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

Song Tian was naturally delighted. She rarely ate out, let alone today without her mother's supervision.

At noon, Hongfu Restaurant was bustling with noise and people. The waiter escorted them directly to a private room upstairs.

We chose a few signature dishes and added a few refreshing side dishes, which was enough for the group.

When you're out and about, don't be so formal. Let Linglong and Shanhu, along with their maids, sit down and eat together. It'll be more lively with more people.

After a few rounds of meals, Meng Ruohua excused herself to change and left with Linglong, leaving the others to dine in a private room.

Meng Ruohua turned and went into the private room next door, where she saw a plate of snacks and a pot of tea on the table.

"Third Uncle, why aren't you ordering any food?"

Yang Sanli stood up with a smile, "I've already eaten."

"Why are you being so polite with me? I've eaten so many of your roasted chestnuts since I was a child."

When she was little, she often went to Yang Sanli to listen to him talk about the battlefield. Every time she went, Yang Sanli would have someone buy her hot roasted chestnuts, which she would eat while listening.

"Why are you being so polite with me, Miss? We've already eaten."

Yes, I have eaten.

He thought it was a good thing that the young lady wanted to make money, and he couldn't let her money go to waste. So today he called his brothers to plan the route again to ensure that everything went smoothly.

Meng Ruohua didn't stand on ceremony with him, only saying that she had prepared some food for them to take with them, and that a few knee pads were for her father and brothers.

She explained, "I didn't prepare any clothes for you, firstly because I didn't know your body types, and secondly because we're not good at this kind of thing."

Yang Sanli waved his hand, "Miss has been very thoughtful. It's more appropriate for us to make it ourselves since she gave us the leather."

A few days after making the agreement with Yang Sanli, I sent several pieces of leather along with the silver notes the next day, so that they could find someone to make warm clothes for them. Besides, they knew better what styles were suitable for walking.

Running to the northwest in the dead of winter is no easy task, so of course they can't be treated unfairly, otherwise her father will scold her if he finds out.

I reckon the whole thing about organizing a caravan to sell hides will get them a scolding too.

Meng Xin was an upright and honest man who disliked officials using their positions to make money. Of course, he didn't do it either, not only because no one in his family ran such a business, but also because he didn't want his subordinates to follow suit.

As a general, he already lived a much better life than others, so he stopped competing with the people for profit.

Meng Ruohua repeatedly reminded him, "We must not act in Father's name, otherwise we will be unable to do anything if Father finds out."

"Yes!" Yang Sanli patted his chest and assured her, "Don't worry, Miss, we all understand the General's difficulties. We're too busy protecting his reputation to cause him any trouble. We would never use the General's name to seek personal gain!"

Yang Sanli was working as a spy in the Northwest at the time. He had been living in Lanzhou for five or six years under a false identity and had gotten to know many people. He was confident that his connections were good enough that he didn't need the general's name to get things done in the leather trade!

Meng Ruohua whispered worriedly, "Don't mention buying the grain beforehand, and definitely don't say it's for Father. If the higher-ups find out, Father will be in trouble!"

My father is a general guarding the frontier, commanding 150,000 troops. Although he bears a heavy responsibility, countless eyes are watching him, and the slightest mistake could lead to the annihilation of his family and clan!

In his past life, wasn't it just a forged letter from Song Chen'an that made his father surrender and be escorted back to the capital?

Although Father always says that the Emperor trusts him, even the greatest trust cannot withstand the deliberate slander from those around him, so it's best to be prepared for both possibilities.

She didn't understand any intrigues or factional struggles; she could only do her best. Even if she couldn't escape being framed in the end, she would find a way out of the dead end and arrange a place for her mother, sister-in-law, and nephew to live.

Meng Ruohua checked the itinerary with Yang Sanli again. Seeing that everything was arranged properly, she felt relieved. Finally, she only instructed, "People are the most important thing. Don't abandon people for money or goods. If anything happens, you must save them no matter how much it costs!"

They are all heroes who defended their country, and they are family and friends whom the Meng family sincerely treats.

Yang Sanli, filled with gratitude, assured him that they would all return safely!

Seeing that it was almost time, the two parted ways.

Back in the private room, Song Tian and the others had already finished eating and were looking out the window at the view below.

"Sister-in-law, didn't you say that the young mistress of the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion invited you? Why hasn't she come yet?" She only remembered this when she was eating, and half a day had passed without her showing up.

Meng Ruohua explained, "She had something come up and can't come."

"Oh." Song Tian nodded, then asked, "When will you go out to play again, sister-in-law? Can I come along?"

It was so pleasant to go out with my sister-in-law. Not only did we buy some jewelry that we liked, but we also had lunch out. It was much better than staying at home.

We've been eating the same few dishes at the mansion for over a decade; we're tired of them.

It would be even better if I could meet Wang Yuanzhi again someday.

“Okay, I’ll bring you out if Mother allows it,” Meng Ruohua replied. She knew she could always find a way to refuse if she didn’t want to bring you later.

After resting, the two prepared to return home.

She first went to Rongxi Courtyard to see the Second Madam, and listened to Song Tian's joyful account of what had happened that day, her face crinkling with laughter.

No matter how stingy Meng was, she still obediently bought a gold hairpin for her daughter.

I'll let her take me out more often in the future; it'll save me a lot of money.

The second wife nodded in satisfaction, "Your sister-in-law is rich, so you should go out with her more often in the future."

"Yes, my sister-in-law said she'll take me out again in the future!" Song Tian said coquettishly, winking at Meng Ruohua as if the two had a very good relationship.

Is there a necessary connection between having money and going out to meet people?

Meng Ruohua remained noncommittal, but went along with what the two were saying: "My younger sister is sensible and polite, and everyone would like her. Now that she's grown up, it's time for her to go out and meet more people."

She spoke cryptically, but everyone understood.

I'm getting old enough to go on a blind date.

The second wife nodded, planning to hold a banquet sometime and ask around for eligible young men in the capital. Her daughter was beautiful and well-behaved, so she was sure to marry into a good family!

After chatting for a while longer, Meng Ruohua took her leave.

Keeping someone chatting is tiring work!

I wonder if Coral gets tired of going out to chat with people all day long?

After listening to Meng Ruohua's words, Coral said in a strange way: I'm not tired, I like it, I'm very happy.

“Every time I get news, the second young mistress gives me a reward. Why should I be tired? I wish I could be out there gathering information for the second young mistress every single day!”

"Listen to this, they're just trying to get money from me in a roundabout way!" Meng Ruohua said to Linglong.

Linglong pinched Shanhu's pink cheek. "Second Young Mistress, don't be anxious. I'll teach her a lesson for you!"