After being reborn, I went on a killing spree in the imperial court.

On the day of the Minister's birthday banquet.

Cao Yuan and Xue Xinian boarded a carriage and were on their way.

Inside the carriage, Xue Xinian kept adjusting his clothes. He looked both excited and nervous.

"Ah Yuan, thank you so much for coming with me today. I thought you were still angry with me!"

Xue Xinian held Cao Yuan's hand and looked at her with deep affection.

Cao Yuan could only play along, putting on an act of forgiving her beloved husband and not holding a grudge, "Xi Nian, we are family now, we should live together peacefully!"

"But won't your sister be angry if you don't bring her along?"

"This is important business, so we definitely can't let her come."

The carriage stopped at the entrance of the Minister's residence.

Xue Xinian got off the carriage first, took Cao Yuan's hand, and helped her down.

Cao Shang could see everything clearly from another carriage at the entrance of the alley across the street.

"Princess, shall we go in?" Anping asked.

"Have you informed Xue Xiqiong?" Cao Shang asked in a low voice.

"Yes, everything has been explained. We're determined to turn things around this time!"

Cao Yuan and Xue Xinian were at the entrance of the Minister's residence when they saw a man being chased away with an elderly woman.

"Go away! You think you can just freeload at the Minister's mansion with only an invitation and this little bit of stuff!"

"My son, leave me at the door, I'll wait for you outside!"

"How can this be done!"

"What's going on? So many people are blocking the way here."

Cao Yuan asked.

"It's Your Highness Prince Shuo! Please forgive their rudeness, Your Highness. These two only had one invitation and a broken jade pendant, yet they thought they could enter the Minister's residence!"

"I'm chasing him away!"

"You are..." Cao Yuan looked them up and down. Today, those who had invitations were all court officials, and they certainly looked like they were here to freeload.

"Your Highness Prince Shuo, I am Wen Xuchang, the newly appointed head of the Ministry of Rites. I have been invited to attend the Minister's birthday banquet!"

Cao Yuan looked at him. He wasn't wearing silk or satin, just plain clothes. He had a handsome face and a pair of gentle, tender eyes similar to Xue Xinian's.

She recalled that when she first met Xue Xinian in her previous life, he seemed to have encountered a similar predicament.

He only realized before his death that it was all a staged performance to get him to make a move, which successfully attracted Cao Yuan and made her fall in love with him at first sight.

"Since you're from the Ministry of Rites, come in with us!"

Xue Xinian advised, "Ah Yuan, he only has one invitation, so he shouldn't be able to bring his mother."

"Sir, I won't go in. I'll wait for my son at the door. My son is filial; he's been sick for years and wanted to bring me here to share in the good fortune!"

"Then come in with me! It's just one more mouth to feed. The Minister's mansion can afford to eat, but Lord Wen, the old lady is ill and should be treated as soon as possible. She shouldn't be traveling too much."

"Filial piety is a good thing, but going too far won't be good for your career!"

Wen Xuchang naturally understood her meaning. Just as he was about to explain something, Cao Yuan changed the subject, saying, "Steward, if the Minister asks, just say that I brought him! I won't make things difficult for you."

"Yes, yes, Your Highness is right! You may all go in!"

"Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you, Lord Xue!" Wen Xuchang bowed.

"Why should A Yuan help him? Ever since he took office, he has brought his mother to the Ministry of Rites every day. Nobody in the Ministry of Rites likes him!" Xue Xinian complained.

"Why would he bring his mother to a government office?" Cao Yuan asked, puzzled.

"I heard that his mother has been ill for many years and cannot be left alone! In my opinion, he is just putting on a show for us."

“Xi Nian, weren’t you also born into a poor family? How come you’ve started gossiping like other officials? You’ve changed now.”

Xue Xinian's face was grim.

Over the years, very few people from humble backgrounds have been able to distinguish themselves in the imperial court.

Some of the Fourth Prince's subordinates were also present. They bowed to Cao Yuan and said, "Your Highness Prince Shuo has arrived!"

"Greetings, esteemed sirs!" Cao Yuan bowed respectfully.

"His Highness Prince Shuo has arrived!"

Minister Fan came to greet them.

"Your Excellency, the King and Xinian have come today to offer our birthday wishes!"

Behind Minister Fan were two young men who appeared to be his sons.

"These two are Minister Fan's..."

"They are my unworthy sons! Fan Qingli and Fan Qingyu! They are currently in the Ministry of War, and I hope Prince Shuo will take care of them!"

Minister Fan's two sons were both resentful, especially Fan Qingli.

After all, being trampled underfoot by a woman is unpleasant, and after hearing Xue Xiqiong's pillow talk, he probably had an even worse impression of Cao Yuan.

"Minister Fan, you flatter me. You are all pillars of our Great Wei. I am merely acting as the Minister of War, and I am still a newcomer. I hope the two gentlemen can offer me some guidance."

The two young masters exchanged glances, and Cao Yuan's attitude was acceptable.

"What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and bow!"

"Greetings, Your Highness Prince Shuo!"

"Please come in quickly!" Minister Fan greeted Cao Yuan and the others as they walked inside.

"Thank you!" Cao Yuan and Xue Xinian walked inside together.

The ministers behind them were discussing it.

"The Vice Minister and Prince Shuo are truly a perfect match!"

"Yes, they're a match made in heaven!"

Cao Shang happened to come in from outside the door, and upon hearing this, his anger surged even more.

Wen Xuchang and his mother looked at Cao Yuan in the distance. It turned out that she was the legendary Prince Shuo.

Cao Yuan and Xue Xinian sat down. Cao Shang went over and sat down next to Xue Xinian. Xue Xinian turned her head and was startled by her.

"Shang, Shang'er, what are you doing here?"

"Brother Xue, are you hoping I won't come?" Cao Shang said.

"How could that be! I was just worried that Shang'er's health might be too heavy for her to come!"

"Yes, Xi Nian and I are worried that you are in poor health and there are so many people here. What if something happens to you?"

"Alright then, when we get back later, I'll have the imperial physician examine you!"

"I don't need your fake kindness. Who knows if you'll poison me!" Cao Shang turned his head away guiltily.

Halfway through the banquet, suddenly there was a banging of gongs and drums outside.

"Clang clang clang!"

"The water's out! The water's out!"

Just then, the Minister's steward rushed over in a panic, shouting as he ran, "My lords, something terrible has happened! The Minister's residence is on fire! Please leave immediately!"

The scene instantly descended into chaos. Everyone stood up, their faces filled with terror, and began rushing towards the door.

Cao Yuan and Cao Shang were also mixed in with the crowd, and were squeezed by the flow of people, making it difficult for them to stand steadily.

Just as they reached the door, someone suddenly shoved Cao Yuan from behind. Caught off guard, she crashed into Cao Shang, and the two of them fell to the ground.

"Shang'er!"

"Ah Yuan!"

Xue Xinian rushed over and helped Cao Shang up, asking, "Shang'er, how are you?"

"Brother Xue, my stomach hurts so much..."

"Ah, blood! There's blood!"

Everyone screamed.

"Royal sister, why did you harm me!"

Cao Yuan was puzzled. How could there be blood? Wasn't she not pregnant?