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

"Lord Cui, thank you for making this trip. Please come in and rest for a while."

Cui Min clasped her hands in a fist and said, "I still have duties to perform, so I won't disturb Madam Meng any longer."

Seeing his reaction, Meng's mother didn't press him to stay; matters concerning the Embroidered Uniform Guard weren't things to be inquired about casually. She secretly planned to send someone to find out Cui Min's whereabouts and deliver a thank-you gift.

Before she could ask, Cui Min turned to Meng Ruohua and asked, "Commander, I am here to escort you back to your residence."

At the time, Yu Yan said, "After seeing off Madam Meng, we'll take Miss Meng back to her residence." Upon hearing this, he was filled with questions. Weren't Miss Meng and Madam Meng from the same residence?

He thought about it for a long time on the way before he remembered that the Meng family no longer had any young ladies; their only young lady had married three years ago!

I remember my mother mentioning that the daughter of a great general had married a scholar, and that her ancestors had produced a Grand Tutor.

No wonder the Meng family has two carriages; they belong to the married aunt.

But why does the commander call her "Miss Meng"?

Shouldn't it be the young mistress of the Song family?

Cui Min, who couldn't understand it, stopped worrying and simply followed orders.

Meng Ruohua, who was about to board the train, was taken aback by his words. "Huh?"

Cui Min replied, "Yes, that's what the commander said!"

She stood there stunned, never expecting the banquet to be arranged this way. They hadn't seen each other for many years and were already somewhat estranged; they weren't even blood relatives. Sending someone to escort her mother was already quite thoughtful.

Maybe I just gave it to her as an afterthought.

Upon hearing this, Meng's mother hurriedly urged Meng Ruohua to get into the carriage, saying, "Hurry back to the manor and let Lord Cui return to report as soon as possible."

Since the favor has already been owed, it doesn't matter if there's another one. Just increase the value of the return gift by three times.

Meng Ruohua was urged by her mother to get into the carriage, and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Lord Cui."

Cui Min nodded and simply said, "You're too kind."

He couldn't very well call her "Miss Meng" like the commander, but since the commander didn't call her "Young Madam Song," there must be a reason. He should refrain from speaking carelessly.

Come to think of it, he'd been following the commander for three years, and he'd never seen him so considerate of anyone. In the past, when the commander encountered ladies and young women, he'd always run far away, wishing he could remain completely silent. He never expected him to treat this "Miss Meng" so differently!

While sending him as an escort might not be considered particularly thorough, and could simply be a polite gesture between relatives and friends, it's the first time I've ever had someone like me, a fifth-rank commander, sent as an escort!

At dusk, the sky is indistinct and unclear, a transition between light and darkness.

Meng Ruohua got out of the carriage in front of the Song residence and personally thanked Cui Min, "Thank you for your trouble, Lord Cui. It's getting late, please come in and have some food."

She didn't know Cui Min's position, but since she was by Yu Yan's side, she must not be an unknown person.

Cui Min declined, saying, "No, I have to go back and report, so I won't bother you any longer."

After saying that, he turned around, mounted his horse, nodded to Meng Ruohua, and rode away.

Looking at his agile figure, Meng Ruohua was filled with envy. When would she be able to ride a horse freely?

A soft cough came from behind.

"What are you looking at?" Song Chen'an followed her gaze. "Are those members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

Meng Ruohua turned her body slightly to the side with a look of disdain, subtly shifting her feet a few inches to the side, and replied, "Yes."

As dusk settled, the vermilion gate became blurred in the dim light.

Looking at her tired face, Song Chen'an remembered that she had gone out to burn incense early in the morning.

It was just burning incense, how could it attract the Imperial Guards?

"What did you say to him?"

"It's nothing," Meng Ruohua replied casually, and then walked into the mansion.

What I'm saying has nothing to do with you.

What right do you have to question me?

Remembering the Embroidered Uniform Guard's custom of not visiting without a reason, Song Chen'an became even more convinced that something must have happened. But seeing Meng Ruohua's arrogant departure, a fire suddenly rose in his heart. Considering that arguing in front of the mansion gate would not look good, he had no choice but to suppress his anger.

To avoid being laughed at by the servants, he kept his mouth shut and followed quickly. Unexpectedly, Meng Ruohua walked very fast; he only caught up with her when she was almost inside Qingfeng Courtyard.

But the more she acted this way, the deeper Song Chen'an's doubts became.

With a hint of anxiety on his face, Song Chen'an reached out and grabbed her arm, asking, "What is that Imperial Guard doing here?"

Meng Ruohua was pulled along and couldn't move, so she had no choice but to stop. Her eyes flickered slightly, and she lowered her gaze, concealing the hint of contempt in them. "Why are you asking this?"

"What do you mean, what are you doing? The Embroidered Uniform Guard has come knocking on our door, shouldn't I be asking?" Song Chen'an questioned in a low voice.

Don't think I didn't see the disdain in your eyes!

Song Chen'an was further enraged by her gaze, and when he faced Meng Ruohua's stubborn expression, his anger flared up even more.

With only one month left until the year-end assessment, all officials are diligently and conscientiously working on duty, all in order to get a top rating.

He has been in the Hanlin Academy for a year and a half. After the assessment in two years, those who are outstanding will be directly admitted to the Hanlin Academy, while those who are unqualified will be sent to other places as officials.

Although both are minor officials of the seventh rank, the difference between officials in the capital and local officials is like heaven and earth.

Two years ago, he passed the imperial examination and became a probationary official in the Hanlin Academy, but he only got the position through his grandfather's connections. Now he must rely on his own efforts to achieve top marks in the annual assessments in order to ensure that he can stay in the capital to take up a post after three years.

The annual assessments were conducted not only by the Ministry of Personnel to evaluate performance, but also by the secret investigations carried out by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

That's why Song Chen'an was so sensitive to the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

He grabbed Meng Ruohua's arm and wouldn't let go, pressing her for an answer: "What did he ask you?"

Meng Ruohua forcefully pulled her arm away, turned her face away, and slowly rubbed the spot that had been pulled sore, her lips tightly closed and she remained silent.

From the moment Song Chen'an asked the question for the first time, she guessed his concerns. They were nothing more than the year-end assessment, or he was afraid that she would get involved in something!

He was worried that these things would affect his career, which is why he asked so many questions.

She refused to let him have his way!

Meng Ruohua's lips were stubbornly pursed, but her eyes revealed a disdainful sneer, "Are you scared?"

"What am I afraid of?" A hint of panic flashed in Song Chen'an's eyes as he quickly denied it, "I'm worried that you've gotten into some trouble?"

He is diligent and meticulous in his work, and he is always thorough and careful. There is no way he could have made any mistakes that would warrant the Imperial Guards coming to his door to inquire!

The most likely culprit is Meng Ruohua. She's been going out a lot lately; she might have gotten into some trouble with someone she shouldn't have.

The more he thought about it, the more reasonable his guess seemed. It must have been Meng Ruohua who caused trouble and attracted the attention of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!

Lost in his own fantasies, Song Chen'an's mind was in chaos. How could he not have thought that if it were the Embroidered Uniform Guard investigating, they wouldn't be making such a big fuss?

The Imperial Guards always secretly search for evidence and then report directly to the Emperor, resulting in arrests or confiscation of property. They don't consult with you.

Looking at his ugly face, Meng Ruohua despised herself even more for agreeing to the marriage. He was nothing but a selfish and arrogant hypocrite!

He was scared by just the back view of a member of the Imperial Guard; what a coward!

"You think I caused trouble? So what if I caused trouble? I didn't ask you, Song Chen'an, to clean it up."

Meng Ruohua sneered, her gaze sweeping over his uneasy face, and said in a cold voice, "What will you do if I cause trouble?"

"What trouble have you gotten into? Who did you offend?" Song Chen'an's eyebrows twitched, and he held his breath for a long time before finally exhaling. After regaining his senses, he asked repeatedly, "Who did I offend that would attract the attention of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

Seeing his extremely anxious appearance, Meng Ruohua became even more disgusted. Suddenly, an idea came to her.

"They've offended Princess Yangcheng!"