Remarried to a top-tier playboy, her reborn ex-husband is filled with regret.

Gu Jinghuai recalled how he had disdainfully said "I'll return it then" in front of Jishetang.

I recalled saying disdainfully, "Why would the Marquis's mansion use your money?"

Those words felt like slaps to his face.

He always believed that he came from a noble family and was the heir of a marquis's family.

Yun Shuyao's mother was just a merchant, and she needed to marry him to raise her social status.

But now he realized that the luxurious life he had enjoyed for the past five years, and the respectability that the Marquis's mansion had maintained, actually depended on the dowry of a merchant's daughter.

He also repeatedly claimed that she was "playing hard to get".

Su's words pulled Gu Jinghuai out of his thoughts. She gripped her son's sleeve tightly, her nails almost digging into his flesh.

"Jinghuai, you must have a way, right!"

Go and say some sweet words to Yun Shuyao, go and coax her!

She's devoted herself entirely to you; once she marries into the family, the shop's problems will be solved!

Looking at his mother's flustered face, Gu Jinghuai recalled Yun Shuyao's sarcastic gaze in front of Jishetang.

Coax her? Even if you don't want to, what other choice do you have but to coax her?

If Father finds out about the 800,000 tael hole, he'll probably strip his mother of her position as his legal wife.

He didn't even want to think about what would happen if this got out.

The Marquis's reputation will be completely ruined, and he will never be able to hold his head high again in his life.

"...This is the only way."

Gu Jinghuai heard his own dry voice, as if his spine had been broken.

Mrs. Su immediately breathed a sigh of relief, patted her son's hand, and continued to persuade him.

"That's right! Women can be easily coaxed."

Once she marries into your household, she will be one of your own. You can then do whatever you want with her, and no outsiders will even care.

If you lower your head first, will you still be afraid of not being able to get revenge later?

Gu Jinghuai remained silent; he couldn't believe the Marquis's mansion had fallen to such a state.

It must be that her mother was insatiable, which is why she took Yun Shuyao's dowry.

In his previous life, he lived to be eighty years old, enjoying a life of wealth and leisure, and never had to worry about mundane things like money.

Thinking of this, Gu Jinghuai inexplicably regained some confidence.

Right now, he just needs the money urgently. Once things calm down, he'll still be the distinguished prince he once was.

While Gu Jinghuai was lost in thought, the butler beside him anxiously reminded him:

"Madam, Young Master, when Miss Yun left Jinxiu Manor, she said... she wanted to investigate all the accounts from the past five years."

"She's not here to check the accounts."

Gu Jinghuai got up, walked to the window and looked in the direction of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, his eyes showing a hint of impatience.

"They just want to force me to bow down."

Gu Jinghuai's eyes were sinister. The more he thought about it, the more he felt that his mother was right. Once they got married, he would definitely let her know who was in charge!

"Prepare the carriage; we're going to the Duke of Zhenguo's residence."

Gu Jinghuai straightened his clothes and strode outside.

Cheng En, the personal servant, asked hesitantly:

"Young Master, should we bring some gifts? Miss Yun will surely like the jade hairpin you bought for Miss Su last time..."

"No need."

Gu Jinghuai frowned and refused.

He recalled Su Yuyan's shy smile when she received the jade hairpin, and his eyes softened for a moment.

Then, recalling the disgust and mockery in Yun Shuyao's eyes when she saw the jade bracelet, her expression quickly turned cold.

How can she compare to Yu Yan?

Give her a little credit and she'll take advantage; she doesn't deserve to be treated kindly!

Zhenguo Duke's Mansion

Gu Jinghuai drank three pots of tea in the garden pavilion before finally waiting for Yun Shuyao.

The woman was stunningly beautiful, and she was wearing a bright red dress as she walked gracefully towards us, looking like a fairy from a painting, so beautiful that she seemed otherworldly.

Gu Jinghuai was so engrossed in watching that he forgot to react for a moment.

Yun Shuyao held an account book in her hand. When she saw him, she did not kneel down to greet him as before, but just stood there with a calm expression.

"Shu Yao".

Looking at the beautiful young woman, Gu Jinghuai suddenly softened his tone, trying to show the same patience he had shown Su Yuyan.

"My mother didn't think things through regarding the shop."

"You take the shop back first, and we'll gradually reduce the outstanding debts later, okay?"

Yun Shuyao raised her eyes, her gaze icy cold.

"Does Prince Gu think I'm discussing this with you?"

"That's not what I meant."

Gu Jinghuai became somewhat impatient, and his tone grew harsher.

"You've made a fuss for so long, that's enough."

We've been childhood sweethearts, why make things so awkward?

Look at Yu Yan, she would never…”

"If the young master likes Su Yuyan, hurry up and marry her. Stop comparing me to that lowly thing."

Yun Shuyao interrupted him, her fingers, which were flipping through the account book, stopping at a certain page.

"The cost of medicine over five years, plus the silver stolen from the shop, totaled 780,000 taels."

If it is not returned within three days, I will file a complaint with the Shuntian Prefecture.

Gu Jinghuai's face darkened completely.

He didn't expect Yun Shuyao to be so stubborn, and he certainly didn't expect her to bring up "marrying Yuyan".

Doesn't Yun Shuyao know that being able to marry into the Marquis's mansion as his legal wife is already an immense blessing?

"Yun Shuyao, don't push your luck!"

Gu Jinghuai couldn't help but rebuke in a low voice.

"If you really push the Marquis's mansion too far, do you think you'll get away with it? The Duke of Zhenguo won't let you ruin the reputation of either of our families!"

Yun Shuyao didn't want to waste any more words. She slammed the booklet shut and turned to leave.

Her voice, clear and melodious like a young girl's, drifted over.

"Then let's give it a try."

Watching her retreating figure, Gu Jinghuai trembled with anger.

If it were Yu Yan, she would definitely say with tears in her eyes, "Cousin, I was wrong."

How could anyone be like Yun Shuyao, a hedgehog with no one to attack her!

Gu Jinghuai gritted his teeth and whispered.

"You think I, the young master, care about you? You were just as unlikable in your past life!"

The main house of the Marquis's residence.

There were no lights in the main room, only a few dim rays of sunlight filtering through the window paper.

Mrs. Su crossed her arms and paced back and forth, occasionally craning her neck to look outside.

Hearing footsteps, she turned around abruptly, the pearl hairpins at her temples swaying violently, her eyes revealing an undisguised urgency.

"Has that little bitch given up?"

Gu Jinghuai lifted his robe and sat down, downing half a cup of cold tea, his tone very sharp.

"Give in? Not only did they not give in, they arrogantly forced us to pay compensation!"

Mother, I'm not going to go through with this marriage. There are plenty of good women out there. My cousin Yuyan is better than her in every way..."

"shut up!"

Su's sudden high-pitched voice and harsh rebuke made Gu Jinghuai tremble.

"Yu Yan's father, your uncle, is just a fifth-rank local official. How could he possibly catch the eye of the Marquis?"

Besides, this was decided by the elders of both families, so how can a junior like you question it?

If your father knew you had such thoughts, he would break your legs!

She spoke quickly and urgently, and her expression even looked somewhat ferocious.

When she met Gu Jinghuai's probing gaze, she belatedly pursed her lips, her eyes darting around as she pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the corner of her mouth.

Gu Jinghuai frowned.

"Didn't Mother used to like Yu Yan the most? Besides, with Yun Shuyao's personality, marrying her would be a hassle..."

"I have to marry her, even if it's a hassle!"

Su interrupted him again sharply, her tone as hard as a rock.

"She is the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's family, and we are a good match. This was arranged by our elders long ago!"

Do you think breaking off an engagement is child's play? If the Marquis loses face in front of his old friends because of you, your father will not forgive you!

Don't think your position as heir is as secure as Mount Tai. Those illegitimate sons born to your concubines are all troublemakers.

Yun Shuyao's tantrum and harsh words stemmed from jealousy of Yu Yan. If things escalated, the Marquis would surely expel Yu Yan from the manor.

Gu Jinghuai listened to his mother's seemingly reasonable words with a sullen face, but felt that her attitude was not quite right.

Of course he would marry Yun Shuyao. He was just saying a few angry words because he was still angry.

But the mother's reaction was clearly a bit too extreme.

She seemed to be stopping something major, not just for a little money, nor for the sake of the Marquis's reputation.