She remarried a cold-faced, powerful man, and the scumbag regretted it and cried his heart out.

Inside the imperial prison, torches crackled, and occasionally the painful screams of prisoners could be heard.

Jiang Jin'an was dressed in a black outfit, with traces of blood on the hem of his clothes.

He walked to the basin as if no one else was there, scooped up a ladle of water, and washed the blood off his hands.

Wen Huaiqing walked in with his hands behind his back. When he saw Jiang Jin'an's appearance, he gave a meaningful smile. "The methods of the Commandant are as ruthless as ever. No wonder those scheming fellows in the capital tremble at the mere mention of your name."

Jiang Jin'an didn't even lift his eyelids, his hands still moving, and casually replied, "Your Highness Prince Jing, you've condescended to come to this imperial prison, probably not just to test my interrogation methods."

Wen Huaiqing chuckled lightly and said leisurely, "I was just feeling sentimental after hearing that my father had betrothed you to Miss Shen from the Marquis of Pingyang's family. I have a capable subordinate who was telling me a few days ago that you, Jiang Jin'an, are no ordinary person and should not be allowed to live. But I didn't listen to him. In my heart, I have never doubted your loyalty."

Jiang Jin'an's hand suddenly stopped moving, and a cold light flashed in his eyes.

He straightened up, slammed the water ladle down with a loud thud, and raised an eyebrow, saying, "Such remarks are actually made. It seems Your Highness has handled all the important matters at hand so well that your subordinates have nothing better to do than gossip?"

Wen Huaiqing threw his head back and laughed a few times. The laughter echoed in the cramped and dark prison, sounding particularly jarring. "Jiang Jin'an, don't misunderstand. I'm just telling the truth. By winning over the Pingyang Marquis's mansion in this way, your power in the court will probably be at its zenith. It's inevitable that some people will say something sarcastic."

"Your Highness is joking. The situation in the court is determined and controlled by His Majesty. But Your Highness, are those people you have gathered prepared to serve the country, or do you have other plans? You must not choose the wrong path ahead."

Wen Huaiqing's dark pupils suddenly contracted, then returned to normal. He clapped his hands and exclaimed, "What a sharp tongue! I was merely conducting a routine inspection to check if the prisoners in the jail were being properly treated, and you've already slapped such a huge label on me. Jiang Jin'an, I'd like to see if you'll get yourself into trouble one day because of these many acts of 'loyalty.' Don't come begging to me then."

He turned and left, and Jiang Jin'an watched his retreating figure with murderous intent in his eyes.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Fu Zijin sat on the stone steps, with several empty wine jars scattered haphazardly around him.

His eyes were bloodshot as he stared ahead.

He thought that Jing Shu would return to his side in a few days.

He had even meticulously planned in his mind how to deal with Prince Jing's every scheme and power maneuver.

For Fu Zijin, in this world of life and death, only power is eternal.

He has always acted in this way. To achieve his goals, he is willing to use any means necessary and resort to any cunning scheme.

But Shen Jingshu became the variable in his life.

Qingzhu stood by, feeling sorry for his young master. After hesitating for a long time, he finally mustered up his courage and stepped forward to persuade him, "Young master, let's go back. It's late and the dew is heavy. Why make things difficult for yourself? Besides, Miss Shen has already been betrothed. As for what happens next..."

Before Qingzhu could finish speaking, her voice lowered.

Fu Zijin seemed not to hear, maintaining his original posture, only his fingers holding the wine jar tightened slightly.

"You wouldn't understand my story."

His tone was indifferent, but the gloom in his eyes was impossible to dispel.

Qingzhu wanted to say a few more words of advice, but when she met Fu Zijin's cold gaze, she swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue, silently took a few steps back, and stood still with her head down.

After a long while, he finally stood up unsteadily. Qingzhu went forward to help him, but he scolded her, "Go back! Don't follow me!"

He stumbled and staggered his way to the Marquis of Pingyang's residence.

Upon reaching the mansion wall, he confirmed his location from memory, and after confirming that no one was around, he scaled the wall and leaped into Shen Jingshu's courtyard.

Candles were lit in Shaoguang Courtyard, casting her silhouette on the window lattice.

Fu Zijin's eyes instantly reddened, and he walked straight into the house.

As soon as they approached the door, Shen Jingshu's cold voice came from inside, "Who's outside?"

Fu Zijin froze abruptly, the effects of the alcohol mostly worn off, and he lowered his voice to say, "It's me, Fu Zijin."

The room fell silent instantly.

A moment later, the door creaked open, and Jinse rushed out angrily, standing with her hands on her hips in front of the door.

"Young Master Fu, have you gone mad? It's already late, what are you trying to do by barging into my young lady's courtyard?"

Fu Zijin ignored Jinse and looked straight past her at Shen Jingshu inside the room. "Come with me."

Jinse stepped aside again to block him, and pushed Fu Zijin away, saying, "Young Master Fu, please have some self-respect! Haven't you caused my young lady enough trouble these past few days?"

Shen Jingshu walked to the door, and Yaoqin came up and tugged at Jinse. Jinse frowned and obediently moved to the side.

Her expression was icy, and the disgust and hatred in her eyes were undisguised.

But Fu Zijin stared at her intently, a strange sense of satisfaction welling up inside him. As long as he could see her like this every day, even if her eyes were daggers, he would be willing.

His mouth tasted bitter, and for the first time he felt regret, so much so that his internal organs seemed to twist into a knot.

"Jing Shu, come with me, and I'll guarantee you a worry-free future."

Shen Jingshu said as if she had heard a joke, "Why don't you go and say that to Xie Wanqing? She might be moved to tears."

Fu Zijin was taken aback and was about to defend himself when Shen Jingshu gave him an unceremonious order to leave, "You have already committed a serious offense by trespassing into my courtyard tonight. If you don't want to make a big fuss and cause more trouble, get out of here now and don't bother me again!"

His lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something more, but seeing Shen Jingshu's resolute expression, he swallowed his words.

He stopped pestering her, turned around, and just as he was about to leave, he seemed to suddenly remember something. He straightened his back and, in a low but clear voice, asked, "Do you remember Zhaozhao?"

After saying that, he didn't look at Shen Jingshu's reaction, and climbed over the wall again, disappearing into the night in the blink of an eye.

Shen Jingshu was struck dumb, her body swayed, and all color drained from her face, leaving her utterly shocked.

Zhao Zhao was a little girl she picked up in Youzhou in her previous life.

In the thirty-ninth year of Jinghe, Youzhou suffered from floods.

Prince Jing was sent by the Emperor to provide disaster relief. Fu Zijin had already joined the Ministry of Revenue, so Wen Huaiqing asked him to go with him. Shen Jingshu was also on the list of those accompanying him.

It was she who personally fed the child porridge and sought medical help, which pulled the child back from the brink of death.

Zhao Zhao stayed by her side from then on.

She had no children after marriage, but she took good care of Zhaozhao as her own daughter.

However, in order to force her to submit and satisfy his own desires, Fu Zijin killed Zhaozhao right in front of her.

Zhao Zhao was only five or six years old at that time.

Her screams before her death, her face filled with terror and despair, remain a haunting nightmare for Shen Jingshu.

When Fu Zijin suddenly mentioned this name, Shen Jingshu instantly understood.

She wasn't the only one who was reborn.

A surge of overwhelming hatred welled up in Shen Jingshu's eyes. Her hands clenched involuntarily, her nails digging deep into her palms, drawing out traces of blood, yet she felt no pain whatsoever.

Seeing her like this, Jinse and Yaoqin were filled with worry. They stepped forward to support Shen Jingshu on either side and said urgently, "Miss, don't get upset. That Fu Zijin is crazy. We will definitely find a way to deal with him in the future."

Shen Jingshu trembled all over. She took a deep breath and slowly calmed herself down. She gritted her teeth and said, "Send someone to the Jiang residence at dawn tomorrow and tell the Commandant that he will come to the Marquis's residence after his duty is over."

Yaoqin and Jinse exchanged a glance and both replied, "Yes, Miss."