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

As Yun Shuyao and Xiao Fang turned the corner of the covered walkway, they heard a sharp shout coming from inside the courtyard.

"Qin Shi! The Duke said you must get back to the manor immediately!"

Don't use that worthless divorce certificate to put on airs!

Yun Shuyao's face darkened, and she tightened her grip on Xiao Fang's hand.

"It's okay, I'm here."

Xiao Fang took her hand and strode into the courtyard.

A middle-aged man wearing a blue silk jacket was seen being stopped at the door by his servants, and he was shouting into the house with his neck stiff.

"Qin, you dare send someone to stop me? Wait till I get back and report to the Duke, and I'll tear down this wretched manor of yours!"

This man was none other than Steward Wang, Aunt Feng's distant cousin.

In the past, in the Duke's mansion, he relied on Aunt Feng's influence to give Qin Shi a hard time.

"What are you barking like a dog?"

Xiao Fang's voice came from behind him, tinged with obvious disdain.

Butler Wang turned around abruptly and saw Xiao Fang; his arrogance immediately subsided.

But remembering Aunt Feng's instructions, he steeled himself and continued saying things that would escalate the conflict.

"So it's Prince Xiao."

This is a family matter of our Duke's mansion, so there's no need for the heir to concern himself with it.

Regardless of whether my words are pleasant to hear or not, I am here on the orders of the Duke.

"No matter who backs Qin up today, she must get back to the manor."

"roll?"

Xiao Fang raised an eyebrow and slowly walked up to him.

"You lowly creatures, how dare you speak disrespectfully to my mother-in-law?"

Yun Shuyao had seen Xiao Fang like this before; it was the expression he had before he attacked Consort Zhao's brother.

But she showed no intention of stopping it; in fact, she seemed somewhat gloating.

Butler Wang's expression changed when he was publicly insulted.

"Your Highness, please be careful with your words! I am the steward of the Duke's mansion, representing the Duke of Zhenguo—"

Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Fang suddenly grabbed a fist-sized blue stone ornament and smashed it at his head.

With a muffled thud, Butler Wang screamed in pain, clutching his forehead and staggering backward.

Blood gushed down between his fingers, smearing his face and making him look ferocious and terrifying.

"You...you dare hit me?"

Butler Wang was both shocked and furious, his hand trembling as he pointed at Xiao Fang.

"I am the Duke's confidant! You—"

"A trusted confidant?"

Xiao Fang chuckled, stepped forward, and looked down at him.

"In my eyes, you're already a dead man!"

Xiao Fang suddenly pulled away the hand that Butler Wang was covering his head with, and quickly smashed the blue stone ornament again in the same spot.

"Click—"

Everyone heard the clear sound of bone cracking.

Butler Wang knelt directly on the ground, his eyes vacant and unfocused, letting blood gushing out, staining most of his chest red.

After a long while, he seemed to come back to his senses and raised his head, looking up at the boy standing in front of him against the backlight.

Instantly terrified by the ruthlessness emanating from those eyes, he shuddered, forgetting even to run away, left only with the fear of impending death.

Looking into Xiao Fang's cold eyes, he suddenly disregarded his injuries and kowtowed, begging for mercy.

"Your Highness, spare me! Your Highness, spare me!"

His head slammed against the ground with a thud, the wound on his forehead hitting the bluestone slab, splattering blood everywhere.

"It was my fault for being blind and disrespectful to the lady. Please forgive me, Your Highness!"

Xiao Fang looked down at him, a cold smile curving his lips.

You've asked the wrong person.

Steward Wang was taken aback, then realized what was happening and quickly turned to Madam Qin in the corridor, his voice full of pleading.

"Madam! Please have mercy and spare me!"

You've always been the kindest person; please, don't let the Crown Prince kill me.

"I will never dare to do it again, Madam—"

Qin held the unfinished book in her hand, looking at him calmly without the slightest ripple of emotion.

Over the years, Steward Feng, relying on Madam Feng's influence, has been unable to spread rumors to humiliate her in the mansion, and even deliberately had the servants neglect her when she was ill...

She hadn't forgotten those humiliations.

When Steward Wang saw that Madam Qin had no reaction, he panicked even more and burst into tears.

"Madam, for the sake of the past when I served you like a slave..."

"mutual affection?"

Xiao Fang kicked him in the shoulder, knocking him to the ground.

"You take my mother-in-law's money, yet you trample on her dignity. Do you even deserve to talk about affection?"

He crouched down, grabbed Butler Wang by the collar, and his eyes were as cold as poisoned ice.

"I've inquired about the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, and I've actually heard of you. You're the best at being a lackey, aren't you?"

Butler Wang was so frightened that he shook his head frantically.

"No...no..."

Xiao Fang ignored him, slowly stretched his ankle, and then chopped down on Butler Wang's calf.

A sharp "crack" was heard, followed by a heart-wrenching scream.

Butler Wang's right leg was twisted at an odd angle, clearly broken.

He was in so much pain that his vision went black and he fainted.

Xiao Fang stood up, clapped his hands, and smiled smugly.

But as if suddenly remembering something, he abruptly turned his head to look at Qin Shi, his eyes filled with a barely perceptible tension.

He hit too hard just now; I wonder if his mother-in-law will think he's ruthless.

But there wasn't a trace of disgust on Qin's face.

She looked at the unconscious Butler Wang on the ground, a secret sense of pleasure flashing deep in her eyes.

It was like the pent-up anger that had been building up inside me for years was finally released.

"Throw him out."

Seeing that his mother-in-law was satisfied, Xiao Fang straightened his back again and gave instructions to the servants guarding the door.

"Yes, Your Highness."

These servants were all part of Qin's dowry, and they often suffered mistreatment from Steward Wang.

Having received their orders, they were all elated and didn't lift themselves up at all. Instead, they dragged Steward Wang's legs out like dead dogs.

The road from the inner courtyard to the main gate of the manor is not short. Along the way, a long trail of blood is left on the ground, which looks quite eerie.

With a muffled thud, Steward Wang was deliberately thrown into the nearby ditch by the servants, but no one bothered to check whether he lived or died.

The gate slammed shut, and the courtyard fell silent again, save for the rustling of the wind through the crabapple leaves.

Qin looked at Xiao Fang, her eyes filled with gratitude and acceptance.

"I'm sorry for making a fool of myself, Your Highness."

"What are you saying, Mother-in-law?"

Xiao Fang walked to Yun Shuyao's side and spoke naturally.

"To deal with these kinds of people, you have to use methods they can understand."

Yun Shuyao moved closer to him, smelling the refreshing scent of cypress on his body, and felt a sense of peace she had never felt before.

She looked up at her mother and saw that the worry on Qin's face had faded considerably, and there was even a relaxed smile on her lips. She was overjoyed.

"Mother, let's stay a few more days."

Yun Shuyao suggested:

"With Xiao Fang around, he can keep those blind fools at bay."

Looking at the worry in her daughter's eyes, and then at Xiao Fang's upright figure, Qin nodded with a smile.

"It would be good to stay longer. If you feel bored, you can wander around the estate."

There are hot springs on the back mountain, an orchard to the west, a deer park to the south, a lotus pond to the north, and a horse farm at the foot of the mountain. This estate is actually quite large.

If you still feel bored, you can invite a few friends to come and have fun at the estate.

"Won't having too many people disturb my mother-in-law's rest?"

Xiao Fang listened with considerable interest, after all, he had already explored the entire capital with a group of纨绔 (playboys).

They even explored all the mansions and gardens of several centuries-old families, and it had indeed been a long time since they had any new places to go.

"It won't affect anything. I usually only stay in the East Courtyard. You can play around anywhere else."

Madam Qin was very fond of this son-in-law; he was straightforward and open about his desires.

It's rare that he knows how to protect his mother-in-law, so naturally I'm happy to provide him with some opportunities to have fun.

"There are many guest rooms in the west wing, which can easily accommodate 30 to 50 people at the same time."

Zhuangzi's cellar is full of fine wine. If we want to drink, we just tell the servants to fetch it; if we want to eat something, we just tell the cook to make it.

Don't neglect your guests.

"Thank you, Mother-in-law."

Xiao Fang was completely engrossed in the conversation, and he grinned and bowed deeply.

"Then I shall respectfully comply."

Yun Shuyao reached out and pinched his waist, giving him a reproachful look.

It seemed like they were laughing at his lack of self-restraint.