"Such a ridiculous government decree?! My eighty-year-old widowed grandmother can't even remarry!"
Su Wanwan was startled by the news.
Still distracted after buying the pastries, she looked worried. "What should I do, Guard Xiao?"
She didn't want to get married again, and was tired of dealing with a bunch of messy relatives and in-laws.
The interpersonal relationships in the Duke of Wei's mansion were not too complicated, and the degree of freedom given to her by her parents-in-law was acceptable.
She had money, maids and servants, and even Guard Xiao to help her solve problems she couldn't solve herself.
May you be safe and sound.
This was the kind of life she had always wanted.
There are still people and things in Jinling waiting for her to return.
Xiao Bin's expression also looked rather unpleasant.
After a long silence, he said in a deep voice, "If you don't want to marry, then don't marry. Xiao Bin will protect you with his life."
He didn't look at her when he spoke; instead, he lowered his eyes slightly.
Su Wanwan looked up at his face and stared intently for a long time until Xiao Bin's ears turned red.
She felt inexplicably at ease and a little warm inside, and the corners of her lips unconsciously turned up.
Her most trusted and capable confidant's unconditional support made her feel very safe.
The two did not speak again, but walked quietly side by side until they got into the carriage to take a trip to the Changning Marquis's residence and the Qingyun Marquis's residence.
...
As darkness approached, a torrential downpour began.
Lu Xingjian paints under the lamp.
Chief Steward Li gave a brief report on the latest situation and waited anxiously for Lu Xingjian's reaction.
"...The ship departs early tomorrow morning...All the properties and shops in the capital have been pawned, and the deeds are all in this box."
"He probably doesn't plan to go back to the capital."
Lu Xingjian held the brush with his wrist suspended, his face completely expressionless.
The heavy rain pounded on the roof, and lightning ripped through the night sky, illuminating the entire room and revealing the ashen face on his cheeks.
The purple-haired brush, soaked in ink, finally gave way and dripped a drop of ink onto the canvas.
He seemed frozen in place.
He lowered his eyes and stared at the blob of ink that had stained and ruined the half-finished canvas.
What came to mind was her blushing face yesterday as she said, "Your Majesty, please have some self-respect."
These words, mingled with the sounds of torrential rain and thunder, swirled in his ears, amplified, and struck his heart again and again.
Imprison him.
After an unknown amount of time, he finally let out a sigh of relief, threw his paintbrush onto the canvas, and turned away.
Manager Li nervously suggested, "Should we stop them?"
"Let her be."
Lu Xingjian's voice was low, but devoid of any warmth.
Su Wanwan went to bed early, but couldn't fall asleep.
Memories of Lu Xingjian flooded her mind.
After leaving Beijing tomorrow, he will be buried in the past, along with his past.
The next morning, just as I got up, someone rushed to the gate of the Duke's mansion to report:
"Guard Xiao has been arrested by the Shuntian Prefecture!"
"How could this be?" Su Wanwan exclaimed in shock.
Xiao Bin is cautious and astute, and has saved her from danger countless times. He is both brave and resourceful, so how could he possibly offend the Shuntian Prefecture?!
"Last night, he beat Li Zhaoxian, the only son of the Grand Secretary Li, in the street, so badly that he vomited blood and couldn't get up. He was immediately taken to the Shuntian Prefecture prison!"
Su Wanwan's face turned pale instantly.
Two years ago, Li Zhao had harassed her in Jinling, but was severely punished by Xiao Bin and returned to the capital in disgrace.
Could this be an opportunity for retaliation?
She composed herself and hurried to find Duke Xu Chengbi of Wei.
Xu Chengbi frowned and pondered, "Last year, the Su family and the Xie family fell from power. Now the cabinet is following the lead of Chief Minister Li. I'm afraid even my influence might not be enough to solve this problem."
However, he still sent his capable subordinates to deliver a visiting card to Li's home, but the card was returned unopened.
The Li family's attitude was extremely tough. Their young master had been severely injured and was bedridden, which would also delay the autumn imperial examinations in August. They were determined to make sure Xiao Bin spent his entire life in prison.
Xu Chengbi sighed and said, "He's just a guard. Wanwan, you can rest assured and head back to Jinling. I can handle things here."
Su Wanwan's eyes dimmed, and she went back to her room absentmindedly.
Without strong military protection, a wealthy and beautiful widow like her would be easy prey for others, and everyone would want to take a bite.
Even if they went to Jinling, they would only be at the mercy of others.
Given Xu Chengbi's personality, he would never go to great lengths to rescue Xiao Bin; instead, he would try his best to appease Chief Minister Li.
In order to appease the Li family, they even allowed Xiao Bin to be disposed of at their discretion.
She couldn't abandon Xiao Bin.
That was her savior, her most reliable and trusted confidant and partner for the past three years.
They are not relatives, but they are closer than relatives.
In recent years, if it weren't for Xiao Bin's repeated acts of risking his life to help her, she would have been dead long ago.
Su Wanwan decisively gave up leaving Beijing, and after several days of travel, her mood grew increasingly heavy.
Li Zhaoxian's body was already severely weakened, and after being beaten by Xiao Bin, he was barely breathing and his days were numbered.
The Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture was a student of Chief Minister Li, and his tone was very forceful, implying that Xiao Bin should pay with his life.
She spent a lot of money to visit Xiao Bin in prison.
Xiao Bin had numerous injuries, both large and small, sustained from severe torture, and had suffered greatly in prison.
His brows were furrowed, and his expression was grave.
"Li Zhaoxian is in such poor health, yet he still ambushed me on the road. It's hard to believe that he wasn't instigated by someone behind the scenes. Such a large-scale operation suggests that his target is not his subordinates, but you, young lady."
Su Wanwan gave a bitter smile. "I'm just a widow. I've already gone to such lengths to avoid her. What else could I possibly be worth scheming against?"
Xiao Bin knelt on one knee: "This subordinate is incompetent and has delayed the young lady's journey."
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