I also noticed that Yan Yu and Yan Xue walked very lightly and carried the water effortlessly earlier. While they were wiping my back, I could feel calluses on their hands—it seems these two maids know martial arts.
And the people in the courtyard, they probably all know martial arts too. Each of them carries a solemn and dignified aura.
As for Shen Zhi, in my past life, he was also among those who followed Xuan Yuan Beichen into the palace.
Indeed, even though Xuan Yuan Beichen has fallen from grace, he was once the War God of Xuanyuan Wangchao. How could the people around him be ordinary?
By the time Mu Anran finished bathing and changed into her nightgown, stepping out from behind the screen, she saw that Xuan Yuan Beichen was already lying on the bed.
His clothes had been changed, so it seemed he had already bathed in another room.
Perhaps due to his leg injury, he slept on the edge of the bed. His eyes were tightly shut, as if he were asleep, yet not quite.
Mu Anran walked to the bedside, took off her shoes, and silently climbed over Xuan Yuan Beichen to lie down on the inner side of the bed.
Looking at Xuan Yuan Beichen’s face, she had to admit he was truly handsome—with sharp features and a nose higher than most.
In my past life, I was truly blind. Instead of being the proper Taizi Fei, I chose to become a concubine for that trash Xuan Yuan Haoyu, harming both myself and Xuan Yuan Beichen.
As she lay down, Xuan Yuan Beichen sensed her presence, and even caught the faint, elusive fragrance from her bath.
He hadn’t expected her to actually lie beside him. This was so unlike her usual behavior. Could it be that she intended to assassinate him?
But even though his legs were crippled, his martial arts were still intact! She couldn’t kill him anyway. Xuan Yuan Beichen opened his eyes and turned over, meeting Mu Anran’s gaze directly.
Mu Anran hadn’t expected him to suddenly open his eyes and turn over. Caught peeking, she felt a bit awkward.
"Beichen, you’re not asleep! I thought you were sleeping!"
Hearing this, Xuan Yuan Beichen looked at her with intense eyes. "Sleep? Taizi Fei, don’t you know what day it is today? I’d like to see how you plan to handle this situation, now that you’ve gone to such lengths for Xuan Yuan Haoyu."
It seemed Xuan Yuan Beichen suspected she had returned to his side for Xuan Yuan Haoyu’s sake. She could understand his suspicion, after all, she had done such foolish things before.
She remembered once, when he returned from a battle, she had been deceived by Xuan Yuan Haoyu into pretending to show goodwill toward Xuan Yuan Beichen, only to sneak into Taizi Fu to steal the Bingfu he used to command the three armies for Xuan Yuan Haoyu.
But as she was leaving the residence to meet Xuan Yuan Haoyu, she was caught red-handed by him.
Seeing her silent, Xuan Yuan Beichen reached out and caressed her cheek.
"Why aren’t you speaking, Taizi Fei? Tell me, if I consummate the marriage with you today, would Xuan Yuan Haoyu still want you?"
The cold voice of Xuan Yuan Beichen echoed in her ears, snapping Mu Anran back to reality. She looked up to see his gaze, filled with a mix of anger and curiosity.
Taking a deep breath, Mu Anran reached out and held the hand that was caressing her cheek.
"Beichen, I’m sorry. I’ve made many mistakes in the past. From now on, I’ll make it up to you slowly, okay? I won’t like Xuan Yuan Haoyu anymore. In the future, I’ll live well with you. No matter what lies ahead, I’ll stay by your side."
Upon hearing this, Xuan Yuan Beichen did not believe her, as she had said similar things before.
What was the result? She stole his most important token—the one that commanded the three armies. Losing it was a grave crime, and if Shen Zhi hadn’t discovered it in time, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
"Taizi Fei has said such things before."
Sure enough, he was bringing up old grievances. Mu Anran met his gaze.
"Beichen, I was wrong. It was my fault, but I truly know I was wrong. I swear to heaven, if I ever betray you again, may I be struck by lightning—"
Before she could finish, Xuan Yuan Beichen interrupted her.
"Enough, Mu Anran! This time, no matter what you say, I won’t believe you again! You’d better not do anything you shouldn’t, or I absolutely won’t show any mercy!"
With that, he turned and lay flat on his back.
Seeing this, Mu Anran adjusted her position and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Beichen, I’ve truly seen Xuan Yuan Haoyu for who he is now—a completely heartless and faithless liar. I won’t believe him anymore, nor will I ever help him do anything to harm you again.
On the contrary, for the rest of my life, I will never let him off! I will spend my entire life making him fall from grace and live a life worse than death! Beichen, you are my husband. You must help me!"
Xuan Yuan Beichen sneered upon hearing this.
"Hah! To achieve your goal, you’re even willing to hurt Xuan Yuan Haoyu like this. You’re really going all out! What exactly is your purpose?"
Mu Anran knew she couldn’t dispel his suspicions in a short time, but she still wanted to explain herself to him.
"Beichen, I have no purpose. If I really had one, it would be to live a good life with you. Xuan Yuan Beichen, please believe me one last time. I will never betray you again!"
Living a good life with him—how tempting those words sounded. Unfortunately, they were all lies. He turned to look at her.
"Then how can you prove you’re not lying to me?"
Mu Anran was momentarily stunned. Yes, how could she prove it?
"What do you want me to do to prove it, Beichen? As long as you believe me, I’m willing to do anything!"
As soon as she said this, Xuan Yuan Beichen reached out and pinched her chin.
"Anything, you say? Then please me!"
Mu Anran was startled, looking at him in disbelief. She couldn’t believe these words came from him—the man who always brought female guards when giving gifts, who was afraid of being too forward with her, was now telling her to please him!
Seeing her shocked expression, Xuan Yuan Beichen said, "What? Unwilling? Afraid Xuan Yuan Haoyu won’t want—"
Fearing he would say something even more hurtful, Mu Anran placed her hands on his shoulders, closed her eyes, and leaned in to kiss his lips. How could she be unwilling? In her past life, even in death, he had protected her remains!
How grateful she was to have been reborn at the time of their wedding. Thankfully, everything was still in time!
Mu Anran had little experience in this regard. In her past life, with Xuan Yuan Haoyu, it was always he who took the initiative, and the room was pitch dark, so nothing could be seen. But now, the dragon and phoenix candles were burning in the room, and they could clearly see each other’s movements.
Mu Anran kissed him clumsily, without any further actions, only repeatedly pressing her lips against his.
Xuan Yuan Beichen looked at her tightly closed eyes and stiff arms, then angrily pushed her away. Pinning her arms down, he half-propped himself up and stared into her eyes.
"Mu Anran, how could you even use something like this as a bargaining chip? Are you insulting me or yourself?"