Madam Chen brought Jiang Yuanxi over and immediately saw Han Qianhua in a state of panic—along with the glaring red marks on her neck.

The little Jiang Yuanxi glanced around the room, her eyes slightly narrowing.

“What happened?” Madam Chen hurried forward to support Han Qianhua.

Just then, a maid emerged from the room.

“Miss, there is no one inside.”

Han Qianhua’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Impossible! There was someone here just now!”

“Mother, put me down.”

Madam Chen set her daughter down.

Jiang Yuanxi ran into the room, carefully searching every corner before finally fixing her gaze on the floor.

A thin layer of ash covered the ground, forming a circular pattern.

A faint trace of demonic energy emanated from it.

Jiang Yuanxi’s pupils contracted sharply—this was the mortal realm, how could such a thing appear here?

“Godmother,” Jiang Yuanxi came out and grabbed Han Qianhua’s hand, “who was here just now?”

Han Qianhua was still shaken.

Seeing Jiang Yuanxi, she inexplicably felt a sense of reassurance and clutched her tightly.

“It was my worthless ex-husband.”

A bold idea suddenly popped into Jiang Yuanxi’s mind.

“What is he doing here?” Madam Chen asked angrily.

Years ago, Yan Song had kept a mistress in secret and abandoned his wife, making Han Qianhua the laughingstock of all Shengjing.

Why was he showing up now?

Han Qianhua shook her head—she hadn’t even noticed his presence earlier.

Yan Song had appeared behind her suddenly, without a sound.

“Xinwan, I—I’m scared.” After spending so many days together, Han Qianhua and Chen Xinwan had already formed a sisterly bond.

“Yuanxi, do you have any ideas?”

Realizing how absurd she sounded, Han Qianhua felt foolish—she was looking for help from a one-year-old.

What could she possibly do?

Jiang Yuanxi found a piece of paper and a brush, lay on the ground, and began drawing.

Her first stroke didn’t create anything.

Han Qianhua immediately ordered a maid, “Quick, grind ink for Yuanxi.”

Madam Chen was uncertain. Yuanxi was just a child—this doodling seemed more like the tricks of mountain shamans.

Could it really work?

Jiang Yuanxi swiftly completed the drawing and held it up for inspection.

A golden light traced the lines of the paper, visible only to her.

Once the ink dried, she folded the paper and handed it to Han Qianhua.

“Godmother, this will work.”

【As long as you have this, ordinary demonic energy won’t dare come near.】

Demonic energy?

Madam Chen was taken aback.

Wasn’t that something from storybooks?

Han Qianhua carefully took the paper and placed it into a sachet to wear around her neck.

For some reason, holding it made her feel much more at ease.

..

Back in the pleasure district, Yan Song stormed into his courtyard.

“Wretched woman!” He smashed everything within reach.

Outside, Madam Li listened to the commotion, a mocking smile tugging at her lips.

She watched coldly, making no move to comfort him.

To her, men were inherently foolish creatures—always wanting what they couldn’t have.

Back when she was unattainable, this man had been desperate for her, willing to throw everything away.

Now that he had divorced Han Qianhua and heard she was about to remarry, he was suddenly running after her again.

Wasn’t that just pathetic?

Madam Li had long seen through him.

Fortunately, she never believed in love.

Toward Han Qianhua, she even felt a tinge of guilt.

Because when she first got together with Yan Song, he had never told her he was already married.

By the time she found out—when she was carrying her second child—it was too late.

“Mother, aren’t we going inside?” her daughter asked.

Madam Li spoke softly, “We’ll wait outside.”

If they went in now, they’d just become his punching bags.

Madam Li had no intention of being treated unfairly.

After a moment’s thought, she crouched down and told her daughter,

“Remember this—never place your hopes on a man, understand?”

The little girl nodded, half-understanding.

..

At the Duke of Han’s residence, the wedding proceeded as planned.

Upon hearing what had happened earlier, Wu Jiping sent more guards to strengthen security around the estate.

Wherever Han Qianhua went, he followed.

Even inside the bridal chamber, he showed no sign of leaving.

Han Qianhua frowned. “There are officials outside—you should go drink with them.”

Wu Jiping’s gaze never wavered from her face, unwilling to look away.

“My father and Jiang Fengyuan are there—there’s nothing to worry about.”

Besides, the remaining guests were all close to his father.

The others had left after finishing the banquet.

Han Qianhua’s face grew warm.

It was the first time she had been stared at so boldly by a man—she didn’t know how to handle it.

Under the table, hidden behind the red wedding cloth, a tiny figure was peeking.

【Ooh, she’s blushing! Godmother’s face is red!】

【Why do adults blush so easily?】

Han Qianhua’s face burned even hotter.

She glanced around anxiously.

“What are you looking for, Hua’er?” Wu Jiping asked in confusion.

She couldn’t see Yuanxi, but since she could hear her thoughts, the little troublemaker had to be here somewhere.

“Yuanxi,” she called softly.

Wu Jiping immediately understood.

His keen martial artist’s eyes quickly spotted an unusual fold in the tablecloth.

Lifting it, he revealed a little dumpling-like girl sprawled beneath.

【Ah! I’ve been caught!】

Jiang Yuanxi showed no shame. She crawled out from under the table.

“Godmother, godfather,” she said sweetly.

Wu Jiping chuckled and picked her up.

“You’re quick to change how you address people,” he said, slipping a red envelope into her hands.

Then he leaned down and whispered, “Yuanxi, godfather and godmother have something to do—why don’t you go play outside?”

The little one’s eyes sparkled as she nodded excitedly.

“Don’t worry, godfather!”

Wu Jiping set her down.

“Godmother, Fourth Brother is calling me—I’m going now!” Jiang Yuanxi waved as she ran off.

As the door shut, Han Qianhua suddenly noticed Wu Jiping’s gaze had changed.

As someone who had been married before, she immediately knew what that look meant.

Sitting together on the bed, Wu Jiping still felt as if this moment wasn’t real.

He reached out, gently cupping her face.

“Hua’er, you don’t know how long I’ve waited for this year to pass.”

He leaned in slowly.

【Ahhh! Help! He’s kissing her!】

Han Qianhua instantly pushed him away, clutching her pounding heart.

Oh heavens—this little ancestor was still here!

Wu Jiping blinked in confusion, thinking he had done something wrong.

“Hua’er, did I do something you didn’t like?” he asked, worried.

Her face burning, Han Qianhua pointed toward the door.

Jiang Yuanxi was sprawled against the door crack, her tiny bottom sticking out.

【Huh? Why did she push him away? Where did godfather go?】

“Yuanxi,” Wu Jiping called darkly.

Jiang Yuanxi stiffened and slowly turned to face him.

She grinned sheepishly.

“Godfather, I didn’t say anything, and I didn’t do anything,” she said, clasping her hands behind her back.

“Go outside—your godmother is waiting for me.” Jiang Yuanxi pouted.

Wu Jiping’s face reddened.

He picked her up and handed her to the waiting nanny before quickly shutting the door.

Click! The door was locked.

“Stingy! So stingy!” Jiang Yuanxi puffed her cheeks in frustration.

Just like Fourth Brother—always kicking her out at the best part of the wedding night stories.

Too stingy!