My wife wants a divorce; if she ruins my life, I'll leave.

Lu Ningshuang sneered, "Heh, it's even better that Madam is here. Let her see who raised such a shameless girl!"

How useless! He actually let his own girl climb into his bed!

You can't even keep an eye on your own maid! And you still have the nerve to call in the second wife? Do you expect her to make decisions for you?

That's right, the Second Madam was indeed summoned by Meng Ruohua.

After hearing that Lü Ningshuang had angrily smashed a teacup in the afternoon, she had Pearl bring over some hangover soup, saying, "Don't rush back, just take good care of Second Master."

Pearl was overjoyed and readily agreed.

The second young mistress had suppressed her for three years, and finally relented and allowed her to serve the second master. Of course, she would seize this opportunity.

She sent her maid to the kitchen to make a hangover soup, and then went to her room to wash and dress herself. Although the weather was getting colder, she still wore her new summer dress; the clothes were thin, but she looked alluring.

The two people on the bed had just finished tidying their clothes when footsteps approached from outside the door.

Lu Ningshuang rushed forward, saying, "Aunt, you really need to set some rules. What kind of shady characters would dare to climb into Second Master's bed!"

As soon as the second mistress woke up, a servant in the front courtyard reported that the second master, Song Chang, and several retainers had gone out to attend a poetry gathering and asked her to fetch fifty taels of silver.

She was furious when she heard that the second master didn't know the cost of living and spent all his time drinking and writing poetry. He also kept several retainers and spent the most money in the entire mansion!

Already seething with anger, she was hastily pulled out of it by Meng Ruohua. She learned the whole story on the way, and seeing Lü Ningshuang's resentful face only fueled her impatience.

She pushed away Lü Ningshuang's hand that was helping her up, frowned and asked, "Why aren't you keeping a close eye on Xuan-ge and Yu-ge? What are you doing in the outer courtyard study?"

Lu Ningshuang was taken aback. Of course, she had come to see the Second Master!

It was you who taught me to bring tea and snacks to the study to show my respect to Second Master.

Forget it, this isn't the time to dwell on this. Let's get down to business.

"Aunt, today is Yu-ge's full moon celebration. I thought Second Master had drunk too much, so I brought him some hangover soup. I never expected that this little slut would take advantage of Second Master's unconscious state and climb into his bed!"

Song Chen'an shielded Pearl behind him and shouted angrily, "Mrs. Lü, watch your mouth! You have no manners at all spouting nonsense!"

The second wife sat in the main seat, and Meng Ruohua also chose a chair to sit down.

Since she had sent Pearl to serve Song Chen'an, she must have anticipated this situation. Therefore, as soon as Yunzhu mentioned it, she took her people to Rongxi Courtyard.

Lu Ningshuang turned her head and saw Pearl's timid appearance, which made her angry, but Song Chen was protecting her tightly, so she couldn't use any of her abilities!

Her eyes flickered, and her gaze fell on Meng Ruohua, looking heartbroken: "Second Young Madam, how can you not even manage the maids in your own courtyard? How can you manage a household like this?"

If Meng Ruohua could lose her housekeeping position today, that would be great. Why should she have to pay for breaking two teacups?

Meng Ruohua smiled gently, her emotions remaining calm as she retorted, "What, can you manage this?"

"Of course I can manage it!" Lu Ningshuang was moved, looking at her with eyes full of doubt.

What do you mean? Do you want me to be your housekeeper?

Since I am a concubine, it's not impossible for me to manage the household!

But... is Meng Ruohua willing to relinquish power?

"Second Young Mistress, let's put aside the steward's matter for now. Tell me how to deal with this little slut!" Lü Ningshuang slightly raised her chin, glancing at Pearl with disdain. "She climbed into Second Master's bed without permission, showing no respect for you! If you don't deal with her properly, the maids will follow suit, and the mansion will be in chaos!"

They're even trying to scare people now!

Unfortunately, I chose the wrong target. What does the chaos in the mansion have to do with me?

Meng Ruohua didn't care who slept with her. If all the maids in the mansion slept with Song Chen'an, she would probably applaud it.

Just thinking about that scene made her want to laugh out loud. With Song Chen'an's physique, he probably couldn't withstand all the maids in the manor.

She glanced at the people present. Song Chen'an silently comforted her by shielding Pearl behind him. The Second Madam sat at the head of the table, looking impatient. She gently raised the corners of her mouth and asked, "Does Aunt Lü have any good suggestions?"

Lu Ningshuang said proudly, "Of course we'll beat them up and then sell them off!"

She's just a lowly servant girl!

It's something that's bought and sold at will, involving beatings and scoldings.

Pearl immediately shrank back and leaned against Song Chen'an, "Second Master, don't sell Pearl."

Song Chen'an patted her shoulder lightly and coldly said to Lü Ningshuang, "You're so nosy! Know your place, do you even have the right to speak here?"

"Why don't I have a say? I'm a proper concubine, I'm definitely more qualified than this little slut!" Lü Ningshuang shouted, sticking out her neck.

She has the final say when it comes to her two children!

Even if she makes a huge scene today, no one will dare to do anything to her! Her second son is only a month old.

She looked at Pearl's young and rosy face and had to admit that she was indeed the type of woman men liked.

If we let her become a concubine, wouldn't she bewitch the Second Master to death?

We absolutely cannot let that little bitch succeed!

The second wife's face was frosty. She never expected Lü Ning Shuang to be so vulgar. She coughed lightly and said, "Ning Shuang, don't talk nonsense. It was my consent to let Pearl serve Brother Chen!"

Everyone except Meng Ruohua was extremely surprised.

Why is there no news at all?

A look of surprise flashed across Pearl's eyes. The Second Madam had actually agreed? She thought she had kept it a secret, but had everyone already seen through her?

"Mother, do you know?" Song Chen'an asked.

The second wife nodded. "A few days ago, Ruohua said she'd have Pearl come and serve you, and that she'd pick an auspicious day after Yu-ge's one-month celebration to set up two tables for a festivities." She glanced disdainfully at Pearl, who was hiding behind Song Chen'an, and said with dissatisfaction, "I didn't expect..."

She couldn't wait any longer!

Pearl was stunned. So the second young mistress was going to hold a banquet for her? If she waited a day or two longer, could she openly become the second master's concubine?

Lu Ningshuang asked incredulously in a shrill voice, "Auntie, are you serious?"

"Of course it's true!" the second wife said reproachfully. "When you were pregnant and in confinement, Brother Chen was considerate of your hardship and specifically said not to have any concubines to put your mind at ease. Do you expect Brother Chen to be left without anyone to take care of him after you finish confinement?"

Meng Ruohua curled a mocking smile at the corner of her mouth. How nicely she said that!

I understand that Lü Ningshuang probably doesn't have anyone else in the manor who looks good to her!

Meng Ruohua felt a surge of disgust. She had always thought Song Chen'an was a virtuous gentleman, but she never expected him to be so cunning! She had only asked Pearl to bring her soup and porridge a few times, yet he had already dragged her to bed.

Lü Ningshuang remained unmoved. What? No one serves me? Am I not a human being?

She wouldn't let go of Pearl, saying, "Well, she's also considered to have climbed into the master's bed without permission. If she's not properly punished, it won't be enough to appease everyone!"

Song Chen'an snorted coldly, "Mrs. Lü, you don't need to drag others into this. What do you mean by 'privately'? I gave you permission!" His eyes were full of disdain. "What punishment? Haven't you made enough of a scene already?"

Where did the understanding, gentle and sensible Lü Ningshuang go? How did she suddenly become so ugly overnight?

He scrutinized the man with great care; he was overweight, had a sallow complexion, several spots on his cheeks, and his eyes were no longer clear and innocent. He was indeed getting old!

"What embarrassment do I have!"

"Enough!" The Second Madam interrupted Lü Ningshuang with a shout. "You're meddling too much. Taking good care of Xuan-ge and Yu-ge is the important thing! Today, Zhenzhu will be officially promoted to a concubine, and her monthly allowance will be raised to eight hundred cash." She looked at Lü Ningshuang for a moment, then said, "Go back to Lianxiao Courtyard and take good care of the children. Don't go out unless necessary!"

Pearl hurriedly stepped forward and kowtowed to express her gratitude, repeatedly saying, "I will definitely serve Second Master well."

She breathed a sigh of relief in her secluded spot. The Second Madam's words were an admission that she had finally become the Second Master's woman!

The second wife didn't care about pearls; she only cared about whether her son had someone to serve him.

Seeing the smile on his son's face, he knew he liked the maid, and felt much more relieved.

However... Ning Shuang has given birth to two sons for the Song family, so we can't be too harsh on her.

"Ning Shuang, come with me." The second madam pulled Lü Ning Shuang out of the courtyard, intending to comfort her.

Without saying a word, Meng Ruohua got up and left. She didn't want to see Song Chen'an's hypocritical face at all.

As Song Chen'an watched Meng Ruohua walk away quietly, a rare sense of guilt rose in his heart.