May this scumbag husband, who favored his concubine over his wife, rest in peace.

Chunhua felt relieved and followed slowly behind the two of them, keeping a distance.

The group walked back to the general's mansion.

As soon as they entered the gate, they bumped into Wen Jing, who was about to leave.

His expression was initially somber, but upon seeing Wen Yuanshu, he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Big brother?" Wen Yuanshu asked, "Where are you going so late?"

Wen Jing slowed his pace and walked towards her: "I heard that the barbarian chieftain went to your place, and I'm afraid something might happen to you."

Hearing this, Wen Yuanshu felt a warmth in her heart. Before she could speak, Lu Chengyuan couldn't help but interject, "Since Yuanshu hasn't come back so late, I will naturally go and pick her up."

Wen Jing hummed in agreement: "Well done."

After saying that, Wen Jing told Wen Yuanshu to rest well, and then turned and left.

Wen Yuanshu's gaze lingered on him for a long time.

It wasn't until Lu Chengyuan asked in confusion, "What are you looking at?"

“It’s nothing…” Wen Yuanshu shook her head, “I just feel that my older brother has been acting strangely these past few days.”

“Men always have their days like that,” Lu Chengyuan said dismissively. “Let’s go, let’s go back and rest.”

With that, he half-pushed and half-carried Wen Yuanshu away.

Meanwhile, Wen Jing turned and left, but instead of returning to his own courtyard, he went to the lakeside pavilion.

In the shadows of the pavilion stood a dark figure.

Seeing that Wen Jing had returned so quickly, the figure was not surprised: "Chief Lu is quick to act."

“However…” the man paused slightly, “every day that Hu Yanzhuo stays in the capital, he becomes a greater threat to Miss Wen and the entire Wen family. Surely Young Master Wen understands such a simple truth?”

"Alas, it's a pity the Wen family isn't what it used to be, otherwise..."

Wen Jing pursed his lips and remained silent, while the man in black robes said nothing more and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Wen Jing stood by the lake for a long time before finally turning around and leaving.

-

The next morning, when Wen Yuanshu opened her eyes, the soreness in her body had been relieved by more than half.

She only remembered that after they both took a bath last night, Lu Chengyuan came to massage her waist. She didn't know how long he massaged her, but he didn't stop until she fell asleep.

Wen Yuanshu got up and called Chunhua in.

After some tidying up, the gatekeeper came to report that the carriage sent by the Empress Dowager had arrived.

Wen Yuanshu dared not delay and hurriedly went outside, taking a carriage to the palace.

The carriage traveled freely both inside and outside the palace, finally stopping in front of Changxin Palace.

Now, Wen Yuanshu is a confidante of the Empress Dowager and frequently enters and exits Changxin Palace, which has become quite natural for her.

The Empress Dowager offered him a seat, and as soon as he sat down, she said, "I have heard about what happened yesterday."

"This Anping, after spending a few years in the countryside, has really gone crazy! What does she think the capital is? What does a girls' school look like? Does she even respect me anymore?!"

Su Lan, the old nanny, sighed helplessly, "Your Highness, you're so angry first thing in the morning; it's not good for your health!"

"How could I not know?" The Empress Dowager's anger showed no sign of abating. "If Anping had done fewer foolish things, I wouldn't be so angry so early in the morning!"

Left with no other choice, Granny Sulan gave Wen Yuanshu a look, signaling her to say a few words.

Wen Yuanshu could only say, "Your Majesty, nothing's wrong at all."

Her words had an effect. The Empress Dowager took a deep breath and asked again, "None of the people Anping sent have gone in, have they?"

Wen Yuanshu pursed her lips: "I'm afraid... we'll put one or two in."

Of those twelve people, two were truly capable and performed quite well.

It wouldn't make sense not to let them in.

"Look at this!" The Empress Dowager's anger flared up again. "This Anping is truly, truly—"

In the end, the Empress Dowager said nothing, only sighed heavily, and everything was understood without words.

In the silence, a shrill voice suddenly rang out from outside the door: "Her Majesty the Empress has arrived—"

As the voice faded, the Empress slowly walked into the hall and bowed to the Empress Dowager.

Wen Yuanshu also quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty."