Shen Wan's return to visit the old lady was secondary; the main purpose was to discuss this matter with the fourth madam. After the matter was settled, the fourth madam did not linger and returned to the north courtyard, leaving Shen Wei and Shen Wan to have a private conversation in the pavilion.

Shen Wei and Shen Wan had so much to talk about. She had been feeling really stifled these past few days. There were only four daughters in the Pingyang Marquis's mansion, and three of them had gotten married, leaving her all alone. She had no one to talk to and could relieve her boredom. Because of her engagement, her mother wouldn't allow her to go out freely. She couldn't even remember the last time she had left the mansion.

Shen Wan smiled and said, "If you get bored at home in the manor, you can go to the Ling Prince's manor."

Shen Wei's eyes lit up, and she nodded hurriedly.

The two were talking in the pavilion when Yinshuang went out for a walk and came back to tell Shenwan, "Second Aunt went back to the Marquis's mansion today to complain to the old lady again."

Shen Wan sneered inwardly. Did Shen Ying only come back to the Marquis's mansion to complain and have nothing else to do?

No, there really is.

I need money.

Shen Wan asked, "What grievances are you complaining about this time?"

Yinshuang whispered, "The Emperor decreed that the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhongguo's mansion be betrothed to Prince Jin as his concubine. Logically, Second Aunt should have been preparing for Prince Jin's marriage to the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhongguo's mansion, but Empress Song sent her personal nanny to Prince Jin's mansion to prevent Second Aunt from interfering in the matter, and also bestowed two palace maids upon Second Aunt."

Those who can sit on the Empress's throne are no ordinary people. Shen Ying's tricks are no match for Empress Song. Empress Song could know that Fu Shuzhong's aphrodisiac was Shen Ying's doing, but she just didn't have the evidence, or rather, she was unwilling to expose Shen Ying's tricks. After all, if she were exposed, the Emperor would definitely punish Shen Ying severely, possibly even stripping her of her title as Princess Consort of Jin. If Shen Ying were to be deposed, the Pingyang Marquis's Mansion would be completely at odds with the Prince of Jin. Keeping Shen Ying around offered some hope, which is why Empress Song turned a blind eye.

However, Shen Ying's attempt to push Fu Shu to Xie Jingyan crossed Empress Song's bottom line, which is why she sent people to keep an eye on Shen Ying to prevent her from being more trouble than she's worth. As for not letting Shen Ying participate in the wedding banquet, one reason was to prevent Shen Ying from doing something bad behind her back, and the other was to use this opportunity to tell the Duke of Zhongguo's mansion that Empress Song was more inclined to support Fu Shu.

It was Empress Song who caused Shen Ying to suffer injustice. What could the old lady do to support Shen Ying? Because of the old lady's favoritism, Shen Ying developed the habit of complaining to the old lady whenever she felt wronged. Unfortunately, the old lady could only control things within the Pingyang Marquis's residence. Outside the Pingyang Marquis's residence, the old lady was powerless.

After sitting for a while, a maid in a pale yellow dress came over and said, "Grandma, Prince Ling says it's getting late and we should go back to the manor."

Since it was time to return home since she wasn't staying for lunch, Shen Wan got up and Shen Wei, reluctant to part with her, saw her off.

As she walked to the front yard, she saw Shen Du and Xie Jingyan approaching from afar. Not seeing Yun Qi, Shen Wan asked, "Where's my cousin?"

Shen Du laughed and said, "My eldest cousin is so busy, he wouldn't stay at the Marquis's residence for long. He left a long time ago."

As he spoke, Chen Du touched his nose, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping himself.

Upon seeing this, Shen Wan said, "Brother, please ask whatever you want to ask."

What is there that I can't say to her, my younger sister?

Chen Du's ears turned slightly red, and she asked softly, "Sister, have I really fallen in love with Princess Huai'an at first sight?"

Shen Wan was slightly taken aback.

She hadn't told her older brother about this, so without asking, it must have been Xie Jingyan who told her.

That day, Chen Du went to the Ling Prince's residence intending to ask Chen Wan about this matter, but Chen Wan was still sleeping, so Xie Jingyan satisfied his curiosity.

Shen Wan said, "It's more than just love at first sight; my brother is determined to marry no one but her."

"...Am I really that infatuated?"

Shen Du really couldn't believe it.

Love at first sight is just lust at first sight. Would he like someone he's only met once and knows nothing about?

Upon hearing the word "devoted love," Shen Wan subconsciously glanced at Xie Jingyan, causing Xie Jingyan's eyelids to twitch. He was now somewhat afraid of hearing the word "devoted love," especially when it came from Shen Wan's mouth. What would be a compliment to others was not to him.

Seeing that her older brother didn't believe her, Shen Wan didn't say anything more, "You'll know when you see it."

Shen Du was actually quite looking forward to it.

Upon reaching the main gate of the Marquis's residence, Xie Jingyan helped Shen Wan into the carriage, then climbed in himself. Shen Wan made room for him, and after Xie Jingyan sat down, he immediately pulled Shen Wan into his lap.

Shen Wan wanted to resist, but she held back because they were at the entrance of the Marquis's mansion and her eldest brother and fourth sister were there. Once the carriage had gone a little further away, Shen Wan said, "Aren't you afraid I'll make your thighs go numb again?"

Xie Jingyan said, "I'm scared, but I'll get used to it."

He really said everything.

The qi is stagnant and stagnant.

She struggled a couple of times, but couldn't break free, so she let him be. She still had questions for him: "What does my older cousin want with me?"

Xie Jingyan said, "You can't guess?"

Shen Wan asked, "Is it because I asked him to send grain to Meizhou?"

"Um."

"But are there any difficulties?" Shen Wan asked.

Xie Jingyan said, "There are indeed some tricky aspects, but I will handle this."

With her older cousin handling the matter and Xie Jingyan keeping an eye on things, Shen Wan felt even more at ease. Her only concern was, "You can't steal my cousin's credit."

Although my cousin isn't the type to care about credit, he needed it, desperately needed it.

After Shen Wan finished speaking, she did not hear a reply from the person behind her, so she turned her head to look at him.

The next moment, Xie Jingyan turned Shen Wan from having her back to him to facing her. Xie Jingyan smiled and said, "Your cousin is receiving his reward from the Emperor, and I'm receiving it here with you. It doesn't matter."

The intense heat, the deep, resonant voice, and the way he spoke made Shen Wan's ears turn bright red.

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