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

As the matriarch of the Marquis's mansion, she would never allow outsiders to utter a single word of slander against the mansion. She would not gamble with the reputation of the Marquis's mansion, not even with the slightest risk!

After a long pause, she took a deep breath and said through gritted teeth, "...Fine, you don't need to worry about the deficit. Just bring the ledger over in a bit."

She paused, then added, "I'll give it to you after I figure out how to balance the accounts."

Chunhua raised an eyebrow.

Is this old lady really that kind?

The reason for giving the account books to Wen Yuanshu before was to balance the accounts. Now that the accounts are balanced, why give them back?

Wen Yuanshu responded as if she hadn't noticed anything, and then withdrew.

Watching the two figures leave, the old lady took several deep breaths to suppress the anger in her heart.

"Tell the eldest and second wives to chip in and settle the accounts!" the old lady said irritably.

Wen Yuanshu has the General of the Cavalry's mansion behind her, so she cannot be touched for the time being.

If she can't control Wen Yuanshu, can't she control those two families?

Although they were all her sons, in the old lady's heart, no one was more important than the Marquis's mansion and Pei Zeyu.

Zhang's mother, who was standing to the side, responded, but then said indignantly, "Madam, since the accounts have already been settled, why should we give the account book to Madam? Wouldn't that be letting her off easy?"

"Let her off easy? You're really getting old!" the old lady said smugly. "I'll have someone balance the accounts and send it to her. Whatever expenses she needs in the future, can she run away? There are so many precious things in the capital. If there's not enough money in the accounts, she'll still have to pay for it herself. Do you think she'd dare let this whole family go hungry?"

If Wen Yuanshu dares to disobey, she will be disobeying her elders. If word gets out, everyone in the capital will be able to drown her with their spittle!

Zhang's mother suddenly realized what was going on and quickly turned around to pass on the message.

The first and second wives were naturally extremely unwilling.

The old lady is biased. She never helps them when there are good things happening, but now she's remembered them. How can they not resent it?

No matter how much they resented it, they had no choice but to obey the old lady's orders.

The news that the eldest and second wives had contributed money to balance the accounts, along with the two months' worth of unpaid monthly wages, quickly spread throughout the Marquis's residence.

Meanwhile, Pei Zeyu and Xie Qianjiao had just finished their lovemaking when they heard the news. Xie Qianjiao's eyes flickered slightly, and she hooked her arms around Pei Zeyu's neck and kissed him again.

-

As the sun set and the evening clouds merged, Wen Yuanshu gazed at the dazzling sunset in a daze.

The day was filled with tasks like adopting a child and dealing with account books, like a battle, but she didn't feel tired at all.

After a while, she said, "Tell the kitchen to make more of their signature dishes, and make it more lavish."

Today is the day of her rebirth, and we should celebrate it properly.

Chunhua, who was standing to the side, responded but misunderstood: "Yes, we have two more young masters in our courtyard, so we need to cook more."

Although she didn't have a good impression of the two adopted children, what's done is done, and she could only let nature take its course.

Mentioning Pei Zhicheng, Wen Yuanshu's smile faded slightly: "Those two children aren't my own. Go ask them first. If they want to eat in their own rooms, send the food over to them. Don't force them."

Although she agreed to keep Pei Zhicheng by her side, she didn't want him to come over every day and spoil her appetite.

Upon hearing this, Chunhua didn't hesitate and turned to ask him herself.

The people in the main courtyard's small kitchen were all brought by Wen Yuanshu from the General of the Cavalry's mansion. They were very efficient and knew her favorite flavors. In no time, they filled the round table that could accommodate six people.

Wen Yuanshu sat down and was about to pick up her chopsticks when Pei Xi rushed over.

He came alone.

The emaciated child hesitated for a long time before softly uttering, "Mother."

Wen Yuanshu was naturally very kind to the child, and she often served him food herself during the meal. Pei Xi had obviously never been treated like this before, and he seemed a little apprehensive.

Before the meal was even finished, Pei Zeyu arrived.

He was dressed in brocade robes and had an elegant demeanor.

He entered the dining room and saw that only Wen Yuanshu and Pei Xi were there. His brows immediately furrowed: "Why isn't Zhicheng here?"

Is it really as Xie Qianjiao said, that Wen Yuanshu is sweet on the outside but bitter on the inside?

Wen Yuanshu glanced at him, pressed Pei Xi, who had subconsciously stood up, back down, and said indifferently, "He didn't want to come over, so he had someone bring the food to his room."

Upon hearing this, Pei Zeyu's expression softened somewhat, but he still said, "Zhicheng is the first child you've chosen. You should be more patient with him."

He then sat down next to Wen Yuanshu and said, "There's something I'd like to discuss with you."

Wen Yuanshu subtly shifted her body, moving a little further away from him: "What is it?"

“It’s about Jiaojiao,” Pei Zeyu said somewhat awkwardly. “She’s reached the age where she should get married, and Mother wants Jiaojiao to stay in the mansion as a concubine.”

Actually, the old lady could have given her approval, but Wen Yuanshu is the one in charge of this household now, so her approval is the only legitimate one.

That's why he had no choice but to come over and talk to her nicely.

Wen Yuanshu lowered her eyelashes, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes.

In her past life, Xie Qianjiao wasn't in such a hurry.

It seems that many things have changed since she was reborn.

Wen Yuanshu called Chunhua and asked her to take Pei Xi back.

When only the two of them were left in the dining room, Wen Yuanshu finally spoke: "My mother-in-law has always favored Miss Xie, how could she bear to make her a concubine?"

Pei Zeyu frowned and corrected him, word by word, "Not a concubine, but a secondary wife."

“That’s just a self-deceiving statement,” Wen Yuanshu said calmly. “In the end, it’s not as respectable as being the legal wife.”

Pei Zeyu's face was pale, but he couldn't say anything.

Wen Yuanshu's words were really too rude!

Compared to Jiao Jiao... no, Wen Yuan Shu is not even worthy of being compared to Jiao Jiao!

Pei Zeyu's tone was stiff: "...Jiaojiao is unwilling to leave her mother's side, and her mother is also worried about her marrying someone else. After thinking it over, although being a concubine is unfair to her, it is the only way."

"I understand," Wen Yuanshu scoffed. "This was something my mother-in-law and the Marquis had planned long ago. Now you're telling me it's just a formality, is that it?"

Pei Zeyu's face darkened again: "Wen Yuanshu, you don't need to say such harsh things. The matter of adopting the child before was out of your mother's kindness. She even gave you the land deeds and account books of the Marquis's mansion. You have gained such a great advantage, what more could you want?"

"Besides, we've been married for two years, and I haven't taken a single concubine. That's already giving you plenty of face! What more do you want?"

As Pei Zeyu spoke, the annoyance in his eyes almost solidified.

Wen Yuanshu looked at him, her eyes filled with mockery.

He got annoyed.

The Marquis of Anyuan's mansion was no longer what it used to be, while the General of the Cavalry's mansion was at its zenith. They married her for money and power, but never treated her well. On their wedding day, she was left alone in the bridal chamber, sitting there all night.

After she entered the family, she would spend her own money to buy gifts for the old lady during holidays, hoping to win her heart in return, but unexpectedly...

Seeing that she remained silent, Pei Zeyu closed his eyes, as if he had made a great sacrifice: "If you agree, I will come to you on the first and fifteenth of every month from now on."