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

"Xie Lanyu? Isn't she sick?"

Seeing Xie Lanyu, who had suddenly fallen ill, standing perfectly fine at the courtyard gate, all the ladies looked at Madam Meng in shock.

Madam Meng's expression froze for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure as a noblewoman.

"Ah Yu was probably too nervous just now, which is why we misunderstood."

Xie Lanyu stepped forward with a smile.

"Yes, I'm all free now, so I should come and keep the ladies company. Otherwise, it would be very impolite of me."

In the crowd, Lingxiang tugged at Gu Mingshuang's sleeve and whispered in her ear:

"Miss, didn't the steward just say that the old lady took Miss Cousin away?"

Gu Mingshuang shook her head. She didn't know what was going on either, but seeing Li Rong following behind Xie Lanyu, she guessed that Li Rong might have helped Xie Lanyu.

Meng stepped forward, pulled Xie Lanyu back, their actions seemingly intimate, but her eyes held a warning, and she whispered:

"You're not even listening to the old lady anymore?"

Xie Lanyu appeared to be obediently staying by Meng's side, but her voice carried a hint of coldness.

"Today is my birthday. If I weren't here, wouldn't I be lacking in manners? How could I possibly repay the teachings my wife has given me?"

Hearing Xie Lanyu's cold voice, no longer as obedient and considerate as before, Madam Meng gritted her teeth. Seeing the gazes of several ladies looking over, she could only force a smile.

"This observation tower is so amazing, all thanks to Yuan'er and Ayu. You've both worked hard these past few days."

Amidst the exclamations of praise, a lady looked around and asked:

"Why didn't Prince Song come today?"

Meng quickly explained:

"Yuan'er has been so busy lately that he hasn't been able to take care of his health, which is why he fell ill."

Xie Lanyu stepped forward with a light laugh, interrupting Meng Shi, and addressed the crowd:

"Yes, I really have to thank my cousin, the Crown Prince, for this viewing tower. If it weren't for him finding some hard-to-find materials for me, my blueprints would not have been able to be built."

As soon as these words were spoken, someone exclaimed in surprise:

"Did Miss Lanyu draw this blueprint? With such talent, if I didn't know, I would have thought it was the work of the renowned scholar Yulou from the capital not long ago!"

"Yes! I also thought it was because the Crown Prince invited Master Yulou to help create such a wonder!"

"Is this really Miss Lanyu's work? How come we've never heard of it before?"

……

Amidst the murmurs, Li Rong walked up to Xie Lanyu, her eyes gleaming with barely concealed smugness, and said:

"Lan Yu is a low-key person who never boasts about her talents. Today, she is only revealing her identity because the Princess of Zhennan will be present, and she cannot hide it!"

These words drew even more astonishment from the crowd.

"What does this mean? Could it be that Miss Lanyu and Mr. Yulou have some kind of connection?"

Li Rong smiled and said:

"Couldn't Mr. Yulou be a woman?"

Immediately, everyone in the room looked at Xie Lanyu in shock.

"Miss Lanyu is Mr. Yulou?! How is that possible?"

"I've heard that Mr. Yulou is extremely discreet; to this day, no one knows his family background. Perhaps he really is a woman traveling incognito!"

"If this is true, then she truly is a woman who is just as capable as any man! The Princess Consort of Zhennan admires talented women the most; no wonder she personally came to the Marquis's residence for her birthday banquet!"

Li Rong looked proudly at Xie Lanyu beside her and said:

"Of course! Princess Zhennan values ​​Lanyu highly now, and the princess should be arriving soon. Once she arrives, everyone will know whether this is true or not."

Xie Lanyu stood discreetly behind Li Rong, and said coquettishly:

"Lan Yu built this viewing tower only for enjoying the view and praying for blessings; it shouldn't be so ostentatious."

Immediately, a chorus of praise surrounded Xie Lanyu, causing Meng Shi to take a step back.

Madam Meng's face darkened as she watched Xie Lanyu disregard the Marquis's residence and openly or secretly claim all the credit for herself. She gritted her teeth, stepped forward, grabbed Xie Lanyu, and forced a smile, saying:

"Ayu, thankfully Yuan'er has been there this past year. He spent a lot of money to take you to study under different masters, which is why you have learned such skills. Fortunately, you are a good child who knows how to be grateful."

She gripped Xie Lanyu's wrist, giving her a warning look.

Xie Lanyu knew that Madam Meng was about to lose face and was afraid that she would publicly embarrass herself, so she could only smile.

"Yes, thanks to my cousin, he deserves some credit too."

In the crowd, Lingxiang couldn't help but roll her eyes at the two vying for credit, and whispered:

"Girl, what right do they have to argue? That young lady goes out to find a master, socializes with others, and hosts lavish banquets—all of which cost you your money!"

"I'd like to ask her, if it weren't for the young lady paying, would she have even been able to get into the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion?"

Gu Mingshuang gently pressed down on Lingxiang, who was about to burst out, and whispered:

"Alright, calm down. There's more to come in a bit."

While Xie Lanyu and Meng Shi were vying for credit, no one noticed that Gu Mingshuang had quietly moved to the side of the viewing tower from behind the crowd.

Looking at the exquisite and unique little building, Gu Mingshuang narrowed her eyes slightly.

Under her guidance, Qi Huan had already modified the structure.

Now, this small building is like layers of stacked wood; if the most critical spot is pressed down even slightly, the entire building will instantly lose its support.

Her fingers traced the delicate surface of the wall, quickly landing on an inconspicuous corner.

Just then, a figure rushed towards her.

"Prince Princess!"

Upon hearing Qi Huan's voice, Gu Mingshuang paused for a moment, then frowned and turned her head.

Qi Huan frowned, a hint of wariness appearing in his eyes.

"What is the Crown Princess doing? Today is her birthday banquet; the Marquis's residence cannot afford any mishaps!"

His hand seemed to be moving forward to stop her. Gu Mingshuang looked at Qi Huan's subconscious blocking action and his defensive expression, and a guess arose in her heart. Did Qi Huan know something?

She frowned slightly, her gaze fixed on Qi Huan's official robes. He hadn't changed into the craftsman's clothes before coming, indicating that he had arrived in a hurry.

Although she roughly guessed that Qi Huan knew, Gu Mingshuang's eyes remained very calm.

"Lord Qi, are you speaking to me today as a craftsman or as an official of the Ministry of Works?"

Qi Huan's expression shifted slightly, a hint of guilt appearing in his refined eyes.

"Princess Consort, I did not intend to conceal this before..."

He paused, his gaze falling once again on Gu Mingshuang's hands.

"I have discovered that there is some discord between the Crown Princess and Junior Sister Lanyu. No matter what, I will not allow the Crown Princess to ruin Junior Sister Lanyu's most important day!"

As he spoke, Qi Huan stepped forward, looking at Gu Mingshuang warily.

"Although the Crown Princess comes from a humble background, she has been the Crown Princess of the Marquis's mansion in the capital for a year now, and should know to act with integrity and uprightness."

After listening to him say so much, Gu Mingshuang knew that Qi Huan definitely didn't know what she was going to do.

Looking at Qi Huan, Gu Mingshuang spoke calmly.

"Lord Qi claims I will ruin Xie Lanyu's birthday banquet. Does he have any evidence?"

Qi Huan was stunned for a moment, his brows furrowing slightly.

He had just discovered the feud between Gu Mingshuang and Xie Lanyu, and then he remembered that Gu Mingshuang had recently deliberately led him to do some things.

But after going through the process many times, he still felt that what Gu Mingshuang had said before was not wrong.

But he was worried, so he immediately rushed to the birthday banquet.

Seeing the Crown Princess approach the viewing tower alone, he immediately stepped forward, but he couldn't say how she would sabotage it.

After all, the Crown Princess wasn't carrying anything. How could one person destroy a building in front of everyone with their bare hands? Moreover, this was the Marquis's territory.

He frowned dejectedly, but still felt uneasy, so he spoke:

"Your Highness, I was being presumptuous. My junior sister is young and doesn't know any better. Perhaps she has offended you in some way."

"Princess Consort, for the sake of Qi and the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, could you please reconcile with your junior sister?"

Gu Mingshuang gently tugged at the corner of her lips.

"I remember that the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion only accepts people with real talent and learning. Lord Qi, you became a disciple of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion before you entered the court to serve as an official. You should know this rule of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion. But now the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion has accepted someone like Xie Lanyu. In my opinion, the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion's reputation is not worth much."

Qi Huan frowned.

"Indeed, the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion has such rules, but Junior Sister is indeed exceptionally talented. I have personally seen the drawings she hand-drawn, and there is absolutely no mistake about that."

Seeing Gu Mingshuang questioning his junior sister and his sect, Qi Huan, having served as an official for several years, raised a dignified air between his brows.

"Princess Consort, you mustn't say such things again! I won't allow anyone to tarnish my junior sister's reputation!"

Gu Mingshuang's expression turned sarcastic.

"Reputation? Xie Lanyu manipulates people in the Marquis's mansion and has an improper relationship with another woman's husband. Does she really need me to smear her reputation?"

Qi Huan's expression grew even colder, and he said in a deep voice:

"No matter what, the Crown Princess should not have thrown dirty water on Lan Yu like that! I originally thought that although the Crown Princess was a bit spoiled, she was still a kind and good person. If you insist on doing this, then don't blame me for being impolite!"

Gu Mingshuang looked at Qi Huan's expression as he wholeheartedly protected Xie Lanyu, and lowered her eyes in mockery.

She used to think Qi Huan was a gentleman of integrity and upright character, and even regarded him as an elder brother. She never expected him to be so biased as to distort the truth.

She looked away and said in a low voice:

"Lord Qi, this is the Marquis's residence, not the Ministry of Works. What can you possibly do?"

Qi Huan said in a deep voice:

"I have already reported this observation tower to the Ministry of Works on behalf of my junior sister. After her birthday banquet today, a representative from the Ministry of Works will come to hand over the blueprints to her. If anyone tries to harm the observation tower, I, Qi, am ready to take direct action!"

Gu Mingshuang curled her lips slightly and gave a self-deprecating smile.

"Lord Qi, have you considered the consequences of doing all this for Xie Lanyu?"

Qi Huan said in a deep voice:

"Several adults have seen the blueprints for this viewing tower, and they are all amazed by it. After today, Junior Sister's talent will be known throughout the Great Zhou."

Gu Mingshuang looked at Qi Huan and asked:

"Lord Qi, you know perfectly well that this is a flawed blueprint."

Qi Huan interrupted Gu Mingshuang.

"But this flaw can be remedied; with just a little improvement, it can be perfect! This won't affect my junior sister's talent..."

Just then, an announcement came from not far away.

"The Princess Consort of Zhennan has arrived!"

Upon hearing the sound, Qi Huan strode forward, staring warily at Gu Mingshuang once again, fearing that she might take out some tool to cause trouble!