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

Lingxiang, who was standing to the side, was also stunned.

"That...that's Lady Jianlan, isn't it?! The one being beaten on the ground is Lady Biao!"

Gu Mingshuang stepped forward in surprise.

"What's going on?"

Xie Lanyu's hair was ripped apart, and she was pinned to the ground, unable to break free, cursing under her breath.

"Who do you think you are! You dare to disrespect a mere maid? Are you courting death?!"

Upon seeing Gu Mingshuang approaching, Xie Lanyu said sternly:

"Gu Shi! You instigated the maid to beat up the master of the Marquis's mansion? Are you insane?!"

When Jianlan saw Gu Mingshuang arrive, she released her grip and bowed to Gu Mingshuang.

"Master, this woman sneaked into Qingwu Garden to steal things while you were away!"

Xie Lanyu got up and cursed through gritted teeth:

"You're talking nonsense! What's so special about stealing from her Green Wutong Garden!"

Gu Mingshuang looked at Xie Lanyu, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"Oh? Since Miss Cousin knew I wasn't in the courtyard, why did you sneak in?"

Xie Lanyu turned her head and said angrily:

"I was just curious and came in to take a look. Anyway, I didn't steal anything, and you have no proof."

She turned her head and was stunned for a moment when she saw that Gu Mingshuang had changed her style of dress. She used to copy Gu Mingshuang's cool and aloof style, but now she was wearing a purple outfit.

The color was clearly tacky, but on Gu Mingshuang, it somehow gave off a bright and elegant vibe, making her look even more beautiful.

She gritted her teeth, which only added to her annoyance.

Gu Mingshuang looked at her, but simply said calmly:

"That's true, Miss, you shouldn't have stolen anything."

Seeing Gu Mingshuang say this, Xie Lanyu resumed her stance.

"You know that much? Why haven't you dealt with this audacious maid yet? Daring to injure people so easily in the Marquis's residence, she deserves severe punishment!"

Jianlan stood still, offering no further explanation, silently waiting for her master to speak.

She knew in her heart that she had already been given to the heir apparent by the Duke, and even if he wanted to beat or kill her, it was her fate.

Although someone had warned her before she came that the heir apparent of the Marquis's mansion was not someone to be trifled with, and that if the heir apparent sacrificed her in order to gain a foothold in the Marquis's mansion, then she would have no choice but to obey orders.

However, at that moment, Gu Mingshuang shielded Jianlan behind her, her indifferent eyes fixed on Xie Lanyu.

"My maid is on my orders to guard the courtyard. She wouldn't have taken action unless someone had malicious intentions."

Seeing that Xie Lanyu was about to speak in defense, Gu Mingshuang said casually:

"If they didn't steal anything, then it must have been poisoned."

Xie Lanyu's face stiffened, and she immediately roared, her face turning pale:

"What poisoning! Gu family, what nonsense are you spouting?!"

Gu Mingshuang said slowly:

"You poisoned my hospital, so of course you won't admit it."

Xie Lanyu said urgently:

"I didn't poison it! You're talking nonsense!"

Gu Mingshuang stared at her, a slight smile curving her lips.

"Then let's report it to the authorities and have the yamen runners thoroughly investigate whether Miss Biao is poisoned."

Xie Lanyu's face paled even more, and she blurted out:

"Aren't you going too far? Trying to intimidate me with the authority of the government?"

Seeing Gu Mingshuang's expression, which didn't seem like she was joking at all, Xie Lanyu's expression changed.

Her sneaking into Qingwu Garden was already an unclear matter, and besides, if the investigation continues in the form of a drug search, what if they find those drugs from before...

She frowned, gritted her teeth, steeled her resolve, and pleaded with her head bowed:

"Sister-in-law, please don't report this to the authorities. I know I was wrong. I was confused for a moment and that's why I thought of stealing one of your pieces of jewelry."

Jianlan frowned, about to speak, but Gu Mingshuang pressed down on the back of her hand, so she had to step aside for the time being.

Gu Mingshuang looked at Xie Lanyu and said in a deep voice:

"Since you're willing to admit your mistake, then kneel here for an hour."

With that, Gu Mingshuang entered the courtyard.

Upon entering the house, Jianlan knelt down first.

"This servant couldn't help but strike, causing trouble for you, Master. Please punish me!"

Gu Mingshuang chuckled softly and helped her up.

"That's great. I need someone like you who's quick to take action."

Jianlan stared in astonishment at Gu Mingshuang.

"You don't blame me, young lady?"

Gu Mingshuang's lips curled up slightly.

"If you ever want to take action again, go ahead, I'll back you up."

Jianlan gazed at her master for a long time, feeling a sense of comfort she had never experienced before. She cupped her hands and bowed once more.

"Thank you, Master!"

When Gu Mingshuang saw that the back of her hand was also injured, she quickly told her to go down and rest, and then asked Lingxiang to bring her some medicine.

Upon returning, Lingxiang couldn't help but exclaim in admiration:

"I never expected that the Duke would send such a skilled female bodyguard. From now on, I won't have to worry about Miss being bullied. The Duke is truly a good person."

The thought of Qin Mo giving her the secret guards stirred something within Gu Mingshuang.

"Yeah, I didn't expect that either..."

After arriving in Kyoto, she had heard that most noble mansions kept a number of secret guards. The selection and training of these guards were extremely rigorous, so once they were trained, they could not be dismissed or given to others.

But Qin Mo assigned her a female bodyguard.

Thinking of Qin Mo's garden, she secretly made up her mind that she would definitely help him repair it properly.

Just then, a commotion broke out at the entrance again.

Song Linyuan's voice came through.

"Ming Shuang, what are you doing? The Marquis's mansion has never treated anyone like this!"

Gu Mingshuang had just reached the doorway when she saw Song Linyuan walking briskly toward her.

Song Linyuan had already lost face during the day, and now that he learned that Gu Mingshuang had hit Ayu again and made someone kneel at the entrance of Qingwu Garden, his face was extremely ugly.

"Mingshuang, I can tolerate how you treat me when you're angry with me, but why are you so cruel to Ayu?"

However, when he looked up and saw Gu Mingshuang, his expression froze slightly.

Gu Mingshuang was dressed in purple today, and she stood in front of him, looking radiant and intensely beautiful.

Suddenly, he seemed to think of Gu Mingshuang from many years ago.

Gu Mingshuang stood at the doorway, coldly looking at Song Linyuan.

"Didn't the young lady tell the prince what she had done?"

Song Linyuan pulled himself back to reality, thinking of Gu Mingshuang's current spoiled and domineering behavior. The gentleness in his eyes vanished, and he frowned, saying:

"I don't want to hear these words you forced her to say. She has no status or hope in the Marquis's mansion now, why do you still have to belittle her like this?"

Gu Mingshuang glanced at the entrance of the courtyard and, sure enough, saw Xie Lanyu stride into the courtyard.

"Cousin, it was my fault. Don't blame my sister-in-law for punishing me."

When Song Linyuan saw Xie Lanyu with her hair disheveled and her cheeks swollen, his expression worsened.

"Mingshuang, you've really gone too far this time. How heartbroken Mother will be if she knew? You..."

Before Gu Mingshuang could speak, Xie Lanyu interrupted Song Linyuan.

"Cousin, please stop! I was punished because I stole my cousin's wife's things!"

Song Linyuan didn't believe it at all, and pointed at Gu Mingshuang, saying:

"You forced Ayu to say such things just to bully her? Mingshuang, what's wrong with you?"

Xie Lanyu pulled Song Linyuan toward the door.

"Cousin! Please stop! I was really wrong!"

If Song Linyuan angers Gu Mingshuang and forces her to report to the authorities, it will only cause her more trouble. Her birthday banquet is approaching, and she cannot afford such a mishap.

Seeing the fascinating expressions on their faces, Gu Mingshuang's lips twitched slightly as she looked at Song Linyuan and said:

"Yes, I humiliated her like that, is that wrong? Didn't you want me to forgive you? Give her twenty lashes in public, and I'll forgive you, how about that?"

Song Linyuan's face was gloomy, and he clenched his fingers.

"I told you, I'll do anything you ask, but you can't humiliate others! Bullying the weak is not the behavior of a gentleman..."

Gu Mingshuang gave a cold laugh.

"A gentleman? Adopting your gentlemanly manners will only annoy me more. If you want my forgiveness, then do as I say!"

"Don't even think about it!" Song Linyuan's anger surged, and in a moment of impulsiveness, he picked up Xie Lanyu and left Qingwu Garden.

Gu Mingshuang, who was standing still, had no emotion on her face.

Lingxiang watched Song Linyuan carry the person away, feeling sorry for her young lady, when she heard her young lady turn to her and say:

"Go to Shou'an Hall and tell the madam that I have arranged a marriage between the two of them. Send one hundred taels immediately, or I will make the young master turn back right away."

Before long, Granny Yan, who was by Meng's side, delivered the silver notes.

Gu Mingshuang accepted the silver notes, feeling quite pleased with herself.

She had never known before that such a thing could be so satisfying when converted into silver notes.

Not long after, Madam Meng from Shou'an Hall looked at Granny Yan with a complicated expression.

"What? The young master just left Ayu behind?"

Granny Yan nodded.

"Yes, the young master didn't even enter the Xiaoxiang Pavilion; he only sent someone to fetch a doctor."

Madam Meng slammed her hand on the table, frowning as she said:

"I spent a full hundred taels of silver, and all I got in return were these few words?"

Granny Yan quickly advised:

"Madam, the young master is gentle and well-mannered."

Meng said urgently:

"What do you mean by 'keeping propriety'? If you were truly 'keeping propriety,' why would you have helped Ayu with the antidote that day?"

"He's now focused on keeping Gu Mingshuang, which is why he's been neglecting Ayu."

Granny Yan quickly said:

"The Crown Princess is now acting arrogantly and ruthlessly in the mansion, and doesn't seem like she'll stay."

Meng said coldly:

"How do you know what she's thinking? Things could get complicated if we wait too long. We need to settle things between Yuan'er and Ayu as soon as possible, and then get rid of that jinx immediately. Only then can we have peace of mind."

As she spoke, Granny Yan reminded her:

"Madam, Miss Lanyu's birthday banquet is in two days."

Meng's eyes lit up.

"Yes, the birthday banquet! This is a great opportunity! If we can get Yuan'er to agree the night before the banquet, we can finalize the matter the next day, and he won't be able to back out!"

Just then, a report came from outside.

"The young lady is making a scene demanding to see Madam!"

Meng frowned.

"Tell her to behave herself. What does she want to do after such a disgraceful incident?"

Thinking of Song Lanfang and the humiliation the Liang family had suffered these past few days, Madam Meng's face turned extremely ugly.

"I thought this marriage would bring honor to the Marquis's family, but the Liang family has seized upon such a huge weakness! I've almost completely lost face!"

Granny Yan quickly advised:

"Don't worry, Madam. The young master and Miss Lanyu will continue to bring glory to our family."

Meng frowned and said:

"But I heard that Duke Anguo refused to see Yuan'er, and even Ayu was not allowed to see him. He only had Gu Mingshuang serve him."

As she spoke, Meng's expression grew increasingly grim.

"What kind of bewitching potion has Gu Mingshuang given the Duke of Anguo? No, I must get her to introduce Yuan'er and Ayu tomorrow!"

The next day, after learning of Meng's intentions, Gu Mingshuang spoke in a lukewarm manner:

Five hundred taels.

Meng's face turned green.

"What? Five hundred taels for an introduction? Who does she think she is?"

Granny Yan lowered her head sheepishly and advised:

"Madam, only the Crown Princess can accomplish this task nowadays."

After a moment of hesitation, Madam Meng took out five hundred taels of silver notes.

"Have her do it right away!"

A moment later, Granny Yan returned and said:

"The Crown Princess said that only one person can receive five hundred taels of silver, and asked the Old Madam to choose who to send."

Enraged, Meng pointed towards Qingwu Garden and shouted:

"Tell her to get to Shou'an Hall!"

Before long, Granny Yan returned quickly.

"Madam, the Crown Princess said that if you can't make a choice, perhaps you should send yourself to serve the Duke of Anguo..."