“Grandmother, I was so engrossed in my pleasure yesterday that I kept Aning awake all night. I’m afraid she won’t be able to help you today, so I’ve summoned Judge Chen for you.”

Xiao Xuan's voice was deep and resonant, sounding like he was explaining, but every word he uttered carried an air of absolute authority.

His Ah Ning is the best woman in the world, how could he let her be humiliated in public, not even by his own grandmother?

Upon hearing this, Ning Yin's cheeks flushed red, and she immediately lowered her eyes in embarrassment.

In fact, the two of them only had that one intimate moment. At other times, Xiao Xuan treated her with respect and never overstepped any boundaries.

Empress Dowager Zhang was speechless after Xiao Xuan's words. She choked on her words and let out a cold laugh to ease the awkwardness.

Seeing that Empress Dowager Zhang was frowning, Judge Chen quickly squatted down and carefully massaged her ankle.

The massage from Judge Chen felt very comfortable, and Empress Zhang closed her eyes to enjoy it, unwilling to look at the two people opposite her anymore.

"Grandmother, your grandson and Aning have some things to discuss, so we'll take our leave now."

Having said that, he took Ningyin's hand and was about to leave when he heard Empress Dowager Zhang say indifferently behind him, "Crown Prince, you should understand the principle of distributing your favors equally. Throughout history, no crown prince has ever favored only one woman. You must not let Great Qi become a laughing stock of other countries."

Empress Dowager Zhang's words carried a strong sense of intimidation and threat. Since the Crown Prince had become so infatuated with Ning Yin, she, as the Empress Dowager, should take on the responsibility of giving him a warning and a wake-up call.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xuan turned his head slightly, his face darkening. "Grandmother, I have said that Aning is my only one. No one can change this. There is no use in you saying more. I will take my leave."

After speaking, the man took Ning Yin and walked away. As they passed a black peony, Wang Yuan quickly lowered her head to see them off.

Once the two had walked away, a shadow instantly fell over Wang Yuan's sinister eyes.

She was the first to notice Xiao Xuan's arrival, thinking he was some prince, who was so handsome.

Compared to Shen Yun, Xiao Xuan is like heaven and earth; Wang Yuan should find a man like him.

Who would have thought that her fantasy would be shattered in the next second? Seeing Xiao Xuan protecting the woman named Ning Yin so much, her heart ached.

It wasn't until the Empress Dowager called him Crown Prince that Wang Yuan felt even more as if she had inexplicably lost a golden son-in-law.

She had heard rumors about the Crown Prince before, such as that he was indifferent to women, but it turned out they were all misconceptions.

She was now in a state of inner turmoil. On one hand, she was relieved that the Crown Prince liked women, which gave her a chance. On the other hand, she was worried that with such a beautiful woman by his side, her chances would be extremely slim.

Although she came from a merchant family, Wang Yang raised her from a young age to be a lady from a prominent family.

She was better than anyone at handling the power struggles and deceit within the mansion.

After only a moment's thought, she had already made a plan: to use the General's Mansion as a springboard to find more opportunities to curry favor with the Empress Dowager and gain her favor.

Then find another opportunity to sabotage the relationship between the Crown Prince and that woman. Isn't the Crown Prince just attracted to her face? Her makeup skills have been unparalleled in the capital since she was a child.

She had done makeup for many officials' wives before, so creating Ning Yin's appearance was indeed a piece of cake for her.

All she lacks now is an opportunity to get close to the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince is the future emperor and will never have only one harem. She is certain that the Crown Prince will soon tire of Ning Yin.

Wang Yuan thought to herself, her eyes darting around, and quickly went to borrow an umbrella to prepare for the Empress Dowager's use.

But by the time she returned, the Empress Dowager and her entourage had already left. Oh well, there would be other opportunities like this in the future. Her eyes dimmed slightly, and she lost interest in continuing to admire the flowers.

As soon as she turned her head, she saw Shen Jia holding Wang Shi's arm, and Wang Shi held Shen Jia's hand tightly, her face showing some heartache.

"Jia'er, why have you lost so much weight? Have the people in the Marquis's mansion been mistreating you?"

Shen Jia was able to come out today only with Yang Shujing's permission. Yang Shujing warned her that if she dared to go out and talk nonsense, she would never come to her Siyun Pavilion again.

She, the daughter of a general, was humiliated by Yang Shujing on her third wedding anniversary.

Even the Marquis of Wuding didn't say a word of justice for her. In the Marquis's mansion, she lived a less respectable life than that lowly Green Bamboo.

The servants in the mansion secretly laughed at her, saying she was the least dignified mistress, and even Aunt Green Bamboo was more glamorous than her.

Those people fawn over the powerful and belittle the weak, not caring that she was the legitimate daughter of a general's family before. Once she married into the Marquis's family, she became a member of the Marquis's family.

Since they are not favored by the prince, they are not much different from the other servants.

Having been spoiled since childhood, how could Shen Jia possibly swallow this insult? At first, she also made a fuss, demanding that Yang Shujing kill that bitch, Lüzhu.

But Yang Shujing completely ignored her and kept her locked in the courtyard all day.

Later, she learned to be submissive and ingratiating before Yang Shujing reluctantly agreed to let her come out once.

Her current act of yielding is not a genuine compromise; Shen Jia is simply waiting for an opportunity to turn the tables completely.

Hearing her mother's concern for her, she couldn't help but turn her head away, not wanting Wang to notice anything amiss.

Now, her brother's status in the court is not as high as before, and their general's mansion has long lost its former glory.

To think that one could go toe-to-toe with Marquis Wuding is simply a pipe dream.

It would be better to endure it for now and wait until the day she can find something to hold against the Marquis of Wuding's family and send them to prison.

That's just how Shen Jia is; once she hates someone, she'll want to make sure that person is dead.

But if someone treats her sincerely, she will open her heart to them.

Back then, she was blind and deceived by the Yang siblings, falling into their trap.

Now she regrets it, regrets that she misjudged people, wronged Ning Yin, and drove away her sister-in-law who was truly devoted to her.

Thinking of this, Shen Jia couldn't help but laugh at herself.

"Jia'er, what are you thinking about? I'm asking you a question. Did Mo Jinxiu bully you?"

"And about the last time I went back to my parents' home, I've been thinking about it and it doesn't seem right. Tell me quickly, if that family really dares to bully you, I'll risk my old life to make sure they get away with it!"

“Mother, Jia’er is alright. Think about it, who is your daughter? She is the general’s sister. How could she be bullied?”

Shen Jia smiled and comforted Wang Shi, who subconsciously nodded, agreeing with Shen Jia's words.

"By the way, Mother, is there still a chance for my brother and Ningyin to reconcile?"