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

The East Garden of the Shen Family Mansion.

In Shen Cong'an's small courtyard, there was a charcoal stove with a plump chicken and some sweet potatoes on it. The chicken was roasted to a golden brown, and the sweet potatoes were beginning to emit a rich, sweet aroma.

Shen Cong'an and Shen Mo were by the fire, warming themselves while Shen Cong'an checked on Shen Mo's studies.

"I wear a lambskin coat and leopard-skin cloak, living comfortably by myself. Are there no others? It is all because of you. I wear a lambskin coat and leopard-skin cloak, living comfortably by myself. Are there no others? It is all because of your kindness."

Following Shen Cong'an's instructions, Shen Mo recited the relevant content word for word.

He recited it fluently, which shows that he had worked hard.

"Does Mo'er understand the deeper meaning behind this?"

Shen Cong'an looked at him gently, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.

Even though the child was only related to him by a tiny bit of blood and not close to him, Shen Cong'an felt from the very beginning that he would protect this child to the very end.

Perhaps it was the child's persistence when he was paralyzed, or perhaps it was a destined fate.

During those days when he could only hear voices but couldn't move, Shen Mo would always make time to visit him. Each time, Shen Mo would only leave after the servant guarding him chased him away. How could he not be moved by such a lovely child?

Even if he is fortunate enough to have a son or daughter in the future, they probably won't be as outstanding as Shen Mo.

After a moment's thought, Shen Mo replied, "This poem uses the splendor of the lambskin coat to highlight the coldness of human relationships. It speaks of the importance of humility in one's conduct and not being arrogant or ignoring the feelings of others because of one's superior circumstances. Even those in high positions should remember that 'there are others,' treat others with sincerity, cherish every friendship, and not distance themselves from those who are truly good to them because of personal desires."

Shen Cong'an's eyes flashed with approval. He gently patted Shen Mo's shoulder. Shen Mo had only been at Bailu Academy for less than half a month, yet he already knew so much and remembered it so clearly. It was truly remarkable.

“Mo’er understands correctly. The way of learning is not only about memorization, but also about understanding and application. It is truly commendable that you can integrate what you have learned into your daily thinking. So, consider this sweet potato a reward for Mo’er.”

As he spoke, he picked up a golden-brown, crispy sweet potato and handed it to Shen Mo. "The chicken leg isn't cooked yet, but it will be Mo'er's even when it is."

Shen Mo took the sweet potato, placed it on his lap with a rag he had prepared beforehand, but his eyes involuntarily glanced towards the door.

"Father, is Aunt Wan really not coming back?"

When the incident happened at the manor, he was still at the academy, so he wasn't there. What he knew was only what Xu Jing told him, omitting the beginning and the end.

Without Xie Wanru, the Shen family mansion left little Shen Mo feeling insecure. It was a different kind of feeling, the kind of love that Shen Cong'an could never give him, the kind of love that comes from a mother.

Shen Cong'an nodded; he didn't want to lie to Shen Mo. "Well, your junior uncle probably won't be coming back either. If you still want to learn martial arts, I'll help you find a master."

Xu Jing is Xie Wanru's junior brother. Since Xie Wanru is no longer in the Shen family, Xu Jing naturally won't come here anymore. They don't belong to the Shen family.

"Why are you suddenly unhappy? It's not like you'll never see them again, it's just temporary. You'll see them again in the future."

Shen Cong'an explained.

"Will Aunt Wan be happy in the future? Once she leaves the Shen family, she won't have to suffer anymore. Father, I know Aunt Wan is unhappy here, but I still want to live with her. I know it won't be possible in the future... but I... just want to."

As he spoke, tears slowly welled up in his eyes.

Without Xie Wanru, he wouldn't have been kept in the manor. He might have ended up like the pageboy Xiaozhuang, working as a servant for a wealthy family instead of becoming the young master he is today.

Everything he has is because of Aunt Wan.

Moreover, Aunt Wan had argued with too many people in the Shen family because of him, thus offending many people. At this moment, Shen Mo even felt that Xie Wanru's departure from home was also due to him.

“Mo’er, everyone has their own path to walk in this world. It was right for her to leave our Shen family, because this family was never a good place to begin with.”

Shen Cong'an felt somewhat powerless. He had never thought of trying to keep Xie Wanru, because Xie Wanru should never have married into the Shen family, nor should she have been trapped here.

"Ah."

Shen Mo nodded, wiped away his tears with his sleeve, and then carefully began to peel the sweet potato.

There were some things he didn't understand, such as what divorce meant for a woman, but he kept in mind that Aunt Wan would be happier leaving the Shen family.

In her past life, when Xie Wanru was framed, only Shen Mo cared about her. In this life, when she wants a divorce, only Shen Mo is reluctant to part with her.

Shen Nian'an ran back to the manor in a disheveled state. Before he could even change his clothes, people from the North Garden urged him to go there.

The Emperor told him to educate his son well first, which was actually a way of giving him face and letting him resign on his own. Otherwise, if an imperial edict were issued, the Shen family would truly lose face.

"You couldn't even beg someone properly, you dug this huge hole yourself. You can't get the person back, so why did you come back so early?"

Shen Zhan was unusually strict at this moment, even scolding Shen Nian'an for returning a little earlier.

Madam Shen didn't dare to say a word more, after all, Shen Zhan had hardly ever lost his temper over the years, and she, as the head of the household, had the final say in everything.

But this time is different. This time, he has lost his official position due to Shen Nian'an's machinations, and now he really only has the title of Marquis's Mansion left.

“Father, Xie Wanru doesn’t leave the mansion, and I can’t get in. I… I was chased back. There are beggars outside the Xie mansion. Xie Wanru is deliberately trying to embarrass me.”

Shen Nian'an looked like she had something to say but couldn't express.

He genuinely wanted to apologize to Xie Wanru this time, but she was putting on airs and refused to see him. What could he do?

The Xie family members all know martial arts, so he couldn't force his way in.

"She embarrassed you? Ha! You complained without even thinking. The Xie family has been distributing porridge for over a month, and those are all snow disaster refugees, yet you keep calling them beggars. Ha! Did they know you were planning this a month ago?"

Shen Zhan snorted coldly. The more he liked Shen Nian'an before, the more he hated her now.

He appreciated Shen Nian'an's respect for him, and Shen Nian'an's incompetence made him feel that he wasn't so useless. After Shen Cong'an fell into a coma, there was no one more useful than him in the family.

But now he really hates Shen Nian'an's weakness and stupidity.

"Xie Yanting will definitely return to Xuan before the New Year. If you can't resolve this matter before he comes back, I'll see who you cry to. Heh, someone, drag that woman out of the woodshed."

Shen Zhan raised his hand, and the servant waiting outside the door went to arrest the person.

Shen Nian'an looked at Old Madam Shen, "Mother, Rou'er can't die. If she dies, I won't be able to live either, Mother..."

His mother is soft-hearted; she will definitely help him.

As a result, Madam Shen looked away and didn't even glance at him.

She went to the palace herself to plead with the Emperor and Empress. She didn't even dare to mention that Shen Nianqing had been beaten so badly that she was almost disfigured, for fear that Aunt Caiyun would say something to the Empress again.