She refused to marry.

Feng Chenjun has left.

Su Wanwan sat forlornly on the swing, her hands still carrying his scent.

Chunhua chattered away, switching back and forth between the Crown Prince and the Emperor.

"Chunhua, have you changed chefs in the kitchen?"

"No..." Chunhua stamped her foot. "Miss, I was talking about the young master. He's such a good person."

"No matter how good the prince is, he's not mine; no matter how annoying the emperor is, he's not mine either." Su Wanwan stood up. "Come on, let's get some more steamed buns. I'm hungry."

"Yes."

Chunhua returned shortly afterward.

Su Wanwan opened the food box, took a steamed bun, and took a bite. The taste was off.

She finally understood why.

She liked the emperor, and seeing him made her happy, so even the steamed buns tasted delicious.

This is what my mother meant when she said that if you like someone, you can taste the finest delicacies when you dine with them.

Su Wanwan sat on the swing for a long time.

Given her social standing, marrying into a family of higher status would be like swallowing a needle.

forget it.

Su Wanwan got up, stretched, and said, "Let's go check out the shop."

Marrying up to a higher social class is not an option, but dreaming of becoming a rich woman is still possible.

A few days later.

Su Wanwan stood in front of her newly opened shop, beaming from ear to ear.

A long line of women formed at the entrance.

They left the shop carrying large and small bags.

To amplify the hype, she deliberately used Feng Chenjun as a catchphrase; what woman in the capital wouldn't like Feng Chenjun?

Now that Feng Chenjun has returned in triumph, even the most aloof goddesses will be moved.

"Miss, His Majesty will be returning to the city tomorrow. Aren't you going to make some preparations?" Chunhua held a pastry in one hand and a peach shortbread in the other.

The crumbs were scattered all over the table.

Su Wanwan lifted her veil, took a sip of tea, and placed the teacup back on the table.

Two travel-worn men sat down next to him.

"Hey, Lord Fengchen has returned in triumph, and he's taken all the credit, while the 50,000 soldiers who died are just glossed over." The man next to him sat down.

"There's something even more mysterious, do you want to hear it?" someone poked their head out from next door.

"The reason why Lord Fengchen was able to come back from the dead this time was because he killed 50,000 soldiers. I heard that he blew up the valley, sacrificed the soldiers, and made a deal with the mountain spirit to win the victory."

"Such horrifying rumors?"

"The shady ravines of White Lotus Mountain are places of extremely heavy yin energy; even the living dare not go there. It is said that many dead souls dwell there over the years, requiring human sacrifices to be reincarnated."

Otherwise, with Prince Changxin in front and the Crown Prince's 100,000 troops behind, how did Prince Fengchen manage to escape alone? He must have used extraordinary methods..."

"What you're saying makes some sense."

"I've heard that those who are sacrificed will all grow old with white hair. Let's see if that's true tomorrow..."

The two called over a waiter and ordered some food.

Chunhua lowered the peach shortbread in her hand and looked at her young mistress with a calm expression.

"Miss……"

Feng Chenjun's hair has indeed turned white.

Why does the young lady seem so indifferent?

Well, after all, Lord Fengchen had bullied the young lady terribly before.

Miss still prefers the young master more.

Chunhua also prefers the Crown Prince.

Su Wanwan put down the cup, but her hand remained tightly on it.

What a load of nonsense! The person hasn't even returned yet, and rumors are already spreading throughout the capital.

This imperial court is truly filthy, chaotic, and incompetent!

"Hurry up and finish eating, then we'll leave." Su Wanwan sensed a gaze out of the corner of her eye.

At a table not far away, the person had been frequently glancing at his seat ever since he sat down.

But he didn't step forward for a long time, probably waiting for an opportunity.

Chunhua stuffed all the food in her hand into her mouth, then silently drank her tea. "Miss, I'm finished eating. Let's go."

"Hmm." Su Wanwan placed the loose silver on the table and covered herself completely with her veil.

The two pushed through the human wall and headed straight for the carriage.

Su Wanwan passed by a small stall, pretending to make some purchases.

"Come on, try this hairpin on and see if it fits." Su Wanwan inserted the hairpin into Chunhua's hair bun.

"Chunhua, don't move. We've been followed. See if you recognize the person."

Chunhua was so frightened that she tried to look up, but Su Wanwan held her down.

"Don't make too much noise, lest you arouse suspicion."

Chunhua touched the hairpin, grinned, and asked, "Miss, does it look good?"

His gaze went past the young lady's shoulder and forward.

Sure enough, a person followed. The person was wearing a straw hat and a gray robe, and his thin and weak figure could still be seen.

"Miss, it's a woman."

Su Wanwan's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, settled down. "Let's go, lead her to the carriage. With the coachman there, the three of us can definitely beat her."

Chunhua lowered her head and said, "Okay."

The two bought the jewelry and walked slowly toward the carriage.

The footsteps following behind grew increasingly hurried.

The two men turned the corner and finally saw their own carriage, where the driver was dozing on the shaft.

Su Wanwan released Chunhua's hand. "Go wake him up."

He turned around to look at the person who had come from behind him.

The man kept his head down and walked closer.

Judging from her figure, she was a slender woman.

"Who are you? Why are you following me so suspiciously?"

As the person approached, they raised their hand and removed their straw raincoat, revealing a beautiful face.

"Greetings, Miss Su." The visitor bowed.

When Su Wanwan saw her, she was almost speechless with astonishment.

"Miss Shen, shouldn't you be in the palace? How did you get out of the palace gates? And how did you know it was me?"

"I escaped when the Crown Prince left the palace." Shen Yan looked pitiful. "I've seen your maid before, and your gait is different from that of women in the capital."

"That's it?" Su Wanwan lowered her eyes. She had indeed not received any formal training as a young lady in the capital.

She can put on an act in front of outsiders, but when attending banquets, she just needs to sit up straight and behave herself.

Once outside the mansion and onto the main street, he immediately revealed his true form.

"What do you want from me?"

Su Wanwan was filled with a million questions. She had just sent Shen Linfeng to prison, could Shen Yan be here for revenge?

Shen Yan stepped forward. "Miss Su, I have no one I can trust in the capital, except you."

"Didn't General Shen come to the capital? Why don't you go and ask him for help?" Su Wanwan clenched her handkerchief tightly in her hand.

Shen Yan smiled bitterly, her eyes cold. "He doesn't deserve it."

"What do you want me to help you with?" Su Wanwan looked up.

"Leave the city," Shen Yan said simply and decisively.

Su Wanwan thought for a moment, then said, "Okay."

The female lead is a powerful figure; it would be foolish not to cling to her coattails.

"Chunhua, did you bring your travel permit? Give it to me." Su Wanwan turned to look at Chunhua.

Chunhua was puzzled. She took out her travel permit from her waist and handed it to the young lady. When she saw Shen Yan, her heart skipped a beat.

"I have met Consort Shen."

"Never mind, once I leave the palace, I'm no longer a noblewoman." Shen Yan laughed, her smile as soft as a crumpled piece of paper.

Su Wanwan took out one hundred taels of silver from her bosom and stuffed it into Shen Yan's hand along with the travel permit.

"This carriage is also for you. Be careful on your journey. Head north, and may Miss Shen find a good match."

Thinking of the prince's face, Su Wanwan's heart still clenched.

Fengchen has won for now, but if the Crown Prince were to make a comeback in the future, who knows how fierce the battle would become between the two.

"Miss Shen, the journey is long and arduous. Take care. If you achieve great things in the future, please remember the kindness you showed me today." Su Wanwan bowed and took her leave.

"Miss Su..."

Shen Yan looked at the silver in her hand, her heart skipped a beat.

She had heard many rumors about Miss Su and had dealt with her before, so she thought it would take a lot of effort.

I never expected it to be so easy to succeed.

Shen Yan stared at her retreating figure in disbelief, murmuring softly:

"Miss Su, I'm sorry, but only by doing this will Father let me go. Good luck to you..."

Shen Yan boarded the carriage and drove it out of the city.