Shen Pingjin did not choose to chase after them to see who the two were, because she had just heard the name "Yan Xue".

She remembered this person because in her previous life, after marrying Su Xuanmao, the first spring banquet she attended was won by Yan Xue.

Unfortunately, Yan Xue was unlucky. She had just won the top prize and earned a good reputation for herself when she was soon discovered to be having an affair with another man and losing her innocence.

Originally, this was just an interlude during the Spring Banquet, but Yan Xue threw herself into the lotus pond to prove that she was a victim. In the end, the Emperor and Empress had to come forward to investigate the matter. Unexpectedly, the truth revealed was that someone had deliberately drugged Yan Xue, causing her to lose her virginity.

The person who drugged her was none other than Yan Xue's close friend, Ruan Ci.

Shen Pingjin couldn't help but applaud in admiration. Sure enough, Zuixianglou was indeed Zuixianglou. Only half an hour had passed, and she had already heard several pieces of gossip about herself.

This gave her a secret idea: why not open her own restaurant and secretly collect gossip?

After thinking it over, Chen Pingjin thought it was feasible.

However, this matter needs to be considered carefully, because she has just gotten married, her dowry cannot be touched, and she has no money.

Nian An and Nian Ning were already full. When they saw Chen Pingjin arrive, they sat up straight, their eyes still looking a little guilty.

Shen Pingjin didn't notice anything amiss. She looked at the two of them and asked softly, "Are you full?"

Nian An and Nian Ning jumped up from their seats with a start, nodding like chickens pecking at rice, "Reporting to Your Highness, this servant is full."

Shen Pingjin nodded. "In that case, let's go back to the manor."

"Okay!"

As soon as Chen Pingjin came down to the second floor, she had a vague feeling that something was wrong.

The first floor was packed with people eating with their heads down. When they saw Chen Pingjin come down, they all looked up.

In that instant, Shen Pingjin felt for the first time what it was like to be the center of attention.

She was somewhat puzzled; was the gossip at Zuixianglou really that powerful?

Even someone who has lived a lifetime cannot withstand such gazes. Shen Pingjin quickened her pace toward the door. When she presented the fish-shaped tally, the servant who had been polite and courteous to her just a few incense sticks ago looked at her with indescribable complexity in his eyes.

Startled, Shen Pingjin quickly led Nian'an and Nianning into a carriage and fled in panic.

At this moment, Shen Pingjin was still sitting on the soft couch, looking unsettled. Nian An and Nian Ning were guarding outside the door, and when they saw the person coming, they held their breath.

Yan Jue had just finished slacking off and pretended to handle some official business. When he heard that his princess had returned from Zuixianglou, his face remained calm, but his heart was already burning with anger.

I heard that she was bullied at Zuixianglou today, but she ran away because she couldn't win the argument.

Yan Jue absolutely could not allow such a thing to happen. When he stepped into the room and saw his absent-minded beloved sitting motionless on the soft couch, a wave of heartache instantly washed over him.

But his expression was icy, and his words were utterly deadly: "Why didn't you talk back when you were bullied outside? Is it because marrying me makes you feel like no one is there to stand up for you?"

Shen Pingjin was still in a daze, thinking about what happened at Zuixianglou today. When she saw Yan Jue come in, she wanted to greet him, but she was puzzled after hearing Yan Jue's words.

"What's gotten into you today?"

Yan Jue: ?

Yan Jue frowned slightly. "I heard from my servants today that you had a dispute with Miss Luo at Zuixiang Pavilion. Because of my... character, you couldn't win the argument and were wronged."

Chen Pingjin: ?

Who the hell said that? Shen Pingjin really wanted to find this person and question him personally.

Nian An and Nian Ning, standing at the door, were trembling.

Seeing that Shen Pingjin remained silent, Yan Jue assumed she was truly aggrieved, and his tone softened slightly, "If you feel wronged, you can tell me. Perhaps if I'm in a good mood, I'll visit the Luo family tomorrow to help you get revenge."

Shen Pingjin's face was icy cold. "Who told you that I was wronged at Zuixiang Pavilion?"

Yan Jue didn't pay any attention to Shen Pingjin's expression. He looked towards the door and said, "Your two personal maids, and Ye Ting."

Upon hearing that it was Nian An and Nian Ning who said it, Shen Pingjin was no longer surprised. When Nian An and Nian Ning, who were guarding outside, heard these words, they felt like they wanted to die. The two looked at each other and seemed to have reached some kind of consensus. They nodded vigorously and decided to leave this place.

They vowed that they would never trust the regent a second time!

Seeing Shen Pingjin's strange expression, as if she was puzzled, Yan Jue asked, "What's wrong? Did they say something wrong?"

Shen Pingjin smiled, "They're right, Pingjin did suffer some injustice outside."

Why does it sound like there's a hint of gritted teeth in my voice...?

Yan Jue frowned slightly. "Although I am a bit of a womanizer, you are still my only queen. If you are wronged, I will feel bad about it."

Shen Pingjin really didn't know what made her seem so easy to bully. "Husband, you don't need to explain these things to Pingjin. Pingjin already knows everything."

"Then can you tell me, where exactly did you fail to win the argument with Miss Luo?"

"Husband, do you really want Pingjin to tell me her grievances?"

Yan Jue's expression was serious. "I am certain."

Shen Pingjin leaned down, her rosy lips slowly approaching Yan Jue's earlobe. In an instant, a sweet fragrance unique to young women enveloped Yan Jue. Yan Jue could even feel Shen Pingjin's breath on his ear, as fragrant as orchids. "Husband, that Miss Luo said that Pingjin is blind and doesn't know what's good for her because Pingjin openly rejected His Highness the Crown Prince and chose you. They say I'm foolish."

Shen Pingjin lowered her head in feigned annoyance and put her arm around Yan Jue's shoulder. "Husband, Miss Luo's words left Pingjin speechless. After all, your reputation is bad, and everyone knows that."

The person in his arms was warm and fragrant, and those fair and soft hands were wrapped around his neck. Yan Jue couldn't help but blush. He coughed and said, "This...this is indeed my fault. But I am, after all, the regent appointed by the emperor. If I can't even discipline a young lady from the Luo family, then I would be a failure."

Shen Pingjin rolled her eyes so hard they almost reached the sky. Wasn't it you who deliberately made such a failure as regent?

Seeing that Shen Pingjin remained silent, Yan Jue frowned and asked, "Do you think I don't care about you?"

Shen Pingjin shook her head, her voice charming, "Husband, you're wrong about that. Pingjin never felt that you didn't care about me. I only felt that you cared about too many people and hadn't had time to think about the princess you were marrying yet."

...Yan Jue also came to his senses at this moment. He looked at Chen Pingjin with a serious expression, "Are you joking with me?"

Shen Pingjin nodded, her expression serious. "My husband, you've finally realized it. I'm truly gratified!"

Ye Ting, who was guarding outside the door, couldn't help but laugh out loud. His master was usually as cunning as a fox, but when it came to the Regent's Consort, he seemed to have lost his head and was completely confused!