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

Shen Yunlan returned to her residence without sending anyone to inform Song Chen'an.

After she returned home, Madam Ma couldn't help but ask, "Why did you come back alone? Where is Chen-ge'er?"

Shen Yunlan frowned slightly. "He said he went out to visit friends, but I don't know where he went."

Madam Ma grew anxious, "Why didn't you stop him? Didn't he know his uncle was returning to the capital today?"

Currently, Song Yin holds the highest official position in the family, and now that he has the opportunity to stay in the capital, Madam Ma also wants Song Chen'an to cultivate a good relationship with Song Yin, so that she might be able to help him find a job.

Shen Yunlan said, "How would he know? He left early yesterday morning and hasn't come back."

Ma immediately slammed her hand on the table and shouted, "Didn't you send anyone to look for them? What if something happens?"

"What could possibly happen? He said he was going to a poetry gathering before he left. What could possibly happen to a bunch of scholars?"

Shen Yunlan's nonchalant attitude angered Madam Ma, but seeing that she was heavily pregnant, she couldn't bring herself to say anything more to scold her.

Mrs. Ma asked as calmly as possible, "Where does he usually go?"

Shen Yunlan glanced at Madam Ma, "Didn't my aunt always say that I shouldn't interfere with my cousin? I don't know where he usually goes."

Madam Ma choked. Back then, Shen Yunlan had told Song Chen'an not to go to the concubine's courtyard, and she had said something similar. But was this the same thing?

Seeing Shen Yunlan's indifferent expression, Madam Ma temporarily abandoned her lecturing intention. Her son was already so old and didn't even have a legitimate son. She would wait until after the baby was born to discuss everything.

"Alright, you can go and rest now. I'll have someone call you when your uncle gets back!"

After taking Shen Yunlan away, Madam Ma sent people to look for Song Chen'an to return to the mansion, but after sending two groups of people, they still couldn't find any trace of Song Chen'an.

Shen Yunlan returned to Qingfeng Courtyard and felt extremely displeased with the maple tree in the courtyard, especially after remembering that it was planted by Meng Ruohua herself.

"Have someone cut down the tree. The yard isn't very big to begin with, and leaving it there will block out all the light."

Ying'er accepted the order and cleaned the courtyard in less than an hour.

After noon, Song Yin returned to his residence with his entourage. Shen Yunlan also went with the others to pay her respects. The family members greeted each other and inevitably chatted about their reunion after being apart for so long.

As dusk fell, Madam Hu called for everyone to disperse.

"We've all had a long day, so let's have dinner in our own yard tonight. We'll have a proper family feast tomorrow!"

Seeing that Madam Ma remained silent, Song Chang winked at her and chimed in, "After being separated for six years, we should have a proper family banquet."

Ma said reluctantly, "Yes, it's also a way to celebrate my uncle's promotion in advance."

Madam Hu scolded, "Sister-in-law, don't talk nonsense! It's not even true yet!"

Ma smiled broadly, "It's only a matter of time, sister-in-law, there's no need to be modest."

Song Yin was a low-key and reserved person, and he didn't like to talk to his younger siblings, so he just told them to go and rest first.

If you announce something that hasn't been decided yet, you'll inevitably be seen as frivolous.

Song Chen'an didn't return until just before dinner, and only after entering the mansion did he learn that Song Yin had returned.

He went to the front yard and was scolded by Song Chang, who then urged him to go and pay his respects to Song Yin first.

Having served in the local government for over a decade, what hadn't Song Yin witnessed? Just by looking at Song Chen'an's clothes and appearance, he could tell that Song Chen'an must have been causing trouble outside.

Thinking back on what this nephew had done, I couldn't help but feel a little disgusted. He seemed like a good student, but I never expected him to be such a socially inept person!

Song Yin asked a few casual questions, then waved for them to leave.

As soon as Song Chen'an entered Qingfeng Courtyard, he felt something was wrong. He looked around the courtyard several times before he realized that the maple tree had been cut down.

It was dark, and I couldn't see the tree stump for a while.

Why cut down trees when everything is fine?

However, Song Chen'an did not press the matter, lest Shen Yunlan nag him and ask if he couldn't let go of the Meng family.

In all honesty, he never cared about the Meng family at all, so how could he not let go of them?

Upon entering the room, seeing that Shen Yunlan was preoccupied with her own affairs and ignoring him, Song Chen'an couldn't help but humble himself again, and finally gave up after swearing that he would not take any concubines or maids.

Having finally managed to get Shen Yunlan to smile, Song Chen'an relaxed and had Ying'er help him change his clothes.

As soon as the belt loosened, a blue purse fell out.

Ying'er quickly picked it up and couldn't help but take a closer look at the purse she had never seen before.

In a panic, Song Chen'an snatched it away and threatened in a low voice, "Don't make a sound, or I'll sell you out first."

Ying'er nodded hesitantly, her eyes flashing with fear.

But the room was so small, only four or five steps from north to south, how could Shen Yunlan not hear their whispers?

"what are you guys saying?"

Song Chen'an turned around, but put his hands behind his back and laughed, "It's nothing, Ying'er just pulled me."

Perhaps Song Chen'an wasn't good at lying, or perhaps he was too flustered; in any case, his eyes and actions were very different from usual.

Looking at Ying'er again, her eyes were even more bewildered and helpless, and she didn't know what to do with her hands and feet.

There must be something going on between these two!

Shen Yunlan immediately shouted sternly, "What exactly happened? If you don't tell me, get out!"

Ying'er glanced at Song Chen'an, then knelt down with a thud, keeping her mouth shut and not uttering a word.

Ying'er, who had been personally trained by Shen Yunlan, was very familiar with her every word and action, and immediately understood that Song Chen'an must have prevented her from speaking.

She didn't make things difficult for Ying'er, but instead squinted at Song Chen'an and asked, "Cousin, are you going to say it yourself, or should Ying'er do it?"

Song Chen'an looked at Ying'er with disdain. She was truly a despicable person, easily frightened by a mere threat.

"It's nothing, it was really Ying'er who dragged me into this, I just teased her a bit."

Shen Yunlan quietly observed the two of them, utterly disbelieving Song Chen'an's explanation.

Judging from their behavior, she would be a fool to believe it!

The thought that Ying'er had previously admired Lu Yun might now also have feelings for Song Chen'an, since Song Chen'an was the fastest way for her to escape slavery.

Shen Yunlan couldn't help but guess that the two must have been flirting behind her back, or perhaps their movements were too vigorous and they really hurt each other.

Her face softened into a gentle expression as she said slowly, "Ying'er, you've accompanied me all the way to Yanzhou, and then from Yanzhou to the capital. Over the years, we've become like sisters. If you have any ideas, just tell me, and I'll make sure you get what you want!"

Although Ying'er wasn't very clever, she still understood the meaning of those words.

But she had no intention of becoming Song Chen'an's concubine. Even if she were to become one, wouldn't a concubine of a noble family like Lu Yun be better than Song Chen'an?

Her only chance to get close to Lu Yun was through Shen Yunlan, so she resolutely told him what had happened, "I was just helping Second Master change his clothes..."

Before Ying'er could finish speaking, Song Chen'an was startled and shouted, "Ying'er!"

This guilty conscience only strengthened Shen Yunlan's belief that something was definitely wrong.

"Ying'er, you speak!"

Ying'er lowered her head, ignoring Song Chen'an's expression, and said to herself, "I saw a purse that I've never seen before fall out of Second Master's arms."