Lin He had no idea who had drugged this fellow, but the effect was certainly potent. For the entire night, Lin He couldn't close her eyes; just as she was drained and tried to sneak a nap, he was on her again.

It wasn't until the sky began to lighten that he finally quieted down, possessively pulling Lin He into his arms before falling into a deep sleep. Lin He was so thoroughly worn out that she couldn't move a muscle, unable even to lift her eyelids.

When dawn broke, Lin He was pushed awake again. Thinking that the wretch Wen Ningxuan was about to start again, she didn't open her eyes, murmuring pitifully with them shut, "Ningxuan, no more, just let me sleep a little longer."

Immediately, she felt herself enveloped in an embrace, and a low voice reached her ear, "You must be exhausted from last night. Don't worry, I won't touch you now; I have something to tell you."

Right, she still hadn't figured out what exactly happened last night. Lin He thought, suddenly opening her eyes. Enduring the soreness in her body, she managed to sit up and asked, "Yes, if you hadn't mentioned it, I almost forgot. What happened to you last night? Who drugged you?"

Wen Ningxuan looked at her anxious expression, not even noticing the quilt slipping down. He chuckled softly, but then his gaze dropped to the body of the person in his arms, where pale, tender skin was marred by numerous bruises of blue and purple. His eyes filled with heartache, and he whispered close to Lin He’s ear, "Does it hurt? Shall I fetch some ointment for you to rub on?"

Lin He looked down at her own body, her face instantly flushing crimson. She quickly wrapped herself in the quilt and whispered, "It's fine. I'll put the cream on myself later."

Seeing her shyness, a smile resurfaced in Wen Ningxuan's eyes. "Mm, after we're done with this, have Ziyu bring you some hot water. It will be better to take a hot bath before applying the ointment. Get up now; quite a few people from the courtyard will be coming to watch the show later, and as hosts, we should go and join the excitement."

Wen Ningxuan’s words only served to confuse Lin He further. Many people are coming? Why? Are they coming to see Wen Ningxuan, who was drugged?

Seeing Lin He’s puzzled look, Wen Ningxuan began explaining last night’s events while fetching her clothes.

Last night, when Wen Ningxuan came out of the shop after finishing his business, he had planned to have Shun Zhu drive the carriage to Lin He’s family home for dinner. Unexpectedly, just as he left the shop, he ran into a young servant of Old Master Wen, who said the Master wanted him back immediately because there were some account books he oversaw that the Master needed to question him about.

Wen Ningxuan saw that it was still early, figuring it wouldn't take long to explain things to his father, so he told Shun Zhu to drive back. He didn't notify Lin He. When he arrived home, his father was indeed there. Seeing him, his father didn't say much else, only confirming that he needed to go over some matters regarding the accounts.

The two spent some time reconciling the ledgers. While they were doing this, Madam Wen came by with a maid, bringing some pastries and having the maids serve tea several times. Afterward, when the accounts were settled, Uncle Wen said he knew Lin He was visiting her parents and insisted Wen Ningxuan stay for dinner before returning. But Wen Ningxuan pleaded that his in-laws were waiting for him, and as soon as the accounts were cleared, he left Uncle Wen's courtyard.

Not many steps after leaving the courtyard, Wen Ningxuan felt something was drastically wrong throughout his body. His skin was burning hot, his mouth was dry and parched, and a familiar surge of desire erupted within him.

The further he walked, the more intense the heat became. His mind kept replaying images of the lovely sounds his little woman, He'er, made under him during their lovemaking. Feeling his body ache, Wen Ningxuan instantly understood: there must have been something in the tea Madam Wen served earlier.

Although Wen Ningxuan had never encountered this kind of substance before, he had heard plenty about it and naturally knew how to handle the situation. Realizing a visit to his in-laws was impossible now, he decided he had to return to his own courtyard first and send Ling Xiao to fetch He’er back.

Halfway back, Ning Nuo suddenly appeared from nowhere, unescorted by any maids, entirely by herself. Seeing that Wen Ningxuan looked unwell, she exclaimed in surprise, "Brother Xuan, what's wrong? Are you ill? Why is your forehead so sweaty?" Then she reached out as if to touch Wen Ningxuan’s forehead.

Though Wen Ningxuan was currently struggling against the consuming fire of desire and barely able to think straight, a sliver of clarity remained in his mind. Seeing Ning Nuo approaching to touch him, he immediately took a step back, shot her a cold glance, and walked past her toward his courtyard.

Ning Nuo, watching him from behind, saw Wen Ningxuan recoiling from her as if disgusted. A flash of resentment crossed her face, but she quickly followed after him, saying, "Brother Xuan, you look uncomfortable. It’s quite a distance to your courtyard; let me escort you back."

As Ning Nuo spoke, she reached out to steady Wen Ningxuan. Wen Ningxuan stared coldly at her for a moment. Just as Ning Nuo thought he was about to refuse her, to her surprise, Wen Ningxuan actually nodded. Ning Nuo was ecstatic, though she managed to hide it, reaching out again to support him. However, Wen Ningxuan still kept her hands off him, merely indicating she should follow behind him.

Ning Nuo didn't argue, just trailed behind Wen Ningxuan, a triumphant, scheming smile playing on her lips. She thought that Brother Xuan was finally hers today, and her adoptive mother's plan was brilliant. No matter how steadfast this man was, he couldn't withstand the effects of this drug.

Ning Nuo happily considered what her adoptive mother had orchestrated. In reality, Old Master Wen hadn't summoned Wen Ningxuan back; it was Madam Wen who had sent Old Master Wen’s servant to call him. However, Old Master Wen genuinely did intend to question Wen Ningxuan about the accounts, having previously told the steward to send the Second Young Master to him if he saw him.

So, Old Master Wen saw no issue when Wen Ningxuan arrived; he assumed he was there for the account reconciliation and promptly brought out the ledgers to review them.

Madam Wen, however, had long harbored her own intentions. She had always wanted to marry her adopted daughter, Ning Nuo, to Wen Ningxuan. Ever since Wen Ningxuan returned from the capital, she had been scheming for this. If it were when they were younger, she could have controlled Wen Ningxuan and wouldn't have needed to resort to such measures. Furthermore, as her own son was the eldest of the Wen family, and although she disliked Wen Ningxuan due to his mother, she hadn't feared him much before.

But since his return from the capital, Madam Wen realized Wen Ningxuan was becoming increasingly exceptional, surpassing her own son by far in every aspect. She had heard many people make such comparisons. More critically, she noticed Old Master Wen was placing more and more importance on this son, even to an extent that surpassed Wen Ningchen, evidenced simply by the wife the Old Master chose for him.

Even though Lin He was just a country girl, and Madam Wen had only interacted with her a few times, she often heard her husband mention this name, and always with high praise.