Nangong Yehen smiled faintly. "Even if I marry another woman, you can still stay by my side."
Chu Lingzhi felt a pang of bitterness upon hearing this. If he married another woman, he wouldn't need her company anymore, would he? She knew that a man as lofty and godlike as him would never take an interest in someone like her—a woman with no status or standing. He certainly wouldn't marry a woman from a humble background as his wife. Yet, hearing his words, her heart still ached with a sour, astringent feeling.
She looked at him, suppressing the bitterness inside, and gave a faint smile. "Close your eyes and rest quietly. I'm tired."
With that, she turned onto her side, facing away from him. If she didn't, she wouldn't be able to sleep. She wasn't used to having a man lying beside her.
Nangong Yehen watched her back, a shadow of deep thought flickering in his eyes. Sleeping in bed was far more comfortable than sleeping in a chair.
When Chu Lingzhi opened her eyes, it was already nine in the morning. She sat up and glanced at Nangong Yehen on the bed. He was still asleep, his eyes closed.
Chu Lingzhi moved quietly as she got out of bed, put on her shoes, and tiptoed upstairs to wash up and change clothes. When she came back downstairs, her two little treasures were standing in the living room, looking as if they were waiting for her.
Seeing her, Chu Junshou quickly walked to the foot of the stairs, his expression somewhat serious. "Mommy, Master Mo called. He said Gong Liye is coming to Nangong Manor at noon."
T City was Nangong Yehen's territory, so they weren't worried about Gong Liye causing trouble on someone else's turf. But since he was a guest, refusing his visit outright would raise suspicion. In truth, Gong Liye already suspected Nangong Yehen; he just lacked evidence. That's why he wanted to visit in person—to see if Nangong Yehen was truly injured.
"Can't we refuse him?" Chu Lingzhi asked.
"Gong Liye is the city lord of K City, just as formidable as Nangong. He's offering to come to the manor, which proves he knows Dad is in T City or at the manor. You could refuse his visit to the manor, but if you also turn down his invitation to dine outside, it would make Nangong seem unfriendly and unwelcoming to guests. Worse, it would confirm his suspicion that it was Nangong who broke into his manor last night. Then he might secretly plot something against Nangong." Nangong Yichen said coolly, his young, melodious voice cutting straight to the point.
"What do we do? Your dad is in no condition to entertain guests." Chu Lingzhi said anxiously. She worried that when they met, Gong Liye might challenge Nangong Yehen to a sparring match to test if he was injured.
"Let them meet, and then make Gong Liye give up," Nangong Yichen said.
"How do we make him give up? What if he asks your dad to take off his clothes to show his body?"
Nangong Yichen raised an eyebrow at that. This woman had quite the imagination.
"Mommy, Gong Liye is coming as a guest to the manor. Would he really be so rude as to ask Dad to strip?" Chu Junshou said, exasperated.
"What if he suggests swimming?" The manor had two swimming pools, after all.
The two little ones exchanged a glance. That was a possibility.
"We can't overthink this now. I'll find a way to keep them from meeting," Chu Lingzhi said, then strode into Nangong Yehen's room. Chu Junshou and Nangong Yichen followed.
Nangong Yehen already knew about Gong Liye's impending visit.
"Master Nangong, are you really going to see Gong Liye?" Chu Lingzhi asked as she helped him sit up.