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

She took a deep breath, trying her best to remain calm, and said to Tong Qingyun, "Thank you for coming to inform me, Captain Tong. Please tell your Excellency that I will be extra careful."

Tong Qingyun nodded and bowed, then turned and left.

Shen Jingshu stood there, her brows furrowed. Chunlan had only been in trouble for a few days, and now the Vice Minister of Revenue had been murdered. Could these two things be related?

Suddenly, she remembered Chu Xiangling, and a strong sense of unease welled up in her heart.

"Wuchen!" Shen Jingshu called out, "Go quickly to Sanchunxiao and check on Chu Xiangling."

Wuchen accepted the order and left, disappearing from Shen Jingshu's sight in a few leaps. She paced back and forth in the hall, her unease growing stronger. After a while, Wuchen rushed back, "Chu Xiangling is missing."

Shen Jingshu's expression changed drastically, and she turned around abruptly, "What happened?"

Wu Chen shook his head. "The people in the shop said that Miss Chu went to bed as usual last night, but she was nowhere to be seen this morning. Everything inside the house is as before, and there are no signs of a struggle."

Shen Jingshu's mind immediately went into overdrive.

Chu Xiangling's disappearance was no coincidence; she even suspected that Chu Xiangling had been deceiving them all along. She had to find Jiang Jin'an as soon as possible to discuss a plan.

"Prepare the carriage," Shen Jingshu ordered decisively. "I'm leaving the manor."

Soon, the carriage stopped outside the mansion gate. Just as Shen Jingshu was about to get in, she suddenly heard the sound of horses' hooves behind her. She turned around and saw a magnificent carriage coming from a distance. The carriage body was inlaid with gold and jade, and the curtains were embroidered with the insignia of the Prince Qi's mansion.

Yaoqin exclaimed, "It's His Highness Prince Qi's carriage!"

The carriage stopped in front of the Shen residence. The curtain was lifted, revealing the handsome face of Prince Qi, Wen Huai'an. He smiled and asked gently, "Miss Shen, where are you going?"

Shen Jingshu's heart tightened, but she remained calm on the surface. She curtsied and said, "Your Highness, I am about to go to the Glass Shop to pick out some pearls and jade."

"In that case, why don't we ride in the same carriage? I happen to be going the same way, and I can also have a chat with the young lady."

She didn't believe that Prince Qi simply wanted to have a chat. Right now, she was eager to find Jiang Jin'an and didn't want to waste time with irrelevant people.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness." Shen Jingshu curtsied again. "However, this is against etiquette, and besides, I am afraid that it will delay Your Highness's schedule. I really cannot comply."

Wen Huai'an chuckled lightly, "It's alright. I have nothing to do today, so it's fine for me to accompany Miss Shen. I think Jin'an won't mind if he finds out." Before he finished speaking, he had already instructed his servants to help him out of the carriage. His right leg was slightly stiff, and he walked with a slight limp, each step appearing somewhat labored.

Shen Jingshu felt somewhat helpless. Wen Huai'an suffered from a congenital illness and had been subjected to cold treatment since childhood. Because of this, he was destined to be a leisurely prince in the court and could not realize his ambitions like others.

Wen Huai'an, supported by his attendants, approached Shen Jingshu with a smile on his face. He raised his hand in a gesture of invitation, displaying his elegant demeanor, making it difficult for anyone to refuse.

Since the prince himself came to invite her, Shen Jingshu could not refuse in public, otherwise it would be a disgrace to the royal family. She could only sigh inwardly and ride in the same carriage with Wen Huai'an.

The carriage slowly pulled away, and the atmosphere inside was somewhat somber.

Wen Huai'an broke the silence first, "Miss Shen, you seem to be in such a hurry, have you encountered some trouble?"

"No," Shen Jingshu replied, her gaze unconsciously drifting towards the window.

"But is it for Chu Xiangling?"

Shen Jingshu was startled and turned to look at Wen Huai'an, "What do you mean by that, Your Highness?"

Wen Huai'an sighed softly, "Miss Shen, why hide it? I have no ill intentions." He paused, his tone tinged with a hint of probing, "I've heard that the top courtesan of Juanzhulian is the most beautiful woman in the capital. She was redeemed by Young Master Cheng, but I don't know why she was placed in Sanchunxiao."

"Your Highness is indeed very well-informed," Shen Jingshu replied casually, without intending to explain.

"Miss Shen, you flatter me."

Wen Huai'an was not annoyed. "Do you know that Chu Xiangling's father is Chu Anshan, who was famous five years ago?" He picked up his teacup, blew on it gently, and his eyes became somewhat unfocused. "I have met him once. His 'Drunken Life, Dreamy Death' technique has poisoned countless high-ranking officials and nobles. Even now, thinking about it still makes me feel lingering fear."

Shen Jingshu listened expressionlessly, but her heart was in turmoil. She hadn't expected that Prince Qi knew so much about Chu Xiangling's past. What was his purpose in bringing this up?

"Your Highness, you have come here today not merely to chat with me, have you?"

Wen Huai'an chuckled and shook his head. "Of course not. I just wanted to remind Miss Shen that in extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken."

"Does Your Highness suspect that Chu Xiangling is lying to me?" Shen Jingshu asked in return.

"I just think it's always beneficial to be more careful in everything," Wen Huai'an said meaningfully, "especially in these turbulent times."

Shen Jingshu remained silent. Now, upon careful reflection, she realized that she had indeed been too trusting of her. She had been blinded by her beauty and had been careless for a moment.

"What is Your Highness here for today?" Shen Jingshu asked again, not wanting to beat around the bush with Wen Huai'an any longer.

Wen Huai'an smiled slightly and finally revealed the true purpose of his trip, "I have come to give Miss Shen and Jin'an a great gift."

"Oh?" Shen Jingshu raised an eyebrow. "What kind of gift?"

“Jin’an is currently in the eye of the storm, and the situation in the court is complicated. It’s inevitable that some people will try to trip him up in the dark.” Wen Huai’an paused, his gaze deep, “especially those who have close ties with him.”

Shen Jingshu's mind raced, and she remembered Jiang Jin'an's relationship with the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, as well as the identity of the Duke of Dingguo's wife. She instantly understood Wen Huai'an's unspoken meaning.

"Does Your Highness mean that the Duke of Dingguo's mansion might be a threat to Commandant?"

“The young lady is intelligent,” Wen Huai’an said. “Although Jin’an is exceptionally talented and deeply trusted by the Emperor, he is still no match for the many forces at once. The Duke of Dingguo’s mansion has been operating in the court for many years and has a deep foundation. If they really want to deal with Jin’an, he will probably face considerable pressure.”

Although Jiang Jin'an was the head of the Commandery and held immense power, enjoying the Emperor's deep trust, the situation in the court was complex, and his individual strength was ultimately limited.

Moreover, the Duke of Dingguo's mansion has connections with the Jiang family. If they really want to deal with Jiang Jin'an, the consequences will be unimaginable.

"Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness. I will certainly pass this on to him."

"Very good." Wen Huai'an nodded in satisfaction, seemingly quite pleased with Shen Jingshu's reaction.

When the carriage arrived at a certain place, Wen Huai'an gently lifted the curtain, looked outside, and turned to Shen Jingshu, saying, "Miss Shen, this is where you are going. I will not see you off any longer and will return to my residence first."

Yaoqin helped Shen Jingshu down from the carriage, and she curtsied, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness. Please take care."