Many children, many blessings: Stealing the offspring of powerful figures to cultivate immortality.

Just then, a tall figure stepped through the second gate.

Chu Jinglan had returned because he forgot to bring the seal, and just then he heard this question, and his steps suddenly stopped.

He held his breath, his heart pounding in his throat, waiting for his wife's answer.

"Love or not, it's too exhausting."

Jiang Yining waved her hand, looking weary and disillusioned: "As long as the general is happy, it's just one more person to feed in the manor. The Chu family can afford it."

After saying that, she walked past the stunned Liu Xueru and went straight away.

Liu Xueru choked for a moment.

She had expected the wife to put on airs and give her a hard time, or at least show the slightest bit of jealousy.

But Jiang Yining was too calm, as calm as if she were watching a grasshopper hopping at her feet.

Chu Jinglan stood behind the wall, his hands and feet icy cold.

It's just a group of people eating together.

During the three years that his fate remained unknown, had she already... lost all hope?

As Liu Xueru watched Jiang Yining's departing figure, a hint of malice flashed in her eyes.

Something's wrong with this woman.

Something's even more wrong here.

That blind second young master's gaze towards his sister-in-law was as sticky as a snake's, as if he wanted to swallow her whole.

That General Bai, a man full of murderous intent, became as obedient as a wagging dog in front of Jiang Yining.

Even the unapproachable Grand Secretary, when handing Jiang Yining water at breakfast, did so with practiced ease, as if he had done it a thousand times.

There's definitely something fishy going on here.

The sun was shining brightly in the afternoon.

Jiang Yining, enjoying a rare moment of leisure, basked in the sun on a wicker chair in the garden.

Liu Xueru gracefully walked over, carrying a plate of sliced ​​fruits.

"My sister is so lucky."

Liu Xueru placed the plates one after another on the stone table, her tone carrying undisguised sourness and implication.

"Although the general has been away for the past three years, this mansion has never lacked the care and attention of men."

She glanced meaningfully at Bai Ze, who was practicing his swordplay not far away.

"Anyone who didn't know better would think there were several male masters in the Chu family."

"Sister's life is even more exciting than that of the most beautiful courtesan in a brothel."

Jiang Yining slowly opened her eyes.

Before she could speak, a cold glint flashed.

Clang—!

A heavy broadsword came whistling through the air, precisely severing a crabapple blossom near Liu Xueru's cheek.

The petals fell gently, covering her head and face.

Liu Xueru screamed in fright, her legs went weak, and she collapsed to the ground.

Bai Ze walked over, carrying a knife in one hand and exuding a murderous aura.

His tall figure blocked the sunlight, casting a shadow that completely enveloped Liu Xueru.

"Where did this stray dog ​​come from, barking here?"

Bai Ze looked down at her, his eyes as cold as if he were looking at a corpse.

"General Bai... General Bai..." Liu Xueru stammered, her teeth chattering. "I... I'm the general's man..."

"Who you work for is none of my business."

Bai Ze squatted down and patted Liu Xueru's pale face with the back of his knife. The force was light, but the humiliation was intense.

"If you don't want your tongue, you can donate it to a mute person."

He grinned, revealing his gleaming white teeth, but there was no hint of amusement in his eyes.

"In the Chu family, the young mistress is the most powerful person."

"If I hear you utter another swear word, I'll cut your tongue out and use it as a snack with my drinks."

After saying that, he didn't even glance at Liu Xueru. When he turned to face Jiang Yining, his fierce face instantly blossomed into a warm smile.

"Ningning, am I disturbing you? Should I throw this woman out?"

Jiang Yining rubbed her temples helplessly: "Alright, don't scare the guests."

"A guest?" Bai Ze chuckled, sheathing his sword. "You're only good-tempered because of this barking dog."

"If it were me in the old days, I would have chopped it up and fed it to the eagles long ago."

After he finished speaking, he didn't even bother to look at Liu Xueru again, and took Jiang Yining's arm: "Come on, the kitchen has stewed some bird's nest, it won't taste good if it gets cold."

The two walked away hand in hand, their backs to each other showing intimacy.

Liu Xueru sat on the ground, her whole body ice-cold.

She stared intently at the backs of the two men, the fear in her eyes gradually turning into resentment.

Okay. Very good.

Since there are no rules in this mansion, let the general come and see whose home this really is!

Liu Xueru rushed into the study in the front yard, threw herself into the arms of Chu Jinglan who had just returned, and cried her heart out.

"General! General Bai... he's trying to kill me with a knife! Waaaaah..."

Liu Xueru's actions completely ignited the fuse in Chu Jinglan's heart.

After breakfast, Chu Jinglan went straight into the tent.

The more Chu Jinglan looked, the more his brows furrowed.

These accounts are beautiful.

It's eerily beautiful.

Although the Chu family originally had some wealth, it could not withstand the depletion of three years of only spending and no income.

However, on the books, there was not only no deficit, but also a large amount of income from unknown sources.

Liu Xueru continued to complain: "General... Xueru was only kindly advising my sister to avoid suspicion, but General Bai... he actually drew his sword and tried to kill me!"

"He said... in this mansion, my sister is the most powerful person, no one can control her. General, has the Chu family... changed their surname to Bai?"

Chu Jinglan tightened his grip on the account book. He was shocked by what he saw.

During the three years he was missing at the border, he did not send any money home, and he originally thought that his family must be living in poverty.

But the expenses listed in these ledgers are truly shocking.

"This transaction, three thousand taels, is noted as 'proceeds from the sale of paintings'?"

Chu Jinglan pointed to a spot and sneered, "Those few lousy paintings that Sikong used to create, could they really sell for this price?"

"This sum, five thousand taels, is noted as a 'gift from a friend'?"

Liu Xueru stepped forward to grind the ink, then interjected at the opportune moment, her voice soft yet venomous: "General, where did my sister, a mere woman, get so many wealthy 'friends'? In this capital, who doesn't know that the Chu family is now just a widow and her child? The one willing to be so generous with money must be…"

She hesitated, leaving Chu Jinglan with endless room for imagination.

They probably have ulterior motives.

Or perhaps... they've been secretly in love all along.

Chu Jinglan slammed the account book shut with a loud "bang," which made Liu Xueru drop the ink stick from her hand.

He could tolerate his wife's indifference, but he could never tolerate this vast grassland above his head.

"Someone come here!"

Chu Jinglan shouted, "Summon the young mistress!"

A hint of triumphant pleasure flashed in Liu Xueru's eyes, but she still pretended to be a frightened little rabbit, shrinking to the side.

A moment later, Jiang Yining arrived.

Fifteen minutes later.

Jiang Yining arrived slowly.

She changed into casual home clothes, her hair was casually tied up with a hairpin, and she exuded a lazy, noble air.

His face showed impatience at being woken up.

"Is my husband looking for me?"

Jiang Yining walked into the study, her gaze sweeping over Liu Xueru on the floor, a playful smile curving her lips.

"It seems Miss Liu can file a complaint faster than a rabbit running errands."

"Kneel down!"

Chu Jinglan slammed his hand on the table, veins bulging on his forehead.

Jiang Yining was stunned for a moment.

Even the tyrant Ye Wuhen never made her kneel more than a few times, but this cheap husband is putting on airs as soon as he gets back?

She didn't move, but just looked at him quietly, her eyes cold.

"What's wrong? Feeling guilty?"

Chu Jinglan threw the account book at her feet, pointed at the numbers, his eyes bloodshot: "Tell me! Where did this money come from? What shady things have you been doing behind my back for the past three years?!"

"Bai Ze will protect you, and Chief Minister Ji will help you."

"Jiang Yining, are you really my wife, or just a...plaything they keep in this Chu mansion?!"