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

Du Cang quickly said:

"The girl was in the small garden in the back, saying she wanted to set up a vegetable patch."

Hearing this, Qi Huan's lips curled up slightly, forming a smile that he himself didn't even realize.

I suddenly remembered the first time I met her in Qingzhou.

The young ladies of Kyoto only know how to compete in flower arranging and incense burning, and even girls from the prefectures and counties are vying to imitate them, but Gu Mingshuang stays in the vegetable garden.

He still remembers that fair and round face stained with a bit of mud, yet she turned around with a smile, her eyes crinkling.

She was as beautiful as a figure in a painting, yet exceptionally vibrant and lively.

Suddenly, that figure appeared from around the corner.

Gu Mingshuang smiled and led a few maids forward, her arms wrapped in sleeves, revealing a section of her fair arm.

"Uncle Du said he'd look around for a newborn raccoon dog nearby tomorrow. Once we get one, the garden will be lively."

Lingxiang nodded with a smile.

"The girl has always wanted to have one, and now she can finally do so!"

As Gu Mingshuang was chatting and laughing, she spotted Qi Huan standing in the courtyard.

Her eyes widened slightly, and she turned to let Lingxiang lead Moxiang and the others into the house first.

Afterwards, Gu Mingshuang walked towards Qi Huan.

"What brings Lord Qi here?"

Qi Huan watched Gu Mingshuang walk towards him, his heart softened, and he said softly:

"I'm worried, so I have to come and check on it."

He felt a surge of guilt whenever he thought about the misunderstanding he had caused her at the observation deck today, and how he had even pressured her like that.

"Sister Mingshuang, I didn't have a chance to tell you this when we were at the Marquis's residence. It's all my fault. I almost hurt you because of someone else."

Gu Mingshuang brushed the dirt off her sleeves and said nonchalantly:

"Lord Qi, there's no need for such formalities. I know Xie Lanyu is your fellow disciple, so naturally I should take care of her..."

"No, I..." Qi Huan hurriedly explained, then froze.

He looked away, his expression somewhat flustered.

"It was wrong of me to side with her. I have already told her that she must not make any more wild guesses about you, otherwise I will not consider our fraternal bond."

Gu Mingshuang looked at Qi Huan with some surprise.

She actually knew Qi Huan's character; although he could be soft-hearted at times, he was mostly upright and incorruptible.

After all, he was different from Song Linyuan. Qi Huan grew up in a noble family and valued integrity more. Even if he favored Xie Lanyu, he wouldn't go too far.

Even if Qi Huan didn't recognize her today, she didn't believe that Qi Huan would help Xie Lanyu slander her in front of the Princess of Zhennan.

But looking at Qi Huan's expression now, she was somewhat puzzled.

After all, Qi Huan and Xie Lanyu were fellow disciples, and she had only known Qi Huan for a short time in Qingzhou.

Why does it seem like almost hurting her is such a serious matter for Qi Huan?

"Lord Qi, the matter is over, I didn't care."

Qi Huan nodded slightly, watching the wisps of hair on her forehead brush against her jade earrings in the gentle breeze.

The lustrous jade was translucent and clear under the light, just like her eyes at that moment.

Qi Huan's heart skipped a beat. He lowered his eyes slightly, suppressing the strange look in them. After a moment, he took out a brocade box from his sleeve and handed it over with both hands.

"This is an apology gift I brought on my way here."

Gu Mingshuang looked at Qi Huan in surprise, and was about to refuse when she saw Qi Huan carefully place the brocade box on the stone table.

"It's nothing valuable, just a small token of my appreciation. Besides, I caused you trouble at the Marquis's residence recently, so I would feel really bad if you didn't accept it."

After a pause, Qi Huan continued:

"Besides, it has been several years since we parted ways in Qingzhou. Although I was unable to become a disciple of Master Yun, I still studied under him for a while. We can be considered to have half the bond of fellow disciples."

Gu Mingshuang had no choice but to nod.

"Then thank you, Lord Qi."

Qi Huan looked at her, noting her thoughtfulness yet a hint of aloofness, and a touch of disappointment rose in his eyes.

"Sister Mingshuang, there's no need for us to be so distant."

He pursed his lips, his gaze fixed on the woman before him.

She used to approach him with a smile and obediently call him "Brother Qi Huan".

A glint of memories shone in his eyes.

Gu Mingshuang raised her eyes, met Qi Huan's gaze, and chuckled softly:

"Now that Lord Qi is a fifth-rank official in the court and has the Emperor's trust, even if we had a past relationship, I should still observe proper etiquette..."

Qi Huan said urgently:

"No need!"

Gu Mingshuang looked at him in astonishment.

Qi Huan then realized he had been somewhat out of line, softened his tone, and said:

"Ming Shuang, I have always admired Pavilion Master Yun. You are his only disciple. You don't need to be so reserved in front of me. Just treat me as your elder brother, as before, okay?"

Gu Mingshuang then understood his persistence, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

"Okay, I understand."

As he spoke, Qi Huan concealed his embarrassment and said:

"I'm a little worried about you living here all alone. I have a private house in the east of the city, in a slightly better location..."

A house in the east of the city? Even the Marquis of Ningyuan's mansion couldn't afford to live in the east of the city; it was inhabited by the extremely wealthy and powerful. Gu Mingshuang quickly declined.

"Since Brother Qi is willing to treat me as an elder brother, I will be frank and say thank you, Brother Qi. I just feel more at ease staying here."

Qi Huan had no choice but to nod.

"Then I'll send a few guards here to watch over you. You are a woman after all, and it's difficult for Uncle Du to take care of you all by himself."

This matter did indeed solve her immediate problem, and Gu Mingshuang nodded in agreement.

"Then I thank you very much, Brother Qi."

Hearing her smiling voice call him, Qi Huan looked away, feeling a slight burning sensation on his face.

He coughed lightly and said:

"You have suffered so much injustice in the Marquis's mansion, yet I have been unable to help you. I feel truly ashamed before the Pavilion Master."

Gu Mingshuang quickly said:

"Brother Qi spoke the truth in front of everyone today, which has already helped me."

Qi Huan's eyes revealed his appreciation for her.

"You've always been smart. Even without me, you managed to turn this into a good thing, and you'll definitely do the same in the future."

Gu Mingshuang chuckled softly.

"Then I'll take Brother Qi's good wishes."

As she spoke, Gu Mingshuang slapped her forehead.

"I've really been rude. Brother Qi has been here for so long, and I haven't even made you tea."

She then turned and walked towards the inner room.

Qi Huan looked at her smiling eyes and his own eyes curved slightly.

The summer breeze blew toward him, carrying a faint, delicate fragrance of a woman, mixed with the scent of flowers and plants in the courtyard.

He suddenly remembered the awkwardness he had just experienced and couldn't help but chuckle.

He should have arrived at Qinghe Lane an hour ago, but because he wanted to give her an apology gift, he went to great lengths to find a unique magnolia hairpin.

While the other gold hairpins were luxurious, they all carried a hint of vulgarity. Only this magnolia hairpin resembled her, bright, elegant, and otherworldly.

Thinking about how they had missed each other for so long despite being in Kyoto, he even almost hurt her because of someone else.

Qi Huan's fingers clenched tightly.

He was momentarily at a loss as to how to make it up to her.

"Brother Qi, we were in a rush to move today, so we only have this ordinary spring dew tea."

Seeing Gu Mingshuang come out carrying a tray, Qi Huan quickly shook his head.

"This tea is very good."

However, just as the two were about to sit down, a commotion broke out outside the door.

Shortly after, a loud knocking sounded on the door.

"The Dali Temple is investigating a case! Open the door immediately!"

Du Cang hurriedly opened the door, and sure enough, there was a group of government officials outside.

"Sir, what has happened?"

The official shoved Du Cang aside.

"The old lady of the Ningyuan Marquis's mansion has been poisoned. The Marquis's mansion has already reported the incident to the authorities. We have come to take the former princess consort, Madam Gu, with us!"

Du Cang's face stiffened, and he immediately shouted:

"Injustice! My master is innocent, sir!"

The official said angrily:

"Whether you've been wronged or not, the authorities will handle it. All irrelevant personnel, please step aside!"

A group of officials rushed into the courtyard, and with such a commotion, a large crowd quickly gathered outside the gate.

Upon hearing the words "poisoned" and "former granddaughter-in-law," many people immediately pointed and stared inside.

At this moment, Qi Huan heard the commotion, turned around and saw a group of Dali Temple officials rushing in.

He immediately stepped in front of Gu Mingshuang and shouted in a deep voice:

"stop!"

When the leading official saw Qi Huan, his expression changed; he hadn't expected to run into someone from the Qi family here.

The official quickly bowed and saluted.

"Lord Qi, you're here too. We've truly offended you today! But please don't make things difficult for us, Lord Qi; we were just following orders..."

Qi Huan said in a deep voice:

"The matter hasn't been investigated properly, and you're just barging in and taking people away based on a single word from the Marquis's residence? That's outrageous! Your Dali Temple treats the common people so harshly, aren't you afraid I'll impeach you tomorrow?"

The official was stunned, never expecting that the usually easy-going Lord Qi would become so angry.

"Lord Qi, please forgive us. It was Lady Ningyuan who filed a lawsuit against Madam Gu. You have already accepted the case, which is why we had no choice but to take Madam Gu to the yamen..."

Qi Huan stood in front of Gu Mingshuang, refusing to move aside no matter what.

Gu Mingshuang quickly said:

"Brother Qi, according to the rules of the yamen, since someone has accused me of poisoning people, I have to make a trip there."

Qi Huan turned to look at her with concern.

"But that's a government office. How can I leave you, a woman, feeling at ease..."

Gu Mingshuang looked at Qi Huan reassuringly.

"Don't worry, Brother Qi, I'm fine. It's just a short trip."

As she spoke, Gu Mingshuang looked at Du Cang, indicating that he should take a good look at the green lotus inside.

Du Cang quickly understood and slipped into the room where Lü He was kept when no one was looking.

Qi Huan knew the gravity of the matter, so he could only nod.

"I'll take you there."

Just as the official was about to speak, Qi Huan's voice turned cold.

"I'll take responsibility for anything!"

The officials dared not say anything more. After all, although Qi Huan was only a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Works, he was the most outstanding junior of the Qi family and was very likely to be the future head of the Qi family. They would not dare to offend the head of a powerful family even if they had ten lives!

Gu Mingshuang did not refuse Qi Huan again. She was currently in the eye of the storm, and if she were escorted through the streets by the people from the Dali Temple, who knew what would be said about her tomorrow.

Inside the carriage, Qi Huan frowned, trying to comfort Gu Mingshuang and whispering the rules of the Dali Temple to her.

"Don't worry, Sister Mingshuang. The Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review has some connections with my mother's family, so I won't let them make things difficult for you."

As they were talking, the carriage suddenly stopped.

Qi Huan lifted the carriage curtain and saw the person standing outside; his expression immediately darkened.

Seeing Qi Huan's expression, Gu Mingshuang frowned and followed his gaze.

Song Linyuan stood at the crossroads outside the Dali Temple, staring intently at them.