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

As dusk settled, the teacup in Shen Jingshu's hand had long since gone cold.

Fu Zijin felt pain in his internal organs. He lowered his eyes and asked, "Jing Shu, do you really want to talk to me like this?"

Shen Jingshu raised her eyes, glanced at him, her gaze devoid of any warmth. "Young Master Fu, this is how things should be between us."

"I know I was blinded by power and listened to Wen Huaiqing, thinking he could give me everything I wanted, so I..."

Fu Zijin lowered his voice, stood up and walked to the crabapple tree, stroking the trunk as if he was carefully choosing his words, "That's why I betrayed the Shen family and provided Wen Huaiqing with a lot of information about the Shen family, including some of my teacher's plans and arrangements. The Shen family is protecting the emperor, and I had no other choice. I also have my own difficulties."

Shen Jingshu listened quietly, her expression unchanged.

She knew that what Fu Zijin said was nothing but a carefully crafted lie. He avoided the disadvantages to himself, shifted the blame to Wen Huaiqing, and portrayed himself as a victim. He still wanted to use her and the Shen family to achieve his own goals.

But Shen Jingshu didn't intend to expose him. She needed to know what Fu Zijin wanted to do now that he had broken away from the trajectory of his previous life.

Seeing that Shen Jingshu did not react, Fu Zijin became increasingly uneasy. He turned around and continued, "Jingshu, I know that saying these things now is futile, but I am truly repentant and I am willing to make amends."

Shen Jingshu finally reacted. She looked up at Fu Zijin and asked, "What does it mean to make amends for one's mistakes?"

"He has raised a large and well-equipped private army in the north. I can tell you about the distribution of his power and the list of officials in the court he has colluded with."

What you're saying isn't a secret to me.

Fu Zijin shook his head, a smile suddenly curving his lips, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "What you know is just what I want you to know. Jing Shu, you're too naive."

He walked up to Shen Jingshu, bent down, looked into her eyes, and said, "After the Empress's death, why do you think Wen Huaizhang suddenly became so despondent?"

“You think she’s a hibiscus, harmless and innocent, but in reality, she’s a poppy. Once you’re tainted, you’ll be doomed.” Fu Zijin’s voice was low and husky, with a hint of seduction.

Shen Jingshu felt a chill run down her spine; he was referring to Chu Xiangling.

Was he trying to gauge how much value he still held in Chu Xiangling's heart by bringing her up now, or was he testing how well he understood her?

She remained calm and feigned ignorance, asking, "She's just a weak woman; what trouble could she possibly cause?"

“You are as intelligent as ever.” Fu Zijin looked deeply at Shen Jingshu, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. “It’s just a pity that you have never used your intelligence on me. There’s no need for this between us.”

"Since you know so much, why don't you report it directly to the Emperor? With your talent and ability, you might just rise to the top and become a high-ranking official," Shen Jingshu retorted, her tone laced with sarcasm.

“Because I don’t trust anyone except you.” Fu Zijin leaned forward, his nose almost touching Shen Jingshu’s face. “Jingshu, only you, only you can help me, and only I can help you. If we join forces, we can definitely…”

"Fu Zijin!" Shen Jingshu stood up abruptly, interrupting him, "Please have some self-respect!"

Seeing the anger in Shen Jingshu's eyes, Fu Zijin took a step back, still smiling, "I'm sorry, I lost my composure."

Shen Jingshu remained silent, lowering her eyes to ponder. Fu Zijin's words were a mixture of truth and falsehood, and she needed time to judge.

Just then, Jinse hurriedly walked in. She glanced at Fu Zijin, then hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't.

"What is it?" Shen Jingshu asked.

"Miss, Miss...it seems that Wuchen has immobilized her outside Shaoguang Courtyard, and she can't move." Jinse's voice carried a hint of helplessness and amusement.

She really couldn't understand why the cousin always had to provoke the young lady; wasn't she just asking for trouble?

Shen Jingshu raised an eyebrow, a knowing glint in her eyes. Xie Wanqing, that fool, actually dared to come to Shaoguang Courtyard to eavesdrop.

She turned to look at Fu Zijin, a half-smile on her face, "Young Master Fu, aren't you going to take a look? Someone is truly devoted to you."

Fu Zijin's smile froze. He hadn't expected her to be so impatient and come to Shaoguang Courtyard to cause trouble.

In an instant, he regained his gentle and refined demeanor, and reluctantly rose to take his leave. "I was presumptuous today. Jing Shu, please think it over carefully."

As I walked out of Shaoguang Courtyard, I could see Xie Wanqing standing there stiffly in the distance, her shadow stretched out long and looked particularly comical.

He strode over to Xie Wanqing, reached out to tidy her stray hairs, and said gently, "Wanqing, what brings you here?"

Xie Wanqing's eyes immediately welled up with tears. She knew that her brother Zijin still had feelings for her.

She tried to move her mouth, but couldn't make a sound. She could only look at Fu Zijin with tearful eyes.

Fu Zijin sighed, stroked Xie Wanqing's cheek, his fingertips gently caressing her skin, and whispered in her ear in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Wanqing, Chunlan said you're going to seek refuge with Prince Jing, is that right?"

Xie Wanqing was taken aback, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes. She shook her head desperately, trying to explain, but couldn't say anything.

In all honesty, although she had this thought, she never actually let Chunlan say such a thing! It must have been that wretched girl who acted on her own initiative!

"Wanqing, you have disappointed me greatly." Fu Zijin's voice was full of disappointment and heartache. "I thought you would at least be a little smarter than others, but I never expected you to be so stupid."

Tears welled up in Xie Wanqing's eyes, and her body trembled slightly.

She didn't understand. She had done it all for him! Everything she did was to be worthy of him, to be with him!

Fu Zijin looked at Xie Wanqing's tears without a trace of emotion in his eyes. He straightened up and looked down at her with a cold gaze that chilled Xie Wanqing to the bone.

"Stop crying. From now on, you can only listen to me. Obey the Cheng family and keep your improper thoughts to yourself. Don't let me see you looking so stupid again."

After saying that, he ignored Xie Wanqing and turned to leave, leaving her standing there alone.

Yaoqin and Jinse peeked out from behind the courtyard gate, watching Xie Wanqing's miserable state, and felt a sense of relief.

Why is she doing this to herself? She keeps pestering me, determined to humiliate herself. Yaoqin shook her head; she truly couldn't understand what Xie Wanqing was thinking all day. "Can't she just shut up?"

"She brought this on herself, she has no one to blame but herself." Jinse curled her lips, showing no sympathy for Xie Wanqing. "If she had been law-abiding, she wouldn't have ended up like this."

"Why do you think the young lady wants to cooperate with Young Master Fu?" Yaoqin asked, somewhat puzzled.

“The young lady has her reasons, we just need to trust her,” Jinse said. “Besides, there’s still the Commandant, our young lady will be fine.”

"I hope so," Yaoqin sighed.