The merchant's rebirth led to the complete downfall of the Marquis's mansion.

After the funeral of the matriarch of the Jiang family, the Jiang family members all felt that their young master had changed.

As the wife, Xia Qiutang was naturally the first to sense it.

Jiang Su used to protect her, but he would always advise her to be patient. But not now. I don't know what he said to Liu Shi, but he has exempted her from the morning and evening greetings.

Now she only needs to stay in her own yard, and he doesn't restrict her; she can go out whenever she wants.

Most importantly, Xia Qiutang felt that Jiang Su's temperament had changed!

Being with him always made Xia Qiutang feel like she was with someone like his father, who was deeply involved in officialdom.

The innocent, youthful affection between them was gone; instead, Jiang Su doted on her like a father.

Moreover, Xia Qiutang was looking at the person who was studying.

He's no longer just going through the motions; now he's genuinely studying hard.

Therefore, when she suggested that she ask her father to introduce her to the headmaster of Kangshan Academy, she did not refuse.

Liu originally wanted to put on airs as a mother-in-law, but even without the title of Lady Hou, she was still Xia Qiutang's mother-in-law.

But their son came over and gave them a dressing down. They were completely unaware of what was happening. Now that the old lady was dead, what if the Emperor ordered them to move out of the house...

If we don't treat Xia Qiutang better, she might not even have a place to stay.

Having given up on her worries, Liu Shi, with the help of the nanny left behind by the old lady, handled the household affairs.

Jiang Xiaoxiao, who lives in a secluded corner, has lost all interest in managing household affairs; she is already fourteen years old.

Now that her father and grandmother have both passed away, she has to observe mourning.

She's willing to stay, but the important thing is, she hasn't even met anyone yet!

Three years later, she'll be seventeen!

Where are the good families left?

He had hoped to use the Marquis's status and Qin Yao's wealth to secure a good marriage for himself, but now it's all over.

She cried her heart out in her room and became even more reclusive.

Xia Qiutang went to the Xia family home, and this time Jiang Su was standing next to her.

They came under the pretext of returning to their parents' home, so they were naturally not stopped outside.

When Vice Minister Xia returned, he took Jiang Su to the study.

Xia Qiutang and her stepmother disliked each other upon meeting, and after exchanging only a few words, she went to her concubine's room.

Ever since she learned that her mother was the first wife, Xia Qiutang has harbored resentment towards the whole family.

I thought the conversation with Jiang Su wouldn't last long, but it ended up going on until evening.

During the meal, Minister Xia even unusually called out Xia Qiutang's concubine.

During the banquet, Vice Minister Xia kept praising Jiang Su as a promising talent, a truly formidable young man.

Xia Qiutang was completely confused, and even her stepmother praised her a few times.

Even after leaving the Xia family home, Xia Qiutang was still in a daze.

Inside the carriage, Xia Qiutang couldn't help but ask.

"Husband, what did you say to Father?"

"It's just some talk about the Four Books and Five Classics and politics. Don't worry, Tang'er. My father-in-law has already agreed to introduce me to the exam. I'll take the exam this year and I'm sure I'll get a good result."

Jiang Su spoke softly and gently.

“This year? That’s still a few months away, my husband…” Xia Qiutang knew him quite well.

People who never put in any effort suddenly start studying a few books and think they can compare to those who have studied for over a decade?

"Don't worry, Tang'er, your father-in-law supports you too." Jiang Su didn't want to say more.

The truth will come in time.

Jiang Su was going to the academy in a few days and would probably be staying there for several months, so he gave himself two days off.

One day, I accompanied my wife on a boat trip on the lake.

One day... he went to find Qin Yao.

Qin Yao had already given orders that no one from the Jiang family was allowed to enter.

So Jiang Su could only wait at the door.

As a result, Qin Yao saw the man standing at the door as soon as she stepped out.

Having not had new clothes made in a long time, Jiang Su was still wearing the ready-made clothes that Qin Yao had sent over.

Hmm... I really want to strip him off!

Hearing footsteps, Jiang Su didn't turn around, and Qin Yao ignored them, giving Qiu Liu and Qing Zhi a wink before quietly getting into the car.

Jiang Su only turned around when the sound of the carriage was heard. Seeing that the carriage had already started moving, he didn't care about anything else and blocked the way in front of the carriage.

"Qin Yao! Get down!"

The carriage stopped, but Qin Yao did not move.

Qiu Liu's voice came out.

"Young Master Jiang, my young lady Yunying is unmarried. It would be inappropriate for her to meet with a man outside the marriage. Please leave!"

Jiang Su never expected to suffer a setback.

Jiang Su's memories of this period were all told by Jiang Zu. Although he heard that the two families had a falling out, Jiang Su still remembered that Qin Yao was willing to do anything to marry him.

Therefore, he didn't think Qin Yao could really let go.

"Young Master Jiang, please make way!" Erjiu, the driver, said rudely.

"Qin Yao, get out of the car, let's talk!"

Qin Yao lifted the curtain and asked bluntly:

"What should we talk about? Money? Becoming a concubine? Or your illicit affair with Xia Qiutang?"

Based on Qin Yao's understanding of him, she knew that if she said that, Jiang Su would be so angry that he would turn around and leave.

But today he didn't move!

And standing still, he continued, "Yaoyao, there's a misunderstanding between us. Get out of the car, and let's talk."

"Erjiu! Let's go!" Qin Yao decisively lowered the curtain.

Erjiu didn't hesitate and immediately shouted "Giddy up!" The horse moved forward, and Jiang Su hurriedly stepped aside.

The carriage gradually disappeared into the distance, leaving behind only a pile of dust.

Jiang Su, who remained where he was, stared intently at the departing carriage with a dark expression.

What's wrong with Qin Yao? How dare she treat him like this!

Jiang Su didn't know what went wrong, and he wanted to find the key by talking to Qin Yao, and at the same time appease her so that she would continue to spend money and effort for him.

Although he was happy to marry Xia Qiutang, he was also able to overlook Qin Yao's actions in harming Tang'er as long as Xia Qiutang was alive and well.

However, without Qin Yao's help, it is clear that his path will not be so smooth, at least the tuition fees of Kangshan Academy are a major expense.

Furthermore, if he wanted to live comfortably at the academy, he would inevitably need Qin Yao's help.

Returning home empty-handed, Jiang Su looked unwell.

He wasn't in the mood to talk to Xia Qiutang, so he went to his study and called Jiang Zu in.

"Tell me, what's going on with Qin Yao?"

Qin Yao was completely different from the woman he remembered who had given everything for him.

They avoided him like the plague.

"This..." Jiang Zu hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping himself.

"You still dare to keep it from me!" Jiang Su casually tossed the inkstone over.

Thinking about the setback he had just encountered, Jiang Su was furious.

Jiang Zu was so frightened that he immediately knelt down.

"It's just...it's just..." Jiang Zu thought for a while and then recounted in detail what had happened between Qin Yao, Xia Qiutang, and Jiang Su.

"So, Qin Yao is unhappy that I made her my concubine?"

Jiang Su sat down. He didn't remember this happening; Qin Yao had directly become his legal wife.

"Just for this?" Jiang Su sneered. He was already being very kind by accepting her; how dare she make demands?

Jiang Su didn't care about those framing attempts at all, because in his eyes, Qin Yao was hopelessly in love with him.

Jiang Zu knelt down, not daring to raise his head. He wanted to say that it might be more than that, but when he thought of how the young master had just looked, he swallowed his words.

Jiang Su dismissed Jiang Zu, thinking that he would go to the Qin family one last time before leaving, and make sure to explain things clearly to Qin Yao.

If she really doesn't want to come into the mansion, arranging for her to stay outside is also acceptable.