Jian Guozhi grasped Xue Yu-Yan's hand and dragged her out of the market. A horse cart was standing near the sedan, he pushed her in and then he got into the horse carriage.

"Move the carriage," Jian Guozhi commanded the chauffeur, who pulled the reins and the horse cart moved forward.

​​

Jian Guozhi pulled off the hat from Xue Yu-Yan's head. "Who told you to come here?" He shouted at her. Xue Yu-Yan flinched her brows. She was still in shock at the way those young women were talking about the Wei Family.

"Answer," Jian Guozhi loudly said.

"I-I was getting bored in the Palace. So, I decided to come to the market," Xue Yu-Yan replied.

Jian Guozhi scoffed. "Getting bored! Then start working in the Palace. Do the chores there! Don't you know that you can't step out of the Palace whenever you feel like it?" Jian Guozhi glared at her.

Xue Yu-Yan chuckled upon hearing him. He must be joking with her. What kind of chores did he expect her to do? Why could she not step out? Now, she had to ask his permission in this! She was contemplating all this.

"If I had not stepped out today then, how would I have found out what people are thinking of me? His majesty promised me that nothing will happen to the Wei Family then why are they being sent away? It was not the fault of the innocents in the Wei Family." Xue Yu-Yan broke down into tears. The terrifying thoughts had occupied her mind. Jian Guozhi felt a little guilty seeing her crying.

'Did I shout too much?' he wondered.

"Don't believe in rumors. Why would I harm my mother's own family? The crime she committed has nothing to do with any of them," asserted Jian Guozhi. He leaned closer to her and wiped the tears from her cheeks. Xue Yu-Yan peered at him, who pulled his hand back.

"How did you find out that I was here? Weren't you with Sister Mi?" Xue Yu-Yan asked curiously.

"I had sent her to the Palace earlier. I was here for some work in the Capital's main office when I heard about you from someone. You went to your house as well when you know that you cannot," Jian Guozhi replied, gazing at her.

"I wanted to see my mother," Xue Yu-Yan in a low voice said.

"And you went wearing a hat there!" Jian Guozhi scoffed. "You grabbed unwanted attention," he added.

Xue Yu-Yan amusingly looked at him. It was unbelievable to her that Jian Guozhi was talking with her so humbly. Then a thought ran in her mind- 'I even hate the sight of you.' Jian Guozhi's words always roamed in her head.

"I will call your mother to the Palace tomorrow. Meet her then," suddenly Jian Guozhi said. Xue Yu-Yan was delighted to hear as a smile appeared on her lips but it soon vanished.

"Aren't you happy?" Jian Guozhi asked after getting no response from her.

"I am, but do not call my mother to the Palace. Seeing my state, she will get hurt," Xue Yu-Yan stated. "I mean…" she paused as she was out of words.

"Will she question you why you could not get the heart of your husband?"

Xue Yu-Yan lifted her eyes and again met the eyes of Jian Guozhi. The two kept staring at each other when Jian Guozhi broke the ice. "It was not your fault entirely. It was my fault as well. I also agreed with my mother and used to question her why Sheng Li has the Crown and the woman which everyone desires! I married you to strengthen my position in the Court. In brief, I was also greedy and agreed to marry you. We both were blinded by the power that's why we did not see that in the future we would have problems. Had I stepped back from this marriage, then you would have been at a better place." Xue Yu-Yan clutched her skirt as tears formed in her eyes. Did he mean that he would never get close to her? He hated her this much!

"I will give you a second chance to prove yourself. I was also given a chance by Sheng Li for the mistakes I did, the same goes for you. Forgive me for treating you this way until now." Xue Yu-Yan was stunned to hear that. That was unexpected for her. A second chance! It surely meant that he would consider being her husband if she proved herself right from now on. Her heart thumped a little from the happiness she got now, at this moment.

"Thank you for forgiving me. And I am also guilty of hurting you and going against you whenever you tried correcting me. Xue will surely prove that she has changed," Xue Yu-Yan gave her words to him. His lips curled up a little as he nodded his head.

The horse cart stopped as their conversation ended. A soldier opened the door of the horse cart for them. Jian Guozhi got down first and turned towards the door. He forwarded his hand to Xue Yu-Yan, who placed her hand on his. Jian Guozhi placed his other hand on her waist and put her down. "I will walk with you till your chamber," Jian Guozhi told her.

"Ahh, it's fine. I can go by myself." Xue Yu-Yan did not want to disturb her husband but he insisted so, she did not refuse further. As they were walking, Jian Guozhi asked suddenly from her, "I heard you like mountains. Do you want to go to a nearby hill someday?"

Xue Yu-Yan widened her eyes with astonishment. "D-did Fourth Brother-"

"No! Little Yu was talking to me about a trip to the hills. He mentioned that you also like mountains but could never be there," Jian Guozhi pronounced. Xue Yu-Yan nodded.

"I will be glad if you take me there," Xue Yu-Yan stated, passing a tiny smile to him.

"Let the situation get better, then I will. I promise," Jian Guozhi raised his little finger. Xue Yu-Yan amusingly stared at him.

"Don't stare at me. Take a promise from me," Jian Guozhi affirmed. Xue Yu-Yan raised her little finger and locked it with Jian Guozhi's little finger, who then joined their thumbs. Xue Yu-Yan was feeling happy. After a long time, she was smiling her heart out.