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

Zheng Xiangxiang sent someone to inquire about the progress of Xing'er's case. Although Xiao Zong was troubled by the divorce, he dared not really ignore it.

Xing'er had arranged for him to meet Xiangxiang, and he was the one who dealt with the lover. If the other party couldn't withstand the torture and confessed, the Xiao family and Consort Zheng would cease to exist.

He sent his spies into Kunning Palace the day before yesterday, and only today did he receive a reply saying that Miss Xing'er had been beaten to death and her body had been burned.

Xiao Zong found it strange that Xing'er hadn't died of the plague, so why burn her body?

He instructed his informants to keep a close watch and report back immediately if anything came up.

Zheng Xiangxiang was simple-minded. When she heard that Xing'er was dead, she felt relieved and even ate an extra bowl of rice.

In the evening, Xiao Zong finished his shift and went to Wei Yan Lou. The waiter said that Yuan Zhi had gone to the wine shop. When he rushed over, he was told that Yuan Zhi had just left.

After failing to catch him again, Xiao Zong's good temper finally ran out. He took leave the next day and went to the restaurant to wait for him.

Yuan Zhi was going to buy wine vats and grains for brewing wine, so she asked the coachman to stop the carriage at the entrance of Wei Yan Lou and told him to wait for her.

As soon as she stepped across the threshold, she saw Xiao Zong sitting in the center. She immediately turned around and rushed out the door.

Xiao Zong assumed Yuan Zhi would come in from the backyard and stared intently at the back door. At that moment, he suddenly heard a faint noise behind him, turned around sharply, but couldn't even see a glimpse of a piece of clothing.

He shook his head, thinking he was hallucinating.

"drive!"

The coachman cracked his whip, striking the horse's rump.

Upon hearing the sound, Xiao Zong immediately stood up and rushed out.

He ran faster, used the wall for leverage, and jumped onto the top of the carriage.

Yuan Zhi sat in the carriage and heard a "thud" above her head. Her heart felt as if it had been suspended ten thousand feet in the air and then suddenly plummeted. She moved to a corner, picked up a soft pillow, and made a futile attempt to resist.

Xiao Zong gripped the edge of the eaves with his large hands, flipped his body, and landed precisely.

The coachman was startled to see the man suddenly appear alive, lost his balance, and fell headfirst to the ground. Xiao Zong grabbed him by the front of his shirt, pulled him back, and put the whip back into his hand.

"Go home!"

The driver was newly hired by Yuan Zhi, and he assumed that Yuan Zhi was referring to returning to his master's residence, so he drove the carriage back.

Xiao Zong lifted the curtain and went inside.

A soft pillow flew towards him, which he caught, and said jokingly, "Haven't seen you for two days, and you miss me so much that you want to share the bed with me right away!"

Yuan Zhi was filled with shame and indignation, shouting, "Xiao Congyun, have you no shame?!"

Xiao Zong threw down the pillow, sat down casually in the middle, and pulled the woman in the corner into his arms. Ignoring the presence of outsiders, he whispered sweet nothings in her ear.

Yuan Zhi shoved him, "We're already divorced! Lord Xiao has bullied a respectable woman; I can go to the yamen to sue you!"

"You forged my handwriting and forged a divorce agreement. I'm already being lenient by not putting you in jail, and now you dare to threaten me?"

"Then please send me to see the officials! Let them see how cowardly and incompetent the dignified Commander of the Leopard Guard is, completely bewitched by a woman!"

Xiao Zong gripped her chin. "Still trying to provoke me?"

Yuan Zhi stroked his face, "Isn't this the kind of thing you fall for?"

"That's right."

Xiao Zongjun's handsome face suddenly loomed larger as he grabbed her cheek, forcing her to intertwine with his. Their lips clashed, the air thick with the stench of blood. One dominated, the other resisted, like two fighting lions, neither willing to yield.

Pain outweighed romance, hatred overturned old feelings, and in the fierce competition, no one gained the upper hand.

Yuan Zhi kicked him in the shin, pushed him away, sat down to the side, and fiercely wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth.

Xiao Zong ran his thumb across his thin lips, savoring the taste, and leaned closer.

Yuan Zhi warned, "Don't come any closer, or I'll kick something other than your leg!"

Xiao Zong's expression stiffened for a moment. He brushed off non-existent dust from his robe and went back to sit down.

Familiar shouts came from both sides of the road. Yuan Zhi sensed something was wrong and said to the driver, "Uncle Qian, this is not the way to the winery!"

Xiao Zong answered before the coachman could, "Who said we were going to the winery? This is the road to your house."

Uncle Qian asked, "Miss, where are we going?"

Yuan Zhi hurriedly said, "Let's get the wine..."

He had barely uttered two words when Xiao Zong covered his mouth and gave the order: "Return to the manor!"

"okay!"

Uncle Qian readily agreed.

Yuan Zhi was so angry she almost flew to heaven on the spot. Why should the person she hired listen to him?

She raised her foot to kick him, but Xiao Zong held her leg down and pinched it lightly.

"be honest."

She winked provocatively and licked his palm with the tip of her tongue.

Xiao Zong narrowed his eyes. The tingling sensation penetrated his flesh and blood, seeping into his bloodstream and flowing to every part of his body. A surge of malevolent fire rose within him, scorching his entire being. He feigned strength, but in reality, he had already surrendered completely!

Yuan Zhi saw through his pretense, and licked him again. He quickly withdrew his hand, panting and staring at her.

She looked down at him like a victorious general, her eyes filled with the disdain unique to those in a superior position.

Xiao Zong thought to himself that Yuan Zhi was more lively and alluring than when she was at the Xiao family home. Unlike when they argued before, this was a genuine joy and relief, much like—

In her previous life, she was the Imperial Noble Consort Yuan!

So, it was the Xiao family that trapped her, and it was him who trapped her!

If we let go now...

He chuckled self-deprecatingly, "What are you pretending to be, gentleman? Are you really willing to let go?"

The carriage stopped in front of the mansion. Xiao Zong looked around and found that this place was in Chongwenfang, only three streets away from the Xiao residence.

He glanced at her sideways, "The darkest place is under the lamp; Madam's plan is truly ingenious!"

Yuan Zhi went straight in, saying, "Our marriage is over. Please call me Madam Yuan!"

Xiao Zong slightly lifted his eyelids. "Alright, Madam Yuan, may I come inside and ask for a cup of tea?"

"If I say no, you won't come in?"

"Whether it's possible or not is irrelevant to me; I'm determined to enter your house!"

Yuan Zhi muttered, "Shameless!"

Xiao Zong surveyed the surroundings. The house wasn't large; it appeared to be a two-courtyard complex.

Behind the screen wall lies the front yard. Some simple flowers and plants are planted in the yard, but since it is early spring, there are no green leaves or red flowers yet, making it look somewhat dull.

The hanging flower gate connects to the covered corridor, and after passing through it, you arrive at the inner courtyard. Directly opposite is the main house, with east and west side rooms and wing rooms on both sides, which can also accommodate three or four servants.

Yuanzhi did not stay in the main house, but chose the east wing next to the bamboo grove. The wind rustled the bamboo leaves, creating a unique and pleasant atmosphere.

Xiao Zong sat down as if he were at home. Yuan Zhi glanced at him; he really was a young master, waiting for her to serve him!

Yuan Zhi, carrying a basket, was about to go outside to collect charcoal. Xiao Zong seemed to have guessed what she was going to do, so he took the tools from her hand and made her lead the way.

Free laborers, why not take them! Yuan Zhi clapped his hands, took him out, and they came back with a whole basketful.

Watching her skillfully set up the fire and boil water, Xiao Zong asked in surprise, "How do you know how to do these things?"

Yuan Zhi said calmly, "My husband has forgotten that before I married you, I was just an illegitimate daughter of the Yuan family. My father favored sons over daughters, and I was lucky to even have a maid like Luo Mei by my side!"

Luo Mei wasn't much older than me, but she did the work of several people, and she was often sick. When she wasn't around, I learned to cook, and although the food wasn't great, at least I didn't starve!