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

Aunt Feng's eyes lit up, and she quickly tried to provoke the flames.

"That's right! You are still the most authoritative, sir! Qin Shi is most afraid of you. As long as you go, she will definitely obediently come back with you."

Besides, Shu Yao is always a filial child. If she knew you went in person, she would definitely persuade her mother to return home.

Yun Chongshan didn't say anything, and turned to walk out.

As they passed through the moon gate, they bumped into Yun Shuwen, who was returning dejectedly and reeking of alcohol.

"father."

Yun Shuwen rubbed his hands together, his eyes darting around.

"I went to see a play with my classmates, and I didn't drink too much..."

Yun Chongshan glared at him.

"All you do all day is eat and drink! Your mother hasn't been seen for ages, and you haven't even asked about her, have you?"

Yun Shuwen shrank back after being scolded and muttered something.

"I asked her what she was doing, and she said she didn't care about her son anymore..."

"You still dare to say that?"

Yun Chongshan suddenly raised his voice.

Looking at his son's timid and hesitant manner, he suddenly recalled the scene when Madam Qin taught her son to read.

She always stood beside him with a ruler, speaking gently with her eyes.

"Shuwen should study hard and grow up to be a responsible man."

At that time, he also scolded her for being "womanly," and said, "Of course, studying is for the purpose of pursuing an official career and bringing honor to one's ancestors."

Looking back now, it seems that he, as the father, was less insightful than a merchant's wife.

"Go back to your studies!"

Yun Chongshan waved his hand, but his tone softened.

Yun Shuwen felt as if he had been granted a pardon and ran away in a flash.

Yun Chongshan watched his retreating figure, then glanced in the direction of the west wing, his brows furrowing into a knot.

Aunt Feng had followed him out at some point, and seeing that he seemed relaxed, she quickly seized the opportunity to press her advantage.

"Sir, shall we go to the hot spring resort on the outskirts of the city tomorrow?"

Take the guards from the manor with you; it will certainly boost your prestige.

Seeing that you are serious, Qin will certainly not dare to argue anymore.

Yun Chongshan remained silent and did not respond, but walked towards the study.

He needed to think about what to say to Madam Qin when he met her tomorrow.

Should I scold her for not knowing the rules as usual, or... ask her how she's been doing these days?

The night breeze swept through the empty corridor, making the lanterns sway gently.

Yun Chongshan pushed open the study door and, by the moonlight, saw an unfinished embroidered purse on the desk.

Half a lotus flower was embroidered on the blue satin, which was Qin's handiwork.

Qin always said that he lacked the element of water in his Five Elements, so he should embroider more aquatic objects.

He reached out his hand, his fingertips just about to touch the purse, when he suddenly pulled it back as if he had been burned.

"Prepare the car first thing tomorrow morning."

He said something to the outside of the door, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger.

Aunt Feng, who was hiding behind a pillar in the corridor, heard these words and a sinister glint flashed in her eyes. She turned around and went to instruct the servants to prepare.

She didn't see that Yun Chongshan was staring at the half-bloomed lotus, and the emotions surging in his eyes were no longer just simple anger.

Hot Spring Village.

Morning light streamed through the carved windows of the hot spring resort, casting dappled patterns of light on the bluestone slabs.

Madam Qin was sitting on the veranda flipping through account books when she heard the gatekeeper announce, "The Duke of Zhenguo has arrived." Her hand holding the pen paused, and a drop of ink spread out on the Xuan paper, creating a small black dot.

"Let him in."

She closed the ledger, her voice as calm as a deep pool.

When Yun Chongshan entered the courtyard, he deliberately straightened his clothes.

He spent half the night thinking about his words, preparing to start with a soft approach and then hard one.

First, mention the past relationship, then talk about the difficulties in the household; this should be enough to win back Madam Qin's heart.

But when he actually saw her, the words that were on the tip of his tongue turned out to be...

"You're living a carefree life, hiding here like a rich old man. Do you know your household is almost starving?"

Qin didn't look at him, her fingertips tracing the dark patterns on the cover of the account book.

"Did the Duke come just to say this?"

"Otherwise what?"

Yun Chongshan was stung by her cold attitude, and his tone suddenly hardened.

"Qin, don't forget whose wife you are!"

Standing in the position of a duchess, she enjoyed the honors of a noble family.

Now look what's happened! They just ran away without a word. What will people think of them?

"The Duchess?"

Qin finally raised her eyes, her gaze as cold as ice.

"Your Excellency has probably forgotten that for the past thirty years, I, the Duchess in name only, have been nothing more than the household's money bag."

All the expenses of the Duke's mansion were paid from my dowry?

"But what has the Yun family ever given me?"

Yun Chongshan choked for a moment, instinctively wanting to retort, but was interrupted by a soft laugh that suddenly came from under the corridor.

Xiao Fang led Yun Shuyao out from behind the artificial hill, still playing with a freshly picked pomegranate in his hand.

"That's a novel remark from the Duke of Zhenguo."

Xiao Fang's tone was slightly mocking.

"Whether my mother-in-law truly holds the status of a matriarch within her family is something everyone knows."

Yun Chongshan's face flushed red, and he pointed at Xiao Fang angrily:

"This is none of your business!"

"Why isn't this related to me?"

Xiao Fang stepped forward and shielded Yun Shuyao behind him.

"My mother-in-law no longer needs to rely on her status as a duchess; I can still command respect from everyone."

"But the Duke, is he still thinking of getting something for nothing?"

Yun Chongshan was speechless with anger, so angry that he was practically emitting blue smoke.

After a long pause, she could only grit her teeth and ignore Xiao Fang's sarcasm, turning to Qin Shi with a softer tone.

"I know I was wrong the other day, and that letter of divorce was a moment of confusion on my part..."

"Come back with me, and I won't bring up the past again."

Qin seemed to have heard a joke, and a very faint smile appeared on her lips.

"Go back? Go back and continue to have to put up with Aunt Feng's attitude?"

Or are you waiting for your favorite concubine to become unhappy one day and then scold me in front of the servants?

"I……"

Yun Chongshan was speechless; he had never imagined that Qin would speak so bluntly.

In his memory, she was always the same submissive person who would silently shed tears even when scolded.

"Silence means consent?"

Qin stood up and looked at him coldly.

When I saved you back then, you said, "I will never let you down in this life."

When I married into the Yun family with a generous dowry, you said, "I will make sure you live a life of glory."

The results of it?

My parents are in prison, and you want me to sever ties with the Qin family.

Aunt Feng squandered my dowry, and you turned a blind eye.

Even Shu Yao's marriage is being used as a bargaining chip.

Her voice was soft, yet every word was like a needle, pricking Yun Chongshan until his whole body stiffened.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say, "I did it for the Yun family," but when he saw the resolute look in Qin's eyes, he swallowed his words.

"That's enough!"

Yun Chongshan glanced at Xiao Fang, feeling that he had lost face in front of the younger generation.

He suddenly raised his voice, becoming enraged.

"Aren't you just taking advantage of the fact that you're still somewhat useful?"

"Don't forget, you are my lawfully wedded wife, Yun Chongshan. As long as I don't stamp the divorce papers, you will be a member of the Yun family in life and in death!"

Xiao Fang chuckled, then suddenly stepped forward and reached out to touch Yun Chongshan's waist.

Yun Chongshan was startled and stepped back, but Xiao Fang grabbed his wrist.

In no time at all, the gilded seal symbolizing the Duke of Zhenguo's status fell into Xiao Fang's hands.

What are you doing?

Yun Chongshan was both shocked and furious.