You're the one who wants to marry a mistress, and I'm marrying someone else, yet you still

When Madam Shen saw that Shen Nian'an had finally made a decision, she felt a little relieved. Although her son had not become a high-ranking official, he had still been taught to be very well-behaved.

"Nian'an, your mother is counting on you now. You must pull yourself together. The Emperor has not been on your side for the past two years. In the next year or two, I will ask your father to find you a sinecure, whether it is a civil or military post. Just start doing it and take it slow. I believe that you will rise to prominence one day. We cannot let people laugh at us, especially Xie Wanru!"

Shen Nian'an responded with a "yes," as he did not want to hear anything about Xie Wanru right now, not even a brief mention of her. He turned to leave, but was stopped by Old Madam Shen.

"By the way, you need to discipline Yanzhi properly. The way he is now is all because of you and your... sigh, that woman who spoiled him."

When Fu Rou is mentioned, Old Madam Shen can't stand her at all; she even feels disgusted and wants to hurl some harsh words at her.

If this woman hadn't been plotting to enter the mansion and bewitched her son, her son would have been happily with Xie Wanru and would have had a child long ago.

With the support of the Xie family, why has the Shen family fallen into this predicament?

She didn't actually like Xie Wanru either, because the Xie family was powerful and she couldn't afford to offend them, let alone manipulate her daughter-in-law. But she didn't really hate her, since Xie Wanru was a decent daughter-in-law.

They come from wealthy and influential families, are polite and considerate, and are generous with their money.

Shen Nian'an felt increasingly uneasy, and her face darkened. "Yes, son understands."

He knew how outstanding Xie Wanru was without anyone reminding him. Just the fact that she went to the Northern Border alone after their divorce showed him what a legendary woman she was.

Later, he ran into Xie Wanru on the street and saw her captivating features. He was filled with regret, wondering why he hadn't taken this woman to heart before.

He left Madam Shen's courtyard, feeling increasingly frustrated.

He knew his mother was right; the Shen family was indeed facing a critical moment of survival. But how could he not want to pull himself together? It was just that the affairs of the household were numerous and complex, and he simply couldn't manage them all.

Thinking of Aunt Liu and the child in her womb, Shen Nian'an felt even more upset.

He knew he owed Rou something, that he had kept her and her child out of the public eye and prevented them from having a respectable identity; it was his fault.

But Aunt Liu was also carrying his child. Although he didn't have any great abilities, he loved children. It seemed that everything was in a mess, leaving him feeling confused and disoriented.

Just as he was lost in thought, a servant rushed in. "Second Master, it's terrible! The young master is trying to sneak out to gamble again! He's been caught and brought back to his room, and they're making a scene right now."

Upon hearing this, Shen Nian'an flew into a rage. "That bastard! Is he trying to cause trouble? Where did he get the money to gamble?"

He roared and turned to run towards Shen Yanzhi's courtyard.

He knew that he had to discipline his son properly this time, otherwise who knew what trouble he might cause in the future.

The servant had no idea how the young master had money. Everyone in the manor had clearly forbidden giving him any! He didn't reply, but quickly followed Shen Nian'an's steps.

Shen Nian'an strode towards the North Garden, her anger burning ever brighter.

He had done his best so that Shen Yanzhi could return to the Shen family and so that he could give his wife and son a share of happiness. He even let Xie Wanru down and lost such a good wife. But his wife and son still caused him no peace of mind.

First, Shen Yanzhi made a fool of himself by banging a gong, letting the whole of Xuancheng know that he, Shen Nian'an, was keeping a mistress outside. Then, Fu Rou almost caused Aunt Liu to have a difficult childbirth. No one made him feel at ease.

With a wave of his hand, he personally pushed open Shen Yanzhi's door. The servant was a step too slow and could only follow behind him.

As soon as the gate opened, Shen Yanzhi was seen rolling around on the ground, crying and shouting that he wanted to go out and play, while several maids and servants were trying to coax him.

"You wicked child! Stop your hands and your mouth, or I'll beat you to death right now!" Shen Nian'an roared, picked up the table leg next to him, and slammed it to the ground with a loud bang.

The commotion startled Shen Yanzhi, who immediately stopped crying and stared blankly at her father.

"Father……"

Shen Yanzhi was a little scared because he saw the fierce look in his father's eyes. He had never seen such an expression in his father's eyes before. This time, he probably really wanted to beat him up.

He had just been beaten by his grandfather, and his injuries hadn't healed yet.

Shen Nian'an stepped forward, grabbed Shen Yanzhi from the ground, and glared at him angrily: "Where did you get the money to gamble? Did you take money from the manor behind my back? Or did you steal it from someone?"

Shen Yanzhi turned pale with fright and stammered, unable to speak. He dared not tell his father that he had taken all his money from the Xie family.

If his father finds out, and goes to the Xie family to inquire, he might never get the money again.

Seeing his behavior, Shen Nian'an became even more furious and raised her hand to hit him.

At this moment, Fu Rou appeared out of nowhere, knelt down and grabbed Shen Nian'an's leg, saying in a trembling voice, "Second Master, please calm down. Yan Zhi's money... was given by me."

In order to make Shen Yanzhi obedient, Fu Rou had indeed given Shen Yanzhi some loose change over the years. She only gave him fifty taels a month, so naturally she couldn't give him much.

However, Shen Yanzhi was short of money, so he happily accepted whatever amount he received, but he wasn't particularly happy with the meager sums given to him by his birth mother, Fu Rou.

Shen Nian'an was taken aback and turned to look at Fu Rou.

Fu Rou lowered her head and trembled all over: "I saw that Yan Zhi stayed in his room all day, so I thought of giving him some money to cheer him up, but I didn't expect him to gamble it away."

Shen Nian'an was furious: "He's addicted to gambling! You shameless woman! How dare you indulge him like this! Are you going to let him run rampant and lose the entire Marquis's mansion before you're satisfied? Guards, drag this shameless woman away and give her twenty lashes!"

After Shen Yanzhi caused trouble last time, Old Madam Shen repeatedly forbade giving Shen Yanzhi a single copper coin. She also wanted her son to stay with his father and mother and be properly raised.

Firstly, he was too busy to discipline his child, and secondly, he wanted his father to like Yanzhi so that he could make more plans for Yanzhi in the future.

Although her father had a sinecure, he knew more people than her, and her mother's old friends were all from prominent families. By having Shen Yanzhi stay by their side, she would receive their approval and love. Who would dare to look down on Yanzhi's background in the future?

As a result, all his painstaking plans were disrupted by this woman, Fu Rou.

He felt nauseous at the sight of the woman he once loved to the core, now appearing so utterly brainless and foolish.

Besides trying to please him and flirting, you can't alleviate his worries at all; you'll only cause trouble!