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

Gu Mingshuang looked at Meng Shi and felt utterly ironic.

The position of principal wife was originally promised to her by the Marquis's family. In the letter sent to Qingzhou, Madam Meng expressed her gratitude and said that she recognized her as her daughter-in-law and that she would love her as her daughter.

But now she's taken the position of someone else's legal wife!

Indeed, when people are shameless enough, they will develop boundless audacity.

At this moment, Meng continued her lecture.

"Ayu grew up by my side since she was little. She is the most dignified and noble, and she is worlds apart from you."

"You must not neglect her in the slightest, and you must not mention your status as her legal wife in front of her."

"From now on, Ayu will accompany Yuan'er to all the banquets representing the Marquis's mansion. You just need to stay in the mansion and manage the household affairs."

Gu Mingshuang found it rather amusing.

Is it possible that Madam Meng wants her to enter the household as the principal wife, but treat her like a concubine in front of other women?

The paper umbrella was held low, obscuring Gu Mingshuang's expression. Seeing that she remained silent, Madam Meng frowned and said:

"I know you're ignorant and don't understand these matters. I'm afraid you won't even be able to manage the descendants of the Marquis's family in the future. The task of educating the children must be taken by Ayu..."

Feeling a surge of resentment, Gu Mingshuang swallowed the words she wanted to say, turned and left without even glancing at Meng Shi again.

Meng pulled Song Linyuan back, frowning as she said:

"She just left without even bowing? If this happens outside, people will say my Ningyuan Marquis's mansion has no manners!"

Song Linyuan frowned slightly.

"Ming Shuang is just being stubborn with me. I'll make her come and apologize to Mother."

Meng stopped him, frowning as she said:

"Let her go. There's no time today. We should go pick up Ayu first."

Song Linyuan nodded and got into the carriage with Meng.

At this moment, Gu Mingshuang was standing in the main house of Qingwu Garden.

She only had Lingxiang tidy up the temporary room, and put all the luggage back into the storeroom as it was.

After taking inventory of the dowry stored in the storeroom, it was already evening. Gu Mingshuang heard the servants outside walking hurriedly, her brows furrowed slightly, and she instructed Lingxiang to find out what had happened.

Soon, Lingxiang returned in the rain.

"Miss! That young lady was drugged at the banquet today, and the young master smashed up the warm pavilion of the Duke of Anguo's mansion to save her!"

"I overheard Madam outside the door saying that Duke Anguo is ruthless and vindictive, and he won't let this go easily!"

"Therefore, you must accompany the Crown Prince tomorrow to confess your guilt, saying that the woman in that room with her underwear disheveled was you!"

Upon hearing such absurd words, Gu Mingshuang's expression hardened, her eyes filled with sarcasm.

"Lingxiang, go and have the accountant bring this year's account books."

Thinking of the despicable faces of Meng Shi and her son Song Linyuan, she felt nauseous.

She didn't want to waste even one night.

Once she's settled the score and gotten what she's owed, she won't have to worry about this bunch of ungrateful wretches anymore!

Soon, the accountant arrived at the door with the account books in his arms.

He looked at the account book in his hand, his expression complex.

The servants might not know what was going on in the manor, but as the accountant, he knew the general outline. Now that the Crown Princess wanted to see the year's accounts, he had a vague feeling that something was wrong.

This doesn't seem like a routine accounting check; it's more like settling old scores.

For the past six months, he has discussed many things with his future wife, who is currently living outside the manor. He also knows her fair and just nature and finds it much more comfortable to work with her than before.

Moreover, he knew better than anyone how many of the accounts in this ledger were filled by the Crown Princess's smuggling funds.

The accountant couldn't help but sigh.

The Crown Prince is truly foolish!

For the sake of a cousin, he would demote his wife to a concubine. If the Crown Prince's wife were such a good principal wife, who wouldn't treat her like an ancestor?

The curtain was lifted, and the accountant dared not say anything more. He handed the account book to Lingxiang and then took his leave.

Lingxiang put down the account book and was about to advise her young lady to rest for a while, but Gu Mingshuang insisted on looking at the account book.

"It's better to calculate things clearly so we can leave sooner."

Just then, an announcement came from the doorway.

"Miss Cousin is here!"

Then came Xie Lanyu's voice.

"I heard from the servants that my cousin-in-law got caught in the rain when she moved into the Marquis's mansion today, so I brewed some ginger tea and brought it over."

Xie Lanyu entered the room, her light blue cloud-like silk robe resembling the rosy clouds in the sky, dreamlike and ethereal, making her beautiful face appear even more noble.

Gu Mingshuang glanced at Xie Lanyu. The fabric of this outfit was the biggest expense for the Marquis's mansion last month, costing a full five hundred taels for just two bolts of cloth.

When she took the silver, Song Linyuan said that it was the finest material he had selected for her after traveling through most of the capital.

But later, Song Linyuan hurriedly sent someone to say that this material was more suitable for Miss Biao, and asked her to step aside first.

Gu Mingshuang coldly shifted her gaze, closed the ledger, and then met Xie Lanyu's eyes indifferently.

"No need, I have plenty of ginger tea here. Miss, you're not feeling well today, you should go back and rest early."

Xie Lanyu walked straight up to Gu Mingshuang and stared at her intently.

"Does my cousin-in-law think she can rest easy just because she got into the family through underhanded means?"

"My cousin-in-law knows what happened today, right? For my sake, my cousin-in-law will take her to the Duke of Anguo's mansion to take the blame tomorrow."

"My cousin said that compared to me, my cousin's wife's reputation is not worth mentioning."

Gu Mingshuang looked at her coldly.

In the past, Song Linyuan had repeatedly praised Miss Biao in his letters, describing her as a noble lady who was both gentle and strong, like the bright moon hanging high in the sky.

But when she met Xie Lanyu's eyes today, she only saw smugness and arrogance. Gu Mingshuang said in a deep voice:

"Is Miss Cousin here to persuade me to take the blame? Then there's no need to say anything more. I won't admit to things I didn't do."

Xie Lanyu looked at Gu Mingshuang, her usual cold smile gone.

"I'm here to advise my cousin-in-law to face reality."

Gu Mingshuang looked at the arrogance in her eyes and said coldly:

"Are you saying that the Crown Prince likes you?"

Xie Lanyu sat down in front of her, a disdainful smile playing on her lips.

"The Gu family believes that using one's looks to please others is the lowest form of tactic."

Seeing the fleeting surprise in Gu Mingshuang's eyes, which quickly subsided, Xie Lanyu scoffed.

Indeed, how could a woman of Gu Mingshuang's humble origins understand her out-of-touch ideas?

In the past, Gu Mingshuang wrote in a letter that she would help her find a good husband who didn't care about family background, which she found extremely ridiculous.

How could a woman who only knows how to compete for favor in the inner quarters understand her ambition?

She came here to ascend to a high position.

Xie Lanyu raised her eyes and said:

"I am not an ordinary woman who needs to live a life of pampering in the inner quarters. Therefore, you don't need to treat me as a rival anymore. Doing so will only make the prince dislike you more."

"Also, Madam Gu, let me remind you, the heir may be infatuated with your appearance for a time, but his love will fade as your beauty fades."

After saying that, Xie Lanyu looked at Gu Mingshuang's surprised gaze and felt a surge of contempt in her heart.

Actually, the fact that she was willing to say these words to a woman from humble beginnings already showed her extra patience.

"You know, I can get the Crown Prince to bring me your fabrics, jewelry, or anything else with just a word."

As she spoke, she looked at Gu Mingshuang, a hint of mockery in her eyes.

"Compared to the fabric I'm wearing, your reputation is really worthless."

"If the Crown Prince dislikes you, you will have no place to stand. What use is your reputation then?"

With a whoosh.

Gu Mingshuang splashed the cold tea beside her at her.

"Since Miss doesn't like this fabric, then go back and change it. I'm sure the young master wouldn't want to see you wearing fabric that doesn't suit your taste either."

Xie Lanyu was splashed all over, and her face immediately turned black.

I never expected that Gu Mingshuang, who is usually so compliant and easy to talk to, would be so tough today.

Her expression changed several times, but in the end she regained her cool and noble demeanor.

"I won't let you take responsibility for the matter of the Duke of Anguo's mansion for nothing; I will compensate you extra."

Gu Mingshuang almost burst out laughing this time.

"How else would you like to make it up to me, Miss?"

Xie Lanyu looked down at Gu Mingshuang.

"Your mourning period has lasted for three months, but your cousin still hasn't consummated the marriage with you. You seem calm on the surface, but you're probably getting restless, right? Otherwise, you wouldn't be making such a fuss."

Gu Mingshuang's expression suddenly turned cold, and she was about to speak when Xie Lanyu interrupted her.

"You don't need to look at me like that. As long as you behave, I'll let your cousin sleep with you and get you pregnant as soon as possible..."

"Enough!" Gu Mingshuang interrupted sharply, "Miss, you've taken the wrong medicine. Go back and lie down! Otherwise, you'll embarrass yourself with nonsense!"

Her once bright and beautiful face was now filled with coldness, and her voice was tinged with sternness.

Xie Lanyu was stunned for a moment, then, after regaining her composure, she gritted her teeth and said:

"Gu family! If you keep putting on an act in front of me, you're going too far!"

"Now that you've taken the position of the legal wife, there's no room for negotiation regarding taking the blame!"

Gu Mingshuang felt nauseous, abruptly stood up, and said sharply:

"Lingxiang, see Miss Biao out!"

Xie Lanyu's face turned completely cold.

"You have no backing, no confidence, and no man's exclusive favor."

"If you keep making a scene like this, you won't gain anything. You'll just become a pathetic, abandoned woman in the backyard! Do you understand?"

Lingxiang couldn't hold back any longer, grabbed a broom and rushed towards Xie Lanyu.

"What kind of filthy thing dares to bully my girl! Get out of here!"

A stench assaulted my senses!

The smelly broom swung at her, and she screamed in fright, stumbling and running outside.

Lingxiang was still not satisfied, so she chased after him and swung the sword more than a dozen times before finally putting it down, panting.

"A mere cousin from the Eighth Route Army, relying on her upbringing by the Lady of the Marquis's side, not only seduced her son-in-law, demoting his wife to a concubine, but also dared to humiliate the young lady like this!"

She flung aside the broom, which was stained with night-scented perfume, and ran back to her mistress with red eyes, saying indignantly:

"If she dares to bully you again, I'll definitely pour it right into her mouth!"

A slight smile appeared on Gu Mingshuang's face.

"Okay, eat more meat, and be more accurate next time."

After changing into clean clothes, Gu Mingshuang sat back down at her desk and began to look through all the account books one by one.

Lingxiang added oil to the lamp several times, looking at her with heartache.

"Young lady, it's completely dark now, and you haven't eaten a single grain of rice or drunk a drop of water. Why don't you take a rest?"

Gu Mingshuang didn't speak, but flipped through the account books in front of her. The more she looked, the more suffocated she felt.

In the past six months, she has not even entered the Marquis's mansion, yet the amount of silver she has deposited there is a full six thousand taels.

Besides renovating the Marquis's mansion, there were also expenses for Meng's medicine, her married sister-in-law's dowry, Song Linyuan's study abroad fees, and Xie Lanyu's expenses, which were similar to those of a young lady from the Marquis's mansion.

The Marquis's mansion had long been in debt, and it was she who filled the gaps and maintained everyone's dignity.

Only now do I realize how many foolish things she did.

Lingxiang stood by and watched her young lady sitting under the lamp, her back straight, but she didn't move for a long time.

She stepped forward worriedly and asked:

"Girl, what's wrong?"

Gu Mingshuang ran her finger across the ledger.

"It's alright, keep these safe, we'll need them soon."

Lingxiang nodded and hurriedly set out dinner.

But just as the food was set out, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door.

"Ming Shuang!"

Song Linyuan pushed the door open forcefully.

"You used to be a reasonable person, when did you become so unreasonable?"

Lingxiang was so frightened that she rushed forward to block him, but Gu Mingshuang stopped her.

"Lingxiang, you can go out now."

Lingxiang had no choice but to step back and stand at the door, her eyes fixed on the large broom in the far corner.

At this moment, Song Linyuan's expression shifted slightly as he watched Gu Mingshuang eating her meal at a leisurely pace.

She was wearing a plain white dress, her wet hair not completely dry, and she was sitting there with her long hair loose.

At this moment, she was just like she was a few years ago before she got married. Although she was easy to talk to, she often had a spoiled temper and needed him, her childhood sweetheart, to coax her.

He knew she had been wronged in the ancestral hall, but in the end, she had already been given the position of the principal wife, yet she still acted this way in front of him.

This is Kyoto, not Seishu.

He held down Gu Mingshuang's chopsticks and bowl, frowning as he looked at her.

"When Ayu came to see you just now, who gave you permission to humiliate her like that? Have you forgotten all the manners and rules you learned in the past six months?"