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

There are only a few days left until Minister Wang's birthday banquet. This year marks his fiftieth birthday, which isn't considered a major celebration, but given Minister Wang's family background and status, many people would love to curry favor with him but wouldn't have the chance. Therefore, as soon as he announced the birthday banquet, everyone spread the word, hoping to make a move into the Wang family and establish a connection.

Song Chen'an had just had a fight with Meng Ruohua, so he was too embarrassed to ask her if she had received an invitation. He simply instructed the doorman, "If there is an invitation from the Second Young Mistress, report it immediately."

Old Tian, ​​who was at the door, agreed verbally, but in his heart he kept muttering to himself that he had already taken away the second young mistress's power to manage the household, and now he even had to stop her from going out.

I remember that every time the second young mistress returned from going out, she would have the maids bring a snack or a meat dish to the gatekeeper. Although it didn't cost much, the thought behind it was the first of its kind in the mansion.

Old Tian has been guarding the gatehouse for thirty-two years. He started guarding the gate with his father when he was a teenager, and he even opened the gate for the old master for several years! He coldly observed three generations of the Song family. Apart from the old master, who had the most pity for his subordinates, it was the second young mistress.

Although the second young mistress dismissed or punished many people when she was in charge of the household, those people deserved it. They didn't do their jobs properly and even tried to fool their master. Being dismissed was considered lenient!

After the second young mistress tidied things up, the mansion became much cleaner and more orderly, which was a good thing!

Old Tian's wife had passed away, and his only son had been sent to a farm in the south. His son kept saying he wanted to bring him there to enjoy a comfortable life, but Old Tian refused. Firstly, he could earn a monthly salary at the manor, and secondly, he would be the first to know of any changes happening there. Being sent to the farm meant he was away from the manor, and news of anything would be delayed considerably.

Although people these days only need to do their jobs well, which wealthy family doesn't have some sordid affairs? He'd been guarding the gate for over thirty years, so he'd seen through some of the ways of the world. His son worked for the master and had saved up some money over the years. Even if something happened to the household, he could buy his own release and at least save his life!

Of course, he didn't want anything to happen to the Song family, he was just taking precautions, but the decline of the Song family was foreseeable, unless the eldest and second masters could produce a promising one!

Old Tian sat in the gatehouse, leisurely sipping tea and telling stories to the young men surrounding him.

Before the story was finished, there was a knock at the door.

Upon opening the door, a respectable-looking mother stood at the bottom of the steps. She wore a blue headband embroidered with auspicious patterns and a dark brown jacket with continuous swastika patterns. Her whole demeanor was elegant and dignified, undoubtedly a capable mother from some household.

"I was sent by the young mistress of the Wang family to deliver an invitation to the second young mistress of your household."

Old Tian raised an eyebrow and ushered the person in, saying, "Please come in and wait a moment. I'll send someone to inform the Second Young Madam right away."

A moment later, Lin's mother came out to greet her personally. As soon as she entered the gatehouse, she greeted her with a smile, "Old sister, we meet again!"

It turns out that this mother was Gu Qiongfang's wet nurse. Her husband's family name was Gu Dayi, and he took the surname of the master family. Therefore, everyone called her Mother Yi.

"Hello, Lin! It's been quite a while since we last saw each other!" Mother Yi said, holding Lin's hand with a sigh.

"That's right. We haven't seen each other since I got married with my young lady."

Meng Ruohua rarely went out after getting married, but she has only recently started going out more often.

The two walked and talked until they entered Qingfeng Courtyard.

Meng Ruohua was already waiting at the window. When she saw that it was Mother Yi, she quickly called Yu Ye to go and greet her.

Upon entering the house, Madam Yi first bowed and greeted them, saying that her young mistress missed Meng Ruohua.

"I also miss Sister Gu, but it's not appropriate for me to visit her."

She phrased it subtly, but everyone understood. It simply meant that the Song family had a low social standing, and their shameless visit would only make them a laughingstock.

No matter how prestigious a woman's family is, once she marries, she will always be judged by the social standing of her husband's family. They might show some courtesy out of consideration for her family, but what good is that courtesy? Those women will still not respect her at all!

Having witnessed the fickleness of human nature, Madam Yi patted her hand and comforted her, saying, "Second Master Song is a good man, young and promising with a bright future. Second Madam, please don't worry."

Meng Ruohua laughed heartily, "Mother Yi, you don't need to comfort me. Am I afraid of being gossiped about? I just don't want Sister Gu to get angry if she hears it!"

Gu Qiongfang had protected her since childhood, so how could she feel good about hearing others talking about her behind her back!

"Let's not talk about this anymore." Meng Ruohua personally handed over a cup of hot tea. "Have a cup of tea to warm yourself up."

Mother Yi took out an invitation and asked her to attend the banquet that day. Meng Ruohua said without hesitation, "I really want to see Sister Gu, but you know my family's situation. If I accept, I will inevitably have to bring people with me. There will be too many people and too much gossip. I'm afraid it will cause trouble for Sister Gu."

"Don't worry about that. There will be many young ladies and gentlemen going that day. It's nothing for your family to bring a few people." Mother Yi explained cheerfully, "Just bring your people without worry. It's just a matter of having a few more bowls and chopsticks."

Hearing her say that, Meng Ruohua agreed without hesitation. Before the marriage, she was a playful and mischievous person, but after being cooped up in the mansion for three years after the wedding, she longed to go out and have fun!

"Go ahead without worry!"

After a few more words, Madam Yi was about to take her leave, saying, "There are many things to attend to at home, and I can't spare the time."

"Can we go to the Marquis of Wu'an's residence?" Meng Ruohua asked.

Mother Yi nodded with a smile, "Go, all of you go! All of you girlfriends will be there!"

Linglong and Lin's mother were sent to see Yi's mother off. After the carriage disappeared at the street corner, Lin's mother and Linglong turned back.

"Sister Lin, wait a minute!" Old Tian called out.

Lin's mother stopped and asked, puzzled, "What's wrong, Old Tian?"

"It's like this, Second Master instructed that everyone who comes to the gate and whatever they receive must be reported to him." Old Tian glanced around, seeing the boys all huddled in the gatehouse warming themselves by the fire, then turned his back to the door, winking as he spoke, "So I'm asking about that woman from earlier..."

Madam Lin frowned slightly. When the boy at the door went to announce that it was the young mistress of the Wang family who had come to deliver the invitation, how could Old Tian not know?

"Young lady, go back and ask the second young mistress for instructions first!" Old Tian urged her to leave after saying that.

Lin's mother returned to Qingfeng Courtyard full of doubts and relayed Old Tian's words, "What does he mean by this? Does he mean that Second Master is investigating who sent us the invitation?"

Meng Ruohua held the Wang family's invitation. The invitation was made of thick, snow-white Xuan paper, and one could tell the host's status and position just from the invitation.

“He wants to know if I received the Wang family’s invitation.” Meng Ruohua looked outside. The maple tree had lost all its leaves, leaving only its bare trunk swaying in the wind.

It's another cloudy day today, with a few dark clouds in the murky sky. It's going to snow!

"It doesn't matter if he finds out!"

It doesn't matter if Song Chen'an went to the Wang family; now is not the time to make a move against him!

Shen Yunlan hasn't arrived yet, and they haven't gotten in touch with the Second Prince. He has nothing right now, and even if he attends the birthday banquet, he will be ignored because of his low official rank.