Help! The cunning and treacherous minister and I were reborn together!

After finishing his business, Feng Quan arrived at the restaurant. Seeing that Yuan Zhi was busy, he didn't go in to disturb her. After confirming that she was safe, he left.

The waiter carried a bucket of water into the lobby, and after wetting the cotton cloth, he began to wipe the tables.

"Master, there was a handsome young man who stood at the door for a moment and then left. Was he looking for you?"

Yuan Zhi carefully wrote the menu sign, and upon hearing this, looked over but found the door empty.

She thought for a moment and guessed it must be Lord Feng. She instructed the waiter, "Next time he comes, invite him in and have a seat. Treat him to good wine and food."

"Got it."

After wiping a table, the waiter couldn't contain his curiosity any longer and asked, "Master, is that young master your sweetheart?"

Yuan Zhi was amused. "You, you have two eyes, can't you see I'm wearing a married woman's hairstyle? I'm already married. If I were to seduce a handsome man again, wouldn't that be cheating on me?"

"What you're saying is wrong, sir. It's best for a couple to live in harmony. But if they're constantly arguing and quarreling, what's the point of living together? It's better for them to let each other go and find their own enjoyment!"

Yuan Zhi clasped his hands in a fist and said, "You are more insightful than I am. I have learned a lot from you."

The next day, the wine was delivered, and Yuanzhi flipped through the almanac to find an auspicious day.

Yuan Ying's wedding day was an auspicious day; the next one would be the fifth day of the tenth lunar month. The fifth day it was fine; she felt uneasy about opening her business on Yuan Ying's wedding day.

In her past life, she entered the palace in July of the following year and was already a concubine by New Year's Day.

His Majesty held a banquet for his ministers and foreign envoys at the Fengnian Palace, with concubines of the fifth rank and above attending him. Prince Sutuo fell in love with her at first sight, praising her as noble and radiant as a goddess of the snow mountains.

His Majesty was not angry at all. Instead, he praised the prince for his honesty and straightforwardness, and said with a smile that she was his most beloved concubine and he could not part with her. After saying that, he turned to her and asked if she had any unmarried sisters in her family.

She dared not lie and said that her fourth sister was still unmarried. His Majesty was overjoyed and said that since they were sisters, they must look alike, so he betrothed Yuan Ying to Prince Su Tuo.

When His Majesty met Yuan Ying, he found that Yuan Ying did not resemble her. Fortunately, the prince thought Yuan Ying was also a beauty, and happily thanked him for his favor. After the festival, he took Yuan Ying back to Su Tuo.

Once Yuan Ying left, she never returned.

Her eldest and second eldest sisters both married down, and her third brother repeatedly failed the imperial examinations, so the fate of bringing glory to the family rested entirely on her shoulders.

She climbed her way up, and if she hadn't met Xiao Zong, she might have eventually become the empress!

Forget it, a hero doesn't dwell on past glories. Many people's destinies change to some extent in this life, and everything needs to be planned anew.

After hesitating for two days, Yuan Zhi mustered up her courage and went to find her nemesis, Xiao Zong.

Tomorrow I'm going to the Wu King's residence. Even if we're only pretending to be friendly, I have to put on an act.

She knocked on the door, but the voices inside were muffled. When she asked again, there was no response, so she simply pushed the door open and went in.

Passing through the gauze-draped wardrobe, where candlelight shone brightly, the hanging curtains reflected two intertwined figures. Soft moans mingled with the man's low growls, and Yuan Zhi froze on the spot, her heart aching as if pierced by needles.

"Young Master, be gentle! This servant, this servant..."

It's Grain Rain!

Xiao Zong and her...

Yuan Zhi bit her tongue, the sudden pain bringing her back to her senses. Through the curtain, she said, "I apologize for disturbing my husband's good time. I just came to ask when we'll be going to the Prince of Wu's residence tomorrow?"

The man's voice was very soft, as if he were whispering to the woman. After three breaths, Gu Yu said in a hoarse voice, "Tomorrow at Shenshi (3-5 PM), the eldest young master will be waiting for the young mistress at the main gate of the Xiao residence."

Yuan Zhi snorted: "Xiao Zong, are you mute? You need a maid to relay messages when you're this close?"

Just as the man inside was about to speak, Gu Yu covered his mouth.

"The young master said, 'If you don't see eye to eye, there's no point in saying more. Saying too much will only increase your dislike for each other. It's better for both of you to save face.'"

"Indeed, Miss Guyu has worked hard. You must serve my husband well. Perhaps if he is pleased, he will make you his concubine. Then it will be perfectly legitimate for you to sleep on this bed again."

Gu Yu was furious; this was an insult implying that she was a woman who would sleep with men!

She tried to jump out of bed to argue, but the man pulled her back and pinned her down.

Yuan Zhi had no interest in hearing about this and stepped out the door.

West wing.

When Luo Mei saw her return, she asked, "Have you reached an agreement with the young master?"

"Ah."

"You look so pale, did you quarrel with your son-in-law again?"

Yuan Zhi took a piece of apple with a silver fork and took a bite out of it with resentment.

"Arguing? I witnessed him getting into a fight!"

Luo Mei's hand trembled, nearly knocking over the porcelain vase. She hurriedly steadied it and asked, "Who did the young master fight with? Is he injured?"

Yuan Zhi held a fork in one hand and extended a finger with the other, gesturing as he said, "A man and a woman are fighting fiercely, it's incredibly intense!"

Male and female? Fighting?

Luo Mei was so shocked that she stammered, "Young master...slept...who did the young master sleep with?"

"Gu Yu."

"See? I told you so! That little bitch was still up to her old tricks, and she still got her way!"

Yuan Zhi poked at the apple, "If Xiao Zong didn't agree, how could Gu Yu have succeeded? They're both willing, so let them be!"

Luo Mei sighed beside her, her face full of sorrow.

The following afternoon, Yuan Zhi had a carriage prepared early and went to the main gate to wait for Xiao Zong.

After a cup of tea, Xiao Zong rode his horse to the front of the carriage and tapped the side of the carriage with his whip.

Yuan Zhi lifted the carriage curtain and quietly looked at him.

"Why are you out so early?"

Yuan Zhi remained silent. The next moment, a riding whip was thrust in and lifted her chin.

"I'm asking you something."

"Our marriage is over. I don't have much to say to strangers! If you're ready, let's go!"

Xiao Zong awkwardly withdrew his hand and said coldly, "Let's go."

The two arrived at the Wu King's Palace, one on horseback and the other in a carriage.

Yuan Zhi and Xiao Zong walked side by side, smiling, and greeted everyone one by one. Men and women did not sit together, so the two parted ways in the main hall, and Yuan Zhi followed a maid to the back hall.

She took out a silver-gilt sachet hidden in a ribbon and walked leisurely among the noblewomen and ladies.

The only daughter of the Marquis of Changping's family saw the sachet she was wearing and her eyes lit up. "Sister-in-law, where did you buy your sachet? It's so beautiful!"

The eldest son of the Marquis of Changping died young without leaving any heirs. The second son married Xiao Zong's aunt, Xiao Yin, and they had three sons. The third son also had two sons, and his only daughter came from the fourth branch of the family and was pampered from a young age.

She called Yuanzhi her cousin-in-law, following the custom of addressing the second wife.

Yuan Zhi shook it, releasing a cool fragrance, and the small bells in the inner lining jingled softly.

"You mean this? It's a small gift for the female customers at the restaurant."

Chu Lanyin stared wide-eyed, her raven-feather-like eyelashes fluttering, utterly curious.

"Sister-in-law, may I take a look?"

Yuan Zhi took it off and handed it to her, saying, "You can have your name engraved on it. If you like, I'll have them make a new one and send it to your residence."

Chu Lan pointed to the side of the sachet, "Is this my cousin-in-law's name?"

"Correct."

Chu Lan loved it so much that she played with it for a while and then returned it to Yuan Zhi.

"How long will it take to make this? I really want to get it soon!"

"The sachets are ready-made; we just need to add the name, and they should be ready by tomorrow afternoon."

"Then I'll wait." Chu Lanyin's cherry lips parted slightly. "By the way, where is the restaurant located? Is it your property? How come it can cater to female customers?"

“On Weiyang Street, I am the owner,” Yuan Zhi said. “It’s called a restaurant, but it’s really just a place to eat and drink. Both men and women can go there.”

"Even if it's just about drinking, there's nothing wrong with that. People are divided into men and women, but alcohol isn't. Why should men be able to drink, but women can't?"