The bad husband wanted to bring his second wife into the house, so I turned around and became his st

Pearl stood aside, with a look of disdain in her eyes.

"My Lord, I'm afraid that in your heart, there is only the shadow of that noble concubine, right? You haven't even thought about why the prince summoned you here. You are truly obsessed with love."

After saying this, she gently waved her fan and a faint smile appeared on the corner of her mouth.

There was a hint of mockery and helplessness in that smile, as if it was a subtle mockery of the love entanglements in this world.

When Lu Ming heard this, his expression changed slightly, but he did not lose his temper. He was just secretly annoyed in his heart that he was indeed distracted by Su Qiaoer's matter.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down before speaking again.

"Father, I was negligent. What happened to the account book?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Shengyuan's expression brightened slightly and he nodded.

"Since you are in charge of the household affairs, you should know that this account book is the most confidential of the mansion. Recently, Wanqing has noticed that the accounts are not correct. There must be something fishy going on."

When Lu Ming heard this, he was startled and quickly took the account book and looked at it carefully.

After taking a look, he discovered the problem. It turned out that the numbers of several expenses and income were wrong. It was obvious that someone had tampered with them.

"Father, this is my fault. I will investigate this matter thoroughly and give you an explanation."

Lu Ming said this with a serious expression, already having a plan in mind.

Seeing this, Lu Shengyuan nodded and motioned him to stand up and speak.

"Ming'er, this matter is of great importance. You must investigate it carefully and don't let those scoundrels break the rules of the mansion."

His words revealed authority and trust, which warmed Lu Ming's heart and he nodded in response.

"Don't worry, father. I will definitely live up to your trust."

Lu Ming stood up and said with a firm look that he already had a plan in mind.

Seeing this, Lin Wanqing's eyes flashed with approval, but she said nothing.

Lu Ming felt mixed emotions and his eyes flickered slightly.

"Father, while I've been checking the accounts, I've also felt that harmony in the household is the most important thing. However, what I've seen and heard recently seems to suggest an undercurrent that could threaten the peace of our home. Although my new wife is capable and shrewd, she's not always so sensitive. Accounting matters are complex and ever-changing, and I'm afraid she's overworked and might neglect something, which could be detrimental."

Upon hearing this, Lu Shengyuan frowned slightly, his eyes deep, as if he was weighing the pros and cons.

"Ming'er, Madam has been diligent in managing the household since she married into the family. Her contributions are invaluable. It's unavoidable that there may be occasional errors in the accounts. Just focus on checking the accounts and don't let trivial matters disturb your mind."

Lu Ming was about to step aside when he suddenly heard a gentle voice.

Like the drizzle in spring, it gently falls into the heart, but with a bit of temptation and uneasiness.

"My Lord, I dare to ask, do you... misunderstand Wanqing?"

After she finished speaking, the owner of the voice became delicate and frail, with her eyes moving around, revealing her fragility, like the most frightened willow branches in spring.

Hearing this, Lu Ming frowned slightly and looked towards the source of the voice.

He pondered secretly in his heart, but showed no sign on his face.

"Mother, you're worrying too much. This prince has always been clear about the distinction between public and private matters. How can there be any misunderstanding?"

Lu Ming's gaze shifted between Lin Wanqing and the weak woman who suddenly spoke.

There was a hint of grievance and uneasiness in her words, as if she had really misunderstood something.

Lu Ming raised the corners of his mouth slightly, with a barely perceptible hint of sarcasm in his tone.

"However, the rules of the mansion cannot be abolished. It is Madam Li's responsibility to teach etiquette, but if it leads to any disputes, that is another matter."

When Lin Wanqing heard this, her eyes flickered slightly. She raised her hand gently to stop Pei'er who was about to speak again.

"Your Highness is right. Harmony is paramount in the palace. Any small matter could become the source of a disturbance. Wanqing is willing to work with Your Highness to maintain this peace."

After Lu Ming finished speaking, the atmosphere was like a ripple on still water. Suddenly, his eyes turned and looked at Lin Wanqing.

"Qiao'er, she... is pregnant. However, the rules are for the sake of order in the mansion, but we can't lose the big picture for the sake of small things!"

Having said this, Lu Ming's expression showed the joy of becoming a father for the first time, but also the calmness and decisiveness of a prince.

Lin Wanqing was shocked, but she remained calm on the surface.

"Oh? Congratulations, Prince. However... if we break the rules because of this, I'm afraid it would be inappropriate."

There was a hint of hesitation and embarrassment in her words, as if she was really worried about this matter.

Seeing this, Lu Ming laughed in his heart, but pretended to be thoughtful on the surface.

"Mother is absolutely right, but... I think it would be better to let Qiao'er recuperate in the courtyard, free from these rules and regulations. How about we make up for it after she gives birth?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Lin Wanqing understood.

It was obvious that Lu Ming wanted to use Su Qiaoer's pregnancy to suppress her and gain a place for Su Qiaoer in the mansion.

She sneered in her heart, but still looked gentle on the surface.

"What the prince said is indeed a solution, but... this matter still needs to be reported to the county king, and the county king will make the final decision."

Lin Wanqing lightly pushed the matter onto Lu Shengyuan, and acted as if it had nothing to do with her.

Upon hearing this, Lu Ming cursed him inwardly for being cunning, but he had to admit that this matter did require Lu Shengyuan's approval.

He turned to look at Lu Shengyuan and was about to speak, but saw Lu Shengyuan waving his hand.

"Forget it, since Qiao'er is pregnant, let's do as Ming'er said and let her rest in the courtyard."

Lu Shengyuan obviously didn't want to dwell on this matter too much, so he spoke directly and decided the matter.

Upon hearing this, Lu Ming was delighted and immediately bowed in response.

"Thank you for your understanding, father."

Seeing this, Lin Wanqing didn't say much, but just smiled faintly, as if she didn't care about the matter.

Lu Ming sneered in his heart, knowing that Lin Wanqing would definitely not give up so easily, but he was not afraid. After all, Su Qiaoer was pregnant now, and he wanted to see what waves Lin Wanqing could make.

After the competition, it seems calm, but in fact there are undercurrents.

Lu Ming knew very well that the situation in the mansion was complicated and changeable, and if he was not careful he would fall into an irretrievable situation.

However, he has his own calculations and plans in mind, and is full of confidence and expectations for the future.

He believed that as long as he acted cautiously and took every step carefully, he would be able to find a place for himself and Su Qiaoer.

Lu Ming thought so in his heart, and his eyes couldn't help but look towards the courtyard where Su Qiaoer lived, with a hint of tenderness and determination in his eyes.

"Qiao'er, rest assured and take care of your pregnancy. I will come to welcome you after I have secured a place for you."

Lu Ming swore secretly in his heart.

At the same time, Lin Wanqing also returned to her courtyard.

She sat on the couch, her face as calm as water, with no expression of joy or anger.

However, Pei'er knew that her master would definitely not be so calm.

She carefully offered the teacup.

"Madam, the prince dotes on Su Qiao'er so much and has allowed her to recuperate in the courtyard. If she gives birth to a child, it will threaten your position!"

Lin Wanqing took a sip of tea, a faint smile appeared on the corner of her mouth, and a deep light flashed in her eyes.

"Pei'er, you're wrong. Although Su Qiao'er is favored, she is just a concubine in the mansion. How can she easily shake my position?"

Lin Wanqing put down the teacup, her expression full of calmness and confidence.