After my luck was stolen, I led my whole family to defy fate and change our destiny.

"What do you mean? What do you mean, 'As expected of the dean's daughter'?"

"Young master, don't you know? Since Dean Chen was exonerated, all of Jiang He's assets have gone to Dean Chen. Jiang He is really something. Just the assets confiscated from an ordinary vice dean include three properties in the capital, plus shops and estates. The Chen family is now quite wealthy. Matchmakers have been coming to the Chen family to propose marriage so many times they've practically worn down their doorstep."

"Chen Xining's previous poems have also been unearthed, proving her to be a true talent, which has attracted even more suitors."

Gu Liyao scratched his knee with his fingers, let out a soft "oh," and closed his eyes, pretending to doze off.

Seeing Chen Xining's listless appearance upon her return, Madam Chen asked, "What's wrong? I said I'd bring you back."

"Second Young Master Gu"

Madam Chen smiled, her eyes narrowing. "I see you two are getting along quite well, why don't we just set you up as a couple?"

"Mother, what nonsense are you talking about? How could our family be comparable? Don't say such things again. Young Master Gu only treats me as his junior sister."

"What does social status matter? My daughter is the most talented woman in the capital, and her father is the most talented man in the capital. How can they not be good enough for each other? I'm not trying to make you marry into a wealthy family, but you look down on everyone."

"If you're talking about not being good enough, back then your father wasn't even good enough for me, the daughter of a county magistrate,!"

Chen Boqing, who was drinking, put down his cup: "Alright, Madam, let the young people do as they please. I don't think they're a good match; the difference in our families' social standing is too great."

Mrs. Chen turned and left, saying, "I really like that boy, it's a pity he can't be my son-in-law, alas..."

Chen Xining sighed and went back to her room. She took out an unfinished painting, a portrait of Gu Liyao. She had always known that he liked Shen Qingqing, and that it would have been impossible even without Shen Qingqing and their families' social standing.

She wasn't the kind of woman who would climb the social ladder by marrying into wealth.

Spring has passed and autumn has come. Gu Linglong is now two years and eight months old. She can say some simple sentences and walks more steadily. Most importantly, she can eat meat now. When she was a little over one year old, she could only eat a few bits of meat, but now she can eat more. This is the happiest thing for Gu Linglong.

At this moment, the Zhou family is holding a grand full moon celebration. Gu Xinyi gave birth to twin sons a month ago, and the entire Zhou family is overjoyed.

Mr. and Mrs. Zhou rushed back to their ancestral home overnight to repair their ancestral graves. Their son had been single for so many years, but his daughter-in-law became pregnant not long after they got married, and it was twins! What else could this be but a blessing from their ancestors?

News of Gu Xinyi giving birth to twins spread quickly, naturally dispelling the rumors that she was infertile.

"So it's because Master Cui can't have children."

"Exactly! Since they couldn't even survive themselves, they just imprisoned someone in the Cui mansion for ten years for nothing, really!"

"Sigh, men care about their pride. It's just a pity about that shrewish woman from the Gu family. But now things are different; not only is she married well, but she's also had two sons."

"Exactly! Who says she can't have children? She certainly can!"

Cui Sheng, who was drowning his sorrows in a tavern, was consumed by jealousy upon hearing this, but there was nothing he could do. Every day, he would sneak around outside the clothing store like a mouse, peeking at the shop.

Gu Xinyi, who sells clothes, exudes confidence and composure, radiating a glow that he has never seen before.

When Zhou Zhixing came to see her, she was as happy and excited as a little girl. He had seen her like this before, during the first year of their marriage. Gu Xinyi also looked forward to his return home every day, and she was just like this when she saw him.

These things clearly belong to him. Sometimes he thinks that if he had told Gu Xinyi the truth from the beginning and hadn't schemed against her, she wouldn't have held it against him, and they would have adopted several children and lived happily together.

But it was all too late.

When Madam Cui learned that her son was at the restaurant with his entourage, she went there and said, "What are you doing? Ever since you found out Gu Xinyi was pregnant, you've been drinking every day. If you liked it, why didn't you do it sooner?"

Cui Sheng, feeling resentful that his mother had hit the nail on the head, roared, "It's all your fault! If you had treated her better when she was in the manor, she wouldn't have left so resolutely!"

Madam Cui was taken aback, clearly not expecting her son to blame her: "You blame me? You, as her husband, haven't treated her well, and you expect me, her mother-in-law, to? Don't you have any conscience?"

Not wanting to argue with her, Cui Sheng pushed through the crowd and ran out. Old Madam Cui stamped her foot: "What are you all standing there for? Go after him!"

If they were to cause trouble at the Zhou residence, wouldn't they have no shame?

As Madam Cui guessed correctly, Cui Sheng did indeed run to the entrance of the Zhou residence, where the guards stopped him.

"Xinyi, why don't you get a divorce? You love me, we've been together for ten years, you can't just abandon me like this."

Zhou Zhixing, who was holding his son, turned cold instantly upon hearing the servant's whispered report.

Gu Xinyi asked, "What's wrong? Who's making a scene outside?"

"It's nothing. I'll go out and take a look. There are many important people here today, so there might be some trouble. Don't worry, just take good care of the children."

"Um"

When Zhou Zhixing came out, Cui Sheng had already been grabbed and dragged aside by Zhou's servants.

"My lord, this is the man who was spouting nonsense and making outrageous statements at the gate of the mansion."

Move it a little further away so as not to disturb today's guests.

"Yes"

Cui Sheng was dragged into a nearby alley, and Zhou Zhixing followed and waved to signal his men to release Cui Sheng.

He got angry just looking at Cui Sheng's face. He had long been prepared to have no children in his life, but a few months ago, Gu Xinyi suddenly vomited and felt dizzy, which scared him so much that he immediately asked the imperial physician to take a look. It turned out that she was pregnant.

He was worried, so he invited Gu Liyao over and told her she was pregnant. He was happy but also heartbroken. Gu Xinyi was clearly capable of having children, but she had been deceived for ten years.

She must have been hurt by rumors and misled by malicious people over the past ten years. How heartbroken and sad she must have been! All of this was caused by the man in front of her.

He punched him, yelling, "Bastard! If you hadn't impersonated my wife's savior, my son would be in school by now! You've caused my wife ten years of heartache and guilt, you son of a bitch!"

The two immediately started fighting.

"No, Gu Xinyi loves me, not you. We have a ten-year relationship that you can't compare to."

"My wife and I have a long life ahead of us, and we have a son, which you can't compare to."

Cui Sheng choked, his eyes bloodshot. "No, no, that's not how it is!" Unfortunately, he was no match for Zhou Zhixing, and the alcohol had left him even weaker.

Zhou Zhixing finally found an opportunity to beat someone openly and without being criticized, and he beat him with great satisfaction. In the end, it was only because the servants couldn't stand it anymore that they pulled Zhou Zhixing away.

"My lord, today is a joyous occasion for your two young masters. Please don't let this person cause any unpleasantness."

Zhou Zhixing kicked him again: "Get out, and don't let me see you again."

When Madam Cui arrived, Cui Sheng was lying on the ground with blood and foam around his mouth.

"Xinyi, Xinyi"

"Oh dear son, wait for me! I'm going to the Zhou family right now to get justice for you. How dare they beat my son like this!"