While everyone was mocking and speculating Lory and Zhao Li Xin were spending their time in a small open space in the garden without bothering with the situation outside.

Zhao Li Xin was reading a book while Lory was leaning her head on Zhao Li Xin's lap while teasing Girsha with grapes, Girsha looking annoyed pecked Lory's naughty finger idly took the grapes off his plate.

It was a peaceful scene in stark contrast to the situation outside where everyone was spreading bad gossip about Zhao Li Xin and the Hei Shen sect.

But they will not think that the person they are talking about doesn't care even a bit and is busy spending time with his wife.

It does hard for most people including Wei Zu Tian to comprehend Zhao Li Xin's strange mind, even in Lory's world who is more liberal and open-minded people still value their reputation but Zhao Li Xin is not the same.

Zhao Li Xin had little care about the world, moreover reputation or so-called image. He never needs people's approval or acknowledgment to know his own value, unlike Wei Zu Tian who constantly needs people's admiration to feed his giant ego, and that's why Wei Zu Tian always failed whenever he tries to provoked Zhao Li Xin.

"Li Xin..." Lory's eyes traced Zhao Li Xin's perfect jawline.

"Hm.." Zhao Li Xin closed his book and placed it on the side then he looked into Lory's mesmerizing purple eyes.

"Looks like our marriage is going to fall apart..." a meaningful grin bloom on her beautiful face.

"At least it won't be boring" Zhao Li Xin replied casually while stroking Lory's hair gently, "I just hope that 'Guan' woman won't let me down"

"Don't worry, Guan men Niang is stronger than you think" Lory lifted her head from his lap then poured herself a cup of tea, Lory took a sip of the tea, immediately the fragrant aroma wafted her nose Lory took a deep breath while leaning hers back to the couch.

Zhao Li Xin put his hands behind her head then he asked Lory inquisitively, "How did you know?"

Lory smacks her cherry pink lips then she smiled faintly, "Because I know how it feels to protect the only one left in your life... for Guan Men Niang this will be her last chance, I had no doubt she would give everything she has..." Bitter consciousness flashed across her eyes but disappeared in a second, Lory lowered her head as she took another sip of her tea.

No one knows what it's like when everything important in one's life is taken away one by one, no one can understand or even imagine the helplessness and despair flooding one's mind better than Lory.

Guan Men Niang's situation was more or less similar to hers but Lory would say her situation was luckier as at least she had been groomed by her father from a young age, however, some people might think differently.

Zhao Li Xin fell silent then took the teacup from Lory's hand and placed it on the table beside him. Zhao Li Xin slowly pulled Lory into his arms, "This won't be the end for him, no matter how hard it is there is still hope, in the end, she managed to save her younger brother which means her struggles were not in vain and no matter what she had lost during that time, believe me, she will get it back even if it's not the same but there must be something left...something worth to live for"

obviously, Zhao Li Xin didn't talk about Guan Men Niang, Lory pressed her forehead on his hard chest. They say Zhao Li Xin is cold, indifferent, and aloof but why he always found the words that could comfort her restless heart.

"Lory..." Zhao Li Xin cupped Lory's cheek gently, "Don't forget the first promise you made to me?"

Lory blink her eyes to recall her memory "Which one?" she pretended to be confused.

Zhao Li Xin narrowed his eyes "Lory" his voice was full of dissatisfaction.

Zhao Li Xin's gloomy face only wants her to tease him more, Lory then tilted her head then she rubbing her cheeks and says: "Well, I'm not good at keeping promises so it's normal if I forget about it, right" she jokes.

His forehead puckered in upset, he cupped Lory's cheeks with both hands and hissed, "Lorient, don't you dare!"

"What?" Lory continued to feign innocence.

Even though he knew Lory was joking he still felt worried and a little annoyed, Zhao Li Xin bit her neck to vent his frustration, surprised Lory contracted her neck reflexively, amused she pushed Zhao Li Xin's chest while she laughed heartily, "Stop it, I remember - I remember.. . I am sorry!" her clear laughter is like a small bell that enlivens the peaceful garden.

"Don't forget, wherever you go you will take me with you whether heaven or hell I'm with you" he whispered in her ear, Lory only smiles without replying to him.

Zhao Li Xin pressed his lips gently against hers, the scent of pine mixed with agarwood wafting up her nose was almost intoxicating Lory wrapped her hands around his neck as she returned the kiss, it wasn't a passionate or passionate kiss like they used to share but it was long and captivating as if they were trying to convey their feelings that they couldn't say to each other.

When they kiss they stare at each other calmly some feelings can only be felt but are hard to describe other than sweet, warm and a little painful knowing it can't last forever albeit no matter how much time one's spend together it won't be enough.

Just like this moment didn't last forever because not long after Mong ki and Mong Yi came towards them with long strides, the intensity on their faces showed that they brought bad news.

_________________________

Meantime at another part of the Manor, Ming Yue Yin spends her leisure time in her courtyard when she listened to Su Jing and Su Feng report coincidently Zhang Yu Hong and Fu Ying also present.

"Xiao family?" Ming Yue Yin furrowed her brows.

"Yes Your Majesty, there seems to be a transaction between the Xiao family and Misty Lake Young Master Jin Kai" Su Feng reported the results of their investigation.

Zhang Yu Hong also listened to the report clenching his jaw as he held back his anger, "I know Xiao Bo Zhi is an ambitious person, but I never thought he would collude with an outsider" the old man grumbles, regardless of what happened the Xiao family had served the Liang Zu kingdom for generations, it was a shame they threw their loyalty under the bridge just like that.

Ming Yue Yin sighed heavily even though she personally didn't like Xiao Bo Zhi but she couldn't deny that the Xiao family had some contribution to the country, not only was Xiao Bo Zhi an elite general, his two sons also had quite a high position in the court and also military.

It was indeed a shame to lose such talents, but Ming Yue Yin couldn't ignore Xiao Bo Zi's cooperation with Lao Min Na.

"I don't know what made him unhappy, I just reduced his influence a bit to balance the power in the kingdom but I let him keep his old position as an elite general and his two sons can still keep their posts as well so why is he still felt dissatisfied?" Ming Yue Yin expresses her disappointment.

"Xiao Bo Zhi's greed made him a mess, because of him, the entire Xiao family could end up in his hands, what a shame" Fu Ying shook his head in regret.