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

After moving out of the East Garden, Shen Nian'an roughly guessed that his father was really going to give up on him.

But he was now a laughing stock in the whole of Xuancheng, so he didn't care about this insult. That very day, he moved into Meiyuan with Fu Rou and the two children.

Shen Yu'er was very happy to move into the new courtyard because here she could live with her brother and father, and their family would never be separated again.

Shen Yanzhi felt somewhat uneasy, because this was where Xie Wanru used to live.

Fu Rou, who was still a little unsteady on her feet, said to Shen Nian'an beside her, "Nianlang, as long as our family can be together, it doesn't matter where we live."

Shen Nian'an, with some subtle emotions, helped Fu Rou into the Plum Garden.

The Plum Garden was no longer the same as before; it was desolate. When Xie Wanru was there, there were twenty or thirty people serving inside and outside the Plum Garden, making it very lively. But now it was empty.

Plum Garden is indeed quite spacious, otherwise Xie Wanru wouldn't live here. However, it was comfortable in the past because Xie Wanru spent money to build it up. Now that the decorations and servants are gone, it's not as good as a small courtyard.

Fu Rou felt extremely uncomfortable. She felt disgusted and even thought that the Shen family was deliberately trying to intimidate her by letting them stay in Xie Wanru's old courtyard.

As soon as they entered, Aunt Liu and another Aunt Mo, who had been mostly absent, also arrived.

"Second Master."

Both of them looked rather unwell, but they still bowed respectfully to Shen Nian'an.

Shen Nian'an was clearly not in a good mood either. "Let's each choose a courtyard we like to stay in."

Fu Rou's gaze, however, lingered on Aunt Liu, because she noticed that Aunt Liu's lower abdomen was noticeably different.

"Yes, Second Master."

Aunt Liu and Aunt Mo bowed and then withdrew.

They were legitimate concubines, each with two maids serving them. At this moment, the maids were carrying their personal belongings.

Fu Rou felt a sense of being deceived and immediately withdrew her hand, refusing to let Shen Nian'an help her.

She knew that Shen Nian'an had a concubine, but Shen Nian'an had promised her that he would not have children with other people, and that was her bottom line.

"Should I call you Second Master like they do?"

Fu Rou's voice trembled slightly, her eyes filled with both anger and grievance.

Seeing this, Shen Nian'an hurriedly explained, "Rou'er, listen to me, it's not what you think. Aunt Liu has been with me for several years, and if she doesn't get pregnant soon, Mother will..."

"What do you want?" Fu Rou interrupted him, her tone filled with disbelief and despair. "Shen Nian'an, you promised me, have you forgotten?"

Shen Nian'an frowned deeply. He knew he was in the wrong, but he couldn't clear up the misunderstanding immediately. He took a deep breath and tried to comfort Fu Rou: "Rou'er, calm down first. Let's get settled, okay?"

Fu Rou's tears welled up in her eyes, but she forced them back, turned away, and ignored Shen Nian'an.

Shen Nian'an sighed helplessly.

Aunt Liu always told him that she hadn't had any children after so many years of marriage and that she would be so pitiful in the future. He felt sorry for Aunt Liu, so he gave her this opportunity.

At this moment, Shen Yu'er stood to the side, holding Shen Yanzhi's hand, her eyes filled with worry.

Although she was young, she could sense that something was wrong at home, and seeing her mother so sad made her even more upset.

"Brother, what should we do?" Shen Yu'er asked softly.

Shen Yanzhi gently patted her head and comforted her, "It's alright, Yu'er, Father will handle everything. We must trust him."

After comforting his sister, Shen Yanzhi looked at Shen Nian'an with no sign of trust whatsoever.

Madam Shen was still worried, so she sent a few people over. However, she didn't have much money left, and she even had to sell some things to make up for the shortfall in Xie Wanru's dowry. She was already in dire straits.

What angered Fu Rou even more was what happened next. In the evening, Old Madam Shen came over and spoke with Shen Nian'an for a while. The Shen family elders meant that he could keep Fu Rou, but she could never become his legal wife.

Even Fu Rou's room was arranged in a more secluded location, while Aunt Mo and Aunt Liu were placed next to Shen Nian'an.

He and Xie Wanru divorced because of this woman. If he were to elevate her to the status of his legal wife, it would truly mean a complete breakdown in relations with the Xie family.

They just got divorced, and although their two families don't get along well, it's not that bad.

When Madam Shen arrived, Shen Nian'an was already calling everyone together to explain the rules, which saved Madam Shen the trouble of calling people herself.

“An’er, you’ve caused such a big mess, it’s time to shut up. From now on, you’ll help me manage the household affairs, and there are some farms and shops that need someone to manage. Although your career prospects are hopeless, you’re still a member of the Shen family, so you won’t be destitute. So, don’t cause any more trouble.”

Madam Shen was heartbroken, but there was nothing she could do.

Originally, Shen Nian'an was relieved that he was able to marry Xie Wanru, but she never expected that she would be unable to control this daughter-in-law who came from a military family.

Having gone through all this, Shen Nian'an was no longer as impatient as before. She simply nodded and said nothing more.

The elders of the Shen family meant that they should wait two years and find Shen Nian'an a daughter from an ordinary family, a daughter with a clean reputation, to be his legal wife, so that the Marquis's mansion would not be disgraced again.

Fu Rou is absolutely unsuitable to be a legal wife.

Fu Rou, standing to the side, felt extremely wronged but dared not provoke Madam Shen. Shen Yu'er, on the other hand, looked innocent and naive.

"Grandma, why do we have to move? Didn't Father say that Yu'er could live next to him?"

Shen Yu'er tugged at Old Madam Shen's sleeve, her face full of confusion and grievance. Her little heart was filled with longing and bewilderment for her family.

Looking at her granddaughter's innocent face, Madam Shen felt a pang of sadness. She gently stroked Shen Yu'er's head and said softly, "Yu'er, be good. Grandmother knows you want to live with your father, but the situation is a bit complicated. Your father lives in the same courtyard as you, just a little far away."

Shen Yu'er nodded as if she understood, her big eyes glistening with tears, but she tried hard not to let them fall.

She held Shen Yanzhi's hand tightly, as if her brother were her support.

Madam Shen stood up, looked at Shen Nian'an with a complicated expression, and said earnestly, "An'er, you must remember that harmony in the family brings prosperity. Now you are no longer alone, so you must consider your family before doing anything. Now you must also learn to weigh things carefully and not let momentary emotions cloud your judgment."

Shen Nian'an remained silent for a moment. He knew that his mother's words were not without reason, but how could he be cold-blooded and ruthless in the face of Fu Rou and the expectant eyes of the children?

“Mother, I understand what you mean. I will do my best to handle everything and not bring shame to the family, but I will also not let Rou’er and the children suffer.”

Shen Nian'an's voice was firm and deep, as if he had changed overnight.