good, that's fine. I wonder if Yu'er will be able to come back this time; I hope so. Chinese New Year will be a little later this year; I need to be back before the end of the year.