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

Song Lanfang hurriedly stood up, reached out to block Gu Mingshuang, and whispered:

"Come out with me first!"

Then, Song Lanfang turned to Liu and said:

"Mother, I'll say a few words to her and make sure she doesn't affect the Liang family."

After leaving the flower hall, Song Lanfang led Gu Mingshuang to the outer pavilion. After dismissing everyone else, she said in a deep voice:

"We don't need you here, so leave now!"

Gu Mingshuang slowly sat down, calmly looking at Song Lanfang.

"Madam was afraid that you would disgrace the Marquis's mansion, so she ordered me to handle this matter."

Song Lanfang gritted her teeth and cursed:

"You're here to laugh at me? Too bad! You won't have the chance!"

As she spoke, she slightly raised her chin.

"You saw it too? My mother-in-law will stand up for me; I don't need you pretending to be helpful."

Gu Mingshuang spoke calmly.

"Are you sure about this?"

Song Lanfang snorted coldly.

"Do you think I can't see through your thoughts? Are you jealous that I have a mother-in-law who favors me?"

Gu Mingshuang nodded.

"Okay, then we'll do as you say."

At this moment, the old woman came over and invited Gu Mingshuang inside.

Song Lanfang looked at Gu Mingshuang, lowered her voice, and threatened:

"Gu Mingshuang, I'm warning you, you're not allowed to say a word in front of my mother-in-law later, or you'll be sorry."

Gu Mingshuang smiled slightly and followed him into the flower hall.

After exchanging greetings with Liu, Song Lanfang glared at her warningly, forbidding Gu Mingshuang from speaking.

After greeting Liu, Gu Mingshuang sat down on a chair to the side.

Liang Jin was no longer with us at this time.

Song Lanfang frowned and asked:

"Where's Second Master? Why did he leave?"

Today, she intended to show Gu Mingshuang her status in her husband's family. Even though this had happened, her husband would apologize to her and get rid of the other women.

Liu looked at Song Lanfang with relief and said:

"Fang'er, I have already reprimanded Jin-ge'er, and he has admitted his mistake in front of me. But just now, Master called him over, so it must be something important."

Song Lanfang was deeply moved and said:

"With my mother making the decisions, I feel at ease!"

As she spoke, Song Lanfang asked urgently:

"Then today we will expel that woman from the manor, so that everyone in the manor will know..."

Liu pulled her aside and said gently:

"Yes, Mother has long intended to kick that vixen out. How could someone so shameless be worthy of entering the house?"

Song Lanfang was even more pleased and said urgently:

"Then Mother should quickly drive her away; that bastard child must not be allowed to live!"

Liu pulled Song Lanfang aside, frowned, and said worriedly:

"But for your sake, your mother has no choice but to swallow this insult."

"Your outburst today has brought that woman's father and brothers to our door, accusing our Earl's mansion of abducting a woman and committing murder!"

"Your father-in-law is at a crucial time for promotion... But let's not talk about that. We all feel sorry for you. It's alright if he gets impeached."

"But what if the other uncles and elders from the other branches of the family are all influential figures in the court? What if they get implicated in this matter?"

Song Lanfang turned pale with fright.

"I...I didn't mean to, Mother. I just wanted to vent my anger today. I didn't expect it to affect my father-in-law and uncles!"

Mrs. Liu patted her hand reassuringly.

"Of course, your mother knows that you are just outspoken and would never do anything malicious. Your mother has also thought of a compromise for you."

Song Lanfang quickly looked up.

"Mother, please speak!"

Liu said slowly:

"I've already had that woman locked up in my courtyard, just to be a maidservant. I've also paid off her family."

"You don't need to think about anything right now. Just take care of your health and have a child with Jin-ge as soon as possible. When you have a legitimate son, Jin-ge will settle down."

Song Lanfang stood there, stunned.

Everything he said was for her daughter-in-law's benefit, and it seemed like the epitome of love and care to anyone, but in the end, she got nothing! And she was even pressured to have a child!

Even her own mother wasn't this ruthless towards Gu Mingshuang!

Her face stiffened, and she said urgently:

"Mother, but..."

Liu's eyes reddened, and she wiped away her tears as she said:

"Fang'er, you know I'm biased towards you, but I'm getting old, and the power to manage the household will eventually be handed over to your sister-in-law. While I can still speak up for you, you must live up to her expectations."

As she spoke, Liu took off a bracelet and put it on Song Lanfang's wrist.

"Your mother loves you the most; she always gives you the best things first."

Song Lanfang's words stuck in her throat.

None of what Meng had taught her before was of any use!

If she still refuses, she'll be seen as ungrateful if word gets out!

She also had to please Liang Jin and compete with his mistress to give birth to a son!

Just as Song Lanfang was about to grit her teeth in hatred, a clear voice finally rang out from the side.

"Madam Liang's kindness truly moved me. I will definitely convey this to my mother-in-law when I get back, so that she can feel at ease."

Song Lanfang was seething with anger and glared fiercely at Gu Mingshuang.

Gu Mingshuang didn't even glance at her, and walked past her toward Liu Shi.

Seeing Gu Mingshuang's display of force, Liu frowned unnaturally.

When she saw Gu Mingshuang, she was reminded of what had happened before.

At that time, she looked down on Song Lanfang and chose a concubine's son to exchange for a marriage. The two families were already of different social standing, and Meng Shi didn't dare to say a word because of Song Lanfang's shrewdness.

But Gu Mingshuang happened to come to the Earl's mansion and bypassed her to go see Old Madam Liang.

No one knows what method Gu Mingshuang used to pressure Old Madam Liang into accepting the marriage.

Composing herself, Liu said:

"Ming Shuang is right, of course I love Fang'er."

Gu Mingshuang nodded slowly, then frowned and said:

"Madam is so kind, I am worried for her."

Liu frowned.

"Ming Shuang, what did you say?"

Gu Mingshuang said seriously:

"My brother-in-law is just as kind-hearted as my wife, which is why he was deceived."

Liu looked at her with displeasure.

"Mingshuang, the more I listen, the less I understand?"

Gu Mingshuang raised her eyes and said:

"Has Madam truly ascertained the woman's background?"

Before Liu could speak, Gu Mingshuang sighed:

"It was a coincidence. When that woman's older brother was causing trouble outside, one of my guards recognized him and investigated him."

"Who knew that he was actually running errands for Lord Chen of the Ministry of Works? He recently received a large sum of money from the Chen family and has been living quite lavishly at the gambling dens."

As she spoke, she seemed to remember something and paused to look at Liu.

"I seem to remember that Lord Chen is a colleague of Master Liang. It's the time for them to be promoted. I wonder who will be able to take the position of Vice Minister."

As these words were spoken, Liu's face grew increasingly dark.

"Are you serious?!"

Gu Mingshuang blinked, a sly glint in her eyes.

"I am just a junior, and all the information I have is hearsay. I'm afraid it's not reliable. I was too talkative. Please forgive me, Madam."

But Liu was already feeling extremely uneasy, and she stood up and said:

"I still have some things to take care of, Fang'er, you stay and entertain the guests."

After saying that, Liu was no longer weak as before, and quickly left the flower hall.

Song Lanfang, standing still, blushed and paled in turns.

She looked embarrassed and ashamed, and glared at Gu Mingshuang.

"Gu Mingshuang, when did you find out about this! Why didn't you say so sooner?"

Gu Mingshuang looked at her coldly and spoke in a cool tone.

"I was just doing what you said."

Song Lanfang looked even more embarrassed.

It was indeed she who told Gu Mingshuang not to speak.

Little did she know that Gu Mingshuang actually possessed such a bombshell piece of information!

She was certain that Gu Mingshuang had done it on purpose. If she had truly wanted to help her, she should have told her the evidence as soon as she entered the door. She could have dealt with that little vixen long ago!

"Are you planning to come and make a fool of yourself?!"

Gu Mingshuang leisurely picked up a cup of tea and took a sip.

"My sister-in-law has such a fiery temper, how can she regulate her body to conceive a son?"

Song Lanfang's face darkened, and she rushed forward, pointing at Gu Mingshuang and shouting:

"Gu Mingshuang! Don't think you can boss me around like this! Trying to please me? Dream on!"

Gu Mingshuang brushed her hand away, looking at her with indifferent eyes, and said coldly:

"You're overthinking it. I'm here to exchange what I want with your wife. As for how you're doing, I have absolutely no interest in that."

With that, Gu Mingshuang slammed her teacup down.

"I'll only help this once."

She glanced at the bracelet on Song Lanfang's wrist; it was of average quality, the kind of bracelet a wealthy woman would casually give away.

Song Lanfang gritted her teeth and looked at her.

"My husband and mother-in-law were simply misled this time. Even if you didn't find out, the Liang family would!"

"And you, you actually used this to blackmail your mother!"

Gu Mingshuang didn't speak again, a sarcastic smile playing on her lips, and turned to walk outside.

Song Lanfang was still seething with anger and was about to chase after him when she unexpectedly saw a dignified old woman waiting at the door.

She recognized him as the old lady's servant and quickly bowed respectfully.

"Granny, does Grandmother have any instructions?"

The old woman ignored Song Lanfang and walked straight toward Gu Mingshuang.

"Princess Consort, the old lady heard that you have arrived and asked this old servant to invite you to have a seat."

Gu Mingshuang nodded and left with the nanny.

Song Lanfang, who was standing still, turned as black as the bottom of a pot.

The old lady was the undisputed head of the Liang family, yet she looked down on her.

Now, they're even treating Gu Mingshuang better than they treat her!

"What bad luck!" she stomped her foot angrily and turned to leave.

Soon, Gu Mingshuang arrived at Madam Liang's courtyard.

Upon entering, Gu Mingshuang saw the dignified and elegant Old Madam Liang and stepped forward to perform the etiquette due to a junior.

Old Madam Liang called out with a smile:

"No need for formalities. You girl, you haven't visited the Earl's mansion once in a year."

Gu Mingshuang stood up with a smile.

"There are many matters to attend to at home, so I cannot leave the house without a chance."

Madam Liang scolded:

"You're still making excuses. You clearly drew up a blueprint for the Liang family back then, and now you're afraid I'll pester you for it again, aren't you?"

Gu Mingshuang smiled and said:

"There are indeed many things to do in the household."

Madam Liang smiled and had tea brought over.

"This is new tea sent from Jiangnan. Try it and see if it suits your taste."

Gu Mingshuang thanked her, took a sip, and said:

"It's a bit bland."

An appreciative glint appeared in Madam Liang's eyes, and she smiled:

"I like your personality more. You're right, this tea is expensive, but it's a bit weak and lacks depth."

With that, Madam Liang dismissed the others.

"I've heard a few things about what happened at the Marquis's residence. You've been wronged, girl."

"A bride as good as you is something I could only dream of. The Song family is truly blind to your worth!"

Gu Mingshuang chuckled:

"You flatter me, madam."

Madam Liang said solemnly:

"What flattery! Our Liang family comes from a family of builders. If you were a man, all of us half-baked lads in the Liang family would be outshone!"

As she spoke, Madam Liang beckoned Gu Mingshuang to come to her.

"Girl, your old lady from the Song family will be back soon, right? She's not someone to be trifled with. If the Liang family is backing you up, she'll have to be a little wary."

Gu Mingshuang understood what Old Madam Liang meant and smiled:

"What does the old lady want Mingshuang to do?"