Chapter 10: Shen Ruo Jin, Are You Seducing Me?

The moment she spoke, the entire hall erupted in murmurs. The young lord Qin’s new bride was truly fascinating—ignoring her husband who often stayed out all night, she instead lavishly spent a fortune to buy up a troupe of beauties.

The beguiling Haitang Red on stage was momentarily taken aback but quickly smiled and bowed gracefully. “Thank you, Second Young Madam, for your kindness. But Haitang Red sells performance, not herself. No amount of money can change that.”

“Very well,” Shen Ruojin nodded in agreement and then called out, “Where is the troupe leader?”

“I’m here,” came the prompt reply from Huang, the troupe leader, who had just had new tables and chairs brought over. “Second Young Madam, what are your orders?”

Shen Ruojin casually flicked her fingers over the family token at her waist. “Name your price. I’m buying this Fanghua Troupe.”

---

Luoyi Alley, Pei Residence.

“What? Shen Ruojin went to the theater yesterday and not only did she not cause a scene with Qin Lang, she even splurged to buy the Fanghua Troupe outright?” Mu Yunwei asked in disbelief as she listened to the news brought back by her maid, Lǜluó.

“Pei Gongzi tried to explain the events of yesterday to her, but she wouldn’t even listen. She just told him to behave himself...” Lǜluó had secretly followed Pei Jing to see if Third Miss would reconcile with him. Instead, she witnessed Shen Ruojin competing with the young lord Qin for the troupe and hurried back to report everything.

Mu Yunwei was playfully teasing a cat with a round fan. “My second sister truly lives up to having studied military strategy—she plays hard to get masterfully and even knows how to kill two birds with one stone.”

Lǜluó, fuming, said, “Where did she get all that silver? Didn’t she take your dowry yesterday while no one was looking? Now she’s flaunting her status as the young princess of the Northern Town Prince’s mansion. You should see how arrogant she’s become...”

“Just watch. Shen Ruojin won’t be so proud for long,” Mu Yunwei said confidently. “Right now, the important thing is to capture Pei Lang’s heart.”

No matter how powerful the Northern Town Prince’s mansion was, it could never surpass the imperial family.

Qin Lang, the second son of a prince with a different surname, could never compare to the emperor’s own son.

Everyone failed to understand why Mu Yunwei would refuse the high-status Northern Town Prince’s mansion and entangle herself with Pei Jing, a poor scholar.

Only Mu Yunwei knew that in her previous life, after marrying Qin Lang, she was neglected, spending lonely nights in an empty room, enduring daily tales of her husband’s debauchery.

The most painful thing was her misplaced trust—while Shen Ruojin married a worthy man, Pei Jing, a poor scholar, rose to prominence, excelling in the imperial examinations, becoming a high official, and ultimately restored to royal status, inheriting the throne during a prince's succession struggle.

While Mu Yunwei and Qin Lang were estranged and became the subject of ridicule, Shen Ruojin and Pei Jing grew from young spouses into a loving emperor and empress...

Since fate had granted her a second chance, why couldn’t Shen Ruojin’s bright future become hers?

Yesterday, Mu Yunwei used memories from her past life to abduct Pei Jing and flee the wedding, saving his foster mother and sister, effectively ending his marriage with Shen Ruojin.

What she hadn’t expected was that Shen Ruojin immediately remarried Qin Lang.

One was a general’s daughter raised at the border, the other a notorious rake and young prince. It was clear that after marriage, their days would be filled with constant strife—fighting today or fighting tomorrow.

---

Today they didn’t quarrel, but tomorrow was inevitable.

After a brief surprise, Mu Yunwei quickly composed herself, focusing all her energy on how to win Pei Jing’s heart.

Just as master and servant were speaking, Pei Jing returned, looking somber.

Entering the courtyard, he saw them and frowned slightly. “Third Miss, why haven’t you returned to the Marquis’ mansion yet?”

Lǜluó couldn’t help but interject, “Pei Gongzi, how can you ask that? Our lady missed the wedding too, all to help you save someone...”

Mu Yunwei gently interrupted, “Enough, Lǜluó. No rudeness.”

Though born of a concubine, Third Miss was deeply favored by Old Madam Mu and pampered at the Marquis’ mansion. Not only was she slender and fair, but when her eyes reddened, it seemed as if the whole world had wronged her.

“Pei Gongzi, please don’t misunderstand. I’m about to leave now. I was only waiting for you to come back so I could ask one more thing before going. It’s just me being troublesome. I will leave now...”

Tears welled in Mu Yunwei’s eyes, but she feigned calm and turned to leave.

“Wait,” Pei Jing said, a hint of frustration in his voice as he hurried after her.

Mu Yunwei stopped but didn’t look back.

Lǜluó, ever quick-tongued, said, “Pei Gongzi, you’re strange—when you return, you ask why we haven’t left, and now our lady wants to leave, but you won’t let her! What do you want?”

“That’s not what I mean,” Pei Jing said, torn inside. He’d been cold toward Shen Ruojin and was in a foul mood. Seeing Mu Yunwei so wronged reminded him that she had fled the wedding only to save someone yesterday.

Shen Ruojin had resolved to cling to the prince’s mansion; her marriage to Qin Lang was set in stone.

If Mu Yunwei went back now, without a marriage and with yesterday’s events, she would face severe punishment.

“What does Pei Gongzi mean, then?” Lǜluó pressed insistently.

“Does Pei Gongzi want me to explain to my sister?” Mu Yunwei whispered. “Very well. You alone can’t clear things up. I should go and apologize to her, ask for her forgiveness, and hope she changes her mind.”

Pei Jing quickly said, “I don’t mean that. Third Miss, you shouldn’t hurt yourself like this.”

“It’s no hardship—I’m used to it. Although my sister never liked me, she’s reasonable. If we explain properly, she’ll understand, at least a little,” Mu Yunwei lowered her head, her voice soft beyond measure.

Before Pei Jing could speak, she continued, “Besides, Grandmother has always cared for me. I doubt she’ll punish me harshly. Without a husband, I’ll at most be made a spinster. Pei Gongzi, you needn’t worry.”

Hearing this, Pei Jing made up his mind. “I will see you home.”

Mu Yunwei tried to decline, “No need to trouble you—”

Pei Jing said firmly, “Third Miss lost her reputation because of me. I must go and explain on your behalf.”

---

Mu Yunwei still didn’t look up, voice quivering, “Rumors spread throughout the city. I’m afraid no matter how much we explain, we can’t clear our names.”

“Then... I’ll marry you.”

When Pei Jing uttered those words, a secret satisfaction, a sense of revenge against Shen Ruojin, stirred within him.

From now on, he and Shen Ruojin would have no future.

They were destined to meet often, to cross paths constantly. As he rose higher, he would treat Mu Yunwei with great kindness. One day, Shen Ruojin would regret her choice today...

“You want to marry me?” Mu Yunwei suddenly looked up at Pei Jing, joy flooding her heart, tears streaming down her face.

She thought, Shen Ruojin, Shen Ruojin, your mother truly had good taste.

The fiancé arranged since childhood was a gentleman, but now... he was all mine.

“If Miss Ruo does not refuse, I am willing to marry you,” Pei Jing said seriously. “Confirming the matter is the best way to silence the rumors.”

Mu Yunwei feigned thoughtfulness, counting silently to ten before replying with a smile, “Then I shall trouble Pei Gongzi to... escort me home.”

---

Meanwhile, Pei Jing escorted Mu Yunwei back to the Marquis’ mansion.

At the theater, Shen Ruojin’s declaration, “I buy the Fanghua Troupe,” stunned everyone.

Unable to sway Haitang Red with money alone, she bought the entire troupe.

Such extravagance perfectly matched the young lord Qin.

Even Qin Lang, who cared little for wealth, took notice. “You’re really going all out, Shen Ruojin. You’re willing to spend so much of my money?”

Shen Ruojin placed her jade pendant back at her waist and casually said, “After all, it’s your money.”

Qin Lang was amused and annoyed. “So you’re spending my money to have fun at my expense?”

“You could say I’m amusing myself at your expense,” Shen Ruojin twisted the words suddenly. “Or that I’m throwing money to win your smile.”

It was up to the young lord Qin to decide which he liked better.

A playful smile curved her lips, her phoenix eyes sparkling—unaware of the charm she radiated.

Qin Lang looked at her, breath catching slightly. After a moment, he regained composure and asked, “Shen Ruojin, are you trying to seduce me?”