I just got divorced, and this cold, ruthless, and powerful minister is begging for a third child eve

Song Linyuan looked down at the paper, his expression growing even more unpleasant.

Gu Mingshuang stood aside, not even willing to look at him again.

His chest ached, and he reached for a pen, writing down each word carefully:

"Return three thousand taels within ten days..."

Seeing that he was actually writing, Meng couldn't help but rush forward and snatch the paper away.

"What are you doing!"

She pressed down on Song Linyuan's wrist and said urgently:

"You really want to write her an IOU? Are you crazy? She's your daughter-in-law! Her dowry originally belonged to the Marquis's mansion!"

Song Linyuan was held down by her, his hand hanging in the air. He looked up at Madam Meng and said:

"Mother, it was indeed her who gave birth..."

"So what!" Madam Meng retorted angrily. "Does the Crown Princess, with her noble status, not need money to maintain her position?"

"You're letting her empty the Marquis's mansion's coffers? Are we really going to starve? Who's going to pay for my medicine? Who's going to pay for your social engagements?"

As she spoke, Meng snatched the IOU and crumpled it into a ball.

"Don't write that! She can leave or not, but she can't take her dowry with her!"

Looking at his mother, Song Linyuan suddenly remembered the words his mother had once used to admonish Gu Mingshuang:

"A woman of the family should be magnanimous and not be concerned with money. You come from the countryside, so you should learn more about etiquette."

He always believed that what his mother said was true; she was a noblewoman who grew up in a high-class family.

But at this moment, clutching a crumpled IOU, she was trying to withhold her daughter-in-law's dowry, no different from those women in the marketplace who quarrel over a few copper coins.

He suddenly couldn't quite describe the feeling in his heart.

He bent down and took the crumpled paper from his mother's hand, smoothed it out, and rewrote the IOU for three thousand taels.

After finishing writing, he paused for a moment, then added a sentence:

"Three thousand taels remain, for a period of three years."

He is talented and principled, and now with the status of a prince, it's only a matter of time before he rises to prominence.

He wouldn't give Gu Mingshuang another chance to humiliate him with money.

Song Linyuan put down his pen, pushed the IOU over, then helped Meng up and said slowly:

"Mother, don't worry, I will find a way to make up for the deficit in the Marquis's mansion."

Standing there, Meng's chest heaved, and she choked out:

"Yuan'er! You've been foolish! You've signed this! What will become of the Marquis's mansion now?!"

Song Linyuan looked across at the other side and said in a deep voice:

"A man should stand tall and upright, and should not use a woman's money."

Gu Mingshuang had already taken the IOU and put it into her sleeve, then picked up the divorce papers on the table.

The ink on Song Linyuan's signature had already dried.

After putting it away, she looked at Song Linyuan.

"Our fate has run its course. I request that Your Highness return the token from back then."

Those were her mother's belongings.

Thinking back to what happened back then, Song Linyuan felt as if he had been slapped in the face in public. He didn't look at her again and said in a low voice:

"I'll send it over later."

Gu Mingshuang stopped arguing and didn't look at anyone else. She turned and left, pausing at the door before speaking:

"Madam just said that the Crown Princess is so noble, but this dignity is something I bought myself. It's a pity that I only realized it was worthless after spending the money."

"From now on, when I'm not around, you'll have to maintain this dignity yourselves."

With that, Gu Mingshuang led Lingxiang across the threshold.

Meng's face flushed red and then turned pale. She clutched her chest and collapsed.

Song Linyuan shouted urgently:

"Doctor! Get a doctor quickly!"

Immediately, Shou'an Hall was in chaos, and maids and servants rushed over.

The eldest branch of the family was in such a mess today that Uncle Song was utterly humiliated. He regretted coming all the way and quickly took his leave.

Hearing the commotion behind her, Gu Mingshuang didn't stop walking.

Back at Qingwu Garden, she and Lingxiang packed the last box of clothes and had the servants carry the large boxes in the courtyard.

Before I stepped out of the courtyard gate, Song Lanfang's voice came from behind me.

"Wait!"

Gu Mingshuang frowned and turned to see Song Lanfang arriving in a sedan chair.

The injury from her previous fall hadn't healed yet, but Song Lanfang got out of the sedan chair and walked very quickly, albeit with a limp.

Lingxiang anxiously stepped in front of her young mistress and said urgently:

"Girl! She's definitely up to no good by coming at this time!"

Before Gu Mingshuang could speak, Song Lanfang had already stopped in front of her.

"Gu Mingshuang, I never expected you to not only steal my jewelry, but also harbor such malicious intentions!"

"You think you've got Lin Yuan wrapped around your finger? A divorce is a serious matter that a junior like you shouldn't be making decisions about!"

As she spoke, Song Lanfang took out a letter.

"Grandma is already on her way back to Kyoto, and she'll be there in two days at most. She said that no one is allowed to leave before she gets back!"

Lingxiang's face paled, and she subconsciously grabbed her young mistress's sleeve.

"Young lady... what's going on? Hasn't the old lady been neglecting her duties for years?"

Gu Mingshuang remained silent, looking at the letter. The handwriting on the letter was indeed that of the old lady.

She had previously helped Song Lanfang organize the old lady's calligraphy and paintings, and remembered the sharp brushstrokes.

The letter is true.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Song Lanfang snorted coldly and raised her chin.

"Grandmother came back specifically to guard against certain people maliciously plotting to take advantage of our Marquis's estate. After all, shameless people are capable of anything these days!"

Lingxiang couldn't help but step forward, gritting her teeth as she said:

"My daughter has taken all of her own dowry! In the past six months, she has only been contributing to the Marquis's household; she has never taken anything from the Marquis's household!"

With a snap.

Song Lanfang slapped Lingxiang across the face.

"Who do you think you are! You dare bark at me like a dog! You have no manners!"

Gu Mingshuang strode forward and saw the finger marks on Lingxiang's face, which showed how strong Song Lanfang's force had been!

A fierce glint instantly appeared in her eyes.

She grabbed Song Lanfang's collar and slapped her across the face.

"Song Lanfang! You have no right to beat or scold my people!"

Song Lanfang was caught off guard and stumbled, falling into the flower bed. She hadn't expected Gu Mingshuang to actually dare to lay a hand on her.

The maids and servants rushed to help him up.

Song Lanfang got up, pointed at Gu Mingshuang, and shouted:

"Hold this damned bastard down!"

Seeing the maids and servants surrounding them, Gu Mingshuang supported the frightened Lingxiang, raised her eyes, and said coldly:

"Since the old lady won't let me leave now, then I will remain the heir apparent's wife. Do you dare touch me? Aren't you afraid of being sold off for insubordination?"

The maids and servants immediately changed their expressions and awkwardly took a half step back.

Song Lanfang was so angry that her face turned ashen, and she rushed forward to grab Gu Mingshuang.

But before she could even touch it, Gu Mingshuang grabbed her wrist.

A force struck, and Song Lanfang was in so much pain that tears welled up in her eyes.

"Let go, let go!"

Gu Mingshuang forcefully shook her off.

"Get lost! Or don't blame me for being rude!"

Song Lanfang dared not step forward again, her face ashen, and she gritted her teeth, saying:

"Fine! Let's see how long you can be so smug!"

"Guards! Lock up Qingwu Garden!"

"Don't let a single fly out before the old lady returns! Otherwise, if the Marquis's mansion loses any property, you will be held responsible!"

The courtyard gate slammed shut in front of them, the sound of chains rattling in through the cracks.

Lingxiang was so anxious that she stomped her feet.

"Girl, they're bullying us!"

Gu Mingshuang gently pressed the back of her hand, her voice very calm.

"Don't be afraid."

She looked at the locked door and said coldly:

"Your daughter isn't someone to be trifled with. Think she can bully me? We'll see how tough their hands are!"

Back inside, Gu Mingshuang immediately applied medicine to Lingxiang's face.

As night fell, Gu Mingshuang got up and curled her lips in a sarcastic smile.

"Ridiculous! You think you can trap me with these?"

Before long, a hole about half a person's height appeared in the side wall of the courtyard.

Gu Mingshuang led Lingxiang out of the courtyard wall.

However, after walking for a short while, Gu Mingshuang looked suspiciously at the area diagonally ahead.

"Xiaoxiang Pavilion? Where did this courtyard come from in the Marquis's residence?"

Lingxiang quickly said:

"It seems that this was the name Yunxianju that the young lady named before. When the young lady moved here a while ago, she said that the name was too small and unsophisticated, so she changed it to Xiaoxiangguan."

"Miss! Look!"

Lingxiang pointed to the south side of Xiaoxiang Pavilion, her expression one of shock.

In the middle of the flattened garden, an unfinished small building has been erected!

Two craftsmen came out from inside, their eyes filled with reverence.

"As expected of Master Yulou, Kyoto has never seen such an exquisite observation tower before!"

"Yes, what's most remarkable is that this building, constructed using only half the amount of ordinary wood, is so magnificent and imposing!"

"Not only is it beautiful, but I've also heard that this building has excellent feng shui, which can bring the homeowner great success!"

After the craftsman walked away, Lingxiang stared in astonishment at the tall building before her, and said in disbelief:

"Miss, this...this really was created by Xie Lanyu? She actually has such ability?"

As she spoke, Lingxiang frowned uncomfortably.

No wonder the Crown Prince would go to any lengths to support Miss Biao; it turns out she truly possesses extraordinary talent!

Beside her, Gu Mingshuang looked at the five-story building in front of her with a complicated expression.

She suddenly remembered what Song Linyuan had said to Xie Lanyu in front of her before.

He said that Xie Lanyu's casual sketch of a pavilion had earned him the favor of powerful figures in the capital.

It seems it was all for this small building.

Following the craftsman inside, Gu Mingshuang went downstairs, her gaze sharp and sarcastic.

Gu Mingshuang stood at the back of the small building, her Lu Ban ruler swiftly tracing across several wooden pillars.

After a short while, the ruler stopped in a corner.

She gently tapped the wall, confirmed the location, and then let out a soft scoff, dispelling her last remaining doubts.

Sure enough, they stole her blueprint!

With a few deft movements of his fingers, a tiny piece of wood was quickly pulled out.

Lingxiang, panting, caught up with her young mistress and asked in a low voice:

"Miss! What happened?"

Gu Mingshuang calmly put away the Luban Ruler and said in a low voice:

"These blueprints are scraps of paper I left behind back then."

Lingxiang's eyes widened.

"This is a drawing by Miss?! Did Xie Lanyu steal Miss's discarded draft?"

Gu Mingshuang began to speak:

"Six years ago, when I was drawing this building, I was pursuing the ultimate in lightness and height, but the crossbeams left a hidden danger. My master scolded me for a long time. I was young and arrogant and refused to make any changes, so I scrapped the drawing in a fit of pique."

Lingxiang looked at the small building in front of her with surprise.

"How was this small building built?"

Gu Mingshuang scoffed.

"She must have some talent, but she built it by imitation, and the supporting pillars are crooked by half an inch. This building will surely collapse within ten days!"

Lingxiang blinked, then asked urgently:

"Miss, are you going to go to the Prince's place to expose her?"

Gu Mingshuang chuckled softly.

"What's the point of exposing them so early? Wouldn't it be better to wait and see the show?"

As they were talking, the two suddenly heard footsteps from the other side of the building.

Lingxiang was startled and almost screamed.

Gu Mingshuang covered her mouth and led her to hide in a secluded corner nearby.

Footsteps approached.

Gu Mingshuang peered out through the gaps in the withered vines.

The man walking in front wore a bamboo-green long robe and had a tall and straight posture. Although his face was not clearly visible, he had a familiar feeling.

Upon closer inspection, the face was different from Song Linyuan's gentle demeanor; it was lean and reserved yet carried a hint of authority.

Gu Mingshuang suddenly clenched her fingers tightly around the withered vine.

Duke Huan of Qi!

Qi Huan had spent two years by his master's side. He was highly talented and came from a prestigious family. Later, he entered the Ministry of Works as an official at a young age.

Behind Qi Huan, a woman in a moon-white dress caught up and blocked his way.

"Senior Brother Qi!"

Upon seeing Xie Lanyu, Gu Mingshuang frowned in surprise.

How did she come to know Qi Huan?