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

Moreover, it seems that with his return, Xie Wanru and the others have found a pillar of support to rely on.

"Third Brother, thank you for trusting me so much. I won't let you down," Xie Wanru said earnestly, her eyes shining with determination.

In this life, she will never let her family suffer such a tragic end again. She has changed the course of history, and she has already divorced him. Shen Yanzhi and Shen Nian'an will no longer have any reason to hate her.

Xiao Yan... she will never give him another chance to hurt her family.

Lin Qing nodded in agreement. Although she couldn't have the same direct family support as Xie Wanru, her respect and trust for Xie Yanting remained unchanged.

"General Xie, you must be careful on your journey. My father once said that although the Simons are on the surface to be friendly with us, we don't know what they are really up to."

Lin Qing reminded him with concern.

Xie Yanting nodded, his eyes revealing a sense of composure and confidence. "Don't worry, I can handle it."

Then, Xie Yanting turned to Xie Wanru and said, "Wanwan, don't run around while I'm gone. Wait for me to come back for everything."

He has a lot to do this time he's back, including what his second brother instructed him to do: deal with Shen Nian'an.

"I know, Third Brother, why have you become so long-winded? Hurry up and go to the palace to report back."

Xie Wanru said, feigning disgust.

Xie Yanting gently patted her shoulder, then turned to the soldiers behind him and said, "Let's go."

The procession set off again, with Xie Yanting riding his horse, receiving cheers from the people, and heading step by step towards the palace.

Xie Wanru and Lin Qing watched them leave until the procession disappeared around the street corner before turning away. They too were going to the palace, but they couldn't go with Xie Yanting's group.

Xie Yanting also wanted to meet with Emperor Qinyong alone.

As night fell, Emperor Qinyong hosted a banquet in the palace to welcome Xie Yanting and to prepare for the upcoming arrival of the Simon envoy.

The fourth and fifth princes also attended the banquet. They both looked a little nervous, but more than that, they were filled with anticipation and excitement.

Previously, because they were young, their father would only let them listen to state affairs. Now that their father is starting to let them get hands-on experience, how could they not be tempted?

Moreover, Xie Yanting was practically an idol in their eyes. The Fourth Prince sat down next to Xie Yanting and kept asking him to tell him interesting stories about the Northern Border.

Xie Yanting casually picked a few interesting stories, and the Fourth Prince listened with great interest, his eyes shining with admiration and gratitude.

"Lin'er seems to be very interested in military affairs."

The Empress beside the Emperor Qinyong said softly, "I just don't know if Wu'er is interested."

The fourth prince is named Xiao Lin, while Wu'er is the empress's youngest son. Although he also practices martial arts and has many similarities with Xiao Long, he is far inferior to Xiao Long in both appearance and strength.

"The fifth brother is playful and hasn't settled down yet. Let's wait and see. If he and the fourth brother both like to play with knives and guns, then he can learn more from Xie Yanting."

Emperor Qinyong's gaze fell on Xiao Long. Although Xiao Long was drinking, he was clearly also paying attention to the movements of Xie Yanting and Xiao Lin beside him.

The Emperor Qinyong's lips curled up slightly. His Long'er was just so obedient, never disappointing him no matter what.

The banquet was lively, and even members of the Shen family, who rarely made an appearance, were among them.

They all tried to minimize their presence and avoid talking to others to prevent people from mentioning what had happened in the past few days and making them a laughing stock.

"Mother, we're trying to keep a low profile, why don't we just stay home? What are we doing here?"

Shen Nianqing felt a surge of anger when she looked at the person next to the Empress.

Why is it that after the divorce, it's always the Shen family that's making a fool of themselves, they're incredibly unlucky, while Xie Wanru is doing better and better? She's not convinced, why should Xie Wanru, a discarded wife, get away with this!

"Stay at home? Stay at home until you get old so you can go to a nunnery?"

Although Madam Shen didn't chat much with people, her eyes were scrutinizing the many ladies who had come to the banquet.

At least they still have the reputation of the Yong'an Marquis's Mansion to rely on. Finding a good family for Shen Nianqing as soon as possible is the most important thing. Moreover, Shen Cong'an is now a favorite of the Crown Prince and has won the Emperor's favor. With him around, outsiders will not look up to their Marquis's Mansion.

"Mother."

Shen Nianqing called out softly, even with a coquettish tone.

She still cared deeply for Crown Prince Xiao Long, so how could she possibly want to marry someone else?

"Please tell your elder brother to invite His Highness the Crown Prince to our Marquis's residence. Who in the world has a status as noble as His Highness the Crown Prince?"

Shen Nianqing's gaze fell on the man in the distance. The man was dressed in fine clothes and had a graceful demeanor. His status was second only to the current emperor, the Crown Prince.

Upon hearing this, Madam Shen reached out and pinched Shen Nianqing. "If you have such thoughts again, I will have your father send you to a nunnery tomorrow and tell everyone that you do not wish to live a secular life and are willing to spend your life eating vegetarian food and chanting Buddhist scriptures, far away from the hustle and bustle of the world."

Shen Nianqing winced in pain but dared not argue, because she felt that Old Madam Shen was the kind of person who would do such a thing.

Madam Shen glared at her again and continued to scrutinize the other ladies, hoping to find a relative of decent social standing who could be controlled by her.

With a higher social standing, she would have to be mindful of others' opinions. The Yong'an Marquis's mansion is not what it used to be. Once their son becomes successful, they will have everything. If their daughter goes and provokes His Highness the Crown Prince, and if the incident of drugging him that day comes to light, then their entire mansion will truly be finished.

The Empress, high above, also took notice of the Shen family. As a woman herself, how could she not know where Shen Nianqing's gaze was directed?

Countless women in the entire Great Xuan Dynasty wanted to marry the Crown Prince, not to mention that the Crown Prince currently has no principal wife.

"Wanwan, are you getting used to the Princess's residence? If you're bored, you should come to the palace often to keep me company."

The Empress patted Xie Wanru's hand affectionately.

"I'm just afraid that you'll find me annoying, Aunt Rou. I'd like to come more often."

Xie Wanru peeled an orange and gave it to the Empress, who accepted it with a smile on her lips.

Emperor Qinyong had six sons but none of them had daughters. Therefore, the Empress bestowed all her affection for Xie Wanru upon her. In addition, because of the marriage with the Shen family, she felt guilty towards Xie Wanru and felt even more sorry for her.

"You silly girl, when have I ever found you annoying? I always ask you to come more often, but you're always either off to the Northern Border or busy with other things. You just don't want to come to the palace to keep me company. If it weren't for your third brother coming back this time, I bet you wouldn't have wanted to come to the palace either."

The Empress lightly patted Xie Wanru's head as if punishing her, the force of which was not even as strong as when she brushed off dust.

Xie Wanru pretended to be in pain after being hit and nestled into the Empress's arms, acting coquettishly.