Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

Seeing Qingwen's pitiful appearance, Jiang Mengxuan rarely showed a smile.

"Silly girl, what nonsense are you talking about? What little prince? Don't you think it's too early to talk about these things now?"

Besides, what girl doesn't get married when she grows up? But don't worry, even if our Qingwen were to get married...

I will definitely find you a suitable and good family, and you will not suffer the slightest grievance.

Qingwen shook her head vigorously, "No, Your Majesty, what I said is true."

"I have served Your Majesty since I was a child, and I have sworn to guard Your Majesty for the rest of my life."

"Alright, don't I trust you enough? Quickly help me organize these things and send them to the Royal Auction House tomorrow."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Qingwen wiped away her tears before continuing to help Jiang Mengxuan tidy up the antiques and calligraphy.

Just then, Shu Yue reported: "Your Majesty, Zhao Ang of the Jingwei Guard says he has important matters to report and must see Your Majesty in person."

"Zhao Ang?"

Jiang Mengxuan stopped what she was doing, thought for a moment, and asked, "What important matter does he have to discuss with me, going above his station?"

Shu Yue: "I heard it's about Commander Shen, and he has to speak with His Majesty personally."

Upon hearing that it was about Shen Lang, Jiang Mengxuan's expression changed.

"Qingwen, you help me tidy up first."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

……

"Zhao Ang, commander of the Jingwei Guard, pays his respects to Your Majesty."

Zhao Ang entered the side hall of Chang Le Palace without the slightest negligence, bowing his head and paying his respects.

Jiang Mengxuan asked calmly, "You came to see me about Shen Lang. What happened to him?"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Ang straightened up, still keeping his head down, and cupped his hands, saying, "This humble servant impeaches Shen Lang, a centurion of the Jingwei Division, for abusing his position to have an affair with a female subordinate of the banner."

"What did you say?"

These words were like a bombshell, leaving Jiang Mengxuan somewhat dazed.

Zhao Ang continued, "Your Majesty, this is what I saw with my own eyes. Shen Lang and his subordinate Su Yun were behaving intimately and inappropriately!"

The two had even engaged in physical intimacy at a brothel in the Western District the day before yesterday.

Although I know that Commander Shen is His Majesty's chosen son-in-law, I should not bring up the matter of seriously injuring a colleague at this time.

However, this matter concerns His Majesty's reputation, and I have no choice but to report it to His Majesty to prevent Shen Lang from deceiving him.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mengxuan clenched her hands tightly, her expression unreadable for a moment.

At this moment, Shu Yue said again, "Your Majesty, Shen Lang is audacious and reckless. He dares to act recklessly behind Your Majesty's back while still in his probationary period. Such a wicked person..."

He has already failed His Majesty's good intentions and should be severely punished, having his qualification as the Emperor's son-in-law revoked.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mengxuan turned her head and stared blankly at Shu Yue.

Shu Yue was startled, but remained bowing and clasping her hands in a gesture of respect without uttering a word.

After a long while, Jiang Mengxuan slowly said something.

"Shuyue, are you making decisions for me and telling me how to do things?"

Upon hearing this, Shu Yue was so frightened that she immediately knelt on the ground: "This servant wouldn't dare, it's just that this servant thought..."

Commander Shen has had an affair with a female subordinate, which is already impure; he is completely unworthy to be His Majesty's husband!

"You're very thoughtful, but I know exactly what I'm doing. You don't need to worry about it."

"Considering this is your first offense, I will refrain from punishing you this time. But remember this: you'd better not get involved in matters that are not your concern, understand?"

"Yes, I know I was wrong."

After warning Shu Yue, Jiang Mengxuan turned her attention to Zhao Ang.

"Is everything you said true?"

Zhao Ang cupped his hands and replied, "Everything I said is true. Commander Shen even did it for Su Yun..."

He even went so far as to kill Xie Bao, the leader of the Black Gang, a crime witnessed by the entire Western District's underground forces, and even the Nanjing government can testify to this.

Jiang Mengxuan frowned even more deeply.

She wouldn't doubt for a second that Shen Lang had killed a local tyrant, after all, she had personally witnessed Shen Lang's ruthless and decisive side.

But what she found hard to accept was that Shen Lang was really so shameless as to have an affair with a female subordinate.

It's still a bit hard to believe when you think about it.

But judging from Zhao Ang's demeanor, he doesn't seem to be lying, and Shen Lang has always been extremely averse to marrying into the royal family, so it's not impossible that he would do something like this.

Besides, the truth of such matters can be easily verified with a simple investigation.

Although he had an agreement with Shen Lang, it was merely a business partnership and had nothing to do with genuine feelings.

but……

Why did I feel so upset and choked up when I heard this news?

"I understand, you can go down first."

"Yes, I resign from my humble position."

Zhao Ang lowered his head and left the side hall.

"Shuyue, you may leave now. I wish to be alone."

"Yes, Your Majesty. Please take care of your health."

Shu Yue obediently left the side hall.

"Tsk..."

Jiang Mengxuan was somewhat agitated and felt extremely frustrated.

Just as she was about to leave the palace for a walk, Qingwen suddenly arrived.

"Your Majesty, Young Master Shu is requesting an audience outside Chang Le Palace."

"Send him to the main hall to see me."

Leaving behind a sentence, Jiang Mengxuan flicked her long sleeves and walked towards the main hall.

Qingwen was very puzzled: "Strange, what's wrong with His Majesty?"

……

"Your Majesty, this is a white fungus soup that I personally cooked for you. I hope it suits your taste."

Shu Yingwen carefully placed a fine porcelain jar in front of Jiang Mengxuan's table.

In the past few days, Shu Yingwen has not helped Jiang Mengxuan solve the urgent problem of lacking land, but instead has been preparing different meals for her every day.

Because he was well aware that he was not as wealthy as Mu Changge, and even less capable and decisive as Shen Lang.

The only thing he could do was to take meticulous care of Jiang Mengxuan in order to win her over.

Moreover, he believed that compared to Mu Changge and Shen Lang, his actions were the easiest way to win Jiang Mengxuan's favor.

After all, the most valued sons-in-law in royal families have always been those who are obedient and compliant, rather than those who are exceptionally capable.

From Shu Yingwen's perspective, she was actually the most suitable candidate to be the emperor's son-in-law.

What he didn't know was that Jiang Mengxuan hadn't touched a single bite of the meals he had prepared these past few days; she had disposed of them all privately.

Although Jiang Mengxuan was an emperor, she also had a kind of spiritual fastidiousness and would not give any emotional support to people she did not like.

As for substitutes, the idea of ​​a "white moonlight" (idealized love) was utterly disgusting to Jiang Mengxuan, as it clashed severely with her values.

Looking at the steaming bowl of white fungus soup in front of her, Jiang Mengxuan pondered for a while before saying, "You've put your heart into this, I'm very pleased. Have you been getting used to living in the palace these past few days?"

Shu Yingwen was extremely excited. This was the first time Jiang Mengxuan had ever shown concern for her daily life, which meant that she was gradually changing in her heart. It was a good omen.

He immediately replied, "Your Majesty, I am very happy with what Your Majesty has bestowed upon me, but being able to stay by Your Majesty's side is what makes me happiest."

"Okay, you'll get used to it. If you need anything in the future, just tell Qingwen and Shuyue. Don't make yourself suffer."

Jiang Mengxuan responded softly, which gave Shu Yingwen a sense of boundless hope.

He replied affectionately, "The palace has everything you need. Your Majesty need not worry too much about me. You should take good care of your health."

Just then, Qingwen came to report again: "Your Majesty, Commander Shen is requesting an audience outside the palace."

"Summon him in immediately!"

Without a second thought, Jiang Mengxuan immediately ordered Qingwen to summon Shen Lang for an audience.

She herself didn't realize that her tone at that moment was somewhat impatient.

In fact, from the moment she left until now, her mind has been filled with questions about Shen Lang.

Now that the person in question has arrived, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief and ask the questions that have been bothering me.

"Young Master Shu, you may leave now."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Shu Yingwen, who had wanted to spend more time with Jiang Mengxuan to cultivate their relationship, had no choice but to get up and say goodbye.

Before leaving, he reminded his father, "Your Majesty, this bowl of white fungus soup is good for cooling down and relieving summer heat. Don't forget to drink it. I'll take my leave now."

After he left, Jiang Mengxuan immediately tidied her appearance and looked out the door with complicated thoughts.

Before long, a loud thud of leather boots approached from afar, and Shen Lang's tall figure finally came into the Empress's view.

Before Jiang Mengxuan could speak, Shen Lang stepped into the hall and his first words were...

"Your Majesty, may I receive the reward you promised me today?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mengxuan looked at Shen Lang's confident face, pondered for a moment, and then asked uncertainly.

"Is everything done?"

"It's done."

Shen Lang took out the land deed for the land west of the city's outskirts.

"The 3,722 mu of land has been registered and put under the Empress's name. Please take a look."

Qingwen took the land deed from Shen Lang and carefully handed it to Jiang Mengxuan.

When Jiang Mengxuan saw Zeng Qian's signature and fingerprint, and that the name on the transfer was hers, even with her good manners, her emotions were quite turbulent.

Shen Lang, he really won over Zeng Qian in less than three days?!