After the arranged marriage, she farms and survives under the tutelage of the villainous boss.

In fact, Xu Pingan had wanted to beat up Jiang Zhiyun for a long time.

However, he had fought in his past life. It was because of his mistress that Jiang Zhiyun went insane and caused them to perish together.

Having already made a lifetime of mistakes, Xu Ping'an has managed to restrain himself from taking any action.

He felt that he had changed so many bad habits in order to win her back, so why was this woman so ungrateful!

Jiang Zhiyun looked at him mockingly and said, "Are you even worthy of being compared to Xie Shuheng?"

"He is a gentleman, and you are a villain, a despicable and shameless villain."

"Alright, Xu Ping'an, I'm going to beat the petition drum. So many people are waiting, I don't want to argue with you about this."

Xu Ping'an sneered: "The Censorate told me before that I was here to guard the place and prevent anyone from banging the Dengwen Drum. I didn't think there was anything wrong with that before. I thought that just guarding these stupid scholars and having more books to take the imperial examinations made them think they were really capable?"

"I never imagined that the person who brought that idiot here would be you..."

"I will not allow you to beat the drum of petition."

Xu Pingan said repeatedly.

“Go back, or don’t blame me for taking action.” Xu Ping’an could compromise with Jiang Zhiyun for other reasons, and he even felt that many things could be done out of consideration for their past relationship as husband and wife.

But... if it affects his career? Then Jiang Zhiyun won't allow it either.

Xu Ping'an's expression had turned cold.

To everyone's surprise, Jiang Zhiyun nodded: "Hmm, is this a requirement from the imperial court? Or is it a separate requirement from your Censorate?"

"All."

"I'm on duty, Jiang Zhiyun, don't cause trouble," Xu Ping'an warned again.

"Even after treating me like this, I'm still willing to give you the chance to stand by my side. I've already been so good to you, don't be so stubborn."

"Wei Yu is my wife now, and Jiang Zhiwan has been keeping quiet at home. What else do you have to make a fuss about?"

"Now that you're here, I promise I'll divorce both of them."

"Of course, I need to make sure Wei Yu's money is with me first." Xu Ping'an's goal was clear: to have money and power, to climb up the social ladder in this life, and to have Jiang Zhiyun, the regret from his previous life, by his side.

In his past life, he only used her, but because she died once, Jiang Zhiyun is now Xu Ping'an's ideal woman.

His mind is now almost entirely focused on Jiang Zhiyun.

If there are feelings involved, then taking a concubine or keeping a mistress becomes meaningless.

He only wished that Yunniang could stay by his side forever, just like in his previous life.

Xu Pingan clenched his fist and said it quite sincerely.

But Jiang Zhiyun just gave her a cold look.

She said, "You're dreaming. You think you can get me to marry you?"

"Have your spring and autumn dreams."

Jiang Zhiyun stood on the high platform, surrounded by a group of scholars.

Because the noise was very loud late at night, and there were many soldiers and officials insulting the scholars, many people came out to see what was going on.

Jiang Zhiyun stood there and shouted, "Everyone, Yunniang comes from a very small town. She has been wronged and wants to appeal to the authorities."

"But the official in charge of the inspection department kept stopping them, saying that no one would be allowed to knock."

"Could it be that this has become a tradition in Bianjing? This thing is just for show; we, as ordinary citizens, are not allowed to ring it at all?"

"Can't I show my dissatisfaction?"

"Or perhaps we should appeal to the Emperor to plead our injustice?"

As Jiang Zhiyun said this, she cried and shouted at the same time.

Yunniang took out a little gadget made by Shen Huichuan that could amplify her voice. It was originally used when everyone was far apart while farming, so she could give orders to everyone.

Using it here now is definitely worth the money.

Jiang Zhiyun stands here and speaks; the little gadget amplifies her voice, making it audible to everyone around, even eliminating the need for word-of-mouth communication.

Many scholars approached Xie Yang and said, "Your aunt's stuff is amazing! Next time, you should share some with us too, so that our voices will be heard even louder."

Xie Yang smiled and said, "This was made by my uncle's friend. He's good at making these things. When he comes back to Bianjing, he'll make them for us when he has time."

Jiang Zhiyun stood on high ground, constantly recounting her grievances.

The crowd around him was unanimously supportive, spontaneously shouting their approval.

On the surface, this is just Jiang Zhiyun's personal grievance, but aren't all those who support her also fighting for their own interests?

You can silence the people now and ignore their lives, but why take back the powers that were previously delegated?

At least, there are still people willing to speak out, and there are still people who are not afraid of death.

Even if they're dizzy, they're not afraid of death. They just need to pave the way for this, and it will be fine.

Xu Ping'an thought that as long as he persuaded them to leave, things would be fine. He never expected that Jiang Zhiyun would be able to win over so many people, and now the situation has become even more complicated.

Even the shouts of the common people, and the many people releasing sky lanterns, were all accusations against the imperial court.

The sounds of these Kongming lanterns and the commotion reached the palace.

The emperor was fast asleep and didn't see anything at all.

Gu Wanqing, on the other hand, couldn't sleep. She was worried that Xie Shuheng hadn't replied yet, so she was now anxiously waiting, hoping that Xie Shuheng would write back.

The hope within the palace dwindles with each passing day.

With the Emperor behaving this way, defeat is inevitable.

Others may not know what the Emperor is like, but Gu Wanqing does: he's a complete idiot, utterly clueless, and quite vengeful.

When the country is in the hands of such a person, trouble is bound to happen.

It's only a matter of time; Xie Shuheng is indeed the one everyone hopes for.

Previously, the people in the Gu family only knew Gu Wanzhi, but now it's different. Gu Wanqing is more capable, more knowledgeable, and more cunning than her. She always has the upper hand in everything she does.

Therefore, she was confident that Xie Shuheng would like her.

I'll like you as soon as we meet.

The main issue is... there's a potential problem between Gu Wanqing and the Emperor... there's a secret that can't be revealed, or she'll die.

She couldn't even keep her status as a favored concubine.

Reaching this point has indeed been a nerve-wracking experience.

Just then, they heard a commotion outside and saw a burst of flames.

"Someone come here, what's that outside?"

She went outside into the palace and asked the palace maids.

The palace maid beside her approached tremblingly: "Your Highness, the scholars outside are petitioning for the people, and the others will probably go ask the general guarding the city."

"Is it Xiao Su?" Gu Wanqing asked curiously.

"Yes……"

"Then call Xiao Su over, and while you're at it, ask my poor little sister if she wants to see Xiao Su too. Just say that the Emperor invited her."

At this moment, Gu Wanqing tiptoed to the Emperor's side and said, "Your Majesty, those scholars outside are causing trouble again."

"They're making a ruckus every night, so I can't sleep."