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

Only after His Majesty issued the decree did Xiao Zong realize that Yuan Zhi had been secretly plotting all along.

Perhaps in her heart, he was never the one she could entrust her life to, so she preferred to go to the trouble of seeking help from the King of Kang.

He stood outside the door of the west wing and knocked. "May I come in?"

Upon hearing his voice, Yuan Zhi paused for a moment, then said, "Please come in."

Xiao Zong pushed open the door and entered, seeing her sitting behind her desk, writing furiously.

He gazed intently, his eyes softening.

The Xuan paper was filled with the New Year's goods to be purchased, the decorations needed for the Lunar New Year, and the budget for banquet dishes and drinks.

At that moment, he felt a real connection to her identity as the mistress of the house.

Yuan Zhi, while calculating with her abacus, picked up her pen and asked, "What does my husband want with me?"

"What is your purpose in going to such lengths to obtain the opportunity to accompany us to Mount Dai?"

Yuan Zhi raised her eyes. "Purpose? The wine was presented by Prince Kang, and accompanying him to Mount Dai was His Majesty's idea. Even if I were opportunistic, would I dare to set my sights on His Majesty? My husband thinks too highly of me!"

Xiao Zong stared into her eyes. "In that case, I will inform His Majesty that you have suddenly fallen ill and are unable to attend."

Yuan Zhi threw down her pen, "What right do you have to make decisions for me!"

Xiao Zong's eyes were cold, and his smile was chilling: "In such a hurry, you still say you have no purpose?"

"Throughout history, how many emperors have been able to perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Dai? This is a once-in-a-century spectacle, and you're telling me to give it up?"

"Is it really just to watch the ceremony?" Xiao Zong straightened the abacus beads she had misplaced. "Actually, it's not impossible for you to go. The Leopard Guard will be in charge of the security for this trip, and I will have Dou Zhao follow you closely until the ceremony is over!"

Yuan Zhi didn't care.

Recently, the King of Wu has been in increasingly frequent contact with merchants from Tongzhou. If Li Rui dares to mobilize troops to intercept and kill the emperor, she won't need to worry about the rest. Xiao Zong sending people to monitor her has no effect on her.

She teased, "Never leaving my side? You want him to follow me everywhere I go, from bathing and changing clothes to dressing and going to bed?"

"Yuan Zhi!"

Xiao Zong gritted his teeth. She was casually bringing up something that happened between husband and wife to make fun of him?!

Yuan Zhi picked up the brush, rubbed the handle against his temple, tilted his head and smiled, "You said it yourself, who are you trying to impress with such a big temper?"

Xiao Zong was determined to regain the initiative, so he grabbed her wrist and pressed it onto the table.

The brush glided across the paper, leaving a thick ink mark. Yuan Zhi's arm was stained with a line of ink, which was particularly noticeable against her fair, snow-white skin.

"My lady, there is no need to worry! In the eyes of outsiders, we are still a loving and virtuous couple. How can we sleep in separate beds? We are naturally in the same tent and on the same bed! I will work hard at night and personally watch over you."

"Xiao Zong, you are shameless!"

He rubbed the ink stains on his arm. "Is this shameless? We've done even more shameless things before."

Yuan Zhi tried to pull her hand away, but he pressed it down again. With a stern face, she retorted, "It seems my husband didn't get enough of the pills last time and wants to try some more! Take it easy, or you'll be childless!"

"Isn't that perfect? ​​It will save my wife from always doubting the medicine's effectiveness and secretly drinking the contraceptive soup behind my back. This way, we can both have peace of mind!"

"Is this to put my mind at ease, or to put Consort Zheng's mind at ease? Isn't it because she is pregnant that your husband, in order to appease her, does not want other women to bear your child?"

Xiao Zong frowned. "What nonsense are you spouting! What does Consort Zheng's child have to do with me?"

Yuan Zhi stared intently at him, "I never said the child in her belly was yours, why are you confessing without asking me?"

"Don't be unreasonable!"

"Yes! My behavior is crude and my words are unrestrained, unlike my husband's childhood sweetheart who is understanding and gentle. Since you like her so much, why not write to His Majesty and invite Consort Zheng to go to Mount Dai together? Wouldn't it be easier for Commander Xiao to be alone with his beloved then than in the capital?"

Xiao Zong, breathing heavily, released his grip and walked out, but upon reaching the door, he felt a surge of anger and turned back, cursing:

"You are simply unreasonable!"

Yuan Zhi threw the paperweight at him, "You're clearly guilty! A real man doesn't run away when he can't win an argument. I despise you!"

The door slammed shut, and Yuan Zhi kicked wildly, growing angrier the more she thought about it.

What a jerk! Coming into her room late at night just to argue, is he bored?!

*

On the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, Yuanzhi and Luomei sat in the warm pavilion, sharing the stuffed plums made by the kitchen.

A maidservant came in to report that Young Master Baili had sent a lot of New Year's goods and asked Yuanzhi if she wanted to return the favor.

Yuan Zhi stared at the gift list in astonishment. In addition to the usual gifts given during festivals, there were also medicinal herbs such as ginseng, deer antler, snow lotus, and lingzhi, along with two lively little fire foxes.

Is this a proposal to betroth someone?

"Has Young Master Baili left yet?"

The maid replied, "No, she's playing with the fox in the backyard with Miss Rong'er!"

It wasn't appropriate for Yuan Zhi to go there now, so based on her memory, she mentioned several valuable treasures in the storeroom. She instructed her maid to retrieve them, pack them in boxes, and deliver them to General Baili's residence the next day.

Luo Mei said, "It's really troublesome to interact with powerful families! Not to mention our own families, we've sent no less than thirty gifts just to our comrades, old friends, mentors, and colleagues."

Each portion was carefully considered by the young lady, fearing she might send too little or too much, while also taking into account the family's tastes and preferences. The *** Mansion and the Kang Prince's Mansion couldn't be overlooked either; and with Miss Rong'er's husband's family to consider, she'd be quite busy!

Yuan Zhi smiled and said, "This is the first year, so it's inevitable that things will be a bit chaotic. You'll get used to it."

"That's true, but Miss stays up very late every day and has become very thin. It's heartbreaking to see!"

"New Year's Day is coming soon, things will be fine after these few busy days."

Luo Mei sighed. "Miss is so stubborn. Why don't we ask the young master to persuade her?"

As soon as Xiao Zong returned to the manor, Luo Mei told him about the matter. He remained expressionless and simply uttered three words—

understood.

Luo Mei stared at the other person's indifferent expression and thought to herself, "This is it, the young lady and the young master are going to never speak to each other again in the first year of their marriage?"

She returned to the west wing with her head down, looking like a wilted eggplant. Yuanzhi asked her what was wrong, but she wouldn't say.

In the study, Xiao Zong crumpled the third calligraphy copybook he had practiced until it was ruined, and in frustration, he threw down his pen.

Dou Zhao touched his nose, knowing without guessing why he was restless.

"If Master misses the young mistress, he should go and see her. Why make things difficult for himself here? You've been married off with all the proper betrothal gifts, and you're always peeking through the window. No wonder the young mistress is scolding you for being guilty!"

Xiao Zong threw the crumpled paper at him, "You've got some nerve, daring to criticize your master!"

Dou Zhao muttered softly, "I'm telling the truth!"

Xiao Zong pinched the bridge of his nose. "Alright! If you really have nothing to do, go and send a message to Granny Zhao, asking her to come to the manor tomorrow to help the young mistress."

Dou Zhao bowed with his sword in hand, "Yes, sir!"

After the other party left, Xiao Zong slightly opened his eyes, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

When a new bride takes charge of household affairs, her mother-in-law usually assigns two experienced nannies to assist her. However, the mother dislikes Yuanzhi and hopes she makes a mistake so she can reclaim her power of management. Why would she assign someone to her?

The relationships between prominent families are complex and intertwined; even with guidance, one cannot afford to let one's guard down. She must be exhausted, running around all by herself.

Is there ever a moment when she regrets marrying him?