After being reborn with my scumbag ex-husband, I became his sister-in-law.

Seeing He Yunce's suddenly determined expression, Shuangxi hesitated for a moment before nodding and agreeing.

The master was cynical and irreverent throughout his life, not only easily swayed by others' opinions but also prone to making a rash and loud noise.

This was the first time he had seen such a determined expression on his master's face. He looked as if he had matured a lot in an instant, which meant that he had really made up his mind.

If it's true that he's finally pulled himself together, that's good too.

From then on, he would bring storybooks and milk to the eldest son every day, so as not to break any taboos.

Not only will Ximoxuan accept it, but the master will also be relieved, at least there is still something to look forward to.

Shuangxi almost burst into tears: "Master, you've finally figured it out! Go ahead and take the exam, even if it takes a few more years. As long as you're determined, the master will be happy, and maybe even your relationship with the madam will improve!"

After saying this, Shuangxi knelt down and kowtowed several times to He Yunce. Then she rushed out to find candidates for the imperial examinations for He Yunce.

He Yunze nodded, and seeing Shuangxi's overwhelming joy, he felt a warmth rise in his heart as well: "Okay, go ahead."

…………

When news of He Yunze's grief and despair finally reached the Marquis's residence that he had decided to study hard for the imperial examinations, Song Xizhi had just woken up.

When I woke up, it was already dark. A few candles were dimly lit in the bedroom, casting shadowy shadows.

Song Xizhi rubbed his eyes before recognizing the person beside the bed.

It's Pei Yunyi.

He heard a noise from the bed and put away what he was holding.

The man moved quickly; before Song Xizhi could even see clearly, the object in his hand had vanished.

Song Xizhi propped herself up on the bed with both hands, sat up, and asked him curiously, "What are you doing?"

The man simply smiled slightly. He braced his strong, long arms on the bed, leaned down to meet Song Xizhi's gaze at close range, and narrowed his eyes: "It's a secret."

His movement was somewhat sudden, catching Song Xizhi off guard as she looked up at him.

In just a moment, it struck him deeply into his eyes.

His eyes were like a deep, ancient well, or a whirlpool, as if trying to suck her in.

Song Xizhi just stared at him blankly, not moving for a long time, her gaze somewhat unfocused, and she had even forgotten what he had said.

The man stared into her clear, black and white eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing, before asking in a lower voice, "What are you thinking about?"

Song Xizhi blinked before coming to his senses: "That's a secret too."

Actually, she was thinking, what would it be like if this man took off his mask and revealed his original unapproachable face?

Upon hearing this, Pei Yunyi raised an eyebrow and sat back down on the edge of the bed.

He reached out and took the warm water from beside the bed, fed Song Xi a sip, and after she had moistened her throat, he said again:

"Are you feeling better?"

"There was still milk in the stove, and several storybooks were on the square table, all of which were sent by Guanyunxuan as an apology."

As he spoke with his eyes lowered, he put the lid back on the porcelain cup, making a crisp sound, and then gently rubbed the bottom of the cup with his fingertip.

"I saw that these storybooks are some of the ones you wanted most, but they're out of print and unavailable. That's why I'm accepting them on your behalf for now."

“I respect your choice, so you don’t need to worry about me.”

Upon hearing He Yunze's name, Song Xizhi's smile faded considerably.

"Let it go this time, but don't accept it next time. I don't want to have anything to do with the people in his yard."

If we're talking about hatred, she naturally wishes He Yunce were dead.

But in this situation, Marquis An Ding and Madam He had treated him well, and He Jingyan had even saved her when she was young. Now he had sacrificed himself for the country, and his body was still warm.

No matter how much she hated him, she couldn't take He Yunce's life, let the Marquis of Anding's family line die out completely, and let Old Madam He's later years be miserable.

Upon hearing this, Pei Yunyi's tense body relaxed considerably. He looked at her with deep eyes, a hint of a smile in them, and his words carried a touch of half-dead self-mockery.

“In the past, I could have reprimanded him for coveting his elder sister-in-law, but now, I have no grounds to criticize him at all.”

Song Xizhi couldn't help but cup the man's cheeks in her hands and look at him earnestly: "You had no choice."

To fulfill He Jingyan's dying wish, the crown prince of a country would give up his own identity and willingly wear someone else's mask, serving as someone else's substitute for the rest of his life.

Song Xizhi understood his inner turmoil and struggle, because she felt the same way.

Pei Yunyi.

After she finished speaking, her voice suddenly became softer: "I love you."

The man froze, then his eyes immediately lit up: "What are you talking about?"

Song Xizhi did not evade the question, but solemnly repeated, "I said I love you."

"When I felt your heartbeat in the freezing water, I realized I had fallen in love with you."

Pei Yunyi's eyes darkened for a moment. He placed his large hand on the back of Song Xizhi's head and pressed down on her, pinning her to the bed.

The woman's soft body fell onto the bedding, and the man's large body instantly covered her completely.

Song Xizhi could even hear the man's heart pounding like a drum.

The next moment, she felt the man's rough hand grasp her chin, and his thin lips pressed deeply against hers, his unique scent filling her entire being.

My mind went completely blank for a moment.

When Song Xizhi was panting heavily, the man slowly raised his body to let her breathe for a while.

The man's hoarse voice whispered in her ear, "When I saw you jump into the lake without hesitation, I knew I hadn't loved the wrong person."

Song Xi was taken aback, not expecting him to say that: "Don't you think it's a stupid thing for me to jump into the lake to save a cat?"

Almost no one could understand her. Granny Wu didn't understand, and although her master didn't say it, he didn't understand either.

Pei Yunyi chuckled lightly, his voice carrying a hint of magnetism: "Of course I don't think you're kind just because you saved a cat, or that you deserve to do this."

Song Xizhi stared at him.

The man continued, every word coming from the bottom of his heart:

"But you are brave. Bravery here doesn't mean you can jump into the lake, but that you can choose to start a war."

"Saving a raccoon dog might be meaningless to others, but it's different for you; it's your inner demon. And you chose without hesitation to declare war on the nightmares of the past and the inner demon that entrenched deep within your heart."

"You fell into the lake as a child, were afraid of swimming, yet you learned to swim. You knew it was your weakness, but you went ahead anyway. This is something even soldiers on the battlefield find hard to do... Even I myself am not sure if I can face my inner demons."

When Song Xizhi heard this, her eyes were already red, but the man's low, husky voice continued, as if he was coaxing her.

"Actually, it wasn't me who saved you, Zhizhi, it was you who saved yourself. You saved your childhood self, and you saved your present self. Of course, you also saved the soul of that poor cat."

"When I met you in the icy lake, I could tell that your strength, swimming ability and intelligence would continue to support you, and that even without me, you would eventually be able to swim ashore."

"You won this battle."

"You will be invincible."