May this scumbag husband, who favored his concubine over his wife, rest in peace.

Pei Zeyu pursed his lips: "...Jiaojiao has been idle all the time. I think we should have her start learning how to manage a household."

Chunhua's eyes widened.

Is this a move to decentralize power?!

Wen Yuanshu remained calm, her expression as still as a stagnant pool, without a ripple, as if she had anticipated today's situation.

Pei Zeyu continued, "Let Jiaojiao learn about the daily accounts and other household matters little by little. You just need to check the accounts once a month."

“If there’s anything she’s done wrong, just tell me. Don’t hold back. I’ve already discussed it with my mother, and she’s agreed. You don’t need to worry.”

This way, Xie Qianjiao can learn gradually without being too provoking Wen Yuanshu.

He paused for a moment, then tentatively asked, "How about this?"

Wen Yuanshu smiled faintly, her expression full of sarcasm: "The Marquis always plans before he acts. Now that the Marquis is here, does my opinion still matter?"

Pei Zeyu could easily hear the sarcasm in her words, and his face instantly turned ugly: "If there's anything you want, just say the word."

Just like the previous two times.

Although he came with a clear plan, Wen Yuanshu still benefited from it every time.

Wen Yuanshu lowered her eyelashes and didn't rush to speak.

It has been quite some time since she obtained the land deed for the back mountain villa.

She immediately ordered the General's Mansion to send people to clean up, thinking that things should be almost done over there as well.

She was originally thinking about how to get rid of the mess at the Marquis's mansion to lighten her burden, but unexpectedly Pei Zeyu took the initiative to bring her a pillow.

Given that, there's no reason to refuse.

“No need,” she said considerately. “The Marquis is the head of the family, and Miss Xie is now a second wife in the family. She should have half of the family affairs. Chunhua, take out the account books and have the Marquis take them away.”

"Yes."

After glancing at Chunhua's departing figure, Pei Zeyu looked at Wen Yuanshu with a complicated expression: "Yuanshu, what's wrong with you...?"

“The Marquis is only thinking of me,” Wen Yuanshu said. “I am indeed tired after dealing with the matter of these two children. I have no worries about handing the account book over to Miss Xie. It’s just that Miss Xie has worked hard. I hope the Marquis can comfort her a little.”

Her words were quite dignified, befitting a matriarch of a prominent family.

Pei Zeyu was immediately gratified: "Yuan Shu, marrying you is my blessing."

Wen Yuanshu's smile remained unchanged.

The trouble is gone, and the reputation is built – this is a huge win.

Chunhua returned quickly, and Pei Zeyu took the account book and left.

Looking at Pei Zeyu's figure, Chunhua pursed her lips and said, "Madam, I think the Marquis seems different from before."

Wen Yuanshu gave a casual "hmm".

"Madam, since the Marquis is already going to change it, why are you still..."

Spring flowers don't understand.

Wen Yuanshu remained silent, slowly finishing her cup of tea before asking, "Chunhua, why did he change?"

"Huh?" Chunhua blinked. "This servant doesn't know."

Wen Yuanshu glanced at her helplessly: "It's because he needs our help."

Chunhua blinked again.

Wen Yuanshu placed the teacup on the table: "If it were business, then the give-and-take would be fine, but now I am his wife, completely dependent on him. When he thinks of me, he comes to see me and says a few nice words; when he doesn't think of me, I still have to worry about all the big and small affairs at home for him..."

"He has his vast world to explore, while I can only revolve around his family. Do you think that's fair?"

Chunhua subconsciously shook her head and said, "But Madam, even if it's unfair, what can we do?"

"How about a divorce?" Wen Yuanshu said calmly. "Divorce or being abandoned, it doesn't matter. The important thing is that we leave this place."

Her tone was so flat, as if she were talking about something very ordinary.

But Chunhua's eyes were wide open, and her mouth was almost agape.

The current Empress Dowager is a second-time bride, so the social atmosphere is more open now, and the control over women is not as strict as in the previous dynasty.

But this is only something that has happened in the last few decades, and it cannot change what has been rooted in people's minds for generations.

For women, divorce is tantamount to their lives being ruined.

Not to mention those who are divorced, they will be looked down upon even more.

but……

Chunhua quickly concealed her surprise and smiled brightly: "Okay!"

Now, it was Wen Yuanshu who was surprised.

She had initially thought that Chunhua wouldn't support it.

Meeting Wen Yuanshu's gaze, Chunhua smiled and said, "Miss, please don't look at me like that! I've grown up with you since I was little, and I treat you like my own sister. As long as you're happy, that's all that matters. Anyway, life is only a few decades long, whether you get married or not, whether you have a good reputation or not—"

She paused for a moment, then changed her words, saying, "Well, reputation is still very important, young lady. It would be best if you got a divorce?"

Wen Yuanshu was stunned at first, then burst into laughter.

That's what you call a girl.

"No rush," Wen Yuanshu said.

There are still some things she hasn't figured out.

In her past life, the rapid decline of the General of the Cavalry's mansion was alarming. Fortunately, she was still the mistress of the house at that time and noticed something. So... she had to find out the truth.

So Chunhua nodded again: "Okay."

"So, Madam, you threw the account books away to prepare for your departure?"

Wen Yuanshu nodded: "When we see Miss Xie in the future, we must be more polite to her. We might need her help when we leave."

Chunhua frowned again.

She was only one year older than Wen Yuanshu, and to be honest, she wasn't very bright.

But that doesn't matter. Although she's not smart, she's obedient.

She did whatever Wen Yuanshu told her to do.

So Chunhua nodded obediently.

-

Several months have passed in the blink of an eye. The moon is gradually becoming full, and the breeze carries the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching, but before that, the old lady's birthday banquet has arrived.

Xie Qianjiao felt that she had gained a lot from the training over the past few months and was eager to show off her skills at the old lady's birthday banquet.

From the banquet setup to the purchase of ingredients, everything was done by newcomers whom Xie Qianjiao had been cultivating over the past few months.

The old lady is getting on in years, and her birthday banquet is a big event, so Wen Yuanshu made a special trip to take a look.

As soon as Wen Yuanshu arrived, Xie Qianjiao immediately felt as if she were facing a formidable enemy. She rushed over to meet her, blocking her way and not wanting her to take another step forward.

"Greetings, Madam. What brings you here?"

Wen Yuanshu clearly saw her wariness, but she was extremely puzzled.

She just came to check how the setup was going, why was Xie Qianjiao so wary of her?

Wen Yuanshu remained calm: "This is, after all, Miss Xie's first time hosting a family banquet. I thought Miss Xie might have some questions, so I came to take a look. However... it seems Miss Xie doesn't need it?"

Xie Qianjiao nodded: "What you say is right, Madam. I really don't need it. Madam, you should go back first!"

Xie Qianjiao looked at Wen Yuanshu, a flash of disgust crossing her eyes.

The matter of this woman causing her son to be beaten last time hasn't even been forgotten, and now she's eagerly coming back...

Don't think she doesn't know what this woman is up to. She just wants to say that she also helped if the old lady asks about it!

In the past few months, this woman had already managed to change the old lady's opinion of her by using that sickly woman as a stepping stone, and now she wants to use her to advance her own career.

Oh, what a beautiful thought!