Sir Song, do you want to pledge yourself to me?

The wife of the Marquis of Xuanwei went to the palace and returned to Xiaofeng Courtyard with several large boxes of gifts from the Empress and the Crown Prince. Half an hour later, she immediately went to the Imperial Tutor's Mansion. This series of actions quickly spread to the ears of those who were interested.

In particular, not long after the Marquis's wife returned to her parents' home, Minister Shen went to the palace to ask for an audience with the emperor, and when he came out, he had an imperial edict in his hand.

This news spread quickly among the aristocratic families of the capital, sparking much speculation. People were discussing what the Shen family had done to deserve such a generous reward. Or perhaps, was the Shen family planning something that necessitated this imperial decree?

It was not until the next day before the court was dismissed that the emperor congratulated Marquis Xuanwei in the hall, and the court officials suddenly realized that Prince Song was going to get married.

Song Jinbai's wedding naturally cannot be silent.

The emperor deliberately mentioned this matter in front of all the officials, obviously to embarrass Song Zheng.

Looking at Song Zheng's expression that changed instantly, the emperor felt extremely happy.

The Emperor and Empress grew up together as childhood sweethearts, and as a young couple, they had been together for many years, so their relationship was naturally deep. Shen Songhe was much younger than them, and had always grown up with them. He regarded her as his own sister.

This bastard, after marrying Shen Songhe, dared to do the despicable act of favoring his concubine and neglecting his wife.

Over the years, the emperor has allowed Song Jinbai to keep his position because he will inherit the title of Xuanwei Marquis in the future, but he has also caused him a lot of trouble.

Outside the palace, Song Zheng barely managed to deal with the officials who came to congratulate him, a stiff smile still on his face. Only after the crowd dispersed did he let out a long sigh and strode out of the palace.

Cangmu had been waiting beside the carriage for a long time. Seeing the Marquis's face as gloomy as water, he was so scared that he didn't even dare to breathe.

"Go to Xiaofeng Villa." Song Zheng left an order before getting in the car.

"Yes." Cangmu silently put away the horse stool and drove towards Xiaofeng Villa in the south of the city.

As before, the gatekeeper was still blocking the door and refused to move an inch.

"Forgive me, my Lord. Madam has ordered that you are not allowed to enter. Please go back."

Song Zheng frowned, his face full of anger: "The prince is getting married, and I have important matters to discuss with my wife, so please get out of the way!" He must meet Shen Songhe this time no matter what. How can he, as a father, not be involved in his son's marriage?

Shen Songhe was such a cruel woman that she made the decision without even considering him, leaving him to be laughed at by all the civil and military officials in the court.

"I dare not make a decision for Madam, please go back, my Lord!"

The old woman was respectful and polite, with no intention of giving way.

Song Zheng was about to explode when Mother Wu came out from the door with a booklet in her hand.

"Marquis." Madam Wu bowed slightly. "Madam has sent word that although the Crown Prince didn't grow up with you, as the heir of the Marquisate, his marriage naturally requires grandeur." She presented the brochure. "Here is the list of betrothal gifts that Madam has prepared. Please hurry up and prepare them. Madam needs to pack before nightfall and leave tomorrow morning to propose marriage."

Song Zheng took the booklet and sneered, "Oh! She still refuses to see me, huh?"

Mother Wu lowered her head, disdainfully looking at Song Zheng's angry face: "Madam reads and paints every day, and lives a leisurely life. Your Majesty has nothing to worry about, and please don't come to add to your worries."

Did he come just to add to the trouble?

Song Zheng's chest was about to burst with anger, but he suppressed it and asked, "Then you can at least let me know who the prince is going to marry, right?"

Mother Wu slowly raised her head, a hint of mockery on her kind face. "After leaving the capital, the prince encountered assassination attempts many times. Fortunately, Miss Ji saved his life. It is this girl that the prince intends to marry."

Song Zheng couldn't believe it, "You mean... someone assassinated him?"

Mother Wu said no more, but bowed slightly to him and respectfully sent him off: "My Lord, go back and prepare the betrothal gifts."

Everything that needs to be said has been said. If Song Zheng wants to know the rest, he will naturally check it out.

As they watched the carriage from the Marquis' Mansion gradually drive away, Mother Wu took out two taels of silver from her sleeve and handed it to the gatekeeper, saying softly, "This is a reward from the Madam."

The old woman took the silver, and the wrinkles on her face instantly smoothed out. She smiled from ear to ear: "Thank you, Madam, for the reward!" The old woman, who had been standing at her post with a solemn expression just now, was now completely immersed in joy.

Kaiyun Mansion.

Ji Nuan made an appointment with the bookstore owner to discuss business at Fuyun Tower.

"A Perfect Match" continued to be performed in the afternoon of the same day. In the morning, there were only a few tables of guests sitting sparsely in the Floating Cloud Building drinking tea, and it seemed particularly quiet.

Ji Nuan was waiting in an inconspicuous place in the hall, drinking tea and petting her mink.

There was a sudden noise from the counter.

Ji Nuan turned her head and looked over.

Coincidentally, we met once before.

Miss Shen, the victim of the Qingzhou Prefecture incident.

Shen Mingzhu still maintained her unwavering arrogance. She suddenly pushed the maid beside her away and sternly shouted at the innocent-looking waiter, "You said you didn't have it when you came late yesterday. Now I'm here so early today, and you still say you don't have it! How do you do business at Floating Cloud Tower?"

The waiter apologized and quickly explained, "Miss, please be patient. Our pastries at Fuyunlou are all made fresh that day to guarantee quality. Please wait a moment, and the chefs will bring them to you as soon as they are ready."

"Then what are you still standing there for? Go and urge them! It's already this hour and they haven't delivered it yet!" Shen Mingzhu was furious when she saw the waiter was indifferent, and ordered him bossily. "Go quickly! I want to eat the cakes now, otherwise, you Fushenglou can't keep running anymore!

Ji Nuan stood up, and Jixiang obediently jumped onto her shoulder and lay down.

"Tsk tsk tsk... You're so arrogant?" As she approached Shen Mingzhu, Ji Nuan greeted her warmly, as if she had just recognized her. "Oh, we're old acquaintances! I hope you're doing well, Miss Shen!"

As soon as Shen Mingzhu saw Ji Nuan, she immediately remembered the injustice she had suffered because of her. She was so angry that her eyes almost popped out of her head. She pointed at Ji Nuan with a trembling finger and said, "You...you bitch! How dare you appear in front of me? Just wait and see how I deal with you!"

"Oh? Then how do you want to deal with me?"

Ji Nuan raised her eyebrows nonchalantly, and even the white mink on her shoulder seemed to sense her master's provocation, baring its teeth at Shen Mingzhu, adding a bit of tension.

Shen Mingzhu was furious and raised her hand to slap Ji Nuan.

"stop!"

A majestic shout echoed throughout the hall.

Song Jinbai, who had just arrived, saw someone trying to attack Ji Nuan and hurriedly stopped them.

Shen Mingzhu was frightened by the sudden sound, and her wrist was hit hard by Song Huai who was beside Song Jinbai. In severe pain, her face turned pale in an instant.

She covered her red wrist, tears welling up in her eyes, and cried out in grievance, "Why did you hit me?"

Under the cover of his sleeve, Song Jinbai quietly hooked Ji Nuan's little finger, looked at Shen Mingzhu with cold eyes and said, "Then I have to ask you, why did you take action first?"