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

The north wind howled outside the window, seeping in through the cracks and causing the lamplight to flicker.

Yuan Zhi's eyes were sore from the swaying light that she put down her pen and got up to close the window.

Luo Mei put the bamboo mat into the cabinet, added a quilt for the two of them, straightened up, and saw that the young lady had opened the window and let the cold wind blow in.

The Xuan paper on the desk rustled loudly in the wind, and without a paperweight to hold it down, the sheets fluttered down one by one.

She picked them up one by one, and when she saw that they were all covered with her son-in-law's name, the corners of her mouth turned up in a smile.

Sure enough, the couple made up as soon as they got out of bed. After consummating their marriage, they cared more and more about each other!

She placed the Xuan paper on the table, weighed it down with a paperweight, and squeezed in front of the young lady to close the window.

"It's almost November, and this isn't the way to cool off. What if you catch a cold?"

Yuan Zhi smiled and said, "I was going to close it, but when I got closer and the wind blew on me, my head felt so clear that I couldn't help but let it blow on me for a while longer."

"I think you've been practicing calligraphy for too long and your neck is uncomfortable. Sit down on the stool for a while and I'll give you a massage."

Yuan Zhi nodded, obediently returned to the stool, sat down, and closed his eyes to rest.

Luo Mei had just pressed a few buttons when Xiao Zong pushed the door open and came in, his hair still dripping wet.

He was covered in blood and worried that Yuanzhi would feel uncomfortable if she saw it, so he took a bath as soon as he got back.

Luo Mei stopped what she was doing and prepared to get him a cotton handkerchief.

Xiao Zong waved his hand, gesturing for silence, and took over from her, massaging Yuan Zhi's shoulders and neck.

Luo Mei covered her mouth and chuckled, then closed the door behind her as she left.

Yuan Zhi felt that Luo Mei's grip had tightened, which hurt a little, but also gave her a feeling of relief after the blockage was cleared.

She was enjoying herself when she suddenly felt a chill behind her ear. A drop of water slid down her neck and into her clothes, becoming one with them.

She suddenly opened her eyes, reached behind her ear, and grabbed the man's arm. "You're back."

"Mmm." Xiao Zong wrapped his arms around her, nuzzling her ear. "Why did you secretly write my name again?"

“There was no secret; I wrote it openly and honestly.”

His breath brushed against her ear, "You still haven't told me why you wrote my name."

Yuan Zhi's icy fingers slipped into his sleeve. "What, you won't let me write?"

"Madam, you're beating around the bush; what mischief are you plotting now?"

"Stop falsely accusing me! Who's as bad as you?"

Xiao Zong chuckled softly, burying his lips in her snow-white neck and kissing her gently.

Yuan Zhi trembled slightly, but subtly dodged away. "Husband hasn't eaten yet, has he? I'll go and ask the kitchen to prepare something."

She had just gotten up when Xiao Zong grabbed her around the waist and pulled her back, pressing her down onto the desk.

"Luomei has already left. Now, I'd like to eat something else first."

……

When the clouds dispersed and the rain stopped, it was already past midnight.

Thanks to Xiao Zong, Yuan Zhi took another bath and was now lying in bed, unable to fall asleep.

The culprit sat at the table, eating steaming hot soup noodles. The aroma wafted over, whetting her appetite.

Frustrated, she rolled out of bed, walked over with heavy steps, and sat down opposite him.

"hungry?"

Xiao Zong put down his chopsticks and served her a bowl.

The chef added an egg when kneading the dough, making the noodles smooth and fragrant. The soup base is made from beef bone broth that has been simmered for several hours, and it is seasoned with chopped green onions, salt, and other spices, making it simple yet delicious.

There were also a few side dishes on the table: stir-fried bamboo shoots, braised cabbage, taro chicken, and garlic-braised clams.

After Xiao Zong finished eating, he put down his bowl, went to the outer room to rinse his mouth, and came back to see that Yuan Zhi had only eaten half of his meal.

He sat down to keep her company, occasionally saying a word to keep the atmosphere from getting cold.

"Where did you take the palace sash that you gave me?"

"threw."

Why would you throw it away for no reason?

"Even if I burn the things I give away, I won't allow anyone else to touch them. There are so many people coming and going in the palace, who knows who might have touched them? I don't want to keep such things by my side."

Xiao Zong raised his phoenix eyes slightly, sensing that there was something more to her words. As the commander of the Leopard Guard, how many people dared to get close to him? It was nothing more than His Majesty, the Imperial Guards, and a few senior eunuchs.

Wait, there's one more person!

Xiangxiang!

Did she leave something on him that night, and Yuan Zhi discovered it?

"Is there something stuck to the sash?"

Yuan Zhi denied it, "No, I just thought it looked weird, so I threw it away. If you want it, I'll make you another one another day."

She paused slightly with her chopsticks, and said without looking up.

Men would never admit to something like this, no matter what. Anyway, her divorce plan was already taking shape, so asking or not asking made no difference!

Xiao Zong nodded, then asked, "How's the restaurant? Do you have enough money?"

Yuan Zhi finished the last bite, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, and said, "What, you still want to give me the other half of your fortune?"

"I could, but I wonder if Madam has anything else she could offer in exchange?"

Yuan Zhi rested her chin on her hand and said in a low voice, "You've drained me dry, so how about... I have a baby for you?"

Xiao Zong's gaze froze. "Are you serious?"

She gracefully stood up, walked to his side, her smiling face suddenly turned cold, and she pushed him away, saying, "It's fake."

Xiao Zong tried to catch her, but this time he missed her. Yuan Zhi walked lightly and ran to the outer room to wash up.

When Yuanzhi returned, she had the maid remove the plates and bowls. She saw Xiao Zong sitting on the edge of the bed with a gloomy expression, not saying a word.

She gave him a stern talking-to and then a sweet treat, walking over gracefully and cupping his face in her hands. "Are you angry? I never said I would never have children. The political situation is uncertain right now, and we have many enemies. Even if I dared to have a child, the child would have to survive!"

So, my husband, if you work a little harder and clear away those who are in your way, then, not only will I be able to have children, but I will also obey your every command in all other matters.”

As Yuan Zhi spoke, the little voice in her heart had already knelt down, hands clasped in prayer:

Deities and Buddhas, what I have said is pure nonsense; please do not take it seriously. Please bless me with immense wealth and handsome men surrounding me in the future. Thank you very much!

Xiao Zong pulled her hand down, "Yuan Zhi, you can't fool even a three-year-old with these words!"

"Nonsense! What three-year-old is like you, so cunning and scheming!"

"Fine! You said it was just a temporary measure during the day, but now you've confessed without being asked. Tonight I'm going to teach you a lesson to uphold your authority as a husband!"

Xiao Zong gently tickled her waist, and Yuan Zhi, tickled and dodging left and right, still couldn't escape his palm.

She laughed until she was breathless, "I beg for forgiveness, my husband, I was wrong!"

Xiao Zong withdrew his hand, gently hugged her, rested his head against her chest, and said in a heavy tone, "Zhi'er, I understand that you are right. Please wait for me a little longer. I will definitely clear away all obstacles and bring you, our future child, and the entire Xiao family a peaceful and prosperous era."

Moved by his tragic emotions, Yuan Zhi wrapped her arms around his neck and said softly, "I believe you can do it."

Even if she wasn't the one standing by his side in the end, she still hoped that all the people in the world could have a peaceful life.