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

But Meng Ruohua remained calm and composed, as if she were just talking about something perfectly ordinary.

“Aunt Lü, you may not know this, but Qingfeng Courtyard does have some ingredients that my mother prepared for me to recuperate. We Meng family are all rough people, and we prepare things in a rough manner, often using a large bag. Therefore, I often ask Aunt Liu to cook more so that everyone can have a taste.”

Lu Ningshuang cursed inwardly, "What 'everyone'? This is just for Second Master!"

"Judging from Aunt Lü's expression, could it be that she's upset that I didn't send any to Lianxiao Courtyard?" Meng Ruohua said with a smile. "If Aunt Lü likes it, I'll send some to Lianxiao Courtyard next time so Xuan-ge can try it. If you like any particular one, just tell Aunt Li."

"No need for the Second Young Madam to worry, Xuan-ge likes the snacks made in the main kitchen."

How could Lü Ningshuang possibly let her child eat anything given by Meng Ruohua? She couldn't possibly prevent it.

Meng Ruohua didn't care about Lü Ningshuang's thoughts. Seeing the Second Madam still looking furious, she felt even happier.

She then gave Lü Ningshuang a very obvious once more: "Aunt Lü, we all know that raising two children is very hard for you. It will only be hard for a few years. Once the children grow up, you can look forward to enjoying your retirement."

Lu Ningshuang instantly realized something and gave Meng Ruohua a cold snort.

Meng Ruohua didn't care at all and said with a smile, "When the two children return to the manor, the first thing they'll ask is where their aunt is. Who in the manor wouldn't be envious?"

Just thinking about this scene makes me incredibly envious.

Of course, envy and jealousy are often separated by only a single thought.

Upon hearing Meng Ruohua's words, the second wife naturally imagined the scene and immediately felt somewhat uncomfortable.

What should I do if my two children only recognize their aunt and not their grandmother?

She glanced sideways at Lü Ningshuang, and seeing the pride on her face, she felt even more jealous. "Meng, stop talking nonsense. What do you mean she raised her? She was clearly raised in the manor."

Meng Ruohua was visibly stunned for a moment, then replied with a smile, "Yes, Madam is right."

Her expression was so sincere that it made people suspicious.

After all, in other people's eyes, she and Lü Ningshuang were enemies, the kind who would tear each other apart whenever they met.

In fact, Lü Ningshuang did want to get rid of Meng Ruohua and take her place, so she didn't believe Meng Ruohua's words at all.

Remembering the gossip she had overheard from the servants that Meng Ruohua wanted to take Xuan Ge to Qingfeng Courtyard for upbringing, she was now certain that Meng Ruohua was trying to take the child away from her by mentioning him for no reason.

Therefore, Lü Ningshuang once again feigned a weak and vulnerable demeanor, pleading, "Second Young Madam, you will have your own children in the future, so please let Xuan-ge stay in Lianxiao Courtyard!"

Seeing her pitiful state, Song Chen felt extremely sorry for her. He quickly got up, pulled Lü Ningshuang to his side, and patted her hand to comfort her silently.

"Aunt Lü, you're overthinking it. I have no designs on your child." Meng Ruohua indifferently looked away, a faint smile slowly blooming on her lips. "When it comes to raising children, who can compare to Madam? Second Master and Third Sister are both so handsome and intelligent, and Second Master even passed the imperial examination at the age of twenty. If we were to raise Xuan-ge..."

If Xuan-ge were raised by the Second Madam, he might even become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) at the age of twenty!

She stopped there, leaving the rest for them to figure out.

The second wife scrutinized Lü Ningshuang thoughtfully, as if considering the feasibility of the matter.

Lu Ningshuang had been taught since childhood how to please the Second Madam, and she could guess about 70-80% of her thoughts from every glance and movement. At this moment, seeing the Second Madam's expression, she knew what she was thinking.

But she didn't want to give the child to anyone to raise. Xuan Ge was born from her womb and was her support for the rest of her life. How could she hand him over to someone else?

She glanced at Song Chen'an, who showed no reaction, and knew she couldn't count on him, so she forced herself to say, "Auntie will definitely be able to discipline him, but Xuan-ge is still young and cries all the time. He can't speak clearly yet, so I'm afraid he'll disturb Auntie's rest."

“I know that my aunt likes Xuan-ge. From now on, I will bring Xuan-ge and Yu-ge to greet my aunt every day, and let them learn from my aunt how to look at her.”

When the second wife heard her say this, she knew that the woman did not want her child to come to Rongxi Courtyard. Seeing her guarded expression, she became even more disgusted with the woman's petty nature.

People in the capital value etiquette, and young masters and ladies raised by their grandmothers are always looked up to, yet she still looks down on them.

Well, the children are still young, so there's no rush to teach them anything. Let them stay with their birth mother.

The second wife said in a deep voice, "Just take good care of yourself."

Seeing that Lü Ningshuang had become much more obedient, he didn't pursue the matter further, but said in a warning tone, "Forget about the small kitchen. If you feel sorry for the children not being able to eat hot meals, send them to me. My meals are always hot."

Do you think you know nothing? The food at Lianxiao Courtyard is ice cold; the most likely culprit is Lü Ningshuang!

The second wife couldn't help but glance to the west, then let out a cold snort—a common tactic used in the inner quarters when women were vying for favor!

She waved her hand impatiently, "If there's nothing else, you can all leave."

They're all in the way, one or two of them!

Song Chen'an touched his nose, feeling uncomfortable all over, and left.

He failed to build a small kitchen for Lianxiao Courtyard and even caused Ning Shuang to be scolded by her mother. He was too embarrassed to face Lü Ning Shuang.

The farce came to an end. Apart from Meng Ruohua, everyone else had some thoughts left in their hearts, waiting for the day when they would take root and sprout.

Meng Ruohua had achieved a small goal today. After saying goodbye to the second wife, she turned and left.

She walked back in a very good mood, with only Linglong following her.

Coral had already run off to chat with her girlfriends; she wanted to share the firsthand information she'd heard that day with her best friends!

Only Lü Ningshuang was extremely angry. She returned to Lianxiao Courtyard, closed the door, and began to curse in a low voice.

She picked up the teacup but dared not smash it, for she would have to pay for it if she did. But the anger in her heart had nowhere to go, and it felt like it was burning her to ashes.

Today's events were a scheme she had set up, intending to use the small kitchen in Qingfeng Courtyard as an excuse to seek personal gain. However, her plan backfired, and she not only failed to obtain the small kitchen but also lost her meal allowance.

And then there's Meng Ruohua, always talking about her maternal family and the Meng family, isn't that just insulting her family's low social standing?

What dowry money? What gift from the Meng family? Are they mocking her for not having a dowry?

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Glancing at Yunzhu huddled by the door, Lü Ningshuang rushed over in a few steps and slapped her across the face, making Yunzhu's head turn to the side and her hair fall down in a mess.

"You little bitch, who are you trying to fool with this act?"

Yunzhu dared not move or retaliate, and could only cover her face and cower back.

Enraged, Lü Ningshuang chased after her, hitting and kicking her until Yunzhu was lying on the ground. She then cursed at her a few more times before stopping.