First annul the engagement, then sever ties with the empress; the empress reigns supreme.

"If it's true, that would be so exciting. We're in for a good show today."

"Do you think Marquis Ningyuan will ultimately go with Gu Yuanbai?"

"I think so. No matter how bad Gu Yuanbai's past is, he still had five children with the Marquis of Ningyuan. A prodigal son who returns is more precious than gold. No matter how good other men are, they can never be as good as the original wife."

"Why should a prodigal son's return mean he has to be forgiven? Gu Yuanbai is a treacherous villain. Even divorced women have the right to pursue happiness. Why should they choose this rotten, scumbag ex-husband again?"

While some were enjoying the spectacle, others actively sided with Gu Yuanbai, speaking up for him. Amidst this general chorus of men supporting men, a woman's voice rang out, followed by even more women's voices speaking in support of Ning Hanshuang.

Ning Hanshuang's divorce gave hope to other women who were also in darkness.

Ning Hanshuang was also the first female marquis, and Gu Junxi was the first female heir, giving hope to women who felt that women were inferior to men.

It turns out that women are no less capable than men and can also wield power.

It had been a long time since he had received such attention, and even though some of that attention was ill-intentioned, Gu Yuanbai still felt a sense of exhilaration.

Being noticed is always better than being unknown.

He always hated being ignored, like a shadow.

Gu Yuanbai took a few steps forward, looked at the crowd on both sides of the street, spread his arms, and made a generous statement.

"Please don't misunderstand, everyone. I've come here today with absolutely no intention of trying to abduct the bride. I'm simply here to congratulate Marquis Ningyuan. After all, we were husband and wife, and being able to see her get married is enough to fulfill our bond as husband and wife."

Gu Yuanbai had tidied himself up, revealing his most adept, polite, and perfectly timed smile, looking almost exactly the same as the gentle and refined Right Prime Minister he used to be.

His appearance won the favor of passersby, who felt that although Gu Yuanbai was despicable and misjudged people, he was still magnanimous and able to let go of what he had lost.

"Old scoundrel Gu, what are you up to now!" Zuo Chengfeng was completely baffled by Gu Yuanbai's actions.

Gu Junxi also couldn't understand what Gu Yuanbai was trying to do.

However, she absolutely did not believe that Gu Yuanbai's visit was truly to offer his blessings to Ning Hanshuang.

Gu Junxi looked at the three Gu brothers, who all lowered their heads, not daring to meet her gaze. Gu Konghao even stepped forward and tugged at Gu Yuanbai, saying, "Father, since it's a blessing, the gift is enough. Let's go back!"

Gu Yuanbai laughed and shook off Gu Konghao's hand, walking directly towards Gu Junxi. Just like before, he said generously, "Xixi, your father is here to give your mother a gift. You won't stop your father from coming in, will you?"

With so many people watching, Gu Yuanbai has already lowered his stance. If Gu Junxi still refuses to let Gu Yuanbai in, then Gu Junxi is being unreasonable.

It's one thing for the heir of the Ningyuan Marquis's mansion to lack manners, but if the Crown Princess lacks manners, she might implicate Mu Lingye.

Gu Junxi pursed her lips.

Mu Lingye was afraid that Gu Junxi would be in a difficult position because of him, so he spoke first.

“Lord Gu, it’s not that Axi doesn’t want you to come into the manor. I’m just afraid that my mother won’t want to see you. After all, you secretly kept a mistress behind my mother’s back and had her daughter take Su Li’s place. The damage caused is irreparable.”

"On such a joyous occasion, since you've come to offer your congratulations, it's best not to upset your mother."

“Yes, His Highness the Crown Prince is right.” Gu Lichuan finally managed to say something when the opportunity arose.

Seeing that his plan was thwarted, Gu Yuanbai's face darkened.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that the people around him had changed their attitude towards him because of Mu Lingye's words, and he knew that he couldn't force the issue anymore.

Moreover, his purpose in coming to the Ningyuan Marquis's residence was not necessarily to see Ning Hanshuang, but simply to see how Ning Hanshuang would be made a fool of and how Qin Yue would treat her poorly.

If that's the case, why bother going inside the mansion? You can see it just by standing at the gate.

Gu Yuanbai quickly understood and took the opportunity to show weakness and compromise.

He bowed humbly to Mu Lingye: "Your Highness is right. I was foolish before and wronged Han Shuang. On such a joyous day, it is indeed inappropriate for me to be in front of Han Shuang and add to her troubles. Then I will stand in front of the mansion gate to see Han Shuang off on her wedding!"

After Gu Yuanbai finished speaking, he straightened up, turned around and stood on one side of the mansion gate like a guard, and then urged Gu Lichuan: "Lichuan, quickly give the prepared gifts to your younger sister."

Instead of using his fatherly status to pressure Gu Junxi, Gu Yuanbai chose to retreat in order to advance, standing humbly at the gate of the mansion. This way, neither Gu Junxi nor Mu Lingye could easily drive Gu Yuanbai away.

After all, that would seem too heartless.

On Ning Hanshuang's joyous occasion, no one wanted to cause trouble or provide fodder for gossip.

Mu Lingye was afraid that Gu Junxi would be unhappy, so even if it would affect him, he wanted to forcibly drive Gu Yuanbai away.

"Ignore him." Gu Junxi pulled Mu Lingye back and looked at Gu Lichuan.

Gu Lichuan looked bitterly at the gift box in his hand. How did the gift that the three brothers had pooled their money to buy become something that Gu Yuanbai had prepared?

But in front of so many people, he couldn't possibly expose Gu Yuanbai again, and he also didn't want the Gu family to give others more fodder for gossip.

Gu Lichuan had no choice but to obey Gu Yuanbai's request and walked up to Gu Junxi with the gift: "Xixi, please give this to your mother!"

Even if you can't stand someone, you can't turn down a gift of money that's handed to you. Gu Junxi took the gift box, glanced at Gu Yuanbai, and said in a voice only she and Gu Lichuan could hear.

"What exactly is Gu Yuanbai planning today? My mother suffered half her life after marrying Gu Yuanbai, and was suppressed and deceived by him for half her life. She finally convinced herself to marry Uncle Qin. If you have any filial piety towards my mother, tell me the truth. Don't add to her worries on this joyous day."

Gu Lichuan felt overwhelmed with guilt whenever he thought about all the things he had done to hurt Ning Hanshuang for Zhao Shuer.

He secretly glanced at Gu Yuanbai, who was still stubborn and unwilling to admit his mistakes, and sneered in a low voice: "Don't worry, Axi. Now that he has no power or influence, even if he wants to cause trouble for Mother, he can't make any waves."

"He simply felt that General Qin would not value his mother, would not give her a grand wedding, and would not even have a proper wedding procession."

Gu Lichuan paused for a moment, pursed his lips, and said with some concern, "Xixi, tell me honestly, will General Qin actually prepare a proper wedding procession? After all, Mother is a second-time bride and has five children with Father. No man would be unaware of that."

Men really can only empathize with other men.

Just like the three Gu brothers, the sons only empathize with their father.

Gu Lichuan's attitude towards Ning Hanshuang may seem to have changed, but in reality, he hasn't changed at all.

Gu Junxi glanced coldly at Gu Lichuan. Even after experiencing so much, Gu Junxi still felt that Gu Lichuan was as hypocritical as before.

She said calmly, "Why do you think that a woman who has remarried and had five children doesn't deserve the respect and genuine affection of other men? As the first female marquis of Dasheng, my mother has made numerous military achievements. In what way is she inferior to men? Men can remarry after their wives die, so why can't my mother divorce and then remarry in a grand manner?"