My Lord, please respect yourself. I am the wife of a marquis.

Chapter 21 If you treat me as a substitute, don't blame me for using you

When she returned to the room, she found Xiao Yunjin standing by the window, playing with her jade pendant. Probably because he heard her open the door, he turned around and greeted her with a smile, "You're back."

Su Muxi hummed lightly and watched him put the jade pendant into his arms.

"It's getting late. I asked Zhijuan to prepare some water for you. Wash up first and we'll talk later."

This scene was particularly familiar. In her previous life, every time she came back from a war, he would look at her like this, but at that time, what they talked about most was the war situation.

Now is indeed the time to have a good talk, so he nodded and went next door.

The warm water flowed over her body. It used to be the most comfortable temperature, but now it felt too hot. She endured it slowly and even asked Zhijuan to add some hot water. She couldn't allow herself to be afraid at all. Just like when she helped Su Chen, she couldn't allow herself to be afraid.

She didn’t know if it was because of the evaporation of temperature or because of overcoming her fear, but she felt a little dizzy after coming out of the bath. She leaned on the chaise longue and asked Zhijuan to help her twist her hair.

When she was about to fall asleep, she heard footsteps and knew that there was someone behind her, but she did not open her eyes. She still had to overcome the fear of him.

His force was very light, but he would always pull her scalp inadvertently. The slight pain always reminded her of the danger. His gentleness and cruelty, his kindness and deception, all frightened her. Even if he didn't say a word, it was enough to shock her. Sweat slowly seeped out of her palms. She hated herself now, but she was still afraid of him after two lives.

"Your concerns are not without reason. After all, I did not consider it properly. I have thought about it carefully. My cousin is dead. I really should not be too involved with the palace. I have asked my father to send someone else to handle the affairs of the palace. I will not see her again in the future."

The voice was soft and gentle, as if confirming that she was not asleep.

"I still remember your heroic figure when we met in the peach forest. I wanted to marry you sincerely, but I tripped you up and made you worried. It was my fault."

"I talked with my father and brother today and learned a lot about your life in the northwest. They all expressed regret. If it weren't for me, your wife might have been Princess Anping."

"I know that you are striving to be the garrison commander, in large part because of me. If you can be at ease, just do it if you want. I will support you."

Xiao Yunjin couldn't see her expression clearly, nor did he know whether she believed what he said. The long hair in his hand was incredibly soft. The ends of her hair fell on his legs and entangled with his long hair, reminding him of a saying: married couples should love each other without doubt.

But it’s ridiculous to think about it. He got married twice, and it was all a conspiracy. He was responsible for the lives of tens of thousands of people, so how could he talk about love?

If she cooperates with him well, he will give her a status after the success. If she ruins his plan, he has ten thousand ways to make her live a life worse than death.

Even with this thought, when the long hair slipped from his hands, Xiao Yunjin's hand still tightened a little, as if he was trying to hold back something.

Su Muxi stood up and said, "I am different from that girl in the boudoir. I was rash and lacked sense of propriety, which caused a lot of gossip to the prince. Today, my mother woke me up. Prince, don't worry, I will discuss things with you in advance in the future. I hope that the prince can also inform me in advance like me."

Xiao Yunjin twisted his fingertips, as if the slippery touch was still there, "Okay, we'll discuss this later if we have anything to do."

There was a caution in her voice that he didn't notice. "It's late, let's rest!"

The curtains blocked the moonlight outside the window, and in the small space, the heartbeat seemed to be heard very clearly.

Su Muxi did not reject the outstretched hand. She lay in his arms with force and slowly closed her eyes.

Xiao Yunjin stroked the long hair again. It was obviously the tallest among all the noble ladies, but now that he held her in his arms, he realized that it was just a small ball.

He knew that the person in his arms was not asleep. To be honest, he couldn't sleep either. He had a beautiful girl in his arms, but he was not Liu Xiahui.

But his wife is not a simple person. Now he knows that she is using her as a substitute and she also happened to have caught him meeting Jiang Wanning.

A faint fragrance filled the air at the tip of her nose. Her breathing was light, but it made her chest itch. His throat rolled, but his eyes became clearer. Since she had evil intentions towards him, he shouldn't blame him for taking advantage of her.

The long night passed slowly without anyone noticing. When Su Muxi woke up, she was still in his arms. His clothes were disheveled and open, revealing his slightly heaving chest.

Su Muxi withdrew her gaze and quietly left the embrace.

The morning sun was mild and it was indeed a sunny day. She picked up a sword and started practicing in the yard.

At the end, he saw Xiao Yunjin standing by the window. The morning light was shining down softly, and his whole body softened.

Su Muxi put away the sword and hung it on the weapon rack beside him. "Did I disturb you?"

"No," Xiao Yunjin shook his head, "Madam, don't you have your own sword?"

"I don't use a sword. I use guns on the battlefield." Su Muxi said this and went to wash up.

There will be a palace banquet tomorrow night, and the Duke of Zhenguo will leave Beijing early the day after tomorrow. We won’t have many opportunities to get together, so the family will have their meals together.

Just when he was halfway through his breakfast, a eunuch came to convey an imperial decree, summoning the Duke of Zhenguo to the palace to discuss matters.

Su Muxi took the purse and got three words from the eunuch who delivered the imperial edict: Marquis of Jian'an.

After sending away the eunuch who delivered the imperial edict, Su Muxi glanced at Xiao Yunjin and immediately sent someone to inquire about the news. She was afraid that what happened in her previous life would happen again.

Su Muxi was restless and wished she could check it herself.

Xiao Yunjin felt uncomfortable with that look, so he stepped forward and held her shoulders, forcing her to look at him, "Madam, the matter of Marquis Jian'an should not involve Dad, don't worry."

It’s quite easy to call you dad. Su Muxi stared into his eyes, showing no emotion at all, as if he was just trying to comfort her.

When Su Chen came back from the suburbs yesterday, she spoke too quickly. Xiao Yunjin knew that she had met Zhao Siyu. Although she interrupted the events of the previous life, she didn't know how things developed afterwards.

The news came quickly. The second daughter of Marquis Jian'an attempted to murder her elder sister but failed. The poison was accidentally ingested by Princess Kangping and was in danger. Zhao Siyu was thrown into prison.

Princess Kangping was in danger, and Zhao Siyu was thrown into prison.

Is this the chain reaction that occurred after rescuing Zhao Siyu? At this moment, Su Muxi panicked, an unknown fear swept over her, and she regretted pushing all this.

Princess Kangping is also an unknown. As the emperor's first child, she is already very doted on. She even saved the emperor's life when she was young. The consequences of her accident now are immeasurable.

Is it one wave or multiple waves of people who are the driving force behind all this? And what role does Xiao Yunjin play in it?