After being reborn, her aloof ex-husband and her crazy deceased husband got into a fight.

When Meng Yu said he wouldn't marry Mei Wanyin, Meng Yan couldn't help but glance at him a few times. He saw that although Meng Yu's expression was frivolous and unrestrained, it didn't seem like he was faking it, so he figured he must have really made up his mind.

"Your marriage to the second young lady of the Mei family is a done deal. Whether you agree or not, the marriage will take place eventually," Meng Yan said in a deep voice, his words carrying a warning.

Meng Yu understood perfectly what Meng Yan meant. It was nothing more than trying to force him into marriage, even if he actually ran away, they would probably find someone else to stand in for him and make Mei Wanyin go through the wedding ceremony.

Meng Yu knew from the beginning that this marriage proposal wouldn't be so easy to refuse. He was too lazy to waste any more words with Meng Yan; arguing was pointless.

"If you have nothing else to do, I'll go back to my room first." Meng Yu stood up lazily.

Meng Yan glanced at him but didn't say anything.

He strolled leisurely toward the study door, and just as he was about to step out, Meng Yan's deep voice came from behind him, carrying a hint of helplessness.

“Ayu, stop making such foolish mistakes. You need to think more about the family in everything you do. This family will depend on you from now on.”

Meng Yu paused, but didn't turn around. He simply shrugged and said casually, "You are the heir of the Duke of Wei. Don't pass the Meng family's responsibilities to me."

"Brother, may you live to be a hundred years old."

“Ah Yu, swords and spears have no eyes on the battlefield. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, so how can we expect to live a long life?” Meng Yan sighed softly.

Meng Yu's status as a notorious playboy was largely due to Meng Yan's indulgence.

Duke Meng Jing of Wei was stationed at the Northern Frontier Camp most of the year and rarely returned to the capital. Since Meng Yan was fourteen years old, he had been in charge of the Duke of Wei's household, and his attitude towards Meng Yu was that as long as he did not plot rebellion or violate the law, he could do whatever he wanted.

Meng Yu can do whatever he wants.

Meng Yan didn't want Meng Yu to become outstanding, because he didn't want Meng Yu to be sent to the battlefield one day. The Meng family always needed someone to be filial to their parents, to bring them joy, and to continue the family line.

If he can't do it, then Meng Yu will.

Making Meng Yu a playboy, a good-for-nothing in the eyes of the world, is a form of protection for him, ensuring that he will live a life free from worries about food and clothing and safe from harm.

In his previous life, Meng Yu only understood his brother's good intentions after Meng Yan's death.

In this life, it will be his turn to protect Meng Yan.

Meng Yu lived in Lingyun Courtyard of the Duke of Wei's Mansion.

The courtyard was neatly arranged. As soon as he pushed open the door, he felt a warm and cozy atmosphere, and a subtle fragrance wafted into his nostrils, like the scent of grass and trees in the spring, fresh and elegant. The fragrance was extremely faint, yet it filled the entire room.

This is Meng Yu's most frequently used incense.

The fragrance is faint; to fill the room with such a pleasant aroma, the incense must have been burning for at least two hours.

"Miss Cui is so thoughtful. She must have known that the young master would be returning today. She lit the incense in the room early this morning and also lit the charcoal." Feng Zhao said with a smile.

Meng Yu raised an eyebrow and glanced at him sideways, saying, "Did you tell her when I was going back to the manor?"

"How could that be! When have I ever been such a gossip?" Feng Zhao shook his head in denial.

"It wasn't him who said it, sir, don't misunderstand someone." A clear, charming, and cheerful voice rang out.

As the sound faded, the curtain was lifted, and a young maid entered.

This woman was tall and graceful; she was none other than Cui Pingping, the head maid of Lingyun Courtyard.

In early winter in Kyoto, the weather was already chilly. But Cui Pingping was only wearing a light green jacket and a pale yellow floral long skirt, making her look very fresh and lovely.

"I heard that Master will be returning to the capital in the next few days, so I have had people keep the house warm and burn incense every day. Today is quite a coincidence." Cui Pingping's voice was like a nightingale singing in a valley, clear and melodious, and very pleasant to the ear.

"Hehe, with Miss Cui taking care of things in your room, young master, it's truly the best place. Since you're here, I'll head back to my room now." Feng Zhao said with a smile as he took his leave.

Upon hearing Feng Zhao's words, Cui Pingping blushed slightly and spat at him softly.

Meng Yu raised his eyelids, glanced at the two of them, smiled, and said nothing.

Cui Pingping was not only the head maid of Lingyun Courtyard, but also Meng Yu's personal maid and the concubine carefully selected by Madam Meng. She had been serving Meng Yu since he was thirteen years old.

Cui Pingping has an excellent complexion, with fair skin, naturally red lips, and eyes as clear as autumn water, making people feel affection for her at first glance.

Madam Meng originally chose her only to use her to enlighten Meng Yu about love affairs, and to keep her in the room as a bed warmer.

Unexpectedly, Cui Pingping was very clever and quick-witted. Not long after arriving at Lingyun Courtyard, she became the head maid in charge of the courtyard. Over the years, she was able to make decisions about five or six out of ten things in Meng Yu's courtyard.

"Master, you've been on the ship for over ten days, are you tired? Let me help you change into some loose clothes so you can relax." Cui Pingping's slender hands reached up to Meng Yu's clothes.

Meng Yu raised his hand and caught her delicate, slender fingers. He tilted his peach blossom eyes and glanced at her, his voice lazy and teasing.

"How do you want me to feel better?"

Cui Pingping blushed slightly, gave him a reproachful look, and said softly, "Master, you must be tired from your journey. I just wanted to give you a shoulder massage and a leg rub so you can get some rest tonight. As for..."

"As for the rest, I can think about it however I want after I've rested..."

As she finished speaking, Cui Pingping's voice grew softer and softer, and her head drooped lower and lower, showing a deep sense of shyness and timidity.

That glimpse of her snow-white neck was quite alluring.

Meng Yu placed his hand on her neck, caressing her lightly and flirtatiously. A blush rose on Cui Pingping's neck, and she trembled slightly.

"Master..." came a soft, sweet voice.

Meng Yu's gaze grew increasingly somber, and his fingers involuntarily tightened slightly.

He was never a good man. When Mencius' mother sent him to his room, he took him in that very night.

However, she didn't expect this girl to be so cunning. She served her in every way, tried to please her in every way, and endured all kinds of grievances, but she never allowed Meng Yu to deflower her.

Because Cui Pingping knew perfectly well that she could not have children before Meng Yu's wife married into the family, but taking too many contraceptives would not only harm her health, but could also lead to lifelong infertility.

She also hoped to give Meng Yu a son or daughter in the future, so that she could rise to great heights. Therefore, she absolutely could not be defiled before the mistress of the house entered the household.

Meng Yu could see through her little schemes and calculations, but he was too lazy to expose them, and he was happy to watch her play all sorts of tricks in front of him.

Fearing he would neglect her, she constantly tried different ways to seduce him, but fearing she would harm her health, she always managed to pull back from the brink. Meng Yu was no kind man, so Cui Pingping had no choice but to use every trick in the book, which Meng Yu readily accepted.

In his previous life, because of her diligent service, Meng Yu finally made her his concubine a year after marrying Mei Wanyin, and she even gave birth to a son and a daughter.

Little did they know that such a promise would sow the seeds of future trouble.

Since Gan Cai'er wants to take revenge herself, then he doesn't need to do it. He should take good care of her and wait for her.

"You go out."

Meng Yu released his fingers from the back of her neck, turned and walked into the room, looking somewhat listless.

Cui Pingping stood there, stunned.