After transmigrating, I became a stepmother.

In the end, it was the old lady who spoke up: "Why are you making things difficult for a young girl like her? If you really want me to take charge, fine, call the second son over. I want to hear what he has to say. I can't just let you speak for yourself."

Seeing that the old lady had agreed, Madam Wang was overjoyed and hurriedly said, "Mother is the best. I will go back and tell my husband right away."

After Wang left, the group looked at each other in confusion. Lin Hao couldn't help but ask, "Mother, are you really going to get involved in their affairs?"

"What else can we do? Just you wait and see! The fact that Wang came to me for help means there's more to it than she says. If something really happens, we won't be any better off." The old lady sighed; there was nothing she could do about it.

Having said that, Lin Hao couldn't say anything more. In her mind, once the family separated, they were two separate families, and she should just treat them as ordinary relatives. But the ancients valued family lineage and believed that everyone should share in the same fate, whether it was prosperity or ruin.

"You Ran has something I'd like to say, but I don't know whether it's worth saying or not!" Qian Youran couldn't help but speak up when the two ignored her.

Lin Hao rolled her eyes inwardly. If you know you shouldn't say something, then don't say it! Why ask? It's pointless.

The old lady had no idea what Lin Hao was thinking, and said with a smile, "You Ran, just say what you have to say!"

Qian Youran readily agreed: "Then Youran will speak. If there is anything wrong with this, please forgive me, Aunt and Cousin!"

"You Ran thought to herself, no matter what, her second cousin's family is her cousin's closest blood relatives. If they are not doing well now, it will be a disgrace to her cousin and aunt. Wouldn't that make them a laughing stock?"

At this point, Qian Youran paused, and seeing that the old lady's smile remained unchanged, she felt that what she said was in line with her wishes, and continued, "Besides, Aunt is, after all, the legal mother, and she has to set an example so that people won't gossip, right?"

She thought her words were very proper and magnanimous, and that they would surely win her aunt's favor. However, the old lady said calmly, "In this life, how can one please everyone? Although public opinion can be a fearsome thing, one should not be bound by it and suffer the consequences!"

Lin Hao nodded in agreement. In modern terms, she was not Chairman Mao; how could she please everyone? She didn't care what others thought; the most important thing was to be happy herself!

Lin Hao was happy, but Qian Youran was somewhat at a loss. She looked pitifully at the old lady: "Youran was wrong!"

"It's not your fault. You're still young and inexperienced. You don't understand the grudges between us and the second branch of the family, so you naturally made assumptions!" The old lady smiled warmly.

"Yes, You Ran still has a lot to learn!" Qian You Ran lowered her eyes, not letting anyone see her expression.

“However, what you said makes sense. The two Gu families are not the same. We still need to keep an eye on the second branch of the family and not let them do anything that would disgrace the family! They may not care about their reputation, but we do. Besides, Yu-ge’er and his son will be taking the imperial examinations in the future, so we must not ruin their reputation!” The old lady said earnestly.

"Yes, my wife will send someone to investigate and keep an eye on the second wife!" Lin Hao also realized the seriousness of the matter.

The old lady nodded: "You arrange it."

Sure enough, not long after, the person Lin Hao sent came to report back.

"Madam, I've inquired and found out that the Second Master has recently made some new friends, and the group often gathers at Lanfang Residence. Moreover, the Second Master has an acquaintance there!"

Zhu Jing tried her best to be tactful, but she still couldn't help but blush slightly and look a little unnatural.

"Lanfangju." Lin Hao muttered the name to herself, then realized something, her eyes widening slightly.

"You mean, the Second Master has become infatuated with courtesans?" Lin Hao leaned forward slightly, her tone surprised.

Although embarrassed, Zhu Jing nodded truthfully.

Lin Hao felt that this matter was probably beyond her ability to resolve, and besides, as someone's sister-in-law, it was really not appropriate for her to get involved.

With that in mind, continue your investigation. When the master returns in the evening, tell him everything you have found.

"Yes."

Watching Zhu Jing's retreating figure, Lin Hao still couldn't calm down. The Second Master actually did such a thing. She wondered if Madam Wang knew about it!

When the old lady and Gu Liunian heard about this in the evening, they were also shocked.

"The second son is so foolish!" the old lady said, clearly displeased.

"Mother, shouldn't we think of a solution?" Lin Hao felt that this matter needed to be resolved as soon as possible.

It wasn't that she looked down on women in brothels, but rather that such behavior was clearly irresponsible towards her family.

Even if he redeemed her from her servitude and married her, it would be better than the current situation.

"Of course it needs to be dealt with!" the old lady declared decisively.

"But, this method?" The old lady hesitated.

"Mother, don't worry, let me think about it," Gu Liunian comforted her.

"Zhu Jing, tell me everything you know again in detail."

"Yes, I found out that the Second Master has recently made some new friends. I also asked their servants carefully, and they all said that the place he frequents recently is Lanfang Residence."

"Then I went to Lanfangju and kept watch for a few days, and found that the second master went there every day."

"I spent some money to find out from the people there that every time the Second Master goes there, he always requests a girl named Yin Xue, which costs quite a bit."

There's no need to say anything more; the matter is already clear.

After a brief silence, Lin Hao spoke up: "I wonder what the Second Master is thinking now?"

Indeed, the second master's attitude determined how the matter was handled.

If the Second Master is merely indulging in casual pleasures, then they naturally don't need to interfere. However, if the Second Master's actions affect the future of the Second Branch of the family, then they cannot stand idly by!

Before the group could come up with a solution, a voice announced from outside: "Second Master and Second Madam have arrived."

Then the two figures appeared in front of them.

Both of them were acting awkwardly, sitting there without looking at each other.

"Today, in front of Mother, you'd better explain clearly where all the money went!" Madam Wang said, somewhat exasperated.

“I am the head of the household. What’s wrong with spending some money? Do I need a woman’s permission?” the second master retorted.

Seeing that the two were about to start arguing, Lin Hao quickly interrupted, "Gentlemen, please stop arguing, Mother is still here!"

The two could only restrain their sharp edges, but they still glared at each other angrily.

“Logically speaking, our eldest branch shouldn’t interfere in the affairs of your second branch, but since you’ve come to the old lady for help, we can’t help but listen in.” Lin Hao said with a smile. Gu Liunian wouldn’t say this, and she couldn’t let the old lady speak first, so she had to take the initiative.

"We have troubled Mother!" The second master's face turned red, and he glared at Wang, feeling that she had disgraced him.

"Since you're already here, let's tell you what happened!" the old lady said calmly.

"Actually, it's nothing. It's just that Madam Wang is making a mountain out of a molehill. There's no need for you to trouble yourself, Mother!" The Second Master tried to gloss over the matter.

"How can you say I'm making a mountain out of a molehill? It's clearly you who's addicted to gambling!" When Wang heard him trying to cover it up, she got angry and blurted out what was on her mind.

"gamble?"