With legs weak, the sickly stable boy became a mad regent.

Zuixianlou, located on the most bustling street in the capital, is a three-story building with carved beams and painted rafters, and is a favorite place for high-ranking officials and nobles.

When Shen Nannan arrived, Madam Qian was already waiting in the private room on the second floor.

Today she wore a pomegranate red jacket, her hair was slicked back and shiny, and she wore a full set of red gold headdress, making her look incredibly wealthy.

But a hint of melancholy lingered between her brows on her round face, and her smile wasn't as cheerful as usual.

Seeing Shen Nannan enter, she stood up, her eyes crinkling into slits with a smile: "Miss Shen is here, please have a seat."

Shen Nannan curtsied and sat down opposite her. A Chao stood behind her, holding a rabbit in his arms, his face hidden behind a mask, like a silent shadow.

Madam Qian glanced at A-Chao, her gaze lingering on the mask on his face for a moment, but she didn't ask any further questions.

However, she noticed that the guard's position was quite interesting—he was positioned perfectly to block the sunlight coming in through the window, preventing it from shining into Shen Nannan's eyes.

"Miss Shen, I've tried the pastries from your Fu Rui Zhai, and they are truly excellent." Madam Qian poured Shen Nannan a cup of tea. "Especially the peach blossom pastry, the crust is as thin as paper, and one bite fills your mouth with the fragrance of peach blossoms. In all my years, I've never eaten such delicious pastries."

Shen Nannan smiled and said, "I'm glad Madam Qian likes it. That peach blossom pastry is a new creation by our chef and it's not on the market yet. I specially asked someone to save a portion for you, Madam."

"Miss Shen, you're too kind." Madam Qian picked up her teacup, took a sip, and her eyes darted around. "Speaking of which, Miss Shen is quite the figurehead lately. You've taken over the management of the household from Second Aunt, forced Madam Tong to be divorced, and even the Third Prince personally came to visit you."

She said this with a tentative tone.

Shen Nannan remained unfazed: "Madam Qian is joking. My second aunt is unwell, so it's only right that I help her out. As for the Third Prince..." She paused, "His compassion for the soldiers on the frontier has nothing to do with me."

Mrs. Qian stared at her for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "Miss Shen is not old, but her words are impeccable."

"You flatter me, Madam."

The two chatted politely for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

Madam Qian asked Shen Nannan indirectly if there was anything she could help with, and Shen Nannan indirectly replied that there wasn't at the moment, but she just wanted to make friends with Madam Qian.

Although Madam Qian was spoiled, she wasn't stupid. She could tell that Shen Nannan had come to see her for more than just snacks.

"Miss Shen," she put down her teacup and cut to the chase, "what brings you here? Just say it."

Shen Nannan looked at her and suddenly smiled: "How did Madam know I had something to do?"

"I'm not stupid," Mrs. Qian snorted. "Your pastries, the sweet ones are sweet, the salty ones are salty, every single one is to my liking. How could you make them so accurately if you hadn't asked around?"

Shen Nannan smiled: "Madam is indeed intelligent. To be honest, I did have someone inquire about Madam's tastes. However—" She paused, "I sent Madam pastries not only to cater to her preferences."

Mrs. Qian raised an eyebrow: "Then why?"

Shen Nannan looked at her, her smile fading, and said seriously, "Because I want to make friends with Madam."

Madam Qian was taken aback for a moment, then laughed: "Make friends? Miss Shen, you're the legitimate daughter of a general's family, making friends with a vice minister's wife? What are you after?"

"Madam Tu is a person who is well-liked and keeps her word in the social circles of the wealthy women in Beijing. I would like to learn from her."

Mrs. Qian was a little embarrassed by the praise and waved her hand, saying, "What's this about learning? I'm just straightforward, and people don't like to argue with me."

"I like straightforward people." Shen Nannan picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said, "They're much better than those who say one thing to your face and do another behind your back."

Mrs. Qian nodded in deep agreement: "You're absolutely right! I hate those kinds of people the most. They act like sisters to you on the surface, but who knows how they'll stab you in the back behind your back."

The two chatted animatedly, one after the other. Mrs. Qian was a straightforward person who spoke without mincing words, so Shen Nannan didn't have to think twice when talking to her, and they found themselves getting along very well.

As they chatted, Mrs. Qian suddenly sighed.

Shen Nannan asked, "What's wrong, Madam?"

Mrs. Qian hesitated for a moment, then lowered her voice: "Miss Shen, I have something to tell you, but please don't tell anyone."

"Please speak, Madam."

"My husband..." Mrs. Qian glanced at the door to make sure no one was there before continuing, "He hasn't been acting quite right lately."

Shen Nannan's heart skipped a beat, but her face remained impassive: "Something seems off?"

"He used to be nothing special, but at least he'd put on an act. Lately, he doesn't even bother pretending anymore." Madam Qian gritted her teeth. "He's always running off, and when I ask where he's going, he won't say. He comes back smelling of perfume, and if I say anything to him, he gets angry with me."

As she spoke, her eyes reddened: "I defied my parents' objections and was determined to marry him because I thought he was honest and ambitious. Who knew... who knew he was this kind of person?"

Looking at her red eyes, Shen Nannan suddenly felt a pang of sadness.

This woman, just like in her past life, was pampered by her family growing up, believing that marriage would bring her a stable life. But in this world, is there really so much stability?

She reached out and gently patted the back of Mrs. Qian's hand.

"Madam," she put down her teacup, "do you trust me?"

Mrs. Qian looked up at her: "What?"

"If I told you that Master Qian is having an affair, would you believe me?"

Madam Qian's expression changed instantly.

"How...how did you know?"

Shen Nannan didn't answer, but instead took a piece of paper out of her sleeve and handed it to her.

Madam Qian took it, unfolded it, and saw an address written on it—Willow Lane, West of the City, Third Courtyard.

"What is this?"

"This is where Lord Qian keeps his mistress." Shen Nannan's voice was calm. "If Madam doesn't believe me, she can go and see for herself tonight."

Mrs. Qian's hands were trembling, and the paper rustled in her hands.

"Why...why are you telling me this?"

"Because I don't want to see Madam being made a fool of." Shen Nannan looked at her, saying each word clearly, "Madam, you actually knew all along, didn't you? You just didn't want to believe it."

Mrs. Qian's tears fell.

She bit her lip, trying hard to hold back her tears, but they wouldn't listen and fell one by one onto the paper, staining the ink.

"I know..." her voice was hoarse, "I know he's seeing someone else. He comes back smelling of perfume, I can smell it. But I don't dare to investigate, I'm afraid of finding out..."

She looked up at Shen Nannan, her eyes red: "Miss Shen, do you know what it feels like to be deceived? You thought he was good to you, that he was sincere, but what happened? It was all fake. He married you because your father is a high-ranking official. He was good to you because you were still useful. Once you were no longer useful, he would be the first to dump you."

Shen Nannan looked at her, feeling as if something had squeezed her heart.

She knew. She knew it all too well.

In her past life, Pei Ran, Lin Wan'er, and Madam Tong all feigned friendship with her. If only someone had reminded her back then...

"I know," she heard her own voice, a little hoarse, "that's why I came."

"I'm telling you all this not so you can help me." Shen Nannan released her hand and leaned back in her chair. "I want you to know that there are people in your life who are more worthy of your cherishing, like... your family."

"The important thing is whether you believe me or not."