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

The imperial guards carried the betrothal gifts and poured into the Pingyang Marquis's residence like a flowing river.

Each box was decorated with a large red "double happiness" character. When the boxes were opened, all sorts of rare and exotic treasures dazzled the eye.

Palace maids and eunuchs went in and out, busy but not chaotic, and put away the betrothal gifts one by one.

Xie Wanqing was struck dumb, as if by lightning.

This scene was exactly the same as the day the birth certificates were exchanged.

She had originally planned to see Shen Jingshu make a fool of herself, but she never expected that she would be the one to be proven wrong in the end.

“Miss Xie, this betrothal gift is really generous, more than twice as much as ours,” Fei Yun said sourly as she leaned closer to Xie Wanqing.

Xie Wanqing turned her head sharply and glared at Feiyun, "Shut up!"

Feiyun was startled and immediately fell silent.

Was this Jiang Jin'an's arrangement, or Emperor Hui's intention? The betrothal gifts were still being brought in one after another, and Shen Jingshu blinked, speechless for a moment.

After Li Delu finished his business, another female official stepped forward.

"Miss Shen, Her Majesty the Empress has specially prepared a wedding dress for you, saying that you should wear it on your wedding day."

As she spoke, she waved her hand, and two palace maids behind her came forward carrying an exquisite box.

The lady-in-waiting opened the box and found an extremely beautiful wedding dress inside.

The wedding dress was made of red Shu brocade, as red as fire, yet elegant without being gaudy. A single phoenix embroidered with gold and silver threads was lifelike and adorned with pearls and jade, shimmering in the sunlight.

Everyone who saw it was amazed.

This wedding dress is obviously priceless, especially since it was a gift from the Empress, making it even more meaningful.

The lady-in-waiting said, "Her Majesty the Empress said that on the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, you must wear His Majesty's auspicious pearl crown when you get married."

Shen Jingshu was also filled with mixed emotions.

At the Thousand Autumns Banquet, the Empress did mention that she would also give her something. She thought it was just a casual remark, but she never expected that it would actually be bestowed upon her, and such an exquisite wedding dress at that.

Shen Zizhong and Song Wan exchanged a glance and then gestured to Uncle Fu and Granny Chen to hand over the thick red envelopes.

Li Delu and the female official accepted the gifts with beaming smiles, and said many auspicious words. After all the betrothal gifts were carried into the mansion, they happily returned to the palace to report back.

The front yard was briefly silent, then burst into a lively uproar.

The servants also lined up and congratulated in unison: "Congratulations, Lord Marquis! Congratulations, Lady Marquis! Congratulations, Eldest Miss!"

Shen Zizhong grinned from ear to ear and waved his hand, "Reward me!"

Bai felt even more worried. The Emperor and Empress valued Shen Jingshu so much, but she could tell that the two sisters were irreconcilable. How could she expect Shen Jingshu to help her sons advance in their careers in the future?

Cheng Wenhao glanced at Xie Wanqing's swollen face, his eyes darting around. He leaned closer to her and whispered, "Are you unhappy? These items, the royal family has them, and so does our Cheng family. Which one do you fancy? Except for the wedding dress, I'll find them all for you."

Xie Wanqing glared at him, "What do you know!"

She stood at the back of the crowd, her eyes red.

She was consumed by jealousy. Why did Shen Jingshu get all of this, while she had nothing?

"When Jiang Jin'an doesn't come back, let's see if you'll still be laughing!" Xie Wanqing couldn't help but mutter to herself with resentment.

Cheng Wenhao was taken aback.

Jiang Jin'an is not coming back?

He subconsciously looked at Shen Jingshu, who remained calm and composed. She was too far away to hear Xie Wanqing's words.

Yangzhou...

The imperial edict did mention that Jiang Jin'an had gone to Yangzhou. Some time ago, my elder brother had also mentioned that the Vice Minister of Revenue had died, and the cause of death was unknown. Many people in the court were speculating, and even their own business was affected.

Could it be that Jiang Jin'an's trip to Yangzhou was specifically to thoroughly investigate this matter?

The more Cheng Wenhao thought about it, the more alarmed he became.

Yangzhou is a place where all sorts of people mingle, and the waters run deep. Jiang Jin'an's trip there is likely to be fraught with danger.

He couldn't help but worry about Shen Jingshu. What would she do if something really happened to Jiang Jin'an?

However, Cheng Wenhao thought about it again and felt that his worries were a bit unnecessary. Shen Jingshu was such an intelligent woman, how could she not have a solution?

Thinking of this, Cheng Wenhao breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Outside the Pingyang Marquis's residence, a banquet was set up, with a full row of wedding cakes, candied fruits, and pastries.

With this joyous occasion added to the celebrations, Shen Zizhong sent people to add another table, a long table that stretched from the gate of the mansion all the way to the end of the street.

Once the last eunuch disappeared around the street corner, the people crowded around and took whatever they wanted to eat.

The mansion was equally bustling. A stage was set up in the central courtyard, and the most famous opera troupe in the capital was invited to sing stories of talented scholars and beautiful women.

As Madam Bai was congratulating Song Wan, Madam Xie approached and said, "Congratulations, Madam! The eldest daughter has truly made you proud."

Madam Xie echoed, picking up a piece of candied fruit and putting it in her mouth, "That's right, this wedding dress is obviously not an ordinary item. When the eldest daughter marries into the family, she'll have to take good care of our Wanqing."

After being reminded by Madam Xie Er, Madam Xie realized what was going on and nodded hurriedly, "Yes, our Wanqing is, after all, a cousin of the Marquis's family. We are all family, so we hope that the eldest young lady will take good care of her."

When Song Wan's younger sister married into the Xie family, the second and third masters of the Xie family were still officials. However, the second master of the Xie family made a mistake and was dismissed from his post, leaving only the third master of the Xie family. But he died not long after, and the Xie family became commoners.

If Shen Jingshu can help Xie Wanqing, who knows, the Xie family might be able to regain its former glory?

Hearing this, Song Wan felt as disgusted as if she had swallowed a fly.

These two sisters-in-law from the Xie family, one singing and the other harmonizing, certainly know how to take advantage of others' opportunities.

Before she could speak, Shen Jingshu sneered and said, "What are you saying, ladies? My cousin is now the young mistress of the Cheng family. Why would she need an outsider like me to take care of her?"

Madam Xie and Madam Xie were speechless after being choked by Shen Jingshu's words. They originally wanted to take this opportunity to curry favor with Song Wan and take advantage of her, but they did not expect to be rebuffed by this little girl, Shen Jingshu.

Madam Bai also said, "Once Wanqing enters my Cheng family, how can she expect my cousin to take care of her? Isn't Sister-in-law Xie slapping me in the face?"

She glanced at Madam Xie sitting to the side and said with a smile, "My husband has also prepared a small gift for the Xie family, which will be sent tomorrow. I'm a straightforward person and I say what I think, so please forgive me if I offend either of you."

Her words, seemingly an apology, were actually a barbed tongue, exposing the hypocrisy and scheming of the Xie sisters-in-law. Madam Xie and Madam Xie, of course, understood, and felt their faces burning with embarrassment.

Madam Xie chuckled twice, "Madam is joking. We are all family, there is no need to offend each other."

Madam Xie couldn't sit still any longer. She coughed and said, "We didn't mean anything by what you said, in-laws."

Bai smiled and said nothing more.

Xie Wanqing watched the group of people going back and forth, and her anger grew even stronger.

Today was supposed to be her special day, but Shen Jingshu stole all the limelight from her, and now the Xie family has also been humiliated by the Cheng family. How could she not be angry?

"Grandmother, eldest aunt, second aunt, please stop talking." Xie Wanqing interrupted the farce, seizing the opportunity. "My sister is favored by the Emperor, and I, Wanqing, am not worthy of such favor."

Her words drew everyone's attention back to her.

Xie Wanqing lowered her head, one cheek still red, her voice choked with sobs, looking pitiful as if she had suffered a great injustice.

Cheng Wenhao took a step back without making a sound, putting distance between himself and Xie Wanqing.

This woman is putting on an act again.