On the day of the granted marriage, the daughter of a general wept and was reborn!

Shen Wantang took a step back in shock. She didn't expect that Zuixianlou was actually related to Cen Xiao!

Shen Wantang turned around and wanted to leave.

However, at this moment, the jade pendant on her waist accidentally swayed and hit the wall. The sound was not loud, but it was particularly eye-catching in the silent room.

Shen Wantang knew something was wrong, and at the same time the madam shouted, "Who!"

Immediately afterwards, a figure rushed out from the tunnel and headed straight towards Shen Wantang.

Shen Wantang counterattacked subconsciously, but before she could respond, she heard Cen Xiao speak.

"stop!"

He stopped the madam's attack and then looked at Shen Wantang, who was dressed as a man. There was astonishment and a barely perceptible panic in his eyes.

"Ms. Shen, don't get me wrong, I'm not here to do that kind of thing..."

As soon as the words came out, they were both stunned.

Shen Wantang bit her lip and pretended to be indifferent: "What you want to do has nothing to do with me, goodbye."

After saying that, she turned around and was about to leave, but Cen Xiao grabbed her wrist.

"You do not trust me?"

The skin he touched felt as if it was burned by fire, incredibly hot. Shen Wantang pushed him away and took a step back: "I said, I have no interest in your affairs, and I came here just to redeem Yue Fu."

Cen Xiao was slightly stunned, then frowned: "Oiran? What is your relationship with her? Do you know her?"

Shen Wantang paused.

She didn't plan to tell Cen Xiao what she was going to do, but if this guy didn't get an answer, he would definitely ask for the truth...

Shen Wantang sighed silently, "How about this, Prince, let's make a deal."

She took out the banknote from her bosom and threw it on the table: "I won't tell Ji Xunchuan about what you did here today. And don't ask me what I'm going to do."

"But I can assure you that this incident will not hurt you."

She looked at the madam again: "Remember to give me Yue Fu's indenture."

After saying that, she turned and left, not noticing that Cen Xiao's face suddenly turned cold.

The madam felt the temperature drop all over her body and asked silently: "Master, the indenture contract..."

"Give it to her!" Cen Xiao curled his lips, "As for what she wants to do, there will be plenty of opportunities to find out later."

On the other hand, after Shen Wantang redeemed Yue Fu, he placed her in a small courtyard that was absolutely safe.

Soon, the day for the announcement of the results of the autumn examination arrived as scheduled. After Shen Wantang confirmed the rankings, he followed the plan and had someone secretly invite this year's top scorer Xia Huai'en in the name of a poetry meeting.

As a scholar, Xia Huai'en would not refuse a poetry gathering with his classmates. However, when he arrived as scheduled and saw that Shen Wantang was the only one in the private room, he frowned and realized something.

The young top scholar pursed his lips and saluted in an extremely distant manner.

"You are... Miss Shen? What is the purpose of your invitation?"

Shen Wantang curled his lips: "Does the number one scholar know me? It seems that you have become familiar with the noble families in the capital these days. This time, I invite you to the poetry gathering because I have something to discuss with you."

After that, she pointed to the chair and said, "You can sit down and we can talk slowly."

Xia Huai'en was somewhat resistant. The Shen family had always been loyal to His Majesty, but now they were making an appointment in secret, so they must have other intentions.

But since he was already here, he might as well make the best of it. Xia Huai'en still chose a chair farthest away from Shen Wantang and sat down.

Shen Wantang didn't care. He just poured a glass of wine and handed over a scroll of calligraphy and painting.

"I heard that the top scholar is very good at painting. Why don't you take a look at the value of this painting I accidentally found?"

Upon hearing this, Xia Huai'en unfolded the scroll with some doubt.

However, after just one look, his pupils suddenly shrank, the knuckles of his fingers that were tightly gripping a corner of the scroll turned pale, and his tone of voice became a little unstable.

"...May I ask Miss Shen, where did you get this painting?"

The young man's expression was restrained and forbearing, and his loss of composure only lasted for a moment. In the blink of an eye, he returned to his usual coldness and indifference.

Shen Wantang raised an eyebrow: "It seems that the champion is very connoisseur of art. He can tell that this is a painting using the ink-staining technique inherited from the former Minister of Rites Jiang Min. Of all the painting techniques, this is the most exquisite. Unfortunately, Jiang Min was later imprisoned for a crime, and all 32 members of his family were beheaded, and the women became prostitutes. Even his calligraphy and paintings were burned, and the ink-staining technique was lost."

At this point, she changed the subject: "But I heard that Minister Jiang has a pair of children who are still alive. I wonder if they have learned this legendary technique."

Having said that, how could Xia Huai'en not understand?

He smiled but his eyes were cold: "Miss Shen, what do you want to do?"

Shen Wantang raised his chin slightly: "Don't worry, I have no ill intentions. Miss Yue Fu from Zuixianlou has been redeemed by me and is now placed in a separate courtyard."

In her previous life, Ji Xunchuan was able to gain Xia Huai'en's loyalty because of his appreciation. In this case, in this life, she would do this future minister a big favor and use her favors to trap him.

In his previous life, Yue Fu was raped and killed a month after Xia Huai'en passed the imperial examination, which became his lifelong regret. In this life, he intervened in time, so the two of them had a good ending.

Therefore, Shen Wantang was calm and justified in ordering Xia Huai'en to do things.

When Xia Huai'en heard this, he breathed a sigh of relief without leaving a trace.

He stood up and bowed to the girl in front of him: "As long as Miss Shen can ensure her safety, Xia will be loyal to Miss Shen from now on."

"I will not hesitate even if it means my death."

"Mr. Xia, you are too serious."

Shen Wantang raised a glass of wine to toast him: "I don't need you to do anything, but someone will extend an olive branch to you later, and then you need to pretend to agree, but actually use me."

"As long as you can do this, I promise that Yue Fu of Zuixianlou will completely disappear, and be replaced by a good girl named Yue Fu."

Xia Huai'en's eyelashes trembled slightly, and he looked at Shen Wantang, his beautiful thin lips slightly raised in an almost undetectable arc. His jade-like face also softened at this moment, and under the light, it was as beautiful as the moon and the scenery.

"Xia, thank you, Miss Shen."

After making arrangements with Xia Huai'en, Shen Wantang got up and returned home.

However, as soon as she entered the mansion, she received the news.

Ji Xunchuan, summon her to the palace.

In the royal garden.

Although she wanted to tear out the bones and marrow of this man every time she saw him, Shen Wantang suppressed the hatred in her eyes and bowed respectfully to Ji Xunchuan.

"See Your Majesty."

Ji Xunchuan put down the book in his hand and acted like a gentle emperor: "No need to be polite."

He looked at Shen Wantang, and the corners of his lips curled up just right: "It's just you and me here, why bother with etiquette?"

As he spoke, Ji Xunchuan wanted to step forward and help Shen Wantang up, but Shen Wantang slightly turned sideways and avoided the man's action without leaving any trace. She finished the ceremony and then slowly raised her head, not missing the flash of displeasure in Ji Xunchuan's eyes: "There is a difference between the monarch and the minister, and I dare not overstep the boundaries."