After the eldest sister-in-law of a fishing family became a widow, her disabled younger brother-in-l

However, Xie Jinglan did not expect Jiang Yuyue to mistake him for being drunk. But because the atmosphere was right, he simply went along with it.

He reached out and pulled the blanket back up for Jiang Yuyue, then expertly pulled her into his arms.

Feeling the long-lost tenderness, Xie Jinglan's gaze lingered on her face. Recalling the past few days, since Jiang Yuyue became pregnant, she had been very respectful to him in every way. Although he couldn't say it out loud, such behavior made him extremely dissatisfied.

However, due to the constraints of his current status, he had no choice but to give up.

His gaze deepened, unable to bear touching her soft, delicate lips with his fingertips.

There will be plenty of time in the future after we leave the Xie family.

……

on the street.

Xie Yuan kept pulling Xie Zhi along as they searched for Pei Jingchuan. As everyone on the street left, Xie Zhi cursed inwardly.

"Sister Yuan'er, it's getting late, we really should go back."

But how could she dare to do it openly? She could only cautiously advise, "That young master must have already gone home. After all, you've already found out his name, so wouldn't it be better to go look for him during the day tomorrow?"

Xie Yuan was already annoyed, and hearing her words made her even more anxious. "If you hadn't been dawdling behind me, how could I have failed to find Young Master Pei?!"

She had already cursed Xie Zhi countless times on the way, and now she was really tired of cursing. Besides, it was getting late, so Xie Yuan had no choice but to head back home for the time being.

The two returned together and slipped into the Xie family's residence. When they parted ways at the crossroads, Xie Yuan did not forget to give them a vicious threat.

"You absolutely mustn't let a word of our trip today slip out! If you dare utter a single word, you'll be in big trouble!"

Seeing Xie Zhi nod repeatedly under her threats, Xie Yuan then returned to her own courtyard.

Little did they know that as soon as they turned the corner, Xie Zhi immediately ran to her own courtyard and summoned her personal maid, Yulan.

"Go quickly to the First Madam's courtyard."

Xie Zhi whispered, "Go tell her that the Second Miss is missing!"

She suffered so much at Xie Yuan's hands tonight, how could we possibly let her off easily?!

Because Xie Yuan was the most favored granddaughter of the Xie family, unlike Xie Zhi who lived in a remote area, her courtyard was located in the most central part of the Xie mansion, which was close to the old lady's courtyard. If she wanted to sneak back without being noticed, she would have to take a long detour.

When she tiptoed through the courtyard gate, she was met with Madam Xie's face, which was full of anger.

"Mother... mother?"

Xie Yuan was surprised that her mother would come to her room so late and panicked a little. "When did you arrive?"

Madam Xie looked at her with utter disappointment, "I should ask you, where have you been gallivanting off to?!"

"I didn't go anywhere..."

Xie Yuan still wanted to cover it up, saying, "I was just taking a walk in the backyard to get some fresh air..."

"You still dare to lie!?"

The First Madam's voice suddenly rose, then she gritted her teeth and lowered her voice, "Your grandmother hasn't been as kind to you as before these days, and you dare to defy the wind at this critical juncture, sneaking out to play so late at night!? Who gave you such audacity!?"

Xie Yuan subconsciously wanted to say a few more words in her defense, but Madam Xie sighed deeply.

“Yuan’er, your brother is gone, and I only have you left as my child. If you continue to be disgraceful, where will I put my face? I will not make a fuss about what happened tonight. You will stay in the courtyard and reflect on your actions for half a month. If you dare to do it again, then you will have to kneel in the ancestral hall.”

After saying this, the First Madam turned and left, leaving Xie Yuan standing there in a daze.

How did her mother find out she went out?

At that moment, the maid Cuihong came out of the room. Seeing that she looked unwell, she timidly said, "Miss, it's windy outside, you should go back inside..."

Before she could finish speaking, Xie Yuan slapped her across the face, leaving five clear finger marks on Cui Hong's face.

"You good-for-nothing, you have no sense of propriety! Who told you to tell Mother?!"

Xie Yuan turned pale with anger, while Cui Hong immediately cried and defended herself, "Miss, you're innocent! I didn't say a single word! I grew up with you since I was little, how could I have ever betrayed you?!"

Hearing this, Xie Yuan calmed down for a moment and realized that Cui Hong's words made sense. But the only people who knew her going out besides Cui Hong were... Xie Zhi?!

The thought of Xie Zhi made Xie Yuan's face darken even more. She never expected that this brat would dare to betray her!

……

The next day, Jiang Yuyue was awakened by a series of urgent knocks on the door.

Rubbing her sleepy eyes, Jiang Yuyue got up and opened the door, only to be met with Xiao Liu's flustered gaze.

"Thank goodness, Miss, you really are here!"

Xiao Liu breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing her, but then her voice carried a hint of reproach, "Miss! You said you were going out for a stroll and would be back soon, but you haven't returned all night! You didn't even ask Jixiang to come and tell me, making me worry all night!"

"When I came in just now, there was no one in the courtyard. My heart was in my throat!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuyue remembered her promise to Xiao Liu. So much had happened last night that she had forgotten to inform Xiao Liu.

"It definitely won't happen again next time."

She held Xiaoliu's hand earnestly.

Seeing her like this, Xiao Liu couldn't bring herself to be angry. As long as she was safe, that was all that mattered. But glancing into the room, she saw two quilts on the soft couch...

Xiao Liu's heart skipped a beat.

"Miss...you wouldn't...?"

"of course not."

Jiang Yuyue explained, "Last night, the Third Young Master got drunk and wouldn't leave me alone, so I stayed here with him all night. I didn't do anything."

Seeing that Jiang Yuyue's clothes were indeed the same as yesterday's, unchanged, Xiao Liu was relieved and then quickly said.

"Miss, you should freshen up and go back quickly. I don't know what happened last night, but the First Madam seemed to have a huge tantrum in the Second Miss's courtyard. We haven't seen her come out today."

"Fortunately, the First Madam did not come to see you in person; she only sent a maid to bring you hot porridge early this morning."

Xie Yuan?

Jiang Yuyue raised an eyebrow, probably because her sneaking out had been discovered. However, Jiang Yuyue didn't care about her affairs. She asked Xiao Liu to tidy up her appearance in front of the mirror.

As the two were about to leave, they noticed that the table in the courtyard was now filled with food.

"Have breakfast before you go."

Xie Jinglan sat at the table, his expression no longer that of a drunkard from the previous night. He had changed into a clean, moon-white robe, which accentuated his elegant figure.

He was nothing like the stubborn man who had been holding her hand while drunk the night before.

Jiang Yuyue couldn't help but feel a bit of a contrast. She wanted to make a few teasing remarks, but thinking of Jixiang's "tragic background," she didn't say anything in the end.

She walked to the table, sat down, and simply picked up her chopsticks to accept the offer.

"Then I shall respectfully comply."

Seeing that she was getting fuller and fuller, Xie Jinglan's expression softened a little, and he quietly watched her finish her breakfast.

The chef Xie Jinglan hired was as skilled as ever. Jiang Yuyue ate to her heart's content before taking a detour back to her own courtyard.