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

When Lan Tingzhou and Wu Songping arrived at Cuizhu Pavilion, a large number of people had already gathered outside the bamboo grove, almost all of them women.

Lan Tingzhou followed behind Wu Songping, his eyebrows slightly lowered, and entered the garden without looking to the side.

Madam Wu was sitting at a stone table in the garden, with a group of servants and maids standing behind her, about seven or eight people. In front of her, a person was kneeling with their head bowed, which was Qin Yin.

Although there were many people in the bamboo grove, it was very quiet. The servants all lowered their heads, held their breath, and dared not make a sound.

“Mother, what is the matter that you summoned your son here?” Wu Songping stepped forward and asked respectfully.

In fact, on the way here, a servant had already explained the situation to Wu Songping in detail. He understood Wu Xin's intentions immediately and was furious.

He had other plans for Wu Xin. He had gone to great lengths to invite Lady Sinan, and only after much persuasion did she agree to help, and he was about to send her to the capital. But today, she had created trouble and made such a scene in public; how could he not be furious?

But now, he can only take it one step at a time.

"This student greets the old lady." Lan Tingzhou also stepped forward and bowed.

Lan Tingzhou knew perfectly well what had happened at the Green Bamboo Pavilion. Before Old Madam Wu summoned him, Lan Tingzhi had already recounted everything that had happened there.

As for Wu Xin's actions, which Lan Tingzhi couldn't understand no matter how hard he tried, he could understand them to some extent.

Ever since he overheard her conversation with Huang Tinghai in Nanshan that day, he knew that this woman was cunning, extremely shrewd, and adept at manipulating people's hearts.

"Xiong'er has passed the imperial examination and is hosting a banquet at the mansion today, which is a rare and joyous occasion. I shouldn't have spoiled your mood by calling you into the inner courtyard, but unfortunately, something has indeed happened in the courtyard."

Madam Wu paused at this point, then sighed and said, "It would be better if the master listened to it himself."

Then, she sternly shouted at Qin Yin, who was kneeling on the ground, "Why don't you tell the master everything that happened today!"

So Qinyin recounted the story again.

"Where is Xin'er now?" Wu Songping asked in a deep voice.

Qin Yin raised her hand and pointed to a row of bamboo houses behind her, whispering, "After subduing the villain, Miss was emotionally distraught and broke down because of the damage to her face. She cried and refused to see anyone, while Madam Lan has been unconscious ever since."

"Seeing the gravity of the matter, I dared not make a decision on my own. So I went back to Ziwu Courtyard to call a few old women to guard this place, and then went to Tingyun Pavilion to beg the old lady to come."

"Miss and Madam Lan are currently inside the bamboo hut."

"You mean Madam Lan is also inside the bamboo hut?" Wu Songping asked.

"Yes, when Miss and I arrived, we saw a villain about to assault Madam Lan. Madam Lan and her maid were both seemingly asleep."

"Miss intervened precisely because she didn't want Madam Lan to be humiliated by villains, but who knew..."

At this point, Qin Yin lowered her head and began to sob softly again.

“Nephew Lan, today was supposed to be a joyous occasion, but unfortunately, with so many people around, some bad people have sneaked in, causing your wife to suffer such an injustice. This is all the fault of the Wu family, and we will definitely give your wife an explanation and apologize to her in the future.”

"But how should we handle this situation now?"

Wu Songping was indeed a cunning old fox. With a single word, "bad guy," he absolved himself of all responsibility, pushing all the blame onto Niu Si. He even came to ask him how to handle the situation.

"I am clumsy and stupid; I leave this matter to Lord Wu to decide."

"However, I was very anxious when I heard Miss Qinyin mention that my wife was unconscious. I humbly request that you send someone into the room to find out what is going on."

Lan Tingzhou spoke with sincerity and humility. He even bowed deeply to Wu Songping and remained standing for a long time.

Seeing that Lan Tingzhou, though anxious, still maintained a measured and composed demeanor, Wu Songping couldn't help but praise him in his heart.

In fact, he had always thought highly of Lan Tingzhou. With Lan Tingzhou's talent, he should have no problem passing the imperial examination. He had long wanted to bring him under his wing and arrange a marriage between them, but Wu Xin was not the person he had in mind.

Wu Xin was his most prized daughter, whom he had carefully nurtured. He felt it was a loss to marry her off to Lan Tingzhou.

However, if Wu Xin's face is truly disfigured, even if it is only slightly damaged, it will be impossible for her to enter the Regent's Palace again.

Knowing his daughter as he did, he knew she was capable of such a thing.

Never mind, let's see how things go first.

“Nephew is right. The most important thing is to bring the villain out first and then ask a doctor to examine your wife and daughter’s injuries.”

Just as Wu Songping was talking to Lan Tingzhou, Qin Yin, who was kneeling to the side, was extremely anxious.

As previously agreed, after Old Madam Wu arrived, Miss was supposed to cry and make a scene in the bamboo hut, claiming that her face was ugly and she was too ashamed to face anyone. Then she was supposed to force Lan Tingzhou to agree in front of everyone that he was willing to marry her.

But why is Miss so quiet and silent now? If this continues, won't all the plans Miss has painstakingly made be in vain? And won't all the slaps and scratches on her face have been for nothing?

No, no matter what happened at the bamboo hut. If the young lady won't say, she has to say it for her.

Then the zither suddenly crashed to the ground.

"Bang bang bang!"

She banged her head repeatedly, making a loud noise and with great force. In just a few blows, blood appeared on her forehead.

Her sudden action surprised everyone.

"Please, sir, do justice for the young lady!"

"Miss always cherished her appearance the most. She once said in a heartbroken state that she would rather die than live an ugly life."

The music of the zither lamented, its sound mournful and every word heartbreaking.

"That's nonsense!"

"She, a frail woman, bravely stopped evil deeds. This is a chivalrous act that should be praised by the world. Such noble character cannot be compared to mere appearance."

"You're talking nonsense!" Old Madam Wu suddenly spoke up, scolding Wu Songping, "A young lady's appearance is so precious! Once her appearance is damaged, where will she find a good husband? Does she expect to cut off her hair and become a nun just because she saved someone?"

Wu Songping and his wife, one playing the good cop and the other the bad cop, worked together to put Lantingzhou on the fire and force him to make a statement.

“Miss Wu disfigured herself while saving my wife, and I should take responsibility for it.”

Lan Tingzhou's voice was clear and melodious, each word distinct. He bowed respectfully to Madam Wu and readily uttered the words they most wanted to hear.

“Tsk~~~”

Gasps, gasps, and sneers rose and fell from all around.

Now even a fool would know what the Wu family was planning.

She married into the Lan family out of gratitude, and at the very least, she should be a secondary wife. If the Lady Lan in the bamboo hut knew how to repay kindness, she should have asked to leave.

Lan Tingzhou lowered his eyes, and no one saw the faint coldness and hint of mockery in them. Now, the most important thing was to make sure the bamboo hut's doors were wide open.

Upon hearing Lan Tingzhou's promise, Madam Wu remained silent.

Just then, Li, the old lady's maid, came over at the opportune moment: "Old lady, Doctor Zhang has arrived."

"Then hurry up and open the door, and ask Doctor Zhang to take a look at Miss and Madam Lan."

The old women who had been guarding the bamboo hut finally opened the door, and then Doctor Zhang, carrying his medicine box, followed them inside.

"Ah~~~"

"Miss, what's wrong?!"

"Miss, Miss, wake up!"

Suddenly, several panicked and shrill cries came from inside the bamboo hut.

The servants of the Wu family rushed into the house, and the women who had been watching the commotion also ran over.

Then, everyone saw Wu Xin lying crookedly on the daybed, looking languid and weak, her eyes slightly open, seemingly looking at everyone with a blank expression.

A bloody wound ran across her fair chin, a truly gruesome sight.

Beside her lay a middle-aged man with dark, rough skin, disheveled hair, his shirt wide open, and one arm around Wu Xin.

After a brief scream, the room fell eerily quiet again. Everyone stared at Wu Xin, mouths agape, but no sound came out.

Qin Yin pushed through the crowd and ran into the house. Upon seeing the scene, her face turned pale! She quickly stepped forward, yanked Niu Si's arm away, and threw him aside.

"Miss, what happened? Where is Madam Lan? Where did she go?"

Niu Si was jolted awake by the music, though he wasn't quite fully conscious. The moment he opened his eyes and saw Wu Xin, he immediately put on a fawning, ingratiating smile.

"Eighth Miss, are you satisfied with what you asked me to do?"

"Hiss~~~~~"

Countless, enormous gasps echoed both inside and outside the house!

This, this is utter filth, this is outrageous language!

Everyone was stunned.

"Snap!"

Qin Yin slapped Niu Si hard across the face.

"Where did you come from, you piece of trash, spouting such nonsense!"

This slap completely woke Niu Si up, and Wu Xin's eyes sharpened as she looked at everyone in the room, sensing that something was seriously wrong.

"Qinyin, where is Madam Lan?" she asked, gripping Qinyin's hand tightly.

"Hey, are you talking about me?" A sweet and arrogant voice rang out from the doorway.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Gan Cai'er walking gracefully towards them, chin held high, like a proud peacock. Beside her was Lan Tingzhou.

Gan Cai'er appeared neatly in front of her. What else could Wu Xin not understand? She had successfully escaped the trap she had set and even turned the tables on her when she was careless.

Wu Xin's mind raced, trying to think of a way to escape. She didn't speak, only staring coldly at Gan Cai'er.

"I heard that you just said in public that you were going to take a concubine?" Gan Cai'er grabbed Lan Tingzhou's collar with her hand and questioned him with raised eyebrows.

“Madam, there were rumors that Miss Wu’s appearance was disfigured while saving you, so it is my duty to take care of her.” Lan Tingzhou was not annoyed, but explained in a soft voice.

"Lan Tingzhou, have you forgotten the Lan family's precepts?!"

"If you want to take a concubine, you may!"

"Come talk to me again after you've reached the fifth rank!"

"Now, if anyone dares to cause trouble in front of me, I'll chop them in half with one palm!"

Gan Cai'er spoke each word with conviction and arrogance.

Shrew, wicked woman—since someone wants to frame her, then she'll take the blame!

Gan Cai'er picked up the Lanting Boat and walked away arrogantly.

Lan Tingzhou let her carry him and followed obediently as they left.