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

On the fourth day of the sixth lunar month, the Pingyang Marquis's residence was once again adorned with red decorations, and the festive atmosphere almost overflowed from the red walls.

Carriages and horses flowed in front of the Marquis's mansion, and a continuous stream of guests arrived with gifts, all to add to Shen Jingshu's bridal makeup.

The Shen family's daughter's wedding was an extraordinary affair.

Shen Zizhong had only one daughter, whom he cherished like a precious jewel. Moreover, the Emperor and Empress had personally bestowed upon her a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, a privilege unmatched in the capital.

Guests from all walks of life naturally flocked to curry favor with the Marquis, so the procession of those adding to the dowry almost broke down the threshold of the Marquis's residence.

Jiang and Lü both brought their daughters with them.

Even the usually low-key Prime Minister Lu Ming brought his granddaughter Lu Linlang to offer his congratulations.

Lu Linlang is eighteen years old, in the prime of her youth, but she is not in a hurry to get married. She only wishes to find someone who is compatible with her. Although Lu Ming respects his granddaughter, he also hopes that she can find a good match soon.

My visit today was perhaps intended to let her experience this festive atmosphere.

On this day, the dowry gifts, large and small, numbered sixteen, filled with all sorts of precious jewels, dazzling and dazzling the eye.

Wen Yin had been confined at home and was anxiously pacing around the manor. Now that she had arrived at the Marquis's manor and received Song Wan's permission, she rushed to the side hall to find Shen Jing Shu.

Seeing that she was safe and sound, tears streamed down her face. "Jing Shu, I'm so sorry. You suffered so much, and I couldn't even see you..."

Seeing her crying so hard, Shen Jingshu quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears. "Why are you crying? Look, I'm perfectly fine."

While they were trying to persuade them, the Gu sisters and Lu Linlang arrived as well.

Several people sat around Shen Jingshu, with Gu Shiyi leading the way, chattering away and asking questions.

"How are you feeling now? I came to see you; you were unconscious and it was quite frightening."

"Jing Shu, are you really alright? What did the imperial physician say?"

"Xie Wanqing is too cruel. How could she do such a thing?"

Faced with a barrage of questions, Shen Jingshu casually brushed off the matter of being poisoned.

Gu Shiyi stared at her for a long time before finally speaking, "What happened before was my fault. I shouldn't have listened to Xie Wanqing's slander and treated you..."

Her words were sincere, but Shen Jingshu didn't care at all. "You've come today to help me with my wedding, so you mustn't say such unpleasant things."

Gu Shile looked at the two of them. She was happy that her sister could get along well with Shen Jingshu, but she sighed inwardly when she thought of her mother's instructions.

Lu Linlang sat quietly to the side, watching Shen Jingshu being surrounded by her sisters, her eyes filled with envy.

She lost her mother at a young age, and her father was often away fighting in the war. Although she was loved by her grandfather, she inevitably felt lonely.

Seeing Shen Jingshu's close relationship with her friends now stirs up a feeling in my heart. This future wife of the military commander is indeed different from the rumors. She is exceptionally intelligent and has an extraordinary demeanor, which inspires respect.

By noon, the number of guests had increased, and the Pingyang Marquis's residence was bustling with activity.

Suddenly, a commotion arose from the gate of the mansion.

"The Cheng family has come to offer their dowry!"

Someone shouted, and everyone stood up and looked outside.

A group of servants dressed in brocade robes carried a series of red wooden chests and entered the Marquis's residence in a grand procession.

The person in charge was none other than Cheng Wenhao.

Today, he was quite different from his usual carefree self, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe and holding a gold-flecked folding fan, looking incredibly dashing.

Beside him, Bai Shi was also dressed in finery, exuding elegance and nobility.

"Twenty-four people carried!"

Someone exclaimed.

The dowry from the Cheng family was actually more than all the other families combined!

For a time, everyone was speculating about the Cheng family's intentions.

"Has the Cheng family gone mad? This isn't a dowry, it's practically a betrothal!"

"Perhaps the marriage with that cousin fell through, and he failed to establish a connection with the Marquis's mansion. Is he trying to salvage the situation?"

Shen Jingshu understood that the Cheng family's actions were twofold: first, to make their stance clear and completely sever ties with Xie Wanqing; and second, to curry favor with her, as the Bai family still wanted to get on her good side.

When Shen Yuanzhou saw Cheng Wenhao, his eyes lit up. He was about to run over, but then he seemed to remember something and stopped in his tracks.

He scratched his head, looking conflicted.

You used to be able to call your cousin-in-law "brother-in-law," but you can't anymore.

Cheng Wenhao saw his embarrassment and couldn't help but find it amusing.

He walked up to Shen Yuanzhou and patted him on the shoulder. "What's wrong, young master? Don't you recognize me?"

Shen Yuanzhou chuckled, "No way, it's just..."

"You just don't know how to address me, right?" Cheng Wenhao took over the conversation and said loudly, "If the young master doesn't mind, you can call me elder brother."

Shen Yuanzhou immediately beamed with joy and called out, "Brother!"

That "Brother" was called out so clearly and loudly that Bai Shi, who was following behind, raised her hand and patted Cheng Wenhao on the back of the head.

"You're so unruly! How can you let the young prince call you 'brother'!"

Although she was scolding him, she had a smile on her face.

Cheng Wenhao scratched the back of his head, still grinning, not annoyed at all.

The Hou residence was unusually bustling, but Jiang Jin'an had not yet returned to the capital.

Just before sunset, news of Jiang Jin'an's death began to spread from who knows where.

Some say that Jiang Jin'an met with misfortune on his way back to Beijing, and that his chances of survival are slim.

Some say he was murdered by treacherous officials in the court, and his body was never found.

Some even claimed with certainty that they personally witnessed Jiang Jin'an's body being transported back to the capital, but the news of his death was kept secret.

He spoke with such conviction that one couldn't help but believe him.

When the news reached the Marquis's residence, the once joyful and cheerful scene gradually quieted down. The guests looked at each other in bewilderment, and the atmosphere became somewhat eerie.

The teacup in Shen Jingshu's hand fell to the ground and shattered.

She subconsciously looked at Cheng Wenhao, but he also looked shocked. Sensing Shen Jingshu's gaze, he looked over and shook his head without making a sound.

Shen Jingshu lowered her eyes, staring blankly at the broken pieces on the ground, unable to come back to her senses for a long time.

Jiang's expression changed. She looked at Song Wan and forced an ugly smile. "This...this must be nonsense. I'll go back to the manor right away and have my husband investigate who dares to spread such rumors!"

As soon as she said this, the others echoed her sentiments and took their leave.

Gu Shiyi wanted to stay, so Gu Shile told Jiang Shi to go back first, and that she would take her sister back to the mansion later.

In no time, only Lu Ming, Madam Lü, and Madam Bai remained in the courtyard.

The once grand event instantly became deserted.

Seeing Wen Yin's pale face, clinging tightly to Shen Jing Shu's hand, Madam Lü felt extremely awkward, unsure whether to stay or leave.

Shen Zizhong asked Lu Ming to move aside to continue the conversation. Song Wan asked the girls to accompany Shen Jingshu back to her room first. Shen Yuanzhou was accompanied by Cheng Wenhao, while she continued to accompany Madam Lü and Madam Bai, trying her best to maintain a calm facade.

Back in the room, there was still the letter that Jiang Jin'an had asked Cheng Wenhao to bring back on the table.

In the letter, Jiang Jin'an only mentioned that he would be returning to Beijing soon.

But Shen Jingshu now knows that he will never come back.

At least for now, he can't come back.