The Lord God is kneeling on the washboard again

At this time, the streets are bustling with people coming and going, and the hawkers' calls are heard one after another, full of the atmosphere of life.

The street food stalls exuded an alluring aroma, drawing passersby to stop. The elderly vendors selling candied haws (tanghulu) were beaming, their bright red fruits looking especially enticing in the sunlight. Children played among the crowds, their laughter echoing through the streets and alleys.

Several girls walked hand in hand, talking and laughing. They were dressed in bright clothes and became a beautiful scenery on the street.

A young man who looked like a scholar stood in front of the bookstall, selecting books attentively and occasionally showing a satisfied smile.

A horse-drawn carriage passed slowly, the sound of horse hooves clattering loudly, and the driver shouted loudly, reminding pedestrians to get out of the way.

At this time, the streets are full of vitality and vigor, showing all kinds of things in the world.

Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) held Xing Xuanli's hand with one hand and held their daughter with the other. Xing Xuanli held their son's hand, and the family strolled on the bustling street.

Yun Mohan's face was filled with a happy smile, and he would look down at his daughter in his arms from time to time, his eyes full of doting. His daughter giggled and waved her hands. Xing Xuanli looked at the father and daughter tenderly, then turned to look at her son, who was holding her hand beside her, and gently asked him if he was tired.

Little Mu Han looked excited, looking around curiously, and was full of novelty about everything around him.

Passing by a small stall selling candy figurines, his son stopped and looked at them eagerly. Yun Mohan saw this and smiled as he bought a candy figurine and handed it to his son. Little Muhan happily took it, licked it carefully, and a satisfied smile spread across his face.

Continuing forward, they saw street jugglers performing a wonderful show, attracting many passers-by to watch. The family also gathered over, the daughter clapping her hands and cheering, while Xing Xuanli and Yun Mohan smiled at each other.

The sunlight shone on them, creating a warm and happy picture. Their figures seemed particularly harmonious in the crowd, as if the surrounding noise had nothing to do with them. At this moment, their world was filled with only each other and this strong family bond.

The people in the attic of the restaurant, watching this scene, couldn't help but sigh: "The Prince Regent is truly lucky, to have a wife like the Palace Master of the Sun and Moon Palace, who is also devoted to him."

This person, dressed in azure, waved a folding fan, his eyes revealing envy and admiration. His companion nodded slightly, replying, "Xing Xuanli, as the Palace Master of the Sun and Moon Palace, is not only a master of martial arts and exceptional wisdom, but is also willing to work for the Regent. This is truly rare."

The man in green gently waved his folding fan and continued, "Thinking of how many couples in this world appear to be in love but are actually separated, the Prince Regent and the Princess are truly in love. It's truly a beautiful story."

A companion chimed in, "I heard they've been together all this time, going through so many hardships, yet they've always stayed together. Their deep affection is truly moving."

The man in blue looked at the heartwarming scene downstairs and couldn't help but sigh, "With such a virtuous wife, what more could a husband ask for? With such support from the Regent, I'm sure he'll be able to handle his duties at court with greater ease."

His companion laughed and said, "This is what it means when a husband and wife are of one mind, their strength can cut through metal."

The man in blue retracted his gaze and sat down again. "We should also follow the example of the Regent and his wife and find someone who truly loves us."

My companion raised his glass: "May you and I be so lucky."

The two smiled at each other and drank the wine in their glasses.

But the people in the restaurant box on the other side didn't think so much.

Inside the box, several elegantly dressed people sat together, their faces gloomy. One of them snorted coldly, "What good fortune does this regent have? He's just relying on women."

Another person echoed, "That's right. Although Xing Xuanli is the Palace Master of the Sun and Moon Palace, who knows if she has any ulterior motives behind her."

The man sitting at the head of the table frowned, his eyes sinister. "The power of this regent is growing day by day, which is extremely disadvantageous to us."

Someone suggested: "Why don't we start with his wife and find a way to destroy their relationship."

"Don't be reckless." The first person pondered for a moment, "Xing Xuanli is not easy to deal with either. This matter requires long-term planning."

Everyone nodded, and the atmosphere in the box became more and more solemn. They were plotting with ulterior motives, trying to destroy the happiness and peace of Yun Mohan and Xing Xuanli.

Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) and his family of four walked into the restaurant, instantly attracting a lot of attention. The children looked around excitedly, while Xing Xuanli looked at them tenderly with a smile on her face.

Yun Mohan found a seat by the window and asked his wife and children to sit down. The waiter hurried over to greet them and attentively handed them the menu.

"Li'er, what would you like to eat?" Yun Mohan handed the menu to Xing Xuanli.

Xing Xuanli took the menu, looked at it carefully, and ordered a few dishes that the children liked.

"Daddy, I want to eat that sweet pastry." said the daughter, pointing to the picture on the menu.

"Okay, light them all." Yun Mohan touched his daughter's head lovingly.

The son sat quietly by the side, watching his parents order food obediently.

Soon, the delicious dishes were served one after another, and the family happily enjoyed them. The children's faces were full of happiness as they ate, and Yun Mohan and Xing Xuanli kept picking up food for them, their eyes full of love.

At this moment, the guests at the next table began to murmur, "This is the Regent's family. They are so happy."

"Yeah, it makes people envious just looking at it."

Yun Mohan smiled slightly when he heard these discussions, and looked at Xing Xuanli, their eyes filled with sweetness.

Duanmu Yi walked into the restaurant and saw Xing Xuanli eating, so he went up to her and asked, "Fourth sister, you are here. I went to the Regent's Mansion to look for you this morning, and the servants said that you and the Regent were out."

Xing Xuanli was not happy to see the person coming. She just replied indifferently, "It's Master Duanmu." There was no joy on her face.

Duanmu Yi didn't seem to care about Xing Xuanli's indifference. He sat down at the table and said, "It's been a while since we last met. Now my fourth sister has become the Palace Master of the Sun and Moon Palace.

"No matter what, we are a family after all. Why should Fourth Sister be so distant to me?" Duanmu Yi's face showed a trace of helplessness and confusion.

Xing Xuanli frowned slightly and said indifferently, "Master Duanmu, the past is the past. My status is different now, and I have long severed ties with the Duanmu family and taken my mother's surname. I hope you will not mention the past again."

Yun Mohan stood aside, his eyes filled with vigilance, and said coldly, "Master Duanmu, since my wife has made her position clear, please don't bother me."

Duanmu Yi looked at Yun Mohan and snorted coldly: "Prince Regent, I am talking to my fourth sister, it is not your turn to interrupt."

"Enough!" Xing Xuanli said angrily, "Duanmu Yi, please stop making trouble here. My husband and I came out just to enjoy a moment of peace and quiet, and we don't want to be disturbed by you."

At this time, other people in the restaurant also looked sideways, casting curious glances at the dispute at the table.

Duanmu Yi saw Xing Xuanli was angry, and his tone softened a little: "Fourth sister, I was just anxious at the moment, and I mean no harm."

Xing Xuanli turned her head away and stopped looking at him: "Whether you have any ill intentions or not, please leave. I have nothing to do with the Duanmu family anymore and don't want to be involved in anything anymore."

Duanmu Yi looked lonely and stood up slowly: "Okay, since fourth sister is so heartless, I will leave." After saying that, he turned and left.

The restaurant returned to peace, but Xing Xuanli and Yun Mohan's mood was disturbed, and they no longer had the previous ease and joy.

Meanwhile, in the Duanmu Mansion, Duanmu Jin paced back and forth in the hall, muttering, "I'm so pissed off! This rebellious girl is completely lawless. She left the Duanmu family and thought she could do whatever she wanted after becoming the Palace Master of the Sun and Moon Palace."

His face was terribly gloomy, and the veins on his forehead were throbbing. "Back when she was in the Duanmu family, I treated her well. Now she dares to be so disobedient, disregarding the family's reputation."

The butler beside him said cautiously, "Master, calm down. Perhaps the fourth young lady was just impulsive."

Duanmu Jin swung his sleeves and angrily scolded, "Impulsive? She's grown wings and wants to fly!"

"Master, what should we do next? We can't let the Fourth Young Lady go on like this." The butler asked tentatively.

Duanmu Jin stopped, his eyes cold: "Humph, she thinks she can be free and at ease after leaving the Duanmu family? I will make her know that the Duanmu family is not something she can leave just because she wants to."

The housekeeper echoed, "Master is right, but the Fourth Young Lady is now the Palace Master of the Sun and Moon Palace. I'm afraid she will be difficult to deal with."

Duanmu Jin snorted coldly, "Difficult to deal with? I don't believe she can stay so arrogant forever. Send someone to keep an eye on her. If there's a chance, bring her back to me."

"Yes, sir." The butler responded and turned around to make arrangements.

Duanmu Jin sat back in his chair, his expression still grim, secretly thinking about how to make Xing Xuanli submit.

Mrs. Duanmu, who was standing by, suddenly sneered, "Oh! Stop deceiving yourself," "Do you really think Duanmu Li is your biological daughter? That woman was already pregnant when she married into the family. Has she ever let you into her yard in all these years?"

Duanmu Jin's expression instantly turned extremely ugly. He glared at Madam Duanmu and shouted, "Stop talking nonsense! No matter what, she is the daughter of the Duanmu family."

Madam Duanmu didn't flinch at all and continued, "Hmph, Master, don't you know clearly? For all these years, has she ever been even a little bit like your daughter in the mansion? Her temper is so stubborn that even ten bulls can't pull her back."

Duanmu Jin was so angry that he clenched his fists, "Enough! Even if she is not my biological child, she has been raised in the Duanmu family for so many years, she should know how to be grateful."

Madam Duanmu laughed sarcastically, "Gratitude? Master, you are so harsh and indifferent to her, and you still expect her to be grateful? She is lucky to be alive until now and not be killed by the open and secret attacks in this mansion."

Duanmu Jin was speechless and could only snort angrily, turn around and leave.

Mrs. Duanmu looked at his departing back, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes, including resentment and helplessness.

Duanmu Ya asked Madam Duanmu: "Mother, is Xing Xuanli really not the daughter of our Duanmu family?"

Whenever Madam Duanmu thought of Xing Lanyue's cold face, she couldn't vent her anger. She snorted coldly, "That woman actually used seductive tactics to have affairs with wild men. She's pregnant with an unknown child, and yet she still pretends to be noble. Back then, she was pregnant when she entered the mansion, but your father was completely bewitched by her and insisted on taking her as a concubine. Now, look what's happened. She gave birth to Xing Xuanli, who is also a restless creature. She even dared to leave the Duanmu family!"

Duanmu Ya's eyes widened, her face full of disbelief: "Mom, this...if this gets out, our Duanmu family's reputation will be ruined."

Madam Duanmu glared at her fiercely: "Keep your voice down! If this gets out, you'll be in trouble. It's all that bitch's fault. She brought shame to our Duanmu family."

Duanmu Ya said timidly, "Mom, what should we do now? We can't just let things go on like this."

Madam Duanmu frowned and after a moment's contemplation, she said, "Let's suppress this matter first and never let outsiders know about it. As for Xing Xuanli, humph, if she dares to leave the family, she won't have a good life."

Duanmu Ya hesitated for a moment and said, "Mom, maybe there is some misunderstanding?"

Madam Duanmu shouted angrily, "Misunderstanding? What kind of misunderstanding could there be? That woman is not a good person. How can the daughter she gave birth to be any good?"

After saying this, Mrs. Duanmu sat down on the chair angrily, her chest heaving violently.

There was a secret room at the back of Duanmu Jin's study. Duanmu Jin pressed the door lightly, and with a "click", the door slowly opened.

He walked in cautiously. The place was filled with an old-fashioned atmosphere. The faint candlelight flickered in the darkness, illuminating the various objects placed around.

There was a painting hanging on the wall. The woman in the painting looked about 70% similar to Xing Xuanli. Duanmu Jin muttered to himself in front of the painting: "Xing Lanyue, why do you look down on me?"

His eyes were filled with resentment and resentment, and his voice trembled slightly: "I, Duanmu Jin, am a well-known figure in this city. Many women are attracted to me, but you just ignore me."

Duanmu Jin approached the portrait, his fingers gently brushing the face of the woman in the painting, as if wanting to touch that distant figure: "I gave you a status and let you into the Duanmu family, but you always treat me coldly."

His face became increasingly gloomy: The daughter you gave birth to has exactly the same temperament as you, and his eyes were filled with anger and helplessness.

Thinking back to Xing Xuanli's actions, that stubborn look and resolute attitude were exactly the same as Xing Lanyue's back then.

Xing Lanyue had always been aloof and aloof, never willing to yield to him. Now her daughter, Xing Xuanli, was also going her own way, disregarding the Duanmu family's rules and reputation, and resolutely leaving the family.

Duanmu Jin was both angry and resentful. He was angry at the mother and daughter's disobedience, and he hated that he could never control them.

"Humph, they're all the same, giving you a headache." He said angrily. Duanmu Jin gritted his teeth and slammed his fist on the table next to him: "What's wrong with me that makes you so disgusted?"

His angry and helpless questions echoed in the room, but the woman in the portrait still looked quietly into the distance, with no response to his pain.

He didn't know where Xing Lanyue came from. Back then, Xing Lanyue gave him the elixir in exchange for allowing him to enter the Duanmu family as his concubine.

Duanmu Jin still vividly remembers that mysterious and special day. Xing Lanyue suddenly appeared before him, her simple and elegant attire unable to conceal her elegant and refined demeanor. Her eyes were firm and deep, as if hiding endless secrets.

Duanmu Jin, I have the elixir you've been dreaming of, as long as you agree to one condition." Xing Lanyue's voice was crisp and cold, without a trace of warmth.

Duanmu Jin looked at the bottle in her hand that was emitting a strange light in surprise, his heart filled with desire and curiosity.

"What conditions?" he asked impatiently.

"Let me enter the Duanmu family as your concubine." Xing Lanyue said without hesitation.

Duanmu Jin was stunned for a moment. He didn't understand why this strange woman would make such a request, nor did he know what her purpose was. But faced with the bottle of elixir that could change his fate, he finally nodded.

Since then, Xing Lanyue has been living in the Duanmu family. However, she always keeps to herself and is indifferent to everything in the Duanmu family. Duanmu Jin tries to understand her and get close to her, but she always keeps him at a distance.

Looking back now, Duanmu Jin was filled with confusion and helplessness. He didn't know Xing Lanyue's past, didn't understand why she entered the Duanmu family in this way, and didn't know what she was pursuing.