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

Shen Jingshu was about to return to her room when Shen Zizhong called her back.

"I ask you, didn't you used to favor Fu Zijin? Why are you so resolute today, even willing to break ties with him?"

Shen Jingshu stopped and looked up at her father. She couldn't explain her rebirth and didn't want her parents to worry, so she had no choice but to blurt out a lie, "The past is the past, and the present is the present. Your daughter has someone she loves."

Shen Zizhong was immediately shocked, his eyes widened, and his voice rose several decibels, "You little brat! When did you get a sweetheart? Which family's young master is he? What is his character and appearance like? Does your mother know about this?"

A barrage of questions rained down on Shen Jingshu like a machine gun. Shen Zizhong's tone was filled with shock, but even more so with worry and urgency. He had always cherished Shen Jingshu like a precious jewel, and now that his daughter suddenly said she had someone she loved, how could he not be anxious?

“Daughter… I’ve only met him a few times by chance, and we’re not close. I don’t even know which family he’s from. It’s just a fleeting feeling, and it might fade away after a while. Please don’t pursue it any further.”

She knew her excuse was full of holes, but for now she had no choice but to bite the bullet and keep making it up.

Shen Zizhong slammed his fist on the table and said angrily, "You don't even know the other person's family background or character, yet you dare to say you have someone you love? Are you trying to drive your father to his death?"

"Father, please calm down. I know I was wrong." Shen Jingshu quickly stepped forward and gently patted Shen Zizhong's back. "But I really don't want to have anything to do with Fu Zijin anymore."

Looking at his daughter's stubborn little face, Shen Zizhong felt a sense of helplessness, knowing that he would not be able to get anything out of her today no matter what.

“Very well,” Shen Zizhong sighed, “Since you insist, I will not say anything more. Just don’t say such things carelessly.”

"Your daughter will heed your teachings, Father," Shen Jingshu replied quickly.

Shen Zizhong nodded, glanced at Shen Jingshu again, and then said, "You should go back first and let your father have some peace and quiet."

"Yes, Father." Shen Jingshu curtsied and turned to leave the hall.

Shen Zizhong shook his head and sighed helplessly as he watched his daughter's departing figure.

After returning to her room, Jinse hurriedly came in and whispered in her ear, "Miss, the gatekeeper sent word that Xie Wanqing secretly went to see Young Master Fu. The two talked for a long time at the street corner outside the mansion before leaving."

Shen Jingshu's lips curled into a cold smile. "She really has a lot of nerve, being so blatant."

Yaoqin poured her a cup of tea and advised, "Why bother arguing with Miss Yaoqin? Can't you see through her little schemes? Don't let her upset you."

Jinse, still young and straightforward, stood to the side, her face full of displeasure. She muttered angrily, "It's one thing for the young lady to secretly take things from the young lady all the time, but we just pretend we don't know and give in to her because she's living under someone else's roof. But she knows exactly what Young Master Fu's intentions are when he comes to our door today, yet she still shamelessly clings to him like this. Doesn't she care about tarnishing the reputation of our Marquis's mansion!"

“I was really blinded by greed before. Since that’s the case, I’ll start by taking some interest from her.” Shen Jingshu slammed her teacup down on the table, making a crisp sound.

Her eyes darted around, and memories of her past life flooded back like a tide.

The Crown Prince was deposed entirely because of the map of the northern mountain range and a list in Prince Jing's possession.

Prince Jing's collusion with the northern border reveals his wolfish ambitions, and he also plots to frame the Crown Prince's cronies and entrap loyal officials according to the list.

The emperor was angry and laid down millions of corpses.

If the Crown Prince could be informed of this matter in advance, not only could we guard against Prince Jing's conspiracy, but we could also take the opportunity to collect evidence and bring this traitor to justice.

As Prince Jing's lackey, Fu Zijin will inevitably suffer the same fate, with no chance of ever recovering.

Although she now holds a slight advantage, she is aware that her own strength is far from enough. She needs a powerful ally who can protect her and safeguard the peace of the Shen family.

Shen Jingshu paced back and forth in the room, her mind racing with thoughts.

To bring down a powerful prince, one must possess immense power to rival Prince Jing's influence; one must have the Emperor's absolute trust to convince him when exposing Prince Jing's conspiracies; and one must be upright and incorruptible, unswayed by power and profit.

Therefore, there is only one person in the capital at this moment.

Shen Jingshu stopped in her tracks, already having made up her mind.

Jiang Jin'an.

When was the last time I heard any news about Jiang Jin'an in my previous life?

It seemed to be the winter of the forty-second year when Prince Jing grabbed her by the neck and arrogantly told her that Jiang Jin'an was dead, there were no more obstacles on the road ahead, and the capital was about to change.

"Send men to keep watch in Dufu Lane, Chengxian Street, and at the intersections of various inns and shops. If they spot the Commandant, they should immediately return and inform me, and we must find a way to stall him."

Jinse looked on incredulously. "What are you going to do, young lady? That's the Commandant, a ruthless and merciless killer!"

"He's just a person, what's there to be afraid of?" Shen Jingshu chuckled.

"What is the girl afraid of?" Yaoqin asked.

"A person, yet not a person." Shen Jingshu uttered these words softly, a resolute glint in her eyes.

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.

Xie Wanqing sat in the room, the handkerchief in her hand twisted into a mess. Thinking of Shen Jingshu's ethereal face, her resentment deepened.

But then she thought of Fu Zijin's promise to her, and Xie Wanqing took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.

She had to endure it until Fu Zijin achieved success and fame. At that time, she would make Shen Jingshu kneel before her and beg for mercy!

"Chunlan, take my gold and kingfisher feather hairpin with you. I'm going to see Sister Jingshu."

Upon arriving at Shen Jingshu's Shaoguang Courtyard, Xie Wanqing entered gracefully with a seemingly sincere smile on her face, "Sister Jingshu, you're here."

Shen Jingshu leaned against the couch, lifted her eyelids, and said meaningfully, "You have so much free time. The sun is about to set, and you still have the mind to come and visit me."

Xie Wanqing stepped forward and took Shen Jingshu's hand, pretending to be affectionate, and said, "Sister, I heard that Young Master Fu came by just now. He must have come to ask Uncle for your hand in marriage. This is a joyous occasion. Wanqing specially brought a new hairpin to add some joy to your life."

As he spoke, he gestured for Chunlan to present the box containing the hairpin.

"It's just a few days of rumors, yet you believe it so readily and rush here to offer your congratulations. If this gets out, what will become of the reputation of my Shen family's daughter!" Shen Jingshu's voice suddenly turned cold. She shook off Xie Wanqing's hand, her gaze sharp and intense. The oppressive feeling in her eyes made Xie Wanqing feel like prey being targeted by a hunter.

Xie Wanqing was furious. Her usually gentle face turned bright red, but she tried her best to maintain a smile. "Sister, please don't be angry. Wanqing only meant well. I carefully selected this hairpin. Sister, take a look. If you don't like it, Wanqing will go find another one."

Shen Jingshu glanced at the box; its gold and kingfisher feather decorations were utterly vulgar. Only someone as uncouth as Xie Wanqing would appreciate such a flashy but impractical thing.

She smiled and asked, "You praised Fu Zijin to me before, and today you came specially to give me a gift. What is so good about Fu Zijin that makes you look at him so differently, cousin?"

"Well...Young Master Fu is first-rate in both talent and appearance. Although his family background is somewhat humble, with the assistance of the Marquis's mansion, Young Master Fu will surely be able to..."

"Sigh." Shen Jingshu sighed, feigning worry. "You're absolutely right, but it's a pity. I have no feelings for him. I have someone else in my heart, but he insists that he won't marry anyone but me. Cousin Wanqing, what should we do?"

Xie Wanqing's smile froze instantly. "When did you find someone you like, sister? And what about Young Master Fu...?"

Shen Jingshu gently shook her head, "I will certainly explain it to him, but you, cousin, seem to be particularly concerned about Young Master Fu's matter?"

Xie Wanqing chuckled dryly, "Sister, you've misunderstood. I'm just worried about your marriage."

"Oh? Is that so?" Shen Jingshu raised an eyebrow. "Then why don't you tell me, cousin, what kind of husband do you envision for yourself?"

Xie Wanqing was speechless for a moment. How could she dare to say that her ideal man was Fu Zijin? She could only vaguely say, "Wanqing only wishes to marry a man of good character and ambition."

"That's good." Shen Jingshu smiled but didn't. "I hope my cousin can get what she wants soon and not waste too much time on other people's marriages."