You're the one who wants to marry a mistress, and I'm marrying someone else, yet you still

In contrast to Shen Nian'an's sleepless nights, Xie Wanru was living a prosperous life. In order to show her concern for the Empress, Xie Wanru obediently moved to the Princess's residence.

Because it's closer to the palace, and in Her Majesty the Empress's words, it's also safer.

Moreover, this place is not only close to the palace, but also close to the Crown Prince, so Xie Wanru agreed, as it would make future discussions more convenient.

Furthermore, she was, after all, a woman who had been married out of the family, and it was indeed not good for her to continue living in the Xie family. Even if her father and brothers were not worried about these things, she still had to consider their reputation.

If the Xie family's descendants are implicated because of her in the future, she will feel guilty. After she moves into the Princess's Mansion, some of the things she does will be unrelated to the Xie family. This is also a way to prepare for the future.

When she moved her residence, His Highness Prince Rui of the Great Zhou Dynasty sent a letter saying he would personally come to congratulate her. Xie Wanru was at a loss for what to do.

She didn't know this man well in her previous life. She only knew that he was a chaste man in his thirties who had never thought of getting married and having children, which made his elder brother, the emperor, very worried about him.

Now, this man with such lofty ambitions actually claims he wants to be among the first guests at her princess's mansion.

"Wanwan, are you also very familiar with Prince Rui? I thought His Highness the Crown Prince would arrive first."

Lin Qing asked with a puzzled look.

In their previous lives, Lin Qing and Xie Wanru married different people and gradually lost contact. In this life, Xie Wanru has divorced and returned home, so they have more contact now.

Sure enough, Xie Wanru was still moving things when Lin Qing came over to keep her company.

“I’m not familiar with him. His Highness the Crown Prince will naturally come, as long as Xiao Yan doesn’t come.”

Xie Wanru casually agreed.

She was going to throw a big banquet for this move, so that the Shen family could see how successful she was after the divorce. However, she didn't welcome Xiao Yan at all; she had kicked him the last time they met.

In addition, Xie Wanru's third brother was kidnapped because of Xiao Yan, and due to karma from her past life, she only felt hatred for this man, and the thought of seeing him made her feel disgusted.

"You still hate the Third Prince so much? Wanwan, people often say that love can turn into hate. Do you actually like the Third Prince? That won't do! He's already married. No matter how much you like him, you can't become his concubine!"

Lin Qing advised, "Wanwan wouldn't still be so stubborn, would she? She's already divorced, she wouldn't still be unable to let go of her feelings, would she?"

The main reason was that she felt the Third Prince was not a good match.

"My dear Qingqing, do you think I'm that stupid? I swear, I just genuinely dislike him! What nonsense about hate equaling love? Can't I just genuinely hate him? Don't you hate him too?"

Xie Wanru replied evasively.

She couldn't very well say that she was reborn and knew that in her previous life, Xiao Yan killed her entire family because he was instigated by Shen Nian'an.

Even if she told Lin Qing, she felt that Lin Qing wouldn't believe her. The reason Shen Cong'an chose to believe her was mostly because of the life-saving grace involved; otherwise, he wouldn't have believed her.

"Haha, you're right. I hate him too. The Third Prince is really not a likable person. When you liked him back then, I thought you might be blind..."

Speaking of this, Lin Qing thought of Xie Wanru's interactions with Xiao Yan many years ago, and the topic gradually shifted from Prince Rui, Xiao Yunli, to Xiao Yan.

As Lin Qing helped Xie Wanru tidy up her new home, she chattered on and on about the past. The two of them laughed from time to time, as if trying to sweep away the gloom of the past.

Although they were supposed to be tidying up, the two of them were just directing their subordinates to do things. The Empress had given Xie Wanru quite a few people, nearly twenty of whom were just serving in the courtyard, and even more miscellaneous servants, so they didn't have to do anything themselves.

"Think back to those days, you were willing to do anything for him, even neglecting me."

Lin Qing's joke was tinged with seriousness. She knew Xie Wanru's past infatuation and had witnessed how that relationship gradually crumbled. Now, thinking back, she didn't know whether she should be grateful or not.

After all, if Wanwan is unhappy after marrying the Third Prince, it will be even more difficult to get a divorce, and the Emperor and Empress probably won't support her.

Xie Wanru's smile faded slightly, and a fleeting, almost imperceptible expression flashed in her eyes, but it was quickly concealed by the slight upturn of her lips.

"Yes, I was young and impetuous, always thinking that love could overcome everything. Looking back now, I was just too naive. Who doesn't suffer a little when they're young? But after experiencing so much, I guess I've grown up."

Xie Wanru tried not to preach too much, lest Lin Qing feel that she had become too different from before. After all, she had memories of her past life and more life experience, and when she spoke, she couldn't help but have a lecturing tone.

She was trying her best to restrain herself, but when she thought about how infatuated she had been with Xiao Yan, she couldn't bear to think about it. She was really blind!

"Wanwan, I'm so happy that you think this way. My dear Wanwan deserves someone better. As for the past, let it go. From now on, you are a brand new Wanwan. You should live for yourself and live a wonderful life."

Lin Qing held Xie Wanru's hand tightly, her eyes full of encouragement and support.

She was unaware that Xie Wanru had already been to the Northern Border and undergone a complete transformation. She had visited the Xie residence several times in the past two months, and the steward had repeatedly told her that Xie Wanru was unavailable to receive guests. She assumed it was simply that Wanru was in a bad mood and didn't want to see anyone.

So when Xie Wanru needed to move things, she rushed over immediately, fearing that Xie Wanru, after two months of seclusion, hadn't yet healed her wounded heart.

Xie Wanru nodded heavily. She knew that the road ahead might become increasingly difficult, but she would not back down.

She would follow her father's instructions, not to alert the enemy, and slowly find out who was connected with the Northern Barbarians. She was determined to find out who this traitor was.

"By the way, Wanwan, what are you planning to do about Prince Rui? Since he personally sent an invitation, it's not a good idea to refuse, is it?"

Lin Qing suddenly remembered the important matter at hand, and her brows furrowed slightly.

Xie Wanru pondered for a moment, "Since he wants to come, let him come. I also want to take this opportunity to see what kind of person this supposedly virtuous Prince Rui really is. If he wants to see me make a fool of myself, then he'll probably be disappointed."

Xie Wanru said with a smile.

Are you curious about this person? Xie Wanru was indeed curious, after all, they were people she had never crossed paths with in her previous life, and she also wanted to know whether this high-ranking Prince Rui was a friend or foe.

A hint of surprise flashed in Lin Qing's eyes, which then turned into relief.

"You're always so organized. Well, now that you've made your plans, I won't ask any more questions. I just hope everything goes well for you and that you achieve your goals soon."

The two exchanged a smile and continued their busy moving work, directing the servants to put things in the correct places.

Before parting, Lin Qing quietly told Xie Wanru about what happened between her and Shen Yanzhi at the gambling den.