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

Wen Yin patted her chest, looking like she was still shaken. "That scared me to death."

Gu Changyi lightly waved his folding fan and teased, "What are you afraid of? I didn't say anything about you. It's just a verbal dispute, why are you so flustered?"

Wen Yin rolled her eyes at him and said, "You don't understand. My father often said that matters in the court are interconnected. Even a single word or glance can bring disaster. He has to live his job as Minister with utmost caution and trepidation."

Gu Changyi laughed and said nonchalantly, "You don't need to be afraid. You are Miss Shen's good friend, which means you are my cousin's good friend. I, the Second Young Master Gu, will protect you."

Looking at his nonchalant manner, Wen Yin felt that he was even more unreliable.

She carefully examined Shen Jingshu and Jiang Jin'an, then her eyes lit up and she said with a smile, "Jingshu and the Commandant look like a match made in heaven. Anyone who sees them would agree that they are a perfect couple."

Jiang Jin'an's heart stirred, and he glanced at Wen Yin without showing any emotion, silently remembering her words.

Wen Huaizhang said to Shen Zizhong and Shen Jingshu, "What Prince Jing said is nothing but baseless gossip. You don't need to take it to heart."

Song Wan frowned, somewhat worried, "Your Highness, you may not know this, but Zijin saved Jing Shu's life. Logically speaking, our Pingyang Marquis's Mansion should repay this life-saving debt, but he..."

Shen Yuanzhou snorted coldly from the side and added, "He's really annoying!"

Shen Zizhong coughed lightly. After all, Fu Zijin was his student and admired his daughter. In his opinion, it wasn't a big deal. After he had given him a warning last time, Fu Zijin hadn't caused any further trouble, so there was no need to be too harsh on him.

Shen Jingshu was secretly annoyed and couldn't help but look at Jiang Jin'an, giving him a look that said: See, this is what you get for not telling me.

Jiang Jin'an touched his nose, feeling somewhat guilty.

In his view, although he knew Fu Zijin's lie, he had not been able to inform the people of the Pingyang Marquis's mansion in time for various reasons. Now, Song Wan's words seemed to suggest that he had deliberately concealed something. If he were to explain in the future, he would probably be met with a cold shoulder from Shen's father.

He had no choice but to stand quietly to the side and say as little as possible to avoid making mistakes.

At this moment, Li Delu walked up to the crowd, bowed and said, "Oh dear, His Highness the Crown Prince is here too. His Majesty has decreed that Miss Shen and the Commandant be summoned."

Shen Jingshu and Jiang Jin'an exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of doubt in each other's eyes.

Jiang Jin'an nodded slightly, indicating that Shen Jingshu need not worry, and then the two followed Li Delu.

Upon approaching, they all bowed to Emperor Hui and the Empress.

Emperor Hui sat on the dragon throne, a smile on his face, and said, "No need for formalities."

After the two stood up, Emperor Hui's gaze fell on Shen Jingshu, and he asked with a smile, "Do you still like the auspicious pearl crown that I bestowed upon you?"

Shen Jingshu quickly replied, "Your Majesty's kindness is most appreciated by this humble woman, and I will treasure it dearly."

Emperor Hui waved his hand, his voice hearty, "This isn't for you to keep as a keepsake. You'll wear it on the day you marry Jin'an! That's when it should be worn!"

The Empress smiled slightly and chimed in, "Yes, I asked His Majesty several times but he refused to give it to me. He gave it to you instead. It seems I should also think carefully about what to add. I can't lose to His Majesty in this matter."

Shen Jingshu curtsied again, "Your Majesty and Her Highness are too kind to me, I am truly unworthy of such kindness, and I am extremely apprehensive."

Emperor Hui laughed loudly, “I am arranging a wife for my own minister. What is there to be afraid of? After that old scoundrel Jiang Xiangxun left, I made Jin’an the Crown Prince’s study companion. He was raised by me. But as the emperor, I am too busy with many affairs in the court to take care of a child. He has suffered a lot of grievances.”

Jiang Jinan said, "His Highness the Crown Prince has always treated me like a brother."

Emperor Hui nodded slightly. "Jin'an, your outstanding abilities are well known. I hope you can handle the relationships between all parties properly regarding your marriage with Miss Shen. Do not let personal matters interfere with public duties, and do not betray my trust."

He sighed, then said in a low voice, "My princes have all grown up, and I am getting old."

There are currently four adult princes. The eldest prince is the crown prince, born to the empress, and is the rightful eldest son of the legitimate wife. The second prince died young. The third prince, Prince Qi, the fourth prince, Prince Jing, and the fifth prince, Wen Huaiyu, have not yet been granted the title of prince.

Jiang Jin'an felt a pang of sorrow in his heart. "Your Majesty's decree and the overall situation of the court will be of utmost importance to me. I will do my best to safeguard the stability of our dynasty."

Shen Jingshu listened quietly from the side.

Emperor Hui was fully aware of all this. His advice to Jiang Jin'an at this moment was clearly intended to prevent him from taking sides. He assumed the two were in love and thus readily granted them marriage, also deterring the other princes from trying to win over the Marquis's family.

Although Wen Huaiqing suffered a temporary setback, as a prince, it was not always so convenient for him to take action.

We must find a way to destroy that Moon Gazing Pearl first.

Shen Jingshu secretly glanced at Jiang Jin'an.

Then, Emperor Hui waved his hand and said, "You may leave. I am waiting to drink a cup of your wedding wine."

Shen Jingshu and Jiang Jin'an bowed and took their leave.

Back at her seat, Song Wan was truly worried for her daughter. It was Wen Yin who kept comforting her. She only breathed a sigh of relief when Shen Jingshu returned.

When Madam Lü saw that Wen Yin had not returned for a long time, she couldn't help but feel worried, so she came to find her. Song Wan knew that her daughter had not seen her friend for a long time and must have a lot to say, so she pulled Madam Lü aside to talk.

The banquet proceeded as usual, and after several more rounds of singing and dancing, the music stopped, the dancers quietly left, and the palace banquet finally came to an end.

Emperor Hui and the Empress left their seats surrounded by the crowd, and after they left, everyone else also left the palace in turn.

On the way back, Shen Jingshu and Xie Wanqing rode in the same carriage. Xie Wanqing kept her head down and her lips tightly closed, not daring to say a word.

Shen Jingshu simply closed her eyes and asked, "Do you know why I pushed you into the water?"

Xie Wanqing was startled, not expecting her to bring up the matter so bluntly.

Shen Jingshu ignored her reaction and said to herself, "Gu Shiyi came for me. If I fall into the water, she will definitely blame you."

“But I dodged it, and instead she fell into the water. I had no choice but to push you in as well. That way, we would both have an explanation, clear our names, and preserve the dignity of the Duke of Dingguo’s mansion. Do you understand?”

"Sister is right, thank you for your help." Xie Wanqing replied, but in her heart she thought Shen Jingshu was really a fool for having such a thought.

“Your mother has already given her approval and agreed to your marriage into the Cheng family,” Shen Jingshu continued.

Upon hearing this, Xie Wanqing immediately became unwilling again.

She just realized today that since Fu Zijin's benefactor is Prince Jing, why would she still be so eager to marry into the Cheng family?

Although Fu Zijin wanted her to marry into the Cheng family, if she could get close to Prince Jing, even if she became a concubine first, it would be fine. She had heard that Princess Jing was sickly. If she could find an opportunity to get rid of her, she could become the principal wife. Then she could have whatever she wanted.

Thinking of this, she raised her head and mustered her courage to say, "Sister, Young Master Cheng has so many beautiful women in his harem, I don't want to marry him. I am a member of the Marquis's family, why should I go to such a complicated place to suffer?"

Shen Jingshu opened her eyes and chuckled, "Your surname is Xie, so what kind of person are you from a marquis's mansion?"

Xie Wanqing was taken aback.

“You are merely a cousin fostered in the Marquis’s mansion. You have no real roots in this mansion. Why do you think the Cheng family has been so slow to propose marriage? It’s simply because they look down on you.”

Shen Jingshu spoke without any mercy, exposing the pitiful self-esteem and vanity that she had been trying so hard to protect. She wanted to refute, but was speechless for a moment.

"Xie Wanqing, don't be so optimistic about some things. Don't forget your identity and situation. Some opportunities, once missed, will never come again."