My husband faked his death so I could remarry, but I got involved with my crazy brother and can'

"Madam, please don't be angry. Status is an ethereal thing. Besides, I have already offended Miss by working for you. Miss's temperament has suddenly changed, and she has been harsh to me time and time again. I suppose it's because of the things you taught me that offended her. My treatment is much worse than before, so naturally you should compensate me."

"Madam, you are the eldest daughter-in-law of the Duke's mansion, a dignified heir apparent's wife. Surely you wouldn't be so reluctant to part with even this little thing?"

Chunfen's gaze towards Su Zhirou changed repeatedly, clearly carrying a hint of disdain.

Su Zhirou hated this kind of look the most. She was clearly no worse than Su Yingxue, but she was restricted in every way because she was born into Aunt Feng's womb.

I've been subjected to a lot of disdain since I was a child.

She hates it when others look down on her, especially when the other person is a lackey!

However, we cannot afford to lose the Spring Equinox as a key piece.

Su Zhirou quickly composed herself and looked at Dong Rong beside her: "Give it to her."

Dong Rong hesitated: "Madam..."

If she's unwilling to do this, there are plenty of others who are. Why should she let a mere maid control her?

"Give it to her!"

Su Zhirou has little patience.

After receiving the money, Chunfen smiled again: "Don't worry, Madam. I will definitely repay you for your kindness."

After she finished speaking, she turned and left, her departing figure cheerful.

Su Zhirou looked at her closed eyes, her gaze darkening slightly.

"Madam, if she is unwilling, we can find someone else. Why let a vile woman control us?" Dong Rong asked, puzzled.

There are plenty of people willing to go to Chaoyang Garden.

"What do you know? Chunfen is that slut's favorite. She gets things done much more smoothly for her. Besides, it's only ten taels of silver. I can afford it."

It would be a great waste to lose such a good chess piece for ten taels of silver.

"But she actually dared to threaten the madam! This person is insatiable!" Dong Rong was still displeased.

In her view, the Spring Equinox has already received immense glory.

"Of course I know she's insatiable."

"But how can one be loyal if one is not greedy?"

"Right now, we need manpower, so I won't hold it against her. I'll keep this score in mind for her. There will be plenty of time to deal with her later."

Dong Rong's eyes lit up: "Madam is wise! We will definitely succeed!"

Hou House.

After much deliberation, Marquis Shunyang still went to Qizhu Garden.

Having not stepped into this courtyard for a long time, his past memories reverberated as he returned, and he felt a strange unease in his heart, so he quickened his pace.

"My lord, what brings you here?"

When Qian saw him from inside the house, she didn't seem surprised; in fact, she seemed a bit astonished.

I don't know if it's just my imagination, but there seems to be a hint of...disdain in my mind?

Marquis Shunyang quickly dismissed the idea.

He is Qian's husband, how could she possibly despise him?

What's more, their relationship was quite good back then.

It could even be said that Qian was deeply devoted to him.

"I've come here, and you seem displeased?"

As he spoke, the Marquis of Shunyang casually found a chair and sat down, still maintaining the demeanor of a patriarch.

After all, he was the true ruler of this Marquis's mansion.

As for the Qian family, no matter how rich they are, they are merely his appendages and his supporting characters.

"No, Your Excellency is overthinking it." Madam Qian stood up, her voice neither warm nor cold, and instructed Granny Wei to make tea.

Granny Wei quickly brought out the tea, and Madam Qian stood to the side, showing no intention of communicating with Marquis Shunyang.

Even the previous caution has disappeared.

All that remains is indifference.

Marquis Shunyang felt frustrated, sensing that her attitude was strange.

"What do you mean? You weren't like this to me before. Are you just angry with me?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Qian was puzzled: "Your Excellency is overthinking it. I am simply unaccustomed to Your Excellency's sudden visit, and I have no other intentions."

Sensing the resentment in Madam Qian's words, Marquis Shunyang's expression softened.

"I know you feel wronged. I was wrong these past few days. I neglected you. But in the end, you are my rightful wife, and I still have to rely on you for many things."

As the Marquis of Shunyang spoke, he raised his hand to take Qian's hand, but Qian dodged it.

"My lord, I have grown accustomed to your attitude over the years. Please treat me as you have always done."

If they were truly sincere, how could they let her daughter suffer so much injustice?

She was supposed to be the Crown Prince's wife, Xue'er, but now that she's married into the Duke's mansion, she can only remain a widow.

Even her so-called father, who was supposed to be her daughter's father, turned a blind eye to her situation. If it weren't for the prince's support, she didn't know how much suffering her precious daughter would have endured.

He, on the other hand, acted as if nothing had happened and actually wanted to make up with her?

Where in the world can you find such a good thing?

"What do you mean?" Marquis Shunyang's face instantly darkened. "You don't want me to touch you?"

"Your Excellency is asking a question you already know the answer to."

Mr. Qian's attitude was colder than ever before.

Marquis Shunyang scoffed, "Did someone tell you something? You would never have treated me like this before."

Marquis Shunyang naturally knew who this gossipy person was.

Who else is there besides Su Yingxue?

This isn't a daughter; it's clearly a debt collector!

"In the past?" Madam Qian scoffed. "Didn't you fail to keep your promises from before? Over the years, I've suffered countless injustices because of you. It's one thing that you treated me badly, but you were so heartless towards my daughter. Now you expect me to forgive you so easily?"

"My lord, my heart is made of flesh and blood, and it will always be biased towards my daughter. You should not even think about those things! It's late and the dew is heavy, so you should go back to Aunt Feng's place to settle down as soon as possible."

As she spoke, Madam Qian instructed Granny Wei to see the guests out.

Marquis Shunyang was expelled from Qizhu Garden, his face as black as the bottom of a pot.

"Since you are so ungrateful! I will never set foot in your courtyard again! Don't regret it!"

Marquis Shunyang left, cursing and swearing.

Granny Wei worriedly said, "Madam, if you treat the Marquis like this, what if he really doesn't come anymore? After all, this household still depends on the Marquis's favor to survive."

Madam Qian sneered, "Mother, look at everyone in this courtyard. Which one of them belongs to his Marquis's mansion? They're all part of my dowry. If anyone dares to offend me, I'll kick them out."

She never relied on the Marquis's mansion after marrying into the family; she paid for everything herself, from food and clothing to housing and transportation.

She even renovated and added a lot to the Marquis's mansion.

The former mansion of the Marquis was never so magnificent.

Wasn't it all thanks to her dowry?

She used to endure all kinds of mistreatment for the sake of her daughter, but now that he has no regard for their marital relationship and continues to treat her daughter this way, she can't blame him for being heartless!

"Give the order to take back all the carriages, screens, and ornaments I've added. As for the decorations..." Madam Qian paused for a moment, "If it's my daughter's homecoming, we can't let her lose face too much. Don't touch the decorations yet."

"Furthermore, no more subsidies are allowed to the Marquis's mansion, not even a single penny. Nothing that belongs to me is to be misused!"

"yes!"

Granny Wei responded, still somewhat hesitant: "Madam, this old servant knows you're still angry. These small matters are best left alone, but if the decorative screen is taken back, I'm afraid the Marquis's mansion will become an empty shell!"

When they first arrived, the Marquis's residence was nothing more than some ordinary decorations, or rather, it had no decent decorations at all.

If it weren't for the madam's disdain for the shabby appearance and her insistence on replacing everything, how could we be where we are today?

The Marquis has indeed treated his wife badly over the years, but now that the young lady is married, shouldn't he at least consider her feelings?

"It's alright, Xue'er said there's no need to worry about her."

Madam Qian naturally knew what Granny Wei was worried about, and immediately comforted her: "We've been manipulated by others for so many years, and now that I think about it, Xue'er is right. Why should they be the ones begging us?"

She put in money and effort but didn't get any credit. What's the reason for that?

Seeing that her mistress had a well-thought-out plan, Granny Wei nodded.

He immediately turned around and ordered his men to remove all the ornaments from the Marquis's residence.