Night breeze was cool, Xie Yun hugged Sang Yao’s waist and calmly said to her, “Why do we need a child when I have you?”

Although this made Sang Yao very happy, the fact remained that you couldn’t just say no to having a child.

Although she was very unfamiliar with pregnancy, occasionally when she looked at her little nephew, she would also think he was so cute.

Such a cute child could be born to play with.

Sang Yao let him hug her and asked, “Don’t you like children?”

Xie Yun looked at her, didn’t answer directly, but asked, “Do you want one?”

Sang Yao couldn’t say whether she wanted one or not, but today she suddenly thought of this question.

After pondering for a while, Sang Yao didn’t answer Xie Yun immediately.

But soon, Xie Yun hugged her and walked into the bathroom. He said seriously, “I like you the most.”

Sang Yao had heard this phrase so many times that she didn’t feel anything anymore.

She just said, “Then don’t drink that medicine in the second half of the year.”

“It’s not good for your body to drink too much. Let’s just go with the flow.”

Xie Yun didn’t answer, nor did he promise.

Seeing that Xie Yun was testing the waters, Sang Yao thought of the topic of children again, which reminded her of her sister.

So she asked Xie Yun, “By the way, is my sister’s ‘child’ still there?”

Xie Yun nodded and said, “Still there.”

Sang Yao knew that her sister had always been very clever.

She had established herself in the harem when Sang Yin was still just a minor bookbinder, which was enough to show that she was not simple.

In the past two years, there had been a change of generations in the palace, and although she had fallen out of favor for a while, she didn’t know why, but now she was favored again and in the limelight.

Sang Yao didn’t know if Sang Shu had to bear the emperor’s child out of necessity or if it was her own choice.

This child would definitely not be born.

Sang Yao knew too little.

She didn’t know what Sang Shu really wanted to do, what her plans were, and whether she was confident.

Xie Yun could roughly guess what she was thinking and said, “Don’t worry.”

Sang Yao asked, “Why? Do you have a way to help my sister?”

Xie Yun shook his head and said, “It’s useless for you to worry.”

It was difficult to explain the affairs of the deep palace in a few words.

From the moment Sang Shu made her decision, she had to understand the cost of failure.

If the plan was exposed, even if Xie Yun tried to help her out of loyalty, he could only swap the beam for a pillar before the death sentence and then let her live in hiding, without any possibility of making a comeback.

Because no matter how they fought, it all came down to internal struggles within the royal family.

As long as it didn’t involve the Xie family, Xie Yun wouldn’t interfere too much.

It had always been like this.

He didn’t want to contend with royal power, as the result of sharing power would only lead to armed conflict.

So, since Xie Yun’s grandfather’s generation, the Xie family had started to step back.

Advisors were the way out for the Xie family.

The more Xie Yun did in these royal struggles, the more the royal family trusted him.

The Xie family produced talented advisors, and the monarch remained clear-headed.

Over the years, the Xie family’s prudent approach had earned them the emperor’s trust.

Therefore, over the past hundred years, a subtle balance had been formed, and no one had crossed the line.

Xie Yun would ensure that the Xie family remained brilliant during his lifetime.

As for the future, that was for future generations to worry about.

Sang Yao just said, “Oh,” and thought it made sense.

What her sister did was a risky move, and Xie Yun couldn’t get involved.

She hugged Xie Yun’s neck and said, “Then can I still go see my sister during this time?”

Xie Yandao said, “Of course you can, but recently, the Empress Dowager has been critically ill. Your sister, along with many concubines from the palace, is copying scriptures and praying for her day and night. I’m afraid she doesn’t have time to see you.”

Still praying for blessings.

Sang Yao felt a bit guilty for her sister and said, “Forget it then, I won’t go.”

Xie Yan smiled slightly, staring at Sang Yao’s soft and tender face, and said, “But if you want to get pregnant, there is a necessary path.”

Sang Yao asked, “What?”

Before she could finish, she added seriously, “I’m not very interested, though.”

Xie Yandao whispered something in her ear.

His words were like a thunderbolt, startling Sang Yao, who immediately frowned. She had no idea how Xie Yandao could say such improper things.

It’s one thing to say a few words while rolling around, but it’s another thing after getting up. Who would say such things in a decent manner?

He didn’t think there was anything wrong. He leisurely untied his belt, and then in the light mist, he said to her gently, “Let’s bathe together, Yao Yao.”

Sang Yao was not very willing. She knew what Xie Yandao meant and held her clothes tightly, saying, “I’m not sleeping with you tonight.”

Then she remembered something and complained, “You haven’t washed off the paint from last time.”

Xie Yandao used a special kind of ink, which, according to him, was not only easy to wash off but also had beauty-enhancing properties.

Sang Yao didn’t know about the beauty-enhancing part, but it had been several nights and it still hadn’t completely washed off.

At this point, Xie Yun was already shirtless, his muscles sleek and powerful, his chest broad, and the solid abdominal muscles were like the tail feathers of the lonely eagle tattoo behind him.

Sang Yao couldn’t help but be attracted by his body.

Once you’ve had it once, you’ll have it again. Since giving her the sapphire dress, Xie Yun had also prepared a shell dress, an emerald dress, and even a pearl dress made by himself.

The name was, “Jewels nourish people, so you should wear more.”

Sang Yao watched him for a while, thinking that she couldn’t always let him take advantage. Otherwise, she should think of a dress for Xie Yun too.

But after thinking for a long time, Sang Yao felt that she was probably a decent person after all.

Although he looked good without clothes, she preferred his usual dignified and serious look.

If he didn’t take off his clothes to sleep with her, she would be dissatisfied.

Xie Yun had already grabbed Sang Yao’s hand and replied, “It will come off with a lick.”

In that moment of distraction, Sang Yao was already caught by him.

Not only did she lose her initiative, but she was also forced to take a very tiring bath.

By the time the two returned to bed, half an hour had passed.

Sang Yao was so tired, sleepy, and exhausted.

But obviously, this matter was not going to end so soon. Going to bed did not mean resting, but finding a more convenient place.

A small bamboo leaf incense cat woven by Sang Yao was tied to the head of the bed. The cat swayed back and forth, never stopping for a long time.

…

When it was almost over, Sang Yao lay on Xie Yun’s body. She was no longer sleepy, too lazy to move, and didn’t want to bathe.

Her weak fingers landed on his waist, accurately touching that tattoo.

She blinked and her voice was a bit hoarse as she asked him in the darkness, “Why did you get this tattoo?”

Xie Yun did not hug her to clean up.

He always liked her to be filled with his scent. He replied, “Because it’s fun.”

A very perfunctory answer.

Sang Yao didn’t believe it. She moved her head and said seriously, “Are you not willing to say?”

Xie Yun: “I indeed—”

Sang Yao rolled off him and said, “Forget it if you don’t want to say.”

Xie Yun wanted to hug her, but Sang Yao slapped his hand lightly.

It didn’t hurt at all.

He forcibly hugged her and then slowly said to the back of her head, “When I was thirteen, I followed my uncle to the border. It was different from the capital there. There were deserts and wilderness, freer than the capital.”

Sang Yao had never been there, so she couldn’t imagine it.

His voice was calm and concise, “Later, I happened to meet a sergeant who was two years older than me and knew how to carve falcons. Our relationship was good. Many people, including me, went to him.”

Sang Yao turned over slowly, looked at Xie Yun, and muttered, “How come you were also someone who liked to join in the fun when you were young?”

Xie Yun successfully re-captured Sang Yao and then pondered for a moment before saying, “Not entirely.”

He said seriously, “At that time, I heard that when they got married, they had to give a falcon to their wife.”

“Then I’m saved from trouble.”

“…What trouble are you saving?”

Xie Yun parted Sang Yao’s legs, and before she could react, he bent his waist and said in her ear, “Didn’t I give myself to you?”

---

The summer heat had gradually faded away, and the lush green leaves gradually turned golden, falling weakly from the treetops.

October was already more than half over.

After the lesson in September, Sang Yao always traveled with a large group of people, and whether it was her misconception or not, she could see surprise in the eyes of others wherever she went, as if they were silently criticizing her for being so ostentatious.

But in fact, under the Emperor’s feet in the capital, there weren’t so many idle people desperate enough to harm her.

So, after several times, Sang Yao felt burdensome and withdrew half of her entourage.

She went out today to go to a cloth shop to pick some soft cloth for her soon-to-be-born nephew’s clothes.

It would have been fine for others to send it, but Sang Yao also wanted to go and personally check the account books of the cloth shop on behalf of Shen Miaoyi.

The cloth shop was a bit far from the Xie family’s residence. Sang Yao set out early in the morning, and by the time she returned, it was already afternoon.

To prevent Sang Yao from being tired, the carriage stopped at an inn. Huai Meng helped her down from the carriage, and a loud shout came from beside her.

“Yao Yao!”

Sang Yao turned her head to look and saw Sang Yinyue.

She had changed her outfit, no longer the gentle and luxurious look of a young lady in the capital, but more of a light and agile style, which really gave her the air of someone who had experienced the world.

At the moment, she was being blocked by a servant from Sang Yao’s side.

Sang Yao raised her hand, and the servant let Sang Yinyue come over.

She immediately hugged Sang Yao’s arm affectionately and said happily, “Yao Yao, I finally see you!”

Sang Yao looked her up and down and said, “Why are you dressed like this?”

Sang Yinyue chuckled and said, “Because I’m leaving!”

Sang Yao took Sang Yinyue into the inn, and the two sat facing each other.

Sang Yinyue looked around and said cautiously, “Your scary husband didn’t come, did he?”

She used to think that Xie Yan had a cold face but a warm heart and was easy to talk to.

After the last time, she never wanted to see him again. She didn’t know how Yao Yao could fall for such a cunning man.

Sang Yao said, “He’s busy.”

Sang Yao had been informed that her cousin, who had caused trouble, had run away from the Sang family several days ago and had disappeared without a trace.

The originally arranged marriage had fallen through.

Sang Yao knew that Sang Yinyue would come back to find her sooner or later, but she didn’t expect her to drag it out until today.

Sang Yinyue didn’t immediately respond. She looked at Sang Yao, and the two remained silent for a moment.

Sang Yinyue was the first to break the silence, saying, “Wuwuwuwu…”

Before she could finish crying, Sang Yao calmly said, “I’ve prepared fifty taels of silver and a small bag of gold leaves for you. Just tell the guards at the main gate, they’ll recognize you.”

“Don’t come looking for me for trouble in the future.”

Sang Yinyue stopped crying, wiped her tears, and said, “I understand, Yao Yao.”

“Yao Yao, thank you.”

Hmm? This doesn’t sound like her.

Sang Yao was surprised.

In her impression, her cousin had never thanked anyone.

Most of the time, she just demanded things from others as if it were her right.

She sat opposite Sang Yao, the autumn breeze brushing her temples.

She spoke firmly, “Yao Yao, I’m really leaving.”

Sang Yao casually asked, “When are you coming back then?”

Sang Yinyue shook her head and said, “I’m not coming back.”

“Haven’t I told you before? I want to wander the world!”

Sang Yao didn’t take her words seriously last time, and even now, she still thought Sang Yinyue was joking.

She couldn’t imagine how a woman could leave her family, leave her homeland, and face a completely unfamiliar environment.

“Why? You can come back after the trouble has passed. Uncle and the others probably won’t force you anymore.”

Sang Yinyue shook her head and said, “I just don’t want to.”

“Yao Yao, this capital city is not good at all. Everywhere you go, you have to be careful. You can’t do this, you can’t do that, and you have to marry according to your parents’ wishes, serve an ugly man for a lifetime, why should I?”

“Is his ancestral grave smoking? Why should I serve him? I’m not willing to.”

“And my parents, Yao Yao, you don’t know, ever since my father was inexplicably demoted, he’s been wanting me to marry this one and that one.”

Sang Yao also knew some of this.

After the last incident, Xie Yun didn’t completely ruin his Uncle’s family. Instead, he found a fault and demoted her eldest uncle to a minor clerk in the Dali Temple.

He didn’t dare to easily ruin his son’s future, so he wanted to find a way out through his daughter.

Although Sang Yao didn’t like Sang Yinyue, she also strongly disapproved of his actions this time.

Sang Yinyue said, “I really can’t stay here.”

“Then is it okay for you to just go out like this?”

People who wander the world should at least have some self-preservation ability. Sang Yao didn’t think Sang Yinyue had it.

She was a weak woman with no means of livelihood and a mouth that offended people.

How would she survive after going out? Would she encounter bandits, robbers, or other accidents along the way?

Sang Yinyue didn’t care at all. She said, “Yao Yao, the outside world isn’t that scary!”

“Our dynasty’s laws are here. Nowadays, there are few refugees and bandits. I can do whatever I want.”

Unrestrained, free, and with money to spend, that was the life of her dreams.

Sang Yinyue was actually right.

It was because Sang Yao herself had hardly ever left the capital, so she always felt a bit nervous and afraid of the outside world.

Sang Yao didn’t know what to say or whether to persuade her, so she said, “…then let me arrange for someone to send you.”

“No need, I don’t want to bring anyone with me.”

Sang Yao didn’t insist.

When the two said goodbye, Sang Yinyue refused Sang Yao’s suggestion to send her on the way.

She took a few steps away and then waved to Sang Yao, saying, “Yao Yao, I’m leaving.”

Sang Yao also raised her hand slowly and waved back at her.

Sang Yinyue smiled, turned around, and left.

Sang Yao stood still for a moment, thinking that she should still be able to see her again.

Wandering the world was something that only happened in stories.

She got on the carriage, the bustling street outside, Sang Yinyue hidden in the crowd, Sang Yao couldn’t see her anymore.

At this moment, Sang Yao felt that perhaps she was really leaving.

Not coming back.

She leaned against the window, thinking, although this person was unlikeable, at least at this moment, Sang Yao admired her.

Unrestrained, directly resisting, and being able to leave and pursue the life she wanted.

She’s a strong woman.