Favoring the concubine and killing the wife? She divorced the concubine and lived with her concubine

Su Ze, feeling refreshed, was thinking about taking a gift to Xiao Lan. However, before he could even get enough of the crimson autumn leaves on the trees, Master Cui arrived with shocking news.

"Miss Pan invited Madam Sun to be her guest today. She said she wanted to prepare some of her signature dishes for her to try, so she went out early this morning to buy them."

Su Ze's eyebrows were furrowed like a ball of thread. He felt that Pan Yingqiu was sent by God to torture him. Pan Yingqiu was a deep-minded person, and inviting Xiao Lan to be his guest must have bad intentions.

It was just that Su Ze was so angry that he didn't expect what her plan was.

Master Cui was quick-witted. "Sir, Miss Pan saw that you didn't like her, so she probably wanted to sound a warning to the master and his wife. If you don't choose her as your daughter-in-law, there will be a widow coming to your house."

Cui's words were like adding fuel to the fire, instantly burning Su Ze's whole body red. He immediately sped up the movement of the belt in his hand and immediately went to Xiao Lan.

But Master Cui stopped him, "Are you going to tell Xiao Lan not to come?"

Su Ze turned to look at her, "Don't forget your identity. One moment you are a 'widow', the next moment you are 'Xiao Lan'. Am I too good to you?" The voice was icy cold. Master Cui felt that if Su Ze had a bow and arrow in his hand now, his throat would be pierced in an instant.

He quickly let go of her hand and said respectfully, "I was just anxious for a moment."

"Don't talk nonsense. You know your father's temper. If Pan Yingqiu talks nonsense at the dinner table, it will embarrass Xiao Lan." Su Ze was worried that his father would say something insulting to Xiao Lan, believing that Xiao Lan didn't deserve such treatment. He was even more worried that Xiao Lan would lose control and have a direct confrontation with his father, which would end badly.

"Sir, don't you want Madam Sun?"

Su Ze's eyebrows were probably furrowed today. He pursed his lips slightly, expressing his dissatisfaction with Master Cui's words. He squinted at him and asked, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

"The ugly daughter-in-law will have to meet her parents-in-law sooner or later. If you don't show up today, Pan Yingqiu has plenty of ways to get someone to come. If I run into you somewhere in the future and you're not here, I'm afraid you won't be able to help me at all. Why not just lay it out like this, and you can express your opinion."

"What's my stance?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"How do I know what I should say?" Su Ze hadn't spoken frankly to Xiao Lan yet. His previous confessions to her had been brief. He had expressed his admiration and concern for her, but hadn't said anything else that would overstep his bounds.

Master Cui frowned and asked anxiously, "You said you like her and you won't marry anyone else?"

"what?"

Su Ze was stunned by Master Cui's fierce words. It was as if a locked box in his heart had been pried open, and the secrets inside were scattered all over the floor.

Master Cui ignored his surprise and said bluntly, "Anyone with a discerning eye can see through your thoughts. If you truly have no interest in Madam Sun, then there's nothing wrong with just having a simple meal. If you truly do have feelings for her, why not just declare it directly today? Fight your parents to the bitter end!"

Su Ze was even more speechless this time. He looked at Master Cui and began to wonder if Master Cui was also sent by God to take him away.

Su Ze wasn't the type to be so indecisive, but the fact that she was with Xiao Lan made him hesitate. He'd been taught since childhood that a relationship between him and Xiao Lan was impossible. His family wouldn't allow him to marry a woman who already had a family, and he never thought he'd marry someone like that. Furthermore, Xiao Lan had never expressed any interest in him, except for that last time in front of Liu Hu, when her eyes, clear yet tender, asked him if he would help her... That look made him ponder for a long time, wondering if there was something hidden within them that no one else knew.

He himself could be sure of his feelings. After all, Master Cui would dig them up and spread them out from time to time, and he had no choice but to admit it.

"What do you mean by fighting to the end? Xiao Lan has never shown any interest in me, so what does it mean for me to be so abrupt? I'm just ruining her reputation for no reason." Su Ze was still rational and did not follow Master Cui's impulsive behavior.

"Just tell me whether you like it or not!" Master Cui kept forcing Su Ze to admit something, but Su Ze remained silent and never said what Master Cui expected.

"Stop talking nonsense. This Pan Yingqiu is really hateful. She should be sent away as soon as possible. Have you found the car I asked you to find? It will be the end of the year and there will be no car to go out." Su Ze felt that if it weren't for Pan Yingqiu causing trouble, he wouldn't have to worry so much.

"Do you think your father would ask a girl like her to go back alone?" Master Cui said disdainfully. He didn't even go to look for a car.

Su Ze stopped talking and felt extremely annoyed.

"How about sending my parents out for a walk? They shouldn't come back today."

"It's too late. Pan Yingqiu told the two elders last night that Xiao Lan would be coming today, and the two elders were also prepared to wait at home to see."

"Then why am I the last one to know?"

"I just found out."

……

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Xiao Lan got up early in the morning and arranged for Fang Qingqing to go out and make a plaque for the house. After thinking for a long time, she still didn't know what to call it.

The most appropriate name for this small courtyard is "courtyard" or "garden", but the two of them were scratching their heads over what word to add in front of it.

Jasmine couldn't explain it, and Haitang seemed preoccupied, remaining silent even when questioned. The two children drifted off into incoherent conversation, while Li Si and Old Yu barely knew a single word. Mother Xu, however, said she had no say in her master's affairs and refused to speak.

This made Fang Qingqing, who was forced to go out, very worried.

Fang Qingqing pouted and said, "I'll go ask Xiaoyi. He's well-read, so he'll definitely know."

Xiao Lan asked her seriously, "Have you ever thought that the men here are different from those in our country? If you keep pestering him like this, are you ready to marry him?"

Fang Qingqing was stunned. She hadn't thought about whether to get married or not, but she really liked him. She hesitated and was speechless for a moment.

"You are a married woman with children. Does his mother mind?" Xiao Lan's words were like pouring a basin of cold water on Fang Qingqing, penetrating her heart.

Fang Qingqing naturally knew that Xiao Lan didn't look down on her. After all, this identity wasn't her choice. She paused, "How about giving it a try?"

"If you really want to give it a try, I support you one hundred percent. If he can't get over that hurdle, we just need to be able to move on from it." Xiao Lan just wanted to sound a warning to her first, so as to avoid the sadness of a broken heart and another heart-wrenching sleet.

"Okay... then I'll go find him first."

Xiao Lan nodded and smiled, "Go ahead, go ahead. I can't wait."

Xiao Lan's makeup today was done by Fang Qingqing, and she looked elegant and dignified in a long, cyan dress, like a young woman about to be married. So, Mother Xu felt it was inappropriate, and she gave her a dark green blouse intricately embroidered with flowers, which downplayed the meaning of "youthful and beautiful."

Xiao Lan didn't care. She brought Jasmine with her this time. Jasmine was smarter than Haitang and more relaxed than Mother Xu. If anything went wrong, she would be able to cooperate.

Mother Xu advised Xiao Lan not to go, saying that Pan Yingqiu must have had bad intentions, and generally speaking, people who showed goodwill to others right away should not be easily trusted.

Xiao Lan naturally knew about this, and whether it was curiosity or some other psychological factor, she went to the house with what she thought was a clear conscience, prepared a gift, and went.

This courtyard was close to the county government office, a few steps away and not too far from the carriage. She took Jasmine with her, and Jasmine held the brocade box, and the two of them just walked through the street.

Those who gossip are always those who have nothing to do with the Xiao family. Merchants who really rely on the Xiao family for business will greet them politely.

A commoner passed by with his friend in a hurry, glanced at Xiao Lan, and couldn't help but say.

"This old man Sun has only been dead for a few days, and he's already dressed up to go out, showing no trace of sadness at all."

"Tsk tsk tsk, the world is so fickle, and now this woman is going to rebel against the heavens."

"Yes, poor Master Sun, his body is still warm, the Sun Mansion is gone, and his wife has run away. Keeping a house full of powerful and majestic servants is immoral."

"Who wouldn't say that? I don't believe those servants are just there to guard the house. I don't think there's anything worth robbing in that house."

"If you ask me, that's not raising a servant. It's just raising a male concubine at home, locking the door every night, and having fun with him."

The two people's words became more and more obscene, and Xiao Lan heard it all. Jasmine was about to make a hole in the brocade box.

"Madam..." Jasmine's voice trembled. She was just waiting for Xiao Lan's order and was ready to turn around and scold her.

Xiao Lan smiled bitterly, "Don't be angry, there's no end to scolding people like this."

Fortunately, the road was short and they arrived quickly. Xiao Lan sent someone to announce it, and the servant had known Xiao Lan was coming and hurriedly and respectfully led him into the backyard hall.

In front of the county government office was the court, behind it was the county magistrate's residence, and next to it were places like the government office and prison, so Xiao Lan had to pass through the front yard before entering.

In the front yard, several constables were practicing martial arts together. When they saw Xiao Lan, they greeted her politely. Some of them had followed Xiao Lan for a while and had a good impression of her.

"Mrs. Sun is here..."

"Yes, you guys have been working hard. It's almost noon now, why don't you take a break?"

"I'm taking a break, not practicing. I have an appointment tomorrow to go and practice with Master Yu. We can't let our guard down. I hope this last-minute cramming will be of some use."

They got along well with Li Si and Qian Jiu, and would occasionally meet up for drinks. Having heard of Master Yu's true abilities, they were eager to learn a few moves from him.

"Then I will treat you all with good wine and delicious food tomorrow."

"Then why are you embarrassed..."

"Don't be so polite!" Xiao Lan turned to Jasmine and said, "Did you hear that? A few detective brothers are going there tomorrow, so please prepare some more food and wine."

Jasmine smiled and agreed, "Of course I won't treat you guys unfairly."

Jasmine, now the head of the household, has become much more generous. She doesn't need Xiao Lan to teach her about socializing; she's learned it naturally. The temper she had when Xiao Lan first arrived has also subsided. After all, if she's well-fed and well-served, she'll have no second thoughts. And when the Sun residence was robbed, she'd shown through her actions that she's a softie, trustworthy, and a bit of a toughie.

Xiao Lan exchanged a few pleasantries with the constables and continued to the backyard. This time, it was Su Ze and Master Cui waiting at the door. Master Cui had a smile on his face, while Su Ze had a cold expression.

"Madam is here? Please take a seat." Master Cui was much more enthusiastic than Su Ze and reached out to take the gift from Jasmine.

Jasmine dodged to the side and said with a smile, "It's better to wait for Miss Pan to come and give it to her in person to show my sincerity."

Master Cui was thick-skinned and didn't care. "Okay, okay, come in and sit down. Put it aside first. Aren't you tired of holding it?"

Xiao Lan glanced at Su Ze. He looked very bad, but she didn't say anything for the time being. Instead, she went into the hall first and didn't stand at the door.

Su Ze followed her in, but he didn't know what to say. He wanted to ask Xiao Lan why she came. With her intelligence, she wouldn't be able to figure out that Pan Yingqiu was setting up a Hongmen Banquet.

The four people in the room looked at each other. Xiao Lan looked at Su Ze, smiled slightly, and his eyes were clear. "What's wrong? Are you unhappy?"

Su Ze shook his head, but said, "Why did she ask you out properly? And you chose to come here."

"How should I know? I said I wanted to go to a restaurant, but she said she wasn't used to the food and wanted to make me some of Beijing's specialties. She brought gifts and kept calling me 'sister'. I felt bad if I didn't agree. After all, she is your cousin."

Xiao Lan said, pointing to the chair, "I'm walking here, can you sit down?"

Su Ze said nothing, and Xiao Lan sat down on her own. Jasmine stood behind her, holding the brocade box.

"Is Madam ready?" Master Cui walked over with a smile on his face, took the tea brought by the servant, and placed it next to Xiao Lan.

Xiao Lan was ready to fight back against any enemy with soldiers or cover up any water with earth, but when Master Cui asked this, Xiao Lan asked back.

"what to prepare?"

A voice overlapping with Xiao Lan's was heard, and a woman in brown fancy clothes walked in with a cold face.

Xiao Lan and Jasmine looked sideways, and Master Cui hurried forward to help.

Su Ze's expression became even uglier, "Mother..."