My daughter was sold, I want to divorce her and go back to my parents' home to escape the famin

"In fact, the reason local officials dare to do this is because there's no one watching from above, or because they have someone protecting them. Ultimately, it's the people who suffer. Furthermore, I think our Great Zhao Dynasty isn't strict enough in its control over officials. You must have heard the saying, 'The timid die of starvation, and the bold die of gluttony,' right?"

Lin Qingxue shook her head gently, her beautiful and calm face showed no ripples, as if everything happening before her could not cause the slightest fluctuation in her heart.

She opened her red lips slightly and said calmly, "I've seen this happen many times. People are all made of flesh and blood. As long as the temptation is strong enough, who can truly stick to their bottom line?"

Hearing Lin Qingxue's words, Gu Jinxuan, who was standing beside him, felt a sudden pain in his heart, as if he was hit hard by a heavy hammer.

At this moment, he seemed to suddenly understand many things, and the mystery in his heart was solved.

He knew very well that if Lin Qingxue had not personally experienced a similar or even worse situation, she would never be able to express such profound insights and words so calmly.

Thinking back to how Lin Qingxue's family had gone through hardships and long journeys to escape famine here, and considering that she had always lived with her mother's family and had never mentioned her husband's family, Gu Jinxuan couldn't help but speculate that Lin Qingxue's past life must have been extremely bumpy and difficult.

Perhaps it is those unbearable pasts that have made her the seemingly strong yet lovable woman she is today.

"Rest assured, Qingxue. The current emperor is a wise ruler. He cares deeply about the country and works diligently to govern. Heart-wrenching incidents like today's will become less and less frequent. Those who abuse their power for personal gain, commit corruption, and pervert the law will certainly have no place to stand in the future. I believe that under the emperor's wise leadership, the court will be clean and honest, and the official atmosphere will be completely renewed."

Gu Jinxuan held Lin Qingxue's soft and boneless little hand tightly, staring at her with a look full of tenderness and determination, as if he wanted to give her endless strength and comfort with his eyes.

"I hope so!" Lin Qingxue nodded slightly, and added: "You are a widower, and I am divorced. Although we both have children, will your family disagree with our relationship?"

"Don't worry! Qingxue, my parents already know about us. I've confessed to them long ago, and they agree. As for the child's biological mother, it was actually only because my family had a favor to repay that the elders arranged for me to marry her. To be honest, I only have responsibilities and obligations to her. Since we got married, I thought I had fulfilled my duties, but who knew she had someone else in her heart and could never let go of this marriage. After the marriage, she was even more depressed and sad all day long, and she even refused to get close to me and the children. Perhaps it was because of this reason that she passed away so early."

Gu Jinxuan stared at Lin Qingxue deeply, as if he could see through her eyes and see the uneasiness in her heart. How could he not know what Lin Qingxue was worried about?

After all, the gap in family background between the two is too great. However, he does not agree with this secular concept.

In his eyes, what mattered to him was only Lin Qingxue herself, and her background had nothing to do with her.

Besides, the Gu family has never selected people based on their family background or status. If they really care about these things, then the only people who can match him are probably the royal princess or the like.

But even so, he did not choose that kind of marriage, but married his ex-wife to repay her kindness.

Lin Qingxue nodded slightly and smiled, "You know I have a large family. I've bought servants and maids for the younger generations. I'd like to borrow two people from you, preferably a boy and a girl, both skilled in martial arts. I want them to teach the children and, by the way, let the servants and maids learn as well, so they can have some self-defense skills."

"Okay, I'll send the person over to you tomorrow. Do you want to have hotpot for lunch? Or do you want to eat other dishes?" Gu Jinxuan looked at Lin Qingxue gently and asked in a low voice.

"Let's eat hot pot! It's too hot and I don't want to go out," Lin Qingxue shook her head. It was scorching hot outside. Although eating hot pot was also hot, she didn't want to go out again.

"Okay, then I'll let Wensu go order the food," Gu Jinxuan nodded, asked Lin Qingxue what she wanted to eat, and then called Wensu in and asked him to go down and order the food.

The newlyweds ate hotpot and rested for a while before going back to their respective homes because Wen Ze came looking for them with the emperor's oral order, summoning him to the palace to discuss important matters.

"Qingxue, I'm sorry, I have an emergency and can't accompany you this afternoon. I will accompany you next time when I have time," Gu Jinxuan looked at Lin Qingxue with an embarrassed face. The sacred order cannot be disobeyed.

"It's okay, you go and do your work first!" Lin Qingxue looked at Gu Jinxuan with understanding. She was not stupid, so she naturally knew that the emperor's affairs were more important than anyone else or anything else.

"Wensu, please send Qingxue home. Qingxue, I will go into the palace first. The two wooden boxes on the table contain my gifts for you. Remember to take them. I will leave first," Gu Jinxuan said and hurriedly left with Wensu.

Looking at Gu Jinxuan's back as he walked away, Lin Qingxue's gaze followed him closely, but a trace of hesitation and doubt arose in her heart.

She couldn't help but start asking herself: Am I really ready to spend my whole life with this man?

As a court official, Gu Jinxuan has outstanding talents and noble character, and is deeply respected and trusted by the current emperor.

It is foreseeable that he will have a successful career and a bright future, which will naturally lead to increasingly busy official duties and various social engagements.

However, looking back at herself, Lin Qingxue is just an ordinary country girl who makes a living by doing some small business.

If two people with such different identities and statuses really get together and become husband and wife, can they really walk through the long years hand in hand until they are old and gray and stay together until the end of their lives?

Thinking of this, Lin Qingxue's heart grew heavier. After all, marriage was no joke; once a decision was made, it meant taking on the corresponding responsibilities and obligations.

She knew very well that she had deep feelings for Gu Jinxuan, but could this feeling withstand the tests of real life?

Especially when faced with the strange looks from the outside world and the differences in their family backgrounds, how should they deal with and resolve them?

These questions weighed on Lin Qingxue's heart like huge rocks, making her feel a little breathless.