Shang Rui explained that the delay was due to the fact that after the two had made love that night, in the quiet of the night...

Shang Rui held Chu Yue and sighed contentedly, stroking her soft, warm body while offering the explanation he had prepared beforehand:

"Yue'er, I know that Xiang Rong and Yun Shu's relationship with me has made you sad and heartbroken, but there's nothing we can do about it."

You know, for me to get that position, I need a lot of people supporting and helping me.

Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to contend with the Crown Prince. But you can rest assured about one thing: no matter how many women I have around me in the future...

You will always be my favorite. When I am no longer bound by these constraints, I will bestow upon you the title of Imperial Concubine.

"Let the whole world know that you, Chu Yue, are my, Shang Rui's, rightful wife, so please stop being angry with your husband, okay?"

Although Shang Rui's sweet words were meant to comfort Chu Yue, they came from the bottom of his heart.

Chu Yue followed Shang Rui when he was still only interested in having fun, and died saving him when he still loved her.

Therefore, no matter how many years have passed and how many beauties have surrounded him, Chu Yue remains the unforgettable cinnabar mark in Shang Rui's heart.

Now,

Chu Yue nestled in Shang Rui's arms, her heart still heavy with sadness.

She still hugged Shang Rui tightly, burying her face in his chest, and obediently replied, "Mmm."

“Arui, you don’t need to feel too burdened.”

"Miss Ge is right, I really can't help you with anything, so I dare not ask for a formal title."

As long as you, Arui, always have a place for me in your heart, and I can always stay by your side, that's enough.

Her voice had a strong nasal tone, and a delicate, charming quality that hadn't completely faded after the lovemaking.

What was once a cold-blooded female assassin has transformed into this delicate and graceful figure in my presence.

Besides being moved by Chu Yue's sensible words, Shang Rui also felt his male desire to conquer was greatly satisfied, and his sense of accomplishment was overwhelming.

The fire that had just been extinguished reignited, and he pressed Chu Yue down on his side while holding her, and the enchanting scene in the bedchamber resumed until the moon was high in the sky.

After calming down Chu Yue, there were also Ge ​​Yunshu and Yun Xiangrong who were lingering in the mansion and refusing to leave.

Reborn

Shang Rui was even more adept at dealing with his women, and with Chu Yue, he made her feel his genuine appreciation.

As for Ge Yunshu, it was about playing along with her quirky and mischievous nature, and flirting with her.

For Yun Xiangrong, he would send her gold, silver, jewelry, and handwritten, affectionate letters.

Not only that,

They even sent someone to Gejiazhuang to tell the Ge family head and his wife that their precious daughter was with them and they didn't need to worry.

He also presented many valuable items as a token of his gratitude, saying that if it weren't for the red pill that Master Ge had given him to cure all poisons, he would probably have died long ago.

In short, it takes everything into account.

Shang Rui is exceptionally gifted and adept at dealing with his woman and her family.

Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses.

Compared to Shang Rui's smooth and effortless handling of relationships, Xiao Ji, who had no experience in love but only in warfare and leading troops,

Now, seeing Shang Changge send someone to the General's Mansion with a person and a large box of gifts, all I feel is helplessness and deep frustration.

What Shang Changge gave as a gift wasn't anything rare or expensive—just a large box of candies of various flavors.

And a chef who is very good at making sweet dishes, that's all.

Xiao Ji was not in a good mood.

Duoming, who had been sent out on an errand and was now back by Xiao Ji's side, was puzzled. He scratched his head and asked, "What's wrong?"

"General, the princess sent you something, why aren't you happy? This is wonderful news!"

Soul Chaser was also nearby. After hearing Deadly's words, he cast a disdainful glance at his brainless brother, and was actually pleased.

What's there to be happy about? Didn't you see the four big characters that the princess had pasted on the gift box?

Reciprocity is key!

What does "reciprocity" mean? It means that you treat me the way you treat me, and I will treat you the same way you treat me!

The general had just taken the princess out to play, and the princess immediately had these things delivered to her.

It's clear that she doesn't want to owe the general a favor, which means the princess doesn't consider the general as one of her own, let alone as her husband.

Who would be so polite to their own people?

Who would be so polite to their own husband or son-in-law?

Happy? Happy my ass!

If he were a general, he would have to get drunk and cry his heart out to feel better.

"General."

A servant hurried over, bowed, and announced, "General, Young Master Yanzhen and Miss Xizhi have arrived."

Xiao Ji was not surprised by their arrival. After instructing Zhuihun to properly settle the large box of sugar and the chef that Shang Changge had sent, he led Duoming and the servant to the front hall.

The young master Yanzhen and young lady Xizhi mentioned by the servant are Xiao Ji's cousins, the children of Xiao Ji's uncle.

Xiao Ji's father was once a great general of Qingyan, and a figure whose achievements overshadowed the emperor.

Therefore, his younger brother, who was also Xiao Ji's uncle, did not enter the court as an official, but instead chose to go into business.

His two children are also now engaged in business and have no connection with the imperial court whatsoever.

Ten years ago,

Xiao Ji's father resigned from his official post and retired to his hometown, returning alone with his deceased wife's memorial tablet.

From then on, he lived a pastoral life, working at sunrise and resting at sunset, and never returned to the capital.

Xiao Ji's uncle's family stayed in the capital; their business, while not very large, wasn't small either.

Instead, she maintained a distance that the emperor wouldn't find offensive; she was very good at interpersonal relationships.

Furthermore, the Xiao family was a family of military generals, but the men of the Xiao family were all romantics.

Let alone going to brothels to have casual relationships and keep mistresses, very few of them even took concubines, so their offspring were just the right number.

Xiao Ji's father only had one son, Xiao Ji, who is still unmarried and childless.

Xiao Ji's uncle does have sons and daughters, but his daughter is not yet married.

Although his son married early and had two sons and a daughter, he did not marry a daughter of an official, so there was nothing to worry about.

Therefore,

No matter how illustrious the Xiao family's military achievements, no matter how glorious and prestigious the Xiao family was throughout history...

No matter how powerful Xiao Ji is now, Emperor Mingde will not be so wary of the Xiao family that he must eliminate them.

Moreover, with the ambitious Murong family drawing hatred in front of them, the Xiao family doesn't seem so irritating in comparison.

lobby,

The tea has been served, and they are talking.

Xiao Yanzhen and Xiao Xizhi, the siblings, came today mainly to congratulate Xiao Ji on his marriage; they are family.

No need for formalities; after drinking tea, Xiao Yanzhen and Xiao Xizhi quickly asked what they wanted to know.

Xiao Yanzhen: "Brother, have you written to Uncle about your marriage to the princess?"

For various reasons, Xiao Ji and his father Xiao Zhen were not particularly close, which is why Xiao Yanzhen asked about it.

Xiao Ji: "I wrote it."

Xiao Ji took a sip of tea, his expression indifferent, and his words revealed little affection for his father.

It seems like they're just mentioning a stranger with whom they share a blood relation, something insignificant.

Xiao Yanzhen knew the inside story, so he didn't say much or offer any advice.

"That's good. Getting married is no small matter."

And then nothing more was said.

Xiao Yan is a shrewd businessman with excellent eloquence and a knack for interpersonal skills.

But from childhood to adulthood, whenever she faced her older cousin Xiao Ji, Xiao Yanzhen lost her eloquence and became taciturn.

As a child, I felt disgust and fear; now I still feel fear, but more than anything, I respect.

The reason I disliked him as a child was because whenever he made a mistake or disobeyed...

His father would nag him about how outstanding his older cousin was, and then compare him to him, saying things like that.

Perhaps it's because he's still so young.

By chance, she unfortunately witnessed Xiao Ji, who was also quite young, committing murder.

It left a deep shadow on his young mind, and from then on, he was afraid of his older cousin.

Even though he is now an adult, married, and has children, the shadow of that time still lingers.