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

But then he remembered the two of them, so affectionate on the street earlier that day.

Lu Chengyuan frowned: "Not doing well? I think she's doing quite well! Who knows, she might even give the Marquis's mansion a son next year!"

The scholar said with a forced smile, "Then I congratulate you, young master, on having another nephew next year. How much silver do you plan to give him as a red envelope? I'll have someone prepare it in advance."

A moment later, the scholar, holding a wine jar that was half a person tall in both hands, started running around the training ground with a blank expression.

Days passed by like this, one after another.

These days, Aunt Wan has been helped up by Xie Qianjiao and is showing signs of being able to rival Bai Tong, but she has not been seen to have any intention of harming anyone.

Bai Tong was too lazy to argue with Aunt Wan about trivial matters, and finally had some free time. She only took action when Pei Zeyu went to bother Wen Yuanshu. At other times, she was busy in her own courtyard, seemingly planning something.

The Dragon Boat Festival is just around the corner.

The autumn-colored shimmering brocade had already been made into summer clothes. Xie Qianjiao also sent the old lady a whole set of dazzling jewelry, which made the old lady smile from ear to ear and repeatedly hold her hand to praise her.

"Madam, Miss Xie is being incredibly generous these days. Even her maids are adorned with gold and silver," Chunhua said. "Madam, at this rate, won't the Marquis's mansion be sold off completely?"

"I think that's about right."

Life has been relatively peaceful lately, but Xie Qianjiao has become increasingly extravagant with her spending. She tells the old lady that the property was left by her father and mother, and the old lady has never suspected anything. As a result, Xie Qianjiao has become more and more unrestrained.

However, none of this concerns Wen Yuanshu.

During festivals, wealthy families in the capital always loved to hold banquets. The old lady loved the festivities but was reluctant to spend the money to host her own banquet, so she would always attend other people's banquets instead.

This time, I went to a banquet hosted by Princess Anping, who had just returned to the capital.

Speaking of Princess Anping, Wen Yuanshu suddenly remembered something.

Princess Anping had been married off for many years. Although people in the capital said that this princess was the most easygoing and easy-going, in reality, she was an extremely strong-willed person. She not only couldn't tolerate any flaws, but she also wouldn't allow anyone to be superior to her.

In her past life, at a banquet, she had the good fortune to see a woman dressed more splendidly than Princess Anping. Later, that woman and her husband's family were constantly targeted by Princess Anping, and in the end, she was forced to end her life with a white silk ribbon.

Wen Yuanshu immediately shuddered: "Chunhua, get a new set of clothes and jewelry, something decent and not too flashy."

Chunhua nodded: "Madam, please don't worry. I know you don't care about dressing up these days!"

Hearing this, Wen Yuanshu finally felt relieved.

With the old lady and Xie Qianjiao around, the Marquis's mansion is bound to be targeted. I just hope Princess Anping won't hold a grudge against her too.

-

The next day, Wen Yuanshu got up and dressed as usual. She waited until the old lady had finished getting ready and sent someone to call her before she went out.

Upon arriving at the door, she saw that the old lady and Xie Qianjiao were dressed in splendid brocade and jewels, respectively, making her, the mistress of the house, appear somewhat plain in comparison.

Pei Zeyu looked her up and down and said, "Yuan Shu, is there a banquet today? Why don't you dress up properly?"

Before he could finish speaking, Xie Qianjiao chimed in, "Cousin-in-law, is it because you don't have any money? Oh dear, why didn't you say so beforehand? If you had, I could have helped you out. You wouldn't have to dress so plainly today. If people didn't know better, they would think that our Marquis's mansion was mistreating you!"

The old lady's expression was also somewhat displeased: "Qianjiao is right. Yuanshu, as the mistress of the house, you represent the image of our Marquis's mansion when you go out. Dressing like this, you are disgracing our Marquis's mansion!"