Shen Yunjiao was dizzy and was helped into the carriage by Fu Xia.

After she sat down, she suddenly realized that she had just made a deal with the Crown Prince.

Shen Yunjiao felt that it was a worthwhile deal to offer herself as the antidote to ensure the Shen family's lifelong peace.

If the Shen family doesn't make any mistakes after that, they can live a peaceful and stable life.

As for myself—

To be honest, Shen Yunjiao was still a little uneasy about Pei Zhixuan's unpredictable nature.

She had a vague feeling that if she didn't get a divorce now, she might spend her whole life in the Pei family.

Even if she could stay at the Shen residence permanently, the title of the heir apparent of the Duke of Dingguo would still make her actions quite inconvenient.

"Hey girl, where did your silk and embroidered shawl go?" Fu Xia asked casually out of curiosity.

Shen Yunjiao's cheeks flushed, and she thought of how, when she was leaving, the seemingly gentle but actually incredibly cunning Crown Prince had asked her to leave behind something with a distinct aroma.

"It doesn't matter what it is, as long as it tastes like you." The voice carried a hint of suppressed ambiguity.

Suppressing her shame, Shen Yunjiao covered Xiao Huaijin's face with the shawl she was wearing and then ran away.

You want clothes, so you say you want clothes, but you make it sound so...

"I might have forgotten about it at the restaurant." Shen Yunjiao turned her face away, flustered, and made up a lie on the spot.

It was already summer, and she was feeling incredibly irritable.

After removing the shawl, my mood became much calmer and more peaceful.

“Miss, I overheard the people at the next table saying that the young master is getting married to Miss Fang in three days.”

After hesitating for a moment, Fu Xia finally confessed to Shen Yunjiao in a low voice.

Shen Yunjiao was taken aback at first, then calmly replied, "I understand."

Pei Zhixuan acted very quickly. Originally, the marriage was scheduled for the fifteenth of this month, but unexpectedly, as soon as the emperor approved the marriage, he was anxious to bring the woman home immediately.

Logically speaking, Shen Yunjiao should be overjoyed right now.

But recently, for some reason, the original owner's memories have been repeatedly appearing in her dreams.

The image of Pei Zhixuan riding through the streets as the newly appointed top scholar flashed through my mind, full of arrogance and integrity.

He plucked a red flower and casually tossed it into the crowd, but it landed steadily in Shen Yunjiao's palm.

Is this the reason for your unwavering, love at first sight?

Shen Yunjiao.

She placed her hand on the beating heart, and a dull pain slowly spread through her.

He doesn't deserve it.

Shen Yunjiao spoke silently to the void.

——

In the warm and bright morning of April, after washing up, Shen Yunjiao went to the study to wait for Shen Zhizhang.

She returned home yesterday and sent a message through a servant saying that she would be waiting for her father in the study early the next morning.

Today is Shen Zhizhang's day off, and she is determined to catch the elusive Shen Zhizhang and have a serious talk with him.

The study was very quiet. Shen Yunjiao had nothing to do and was about to look at the books and paintings on the table when she suddenly heard Shen Zhizhang's voice, "Yunjiao, you can't touch these things!"

Shen Yunjiao was startled and turned to face her father.

Shen Zhizhang realized that his tone had been a bit harsh, so he quickly said in a gentler voice, "These are my official business. Yun Jiao is a young lady, so she doesn't need to worry too much about politics."

Shen Yunjiao pursed her lips and agreed, but then she noticed the letter on the top shelf with the character "Gao" written on it.

There were no officials with the surname Gao, but among the trusted eunuchs of Consort Shu, there was a chief eunuch with the surname Gao.

"My darling daughter, your father is taking a rare day off today. How about we go for a stroll outside the city to relax?" Father Shen asked gently, patting Shen Yunjiao's head affectionately.

When Shen Yunjiao saw the dark circles under her father's eyes, a pang of sadness swept through her heart.

Shen's father truly cared for her, and that's why she wanted to help the Shen family through their difficulties.

"Father, I have something I want to tell you."

Shen Yunjiao's solemn expression surprised Shen Zhizhang slightly. He waved his hand and said, "No matter what the big thing is, your father will support you. Don't be afraid."

“I had a dream, Father. I dreamt that after the Crown Prince ascended the throne, the entire Shen family suffered and was exiled. I don’t know why, but the dream felt very real.”

Shen Zhizhang's pupils contracted, and his expression froze. He forced a smile and comforted her, "Yun Jiao, you can't take what happens in a dream seriously."

"I dreamt that my father was sentenced to death for plotting against the Crown Prince!" Shen Yunjiao said through gritted teeth.

Shen Zhizhang's face first showed shock, followed by furious anger. "Shen Yunjiao, how could you have such an unfilial dream? Are you cursing your father to die young?"

Shen Yunjiao could tell at a glance that Shen Zhizhang was feeling guilty and was extremely flustered.

There was no other way; if he didn't scare Shen Zhizhang, the entire Shen family would suffer in the future.

"Father, it's not that I'm being disobedient, but this dream was too real, and I'm having trouble keeping my mind at ease!" Shen Yunjiao immediately knelt down.

But Shen Zhizhang was truly enraged. He pointed at Shen Yunjiao and said, "If you really think the Shen family will suffer misfortune in the future, then you should go back to the Pei residence as soon as possible!"

After saying that, he angrily turned and left.

Shen Yunjiao slumped to the ground, feeling utterly powerless.

She knew her words would anger Shen's father, but she hoped that after her reminder, he would weigh the pros and cons and abandon the idea of ​​framing Xiao Huaijin.

But Shen Zhizhang was too guilty, and he actually threw a huge tantrum.

Shen Yunjiao was still sitting in the study when she saw Fuxia run in, looking anxious, and say to her, "Miss, Aunt Liu has come to our room with several maids, saying that she wants you to take them back to the Pei residence to serve her."

It turned out that the Pei family sent someone to inform Shen Yunjiao early this morning that Pei Zhixuan and Fang Ziyu's wedding would be held soon.

As the matriarch of the Pei family, Shen Yunjiao should be present to receive the concubines' kowtows.

Aunt Liu overheard this and immediately agreed that Shen Yunjiao would definitely return to the Pei residence.

At this moment, she was sitting in Shen Yunjiao's room with several handpicked maids, waiting.

"Let's go back," Shen Yunjiao said to Fu Xia as she stood up.

-

Aunt Liu was sitting there, fanning herself and waiting.

Seeing that Shen Yunjiao had returned to her room, she quickly stood up, took her hand affectionately, and said, "Jiao'er, these are the maids that your aunt promised to choose for you. They have been working under me for a long time and are diligent and hardworking."

"Most importantly, while they are decent-looking, they are not overly beautiful. Don't worry, with them around to give you advice, Prince Pei will definitely focus all his attention on you."

Shen Yunjiao glanced at the maids briefly, then withdrew her hand and replied indifferently, "The one that Auntie chose must be excellent."

Seeing this, Aunt Liu was overjoyed and quickly said with a smile, "Of course."

She thought to herself that Shen Yunjiao had changed a lot since she came back, but she was still as stupid as before.

"Aunt Liu, where is Sister Yunmo?" Shen Yunjiao asked casually.