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

In the evening, Song Chen'an heard Old Tian tell him about the day's events while he was in front of the mansion.

He hesitated for a moment, then returned to Hengxi Courtyard first. He had just argued with Madam Meng yesterday, and now he was begging her? Where would he put his face?

After changing into some comfortable clothes, Song Chen'an went to Rongxi Courtyard to pay his respects to the Second Madam.

"Son, I heard that the Wang family sent an invitation today. I wonder if Madam Meng mentioned it?" Song Chen'an asked.

The second wife denied it, saying, "It wasn't mentioned."

She sighed, "Ever since we relieved them of their evening service, your wife hasn't come at all, only staying for a short while in the morning!"

"Even so, she still complains that I'm not doing well enough, and she's always making sarcastic remarks, making me angry every day! What daughter-in-law would dare to talk back to her mother-in-law? I'm just being understanding and not arguing with her."

A shadow fell over Song Chen'an's eyes, and his fingers unconsciously tightened around the armrest. He said in a deep voice, "Our son will teach her a lesson later!"

"Forget it!" The second wife glared at him reproachfully. "You think you can teach her? I don't think you can!"

"Why did you argue in front of the servants yesterday?"

The second wife thought about it carefully today, and the more she thought about it, the more she felt that Meng was doing it on purpose, deliberately speaking vaguely, just to make them anxious!

It must be because her son argued with her in front of everyone last night, and she couldn't bear it, so she tried to provoke him!

Song Chen'an also saw many servants eavesdropping yesterday, but he didn't expect the news to spread so quickly!

He awkwardly picked up his teacup, using the act of drinking tea to cover up his embarrassment.

“Yesterday, my son asked her what the Imperial Guards had said, but she evaded the question and wouldn’t say. Now that it’s almost the end of the year, my son is worried that the Imperial Guards are investigating something and that she might have gotten into trouble, so he asked her a few more questions!”

The second wife sighed softly. She had raised her son for over twenty years; how could she not guess what he was thinking?

"It's her fault for not explaining herself properly, but you can't argue with her in front of the servants! There's nothing you can't say behind closed doors. Do you have to embarrass her? Is she the kind of person who swallows her anger? She won't let it go until she gets her revenge."

Perhaps she would have swallowed her anger before, but now the Meng family won't suffer any loss! Many things seem to have nothing to do with her, but she is involved in every single one of them. It's hard to believe that she wasn't involved, yet no one can find any evidence against her!

Song Chen'an coughed lightly, "Yes, I won't argue with her next time!"

“You two are doing well, what is there that you can’t talk about? I’m still hoping to hold my grandson!” The second madam earnestly instructed, “Although Ning Shuang’s two children are not bad, it’s not good without a legitimate son. Spend more time with her, and she will be much more composed after she gives birth to a legitimate son.”

"Yes."

Song Chen'an agreed verbally, but in his heart he was unconvinced. Given that he and Meng Ruohua were bound to argue after every three sentences, how could he possibly think about having a legitimate son? She should be grateful that she didn't cause trouble for her two illegitimate sons.

To be honest, Meng Ruohua really didn't do anything to her two illegitimate sons, and she didn't even glance at them much.

It's a shame that Lü Ningshuang always brings up the two children, saying that they could easily be harmed by others if she's not careful. Isn't she obviously talking about Meng Ruohua?

But Meng Ruohua didn't even bother to greet them, and she never set foot in Lianxiao Courtyard!

Song Chen'an recalled Lü Ningshuang's hesitant words, and a sudden surge of irritation rose in his heart. He picked up his teacup and took a sip. The slightly cool tea slid down his throat and into his chest, making him feel much better!

“Mother, if Madam Meng mentions the Wang family banquet, let Tian’er go along too. It’s good to make more friends.”

"I know, do I need you to teach me?" The second wife complained helplessly, "Your father is a nobody who doesn't care about anything. He doesn't even come to the backyard every day. If he were focused on his career, that would be fine, but he hasn't made any progress in all these years. He's getting on in years and is still stuck at the fifth rank. I'm so ashamed that I don't have the status to associate with important people."

She took a breath and then said, "Our family only has connections with the Meng family. If we want to find a good husband for Tian'er, we still have to rely on the Meng family."

What my mother said was true, but who could persuade my father to stop? If my eldest uncle were in the capital, he could still keep an eye on things, but he was far away in Yunzhou, and I couldn't do anything about it!

As a son, he was only entitled to obey, never to discipline his father. His mother wanted to discipline him, but his father simply wouldn't listen to her. If she got angry, he would storm out of the mansion and not return for three to five days.

Hey!

Song Chen'an sighed softly. He couldn't count on his father, so he had to find a way himself.

He absolutely must attend the Wang family's banquet!

I heard that all the officials of the fourth rank and above in the capital have returned, and even the emperor will send a prince to offer birthday wishes. There is also Consort Rong in the palace, who is Minister Wang's younger sister, so she will definitely give Minister Wang face.

There must have been many princes and high-ranking officials that day. Anyone who caught the eye of one of them would have had a much smoother career.

Before Song Chen'an could figure out how to bring it up with Meng Ruohua, it was time to set out dinner.

After having dinner with his mother, she told him to go and see the children more often. But when Song Chen'an thought of Lü Ningshuang's petty behavior, he immediately lost his mood and mumbled a few words before heading straight back to Hengxi Courtyard.

Hengxi Courtyard was his study, consisting of only three small main rooms and two east and west wing rooms. He lived in the east wing room and converted the west wing room into his study, while Pearl lived in the east wing room.

Pearl served him so well, speaking sweet and gentle words that finally allowed his tired mind to rest after a long day.

I let his hair down and massaged his scalp. He felt so comfortable that he closed his eyes.

Nothing happened that night. The next day, Meng Ruohua went to Rongxi Courtyard to pay her respects as usual.

As always, Aunt Sun stood under the eaves with her two children, waiting. The noses of all three were red from the cold, indicating that they had been standing there for a while.

After greeting Aunt Sun, Meng Ruohua looked over at Tuanfu.

Without uttering a word, Tuanfu nimbly went inside to report.

She was getting a little cold from waiting, but the person still hadn't come out. Meng Ruohua raised an eyebrow slightly, remembering that Shanhu had said the Second Master had gone to Aunt Sun's place last night. She figured the Second Madam was jealous again.

As she walked, she called out loudly, "Has Mother gotten up yet? But she's not feeling well; why is she two quarters of an hour later than usual?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Tuanfu came out and bowed, saying, "Please come in, Second Young Mistress."

"Oh?" Meng Ruohua's gaze shifted to Aunt Song. "Aunt, let's go. Be careful not to catch a cold outside."

What's the point of taking your anger out on Aunt Sun all the time? If you're so capable, go find the real person!

Aunt Sun hesitated, but Song Xi pulled her along, and the three of them followed behind Meng Ruohua.

"Thank you, Second Sister-in-law," Song Xi said softly.

Meng Ruohua remained noncommittal, only nodding with a smile. She wanted to help people, but they had to prove themselves; they couldn't rely entirely on her protection.

Song Xi doesn't count; she has clear and bright eyes and is quite thoughtful.