Help! The cunning and treacherous minister and I were reborn together!

Slender, long fingers slid down, pinched Yuan Zhi's chin, and lifted it slightly with force.

Xiao Zong's gaze turned cold, a dark glint flashing in his eyes, beneath which a burning desire was about to burst forth.

The woman's clear, almond-shaped eyes widened, her face stubborn, awaiting his reply.

As if provoked by something, Xiao Zong felt a growing hatred. He lowered his head and covered her warm lips with his own, lingering and grinding them.

Yuan Zhi felt a buzzing sound in his ears, his mind went blank, and he blankly endured the thunder and rain he was given.

The moment her jaw was forced open, her consciousness snapped back, and she responded passionately. Xiao Zong, however, withdrew at that moment, his lowered gaze cold and desolate, as if looking at a stranger.

Yuan Zhi's eyes were glazed over as she murmured, "Why?"

If you don't like her, why did you kiss her?

Why do I always avoid her and keep my distance from her?

"The illegitimate daughter of a mere sixth-rank official dares to mention divorce to me! Could it be that I've been too amiable lately, causing my wife to have the wrong impression?"

Xiao Zong smiled sneer, his fingers continuing to slide down, lingering on her slender collarbone.

"You are my husband, and whatever I give you, you must accept. What I don't give you, you can't get even if you kneel before me. There is absolutely no way you can leave me or the Xiao family!"

Yuan Zhi pushed him away, wiped away her tears, and looked at him defiantly.

"I was born rebellious, don't expect me to abide by the Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues, or the Three Obediences and Four Virtues! Now that I am under the jurisdiction of the county magistrate, if you don't want to bring disaster to the Xiao family, you'd better agree to a divorce."

Xiao Zong picked up a boning knife. "No wonder you were so tough. You've climbed the social ladder."

Yuan Zhi stared at the blade, and asked fearfully, "What are you going to do?"

Xiao Zong brought the knife closer, saying, "Once I sever your tendons in your hands and feet, do you think the county magistrate will still value you?"

"Xiao Zong, how dare you!"

"What wouldn't I dare to do? This is the Leopard Guard. Even if I kill you, not a word of it will leak out!"

"you this……"

Before Yuan Zhi could finish speaking, he was knocked unconscious by Xiao Zong's palm strike.

When the subordinates saw the commander carrying the prisoner out, they were completely baffled.

Did they arrest the wrong person?

Or dead?

He asked the question as usual, but was pulled away by Dou Zhao who rushed over.

"Commander Dou, why are you pulling me?"

"No need to ask, it's the Commander's wife!"

"Huh?" The man reacted slowly. "What brings you and your wife to the Leopard Guard, sir? Are you here for a visit?"

Dou Zhao gave him a sharp rebuke, "No wild guesses, and no asking questions! Go back to your work!"

"Yes."

Yuan Zhi slept in a daze for a long time, and didn't open her eyes until noon the next day.

Luo Mei's eyes were red and swollen, and she cried tears of joy, "Miss, you're finally awake!"

She thought her mistress was sick and almost went to call a doctor.

"hiss--"

Yuan Zhi reached for the back of her neck, "Ouch!"

Suddenly, she sat up as if she had sprung up from a carp, and she could move her hands and feet.

Xiao Zong, that bastard, deliberately scared her yesterday and said such hurtful things. She could never forgive him!

Seeing that she was hugging her knees and not saying a word, Luo Mei asked anxiously, "Miss, what's wrong? Don't scare me!"

Having stayed in the stone chamber for so long, Yuan Zhi felt that her whole body reeked of blood, and the memory of those terrifying instruments of torture made her scalp tingle.

"I'm fine, Luomei. Prepare some hot water for me. I want to take a bath."

Luo Mei accepted the order and went out, returning to call her a quarter of an hour later.

"Miss, you may take a bath now."

After undressing, Yuanzhi sat in the wooden tub. The warm water soothed her tense body, allowing her blood to flow back and finally warming her up.

Luo Mei sprinkled flower petals soaked in fragrant dew into the water, then went behind Yuan Zhi and helped her wash her hair.

"Miss, is it true that Fourth Miss and His Highness Prince Wu are involved? You and your husband returned very late last night, were you delayed by this matter?"

Yuan Zhi, fearing that she might overthink things, omitted the topic of their argument and said, "It's true, the news spread really fast."

“That’s right. I ran into Chen Qing at the door early this morning, and he told me.”

"Are you going out?"

"No!"

Which gate are you referring to?

"At the door of Miss's room." Luo Mei said happily, "The young master said that the streets have been rather unsafe lately. If Miss goes out, it would be safer to take Chen Qing with her."

Yuan Zhi scoffed, "Safety? It's more like convenient surveillance!"

After bathing, Yuan Zhi changed into a peacock blue embroidered crane and auspicious cloud silk dress, restyled her hair, and put on two gold hairpins inlaid with butterflies and peonies, which made her look dignified, composed, and elegant.

"Miss is a little different today than before."

Yuan Zhi blinked. "Depending on the occasion, dressing appropriately can achieve twice the result with half the effort."

Luo Mei pondered for a moment, "That's true, but why is Miss dressed up so formally?"

"Business."

Yuan Zhi took all the banknotes and silver with her, checked her dowry, packed a box of jewelry, and left with Luo Mei and Chen Qing.

Luo Mei was very worried. "Miss, you've never done business before. What if you lose money?"

"Pah! Pah! Pah! Don't say such unlucky things!"

Yuan Zhi found a broker and asked if there were any restaurants or similar establishments available for rent recently.

The broker said happily, "Madam, you've come to the right place. We've found some great locations and spacious rooms. Take a look."

He took out several drawings and introduced, "This place is located in Guquan Lane, surrounded by residential houses. Shops opened here are guaranteed to have booming businesses!"

"Look at this one too. It's located on the main street, not far from the government office, so you don't have to worry about causing trouble while drunk! It's also spacious, fifteen zhang long and deep..."

After the broker finished speaking, Yuan Zhi selected two places, inspected them in person, and finally chose the restaurant on Weiyang Street.

After haggling over the price, Yuanzhi signed a contract with the broker, who then recommended several craftsmen who could help her renovate the restaurant.

Yuan Zhi readily accepted, met with the craftsman in charge, negotiated the price and construction period, and the group headed back home.

Xiao Zong went straight to the study upon returning and asked Dou Zhao to call Chen Qing over.

Chen Qing recounted everything in detail, from where the young mistress had gone to to what she had done that day, as if pouring beans from a bamboo tube.

Finally, he exclaimed, "The young mistress is just as capable as any man! You didn't see it, but when she was haggling with those unscrupulous merchants, the look in her eyes and the aura she exuded made me want to kneel down!"

Dou Zhao scoffed, "Look at you, so pathetic!"

Chen Qing retorted, "If you don't believe me, go and try it yourself!"

Xiao Zong tapped the table. "Stop arguing and get to work!"

The two men shrank back, and Xiao Zong pinched the space between his eyebrows, pondering Yuan Zhi's intentions in opening the restaurant.

Was she trying to protect herself with money, or was she acting on the orders of the county magistrate?

Boom, boom, boom.

There was a knock on the door. Xiao Zong sat up straight and said, "Come in."

Gu Yu curtsied to him, "Young Master, would you like to go and see the Young Madam?"

"What's up with her?"

"The young mistress moved all her belongings to the west wing, saying... saying she wants to sleep in a separate room from you."

Xiao Zong breathed heavily and walked out with a solemn face.

Gu Yu followed behind him, a smile spreading across her face. The young mistress had better act up and wear down the young master's patience so she could take his place!