Although Qiao Ruoyi was an official in the imperial court, she would occasionally go back to West Mountain Academy to have a look.

  After arriving at West Mountain Academy today, it began to rain with lightning and thunder.

  Nichang, who had come with Qiao ruoyi, threw herself into her mother’s arms. She was extremely scared listening to the loud thunder.

  The rain did not stop for more than two hours. West Mountain Academy had to go through a muddy road to go back to Chang ‘an. It was not easy to travel on this muddy road after a rainy day, so Qiao Ruoyi planned to stay in West Mountain Academy for a night with Nichang.

  Yan Yu whispered to Qiao ruoyi, “Miss, today is the day I have made an appointment with Sir Xie…… Should I find a guard to go back to the city to report the news so that Sir Xie won’t have to wait for a long time?”


  Qiao Ruoyi looked at the clear sky outside after the rain and said, “There’s no need.”


  Xie Yun was not stupid. If she could not wait until the curfew, she naturally would not wait any longer……

  In the Xie family’s villa.

  Xie Yun had specially changed into a green robe today. Her long hair was tied up with a new white jade crown. She looked like an elegant young master who was unparalleled in the world.

  Lan Xin looked at Xie Yun who had specially changed into a robe. She was puzzled at first, but when she arrived at the Xie family’s villa, she understood that today was the day where she needed the antidote again.

  After a heavy rain, there were still raindrops hanging on the trees in the courtyard.

  Xie Yun entered and walked to the side of the chessboard. She played with the chess pieces in her hand. She wondered if her chess skills had improved after seven days?

  Xie Yun waited until the sky turned dark, and then waited for the sound of the alarm outside.

  It was already curfew time.

  Lan Xin said to Xie Yun, “Perhaps Miss Qiao has something to do today. Master, why don’t you take a rest?”


  Xie Yun coldly said one word, “Investigate!”


  Lan Xin understood Xie Yun’s meaning and called the Xie family’s secret guard to investigate.

  The Xie family’s secret guard returned very quickly and reported to Xie Yun, “Master, this afternoon, Miss Xie Xiumu went to West Mountain Academy. She hasn’t returned to the Qiao residence yet.”


  “Prepare the carriage and go to West Mountain Academy.”
……

  After Qiao Ruoyi coaxed Nichang to sleep, she went out without feeling sleepy at all. West Mountain Academy had no lack of hardworking female students. Even at this time, there were quite a number of students who lit up their lanterns at night.

  The guard at the gate of West Mountain Academy came to Qiao ruoyi and said, “Lord Qiao, Lord Xie Yun is here. He said he was looking for you.”


  Qiao ruoyi said, “Let him in.”


  When Xie Yun entered, he frowned and asked Qiao ruoyi, “Why didn’t you find someone to talk to before you came today? The poison of the ice silkworm is very strong. If you don’t suppress it, you might be poisoned tomorrow.”


  Qiao ruoyi said, “It’s just a day’s work. The road is slippery after the rain. It’s not easy to go back to Chang ‘an.”


  Qiao ruoyi asked Xie Yun, “How did you get here?”


  The road was very muddy and slippery. Horse carriages and horses were not allowed. They had to wait until the next day to dry.

  Qiao ruoyi looked down and saw that Xie Yun’s black boots, which had never been dusty, were covered in mud. Gradually, he walked over the road.

  Xie Yun entered Qiao Ruoyi’s room and saw niching who was sleeping soundly. Xie Yun had not seen her for a long time, so he walked over and pulled her hand.

  Qiao ruoyi patted Xie Yun’s shoulder anxiously and said in a low voice, “She was scared by the Thunder just now. It was not easy for her to fall asleep. Don’t wake her up.”


  Xie Yun let go of Niching’s hand and pulled Qiao ruoyi into his arms. “Are there any other empty rooms here?”


  Qiao Ruoyi was very unhappy to be trapped in his arms, but thinking about it, she could not shirk this matter in the end.

  She said, “The room next door is empty.”


  After entering, Xie Yun did not light the candle. He relied on the weak moonlight to find the place where the wooden bed was.

  Before Xie Yun put down the bed curtain, Nichang’s voice came from outside.

  Qiao ruoyi said, “Let’s forget about the detoxification today.”


  Qiao Ruoyi quickly went out and held niching in her arms.

  Niching leaned her head on Qiao Ruoyi’s shoulder and said, “Mother, I want to sleep with you today. I’m afraid of Thunder.”


  Qiao ruoyi said, “Okay.”


  Not long after Qiao ruoyi fell asleep with Niching in her arms, Xie Yun came in and lay on the other side of niching.

  Qiao ruoyi frowned and asked, “Isn’t there a place next door?”


  Niching opened her eyes slightly. When she saw Xie Yun, she asked, “Uncle Xie? Why are you here?”


  Xie Yun patted niching’s little head and said, “Be good. I’ll Sing a little boat for you. be good and go to bed early.”


  Niching nodded obediently and said, “Uncle, sing.”


  Xie Yun coughed and cleared his throat before singing slowly. Xie Yun’s voice seemed to have been pretending to be a woman for a long time, but there was a hint of gentleness in it. This gentle voice was singing a jiangnan ballad, even Qiao ruoyi, who had been unable to sleep for a long time, gradually fell into a deep sleep.

  Xie Yun watched as the mother and daughter fell into a deep sleep and smiled gently.

  Just how foolish was he back then? If he had known this would happen, why would he have cared about a false reputation at that time?

  Otherwise, he would not have been alone for these four years, while Luo Wei could enjoy the happiness that should have belonged to him……

  The Empress’birthday was approaching. Qiao ruoyi had been looking for what birthday gift to give. She was not willing to admit defeat in front of Marquis an Yuan, but she was indeed a little short on money.

  She did not have much savings.

  Qiao Ruoyi could only choose a gift from her treasures to give to her sister. Thinking of her sister’s superb chess skills, she took out a long-treasured Leng Nuan jade chess piece and gave it to her sister as a birthday gift.

  Qiao Jinniang still did not hold a big birthday celebration this year. She only invited a few princes, princesses, and the members of the Qiao family in the Northern Mountain Imperial Manor.

  When Qiao Ruoyi arrived here, she remembered what happened five years ago.

  Seeing that Qiao Ruoyi’s expression was not right, Qiao Jinniang reacted and said, “It’s said that one is pregnant for three years. I’ve already forgotten about it. I shouldn’t have come here.”


  Qiao ruoyi smiled and said, “Sister, it’s all in the past. Moreover, at that time, I had nichang. I Won’t feel uncomfortable.”


  Qiao jinniang said, “Just now, mother came to tell me to persuade you. Fu Lu also told me that you’ve been spending a lot of time with Xie Yun recently, but Xie Yun still isn’t willing to marry you?”


  Qiao ruoyi said, “Once, the vast sea is difficult to make water. Sister, I’ve seen the vast sea. It’s impossible for me to go to the ditch at the entrance.”


  The Jinniang was relieved. “It’s good that Xie Yun didn’t look down on you.”


  Qiao ruoyi handed the box in her hand to Qiao Jinniang and said, “Sister, this is a birthday gift for you. Sister’s chess is so good. You should use the warm and cold jade chess pieces.”


  Qiao Jinniang took the box and opened it. It was made of Black Jade and white jade. “Is this the legendary warm and cold chess pieces in winter and summer?”


  Qiao ruoyi nodded. “Yes.”


  “Lu Chen also has one. He’s so precious that he won’t let me touch it. It seems that sister is still considerate,”Qiao Jinniang said. “It’s still early for dinner. Why Don’t you and I play a game?”


  Qiao ruoyi nodded. “Sister, Please Show Mercy.”


  When Qiao Jinniang placed the chess piece in the middle of the Tian Yuan position, Qiao Ruoyi looked at Qiao Jinniang in shock. “Sister is really an expert in chess.”


  Qiao ruoyi had so many people playing chess. This was the first time she saw the first chess piece fall in the Tian Yuan position.