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

Gu Shiyi returned to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion with a heavy heart. Along the way, the beautiful scenery that used to captivate her could not arouse her interest at all. Even the pastries she usually loved tasted like wax and were hard to swallow.

Her mind kept replaying Shen Jingshu's bloodless face, and she felt more worried than gloating.

After dinner, Gu Shiyi finally couldn't contain herself and rushed to find Gu Changyi. "Second brother, have you heard about Shen Jingshu's poisoning?"

Gu Changyi was sitting at the table reading a book. Hearing her question, he looked up at her, but his brows did not show much worry. Instead, he asked her with interest, "Why are you suddenly so concerned about her? Didn't you used to hate her to the extreme?"

Gu Shiyi was speechless for a moment, stammering and unsure how to answer.

She couldn't very well say that she was worried that if something happened to Shen Jingshu, her cousin would be heartbroken, could she?

Wouldn't that make it obvious that I care too much about my cousin?

"She is, after all, my future sister-in-law, so it's only natural for me to show some concern." She sounded a little guilty, her voice so low it was almost inaudible, and her eyes darted away, avoiding Gu Changyi's gaze.

"Oh? Really? I seem to clearly remember someone saying through gritted teeth that they wished Shen Jingshu would disappear from this world."

Gu Shiyi's face flushed red instantly. She stomped her foot angrily, "How could you make fun of me like that? I... I was just saying that in anger!"

"Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing you." Seeing her like this, Gu Changyi stopped teasing her. "Didn't you see it with your own eyes? There were so many imperial physicians surrounding her, she won't die."

After careful consideration, Gu Shiyi found it quite reasonable.

Shen Yuanzhou said that Shen Jingshu only needs to rest and recuperate and cannot go out, which is already a blessing in disguise.

"That being said, I still feel uneasy looking at her like that."

"You're just worrying about nothing." Gu Changyi reached out and tapped her forehead, then suddenly changed the subject, "Instead of wasting your time, why don't you go and check on your brother's courtyard?"

Gu Shiyi was taken aback, puzzled. "Why would I go to his yard for no reason?"

"Didn't you say before that your brother acquired a rare flower called 'Ink Jade' and also bought rouge, suggesting that he might be keeping a mistress outside?" Gu Changyi reminded him.

"That was just something Shen Jingshu made up on the spot, and you actually believed it?" Gu Shiyi rolled her eyes and said irritably, "I secretly went to check, and my brother's place was empty. There was no trace of 'black jade' at all."

Gu Changyi looked incredulous. "Really? You've always loved these flowers and plants. Could it be that you secretly hid it away, wanting to keep that 'Black Jade' pot all to yourself?"

Gu Shiyi stomped her feet in anger, "In your eyes, am I such a greedy person? I said no, and that's final! I saw it with my own eyes, how could it be false? Apart from a few servants cleaning, there wasn't a single other person in sight!"

Gu Changyi's brows furrowed even more.

This is really unreasonable.

Based on his understanding of Gu Changfeng, his elder brother had always acted flamboyantly and liked grand gestures, so how could he not have arranged even a few servants?

Moreover, Chu Xiangling's earring remained a thorn in his side.

Furthermore, the fact that Shen Jingshu was poisoned made him even more convinced that the matter was inextricably linked to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.

Could it be that Gu Changfeng is really colluding with Prince Jing?

Was Chu Xiangling coerced and controlled by them, or was she willingly used by them?

Gu Changyi felt utterly overwhelmed. Lately, Gu Chengze had been forcing him to train in the army every day, enduring wind and sun, which was extremely arduous. Back at the manor, he still had to rack his brains to find someone who was deliberately hiding their tracks, leaving him physically and mentally exhausted.

He hadn't seen Wen Yin for a long time, and he wondered how anxious she would be if she heard about Shen Jingshu's poisoning.

He wished he could learn those esoteric arts and split himself into three, which would make things much easier.

Gu Changyi sighed inwardly, but pretended to be relaxed as she tapped Gu Shiyi's forehead, "How could you possibly find it if you're so dull-witted? I'll go with you again later, and we'll definitely find some clues."

Gu Shiyi responded impatiently, but inwardly she was somewhat dismissive.

……

Minister Wen was cautious by nature, and he ordered his wife, Lady Lü, to keep a close watch on Wen Yin and forbid her from going to the Marquis of Pingyang's residence.

However, despite all the precautions, they couldn't prevent Wen Huaiqing from personally visiting them.

In the main hall of the Wen residence, Minister Wen sat upright in a grand chair, his teacup already cold, but he was completely unaware of it.

Wen Huaiqing, dressed in a brocade robe, exuded an air of elegance. He sat in the guest seat, a faint smile playing on his lips as he quietly watched him.

"Minister Wen is a wise man. I'm sure you know why I've come here today," Wen Huaiqing said.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Minister Wen's forehead. He forced himself to remain calm and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Highness, my daughter is still young and unruly. I'm afraid this matter of the concubine..."

Wen Huaiqing chuckled, interrupting him, "Minister Wen, what are you saying? I have met Wen Yin. She is well-educated, intelligent, and beautiful, quite different from those ordinary women. She has a few minor quirks, nothing serious. Moreover, if Miss Wen were to marry me, it would be an unparalleled honor for the Wen family. You should think it over carefully."

These words, a combination of persuasion and coercion, were both enticement and threat.

Minister Wen was inwardly groaning. How could he not know that marrying his daughter into the royal family would bring immense wealth and honor? But he also knew that Prince Jing was no benevolent man. Once he stepped into this mess, it would be difficult to extricate himself.

He only has one daughter, whom he cherishes dearly. How could he bear to push her into such a situation?

Faced with Prince Jing's relentless pressure, he had no choice but to plead, "Your Highness, my daughter is not learned enough and I am afraid she is not up to the task. I hope Your Highness will reconsider!"

A hint of impatience flashed in Wen Huaiqing's eyes. He stood up and walked to Minister Wen, looking down at him. "Minister Wen, we are both sensible men. You know what I want. You also know the Wen family's status in the court over the years. I have always been quite lenient with the Wen family. My patience is limited. You had better be sensible and not make a mistake for yourself."

After saying that, he turned and left, leaving Minister Wen alone, who slumped into a chair, his face ashen.

The sandalwood incense was still burning inside, wisps of smoke curling upwards, and a faint sandalwood scent lingered around his nose, yet it made him feel suffocated.

Minister Wen felt a chill creep into his heart.

The Wen family could hardly remain uninvolved. He could almost picture his daughter trapped in that magnificent cage, her face devoid of its former smile, replaced by utter desolation.