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

Jiang Mansion.

"Your Highness, is your visit so hastily related to the case of the official silver?" Jiang Jin'an put down the official documents in his hand, looked up at the visitor, and his tone was unreadable.

Wen Huaizhang was dressed in casual clothes, his brows furrowed.

"The case of the official silver can't be delayed any longer." He got straight to the point, "Has there been any movement in Yanzhou lately?"

"Your Highness, rest assured, everything is under control."

“I know you’re always reliable, but this matter involves a lot of people, and Father is pressuring us.” Wen Huaizhang’s tone carried a hint of anxiety. “When do you plan to set off?”

"Wait a little longer, the time is not right."

Wen Huaizhang looked at him. He understood Jiang Jin'an; every decision he made was carefully considered.

"You...sigh!" Wen Huaizhang hesitated, then finally let out a sigh. "Alright, I naturally trust you to do things. But..." He paused, then changed the subject, "Have you been keeping an eye on Third Brother?"

A knowing glint flashed in Jiang Jin'an's eyes, "Prince Qi?"

"Yes." Wen Huaizhang nodded. "I heard that he has been leaving the mansion frequently lately."

"I understand," Jiang Jin'an replied.

Wen Huaizhang sighed inwardly. He knew Jiang Jin'an had already planned everything, but he still couldn't help worrying.

In the end, he only said one sentence: "You... be careful."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness." Jiang Jin'an stood up and bowed as he saw him off.

After Wen Huaizhang left, Jiang Jin'an's expression gradually turned cold. He called Lin Yu over and whispered a few instructions. Lin Yu understood and turned to leave.

He sat back down at his desk, picked up the unfinished official document, and his eyes were dark and unreadable.

Before long, Lin Yu arrived with several captains. These men were all Jiang Jin'an's capable henchmen, each with exceptional skills and unwavering loyalty.

“His Highness was just here,” Jiang Jin’an said.

Tong Qingyun was stunned for a moment, then realized that His Highness was the Crown Prince. "What did His Highness say?"

"They urged me to set off for Yangzhou as soon as possible."

"My lord, when shall we depart?" Tong Qingyun asked excitedly, rubbing his hands together, eager to try.

They have been secretly investigating the case of Vice Minister Li and the official silver for a long time, and now they are finally about to close the net. He has been eagerly waiting for this moment.

Jiang Jin'an looked around, taking in everyone's expressions. These people had followed him for many years, going through thick and thin together, and were already like brothers. "This trip to Yangzhou is no small matter. I need you to make thorough preparations."

His tone turned serious, and the previously relaxed atmosphere instantly became tense.

"Please give your orders, sir," the crowd responded in unison.

"Qingyun, take a few men and go ahead to Yangzhou to secretly investigate the whereabouts of the government silver and the distribution of Wen Huaiqing's influence in Yangzhou."

"Yes," Tong Qingyun replied.

"The rest of you, stay in the capital and protect His Highness in secret. Lin Yu, you take three people and keep a close eye on Prince Qi. Make sure you find out his movements."

"Prince Qi?" Lin Yu frowned. "What kind of trouble can he possibly cause?"

"We must not let our guard down." Jiang Jin'an's voice turned cold. "This is His Highness's request, and we must be vigilant."

"Yes," Lin Yu replied, not daring to say anything more.

"Remember, this operation must be carried out with utmost care and caution. Do not alert the enemy," Jiang Jin'an instructed. "Report to me immediately if there is any disturbance."

He paused, his tone softening slightly, "Your lives are more important than anything else."

Everyone obeyed and left, leaving Jiang Jin'an alone in the study. His face was expressionless, except for his exceptionally deep eyes.

After a long while, he finally got up and stood by the window, gazing at the tall sycamore tree outside, seemingly lost in thought.

"Since you are so kind, young master, you shouldn't have kept her waiting." Lin Yu's voice came from behind him, tinged with a hint of sarcasm.

Jiang Jin'an turned around and glanced at him indifferently, "You're becoming more and more talkative."

Lin Yu lowered his head, "This subordinate dares not."

"Go and invite Miss Shen here."

"Yes." Lin Yu responded and left in haste, but in his heart he thought to himself, "Young Master has finally come to his senses."

The gatekeeper relayed Lin Yu's purpose to Song Wan, who had no objections and agreed. After all, the two families were already engaged, and it was only natural for her daughter to meet her future husband.

Shen Jingshu was somewhat surprised; this was her first time stepping into the Jiang residence, both in her past and present lives.

In her past life, she had no connection with Jiang Jin'an. Although they were engaged in this life, she had never been here before.

Although he had long known that Lord Jiang had passed away early and that Jiang Jin'an was not close to his uncle, so he was always alone in the mansion, it was still a different feeling when he actually came in person.

The mansion was decorated with pavilions, terraces, rockeries, and ponds, but it was too desolate and lacked vitality; even the wind carried a sense of loneliness.

Jiang Jin'an led Shen Jingshu to the main courtyard of the Jiang residence. Stepping inside, the courtyard was spacious, yet it felt somewhat empty.

He turned to the woman beside him and said, "This courtyard has been vacant for a long time and is somewhat overgrown. I have already had someone set up a flower garden and plant some flowers and plants that you like."

Since his mother passed away, he hasn't been to the main courtyard for a long time, except for the servants who come to clean it on weekdays, let alone take care of it.

Shen Jingshu looked at Jiang Jin'an, whose profile was handsome and had well-defined features.

“Then I want peonies, crabapples, and roses…” she listed them one by one, her eyes crinkling with laughter.

Jiang Jin listened quietly, nodding occasionally, as if trying to remember every word she said. "Besides these, what else do you want? Tell me, and I'll have someone procure it."

Shen Jingshu shook her head, "That's all for now. We'll talk about the rest when I think of something else."

This courtyard is so spacious; if we only plant some flowers and plants, it would be too monotonous. We should add some other scenery instead.

"Okay," Jiang Jin'an replied, her voice tinged with affection.

The two walked slowly along the path, remaining silent for a moment.

"I need to go to Yangzhou," Jiang Jin'an broke the silence.

Shen Jingshu was taken aback. "When?"

"Two days later."

"So fast?" She was somewhat surprised. She had originally thought that Jiang Jin'an would stay in the capital for at least a few more days.

"Mm," Jiang Jin'an responded without offering any further explanation.

Shen Jingshu looked at him, her heart filled with mixed feelings. Jiang Jin'an's journey to Yangzhou was bound to be fraught with danger, but there was nothing she could do at the moment.

"On your journey to Yangzhou, sir, please be extremely careful in all matters."

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.

Two days later, Jiang Jin'an led a group of men out of the city.

Outside the city, beside the official road, a carriage was parked, having been waiting for some time.

The carriage curtain was lifted, revealing a delicate yet handsome face—it was Wen Huaiqing.

He looked at Jiang Jin'an with a broad smile, "My lord, the journey to Yangzhou is long, please take care."

Jiang Jin'an stood still on his horse, his eyes lowered, revealing no emotion. "Your Highness need not trouble yourself. I know what I'm doing."

"Heh, you're still as cold and heartless as ever." Wen Huaiqing chuckled lightly. "I heard that you've come here to investigate the theft of government silver?"

"Exactly."

"Is there any progress?"

"Not yet." Jiang Jin'an said without changing his expression. "However, I believe that as long as we investigate diligently, the truth will eventually come to light."

“Of course, of course,” Wen Huaiqing echoed. “The Commandant is the one personally appointed by His Majesty to investigate this case. He is exceptionally capable and will surely be able to find out the truth about this case.”

"Your Highness flatters me." Jiang Jin'an cupped his hands in greeting. "It's getting late, and I should be setting off now."

"Please do as you please, sir."

Jiang Jin'an spurred his horse forward, but after a few steps, he suddenly stopped.

“Your Highness,” he turned to look at Wen Huaiqing, “there is something I am not sure if I should say.”

"But it doesn't matter."

"There are no secrets in this world that stay hidden forever, what does Your Highness think?"

Wen Huaiqing smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "You're right."

Jiang Jin'an said no more, spurred his horse on, and galloped away.

As Wen Huaiqing watched his departing figure, the smile on her face gradually disappeared, replaced by a sinister look.

"Your Highness, are we just going to let him go like this?" asked a servant standing nearby.

"Otherwise what?" Wen Huaiqing sneered. "You go and touch him?"

“But what if he finds out something when he goes to Yanzhou…” the attendant said reluctantly.

“He won’t find anything out,” Wen Huaiqing interrupted him. “Even if he does find something out, it doesn’t matter.”

He paused, then said, "Pass down the order: tell everyone over there to be on high alert and not to give themselves away!"

"Yes!" the attendant replied, turning and leaving.

Wen Huaiqing withdrew his gaze, lowered the carriage curtain, and the carriage slowly drove away.

Dust filled the air on the official road, obscuring the sky and the sun.