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

In the Shaoguang Courtyard, Shen Jingshu sat idly by the window, playing with a magnolia hairpin in her hand, which Jiang Jin'an had carved himself.

"Miss, do you think everything is going smoothly for Commandant Yangzhou?" Yaoqin asked softly, massaging her shoulders.

Ever since hearing Cheng Wenhao's words, she has been feeling very uneasy.

The Commandant was traveling alone to Yangzhou. Not only was the journey long, but she also didn't know what dangers he would face. What if... She dared not think any further and only hoped that he would return safely.

Shen Jingshu lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a shadow on her eyelids, making it impossible to see the emotions in her eyes.

She didn't say anything, but simply gripped the magnolia hairpin tighter.

Jinse thought she was worried about Jiang Jin'an's safety, so she came over and quickly comforted her, "Miss, don't worry, the Commandant is very capable, he will definitely be fine."

Shen Jingshu smiled. What she was worried about was not just Jiang Jin'an's safety.

Seeing that Shen Jingshu was in a bad mood, Yaoqin thought of changing the subject to ease the atmosphere, "I heard that Miss Shen has been much more well-behaved these past two days."

"Really?" Shen Jingshu raised an eyebrow.

"Of course! Ever since she was confined to her quarters, she hasn't even left the Cherry Blossom Courtyard. She spends all her time either copying scriptures or embroidering, as obedient as a kitten. We haven't seen her cause any trouble since." Jinse chimed in, her tone tinged with schadenfreude.

It's quite rare for Xie Wanqing to have remained well-behaved for so long, given her personality.

Shen Jingshu sneered inwardly. She knew Xie Wanqing all too well. Although Xie Wanqing had restrained herself a lot in this life, the viciousness and selfishness in her bones could never be changed.

"It's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature," Shen Jingshu said calmly. "She was just hunching over."

At lunchtime, Shen Jingshu had little appetite and only ate a few bites before putting down her chopsticks.

She has been feeling exhausted and listless lately, and even her favorite meals have become tasteless and bland.

Seeing that she had barely touched her food, Song Wan asked, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Or is the food not to your liking?"

Shen Jingshu shook her head, and forced herself to say to Song Wan, "It's probably spring fatigue. I feel a bit weak."

In the following days, Shen Jingshu became increasingly sleepy and often slept for a long time, sometimes even waking her up for meals.

Yaoqin and Jinse saw this and were anxious, but they were helpless.

They wanted to ask a doctor to take a look, but Shen Jingshu said she was fine, just a little tired.

Seeing her insistence, Yaoqin and Jinse couldn't say anything more and could only take even better care of her, hoping that she could recover her spirits soon.

After being confined to Luoying Courtyard, Xie Wanqing's hatred grew wildly like weeds. Whenever she thought of Shen Jingshu's current glory and her own downfall, she would tremble with anger and wish she could devour Shen Jingshu alive.

Feiyun came to serve, but seeing Xie Wanqing's gloomy expression, she was afraid but dared not say anything.

Xie Wanqing's gaze fell on Feiyun, and she asked in a gloomy tone, "Have you heard anything about what's going on at Shaoguang Academy lately?"

Feiyun trembled and replied, "This servant has heard that the eldest young lady has been drowsy and listless these past few days, and even the madam is a little worried."

Xie Wanqing's eyes lit up, and she pressed, "Do you know why?"

Feiyun shook her head, indicating that she did not know.

Don't know?

It's good that you don't know!

She immediately changed into a simple dress and wore only a simple wooden hairpin in her hair. She looked elegant and refined, and her beauty was so striking that it evoked pity.

"Young lady, what are you doing?"

Bi Yi walked in carrying a plate of mung bean cakes. Seeing Xie Wanqing's attire, she couldn't help but feel a little puzzled.

Xie Wanqing did not answer, but took out a box of perfume from her vanity case, lightly scooped some out with her fingertips, and applied it to her wrists and behind her ears.

"What kind of fragrance is this? It's quite unique."

The scent of the perfume wafted out, and Fei Yun and Bi Yi leaned closer to smell it. They found the fragrance to be light and refreshing, yet with a subtle sweetness that made them want to keep smelling it.

Xie Wanqing glanced at her, her eyes filled with smugness, "This is 'Drunken Flower Shade'."

This was a rare fragrance from the Western Regions that Wen Huaiqing had sent her by his servant. It was colorless and odorless, yet it could make people unknowingly become addicted to it and unable to extricate themselves.

"Drunken Flower Shade?"

What a strange name.

Bi Yi's doubts deepened, but she dared not ask any more questions. Xie Wanqing's actions had become increasingly mysterious lately, so it was best for her to ask as little as possible to avoid getting into trouble.

"Let's go to Shaoguang Courtyard." Xie Wanqing stood up and led Biyi and Feiyun out of Luoying Courtyard.

This was the first time she had stepped out of the courtyard since being placed under house arrest.

Although Shen Zizhong issued a stay-at-home order, who is she?

She's a cousin of the Marquis of Pingyang, the future young mistress of the Cheng family! Which of those old women and maids would dare to stop her?

Xie Wanqing arrived at Shaoguang Courtyard without any obstacles.

Shen Jingshu was still taking a nap.

Yaoqin and Jinse were waiting outside the door. When they saw Xie Wanqing arrive, they were very surprised. "Miss, what brings you here?"

I just said she's been much more well-behaved lately, how come she's out here again?

Xie Wanqing appeared gentle and weak, and said softly, "I was wrong a few days ago and made my sister angry. I have come here today to apologize."

As she spoke, she took a brocade box from Bi Yi's hand. "This is a sweet osmanthus cake that I made myself. It used to be my favorite. Please forgive me this time, sister."

Yaoqin and Jinse exchanged a glance, both hesitant.

Xie Wanqing's sudden apology this time probably has ulterior motives.

However, one cannot refuse a smiling face, especially since Xie Wanqing had brought gifts. As her maids, they couldn't very well turn her away directly.

Jinse could only say tactfully, "You are too kind, Miss, but my young lady is resting and it is inconvenient for her to receive guests."

"It's alright, I'll wait here. I'll go in and apologize when my sister wakes up."

After saying that, Xie Wanqing actually sat down on the stone bench in the courtyard, looking as if she would not give up until she saw Shen Jingshu.

Yaoqin and Jinse couldn't say anything more, so they could only let her go.

As the sun gradually set in the west, Xie Wanqing sat on the stone bench, a fine layer of sweat appearing on her forehead.

Feiyun stood behind her, wiping her sweat with a handkerchief from time to time, and whispered, "Miss, why are you doing this? Why don't we go back?"

"What do you know?" Xie Wanqing glared at her. "If I don't see Shen Jingshu today, wouldn't all my efforts have been wasted?"

She then took out a small porcelain bottle from her sleeve, poured out a few pills, and swallowed them with her tea.

This is an antidote pill given to her by Wen Huaiqing, which can temporarily suppress the toxicity of "Drunken Flower Shade".

She came to Shaoguang Courtyard today not only to apologize, but also to give Shen Jingshu another dose of poison.

As the saying goes, "to injure the enemy a thousand, you also lose eight hundred of your own," she also took a risk.

Shen Jingshu's excessive sleepiness was due to the poisoning from oleander.

If this "Drunken Flower Shade" is added, it will gradually aggravate drowsiness and weakness, eventually leading to death in one's sleep.

At that time, without anyone noticing, no one will suspect her.

“But…” Bi Yi wanted to say something, but Xie Wanqing interrupted her.

"Alright, stop talking. I know what I'm doing."

Xie Wanqing said impatiently.

She looked up at the sky, estimating that it was about time, and got up to go into Shen Jingshu's bedroom.

Upon seeing this, Yaoqin and Jinse quickly stepped forward to stop them, "Miss, you can't go in! Our young lady is still resting!"

Xie Wanqing ignored them, pushed them aside, and walked straight in.

"Sister, your little sister has come to see you." She called softly, her tone gentle as water, sounding just like a charming little sister.

Shen Jingshu lay on the bed with her eyes closed and her breathing even, seemingly in a deep sleep.

Xie Wanqing was overjoyed.