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

She was a little dissatisfied.

She had put in a lot of effort for this, but now all she got in return was a house arrest. Bai Tong really couldn't understand it.

“Didn’t you understand what my mother-in-law meant? She just asked me to say something, but the actual decision on how to handle it is still up to her,” Wen Yuanshu said. “My mother-in-law isn’t stupid. You and that guard are cooperating so well. If I go along with what you say, she will definitely notice on the spot. At that time, whether Miss Xie is alright or not is another matter. We will both be in trouble.”

Bai Tong was taken aback.

Upon closer reflection, Wen Yuanshu was right.

She shuddered immediately: "Yes, yes, you are so thoughtful, Madam! Alas, I had oversimplified things!"

She only thought that with witnesses and physical evidence, she could definitely strike hard and bring Xie Qianjiao down, but she forgot that she was in the backyard of the Marquis's mansion, and the one who could really make the decision was not the fair and just prefect, but Xie Qianjiao's aunt.

Bai Tong became increasingly frightened as he thought about it, and he couldn't even sit still, pacing back and forth in the room.

Seeing her like this, Wen Yuanshu pressed her temples with a headache and said, "Alright, alright, everything's fine now. Don't think about it anymore. Just pretend you were never involved. Go back now and try not to wander around outside these next few days."

Bai Tong nodded and left absentmindedly.

Chunhua sighed and said, "Madam, you must be tired from making this special trip. Let me help you back to rest."

Wen Yuanshu nodded.

After thinking for a moment, she whispered, "Don't hide the news from Miss Xie from Pei Zhicheng. Let him know everything he needs to know, and even encourage him to make a scene."

"The bigger the commotion, the better."

Since Bai Tong had already set up the stage, she might as well go with the flow and let the show last a little longer.

Chunhua was puzzled: "But Madam, the old lady and the Marquis have always doted on that one. If that one causes a scene, I'm afraid Miss Xie will be released in just two days!"

“Miss Xie is locked up, but with the old lady around, she won’t suffer,” Wen Yuanshu said casually. “Anyway, the goal has already been achieved, so there’s no harm in letting her out sooner.”

Chunhua was taken aback again: "Purpose? What purpose?"

Wen Yuanshu stared at her for a long time, then sighed.

Chunhua blinked.

Wen Yuanshu explained softly to her, "Miss Xie is heartbroken and unable to defend herself. Didn't you see how ugly the Marquis looked today? He created a rift between the two of them, which is exactly what we wanted to achieve."

Chunhua suddenly realized and asked, "Then why did that person make such a fuss?"

"Those who love someone because of their love for them are also prone to hating them because of their love for them. If the Marquis completely despises Miss Xie, how can he treat her child as well as before?"

“But Madam,” Chunhua said, frowning, “that is, after all, the Marquis’s own son!”

Wen Yuanshu didn't care at all: "Xi'er or Pei Zhicheng, which one do you like more?"

"Of course I prefer the young master!" Chunhua said without hesitation.

When Chunhua was still unaware of Pei Zhicheng's true identity, she instinctively disliked him at first sight.

Pei Xi was agile and had a good personality, with a gentle and kind air about him, while Pei Zhicheng was a round, fleshy ball who stood there with an arrogant demeanor, making it hard for people to feel any goodwill towards him.

Chunhua suddenly had a flash of inspiration: "So the reason you asked the young master and that person to go to the study together was for..."

"People are most afraid of comparison. The Marquis has a high opinion of himself. Seeing that his son is inferior to others in every way, he will only be more dissatisfied with his son."

"But Madam, that child is, after all, the Marquis's flesh and blood..."

Wen Yuanshu picked up her teacup and slowly blew away the steam that swirled around it: "It's alright, the Marquis will have many more children."

That evening, Wen Yuanshu asked someone to hire a chef to prepare a meal, and invited Pei Xi and Pei Zhicheng to eat together.

"Mother."

Pei Xi remained courteous as ever, while Pei Zhicheng didn't even bother with formalities, sitting down as soon as he entered, picking up his chopsticks, and starting to eat.