If Shen Tingsi heard someone say this before he exchanged bodies with Jiang Xiancao, he would definitely sneer.

He would think that the reason why men like him can live freely and unrestrainedly is not because they are born men or royal nobles and enjoy natural privileges, but because his character and ability are inherently stronger than those of the weak.

Just like eagles can fly high because they have strong wings.

But when he became "Jiang Xiancao", he discovered that the restrictions of the environment could really trap a living person in layers of shackles.

So what if I have wings?

Those who occupy high positions and hold power can clip your wings and lock you in a cage. Even if you were once an eagle, you will be slowly tamed into a house sparrow.

Jiang Xiancao, whom he had never taken seriously before, lived a comfortable life after obtaining his identity.

Her methods were no less effective than his, and she was even better than him. She could use her power and status to manipulate people's hearts more easily.

Even Shen Yubai, who had always been at odds with him, had somehow become her ally.

Jiang Xiancao did what he couldn't do. Is she really inferior to him in terms of character and ability?

The reason he lived a good life before was not because he was better than her, but simply because he was luckier than her.

Realizing this, Shen Tingsi suddenly felt ashamed to face her.

He was ashamed of his earlier arrogance towards her.

"It was really my fault before, I..."

But before Shen Tingsi could finish his words, Jiang Xiancao had already turned and left.

Shen Tingsi looked at her back, his heart filled with indescribable sadness.

He followed her step by step, wanting to catch up, but he felt that he was not worthy of walking side by side with her now, and he didn't know what to say to her.

After the people in front of the Wen Ning Marquis' Mansion dispersed, several men on horseback rushed to the door, exhausted.

The leading man took off his cloak and said gloomily to the doorman who came out after hearing the noise:

"Tell Jiang Jinyan to come out and see me!"

The doorman knelt down quickly and said, "My Lord, the eldest son is still recovering from his injuries. I'm afraid he can't get out of bed..."

"Why is he still injured?"

Marquis Wen Ning frowned deeply. The news he received was still at the stage where Jiang Huaizhu was arrested and imprisoned, and Jiang Jinyan tried to ask the prince for help to rescue her.

The doorman stammered and told the story of how Jiang Jinyan and others were punished by the Queen Mother.

After hearing this, Marquis Wen Ning was extremely angry.

He kicked the doorman away and cursed angrily, "This unfilial son wants to destroy my family!"

Master Jiang, who was standing behind him, dismounted and came over, whispering:

"Brother, please don't be angry. The situation has come to this point, and there is no point in blaming Jinyan now. We should first find a way to calm the whole thing down and let the emperor and the queen mother restore their trust in the Jiang family. That's the most important thing."

Marquis Wenning glanced at him and said in a cold voice:

"Have you arranged everything I asked you to arrange?"

Mr. Jiang lowered his voice and said, "It's arranged."

After hesitating for a moment, he added, "But if we do this, Zhu'er's life will be lost."

Marquis Wen Ning sneered, "Because of her, my Jiang family has been in such trouble. Why should I keep her around?"

He is different from his foolish sons. In his heart, nothing is more important than his family.

It would be fine if he just doted on Jiang Huaizhuo normally, but he would never allow anyone to drag down the Jiang family when it came to family affairs.

If he was in the capital when the incident happened, even if the Queen Mother and Prince Zhan asked him to personally kill Jiang Huaizhu to prove the Jiang family's innocence, he would do it without hesitation.

Mr. Jiang was still a little worried. "Even if we can silence Zhu'er forever, Xiancao is still in the Ninth Prince's mansion. What if she says something detrimental to the Jiang family because she holds a grudge against Jinyan and the others for what they did to her..."

Upon hearing this, a flash of hostility flashed across Marquis Wen Ning's eyes.

The tall, steady, middle-aged man put his hands behind his back and said firmly, "Her evil brothers were so reckless that she was forced to leave home. Now that I, as her father, have returned, of course I have to take charge and bring her back."

Master Jiang asked hesitantly, "What if the Ninth Prince refuses to release us?"

Marquis Wenning sneered, "Xiancao is my own flesh and blood, the legitimate eldest daughter of the Marquis Wenning's mansion. She and the Ninth Prince have no engagement and no relationship. It's already against etiquette for a grown man like the Ninth Prince to bring her to live in his mansion. Now that I'm going to pick her up myself, what reason does he have to refuse to let her go?"

As he spoke, Marquis Wenning's expression became increasingly gloomy:

"If the Ninth Prince is truly so arrogant and unreasonable, then I will have no choice but to go to the palace and ask the Emperor and the Empress Dowager to make the decision. If word gets out that a grown prince is detaining an unmarried girl from an aristocratic family for no reason, it would be a truly appalling thing. The Emperor will definitely not let the aristocratic families lose heart."

Master Jiang covered his face with his cloak, mounted his horse and left.

Marquis Wen Ning walked into the mansion and went straight to Jiang Jinyan's yard.

Just as he was about to step into the yard, he heard Jiang Jinyan's ecstatic voice coming from inside:

"Does the Imperial Master really agree to plead for Zhu'er?"

Then his youngest son Jiang Jinzhen spoke:

"Master said that even though he's a monk, he can't just stand by and watch His Royal Highness Prince Zhan commit more sins. He'll go to the palace tomorrow to pray for the Queen Mother..."

Before Jiang Jinzhen could finish his words, Marquis Wen Ning rushed in aggressively.

When the two men saw their father suddenly appear, they hurriedly stood up to salute him, but unfortunately, the injuries on their buttocks had not healed yet. One of them was lying in bed and the other was carried over on a stretcher. Neither of them could sit up.

Lord Wen Ning didn't care that his two sons were still injured, he raised his hand and slapped each of them loudly.

"Idiot, waste!"

In front of a room full of servants, he cursed mercilessly:

"With you guys in the Jiang family, our ancestors' coffins are about to burst!"

Jiang Jinyan was beaten so hard that he was a little dazed. He covered his face and looked very embarrassed.

Seeing the miserable look on his face, Marquis Wen Ning was so angry that he kicked him again.

When Jiang Jinyan was nearly kicked to death, Marquis Wen Ning calmed down and told all the servants in the room to get out.

He asked in a deep voice, "Who gave you permission to lynch Jiang Xiancao under such circumstances?"

Jiang Jinyan and Jiang Jinzhen looked at each other, and then Jiang Jinyan said with a stiff upper lip:

"Father, I was a bit harsh on her, but she colluded with outsiders to harm the Wen Ning Marquisate. According to the Jiang family rules, she should be punished. I really didn't mean to abuse or bully her. I was just fulfilling my responsibility as an older brother to discipline her..."

He wanted to explain a few more words, but was interrupted impatiently by Marquis Wen Ning:

"That's not what I'm asking you. I'm asking you, why are you so foolish as to torture her openly at a time like this, giving her a lot of room to talk about?"