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

Qi Huan frowned and said to Gu Mingshuang:

"Don't be afraid, I'll go down and talk to him."

With that, Qi Huan got out of the carriage first.

Previously, out of consideration for the Hou family's care for Lan Yu, and also out of consideration for Song Linyuan's suffering during his more than ten years of wandering, he had always taken good care of Song Linyuan when he was away.

At this moment, he wondered if he had misjudged Song Linyuan. How could he have thought that Song Linyuan was a talented man with the integrity of a scholar?

Although his expression remained refined and gentle, his tone was no longer as polite as before.

"Young Master Song, you know how the Marquis's mansion has made things difficult for Sister Mingshuang in the past. Now you're going to take this to the Dali Temple. Isn't that going too far?"

When Song Linyuan saw that Gu Mingshuang had come with Qi Huan, his expression became complicated.

Seeing that Gu Mingshuang didn't get out of the car but instead sent Qi Huan to see him, his eyes showed even more indescribable anger.

"Lord Qi, I've come to speak with Mingshuang. This is a matter between Mingshuang and me."

Qi Huan's expression hardened slightly, and he forced a smile. Even with his usual composure, he couldn't maintain a pleasant demeanor towards Song Linyuan at this moment.

The woman he had cherished in his heart for many years had suffered so much injustice by Song Linyuan's side. How could he bear it?

"Nowadays, the Marquis's mansion can easily pin anything on Sister Mingshuang. Since the authorities have already been alerted, what can Young Master Song say?"

Upon hearing the address "Sister Mingshuang," Song Linyuan's face turned deathly pale.

He had no idea that Qi Huan and Gu Mingshuang had such a relationship!

Is it all because of the observation tower incident?

Thinking of Xie Lanyu's tearful complaint, Song Linyuan's face turned even more grim. Was it really because of Gu Mingshuang that Qi Huan attributed the destruction of the viewing tower to the blueprints themselves?

Could it be that Qi Huan and Gu Mingshuang really have some kind of illicit relationship?

He clenched his fingers and stared intently at Qi Huan.

"Lord Qi, you are a court official, and the most valued grandson of the prestigious Qi family. How could you covet another man's wife? And even resort to favoritism and corruption for personal reasons!"

Qi Huan said sternly:

"Shut up! If Prince Song continues to spout nonsense, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Song Linyuan's face was grim.

"If Lord Qi has no such intentions, why are you stopping me? I want to see Ming Shuang!"

He waited for so long at the entrance of Dali Temple just to explain the seriousness of the situation to Ming Shuang.

This was also to make Mingshuang see clearly who was truly protecting her!

Qi Huan's eyes turned cold.

"I have known Mingshuang since I was young. In my eyes, she is like my sister. If the Marquis's mansion bullies Mingshuang because she has no one to support her, then they have miscalculated."

Song Linyuan was stunned for a moment, unable to believe that Gu Mingshuang and Qi Huan had known each other since childhood.

"How is that possible?"

When he was taken in by the Gu family as a child husband, Ming Shuang was only seven years old. Before she was seven, she had no connection with the Qi family, and after she turned seven, she never left Qingzhou.

He pursed his lips, convinced that this was Qi Huan's excuse.

His younger sister? Lan Yu used to be like his own sister, but now she's just his bedmate.

Thinking of this, Song Linyuan's face grew even paler, and his brows furrowed in despair.

Despite the immense pain in his heart, he couldn't care less about pursuing the matter. Looking at the carriage behind him, he hurried towards it, but Qi Huan blocked his way.

Song Linyuan simply shouted towards the carriage:

"Mingshuang! Get out of the car! Let's meet! I have something to say to you in person. Give me another chance, and I can make sure you're safe..."

The carriage curtain moved slightly, and Gu Mingshuang, dressed in purple, stepped down from the carriage.

Qi Huan's eyes showed pity, and he said slowly:

"Sister Mingshuang, don't be afraid, and don't be coerced by him. I will protect you."

Seeing Qi Huan blocking Gu Mingshuang's way, Song Linyuan was eager to step forward, but he was blocked and couldn't get through.

He felt a sharp pain in his heart.

He never imagined that things would come to this point between him and Ming Shuang.

She used to always be somewhere behind him, quietly keeping him company. Whenever he turned around, he would always see her watching over him.

He thought it would always be like this, but in just one year, such a chasm has formed between them.

Qi Huan turned to look at Song Linyuan again.

"Young Master Song, if you truly still cherish past feelings, you should control your family and stop bothering Ming Shuang. You two are already divorced; it's time to part amicably!"

Song Linyuan's eyes were bloodshot.

What do you mean by "parting amicably"? Why should he? He's been her childhood sweetheart since he was eight, and over the past ten years, he's etched Gu Mingshuang into his very bones.

He knew that he was meant to spend his life with her!

"Mingshuang! We've been together for ten years, are we really going to let this little thing ruin our friendship? Ten years!"

Qi Huan coldly pushed Song Linyuan away.

"Young Master Song! You know Ming Shuang has been by your side for ten whole years! But what have you done after you recognized her as your relative? You demoted your wife to a concubine, forcing her to make concessions at every turn, leaving her heartbroken and desolate in this capital city where she has no one to rely on!"

"Who in the Marquis's mansion doesn't know that you rarely spend time with the Heir Apparent's wife? Yes, you're busy every day, busy caring for your lost and found relatives, busy looking after your cousin who can pave the way for your future, but where do you place Mingshuang?"

"These are just things I've gathered indirectly; the grievances Mingshuang has suffered by your side are likely far greater than these!"

"She has given up all hope, relinquished the position of Crown Princess, and will no longer hinder your bright future. Why won't you let her go?"

Song Linyuan was pushed and almost fell to the ground. He staggered a step before regaining his balance. At this moment, his eyes were bloodshot and his fingers were trembling uncontrollably.

These words were like knives, slowly tearing at his heart again and again.

He shook his head heavily, wanting to refute these words, but each sentence was like a knife piercing his heart, impossible to pull out, and he was unable to refute them.

Looking at Gu Mingshuang standing behind Qi Huan, coldly watching him, Song Linyuan bit his lip and said:

"Mingshuang, do you think so too?"

Gu Mingshuang raised her eyes, her clear, cold gaze fixed on him.

"Your Highness, I have taken back what is rightfully mine. I don't want to dwell on the past anymore. Let's part ways amicably. There is no other possibility."

"If Your Highness wishes for me to return and for my wives and concubines to live in harmony, I'm sorry, I cannot be so magnanimous. Your Highness should remarry."

Song Linyuan's face turned pale, and he suddenly spoke:

"I will not remarry. I have truly realized where I went wrong. I cannot give Xie Lanyu the title of either principal wife or concubine."

"When you return, she can become a favored concubine and be well cared for in the Marquis's mansion. I will have nothing more to do with her..."

Gu Mingshuang frowned and interrupted Song Linyuan.

"Your Highness, these matters are no longer my concern. Whether she is my wife or a concubine, there is no need to inform me further."

Song Linyuan said urgently:

"Why won't you agree?"

Seeing that she couldn't reason with him, Gu Mingshuang simply turned around and walked towards the Dali Temple.

Seeing that Song Linyuan was about to chase after him, Qi Huan reached out and stopped him, saying:

"Since Prince Song has already reported this matter to the authorities, there's no point in saying more. I will hire the best lawyer for Sister Mingshuang."

As Gu Mingshuang walked into the yamen, Song Linyuan was momentarily dazed and almost collapsed.

He thought that by not stopping his mother and using the Dali Temple to pressure her, he could make her submit.

Gu Mingshuang's back was slender yet carried a stubbornness.

He clenched his fingers with a wry smile.

Yes, how could he forget that she was never a weak and timid housewife?

In Qingzhou, she was able to protect the family property, manage the business, and eliminate all his worries.

How could he think that this would make her submit?

At this moment, Meng couldn't find him. She looked around and finally saw her son standing dumbfounded at the entrance of Dali Temple.

"Yuan'er! What are you doing here?"

Song Linyuan slowly turned his head, his face pale, and gave a bitter smile.

"Withdraw the case."

Madam Meng frowned and said urgently:

"What nonsense are you spouting? We finally managed to bring that little bitch to the authorities! Even if she doesn't die this time, I'll make her suffer! Drop the case? Impossible!"

Now, Meng only wished she could skin Gu Mingshuang alive and tear her tendons apart.

Song Linyuan looked at Meng Shi and said in a deep voice:

"If Mother won't go, I will."

Meng stepped forward and grabbed Song Linyuan.

Thinking of how Gu Mingshuang had just led Qi Huan inside, her face darkened, and she angrily said:

"Did that woman Gu Mingshuang trick you again?"

"Yuan'er! You need to wake up! She has never wanted anything for you! How can you still listen to her?"

"Moreover, the person involved in this incident is your own grandmother; this is an outrageous act!"

Song Linyuan gritted his teeth, and the veins on his fingers bulged from the force.

"Mother! She suffered countless injustices at the Marquis's mansion; she left heartbroken!"

"It's just that Grandma will be in bed for a few days. I've already asked the doctor, and it's not life-threatening at all!"

Madam Meng's face turned ashen; she never imagined her son would say such a thing.

"Yuan'er! How...how could you say such a thing? What if I were the one lying in that bed?"

Song Linyuan pursed his lips.

"Why would a mother curse herself like that?"

In his heart, he felt that if his mother hadn't disliked Mingshuang so much and openly and secretly ostracized her, how could she have ruined his relationship with his wife like this!

Even if Ming Shuang really retaliates like this, it will be out of desperation.

He turned his head away in annoyance.

"I'll withdraw the case."

Meng reached out and grabbed him.

"You're not allowed to go!"

Song Linyuan said in a deep voice:

"How long is Mother going to keep making a scene?"

Meng looked at Song Linyuan, her chest heaving.

"Yuan'er! Your mother has lost you for so many years, and it's only with great difficulty that you've finally returned. You are my only support in this life!"

"A mother would do anything for your future, but she can't just stand by and watch you make a foolish decision for the sake of your daughter!"

Song Linyuan pulled open his sleeve and gritted his teeth, saying:

"If Mother truly cares for me, then come with me to plead with Mingshuang to stay in the Marquis's mansion!"

Meng's face flushed red and then turned black; she could hardly believe what she was hearing.

"Yuan'er! What are you saying? You want me to beg that wretched slut?!"

Song Linyuan's expression turned even uglier.

"She is my wife, the woman I swore to be with for life!"

"Mother forced me to stay away from Mingshuang and get closer to Lanyu, and now look what's happened! Is Mother satisfied with how things have turned out?!"

Meng pointed at Song Linyuan, her face turning pale.

"How could you say such a thing! I'm doing this for your own good!"

"That's enough!"

With a bang.

Song Linyuan slammed his fist into the pillar.