She refused to marry.

"Are you afraid of the Shen family?" Xiao Xuanjing saw through her thoughts.

"I'm not afraid." Su Wanwan lowered her head guiltily.

Xiao Xuanjing lowered his eyes, his fingertips slowly tracing the patterns on the jade thumb ring. "Qingshan, send a message to the Shen family: go to Wangyue Tower."

Su Wanwan's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally relaxed, and her tense expression eased a little.

A short while later, the carriage stopped in front of Wangyue Tower.

Xiao Xuanjing walked in and gestured to the shopkeeper, who put down his abacus and respectfully approached, saying, "Your Majesty, please!"

Su Wanwan didn't dare to be too conspicuous, so she walked behind Jian Qingshan, keeping a distance from the two of them.

Xiao Xuanjing paused and turned around, speaking softly enough for everyone around to hear, "I'll trouble Miss Su to serve tea later."

This call drew the attention of everyone dining around them, who all turned to look at Miss Su.

Su Wanwan lowered her head and followed.

Why did Feng Chenjun say that in front of everyone on purpose?

Once the three of them went upstairs, the crowd below erupted in commotion.

"When did Fengchen-jun start having women serving him?"

"Yes, over the years, even rumors of homosexuality have spread. I never thought that after Fengchen was dismissed from his post, he would have a change of heart."

"Shh, keep your voice down..."

After a while, Su Wanwan was panting and looked up at Feng Chenjun and his guards who were taking a stroll.

How come the two people in front of me don't even seem to be out of breath while walking?

By the time Su Wanwan reached the twelfth floor, her back was soaked with sweat. Fortunately, the building was tall and windy, and as soon as she went upstairs, she felt a cool breeze that relieved most of her fatigue.

"Shopkeeper, thank you for your trouble. Someone is here to serve tea," Jian Qingshan said.

The shopkeeper bowed and left.

Su Wanwan sat down, brewed tea, and served it to Xiao Xuanjing, also offering a cup to a guard.

"Brother guard, quench your thirst."

Jian Qingshan was taken aback. "Thank you." He then said, "My name is Jian Qingshan. Miss Su can just call me Qingshan."

"Okay, Brother Jane."

"I wouldn't dare." Jian Qingshan lowered his head and sipped his tea, then saw Miss Su pour herself a cup and savor it carefully.

In her eyes, there seemed to be no distinction between noble and lowly.

Xiao Xuanjing lowered his eyes. "Where has Lu Huai'an taken you? Has he been here before?"

Su Wanwan took a sip of tea. "Linjiang Tower, Furong Garden, East Market, Ci'en Temple, Qujiang Pool... I've never been here before."

Xiao Xuanjing smiled. "Do you know why he didn't bring you along?"

"Why?" Su Wanwan looked up.

"Because he's here, he can't fool you anymore." Xiao Xuanjing glanced sideways.

"I know," Su Wanwan said calmly, taking another sip of tea.

Xiao Xuanjing frowned, his tone becoming more serious, "Do you know who he is? His true identity?"

"Hmm." Su Wanwan nodded, taking another sip of tea with satisfaction. "The tea here has a unique aroma; it not only quenches thirst but also seems to have an indescribable sweetness."

Xiao Xuanjing frowned and exchanged a glance with Qingshan. "Since you know this, why do you still associate with them?"

"Do we have to categorize friends into different classes?" Su Wanwan looked up at Xiao Xuanjing.

Xiao Xuanjing looked into her clear eyes and frowned slightly.

She wanted to climb the social ladder, and she said it in such a fresh and unconventional way.

"Now that you know his identity, stay away from him. His purpose in coming to the capital is impure, and he will drag you down." Xiao Xuanjing turned his gaze to the distance.

"Yes, I will remember it," Su Wanwan said, bowing her head.

"What I mean is that you will implicate the Princess's residence." Xiao Xuanjing's tone became even more forceful.

"Yes," Su Wanwan said, her voice trailing off.

It's understandable that Lu Huai'an was demoted to a slave and sent out to become a bandit; if she were in his shoes, she would have done the same.

"Su Wanwan, I ask you, how did you know about the imperial edict?" Xiao Xuanjing turned around and asked seriously.

"I overheard it once by accident, and I only spoke it out to save my life. Your Majesty, why do you still remember it?" Su Wanwan got up to refill the tea.

Xiao Xuanjing's face instantly turned gloomy; she was lying.

"My lord, General Shen and Shen Linfeng have arrived," said the man at the door.

"Summon him," Xiao Xuanjing said to Su Wanwan, "You should avoid this area."

"Yes." Su Wanwan felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She jumped up and hid in a nearby guest room, listening to the noise from next door.

General Shen led Shen Linfeng into the private room.

"Greetings, Lord Fengchen," Shen Linfeng said.

"General Shen, Young Master Shen, please sit," Xiao Xuanjing gestured.

Shen Chongyuan sat down in the guest seat, with Shen Linfeng sitting beside him. Jian Qingshan poured tea for the two of them and then stepped aside.

Shen Linfeng lowered his head, looking somewhat uneasy.

"General Shen, what brings you here?" Xiao Xuanjing asked directly.

Shen Chongyuan took out a brocade box from his sleeve, placed it on the table with both hands, and pushed it in front of Xiao Xuanjing: "Your Majesty, I have come today to apologize and to express my gratitude."

Xiao Xuanjing glanced at the brocade box but didn't open it. "What are you thanking me for?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for speaking up for the Shen family before His Majesty." Shen Chongyuan's voice was somewhat hoarse.

"The Shen family deserved to be punished with confiscation of their property and exiled. However, His Majesty took the blame for the Shen family and pleaded for their lives before the Emperor. I will always remember this kindness that saved the Shen family."

Xiao Xuanjing picked up his teacup. "The Shen family army has guarded the border for many years and has made great contributions to the country. To exterminate them all will chill the hearts of the border soldiers."

Moreover, since the eldest princess is involved, it's better to preserve his influence than to be wiped out by the crown prince. This would be a way of thanking him for his loyalty and dedication over the years.

Shen Chongyuan's eyes reddened slightly: "This matter involves a great deal of people. The Shen and Su families cannot escape their guilt. Your Majesty has protected me, the Su family, and even other families with your own strength. This truly shows Your Majesty's great righteousness."

Shen Linfeng raised his head, his lips moving slightly.

Xiao Xuanjing put down his teacup and looked at Shen Linfeng: "Does Young Master Shen have something to say?"

Shen Linfeng clenched his fist and finally spoke: "Your Majesty, I have a question."

"explain."

"Since Your Majesty is so righteous, why did you take my sister's life in public? My sister, Qingrong... her crime did not warrant death..."

Xiao Xuanjing remained silent for a moment, his hand gripping the rim of the cup tightly.

"Now that things have come to this, there's no harm in telling you."

The day before the Princess's birthday banquet, your younger sister drugged my tea, but unfortunately, Wang Hong, the son of the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, who came to offer his congratulations, drank it.

After the attack, he hid in a side room of Guanlan Pavilion, where his aunt's third sister happened to be changing clothes.

Under the influence of the drug, they had physical intimacy, and that night the third sister committed suicide.

Wang Hong blamed himself, resigned from his official post, secluded himself at home, and became a monk. What do you think? Should Shen Qingrong have died?

Shen Chongyuan's hands began to tremble, the teacup on the table shook, and tea spilled out.

Shen Linfeng lowered his head, his hands clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white.

Xiao Xuanjing's expression remained calm, but his eyes flickered. "The Princess was unaware of this matter; otherwise, you know the consequences."

Shen Chongyuan seemed to have all his strength drained away, his eyes vacant.

Xiao Xuanjing turned his head and said, "The feud between the Su family and your Shen family, in fact, is that your Shen family owes the Su family a life."

Su Wanwan, who was eavesdropping next door, froze.

Why wasn't Shen Qingrong's wrongdoing mentioned in the original work?

Besides, weren't the Su family's account books burned? How could the Crown Prince possibly have them? Who was it? Who leaked the Su family's account books?