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

Jiang Jin'an had informed them in advance, and Emperor Hui had also anticipated their arrival, so he specifically instructed Li Delu to wait at Xuanqing Gate.

"They've arrived. Take them directly to the Hall of Mental Cultivation."

Li Delu received the order and stood guard outside Xuanqing Gate early in the morning.

As soon as Jiang Jin'an and Shen Jingshu's carriage came to a stop, Li Delu's smiling face approached them. "My lord, madam, you two have come at just the right time. His Majesty has just returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation and is waiting for you."

This unexpected "coincidence" amused Shen Jingshu. They had just arrived when Eunuch Li appeared right after them, probably having been waiting there all along.

Emperor Hui's attention to Jiang Jin'an and himself has exceeded the proper limits and reached an unsettling level.

Li Delu led the way, and the group walked towards the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Shen Jingshu kept her eyes straight ahead and followed closely behind Jiang Jin'an.

Upon arriving at the Imperial Garden, they encountered Consort Shao.

Consort Shao wore a satin dress embroidered with gold butterflies and flowers, her hair piled high and surrounded by pearls and jade, which made her even more beautiful.

When she saw Jiang Jin'an and Shen Jingshu, her eyes lit up. "Oh, isn't this the Commandant and his wife? What brings you to the palace today?"

The crowd bowed to her, and Li Delu bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, it is His Majesty who has summoned me."

Consort Shao approached, covering her lips with a silk handkerchief and smiling faintly. Her alluring eyes swept over Jiang Jin'an and Shen Jingshu. "Since His Majesty has summoned me, I am also somewhat curious. May I accompany you so that I may hear what His Majesty has to say?"

Li Delu bowed, his face still bearing his signature smile. "Your Majesty is too kind. Wherever you wish to go, naturally no one would dare to stop you. It's just that His Majesty..."

He paused deliberately, his tone tinged with difficulty, but Consort Shao seemed oblivious to his meaning and said, "In that case, let's go together."

So, together with Consort Shao and her maids and eunuchs, they made their way to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Upon entering the Hall of Mental Cultivation, one sees Emperor Hui and the Empress seated at the head of the main hall, conversing in hushed tones, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

Upon seeing Jiang Jin'an and Shen Jingshu enter the hall, Emperor Hui's weary face finally showed some joy. Before they could even bow, he raised his hand to signal them, "No need for formalities, please sit down."

Li Delu quickly gave a signal, and two eunuchs immediately brought over two chairs and placed them in the hall, right below Emperor Hui and the Empress.

When Consort Shao saw that the Empress was also there, her face darkened slightly. However, due to Emperor Hui's presence, she reluctantly gave a curtsy and swayed her hips to sit in a seat to the side.

The Empress ignored Consort Shao's behavior and turned her gaze to Shen Jingshu, saying gently, "The Commandant's wife looks much better today. It seems that Jin'an has taken good care of you."

Emperor Hui also looked at Shen Jingshu, "Jingshu, are you feeling any better?"

Shen Jingshu rose and gave a slight curtsy: "Your Majesty, I am now much better. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty and Your Highness."

Emperor Hui nodded in satisfaction and then asked, "Do you blame me for not letting Jin'an return in time?"

Shen Jingshu felt that Emperor Hui's question was a bit strange. Blaming heaven and earth, blaming corrupt officials, how could he blame the emperor? Wasn't that courting death?

But upon further reflection, it seems quite reasonable.

After all, Jiang Jin'an was working hard for the country. If she harbored resentment towards him, wouldn't she seem petty?

She lowered her eyes and said, "Your Majesty is too kind. You are concerned about the affairs of the country and are busy with many matters every day. The Commandant is acting on orders for the sake of the country and the nation. I should understand and dare not have the slightest complaint."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Hui was even more pleased with Shen Jingshu.

This woman is not only exceptionally intelligent, but also sensible and reasonable; no wonder Jin'an values ​​her so highly.

He turned to the Empress and smiled, "Empress, you see, I've chosen the right person this time, haven't I?"

The Empress smiled slightly, "Your Majesty's wisdom is profound, so of course you cannot be wrong."

Emperor Hui then said, "Jin'an suggested to me that we hold a wedding banquet again. After much consideration, although I felt it was inappropriate, I granted my request because of the deep affection between you two and the regrets of the last wedding. However, it should not be as extravagant as last time; everything should be kept simple."

Before Shen Jingshu could express her opinion, Jiang Jin'an frowned, clearly not happy about it.

"Your Majesty, the wedding banquet is a major event in the lives of me and Jing Shu, and it should not be simplified. Your Majesty should also take charge of it."

The Empress echoed, "Since the marriage was arranged, it has all been through your imperial decrees, all in accordance with royal standards. Jing Shu has already suffered an injustice once. If the re-arrangement is simplified again, wouldn't that just cause her further injustice?"

Emperor Hui was just saying it casually. He was happier than anyone else to see Jiang Jin'an get married, otherwise he wouldn't have taken such good care of Shen Jingshu and made her look good.

However, as an emperor, he had many things he couldn't do, and he did feel guilty towards Jiang Jin'an this time.

"You little rascal, you sure know how to give me a hard time." Emperor Hui feigned anger and pointed at Jiang Jin'an. "Fine, who told me to favor you? I'll grant your wish this time, but don't do it again."

Although he was blaming her, his eyes and brows were full of smiles, clearly indicating that he was in a very good mood.

Consort Shao listened from the side, her eyes darting between the group, and she chimed in with a charming smile, "His Majesty truly dotes on Minister Jiang. I'm so envious."

The Empress slightly raised her phoenix eyes and glanced indifferently at Consort Shao. Her voice was not loud, "Consort, you are mistaken. His Majesty is a wise ruler and naturally cherishes his subjects. Minister Jiang has made many great contributions, so it is only natural that His Majesty will take good care of him. As for you, sister, as a consort, you should be careful with your words and actions and not lose your sense of propriety."

"you!"

Whenever the two of them get together, they argue twice out of three times.

Upon hearing that the two were about to start arguing again, Emperor Hui felt a headache coming on, and his temples throbbed. He rubbed his temples and quickly interrupted them, saying, "Alright, let's leave it at that."

He turned to look at Shen Jingshu, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes. "Jingshu, I've heard that Fu Zijin is your father's student?"

Shen Jingshu's heart skipped a beat, and she replied, "Your Majesty, I am indeed my father's student."

"Jin'an said that Fu Zijin also provided some clues and made some contributions in the successful pacification of Yanzhou this time." Emperor Hui paused, then said, "I remember, you were originally going to marry into the Fu family?"

Shen Jingshu felt a slight unease in her heart, but she didn't show it on her face. She simply turned her head slightly and glanced at Jiang Jin'an, who nodded gently to her, indicating that she should not worry.

How could she possibly feel at ease?

The name Fu Zijin was like a thorn stuck in her heart. Although they had temporarily formed a cooperative relationship, she would not be able to eat or sleep peacefully as long as he and Wen Huaiqing remained.

Jiang Jin'an spoke up: "Your Majesty, I knew before that Jing Shu and I were in love. As for those rumors, they are just hearsay and should not be taken seriously."

Emperor Hui's gaze lingered on Shen Jingshu for a moment, as if he were pondering something, before he said, "Fu Zijin has made some contributions this time. Do you have any suggestions on how to reward him?"

Without hesitation, Jiang Jin'an cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that Fu Zijin should be allowed to serve in the Commandery, and his performance should be observed."

His tone was calm, as if this was the best arrangement, but Shen Jingshu sensed something unusual.

Is this to put Fu Zijin under their very nose?