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

The next morning, the sun shone brightly over Chang'an, and a gentle breeze blew.

Especially on the shores of Jinchi Lake in the East Market of Chang'an, there is a beautiful and picturesque landscape.

"Big sister, thank you so much for inviting me out this time."

Standing by the lake, Changsun Ying was wearing a breathable and comfortable Jiangnan silk dress, a rare sight for her.

She had long, black hair that reached her waist, and she held an oil-paper umbrella. She was incredibly beautiful, and she was smiling radiantly at another young woman who looked to be about twenty-three or twenty-four years old beside her.

The young woman was Changsun Ying's eldest sister, Changsun Yan, who was already married.

"Sigh, you're already eighteen and still not married. Now that you've finally met the man you love, how can I, as your older sister, not lend a hand?"

Changsun Yan affectionately hooked the tip of Changsun Ying's nose and smiled faintly.

"I also want to see what kind of outstanding man could catch my little sister's eye."

Changsun Ying hurriedly said, "It's Shen Lang, sister. You don't know, Shen Lang is truly the most outstanding man I've ever met. In less than two months, he fought his way from Jinling all the way into Guanzhong."

He slaughtered so many Qiang and Hu people that corpses littered the fields, and their very existence terrified them. I ask you, is there any man in the world more outstanding than him? In short, sister, I've made up my mind about him, you must help me.”

"You, Marshal Shen, are such an outstanding general, and you achieved success at a young age. Women who pursue him must be flocking to you. As the saying goes, women from Jiangnan are as gentle as water."

Perhaps the forthrightness of women from Guanzhong wouldn't catch Marshal Shen's eye.

"Sis, how can you say that? You haven't even gotten to know your sister yet and you're already trying to undermine her?"

Changsun Yan smiled slightly and stopped answering, turning her gaze to the scenery of the lake.

About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Shen Lang, dressed in brocade robes, appeared gracefully outside the Forbidden Lake.

He immediately recognized the person standing outside the pavilion in the middle of the lake as his destination, and couldn't help but smile slightly as he strolled over to greet him.

"Miss..."

Upon seeing Shen Lang appear, Changsun Ying nervously tugged at Changsun Yan's sleeve.

Changsun Yan followed Changsun Ying's gaze and her eyes lit up.

His upright posture, handsome face, and steady, powerful gait, unlike the impetuousness of youth, give people a very comfortable feeling.

"My sister's judgment is indeed excellent. This Shen Lang is indeed a handsome and promising young man."

Changsun Yan had an excellent first impression of Shen Lang and silently gave him a high evaluation in her heart.

Changsun Ying, on the other hand, appeared extremely nervous, constantly glancing at her own appearance, afraid of leaving Shen Lang with even the slightest bad impression.

"My name is Shen Lang. I greet you both."

Upon entering the pavilion, Shen Lang immediately bowed to the two women.

"Last night, I heard from the Prince that the two young ladies seemed to have something to see me. Because I was busy with military affairs, I arrived late. I hope the two young ladies will forgive me."

Changsun Yan bowed in return: "I know that Commander Shen is busy with official duties, and I should apologize to you for taking the time to come here."

Shen Lang smiled calmly: "Madam, you are too polite. May I ask what important matter you wish to discuss with me? Please speak frankly."

Changsun Yan glanced back at Changsun Ying.

Changsun Ying blushed, turned around and looked at the lake while shielding herself with the oil-paper umbrella, revealing her shy demeanor.

Changsun Yan sighed softly, then pointed to the stone table in the pavilion: "Marshal Shen, please sit down and talk."

"Please, Madam."

Shen Lang maintained proper manners throughout, which earned him even more respect from Changsun Yan.

After they were seated, Changsun Yan asked, "General Shen, how does the scenery of Chang'an compare to that of Jiangnan?"

As she spoke, she poured Shen Lang a cup of flower tea.

Shen Lang glanced at the lake and nodded, saying, "The scenery of Jiangnan, nestled against mountains and beside water, exudes gentle charm; the spirit of Guanzhong, bold and unrestrained, fully expresses its sentiments."

Both have their merits and are difficult to compare, but having the opportunity to experience the scenery of Guanzhong is certainly worthwhile.

Changsun Yan closed her eyes without showing any emotion: "Commander Shen is indeed honest. He didn't praise one and belittle the other. He really treated everyone fairly."

"These are just my heartfelt words; I hope you won't find them laughable, Madam."

Shen Lang picked up the teacup, brought it to his nose, and smelled it, but did not drink it immediately.

“Madam, I have never liked beating around the bush. Please speak frankly.”

"Alright, since Commander Shen says so, then I will speak frankly."

Changsun Yan composed herself, glanced at Changsun Ying, and immediately explained her purpose to Shen Lang.

"Shen Shuai, my little sister is in love with you. I wonder if you have any feelings for her in return?"

Upon hearing this, Changsun Ying's heart leaped into her throat, and she immediately pricked up her ears, waiting for Shen Lang's reply.

Shen Lang smiled upon hearing this and replied quite readily: "I'm truly sorry, but I am already engaged. I can only appreciate your sister's kindness."

Changsun Yan was stunned. Looking at Shen Lang's calm and composed reply, she didn't know what to say for a moment.

It turns out the other person is already engaged, so how could I possibly bring it up?

She glared at Changsun Ying with some annoyance, as if blaming her for not telling her such an important matter, causing her to make such a fool of herself.

Upon hearing this, Changsun Ying could no longer maintain her composure and turned to Shen Lang, saying, "Marshal Shen, even if you are engaged, can't you refuse?"

A man, as a human being, should not be bound by a marriage contract. He should pursue his own happiness, not be constrained by these rules and regulations.

"Little sister! How dare you be rude!"

Changsun Yan immediately reprimanded Changsun Ying.

"Since Marshal Shen is already engaged, how can you force him like this?"

Changsun Ying: "Big sister, am I wrong? A hero like Marshal Shen should find a woman who truly understands and sympathizes with him as his wife."

He then looked at Shen Lang and said, "Marshal Shen, are you willing to give up your existing engagement for my sake? As long as you agree to marry me, you can do whatever you want with the wealth of the Changsun family."

Shen Lang shook his head and decisively refused: "I'm sorry, my fiancée has a bit of a temper. If she finds out about what happened today, it will inevitably cause trouble again."

"Miss's kindness is too much for me to accept. I hope that one day you will find a suitable husband to spend the rest of your life with."

Changsun Ying grew anxious: "Since Marshal Shen's fiancée is so unromantic, you should give up on her. I hope Marshal Shen will consider his future."

With the wealth of the Changsun family, coupled with Marshal Shen's wisdom and heroic bearing, their achievements would be far greater than this.

As soon as she said that, Changsun Ying immediately covered her mouth.

She knew she had said the wrong thing. Often, the thing that a heroic figure like Shen Lang would hate most is to use family background to oppress someone.

Shen Lang smiled modestly, stood up and said to Changsun Yan, "Madam, military affairs are busy, so I will take my leave now. Please don't see me off."

After saying this, the smile on his face vanished, and he turned and strode away from the pavilion in the middle of the lake without any sign of lingering.

Shen Lang had absolutely no feelings for Changsun Ying, a spoiled daughter of a wealthy family.

Let alone Changsun Ying, back in Bingzhou Fengsui Fortress, when the most beautiful woman in the north, Princess Murong Xue of Northern Yan, personally stood in front of the battle to persuade him to surrender and express her love, he could still unhesitatingly wield a dagger and send her to her death.

"Shen Shuai, wait, don't go..."

"Stop!"

Changsun Ying wanted to chase after her, but Changsun Yan stopped her sternly.

"What can I say about you? I'm so embarrassed I want to crawl into a hole. Did you already know that Shen Lang was engaged?"

"If I had known this would happen, I would never have come with you. You've almost completely disgraced the Changsun family!"

"Sister, I..."

"Alright, that's enough. This is absolutely impossible! Come back with me to the manor and reflect on your actions!"

Changsun Yan stopped Changsun Ying's nonsense in an unquestionable tone.

Changsun Ying's eyes immediately welled up with tears: "Big sister, I truly love Marshal Shen, please help me."

"Send me to his bed, and once it's too late, he'll have no way out, okay?"

"Enough! How could you say something like that?"

Changsun Yan was also angered.

"You're becoming more and more lawless!"

"Ok!"

Changsun Ying was so angry that she tore the oil-paper umbrella to pieces and cried, "But I really love Shen Lang!"

Changsun Yan: "Have you made enough of a scene? Marshal Shen has no interest in you at all. His mind is all on his fiancée. Just give up!"

Upon hearing this, Changsun Ying's face was full of dissatisfaction.

"What kind of woman could possibly win Shen Lang's favor!"

……

Jinling, Weiyang Palace, the Empress's bedroom.

"No, no! You're not allowed to leave!"

"Who gave you permission to touch other women?"

"Don't go, don't leave me. What have I done to displease you? Please change it."

"Please, don't go, don't leave me!"

Suddenly, Jiang Mengxuan woke up from her desk.

He glanced around at the familiar surroundings and at the official documents he had knocked to the ground when he woke up from the nightmare, and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She took the memorials she hadn't finished during the day back to her palace to continue reviewing them, but halfway through, drowsiness overwhelmed her, and she fell asleep at her desk, drifting off to sleep.

In her dream, she found herself in a dynasty in another time and space, witnessing an extreme and abusive love affair.

In the dream, because of the empress's arrogance, she betrayed her husband who had helped the empire expand its territory and reach its peak, and hooked up with another pretty boy.

When the affair came to light, the husband was heartbroken and turned to embrace several stunning beauties, not even bothering to look at her.

The empress desperately tried to stop it, to salvage this relationship that was about to be lost, and to tell him that she loved him.

But the husband who used to be all she could see, the one she was willing to risk her life for, never looked back.

Because he now has a woman who loves him more by his side, and no longer needs the woman who hurt him so badly.

It wasn't until she woke up that Jiang Mengxuan was freed from that heart-wrenching sense of helplessness.

In the dream, even though I was just an observer, it felt like I was experiencing everything firsthand, and the heartache was so intense that I could hardly breathe.

"Qingwen, light the lamp."

She called out softly, but heard no familiar response.

The bedchamber was eerily quiet.

Sensing something amiss, Jiang Mengxuan's phoenix eyes instantly turned cold, and she rapidly circulated her inner energy.

"Junior sister, it's me, don't be afraid."

Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out in the dark hall.

"Third senior brother?"

Jiang Mengxuan quickly got up and got out of bed. She saw Xu Jingyan standing there looking at her from ten steps away in the outer hall, his face looking haggard.

"Junior Sister, how have you been lately?"

"Third Senior Brother, what are you doing here?"

As she spoke, the Empress focused her energy in her jade palm, her gaze towards Xu Jingyan filled with intense vigilance.