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

This place is actually a vegetable garden.

In the fields, a sprightly old woman dressed in coarse cloth was tending to her vegetable garden.

"Ming Shuang greets the old lady."

Seeing Gu Mingshuang approach, Old Madam Qin tossed a vegetable basket at her.

"Girl, it's been so many years. Do you still remember the work in the fields?"

Gu Mingshuang was taken aback for a moment, then burst out laughing.

"Reporting to Madam, I dare not forget."

Back in Qingzhou, when food was scarce, she saw Old Madam Qin leading a group of women to farm.

After rolling up her sleeves, Gu Mingshuang stepped into the vegetable garden, and her heart, which had been filled with bitterness for a year, seemed to relax a lot.

Madam Qin smiled and said:

"Before returning to Kyoto, I had someone plant vegetables here in advance, otherwise we wouldn't be able to eat these fresh vegetables now."

Gu Mingshuang smiled and put a bunch of greens into the basket.

After harvesting the vegetables, she helped Old Madam Qin water each vegetable in the garden.

As she listened to Madam Qin talk about the harvest in the fields, her eyes crinkled into crescents, and she hadn't smiled so purely in a long time.

Not far away, a figure in dark ink stopped.

Just as Jianying was about to speak to report, his master raised his hand to stop him.

He then noticed that besides the old lady, there was another figure in the vegetable garden.

It's the heir apparent's wife from the Ningyuan Marquis's mansion!

He stared in astonishment at the old woman and the young man in the field, never expecting that the Crown Princess and the old lady were old acquaintances.

At this moment, Qin Mo's gaze also fell on the figure in the vegetable garden.

Unlike her reserved demeanor in front of him, Gu Mingshuang smiled with her eyes crinkling, adding a touch of charming allure to her already radiant appearance.

She rolled up her long sleeves with her wristbands, revealing two sections of her fair forearms, and walked through the fields, lifting her skirt.

Lively and vibrant.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

For some reason, an urge to hold her in his arms surged into his heart.

He gave a self-deprecating laugh.

Having remained abstaining from alcohol for so many years, what he is most proud of is his calmness and self-control.

But every time she appeared, it caused his composure to crumble.

It seemed as if an unnamed evil fire was surging everywhere.

She did nothing, just appeared in his sight, and he could forget everything else.

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and two words escaped his lips.

"Fairy..."

Sword Shadow didn't hear clearly and quickly asked:

"What did you say, sir?"

Qin Mo turned around and said casually:

"I didn't see that the old lady has any guests with her, so let's go."

Sword Shadow quickly followed and said:

"There are too many people at Bailong Temple today. I don't like noise, would you like to come another day?"

Qin Mo lowered his eyes.

"Is it noisy?"

Jianying paused for a moment, met his master's gaze, and nodded but then subconsciously changed his mind and shook his head.

Qin Mo nodded slightly.

"Since there's no noise, I'll stay the night."

Jianying scratched the back of his head, completely baffled. When would his master have ever had the leisure to come to a temple?

But today, not only did they come, they also specially sent someone to Yunxiangju to buy pastries to bring back. And now, even more surprisingly, they want to stay overnight!

Wait a minute, he suddenly remembered the pastries from Yunxiangju.

What about pastries?

Could it be that when he went to the stables just now, the master had already sent someone to deliver the pastries to the old lady?

Wait a minute, the old lady prefers jujube paste cake, not those other things. It seems the master has been too busy to remember...

At this moment, it was completely dark.

Gu Mingshuang felt as if someone was watching her. Her eyes flickered, and she immediately turned around.

But the open space at that corner was deserted.

She looked for a moment, but could only hear the wind.

Nobody was there? But the feeling of being stared at made her a little uneasy.

Old Madam Qin picked up a glass lamp beside her and called out:

"Girl, come back to the house with me."

Gu Mingshuang came to her senses and followed, helping Old Madam Qin walk outside.

Old Madam Qin waved her hand and said with a smile:

"I'm still as healthy as an old woman. You, at your age, should be careful where you step, lest you fall."

Gu Mingshuang looked at the mud at her feet, her eyelids slightly lowered.

"Yes, Mingshuang will keep the old lady's teachings in mind."

Old Madam Qin held her hand and led her into the house, frowning as she said:

"You little rascal, you've gotten thinner and more dazed in the years since I last saw you. You must have had a tough year in Kyoto, haven't you?"

Gu Mingshuang felt a lump in her throat, but forced a smile through her pain.

"Mingshuang has caused the old lady much worry."

Old Madam Qin pulled her to sit down.

"I've already heard about what happened at the Ningyuan Marquis's residence today. You've come to see me, do you want me to help you settle things in the inner quarters?"

"Your mother-in-law is also at the temple today, which saves me the trouble of making a special trip."

She was actually prepared when she received the letter from the Duke of Anguo's mansion.

Gu Mingshuang was all alone in Kyoto and suffered such a loss in the inner quarters, with no one to stand up for her.

She cherished this girl, but she didn't like the power struggles in the inner quarters. She secretly resolved that she would only help her this once.

But at that moment, Gu Mingshuang solemnly knelt down and said:

"Madam, what I want is a divorce, to completely sever ties with the Marquis's mansion!"

Old Madam Qin was stunned for a moment, not expecting her to say she wanted a divorce, and then quickly reached out to help her up.

"Stand up and speak first."

Seeing the determination on Gu Mingshuang's face, she frowned and tried to persuade her first:

"Actually, I know your mother-in-law quite well. She's easily influenced and can be manipulated, but she's not a domineering mother-in-law. With a little effort, you can keep her in check."

"Besides, you and the young master of the Song family grew up together as childhood sweethearts. Although he has a restless cousin, there are plenty of ways to deal with her."

"Once these two matters are resolved, I can have a trusted imperial physician treat your health so you can give birth to an heir as soon as possible. At that time, no one will be able to shake your position."

Seeing that Gu Mingshuang's expression remained unchanged, Old Madam Qin finally spoke:

"I've already considered this marriage, and it's truly a wonderful opportunity for you. Are you really willing to divorce?"

Gu Mingshuang raised her eyes, looked earnestly at Old Madam Qin, and without the slightest hesitation, spoke:

"Madam, I know that with your support, I will eventually rise above my circumstances by fighting my way through the inner quarters. But this endless scheming and fighting is not the life I want."

"Back then, I saw the old lady stationed at the border with the Qin family army. She gained a foothold at the border through her own strength and earned the trust of the people, not because of her title as the old lady of the Qin family."

"Now, I also want to try and forge my own path."

Old Madam Qin looked at her, her eyes growing brighter, but she still insisted on asking:

"How difficult it is for a woman to establish herself in this world on her own. Are you sure you've made the right choice and won't regret it?"

Gu Mingshuang nodded emphatically.

"I beg you, Madam, to consider the merit I rendered to the Qin family army back then and help me get a divorce."

By saying this, she made her stance clear: she would never again use this small favor to ask for favors.

Old Madam Qin raised her lips and patted her shoulder, saying:

"Girl, you're right! Go your own way!"

"Since you've made up your mind, I'll take care of the divorce for you as soon as possible. Don't worry, it won't take long."

Gu Mingshuang stood up gratefully and bowed.

Looking into Gu Mingshuang's eyes, Old Madam Qin was momentarily lost in thought.

From this angle, they look so alike.

She saw a long-lost friend in her eyes.

Overwhelmed with mixed emotions, Old Madam Qin looked away, sat down subtly, and said gently:

"Since you've come all this way, have another cup of tea with this old woman."

After leaving the old lady's courtyard, Gu Mingshuang's steps became much lighter.

Since Old Madam Qin promised to help her get a divorce, no matter what methods the Marquis's family uses, they can't stop her.

Today, all of her dowry has been moved out, and once the official documents are issued, everything will be settled.

She can also do what she wants to do with peace of mind.

Suddenly, she remembered the way the old lady had looked at her earlier.

It felt like looking at other people through her.

She thought about it carefully, and realized that the old lady and her father had only met a few times, so it shouldn't be for this reason.

Suddenly, she thought of her mother.

My father once said that my mother came from Kyoto.

But when she tried to ask more, her father refused to say another word.

Thinking of how her father had always forbade her to come to Kyoto, she clenched her sleeves tightly.

But it's not that she didn't try.

After arriving in Kyoto, she had secretly sent people to inquire about her mother many times, but she could not find any news of her mother in Kyoto by searching the entire city using her mother's surname and given name.

She felt incredibly stifled inside.

Why won't her father tell her about her mother?

She frowned, and the thought of giving up resurfaced in her mind.

Perhaps she still has a chance to find a clue...

"girl!"

Lingxiang's shout pulled Gu Mingshuang back to reality.

She saw Lingxiang standing worriedly at the intersection and quickly walked over to her.

"Don't worry, your daughter is fine, and Madam Qin has already agreed to help me."

Lingxiang happily pulled Gu Mingshuang along.

"Really? That's great!"

Gu Mingshuang took Lingxiang back to the meditation room.

I'll be spending the night here.

Lingxiang was quick and efficient, and hurriedly made the bed.

"Miss, it's chilly at night. The quilt that was brought here is wet for some reason. I'll go and get you a new one."

Not long after Lingxiang left, a young monk rushed over in a panic.

"Whose maid wandered into the backyard and got bitten by a snake! Go check on her right away!"

Gu Mingshuang's expression changed; Lingxiang hadn't returned yet.

With a pale face, she chased after him and saw the little monk running down a side path towards the backyard. She quickly followed after him.

"Rinka!"

After crossing the path, the little monk in front of us vanished in a flash.

Gu Mingshuang frantically searched for the person.

"Lingxiang! Where are you?"

In the dim light, a faint rustling sound could be heard.

She walked quickly toward the bushes, and just as she was about to bend down, she smelled a strange fragrance.

The next moment, Gu Mingshuang collapsed into the grass.

From the shadows, Song Lanfang emerged with a smug look on her face.

"This medicine really works!"

Looking at Gu Mingshuang on the ground, she kicked her, then gave an order to the old woman behind her:

"Carry her to the woodshed over there!"

The old woman immediately picked up Gu Mingshuang and threw her into the woodshed.

Song Lanfang stood at the door of the woodshed and lit the incense herself.

She gazed at Gu Mingshuang, who was fast asleep on the haystack, for a long time.

The more I watch, the more enjoyable it becomes!

Before long, news of Gu Mingshuang's affair with the monk will spread far and wide.

From now on, I'll turn her into a worn-out shoe that everyone can trample on! Let's see how she pretends to be high and mighty then!

Just as she was about to leave, Song Lanfang suddenly realized that the jade pendant on her belt was gone!

She searched around and suddenly noticed that Gu Mingshuang's jade pendant was somehow wrapped around her waist!

But the old woman had already left, and Song Lanfang had no one to serve her, so she had to hurry into the woodshed.

She snatched the jade pendant, glared fiercely at Gu Mingshuang, and reached out to slap her.

But before he could swing his wrist down, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his neck.

The next moment, Song Lanfang's eyes widened in horror.

Those beautiful yet cold eyes were calmly staring at her.

Before Song Lanfang could even scream, she had already lost consciousness.

Gu Mingshuang pinched her chin, her gaze icy cold.

"Sister-in-law, this medicine is so precious, you should use it on yourself."

As she spoke, Gu Mingshuang dragged her to the depths of the haystack, stripped off her clothes, and messed up her hair. Looking at Song Lanfang, whose face was obscured in the shadows, Gu Mingshuang then climbed out of the woodshed through the window.

As the fake monk she had seen during the day slipped into the woodshed, a ruthless glint flashed in Gu Mingshuang's eyes.

I never expected Song Lanfang to come up with such a despicable method!

She clenched her fingers.

If she hadn't been on guard, she might have actually been outmaneuvered.

Taking a deep breath, she suppressed her anger and quickly left.

However, as she turned the corner, Gu Mingshuang suddenly stopped.

Something's not right!

She leaned against the courtyard wall, when suddenly her chest began to heave violently and abnormally.

Her cheeks seemed to be on fire.

She frantically touched her cheek, and it was indeed very hot.

What exactly happened? She was holding her breath and not inhaling in the woodshed just now!

Without time to think, she only felt the scorching heat burning her body again and again.

"Mingshuang! Where are you? Don't scare me, are you here?"

Hearing Song Linyuan's anxious shouts, Gu Mingshuang raised her eyes with a dazed look.

She bit her lip, the sharp pain bringing her back to her senses, and quickly backed away.

But he stumbled and fell down the steps!

"Ming Shuang? Is that you here?"

As Song Linyuan drew ever closer, Gu Mingshuang was unable to move, and the scene before her eyes became increasingly blurry.

Something seemed to tighten around his waist, and then his body felt light.

Gu Mingshuang felt the man's presence envelop her completely.

She tried to push him away, but her body felt like it wasn't her own; her hands uncontrollably climbed onto the person's neck...