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

Lü Ningshuang followed his gaze and didn't think much of her figure.

She's lost a lot of weight compared to before!

Why does Song Chen'an keep staring at her waist when her face is as beautiful as ever?

Lu Ningshuang looked up unwillingly, wanting to explain herself, but before she could say anything, she saw Pearl hiding behind Song Chen'an, winking and making faces. She was so angry that she almost spilled the soup she was holding on her.

She shouldn't have come today!

She thought they must be tired and exhausted after being out all day, so she brought them some nourishing mutton soup. It would show that she was thoughtful and also help to mend her relationship with Song Chen'an.

Since giving birth, Song Chen'an has not spent a night at Lianxiao Courtyard.

It's that little slut Pearl who keeps pestering Song Chen'an every day. If it weren't for her, Song Chen'an would definitely be going to Lianxiao Courtyard all the time!

Now, with Shen Yunlan appearing, she discovered after just one meal that Song Chen'an's feelings for Shen Yunlan were unusual, and this couldn't be ignored.

If Shen Yunlan were to join Song Chen'an's household, would there still be a place for her? Would there still be a place for her child?

That's why she had the kitchen specially prepare mutton soup today, but she didn't expect that little rascal Pearl would ruin it again.

Where does she get so much money to run the kitchen? I run into her every time I come to Hengxi Courtyard to deliver soup!

Could it be that Song Chen'an gave her money privately?

Regardless of what Lü Ningshuang was thinking, Song Chen'an was still gently comforting Pearl, "You're so thoughtful, the chicken soup is delicious."

Pearl then stopped crying and smiled, "I'm glad you like it, Second Master."

"I like everything you make."

They were laughing and joking without a care in the world; it was utterly shameless.

Lu Ningshuang coughed heavily. "Second Master, soup alone won't fill you up. Have some vegetables."

She placed a piece of pan-fried duck breast on Song Chen'an's plate, saying, "Second Master, please try this. It's especially crispy and fragrant today, and not greasy at all."

Song Chen'an nodded, picked it up and ate it.

To be honest, he didn't like eating meat, but he didn't want to offend her again.

To prevent Lü Ningshuang from serving him more food, he quickly ate a few mouthfuls of vegetables with his white rice porridge and then put down his chopsticks.

Seeing that he stopped eating, and looking at the table full of food, Lü Ningshuang couldn't help but feel sorry for him and said, "There's so much left, it's a pity to throw it away."

Pearl rolled her eyes in the shadows. "And she's supposed to be the master? So stingy!"

These dishes are naturally not thrown away; they are usually taken down and distributed to the servants. Their portions are not so generous; having one meat dish is considered a feast.

Song Chen'an was too lazy to explain to her; how could a man like him fuss over such a trivial matter? He simply urged her to eat her meal and go back to take care of the two children afterward.

Lu Ningshuang looked at Song Chen'an with questioning eyes, her gaze accusing him of not missing her at all.

Looking at her staring eyes, Song Chen'an really couldn't stand it. She was already a mother of two, and her eyes no longer had the innocent and clear look they used to have. Making such a move now seemed a bit strange.

He couldn't help but look at Pearl beside him; Pearl was more suited to this expression.

Finally, at Song Chen'an's insistence, Lü Ningshuang left without even finishing her meal, still seething with anger.

As soon as she stepped out of Hengxi Courtyard, she slapped Yunzhu across the face. "You can't even guard the gate properly, you're not even as good as a dog!"

After saying that, Lü Ningshuang looked back at the entrance of Hengxi Courtyard, "Go and find out who made that little slut Pearl cook the soup!"

I'd like to see who's messing with her!

Yunzhu, who had been hit, covered her face and didn't dare to say a word.

Lately, Aunt Lü's temper has become increasingly erratic, and she's been getting slapped more and more often. Whenever something displeases her, she gets hit.

She didn't understand how Aunt Lü could give birth to two sons safely and smoothly under the Second Young Mistress's nose, but now she had lost to Pearl.

Although Aunt Lü's figure is not as good as before, does that mean that Second Master only likes women with good figures?

Yunzhu silently followed behind Aunt Lü, carefully examining her own shadow in the dim moonlight.

She felt that her figure was much better than Pearl's!

It's just that her appearance is a bit lacking.

But Aunt Lü wasn't particularly pretty either, and I was even younger than her.

Thinking this, she couldn't help but gently stroke her face, her rough fingers tracing across her delicate skin, causing a slight stinging sensation.

Thinking of Pearl's delicate fingers, fair with a healthy pink hue, it's clear she takes excellent care of them and rarely does rough work.

And she was still a first-class maid, not only doing needlework for Aunt Lü, but now also for the two young masters, simply because Aunt Lü said the needlework in the sewing room was rough. Therefore, whenever she had free time, she always had something to do.

Let's leave those aside; after all, needlework isn't hard work.

What's most infuriating is that she's basically the one who delivers and fetches everything. Since all the maids in Lianxiao Courtyard have been assigned to the two young masters, Aunt Lü is the only one accompanying her when she goes out, so naturally she has to fetch everything.

Then look at Pearl. After the second wife promoted her to a concubine, she also gave her another maid.

The second young mistress would often ask her to bring some soup, porridge, and snacks to the second master. Although they were brought from Qingfeng Courtyard, who knew what she would say to the second master?

The more Yunzhu thought about it, the more certain she became, and her restless desire began to stir again.

The next day, Meng Ruohua was lazily basking in the afternoon sun when Shanhu quietly walked in.

"Yunzhu asked me for skin-nourishing recipes today, and also asked about rouge and face powder."

Meng Ruohua said casually with her eyes closed, "Just give it to her. If there's anything you don't understand, just ask your sister Linglong. She knows a lot about these things."

"Okay, that's what I was asking about, Sister Linglong."

Linglong is gentle and likes to tinker with cosmetics. Most of Meng Ruohua's rouge was made by Linglong herself.

Coral crouched down and whispered, "Yunzhu also said that Aunt Lü always beats her, and she can't take it anymore. She wants to find a way to survive."

"Oh." Meng Ruohua opened her eyes and looked out the window toward Lianxiao Courtyard. "It seems she said it on purpose for us to hear."

Even if she has a good relationship with Coral, she should still consider that Coral is a member of Qingfeng Academy. Since Yunzhu said it so bluntly, it was to test Meng Ruohua's reaction.

She wanted to see if Meng Ruohua would tolerate her, since Pearl still received care from Qingfeng Academy after leaving.

If she betrays Lü Ningshuang, Lü Ningshuang will definitely not tolerate her, so she will have to find another protector.

In the backyard, only Meng Ruohua was allowed.

With the mistress's consent, her status as a concubine became legitimate.

"Tell her that people should always think of themselves first when they are alive."

Coral nodded in agreement. She understood Yunzhu's meaning and also the Second Young Mistress's meaning.

She also said that Aunt Lü asked her to find out who cooked the soup for Pearl.

Meng Ruohua raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly, "Just tell the truth. And have your friends spread the word about how much Zhenzhu is favored. Make sure Lü Ningshuang hears it."

"Yes."

A hint of excitement flickered across Coral's face; this backyard was about to get lively again!

After relaying Meng Ruohua's words to Yunzhu, he also gave her a piece of fabric that he had treasured, saying that he hoped she would be reborn.

Yunzhu stroked the smooth, soft fabric, secretly making plans in her mind.