Being an emperor is not something he can do, so he can only rely on his connections.

As soon as Zhang Jingwei sat down, Xiaolan pushed his wheelchair and handed him a cup of tea.

Xiaolan chuckled and said, "Mr. Zhang, you have worked hard. Please sit down and have a cup of tea to relax!" As she spoke, she elegantly handed a cup of steaming and fragrant tea to Zhang Jingwei.

Zhang Jingwei quickly stood up, took the teacup with both hands, and responded with a smile: "Thank you very much, Miss Xiaolan. Thank you for your trouble." He gently blew away the tea leaves floating on the water and took a sip carefully.

Xiaolan stood aside, watching Zhang Jingwei sipping his tea, a ripple of emotion welling up in her heart. She hesitated for a moment before asking, "Mr. Zhang, you and my father are brothers. In that case, should I respectfully call you uncle?" She lowered her head shyly, observing Zhang Jingwei's reaction from the corner of her eye.

Zhang Jingwei was stunned at first when he heard this, then he burst into laughter, waved his hand and said, "Haha, there's no need to stick to these etiquettes, let's just talk about our own things!" He put down the teacup in his hand and looked at Xiaolan with gentle eyes.

Xiaolan raised her head slightly, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, and then she mustered up the courage to say, "In that case, then... can I call you brother?"

Zhang Jingwei's smile grew even brighter. He nodded and said, "Of course, Xiaolan, you can call me whatever you want."

Although it was just a normal conversation, it meant a lot to Xiaolan, especially when she said such words in front of his original wife, she felt inexplicably refreshed.

Huangfu Ling's pretty face was filled with reluctance. She pouted slightly, her eyes confused and slightly angry, but she seemed to have something stuck in her throat, unable to find a suitable word to refute. In desperation, she could only pick up the wine glass and pour it down her throat one after another, as if only this spicy drink could temporarily numb the boredom in her heart.

Zhang Jingwei, who was sitting next to him, frowned when he saw Huangfu Ling like this. He lowered his voice and advised, "That's enough, stop drinking!" However, Huangfu Ling was already immersed in his own emotions at this time, and turned a deaf ear to Zhang Jingwei's advice.

Seeing this, Zhang Jingwei couldn't help but raise his voice again and shouted: "Stop drinking!"

However, Huangfu Ling not only didn't stop what he was doing, but instead glared fiercely at Xiaolan beside him. Then, he turned around and yelled at Zhang Jingwei in a drunken state, "We're husband and wife. I didn't want to say anything bad about you in front of so many people, but you're so cold to me! Although you're my son-in-law, I've never treated you unfairly! Zhang Jingwei! Have I given you any respect?"

Facing Huangfu Ling's questioning and rebuke, Zhang Jingwei seemed a little embarrassed and helpless. He quickly said, "You've had too much to drink. If you have anything to say, let's go back to the house and talk slowly, okay?"

But Huangfu Ling had obviously lost her mind. She slammed the table and roared, "I'm not drunk! Why do I have to obey you and accommodate you in everything? Why?"

Zhang Jingwei tried to calm Huangfu Ling down, explaining softly, "It's normal for couples to have a few arguments from time to time, but there's no need to bring this up in public."

Unexpectedly, these words completely infuriated Huangfu Ling. She pointed at Zhang Jingwei's nose and continued to yell, "Well, you're right! Don't forget, you're married now. When that woman called you brother, you actually happily agreed!"

Hearing this, Zhang Jingwei was also a little annoyed. He responded impatiently: "It's just a call of brother, what can it matter?"

Huangfu Ling raised her eyebrows and pointed at Zhang Jingwei in a coquettish manner, cursing, "Humph! I have no relatives and yet I call you brother, and you are so shameless! But I am just not happy about it!"

Zhang Jingwei also had an angry look on his face, and he retorted unyieldingly, "Then does it make me feel better when you call another man 'brother'?"

Huangfu Ling was so angry that he stamped his feet and shouted, "You are talking nonsense! When has anything like this ever happened to me?"

As the two were arguing, Huangfu Changshui, who should have been asleep by now, was woken up. He walked out with a gloomy face and shouted, "It's late at night, and you're making such a fuss! What the hell happened?"

Huangfu Ling saw this and quickly stepped forward, holding her father's arm, and said coquettishly, "Oh, Dad, it's nothing serious. It's just that he and I drank a few more glasses of wine and said a few drunken words."

Huangfu Changshui glared at her and warned her seriously: "Even if you are drinking, you should not be so reckless! It's getting late, go back to your rooms and rest, don't disturb my sweet dream!" After that, he turned around and prepared to leave.

However, Zhang Jingwei suddenly stepped forward, blocking Huangfu Changshui's path, and said respectfully, "Father-in-law, please stay. I happened to have you here today, and I have something in my heart that I want to get out to you."

Huangfu Changshui stopped and stared at Zhang Jingwei with a sharp gaze. He said in a deep voice, "Just say what you want to say!"

Zhang Jingwei took a deep breath and mustered up his courage to say, "I know that my status is low, and I'm afraid I don't have the blessing to form a father-in-law and son-in-law relationship with you."

Huangfu Changshui's expression instantly turned ugly upon hearing this, and he sternly said, "Boy, do you know what you are talking about? Marriage is not a joke!"

Zhang Jingwei straightened his back, staring directly at Huangfu Changshui without flinching, and said resolutely, "Father-in-law, I will never forget your kindness in saving my life. If you want to take my life back, I will have no complaints. But today... I want to break up with you!"

Huangfu Changshui raised the corners of his mouth slightly, and forced a smile that was uglier than crying: "Hahaha, Wang Ergou, look at your young master, he has just had a few drinks and he is already so drunk! Take him away to rest!" After saying that, a trace of imperceptible cunning and complacency flashed in his narrow eyes.

Wang Ergou and Liang Dahai, standing nearby, heard the order and hurried forward, each holding one of Zhang Jingwei's limp arms firmly. Zhang Jingwei's face flushed red, and he mumbled incoherently, seemingly unconscious, letting them do whatever they wanted. Not wanting to waste even a moment, the two men hurriedly carried Zhang Jingwei towards the east courtyard, their steps flustered.

At this moment, Huangfu Ling still stood there blankly, a bewildered expression on her beautiful face. She stared wide-eyed at the direction where Zhang Jingwei was being led away, muttering to herself, "He... is he trying to divorce me? How could this be..." Tears welled up in her eyes, but she stubbornly held them back.

Seeing this, Douya hurried forward and whispered, "Miss, it's getting late. You should go to bed early and stop thinking about these troubles."

However, Huangfu Ling seemed not to hear anything, and just sneered bitterly to herself: "Haha, as expected, he is a complete liar! Now it seems that everything is fake!" After saying that, she slowly turned around and walked towards her room with heavy steps.

The once bustling scene suddenly became deserted. Everyone looked at each other, unsure how to break the awkward silence. Ultimately, everyone could only shake their heads and disperse, leaving the yard in ruins.

In the east courtyard of the Marquis' Mansion.

Zhang Liuren sat in a wheelchair, his face flushed red, and shouted angrily: "What is going on? You are all mute! Explain it to me clearly!" His eyes were wide open and veins bulged on his forehead. It was obvious that he was extremely angry.

Liang Dahai, who was standing aside, lowered his head and whispered, "Young Master...he...drank too much." His voice was as small as a mosquito's hum.

Zhang Liu was furious when he heard this and shouted, "Who are you trying to fool? How could you make such a commotion just because you're drunk? If you don't explain yourself today, none of you will be able to leave!"

At this time, Wang Ergou, who had been silent all this time, finally couldn't help but speak: "The young master and the young mistress were arguing, and the marquis saw them!"

Zhang Liu frowned and asked in confusion, "It's just a quarrel. Is it necessary to send troops to surround us?"

As soon as Zhang Jingwei returned to the yard, the soldiers of the garrison camp surrounded the east yard.

Wang Ergou seemed to have something to hide, and hesitated to speak, stammering, "This..."

At this moment, Zhang Jingwei stepped forward, took a deep breath and said, "Sixth Uncle, let me speak. I just asked the Marquis to divorce my wife!"

Zhang Liu's jaw nearly dropped upon hearing this. He stared at Zhang Jingwei in disbelief and asked anxiously, "Why...why is this happening? Who has wronged you so much that you're actually going to the point of divorcing your wife?"

Zhang Jingwei quickly waved his hands and explained: "No, Sixth Uncle, don't think too much! No one bullied me. Maybe it's just that Huangfu Ling and I are not destined to be together." After saying that, he sighed helplessly.

Zhang Liu was stunned for a long moment before he slowly said, "... We servants shouldn't interfere in the Young Master's family affairs. Since you've made up your mind and want to make your own decisions, then we can only follow your wishes!... But how should this end now?"

Zhang Jingwei's brows furrowed, his eyes wide with anger as he shouted, "I'm going to go out and have a discussion!" Zhang Liu, standing by, hurried forward to dissuade him, "Young Master, the Marquis is furious right now. I'm afraid it's not the right time for you to go out. How about we wait a little longer, until the Marquis's anger subsides, and then we can go and have a discussion."

After hearing this, Zhang Jingwei calmed down a little, but still ordered Liang Dahai beside him with a firm attitude: "Dahai, go and pack up quickly. Remember, we don't need to take anything with us. Just help me take those books." After that, he turned around and was about to walk out.

At this moment, Wang Ergou rushed forward, blocked Zhang Jingwei's way, and said with difficulty: "Young Master..."

Zhang Jingwei looked at Wang Ergou and said slowly, "Gouzi, you were the Marquis's man before, but now you're with me. I won't force you. If you want to continue following me, then follow me. If you'd rather stay in this mansion, I won't stop you."

Wang Ergou's eyes instantly moistened when he heard this, and he choked back tears as he replied, "Master... Ergou is your man in life and your ghost in death. No matter where you go, Ergou will follow you closely!"

At this time, Liang Dahai interrupted and asked, "Master, should we call Uncle Eleven and Liu Guanjin and the others as well?"

Zhang Jingwei pondered for a moment before replying, "Gouzi, go to Chaiyuan and call them. After all, your slaves are registered under my name, so logically, you should all leave with me. Now, everything depends on your personal wishes. Your future with me may not be much better than in this mansion, but as long as I have something to eat, I will definitely not let you go hungry."

Zhang Liu stood there calmly, frowning slightly as he said, "The most pressing issue facing us now is how to escape safely! Somehow, I can vaguely sense Huangfu Changshui's murderous aura, so strong it's almost overflowing! What should we do? By the way, where is the young master..."

Wang Ergou, who was standing by, quickly responded, "The young master has already left!"

Hearing this, Zhang Liu was shocked, his expression instantly becoming serious. He asked anxiously, "How could you just let the young master go on his own? Without even a follower? What would we do if anything happened to the young master..."

Wang Ergou quickly explained, "The young master has instructed me to go to the firewood yard and call Guan Jin and the others to come and help!"

At this time, Liang Dahai also interrupted: "The young master also specifically told me to pack my luggage quickly!"

Zhang Liu looked at the two men, stamping his feet in anger, and shouted, "You two! How can you be so foolish! Aren't you afraid that the young master will be in danger?"

However, Wang Ergou appeared remarkably calm. He patted his chest and assured, "Don't worry, Sixth Master! Those guys wouldn't dare to attack Young Master easily!"

……

Outside the East Courtyard, a group of officers, mounted on tall, majestic horses, stood tall and straight before the gate. Their expressions were serious, their gazes occasionally darting into the courtyard, as if awaiting some kind of instruction.

Wang Caiwu, among them, had a puzzled look on his face and lowered his voice to ask, "What on earth is the Marquis up to? Were we not drinking happily together just now? How come he has us surrounding him in the blink of an eye?"

A captain nearby quickly came over and said, "I heard that the couple had an argument! And it was the son-in-law who got drunk and hit the young lady. I think he's going to suffer this time."

At this time, Captain Song Geng shook his head, expressing his disagreement, and said, "I don't think the son-in-law is the type of person who would beat his own wife. Besides, with his mediocre martial arts skills, can he beat our young lady?"

Another officer echoed, "That's right! Our young lady is a highly skilled martial artist. Three or five ordinary men can't even get close to her!"

Just as everyone was discussing, Wang Caiwu suddenly made a silencing gesture and whispered, "Shh! Stop talking, the son-in-law is here!"

Zhang Jingwei stumbled towards them, his face showing a hint of anger and resentment. Seeing this, several officers quickly dismounted and saluted him in unison, "Hello, son-in-law!"