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

Willow Shade Lane.

Lin Yu kicked open the gate to the Fu family's courtyard.

Qingzhu was sweeping up the newly fallen willow leaves in the courtyard when she was startled by the noise. Her face filled with terror, she shouted sharply, "Who goes there?!"

Jiang Jin'an entered with his hands behind his back, glanced around the courtyard, and asked in his usual cold voice, "Where is Fu Zijin?"

Qingzhu recognized Jiang Jin'an, subconsciously swallowed, took a few steps back, and tried to appear calm, saying, "My young master... has gone out and has not returned. What is it, sir? I will tell him when he returns."

A hint of impatience flashed in Jiang Jin'an's eyes. He ignored Qingzhu and walked straight into the house.

Lin Yu followed closely behind, glaring at Qingzhu and adding, "Fu Zijin broke into the Pingyang Marquis's residence last night, disturbing the women. This debt must be settled today."

Upon hearing this, Qingzhu broke out in a cold sweat and inwardly groaned.

He tried to persuade him to no avail last night, and the young master did not return home all night after leaving. Now it seems that he has gotten himself into big trouble.

When gods fight, mortals suffer. Of all people to mess with, you had to provoke this one.

He wanted to say a few more words to stop them, but seeing the murderous aura emanating from Jiang Jin'an, he swallowed his words and could only watch helplessly as the two entered the study.

Jiang Jin'an strode into Fu Zijin's study. The room was dimly lit and filled with a faint scent of ink and scholarly atmosphere.

He glanced around, then his gaze immediately settled on the portraits laid out on the desk, and he abruptly stopped.

The woman in the painting is Shen Jingshu.

Whether with a gentle smile or a slight frown, their eyes and brows are full of lively charm, so lifelike that they seem to leap off the page.

Jiang Jin'an's face remained expressionless, his dark eyes revealing no emotion.

Lin Yu followed Jiang Jin'an's gaze to the desk and was immediately shocked.

He strode forward, cursing under his breath: "That bastard, he's really asking for trouble!"

Lin Yu reached out and gathered all the portraits into his arms, then turned to Jiang Jin'an and asked, "Sir, what about these?"

Jiang Jin'an glanced coldly at the portraits and uttered two words: "Burn them."

He received the order, strode out of the study, threw all the paintings into the yard, took out a tinderbox from his waist, and with a "snap," the flame leaped up. He then threw the tinderbox at the pile of portraits.

Flames erupted instantly, and in a short while, the scrolls were engulfed by the fire.

Lin Yu was still not satisfied. He drew the sword from his waist and fiddled with it, spitting as he did so: "This bastard! He dares to covet my lady!"

Qingzhu huddled to one side, silent as a cicada in winter, not daring to breathe loudly. She could only quietly move to the front of the courtyard gate, hoping that her young master would return soon.

After seeing Shen Jingshu last night, Fu Zijin sat by the river for the entire night, his mind replaying Shen Jingshu's eyes, which were full of disgust and hatred.

He mentioned Zhao Zhao; if she were truly reborn, she would surely hate him to the core.

He didn't get up until it was fully light, and dragged his heavy steps home.

As soon as they entered the alley, they saw Qingzhu standing in front of the door with a bitter face. Fu Zijin frowned slightly and asked, "What happened?"

When Qingzhu saw him, she stamped her feet anxiously, "Young master, you're finally back! The Commandant is here, he's inside!"

Fu Zijin froze, a bad premonition rising in his heart. He hurriedly entered the courtyard, and his eyes swept across the ground, where he saw the pile of ashes left from the burning of the portrait.

He looked up and met Jiang Jin'an's icy gaze, which sent chills down his spine.

He stared intently at Jiang Jin'an, coldly questioning, "As the head of the Commandery, does your authority allow you to trespass on private property? Do you have a search warrant? How is this any different from the actions of a robber?"

"When do I need a reason?"

Upon hearing this, Fu Zijin was taken aback at first, then a mocking smile appeared on his face, and the coldness in his eyes intensified. "Indeed, as expected of the Commandant, you act so domineeringly! Have you ever thought about why Jing Shu chose you when you are notorious and feared by everyone in the capital? Could it really be for love?"

He took a step forward, his voice still calm, "Fu Zijin, officially, last night you trespassed into the Pingyang Marquis's residence, scaling the wall and entering the house, which is considered thief. Privately, you harassed my betrothed wife, which is considered an offense. Every single thing you did was your own fault."

As he spoke, a ruthless glint flashed in Jiang Jin'an's eyes, and he moved swiftly, instantly closing in on Fu Zijin.

Before anyone could react, he had already drawn a dagger from his waist and, with a swift motion, stabbed Fu Zijin in the side.

The blade pierced the flesh, and blood gushed out instantly.

Fu Zijin groaned in pain, his legs went weak, and he almost fell to the ground.

Jiang Jin'an leaned close to his ear and said coldly, "Young Master Fu, you'd better be careful if you climb over the wall again in the future."

Having said that, he straightened up, drew his dagger, casually wiped the bloodstains on his python robe, and without even looking at him, turned to Lin Yu and said, "Let's go."

Qingzhu rushed forward in a panic, frantically tearing off his clothes to stop the bleeding.

Fu Zijin gritted his teeth, enduring the pain, staring in the direction Jiang Jin'an had left, his eyes filled with hatred and resentment.

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.

Since Xie Wanqing went to see Cheng Wenhao, she has been much more well-behaved these past few days.

With nothing else to do, Shen Jingshu went to Luoying Courtyard to see Xie Wanqing. Before she even entered the courtyard, the melodious sound of a pipa drifted into her ears. The tune was gentle and melodious, yet it carried a hint of loneliness.

"My cousin is in a good mood today."

Shen Jingshu stepped into the courtyard and called out.

Upon hearing this, Xie Wanqing continued playing the zither, plucking the strings a few more times before looking up at Shen Jingshu.

She was seething with hatred, wishing she could devour the person in front of her alive, but on the surface she put on a kind and gentle smile, put down her pipa, and got up to greet him.

"Sister Jing Shu is here," she said, pulling Shen Jing Shu's hand and smiling. "Please sit down. I haven't practiced the pipa in a long time, and my technique has become rusty. Please forgive my clumsiness."

"What you're saying is true. I was listening outside just now. The melody was melodious and the technique was skillful. Such exquisite skill is something that others can't learn even if they want to. A refined person like Young Master Fu, who understands music, will definitely like it very much."

Xie Wanqing's smile faltered, and a hint of sadness flashed in her eyes when Fu Zijin was mentioned.

"Sister, please don't make fun of me. I have no connection with Young Master Fu anymore. Now, I only hope to marry into the Cheng family as soon as possible."

Shen Jingshu feigned surprise, widening her eyes and leaning forward with a suspicious look on her face. "But I heard that when he came to your door that day, he humiliated you mercilessly, and Madam Cheng didn't stop him. Why are you still so focused on him?"

Xie Wanqing smoothed her stray hairs, put on a composed expression, and explained, "Sister, you don't know, it's all a misunderstanding. Young Master Cheng has always disliked Young Master Fu. When he saw me mention Young Master Fu, he got angry and spoke recklessly out of jealousy. He apologized to me afterwards and even promised to marry me as his wife."

"Then why hasn't the Cheng family come to propose marriage yet? Could it be that he's tricked us?" Shen Jingshu took the teacup Chunlan handed her, took a sip, and asked casually.

“I mentioned this to my aunt, but she absolutely refused. I thought I should at least persuade my aunt first before having the Cheng family come to propose marriage, so as to avoid making a scene and attracting gossip.”

Shen Jingshu lowered her eyes, concealing the mockery in them, and said, "Mother is really something. You and Young Master Cheng have already consummated your marriage, which is known to almost everyone. Yet you still try to stop us like this. It's really putting us in a difficult position."

Xie Wanqing froze, her face flushing red and then turning pale, feeling ashamed and embarrassed.

Shen Jingshu sighed again, her face showing concern, and said gently, "Although Mother's attitude is firm, you are still her niece. I will try to persuade Mother for you, so that Young Master Cheng can bring you into the family with a grand wedding procession as soon as possible and fulfill your wish."

Seeing Shen Jingshu say this, Xie Wanqing cursed the fool in her heart, but on the surface she was even more grateful. She knelt down and bowed, saying softly, "Sister has been so good to me. I will remember this kindness and repay it in the future."

After exchanging a few more meaningless words, Shen Jingshu excused herself, saying she had something to attend to, and took her leave.

As soon as Shen Jingshu's figure completely disappeared through the courtyard gate, Xie Wanqing's gentle expression instantly collapsed, twisting into a ferocious look. She raised her hand and swept the teacup on the table to the ground with a "crash," shattering porcelain everywhere.

"Shen Jingshu, you just wait! You humiliated me like this today, I'll settle this score with you sooner or later!"

Chunlan stood to the side with her head down, not uttering a word.