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

By the time the guests had left, dusk had fallen.

Shen Zizhong and Song Wan summoned Shen Jingshu and Xie Wanqing to the study.

"Tell me, what exactly happened?" Shen Zizhong asked with a serious expression as he sat in the main seat.

Shen Jingshu glanced at Xie Wanqing and then recounted the whole story.

"...That's how it is, Father, Mother, I acted impulsively."

After she finished speaking, she lowered her head slightly, looking like she was obediently admitting her mistake.

Xie Wanqing stood aside, neither daring to admit it nor daring to deny it.

Shen Zizhong and Song Wan's expressions became somewhat subtle after hearing this.

Xie Wanqing was so outspoken! If Li Delu had heard her say that, what would have happened?

To put it kindly, she was worried that it would hinder her cousin's marriage.

But what if we look at it the other way around?

So she's implying that Shen Jingshu is going to be a widow! It's about the death of the Emperor's most beloved and favored minister!

"You, you're really going to infuriate me!" Shen Zizhong slammed his fist on the table and stood up, pointing at Xie Wanqing's nose, trembling with anger. "The Commandant went to Yanzhou to serve his country, how can you slander him like this!"

"Your Majesty!"

His angry shout was like a booming bell, and Xie Wanqing was so frightened that her legs went weak, and she knelt down with a thud. "Uncle, I..."

"How dare you call me uncle?" Shen Zizhong's eyes widened in anger, his voice cracking. "Do you know how close you came to disaster!"

"I didn't mean it, it was just a slip of the tongue!"

Shen Zizhong was furious. "Your slip of the tongue has almost killed my Pingyang Marquis's mansion! You're trying to make us pay with our lives!"

Song Wan also had a cold face and said in a chilling voice, "Do you know what kind of trouble your words today will bring to my Pingyang Marquis's mansion if they reach the ears of someone with ulterior motives?"

Shen Zizhong took a deep breath, trying to calm his anger. He looked at Xie Wanqing and said, word by word, "Listen to me carefully. From today onwards, you will stay obediently in Luoying Courtyard and you are not allowed to go anywhere! Without my permission, you are not allowed to step out of the courtyard!"

"Uncle..."

Xie Wanqing wanted to say something, but Shen Zizhong interrupted her sharply.

"Guards, take Miss Biao away and confine her to her quarters!"

Several old women stepped forward and, ignoring Xie Wanqing's struggles, dragged her away.

No matter how much she shouted, it was to no avail.

Seeing her niece, who used to be a sweet little dumpling, turn into this state, it would be a lie to say that Song Wan wasn't sad. But she couldn't understand why the Marquis's mansion had treated her badly, and why she hated Jing Shu so much.

Could it all be because of that Fu Zijin?

Song Wan looked at Shen Jingshu and her tone softened considerably, "Jingshu, Wanqing... well, she's getting married soon and won't have much contact with you in the future. Your wedding is approaching, and Jin'an isn't in the capital, so don't cause any more trouble because of others."

Shen Jingshu agreed, chatted with them for a while, and then left the study.

At 9 PM, Shaoguang Courtyard was completely silent. Shen Jingshu dismissed everyone around her, leaving only Wuchen behind.

Shen Jingshu pointed to the chair next to her, "Sit down."

Wuchen hesitated for a moment, but still sat down as instructed.

After a moment of silence, Shen Jingshu spoke first: "Do you know why I asked you to come?"

Wuchen remained silent, only shaking his head with his eyes lowered.

Shen Jingshu looked at Wuchen and said, "You can report my itinerary to your master; it's your duty, and I won't interfere. But I don't want you to report it with a skeptical attitude."

Wuchen suddenly looked up, his eyes flashing.

"Since I dared to let you follow me, I'm not afraid of you reporting to him. My relationship with your master is more of a cooperative one, and I hope you understand that."

He remained silent for a long time before finally speaking: "Your subordinate understands."

Shen Jingshu nodded. "It's good that you understand. I hope we can be honest with each other; it's good for both of us."

“Yes,” Wuchen replied.

"Alright, you can go now." Shen Jingshu waved her hand.

Wuchen stood up, bowed to Shen Jingshu, and then turned and left.

Shen Jingshu sighed as she watched Wuchen's departing figure.

It will take time to completely subdue Wuchen, but at least she has taken the first step.

Wuchen is Jiang Jin'an's man. As long as he can be truly used for her purposes, then her cooperation with Jiang Jin'an can be more stable.

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.

Cheng Wenhao dismissed Zhao Chengze and sat alone in his room, shutting himself in his own little world. He tilted his head back and drank the wine in his glass in one gulp. The spicy liquid slid down his throat, bringing a burning sensation, but it couldn't burn away the vexation in his heart.

He closed his eyes, but Xie Wanqing's resentful face appeared in his mind.

"Pah, what bad luck!" Cheng Wenhao cursed under his breath, slamming his wine glass down on the table. "Someone come here!"

A servant boy entered in response, "What are your orders, young master?"

"Go and fetch Fang Shu for me."

"This..." The servant hesitated for a moment. He looked at Cheng Wenhao's face and said cautiously, "Young master, didn't you say you wouldn't see them again?"

"Just go when I tell you to, stop with all the nonsense!" Cheng Wenhao was very impatient, clearly in a bad mood.

The servant dared not say another word and quickly withdrew.

Before long, Fang Shu arrived at Cheng Wenhao's room.

She wore a plain-colored dress and only had a simple wooden hairpin in her hair, making her look elegant and refined.

"Young Master," Fang Shu said, her voice melodious and pleasant.

Looking at Fang Shu, Cheng Wenhao felt much of his irritation dissipate.

He beckoned Fang Shu to come closer, and Fang Shu obediently walked over. Cheng Wenhao put his arm around her waist, buried his head in her neck, and took a deep breath.

"It's still the most comfortable place here," Cheng Wenhao murmured.

Fang Shu nestled in Cheng Wenhao's arms, saying nothing, simply listening quietly to his heartbeat.

After a long while, Cheng Wenhao finally let go of Fang Shu and pulled her to sit down at the table.

"How have you been these days?" Cheng Wenhao asked.

Fang Shu nodded, "There's food and drink, but..."

"Just what?"

"I just can no longer sing for you, young master," Fang Shu said, her eyes lowered and her voice filled with sorrow.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Wenhao's heart softened.

He knew that Fang Shu used to love singing, but ever since he and Xie Wanqing got engaged, he had never let her sing again.

They were even sent to a side courtyard and forbidden to come back.

"Once I've finished dealing with things here, you can sing whatever you want to your heart's content," Cheng Wenhao said.

Fang Shu looked up at Cheng Wenhao, her eyes sparkling, "Is what you say true, young master?"

"Of course it's true." Cheng Wenhao smiled. "When have I ever lied to you?"

Fang Shu smiled again, got up, walked to the side, and picked up a pipa.

"Young master, let Fangshu play a tune for you."

Cheng Wenhao nodded, and Fang Shu plucked the strings of the pipa. The sound of the pipa filled the room, like pearls falling on a jade plate, melodious and pleasant to the ear.

Even after the song ended, Cheng Wenhao was still reluctant to stop.

“One more song,” he said.

Fang Shu smiled and played another piece. The music was melodious and plaintive, as if it were telling a story of endless longing and love.

That night, the sound of the pipa accompanied by laughter and chatter continued until late into the night.