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

Gu Mingshuang said calmly:

"The apology gift prepared for the Duke of Anguo's mansion is so precious that I will naturally do my best. So, I can only stop the madam's medicine for now."

"Anyway, didn't they say that the lady's illness was cured thanks to Miss Biao's company? Since my medicine isn't important, I can stop taking it."

"If Madam wants to continue buying medicine, then I, her elder sister-in-law, will have to bleed a little."

She wouldn't normally resort to such methods to coerce others, but she couldn't muster any moral sense when it came to this family from the Marquis's mansion.

In fact, the fact that she didn't demolish the Marquis's mansion at this moment is already more than enough of her kindness and righteousness.

Upon hearing this, Lingxiang laughed with satisfaction.

"That's a great idea, young lady! My aunt is usually very extravagant and doesn't have much money at all. In the end, all she'll have to do is return the jewelry and jade she took from you!"

However, after laughing, Lingxiang said worriedly:

"But if the aunt returns all the jewelry and jade, does the young lady really intend to prepare such an expensive apology gift?"

Gu Mingshuang gave a cold, curt smile.

"It's not like I offended anyone. Why would the Duke of Anguo draw his sword and come after me? He'd settle accounts with Song Linyuan!"

"Even if the Marquis's mansion throws dirty water on me, I'll only lose some reputation. Compared to piles of silver, what's the value of this virtuous and dignified reputation as a mistress?"

Lingxiang nodded emphatically. Now, seeing how those ingrates in the Marquis's mansion schemed against her young lady, she felt that the position of the Crown Prince's consort was extremely unlucky!

After thinking for a moment, she sighed and said:

"We just hope that Old Madam Qin from the Duke of Anguo's mansion will return soon. With her as a backer, she will definitely be able to help the young lady escape this predicament!"

Gu Mingshuang lowered her eyelids slightly.

"That being said, I haven't seen the old lady for many years, so I can't rely on her entirely. The safest course of action is for me to get out unscathed."

Lingxiang bit her lip, feeling saddened by the girl's current maturity and understanding of propriety.

But she also knew that her daughter was capable, so she secretly decided in her heart that she should listen to her daughter in everything and never cause her any trouble.

At this moment, inside Shou'an Hall.

Song Lanfang was kneeling down as she applied the medicine, and Meng Shi, standing beside her, said with heartache:

"How did you end up like this after just a nice trip to Qingwu Garden?"

Song Lanfang frowned and complained:

"Mother, it's because the Marquis's mansion is always strapped for cash. They won't even replace the sedan chair, which is so worn out."

Madam Meng looked rather displeased. After her eldest daughter married into the Earl's household, she, as the wife, was in charge of the Marquis's mansion. These words were tantamount to accusing her of being incompetent in managing the household.

Seeing this, Song Lanfang comforted her:

"Alright, I know Mother isn't good at managing household affairs. From now on, just relax and focus on taking care of your health. Anyway, Gu Mingshuang will fill the gaps in our Marquis's mansion."

Meng was somewhat displeased.

"Just because she has a little money, you're so quick to praise her? What if she spends all her inheritance?"

Song Lanfang quickly said:

"Mother, please rest assured. Mingshuang not only holds a huge inheritance, but she's also incredibly skilled at making money. If you don't believe me, ask Linyuan."

Song Linyuan, who was lost in thought, snapped out of it upon hearing this.

"Yes, in the past, as long as her son focused on his studies, she single-handedly supported the family business in Qingzhou. Everyone said she was shrewd and capable, and she was indeed very good at managing things."

This is why he gave Ayu a formal title, but still wanted Mingshuang to manage the family business.

Back in Qingzhou, he had no worries and lived a life of luxury and leisure, with everything done for him.

But when he returned to the Marquis's mansion, he realized that this glamorous mansion was not as good as his residence in Qingzhou in terms of substance.

As he spoke, Song Linyuan remembered Gu Mingshuang's words about wanting a divorce and locking him out of the room.

He gripped his sleeve tightly.

Ming Shuang had never treated him like this before. Had he really broken her heart this time?

A pang of guilt rose in his heart, and he spoke:

"That inheritance was the money her father left her to rely on. She has already spent most of it on the Marquis's estate, so let's leave the rest to her."

Song Lanfang frowned.

"Lin Yuan, you haven't done a single day of work in Qingzhou for the past ten years, yet you've lived the life of a rich young master, costing her countless amounts of money. Is this all you need?"

Song Linyuan's face turned bright red.

"Elder sister! Times have changed! Back then, I was the one supporting the family business for her! Besides, my suggestion to demote her from wife to concubine this time has truly hurt her feelings..."

Song Lanfang frowned and said:

"You could spend her money with a clear conscience when she was your child husband, but now that she's a woman in your harem, why are you feeling so resentful?"

Upon seeing this, Meng quickly interrupted them.

"Alright, the Duke of Anguo is unpredictable. We must appease him first, otherwise even if he demolishes the Marquis's mansion, we can only accept our bad luck. We will listen to your elder sister in this matter."

As she spoke, Meng advised:

"Yuan'er, everyone knows you are an upright gentleman and do not want to mistreat your first wife. However, her becoming the legal wife has cut off the possibility of the Xie family paving the way for you. Now, we can only let her do her part for the time being."

"When your future is bright, her status will rise accordingly. Once she's tasted the power, she'll only fawn over you and wouldn't dare cause you any trouble."

Song Linyuan's expression relaxed, and a glint of light appeared in his usually aloof and composed eyes.

"Yes, only when I rise through the ranks will she understand that all the money spent on me over the years has been worthwhile."

Besides, what use is silver to an orphan girl from a small place? She already lives a life of luxury in the Marquis's mansion; she might as well use all that inheritance to pave the way for him.

At this moment, Song Lanfang, holding a large bag of valuable jewelry, finally felt the pain in her buttocks ease slightly.

She stroked the exquisite gilded hairpin and said:

"Lin Yuan, you should learn more about the methods of maintaining balance in the inner quarters. You can't be too weak with women, otherwise you'll be in trouble if they ride roughshod over you."

Meng nodded and then said:

"Your elder sister is right, especially with Gu Mingshuang. She's cunning and calculating. How could a well-educated and upright gentleman like you possibly outsmart her?"

"Only by setting clear rules and preventing her from becoming too smug can you ensure peace in the home."

Song Lanfang nodded.

"That's how you train animals. You have to use both kindness and severity. Once she has prepared her apology gift, you should also give her some sweetness. That way, she will be more willing to serve the Marquis's mansion."

Song Linyuan nodded in agreement.

"Elder sister, mother, I understand. I will discipline Mingshuang and make sure she lives a peaceful life in the Marquis's mansion."

In fact, in the past six months since he returned to his ancestral home, many powerful figures have openly praised him at banquets, saying that he was no ordinary person, thanks to his handsome appearance and scholarly demeanor.

Countless high-ranking officials and nobles have flocked to his door, eager to marry him off as their son-in-law.

It was only now that he realized that the honor and status of the Marquis's heir were not as simple as he had thought when he was in Qingzhou.

He was destined to inherit the title and become an even more esteemed marquis, but he agreed to marry a country woman instead.

He gave up his promising future to choose her!

Now, he has abandoned the noblewoman his mother was most satisfied with and is welcoming her into his family as his wife.

But she showed no gratitude; instead, she spoke harshly to him, like a shrew in the street.

Song Linyuan felt a tightness in his chest.

Seeing that he didn't look well, Meng comforted him:

"Alright, at least she's agreed to the matter with the Duke of Anguo's mansion this time. We'll gradually discipline her and teach her the three obediences and four virtues so she can serve you well."

Song Linyuan nodded, then asked worriedly:

"Mother, I feel really bad that my cousin was wronged today."

Meng frowned and said:

"Ayu was raised by me since she was a child. How could I let her suffer? Once you have taken good care of the Gu family, you can let Ayu marry into the family as a secondary wife. At that time, Ayu will be added to the family genealogy first, so that we can give the Xie family an explanation."

Song Linyuan nodded.

"I will follow my mother's arrangements."

Late at night.

Song Linyuan, carrying the warming and nourishing soup he had bought while purchasing medicine for Ayu earlier that day, walked to Qingwu Garden again.

Now that Ming Shuang has agreed to take the blame for A Yu and is willing to pay for his path, the softest part of his heart has been touched, and a sense of guilt has surfaced in his eyes.

Seeing that Song Linyuan was about to push open the door, Lingxiang immediately stepped forward to stop him.

"Young Master, the young lady has already gone to bed, and she said that you should sleep in the study instead."

Song Linyuan's face stiffened.

"She wants to sleep in a separate room as soon as she walks in the door?"

His once handsome face was now incredibly ugly. His guilt from just moments ago had vanished, and he frowned as he looked at the wooden door, reaching out to pat it.

"Gu Mingshuang! Are you sure you want to do this?"

There was no sound from inside.

No wonder my mother and elder sister said that women in the inner quarters should not be spoiled; sure enough, they would really take advantage of him if things didn't go his way.

He glanced at the courtyard, where there were still maids and servants. He swallowed his anger and stormed off.

At this moment, Gu Mingshuang was lying on the wooden couch by the window.

I read the divorce papers I had written one last time before I calmly put them down.

At that moment, she spotted the white jade earrings on the side.

When she returned home today, she discovered that one of her earrings was missing.

Thinking of the scene at the entrance of the Duke of Anguo's mansion, she frowned slightly.

It must have fallen at that time.

The dark figure seemed to reappear before her eyes, and she bit her lip.

Oh well, let it go.

At this moment, the study in the Duke of Anguo's mansion was brightly lit.

When Jianying entered, she looked at her master sitting casually under the lamp and frowned in confusion.

He wasn't reading the letters or checking the military intelligence; instead, he seemed to be fiddling with some small, jade-white trinket.

He quickly reported:

"Sir, as you instructed, we have sent people to repair the horse farm and the hunting grounds."

"A total of one hundred craftsmen were conscripted. This news has been released, and some officials are already writing memorials impeaching the emperor for being arrogant and domineering after returning from victory."

Qin Mo was absent-minded and gave a casual reply.

Sword Shadow then said:

"Sir, there's something else. The old lady just sent over some peace charms!"

Qin Mo didn't even raise his head.

"Just leave it there."

Sword Shadow laughed:

"The old lady also sent word that she wants you to visit Bailong Temple in the next couple of days if you have time, to accompany her in praying to Buddha, saying that the temple is extremely effective in granting marriage wishes..."

A glint of light swept over, and the sword shadow immediately stopped, suppressing a laugh:

"I've heard that the old lady is really determined this time. She said that if Master doesn't settle on a marriage, she won't let him leave the capital..."

Before he could finish speaking, an inkstone flew towards him.

Sword Shadow hurriedly caught it, carefully placed it back on the table, and awkwardly advised:

"Master doesn't even have a female mosquito by his side, let alone a woman, so it's no wonder the old lady is anxious."

"The steward who delivered the message today also said that the second branch of the family next door is going to take in their ninth concubine tomorrow, which makes the old lady even more anxious."

Qin Mo raised his captivating eyes and said with a roguish air:

"In that case, take a few soldiers and seize that concubine to ease the old lady's mind."