Your Highness, your wife has had her virginity mark applied and married someone else.

"Your Excellency, please don't speak nonsense!"

Shen Qingliang gritted his teeth and explained, word by word, "The Shen family is a small family, and we are deeply honored to have everyone grace us with their presence today. How could we possibly have such thoughts?"

"The servants are doing their best to mediate, so please remain calm."

"Oh~" Shen Mingshu raised an eyebrow with a half-smile: "I see. I've never seen such a scene before. I thought that when guests arrive, they have to show themselves off to the people."

"Alright."

Seeing Shen Qingliang's face growing increasingly pale, Wei Ziye spoke up and pushed away her hand that was on his shoulder.

"If you haven't seen it, shut up and observe more, and say less."

Shen Mingshu didn't take it to heart: "I've only said a few words. Lord Shen, you won't be angry, will you?"

"..."

Those who could once be beaten and scolded at will, after becoming enemies who destroyed families and clans, suddenly become bullies in front of you, acting like bullies.

And there's nothing I can do.

How could this not be frustrating!

Shen Qingliang suppressed his anger and shook his head with a livid face: "No, Your Highness, please lead your men in."

"Oh--"

Shen Mingshu couldn't help but laugh out loud, and wanted to stab her a few more times, but Wei Ziye covered her mouth and pulled her inside.

Shen Qingliang clenched his fists tightly, his eyes filled with suppressed malice and raging anger, as if he wanted to pierce through Shen Mingshu's back.

"That bitch—"

"Lord Shen."

A deep, cold voice rang out, and Shen Qingliang turned around in fright, only to meet Wei Yuan's pair of emotionless eyes.

Be careful what you say.

Two words, yet they carried an immense pressure.

Shen Qingliang glanced at the two guards following behind him and then staggered back a step uncontrollably.

This imposing presence was even more terrifying than the imperial guards in the palace.

Upon recalling that Shen Mingshu had accompanied Wei Yuan to the capital and that the two seemed to be married, Shen Qingliang broke out in a cold sweat and quickly bowed his head and clasped his hands in greeting.

"Excuse me, young master, please come to my humble abode."

Wei Yuan glanced at the hand that was making advances toward Shen Mingshu, said nothing more, and left.

Before long, the people inside the mansion heard the commotion outside the courtyard.

Shen Mingshu was just thinking about how to get rid of Wei Ziye and go to the inner courtyard when she heard Shen Qingliang scream in pain, followed by a servant shouting, "Doctor! Quickly, go and fetch a doctor!"

Before long, Shen Qingliang, his right hand twisted, was helped into the backyard by a servant.

Shen Mingshu and the others were shocked and covered their mouths. She took the opportunity to try to follow the crowd into the backyard, but Wei Ziye grabbed her by the back of her collar.

Shen Mingshu: "..."

"Why does Brother Ah Ye like to pull people by the back of their necks, just like my brother?"

Lu Youyou stepped forward, first glancing shyly at Wei Yuan, then smiling kindly at Shen Mingshu.

"So you're Aunt Zhang's newly adopted son. I'm sorry I misunderstood you before. It's all my brother's fault for not introducing you properly."

"The flood washed away the Dragon King Temple; we became friends after our initial conflict!"

With someone backing you up, you can vent your emotions without restraint and apologize without any worries.

Although it wasn't anything special.

But out of respect for Lu Yanzhi, Shen Mingshu smiled and nodded.

"It is my honor to get to know Miss Lu."

"Hahaha, okay, okay!" Lu Youyou jumped excitedly to Wei Yuan's side, hugged his arm, and smiled contentedly.

"With you here, Brother and Brother Ye can finally interact. How about we go boating on the lake together at Heyuan Garden another day?"

"..."

The friendship between Lu Yanzhi and Wei Ziye is also a source of regret.

Now that the two families are about to form a marriage alliance, they will inevitably run into each other, so they can no longer turn a blind eye to each other.

However, it seemed extremely strange to go boating on the lake together.

Wei Yuan spoke up: "Yoyo, everyone's been very busy lately, let's talk about other things later."

"Oh right!" Lu Youyou remembered after being reminded: "The Emperor has already arranged for the Ministry of Rites to hold my wedding with Brother A-Yuan. Father and my brother are both busy. We will get married after Brother A-Yuan finishes his exams. Mingzhu, you can come and have a wedding party then."

As the Minister of Rites, Lu Mingqi was able to personally arrange his daughter's wedding, and the entire Lu family was on high alert.

Shen Mingshu lowered her eyes, avoiding Wei Yuan's gaze, cupped her hands, and sincerely wished, "Then I wish you both to be together year after year, growing old together."

"..." Wei Yuan's expression froze instantly, his lips maintaining an upward curve, but not a trace of warmth could be emanating from them.

He gazed at Shen Mingshu's calm and expressionless face, his Adam's apple bobbing heavily, as if something was blocking his breath.

He pulled Lu Youyou away, who still wanted to say something, his back view revealing a sense of panic and despair.

Shen Mingshu remained in the cupped-hands position, unable to raise her head for a long time.

Lu Yanzhi placed his hand on hers, gazing at Shen Mingshu's slender and serene profile, his eyes filled with an intense and undisguised love and pity.

"Ah Shu, you don't need to do this."

Shen Mingshu sighed softly, but her breath still trembled slightly.

She looked up and forced a smile: "My sincere wishes, it's only right."

Since it's an exchange, then it's all as it should be.

Wei Ziye's sharp eyes were fixed on her calm profile, his gaze dark and unfathomable. He let out a soft, mocking sneer, as if he had thought of something.

"It seems that even the longest-lasting relationships can be let go so easily by Young Master Yin."

Shen Mingshu glanced at him, instinctively wanting to curse, but she kept her mouth shut in front of Lu Yanzhi.

"In that case, let's go and check on Lord Shen's condition."

Whether it was to see Shen Qingliang in pain or to visit Old Madam Shen, these were Shen Mingshu's goals.

But to my surprise, Wei Ziye didn't even give Lu Yanzhi any face.

Seeing Lu Yanzhi nod, Wei Ziye reminded him.

"It is no longer appropriate for Lord Lu to interfere in the Shen family's affairs."

Shen Mingshu and the Lu family have almost become taboo because of Wei Ziye and Lu Youyou.

In addition, given the Empress Dowager's unclear attitude towards the Shen family, Lu Mingqi naturally did not want Lu Yanzhi to cause any more trouble.

Lu Yanzhi had no other intentions: "It's just concern, why worry about it?"

Wei Ziye snorted and looked at Shen Mingshu: "It's a small matter to you, but to someone else, it's all about using them."

Shen Mingshu: "..."

Even if Wei Ziye doesn't know Shen Mingshu's intentions, he should do everything he can to cut off any possibility of her getting what she wants.

Shen Mingshu silently rolled her eyes and turned to get the wine.

At this moment, Chunxue stepped forward and whispered a reminder: "My lord, Shen Qingliang's injury looks like it was kicked by a horse. Coincidentally, one of the guards behind Young Master Wei is from the Beast Taming Pavilion."

Shen Mingshu looked at Chunxue in surprise: "There's a Beast Taming Pavilion in the Night Domain?"

Chunxue nodded: "The issue of Night Domain personnel is not a secret of Night Domain. If you have heard about the Dark Buddha, you should have a new understanding of Night Domain."

"Dark Buddha?"

Just as Shen Mingshu was getting into the mood, Wei Ziye came over.

Compared to Lu Yanzhi's busy social life, he was able to leave the crowd after receiving a few congratulatory words about his promotion.

His gaze swept over the spring snow, and Wei Ziye's fingertips caressed the white jade wine cup.

"This one doesn't seem like a shadow guard."

"..."