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

Song Wan's gaze fell on her extravagantly dressed niece, and she couldn't help but feel somewhat displeased.

Ever since Xie Wanqing moved into the Pingyang Marquis's residence, she has enjoyed a life of luxury, just like another young lady in the mansion.

In the past, although Xie Wanqing loved to dress up, she always considered her status as a dependent and dared not dress too ostentatiously.

Now, perhaps because she's secured a marriage with the Cheng family, she can't wait to show off, as if afraid others won't see her smug, petty face.

Today, Xie Wanqing was more flamboyant than ever before. She wore a honey-colored floor-length dress, with lotus scrolls embroidered in fine gold thread on the neckline and cuffs. A string of delicate pearls and jade adorned her waist, which jingled as she moved. The red jade headdress further accentuated her radiant beauty.

However, this beauty is tinged with an indescribable arrogance.

"Greetings to Aunt." Xie Wanqing walked up to Song Wan and gave an affected bow.

Song Wanqiang suppressed her annoyance and gave a faint "hmm" in response.

She could see through Xie Wanqing's little scheme, but she was too lazy to argue with her since Xie Wanqing was about to get married. As an elder, she couldn't keep arguing with a junior and lose her dignity.

"My sister is not feeling well, and I am worried about her, so I specially made bird's nest porridge. I hope my aunt and sister will not find it offensive."

As Xie Wanqing spoke, she gave Feiyun a wink. Feiyun immediately placed the carved food box on the table, opened the lid, and a sweet and cloying aroma wafted out.

Song Wan frowned even more as she looked at the bowl of thick bird's nest porridge.

He never even sets foot in the kitchen normally, so why would he suddenly think of making bird's nest porridge for Jing Shu?

In those two short months, she knew in her heart that Xie Wanqing and Jing Shu were no longer as close as they used to be, and that Xie Wanqing's current attentiveness was probably for ulterior motives.

I'm afraid there might be some trickery hidden in this bird's nest porridge.

"Jing Shu has not had a good appetite these past few days, so I'm afraid she won't be able to eat these sweet and greasy things."

Song Wan calmly declined Xie Wanqing's "kindness." She wouldn't let Jing Shu eat this unknown stuff; if anything happened, she wouldn't be able to survive.

Xie Wanqing's smile faltered slightly, but quickly returned to normal. She said softly, "It was Wanqing's oversight. Please forgive me, Aunt."

"Your confinement is still in effect; you shouldn't be here. Guards, escort Miss Biao back to the Cherry Blossom Courtyard!"

Song Wan gave Xie Wanqing the order to leave, but Xie Wanqing refused to go.

"Wanqing knows she was wrong, but Wanqing still wants to see her sister one last time."

Song Wan continued to refuse: "No need, Jing Shu needs to rest."

Seeing Song Wan's resolute attitude, Xie Wanqing knew that she would not be able to see Shen Jingshu today, so she had no choice but to give up.

“In that case, Wanqing will not disturb Aunt and Sister any longer. Wanqing can go back by herself. Feiyun, let’s go.”

As she turned to leave, the smile on her face vanished the instant her back was to Song Wan, replaced by a sinister look.

Shen Jingshu, let's see how long she can hold out!

She refused to believe that Shen Jingshu could keep hiding from her forever!

As Song Wan watched Xie Wanqing's departing figure, a sense of unease welled up in her heart. She subconsciously felt that Xie Wanqing's visit this time was not as simple as a simple visit.

After thinking about it, she was still worried, so she got up and went to the inner room.

She needs to go see Jing Shu and warn her to be careful of Xie Wanqing.

Inside the room, Shen Jingshu leaned against the pillow, listening to the commotion outside, and sneered inwardly. Xie Wanqing, that clown, really wouldn't give up.

Her eagerness must be because she thinks she is really going to die soon and is impatient to confirm it.

In recent days, the imperial physicians sent by Emperor Hui have been coming in droves, all saying that this poison is very strange. It doesn't look like a poison that can kill people, but they just can't find a cure.

This explanation was, of course, pre-arranged to ensure Xie Wanqing's complete conviction.

Unfortunately, she was destined to be disappointed.

"Mother, what brings you here?" Shen Jingshu quickly stood up to greet Song Wan as she entered.

"I've come to see you. Are you feeling any better?"

Song Wan held Shen Jingshu's hand and looked her up and down. Seeing that her face was still pale, she felt a pang of heartache.

Shen Jingshu was well aware of Song Wan's distress, but she could only comfort her by saying, "I'm much better, Mother, don't worry."

“Your cousin just came by. She said she made you some bird’s nest porridge, but I sent her away.” Song Wan told Shen Jingshu what had just happened.

Shen Jingshu sneered, "She's so 'kind'."

"You should be careful too, your cousin... she's changed a lot, I'm really scared..."

Shen Jingshu nodded, indicating that she understood, "Mother, don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Song Wan chatted with Shen Jingshu for a while longer before getting up to leave. She still had to handle affairs in the manor and couldn't linger there for too long.

Before leaving, she once again reminded Shen Jingshu to be careful of Xie Wanqing, and then reluctantly left Shaoguang Courtyard.

Yaoqin stepped forward and tucked the blanket around Shen Jingshu. In her and Jinse's eyes, the girl's complexion had been getting worse day by day these past few days. She seemed to have lost all her vitality and could barely eat a few bites of her favorite candied fruit. It didn't seem like she was faking it at all.

Jinse often hesitated to speak. Although the girl was intelligent, Xie Wanqing was not a kind person. What if she really did something ruthless?

"You two, go and bring those potted plants in the yard, and then close the windows," Shen Jingshu instructed.

Yaoqin and Jinse exchanged a glance. Although they didn't understand the girl's intentions, they did as she said.

Soon, several pots of brightly blooming flowers were brought into the house, and their rich fragrance instantly filled the entire room, making the already somewhat stuffy air even more stagnant.

Shen Jingshu took a deep breath, feeling the cloyingly sweet fragrance permeate her body, and a smile curved her lips.

Xie Wanqing thought she had succeeded, but little did she know that every step she took was part of her plan.

Yaoqin couldn't help but speak up and advise, "Miss, why are you doing this to yourself?"

Shen Jingshu shook her head, picked up the sachet that Xie Wanqing had placed under her pillow that day, and gently waved it in front of her eyes.

While there was an element of disguise in her appearance, it was more that her body was genuinely rejecting the poison of "Drunken Flower Shade".

This poison, seemingly incurable, is actually a case of fighting poison with poison.

Although Yaoqin and Jinse were worried, they knew that the girl must have her reasons for doing so.

Yaoqin said, "Miss, we know we can't dissuade you, but please take good care of yourself. We will do everything we can to make the necessary preparations as you have instructed."

Jinse nodded in agreement: "Don't worry, Miss, we maids will guard Shaoguang Courtyard and not let anyone disturb you."

Wuchen stood guard outside the house, shaking his head repeatedly.

This Miss Shen's temper is just like the young master's; they're both very stubborn.

Shen Jingshu looked out the window as dusk deepened and the last rays of sunlight disappeared from the horizon.

On a dark and windy night, people are killing people and setting fires.

"Go prepare some things. Tonight, we'll trap you like a turtle in a jar."

Yaoqin and Jinse exchanged a glance, then said nothing more and silently withdrew.

The girl is determined to fight Xie Wanqing to the end, and all they can do is try their best to protect her.

Hua Jing stood quietly by the window, her fragrance growing stronger in the night. Shen Jingshu lay on the bed, closing her eyes to rest.

Meanwhile, at the Cherry Blossom Courtyard, Xie Wanqing was anxiously awaiting news.

She narrowed her eyes, staring intently at Feiyun, her tone scrutinizing: "Are you sure you saw Wuchen leave the manor with your own eyes?"

Feiyun said confidently, "It's absolutely true. I saw Wuchen leave the manor with my own eyes. He definitely won't be back anytime soon."

"Good, good, good!" Xie Wanqing said three times, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "This is truly heaven's help! Tell Biyi to speed up her actions as well, I need to make sure everything goes perfectly."

Without Wuchen getting in her way, she could go all out.

Just after midnight, a dark figure silently slipped into Shaoguang Courtyard.

She walked easily to Shen Jingshu's window and observed the activity inside through the crack in the window.

By the dim candlelight, she saw Shen Jingshu lying quietly on the bed, her face as pale as paper, her breathing weak, as if she might die at any moment.

Xie Wanqing was overjoyed. It was a success!