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

Shen Jingshu sat alone in front of her dressing table, the sandalwood comb in her hand gently gliding over her cascading black hair, but she had no heart for dressing up.

"Miss, it's late, you should rest early," Yaoqin reminded her, stepping forward to take the wooden comb from Shen Jingshu's hand.

"Yaoqin, go check if the courtyard gate is closed properly. Jinse, go make a pot of hot tea."

Yaoqin and Jinse exchanged a glance, then left as instructed, closing the door behind them.

She recalled everything that had happened since she met Chu Xiangling, and those details that had been overlooked before became clear at this moment.

From her initiative to meet Chunlan, to her escape through the Duwei Division, and then to the subtle probing of the Shen and Jiang families in her words at Sanchunxiao that day, all of this was clearly driven by a strong purpose, yet she remained completely unaware of it.

At the time, she thought it was nothing out of the ordinary, but now, upon closer reflection, she felt a chill run down her spine.

Suddenly, a slight noise came from outside the window, which seemed particularly abrupt in the quiet night.

Shen Jingshu was startled and turned her head sharply, only to find the window tightly closed and nothing unusual. She held her breath, calmed herself, and tiptoed to the window. She pressed her ear against the window frame and listened carefully before cautiously pushing it open a crack.

A night breeze blew by, carrying a touch of coolness and bringing with it a familiar figure.

Jiang Jin stood outside the window, the moonlight bathing him and outlining his tall and straight figure. His eyes shone brightly in the night, gazing gently at her.

Shen Jingshu's tense heartstrings quietly relaxed. She pushed open the window, her voice containing a hint of reproach, "Why didn't you use the main entrance, instead of climbing through the window like a thief? You gave me quite a fright."

"It's late at night, and I'm afraid of disturbing your parents."

A smile appeared on Shen Jingshu's face as she turned to open the door and let Jiang Jin'an in.

Jiang Jin'an walked into the room, his gaze sweeping over the furnishings before finally settling on Shen Jingshu. Seeing the worry still lingering in her eyes, he cut to the chase and said, "I found Chu Anshan's files."

Shen Jingshu's eyes narrowed.

"As Prince Qi said, he and Chu Xiangling were indeed father and daughter. According to the records, Chu Anshan was eventually killed by the Duke of Dingguo."

She gasped. "So, Chu Xiangling did this to avenge her father?"

Jiang Jin'an nodded.

Shen Jingshu fell silent, a chill running through her. She never imagined that, having been reborn, she would be used like this. How utterly foolish!

Jiang Jin'an looked at Shen Jingshu, and the self-blame and regret in her eyes felt like a fine needle pricking his heart.

“You don’t need to blame yourself.” He reached out and took Shen Jingshu’s hand, his fingertips gently stroking her slightly cool fingertips. “She is deep and calculating, and it’s already remarkable that you were able to notice her in time.”

Jiang Jin'an pondered for a moment and said, "Now that she has disappeared, we need to think of another way. After thinking it over, I think there is still someone we can use."

"Who?"

"Fu Zijin." Jiang Jin'an slowly uttered the name, his voice carrying a hint of coldness.

Shen Jingshu couldn't help but smile. Fu Zijin, like herself, had been reborn, and he was probably even more cunning and ruthless. "He probably hates us to the core now."

Jiang Jin'an shook his head: "Although he harbors resentment towards you and me, the person he hates most is himself. He hates that he was born into a poor family and that he cannot easily acquire power."

Shen Jingshu recalled everything from her past life. Fu Zijin was indeed ruthless in his pursuit of power. A man like him would betray anything, including himself.

"How does Your Excellency intend to use him?"

“Since he wants power, I will give him a chance. I will let him know that it is better to rely on me than on Prince Jing.”

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, dressed in a blue robe, stood in front of the Pingyang Marquis's mansion, looking up at the plaque. His expression was complex and unreadable, and his brows were filled with an inescapable gloom. He was completely different from the gentle and refined young man he used to be.

"Young Master Fu, please come in. The Marquis is already waiting for you in the front hall."

He nodded slightly and stepped into the Pingyang Marquis's residence.

"Student Fu Zijin greets teacher."

Shen Zizhong was enjoying tea in the hall when he saw Fu Zijin arrive. He put down his teacup and said with a smile, "Zijin is here. Please have a seat."

Fu Zijin bowed respectfully and took his seat at Shen Zizhong's prompting.

How are your studies lately?

"Teacher, I have been studying diligently and have not dared to slack off in the slightest."

Shen Zizhong nodded, his eyes showing approval. "How confident are you about passing next year's imperial examination?"

"The students dare not speak presumptuously, but they will certainly do their best."

Shen Zizhong stroked his beard, pondered for a moment, and said, "Zijin, you are my most outstanding student, with exceptional talent and a limitless future. But you must remember that the way to be an official lies not only in talent and learning, but also in character."

Fu Zijin quickly stood up and said, "This student will remember your teachings, teacher."

"Besides visiting me, is there anything else you've come for today?"

"When I heard that Jing Shu and the Commandant exchanged gifts with the Prime Minister, I was quite moved."

Upon hearing this, Shen Zizhong sighed and said, "You must not forget what I told you before."

Fu Zijin lowered his eyes, concealing the emotions within, and forced a smile. "What the teacher said is true. Jing Shu and the Commandant are indeed a perfect match, a match made in heaven."

Shen Zizhong looked at Fu Zijin, seemingly wanting to say something, but ultimately remained silent. He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and the hall fell into silence.

Yaoqin waited in the courtyard for a while. When she saw Fu Zijin come out of the front hall, she quickly stepped forward to block his way and said in an annoyed tone, "Young Master Fu, please wait. My young lady invites you to Shaoguang Courtyard for a chat."

Fu Zijin paused, then was overjoyed.

He had assumed that since Shen Jingshu had also been reborn, she would hate him to the core, and he had even prepared for the worst. But to his surprise, she was still willing to see him.

He quickly straightened his clothes to make himself look more presentable, and spoke to Yaoqin with gentle politeness, "Thank you for leading the way, Miss Yaoqin."

Along the way, he was both expectant and apprehensive. As he walked, he mentally rehearsed all sorts of possible scenarios and thought about how he should deal with them. A fleeting, unrealistic fantasy even crossed his mind: perhaps Shen Jingshu would still be willing to give him a chance to explain.

Until he saw Shen Jingshu sitting under the crabapple tree, quietly looking at him, a few crabapple petals drifted down and landed on her shoulders and the ends of her hair, like a fairy from the moon palace, untouched by the mortal world.

Fu Zijin's heart suddenly raced. He suddenly thought that dying at her hands in this life wouldn't be so bad, as long as he could get her to look at him a few more times.

"Jing Shu," he called out.

Shen Jingshu gestured for Yaoqin, Jinse, and Wuchen to stand guard outside the courtyard. She raised her chin, indicating that Fu Zijin should sit down on the stone bench opposite.

Fu Zijin sat down and looked at Shen Jingshu, speechless for a moment.

"How do you plan to repay your debts?" Shen Jingshu broke the silence by speaking first.