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

After pressing for details, Song Chen'an learned that this was the standard meal service at Lianxiao Courtyard every winter.

No wonder the soup that Lü Ningshuang sent to Hengxi Courtyard was also cold!

Thinking back, he used to be quite disgusted with her, but it turns out that this is the kind of food she herself eats.

Song Chen'an felt guilty and held Lü Ningshuang's hand to comfort her silently.

But the kitchen was managed by his third sister, and the inner courtyard by his mother, so he couldn't say anything wrong to them in front of everyone. He could only patiently wait for Yunzhu to heat up the food.

They only ate the first two or three dishes of the meal. If they waited for all the dishes to be reheated, the first few would probably get cold again. So Song Chen'an asked Yunzhu to reheat two dishes that Aunt Lü liked, and they ate them as they were.

After the meal, looking at Lü Ningshuang's gentle face, Song Chen'an felt much less disgusted than before, and only pity remained in his heart.

She's someone who's had two children with him, so there must still be feelings between them.

But he didn't know how to resolve the matter.

Lu Ningshuang said very considerately, "Second Master, there's no need to worry. It will only take two or three months, and things will be fine after the New Year."

There's still a month and a half until Chinese New Year!

These words did not comfort him; instead, they served as a clearer reminder that this matter could not be ignored.

“This can’t go on forever. We need to make sure you have hot meals.” Song Chen paused, then, hearing the children’s cheerful laughter next door, added, “We can’t let the children suffer.”

Lu Ningshuang unconsciously stroked the teacup with her fingers, her eyes lowered, and she kept her mouth tightly shut, not saying a word.

Only when Song Chen'an grew impatient did she say softly, "What can I do? Who do I belong to? The food I get every day is already much better than what others eat. If I make any more demands, it will only make me seem more arrogant."

She spoke in a low voice, a deep sense of loss and helplessness spreading through her, completely enveloping Song Chen'an.

Lu Ningshuang glanced at him and saw that Song Chen'an's eyes were full of pity, just like many years ago!

Yes, that's it!

How could she forget that Song Chen'an liked pitiful and delicate women?

Like her many years ago, like Pearl now, and like Shen Yunlan who has just entered the mansion.

When did Song Chen'an start to distance himself from her? It was before Sheng Yu Ge was born, after she had defeated Meng Ruohua multiple times, and when she began to feel proud of herself!

As Lü Ningshuang reflected, she was surprised to find that she was much more confident than before, but her two sons were still alive and well, and that was her source of confidence.

The only one to blame is Meng Ruohua for not being able to have children.

Lu Ningshuang concealed the emotions in her eyes, trying to make herself sound even more miserable, and murmured, "I am just a concubine. So what if I have given birth to two sons? I am still not as good as the principal wife. She can set up a small kitchen whenever she wants and eat better than my aunt, and no one can stop her."

Song Chen'an had vaguely heard that Qingfeng Courtyard had a small kitchen, and his mother had praised the soup and porridge cooked at Qingfeng Courtyard. He didn't take it to heart at the time, since his mother hadn't complained about anything.

Thinking back now, perhaps Meng Ruohua also disliked the food in the main kitchen, which is why she built a small kitchen in her own yard.

But he had been there several times and couldn't see any changes in Qingfeng Courtyard, nor did he notice where the small kitchen was.

However, equipping each hospital with a small kitchen is also a good idea, as it allows patients to have hot meals and choose what they like to eat.

He and his father rarely ate at home, which didn't bother them, but his mother was home every day, eating lukewarm food every day. No wonder her body couldn't take it!

Especially in Lianxiao Courtyard, Ning Shuang's status was already low, yet she had two children. There was no precedent in the mansion for bypassing the concubine to serve the two children separately. Even for the sake of the two children, Lianxiao Courtyard should have a better life.

He took a deep look at Lü Ningshuang, and saw that her face was pale, quite different from her usual bright and beautiful appearance.

He has regained some of his former timidity.

That's true. She wasn't originally an arrogant person. She must have had to be more assertive in order to gain a foothold in the mansion.

Those old folks in the mansion are the most cowardly and opportunistic bullies!

Recalling the scene of Yunzhu waiting for her on the road today, her face was pale and her thin waist seemed so small that it could be pinched with one hand, which showed that she was not living a good life.

He looked at Lü Ningshuang again and examined her closely, finding that she was indeed much thinner than when she had just given birth.

As night deepened, Song Chen'an got up to leave, saying softly, "Don't worry, I'll talk to Mother tomorrow."

Tears welled up in Lü Ningshuang's eyes as she held his fingers tightly, as if silently pleading for him to stay.

Feeling the soft and delicate touch on his fingertips, Song Chen'an had no interest in anything else. Although Lü Ningshuang had lost weight compared to two months ago, her waist and body were still plump, and she even looked a bit clumsy.

Song Chen'an, who always paid attention to his figure and demeanor, really disliked plump women.

He slowly withdrew his hand, patted her shoulder and said a few words of comfort, then left without looking back.

The next day, Song Chen'an was preoccupied with his work and returned home early after finishing his shift.

After changing my clothes, I went straight to Rongxi Courtyard.

Upon receiving the message, Meng Ruohua immediately stood up, beckoned Yu Ye and Shanhu, and slowly smoothed the wrinkles in the hem of her clothes, "Let's go, let's join in the fun."

Lin's mother, who was behind her, was puzzled. She looked at the sky and advised, "It looks like it's going to snow. Why bother coming all this way, Second Young Madam? Let's talk about it tomorrow!"

"Don't worry, wet nurse, we'll be right back."

When they arrived at Rongxi Courtyard, the courtyard was quiet and deserted.

It's going to snow soon, who would be foolish enough to stand in the yard in the cold wind?

Upon seeing them, Tuanfu hurriedly ran out to inform them and then lifted the curtain for Meng Ruohua.

Meng Ruohua smiled at her, which stunned her.

Second Young Madam, please continue to be cold to me. I'm a little scared when you smile.

Inside the room, the second madam and Song Chen'an stared at her, clearly surprised by her arrival.

The second wife took a sip of tea and said casually, "It's really rare that you still remember to come."

Meng Ruohua performed the proper greetings without missing a beat, then walked to her usual seat and said slowly, "Look at what you're saying, Madam. I've been thinking about you every day, but I was afraid you'd find me annoying, so I didn't come. Didn't you say before that our arrival would be noisy and bother you?"

That's what I said, but who knew you'd be so obedient!

Which family's younger generation doesn't pay their respects to their elders morning and evening? But you two are different; you just take a quick look around in the morning and then go back. You're always so lazy.

The second wife had some reservations about this, but she was the one who spoke first. When she complained to Song Chang, she was reprimanded by him several times, so she gave up the idea.

If she doesn't want to come, she doesn't have to. Anyway, if she does come, it'll just make her angry.

Meng Ruohua didn't want to dwell on this topic any longer, so she went straight to the point and asked, "Second Master, why are you back so early today? Is something the matter?"