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

Song Wan had never seen such a shameless person. She slammed her teacup down and said, "In that case, Madam Xie will take Wanqing back to the Xie family today. From now on, no one should break the rules when marrying out of the Xie family!"

Madam Xie panicked, "Mother, please don't talk nonsense!"

How can we bring her back to the Xie family? If she goes back, will she have to pay for her dowry?

Madam Cheng coughed lightly, "Today is an auspicious day for exchanging birth certificates. Let's take care of the gift of exchanging birth certificates first, and then talk about other things."

Madam Bai was also very anxious. If Xie Wanqing was going back to the Xie family, what connection would she have with the Marquis's mansion? She quickly smiled and said, "Mother is absolutely right. Your Excellency, Madam, what do you think..."

An awkward silence fell over the room as the gatekeeper hurriedly came to announce, "Master, the Commandant has arrived, but... he's brought several other men with him."

Shen Zizhong was quite puzzled. It was common for Jiang Jin'an to come to the Marquis's residence, but why did he bring several people with him this time?

Without thinking twice, he quickly said, "Please come in."

Before long, the group was led into the courtyard, with Prime Minister Lu Ming at the head. Jiang Jin'an followed behind, followed by the Vice Minister and Assistant Minister of Rites, along with their servants and attendants.

Cheng Wenhao had also secretly mingled at the back without anyone noticing, and the others pretended not to see him.

Madam Cheng and Madam Bai's faces immediately turned pale.

Shen Zizhong and Song Wan hurriedly went to greet them. Taking advantage of the gap in the greetings, Cheng Wenhao bowed to Shen Zizhong and Song Wan across the crowd as a gesture of respect, and then slipped to Bai Shi's side.

Bai pinched him and scolded him in a low voice, "Why are you here!"

Cheng Wenhao winced in pain, hissing, and said, "Can't I even come to my wedding? What kind of logic is that!"

Lu Ming stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting to Shen Zizhong, and said loudly, "My lord, today I am here on His Majesty's orders to arrange the exchange of betrothal gifts between Jin'an and Miss Shen."

Everyone was stunned, and filled with astonishment. How come there wasn't a single word about this beforehand?

Shen Zizhong glared at Jiang Jin'an, cursing inwardly, "You little brat."

Song Wan snapped out of her daze and quickly replied with a smile, "Thank you for your trouble, Prime Minister and all the other officials. His Majesty's concern is truly an honor for Jing Shu and Commandant."

As she spoke, she looked at the incense table beside her and said with some difficulty, "It's just that this is a bit sudden. Although the manor has prepared items for exchanging birth certificates, Jing Shu's birth certificate was not prepared in advance. It was really rushed."

Jiang Jin'an seemed to have expected this, and bowed slightly, saying, "Auntie, there's no need to worry."

After saying this, the Ministry of Rites official and assistant official stepped forward, and the servant put down the trunks they were carrying. The two of them quickly rearranged and arranged the items.

Shen Zizhong and the others were dumbfounded.

Xie Wanqing felt a pang of bitterness in her heart and stood silently to the side.

Both involved exchanging betrothal gifts, yet my side appeared so awkward and casual, while Shen Jingshu's side was able to get the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Rites to intervene. Truly, people have different fates.

Thinking of this, the jealousy and resentment in her heart grew stronger, but she still had to force a smile on her face to avoid being seen through by others.

Cheng Wenhao, seemingly oblivious to everything, chuckled and leaned close to Xie Wanqing, whispering, "Look, the marriage between the Commandant and your cousin is really being taken very seriously. But don't worry, things are just as good here. I'll make sure you live a comfortable life from now on."

Xie Wanqing glanced at him but ignored him. Cheng Wenhao, feeling awkward, touched his nose and stopped talking.

Before long, the Ministry of Rites rearranged the incense table and even asked Song Wan in detail about Shen Jingshu's birth chart, and made a copy on the spot.

Granny Chen invited Shen Jingshu over. When Yaoqin learned the reason, she couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle. She said to Shen Jingshu, "Miss, the master did this on purpose."

Jinse said, "So what? It's a good thing that the master cares about the young lady."

Shen Jingshu was also helpless; that was what he meant when he was standing in front of the mansion that day.

Upon entering the front hall, seeing everyone looking at her, even though Shen Jingshu was usually quite spoiled, she felt a little embarrassed.

Today, she wore a sky-blue brocade dress with cloud patterns, which made her look aloof and elegant. In comparison, Xie Wanqing, who was dressed in gold and silver, seemed rather vulgar.

Shen Jingshu stepped forward and bowed in turn. When she reached Jiang Jin'an, she said with a hint of reproach, "Why didn't you tell me beforehand? This suddenness has left me somewhat at a loss."

Her tone was soft, with a hint of coquetry, which softened Jiang Jin'an's heart.

"It wasn't a big deal, I just wanted to give you a surprise."

I also want to see her reaction.

Lu Ming chuckled from the side, "Look at them, they're already so affectionate before they're even married."

Shen Jingshu blushed slightly and turned away, ignoring them.

The ceremony began with everyone sitting on both sides. Lu Ming took the brocade box containing Jiang Jin'an's birth chart and placed it on the incense table.

"Now, in accordance with ancient rites, we will perform the ceremony of exchanging birth charts. May Heaven and Earth and the gods bear witness, and may the spirits of our ancestors protect us."

The official from the Ministry of Rites chanted the words aloud. After the two families finished exchanging vows, he returned to the incense table, lit the incense and candles, and continued: "Now that the marriage vows have been exchanged, the marriage is preordained. May the gods and ancestors bless this auspicious union, so that it may be as perfect as a match made in heaven, like a beautiful orchid or a jade tree growing in the courtyard, with blessings passed down through generations."

"The exchange of marriage certificates is complete!"

Subsequently, Xie Wanqing's exchange of birth certificates ceremony also began hastily, but it seemed much quieter in comparison.

Without the emperor's favor, or the assistance of the prime minister and the Ministry of Rites.

There was no public attention or expectation.

Everything seemed so ordinary and unremarkable.

Xie Wanqing's reluctance was written all over her face, but she could only force herself to complete the ceremony.

After the prayers were completed, the Pingyang Marquis's residence hosted a banquet. Old Madam Xie, maintaining her airs, wouldn't let the maids near her, but insisted that Xie Wanqing help her.

Cheng Wenhao received a signal from Shen Jingshu and approached her with a grin, "Grandmother, let me help you."

Madam Xie glanced at him, but did not refuse.

Xie Wanqing felt a mix of emotions as she watched Cheng Wenhao help her out of the predicament. She thought of the grand wedding Fu Zijin had promised her, which he had now arranged for her to marry someone else with just a few words. Compared to the grand and solemn occasion at Shen Jingshu's place, hers seemed like a farce, ignored by everyone.

During the banquet, the Cheng and Xie families each harbored their own thoughts, creating a subtle atmosphere.

Although Bai was not entirely satisfied with the marriage, she would be related to the Marquis of Pingyang's family in the future. However, seeing the grand gestures made by Shen Jingshu, she couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment and worried that the Xie family would drag her down in the future.

Madam Xie and the First Madam were filled with jealousy and plotted how to gain more benefits from this marriage.

Shen Jingshu and Jiang Jin'an were well-behaved, and their words and actions were in accordance with etiquette.

Jiang Jin'an would occasionally exchange a few words with Shen Zizhong and Lu Ming, while Shen Jingshu would listen from the side, occasionally interjecting a word or two, which was always just right.

Cheng Wenhao was very attentive, constantly putting food on Xie Wanqing's plate, saying, "Eat more, you're too thin."

Despite her inner turmoil, Xie Wanqing could only put on a smiling face.

Although the banquet wasn't pleasant, nothing else went wrong, and they managed to maintain a semblance of harmony.

After the banquet, Jiang Jin'an followed Shen Jingshu back to Shaoguang Courtyard. The two didn't exchange many words along the way, simply walking side-by-side, yet the distance between them seemed closer than usual.

Upon entering Shaoguang Courtyard, Jiang Jin'an took out a small, exquisite wooden box from his pocket and handed it to Shen Jingshu.

She took the wooden box, her curiosity piqued. She opened it and saw a warm, white jade hairpin inside. The hairpin head was carved with a blooming magnolia, its petals slightly open, and a jade bead cleverly inlaid at the stamen. Around the magnolia, gold foil outlined the shape of a gentle breeze. As the breeze blew, the magnolia swayed gracefully in the wind.

Shen Jingshu's eyes were filled with surprise. She looked up at Jiang Jin'an and asked, "What is this?"

Seeing her joyful expression, Jiang Jin'an felt that even the discarded jade stones had gained value.

He stepped forward, took out a hairpin, and inserted it into Shen Jingshu's hair bun.

"This magnolia hairpin is something I made myself. I wish this hairpin would accompany your black hair, just as my heart will always be by your side, year after year."