After giving her contraceptives, she went mad, criticizing the prince for turning white-haired overn

After Shen Ning and Shen Rou returned to the Shen family, Shen Rou went straight to Madam Yu's courtyard and cried bitterly.

Madam Yu looked at her coldly: "Didn't you keep saying that the South Sea Pearl was yours? How come you took it from Shen Ning's courtyard?"

Shen Rou's eyes were red and swollen, and she shook her head with tears in her eyes: "I don't know either... I was tricked by Shen Ning."

Madam Yu took a deep breath: "Now that the Imperial Concubine won't let you enter the palace, what should we do?"

Shen Rou bit her lip and looked at Madam Yu: "Second Aunt, why don't you go to the palace and explain to the Imperial Concubine that I would never poison her?"

Madam Yu stood up from the bedside and looked at Shen Rou's tearful face, her tone growing colder.

"All you do is cry when something happens. Don't forget, you are the eldest daughter of the Shen family's main branch."

"I'm going to the palace."

After saying that, she changed her clothes and went straight to the palace.

Inside Changqiu Palace, after hearing the report from the nanny, Consort Yu said indifferently, "I do not wish to see her."

The old nanny said, "Your Highness, Madam Shen is already kneeling outside the palace gates."

Consort Yu snorted coldly: "Then let her kneel until she's satisfied."

"This is truly disappointing. If I hadn't noticed, I would probably have had to keep wearing that poisonous thing."

Lady Yu knelt outside Changqiu Palace for an entire night.

The next day at dawn

The old nanny couldn't stand it any longer and came out to deliver a message: "Second Madam Shen, Her Majesty wants you to go back and reflect on your actions."

Yu stood up shakily, but as soon as she regained her balance, she fell back down to the ground.

After returning to the Shen family, Madam Yu slept for a whole night before she could barely recover.

On the eve of the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, the women of the Shen family began their preparations early in the morning.

As dawn broke and Shen Ning was still asleep, she heard a familiar voice outside the door: "Sister."

It belongs to Shen Yan.

Shen Ning was taken aback, somewhat surprised. Why was Shen Yan back at this time?

Has Suiyang finished handling his official business?

She quickly got up to wash and change, then opened the door to find Shen Yan standing outside with a complicated expression.

"Big brother, you're back?" Shen Ning looked him over.

"Why do you look so pale?"

Shen Yan said with a stern face, "Let's go inside and talk."

After entering the house, Shen Yan turned to look at Shen Ning, his expression becoming increasingly solemn.

"Tell me honestly, brother, are you involved with the Regent?"

Shen Ning was taken aback by the question: "What do you mean by that, brother?"

Shen Yan lowered his voice: "Do you know that the Regent is no benevolent person? If you get close to him, it will implicate the Shen family sooner or later."

"Tell me honestly, did he bully you? Was there anything between you two...?"

"If you want your father to live well in the Northwest, you should know that there is absolutely no possibility between you and the Regent."

"The Shen family holds military power, and he is the current regent."

Shen Ning sighed: "I know."

"It's impossible for me and the prince."

"Really?" Shen Yan pressed.

Shen Ning nodded slowly: "At least in this lifetime, it's absolutely impossible."

Shen Yan sneered, "Do you know what he said to me?"

"He said he wanted you alone, and asked me to be his witness, so that you would be the legitimate daughter of the General's Mansion on the surface, but in private you would be his princess."

"I rushed back after finishing my case in Suiyang just for your wedding."

"You must never marry him."

"Today, your older brother is taking you to meet someone."

Shen Ning frowned: "Who?"

Shen Yan softened his tone: "You'll know once you come with me."

After saying that, Shen Yan turned and left the room.

After Shen Ning finished dressing, she was helped by her maid to Shen Yan's courtyard.

Before even stepping into the courtyard, a gentle male voice could be heard coming from the pavilion:

"Young Master Shen's talent is indeed well-deserved. I, Zhao, am truly impressed."

Shen Ning paused slightly; the voice sounded very familiar.

Like Zhao Tingzhou.

My elder brother's good friend from his past life.

In his previous life, his elder brother was killed when he went to the border to retrieve his father's body. It was Zhao Tingzhou who brought his body back to the capital.

On the seventh day after his elder brother's death, Zhao Tingzhou also came to pay his respects.

Unfortunately, Zhao Tingzhou died young, passing away from illness less than six months later.

Shen Ning led Bai Zhi into the courtyard, when a gentle voice suddenly came from behind them:

"I, Zhao, have met Miss Shen."

Shen Ning turned around and saw a man in blue standing in front of her.

The young master had a face like jade, thin lips slightly pursed, and a smile seemed to be playing at the corners of his mouth.

His peach blossom eyes were gentle and affectionate, and his whole demeanor was elegant and refined, with a handsome and dashing appearance.

Shen Ning was momentarily lost in thought as she watched.

This is Zhao Tingzhou, who is known as the First Young Master.

She gracefully bowed and said, "Greetings, Young Master Zhao."

Zhao Tingzhou raised an eyebrow slightly: "Does the young lady recognize me?"

Shen Ning smiled and said, "Of course I recognize you. You are the First Young Master."

Zhao Tingzhou felt a warmth in his heart upon hearing this.

I had long heard that General Shen's two daughters were beautiful and charming, and seeing Shen Ning today, she was indeed a sight to behold.

"It is quite unexpected that I have come to know Miss Shen," he said gently.

"Having heard that the young lady enjoys calligraphy and painting, I, Zhao, have brought a small gift with me."

As he spoke, he handed a scroll to Shen Ning.

Shen Ning slowly unfolded the document, her eyes suddenly lighting up.

She had seen this painting in the Regent's Palace in her previous life; it was an authentic work by Mr. Wen.

However, there are rumors that Mr. Wen's original work is very likely a border defense map.

As for which one was the border defense map, no one knew.

The current Empress Dowager claims to love Mr. Wen's original works the most, but in reality, she is after this city defense map.

After Mr. Wen passed away, his original works were scattered among the people, and the Empress Dowager secretly searched for them.

However, Shen Ning cannot yet determine whether the painting Zhao Tingzhou sent her is genuine or not.

But in any case, it's always better to accept it first. We absolutely cannot let it fall into the hands of the Empress Dowager, who is no good person.

She pursed her lips and carefully put the scroll away: "I really like this gift from Young Master Zhao."

Seeing Shen Ning's smiling face, Zhao Tingzhou also smiled.

"I'm glad you like it, young lady. I've come today specifically to present this painting to you."

Shen Ning put the painting away, and Shen Yan came over.

Seeing that the two were having a pleasant conversation, he had an idea.

Now that Xie Linyuan has his eye on Shen Ning, he must find a way to marry his sister off as soon as possible.

Zhao Tingzhou is of good character, and the Zhao family is of equal social standing. If the two of them could get together, they would be a good match.

Shen Yan simply set out tea in the pavilion, and the three of them enjoyed tea and chatted in a harmonious atmosphere.

After Zhao Tingzhou left, Shen Yan walked to Shen Ning's side and asked, "Ning'er, what do you think of Young Master Zhao?"

Shen Ning: "It's fine."

"Really?" Shen Yan pressed.

Shen Ning nodded: "Really."

"What if I asked you to marry him?" Shen Yan asked tentatively.

Shen Ning remained silent for a moment.

She has already given her body to Xie Linyuan. If she is destined to be without Xie Linyuan in this life, being a widow would be just fine.

After all, Zhao Tingzhou was short-lived; he died of illness six months later, leaving her a widow who lived out the rest of her life in quiet obscurity.

This also spared the Shen family from participating in the power struggles for the throne.

Shen Ning said, "Whatever."

Shen Yan's face lit up with joy: "Since you think Young Master Zhao is good, and Young Master Zhao also has a very good impression of you, why not arrange this marriage with the Zhao family?"

"How about I have the Zhao family choose an auspicious day to propose marriage?"

Shen Ning remained silent for a moment, then looked at Shen Yan.

"Brother, let's wait a while, until I've thought this through."

"Be extra careful tomorrow for the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. I'm going back to my courtyard now."

After Shen Ning left, Shen Yan said to the guard beside him:

"Send a message to the Zhao family, asking Brother Tingzhou to choose an auspicious day to propose marriage."

"Yes, young master."

After the guards left, Shen Yan turned and walked towards the side room.

As soon as I opened the door, I sensed that something was off about the atmosphere inside the room.

He looked up and gazed into the dimly lit corner, where he saw a figure in black sitting lazily in a chair, coldly watching him.

Shen Yan felt a chill in his heart: "Your Highness...when did you arrive?"

Xie Linyuan raised an eyebrow: "I've always been here."

"Did Your Highness hear everything?"

"You two seem to be having a very pleasant conversation," Xie Linyuan said.

Shen Yan: "As you can see, Ning'er is quite satisfied with Young Master Zhao."

"So you want to marry Shen Ning to Zhao Tingzhou?"

Shen Yan answered decisively: "Yes."

"What if I refuse?" Xie Linyuan's knuckles tightened slightly.

Shen Yan calmly said, "Your Highness, Ning'er said herself that there is absolutely no possibility between her and you in this lifetime."

"Why not spare Ning'er's life and let her live out the rest of her days in peace?"

Xie Linyuan sneered.

He died at her hands in his past life, and in this life she wants to erase that and marry someone else. How ridiculous.

Xie Linyuan chuckled softly: "Young Master Shen."

"Shen Ning will never marry anyone in this lifetime."

"Because she already belongs to me."