Reborn and married in a swapped marriage, my aloof husband is too ruthless.

Magistrate Li trembled like a leaf, sweat poured down his face, and his eyes darted around, clearly Su Jinxin's words had hit a nerve.

Su Jinxin smiled contemptuously and threw the indictment back at him: "Lord Li, it's a pity you're not an actor with your acting skills. The evidence of embezzlement and bribery is conclusive. Do you think you can get away with just fabricating an indictment? This lady is not so easily fooled."

Magistrate Li's face turned deathly pale; he knew he was completely finished.

He collapsed to the ground, wailing and lamenting, looking like a farce.

Su Jinxin waved her hand impatiently: "Someone, drag him out!"

After dealing with this farce, Su Jinxin rubbed her temples, feeling utterly exhausted.

The epidemic had finally subsided, but then these clowns popped up, it's so annoying.

Just then, a guard rushed in to report: "Madam, someone from the palace has arrived. They say they are a special envoy sent by the Emperor and have a secret order to convey."

Su Jinxin and Yan Chengan exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of seriousness in each other's eyes.

A secret imperial edict?

At this juncture?

It seems that new challenges are on the horizon.

Yan Chengan held Su Jinxin's hand and gave her a reassuring look: "Don't worry, I've got you covered."

Su Jinxin smiled in response, but she was not at ease inside.

Although the epidemic has been brought under control, there are still many follow-up tasks to be done.

Many families in the city who lost loved ones to the epidemic are struggling and need relief; businesses also need time to recover; more importantly, those unscrupulous merchants and bullies who took advantage of the epidemic need to be dealt with one by one.

Now, another secret imperial edict has arrived, which is undoubtedly adding insult to injury.

Su Jinxin took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.

She'll meet force with force and water with earth; she refuses to believe there's any problem she can't solve!

Just as she was pondering this, another servant came to report: "Madam, the disaster victims in the east of the city... have started a riot again!" They said they were demanding more compensation, otherwise they would... would storm the government office!

Su Jinxin's face darkened.

These people are really shameless!

She had originally planned to use some of the funds for disaster relief and business recovery, but now it seemed she had to rethink her plans… She suddenly stood up and said to Yan Chengan, “Let’s go take a look!”

Yan Cheng'an nodded, and the two walked out side by side, leaving the guard standing there, still holding the undelivered palace edict in his hand...

“Madam, look… this…” The guard looked at Su Jinxin’s departing figure, hesitant to speak.

The guard was on the verge of tears. Should the secret order be delivered or not? Your Majesty, you certainly know how to pick your timing!

Su Jinxin is not an indecisive person.

She rushed to the east of the city with lightning speed, and before the rioting disaster victims could even speak, she preemptively declared: "I know what you want, isn't it just money? How much do you want? Name your price!"

The disaster victims were stunned by her domineering opening, and for a moment no one dared to speak.

Su Jinxin sneered, "What, have you gone mute? Weren't you shouting quite loudly just now?"

One of the men, who seemed to be the leader, mustered his courage and said, "Mrs. Su, we don't want to cause trouble, but we're really starving..."

"Stop talking nonsense!" Su Jinxin interrupted him impatiently. "If you want money, just say so. Don't play the poor card with me! I, Su Jinxin, hate being morally blackmailed the most!"

The leader was so embarrassed by her rebuttal that he stammered for a long time before finally managing to come up with a number.

Upon hearing this, Su Jinxin rolled her eyes: "Is that all? Are you trying to fob me off like a beggar? Even when I do charity, I want to do it with dignity! Here's what I'll do: I'll give you three times that amount! But..." Her tone shifted, and her eyes sharpened, "You must sign this agreement, guaranteeing that you won't cause any more trouble, and that you'll promote my business, understand?"

Upon hearing this, the disaster victims were overjoyed and expressed their willingness to accept it.

Su Jinxin chuckled inwardly. This move not only solved the immediate problem but also served as free advertising for herself. It was a huge win!

After dealing with these matters, Yan Chengan took Su Jinxin to the medicine hut where they had fought the epidemic together.

Looking at everything familiar before them, the two were overwhelmed with mixed emotions.

The hardships and fears of the past have now turned into sweet memories.

Yan Chengan gently lifted Su Jinxin's chin and looked at her affectionately: "Xin'er, thank you for being there for me through this difficult time."

Su Jinxin's eyes reddened slightly, and she choked out, "Silly boy, why are you thanking me? We're husband and wife..."

Yan Chengan could no longer suppress his emotions and kissed her deeply.

The two embraced tightly, creating a breathtaking scene in the afterglow of the setting sun.

As night fell, Su Jinxin leaned against Yan Chengan's chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, and felt a sense of peace.

Suddenly, Yan Cheng'an spoke up: "Xin'er, there's something I need to tell you..."

Yan Cheng'an took a deep breath, his tone grave: "Xin'er, do you still remember the guard who delivered the secret order?"

Su Jinxin nestled in his arms and lazily replied, "I remember, so what? That guy hasn't given up yet? The secret order hasn't been sent out yet, his performance review is going to be ruined, right? Hahahaha..."

Yan Cheng'an smiled helplessly: "Xin'er, you're always so clever and mischievous. However, this matter is probably not so simple." He paused and continued, "This afternoon, that guard came again, and... brought the Emperor's edict."

Su Jinxin sat up abruptly, her face filled with shock: "The Emperor's edict? What does the Emperor want with me? Is it because I've made too much money lately, and he wants me to share some with him? Dream on!"

Yan Cheng'an was both amused and exasperated: "Xin'er, you're overthinking things again. The Emperor summoned you because..." He paused deliberately, looking at Su Jinxin's anxious expression, a sly glint in his eyes, "...because he wants to meet this extraordinary woman who turned the tide during the epidemic."

Su Jinxin pouted: "Tch, I thought it was something important. Just because the Emperor wants to see me, does that mean I have to go? I'm very busy, I don't have time to play house with him."

Yan Cheng'an pulled her back into his arms, his tone gentle yet firm: "Xin'er, you must go this time. This is not just an audience with the Emperor, but an opportunity, a chance for us, for the Yan family, to rise to a higher level."

Su Jinxin was stunned. Looking at Yan Chengan's serious eyes, she suddenly felt a strange premonition.

This summons to the palace seems to be more complicated than she imagined...

Even though it was late at night, the lights in the Yan family's study were still bright.

Yan Cheng'an unfolded a secret letter, on which were written a few words: "Crown Prince, return immediately." He slowly handed the letter to Su Jinxin.

Su Jinxin took the teacup, glanced at it, and then dropped it on the ground with a "crash," scattering shards of porcelain everywhere.

The broken teacup shards were scattered all over the floor, just like Su Jinxin's chaotic thoughts at this moment.

Yan Cheng'an... is he the Crown Prince?

!

The amount of information was overwhelming; she felt like her brain was about to overload.

"So, you pretended to be sick before, in order to..." Su Jinxin took a deep breath, trying to digest this shocking secret, "to bide your time and avoid being hunted down?"

Yan Cheng'an nodded and reached out to pull her into his arms. "Xin'er, I didn't mean to hide it, it's just that the time wasn't right."

Su Jinxin nestled in his arms, her mind racing with a thousand thoughts.

Good heavens, she married a "living dead" who turned out to be a hidden prince!

This is a buy-one-get-one-free deal! We're making a killing!

However, the identity of the crown prince is far more dangerous than that of a "living dead".

"The Emperor's summons is probably not that simple," Su Jinxin murmured to herself, her tone tinged with worry.

This trip to the palace is probably a trap.

Yan Cheng'an gently stroked her hair, his tone firm: "Don't be afraid, Xin'er, I will protect you."

The next morning, sunlight shone on the Yan residence, but it could not dispel the tense atmosphere that permeated the air.

Although the epidemic has been completely resolved, the bigger challenges have just begun.

Su Jinxin changed into a low-key yet elegant dress, looked at herself in the mirror, and took a deep breath.

"Come on, let's have a palace intrigue! I'm not someone to be trifled with!"

Yan Cheng'an, dressed in brocade robes, exuded an even more outstanding demeanor.

He walked over to Su Jinxin and gently straightened her collar. "Are you ready?"

Su Jinxin winked playfully, "Ready? Let's go!"

The carriage slowly made its way to the palace, the wheels rolling over the bluestone pavement with a dull thud, just like Su Jinxin's heartbeat at that moment.

The palace gates are majestic, their vermilion doors resembling a colossal beast, silently watching over the passing crowds.

Su Jinxin and Yan Chengan got out of the car and looked up at the towering palace walls. A strange sense of oppression overwhelmed them.

"Xin'er, don't be nervous." Yan Cheng'an held her hand, giving her silent encouragement.

Su Jinxin smiled in response, and jokingly said in a relaxed manner, "Nervous? Not at all! This young lady has seen it all!"

The two walked side by side into the palace gate, their figures gradually disappearing behind the layers of palace walls.

Suddenly, a shrill voice rang out in the silent palace corridor: "Young Master Yan, Miss Su, we have been waiting for you for a long time..."