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

"If you can't guess, then don't guess. No matter how big your mansion is, we'll still meet today!" Meng Ruohua said with a grin.

Gu Qiongfang praised the two sisters, Song Tian and Song Xi, again before letting Mother Yi lead them to the main house to see Madam Qin.

Meng Ruohua declined, saying, "You're busy today, so leave Aunt Yi to help you. I've been to your house before, so just point out any little girl to lead the way."

Finally, Gu Qiongfang left a second-class maid named Zhu'er to lead the way, and then went to pick up other people.

Following Zhu'er inside, Song Tian muttered under her breath, "They only sent a second-class maid?"

Meng Ruohua remained expressionless, only glancing down at him, "Third sister, be careful what you say. This isn't your own home."

Song Tian pursed her lips; of course she knew she wasn't at home.

The group entered the main room, where the central hall was filled with beautiful women. Before even entering the room, they could hear a burst of noisy laughter.

Meng Ruohua smiled; she had already heard who was speaking.

She turned her head and instructed, "There are many important people here, so sisters must be careful with their words and actions. But if anyone bullies us, we don't have to put up with it. Just fight back!"

Anyway, if anything really happens, it will be blamed on Song Chang and Song Chen'an. As for her, at most she will just say a few words of apology.

Song Tian immediately nodded in agreement, "I won't let anyone bully me."

She's not the type to swallow her anger!

Song Xi looked around without saying a word. Her aunt told her not to cause trouble and to be patient, but her sister-in-law said not to be patient. Is this the arrogance of a noble lady?

Once inside, everyone's attention shifted to the three of them.

"Isn't this the Meng family's daughter?" asked Lady Huayang.

Meng Ruohua nodded in agreement, first inquiring about the well-being of Madam Qin, the matriarch of the Wang family, before exchanging pleasantries with the Lady of Huayang Marquis. "When did you return, Madam? You and the Marquis were away for quite some time this time."

Marquis Huayang served in the Imperial Guard alongside Meng Xin in his early years, and later they both went to the Northwest Camp. A few years ago, during a battle, he led a hundred cavalrymen deep into the enemy camp for a surprise attack, burning most of the enemy's supplies and bringing back about a hundred warhorses. During the retreat, while trying to save a soldier who was not yet married, he was slashed by an enemy soldier, nearly losing his arm. Due to the delayed rescue, the arm was never saved.

The emperor, grateful for his achievements, bestowed upon him the title of Marquis of Huayang. However, he held no official position, and the title of Marquis was merely a nominal one.

Marquis Huayang returned to the capital to recuperate for three or four years. After that, he took his wife to travel around and would not return to the capital for a year or two.

"It's been half a month since you came back. I even went to your residence for a day and listened to your mother talk about you for ages." Lady Huayang said, holding her hand. "Your mother said she's coming today too, so it should be soon."

Meng's mother also received an invitation. Originally, as the family member of a local military officer, she shouldn't have attended a banquet hosted by civil officials, lest she attract unwanted attention. However, the Wang family had invited every prominent figure in the capital. Her presence wouldn't have been conspicuous, but her absence would have drawn even more attention.

"Yes, Mother and sister-in-law are both here." Meng Ruohua turned her head and looked around. "Where are my two sisters-in-law?"

Lady Huayang had three legitimate sons. The eldest and second eldest sons were already married and had two children each.

"They took the children to play in the garden, and a few mischievous kids couldn't sit still in the house."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Meng Ruohua took her leave, saying, "I'm taking my sisters out to play for a while; they must be feeling cooped up inside."

As she turned her head, she gave a wink to the person seated at the head of the table.

Before I even stepped out of the courtyard gate, I heard footsteps behind me.

"Sister Meng, I'm going to complain to Sister Furong that you're not helping me at all." Princess Pingyang took a few steps closer and started complaining before Meng Ruohua could turn around.

“How can I help you? The old lady of the Wang family is talking to you. Do I dare to step forward? What if I offend the old lady and get scolded again? Wouldn’t I just be taking the blame for nothing?”

When she entered the room, an old lady from a branch of the Wang family was talking to Princess Pingyang. She went up to greet her, but the old lady just glanced at her and waved her away. Meng Ruohua had no choice but to give Princess Pingyang a wink.

"Oh dear, it's true, Old Madam Wang's hearing isn't good, yet she still insisted on talking to me, making my throat hurt from shouting." Princess Pingyang coughed lightly, "Why didn't anyone from the Wang family stop her?"

Who could stop her? Old Madam Wang was stubborn, of high seniority, and old age; who could control her? Originally, her daughter-in-law had kept it a secret from her, but who knew where she'd heard the news and insisted on coming along. Everyone could only let her be; after all, they knew her temperament and expressed their understanding.

"Come on, let's go somewhere secluded to talk properly." Princess Pingyang pulled Meng Ruohua and walked out, not forgetting to call Song Tian and Song Xi to follow.

It turns out that half a year ago, Princess Pingyang got into a fight with Fu Chengjie, the eldest son of the Duke of Lu. Unfortunately, Fu Chengjie was no match for her and was whipped twice. Enraged, the Duchess of Lu took the unbandaged Fu Chengjie to the palace to lodge a complaint with the Emperor. The Emperor had no choice but to punish Princess Pingyang by sending her to Mount Wutai to accompany the Empress Dowager in reciting scriptures for half a year.

Before Meng Ruohua could bring it up, she herself brought it up first, "Next time I see Fu Chengjie, I'll definitely give him two more lashes!"

"Then I'll punish you by making you go to Mount Wutai to chant sutras!"

"Let him punish me then. I'll just be there to have fun anyway," Princess Pingyang said nonchalantly. "I just can't stand him. He's a spoiled brat who only knows how to bully people."

Seeing that no one was around and that Song Tian and Song Xi were well-behaved and kept five steps away, Meng Ruohua lowered her voice and said, "Why do you have to rush in and fight like that? Wouldn't it be better to just put a sack over your head?"

"It's good, but it doesn't show my might," Princess Pingyang said with regret.

Meng Ruohua tapped her smooth forehead. "So you're all that, mighty? If you keep acting so arrogantly, who would dare to marry you?"

Although Princess Pingyang was a young lady from a sheltered family, she was always outspoken and never ashamed to talk about such things. Therefore, Meng Ruohua and the others spoke freely in front of her. Furthermore, Princess Pingyang had no elders in her family and had relied entirely on the care of the Empress Dowager and the Empress in the palace over the years. However, as she grew older, if she did not want to become a pawn for the Emperor to win people's hearts, she would have to be more shrewd herself.

Princess Pingyang raised her chin and said arrogantly, "Who cares if he dares or not? If I take a fancy to someone, I'll ask the Emperor to grant us a marriage. He'll have no choice but to accept it!"

"You!"

The pavilions in Wangjia Garden were all covered with thick curtains, and there was a charcoal fire burning inside, making them very warm.

The four entered an empty pavilion, whereupon a maidservant immediately brought tea. Meng Ruohua introduced them to each other, then pointed to Song Tian and Song Xi and said to Princess Pingyang, "Take my two younger sisters to play later, and take good care of them."

Song Tian, ​​who was rumored to be quick to whip Princess Pingyang, was much quieter while drinking tea with her, afraid of saying something wrong and incurring a beating. Hearing her second sister-in-law's words, she quickly smiled apologetically at Princess Pingyang, "Thank you for your trouble, Princess."

Song Xi, however, remained calm, her eyes showing neither flattery nor fear, and smiled as she apologized for the inconvenience.