Shen Youying has a beautiful face and a gentle temperament. When she stands there dignified and speaks softly, she easily gives people the illusion that she is harmless and approachable.

Yelü Nanxian thus came to this misconception. She was quite familiar with the customs of the Great Wei, knowing that men there expected women to be obedient and virtuous, and assumed that Shen Youying was also such a woman, dependent on her husband. After all, she was so beautiful and delicate, appearing like a pampered, untouched flower. Even when Shen Youying had just proposed to the Prince of Qin as her husband in the main hall, Yelü Nanxian, as his wife, hadn't uttered a single word.

She naturally assumed that, faced with her provocation, this beautiful and delicate Princess Qin would either submit like a quail or hide behind the King of Qin for protection. She never expected her to utter such words.

In particular, her words, though seemingly gentle, were actually ruthless in their rebuttal, and she exposed her true intentions.

Yelü Nanxian toned down her provocative expression and said, "No wonder the King of Qin is so fond of you. If a woman like the Queen of Qin were born in our Northern Rong, she would be more than qualified to be my brother's queen."

The three of them were standing outside the main hall, with guests still coming and going. Her voice was not quiet, which caused many people to stop and secretly turn around to look at her.

Throughout the banquet, Yelü Nanxian had repeatedly flattered Xue Shen, and now it was her turn. Shen Youying didn't believe she was genuinely praising the couple; she suspected it was all a facade, a deliberate attempt to sow discord within the Emperor.

Shen Youying naturally didn't respond to her words, maintaining an innocent and surprised expression: "Are the talents of the grasslands so scarce? Even someone of my appearance can become an empress in the Northern Rong? Is it because the grasslands are so barren and lack resources that they can hardly nurture people of exceptional talent?"

Yelü Nanxian gritted her teeth inwardly, thinking that although the couple looked vastly different in strength, they were equally adept at verbal sparring.

Seeing that she couldn't gain any advantage, she had no intention of lingering any longer. She smiled and said, "Your Highness is far too modest." Then, fearing that the princess might say something hurtful, she made an excuse and hurriedly took her leave.

After everyone left, Xue Shen smiled and said, "Zhao Zhao has quite the eloquence."

Shen Youying knew he was teasing her on purpose, so she glanced at him and said, "That still can't compare to the Prince."

The couple's cheerful and talkative demeanor drew sighs from onlookers. Especially considering the King of Qin's recent victory over Yelü Nanxian, which reminded the court of the former Crown Prince Yuan Jin's brilliance.

Those with restless minds walked slowly behind the two, and only after leaving the palace did they hurry up to catch up and start a conversation.

Xue Shen took action with the intention of clearing his name of previous tyranny and incompetence. Therefore, when people approached him for a chat, he did not refuse as he usually did, but patiently dealt with them for a while.

After these ministers who had spoken with Xue Shen returned home, how they marveled at how the King of Qin's demeanor remained unchanged and was no less impressive than that of the Crown Prince was another story.

Xue Shen dismissed the court officials and was about to return to his residence with Shen Youying when he saw Lu Minghe walking towards them from not far away.

Xue Shen narrowed his eyes in displeasure, and was about to pretend he hadn't seen him and get into the carriage when Lu Minghe spoke up first: "Your Highness, Your Highness, please wait."

Since he had already spoken, Xue Shen could no longer leave. Shen Youying also heard his voice and turned around in confusion.

Lu Minghe walked up to the two of them, first bowing with his hands clasped, then lowering his eyes without looking at Shen Youying, and took out an invitation from his sleeve: "My wedding is on the fifteenth of this month. If Your Highness and Princess are free, please do me the honor of attending the banquet."

He handed the invitation to Shen Youying.

Shen Youying looked surprised. She took the invitation, but found that she didn't recognize the bride's name on it. After thinking for a while, she couldn't recall which noble family she was from, so she asked, "Which family is my future cousin-in-law from? She looks a little unfamiliar to me."

She thought that given Ye's pickiness, she would at least choose a woman from a high-ranking family.

These days, Lu Minghe has been staying at the government office. He doesn't go back home after his shift ends. He goes out and checks old cases one by one, not daring to leave himself a moment of leisure, for fear that if he has any free time, he will go crazy thinking about Shen Youying.

Before he was married, Zhao Zhao wouldn't even glance at him; now that he has married his wife, it seems there's no possibility of them ever getting back together.

He thought his heart had become numb from the pain during this time, but when he heard her ask him, without any emotional fluctuation, why he didn't recognize the bride, a sharp pain still pierced his heart.

Lu Minghe lowered his head, gave an awkward smile, and tried his best to speak calmly: "She is a distant cousin of the Ye family, who was not in the capital before. Naturally, the Princess Consort does not know her."

Shen Youying understood; no wonder she had never heard of this name before. But then she wondered why Lu Minghe would agree to such a marriage. Even if it was a marriage of convenience, the difference in social status was still too great.

However, she couldn't ask too many questions now, as it would seem as if she cared too much.

Therefore, after accepting the invitation, he offered his congratulations, saying, "I wish my cousin and his wife a harmonious and long-lasting marriage."

Lu Minghe's fingers, which were tucked into his sleeves, curled up. He couldn't help but look up and ask her, "Will the Prince and Princess come on the wedding day?"

Shen Youying hesitated. After all, in her opinion, it was already difficult for Lu Minghe to let go of the past and get married. She had also broken off relations with the Ye family. It would be better for her to attend the wedding banquet in person but not in person, otherwise it would be easy for rumors to spread.

Before she could even speak, Xue Shen, who was standing next to her, agreed first: "Since Lord Lu has extended such a generous invitation, my wife and I will certainly attend to offer our congratulations."

Lu Minghe smiled wryly, but still bowed and thanked them. He didn't linger there after that, and took his leave.

Once in the carriage, Shen Youying looked at Xue Shen with a puzzled expression and said reproachfully, "I didn't want to go, so why did you agree? The relationship between the Shen family and the Lu family is awkward, and it's my cousin's wedding. I think it's better if I don't go."

Xue Shen, however, said matter-of-factly, "But I want to go."

Shen Youying was even more puzzled: "What are you going to do?"

She didn't believe that Xue Shen genuinely wanted to congratulate Lu Minghe.

Xue Shen said slowly, "Naturally, I'm here to see my rival make a fool of himself."

"..." Shen Youying stared at him with wide eyes, and after a long while muttered, "Childish."

Xue Shen smiled and took her hand, playing with her fair and jade-like fingers: "Well, I'm a bit petty. I can only feel at ease after I see him get married."

This man was truly shameless. Shen Youying didn't want to argue with him about these twisted principles, so she simply withdrew her hand and glared at him angrily.

Xue Shen was glared at by her a few times, but instead laughed loudly, pulled her into his arms, and they were very affectionate.