To divorce his wife, the top scholar preferred being cuckolded to wearing a red hat.

Of course, Ms. Qian had her own ideas.

Su Mingyue will definitely leave the Fu family, but not now.

At least until we get all the money from Su Mingyue. Once we have all the silver on her, she'll be no longer of any use to us.

If she's sensible enough, it would be best if she asked to leave the marriage. If she's not, she wouldn't mind being the bad guy and using her as a stepping stone for Jing Sheng.

Fu Jingying happily put on the set of jewelry that Su Ziyu had given her, feeling incredibly proud.

Although I lost 3,600 taels of silver to buy a broken headdress, I got a fine headdress, so it can be considered a good thing.

It seems that next time I go shopping with Miss Su, she can pick out some jewelry she likes. They're both going to be her sister-in-law; if the former sister-in-law treated her well, the latter will only treat her better.

Thinking of this, Fu Jingying's face was filled with smugness.

Her brother was truly amazing; both his ex-sister-in-law and his current sister-in-law captivated him. She, his sister-in-law, also benefited from his charm.

……

Su Mingyue and her group traveled slowly and deliberately, not in a hurry to go to the capital.

She first inspected several shops and made some changes to the business layout.

When she was almost there, she checked into a farmhouse outside the city instead of going directly to the capital.

She bought this farm three years ago but had never been there before. This time, she found it had everything imaginable – fruits, vegetables, and more.

The manager was overjoyed to learn that she had arrived.

Over the past three years, they have grown countless good things, but unfortunately their master forbade them to send them away. They ate half of it themselves and sold the rest, which was a source of income.

Of the maids who followed her, only Xingchun knew her true identity; Xingxia and Xingqiu were unaware of it.

Seeing the steward being so respectful to their mistress, calling her "Master" repeatedly, their eyes widened in astonishment.

Xingchun pulled them aside: "This estate was purchased by the Madam so that she would have a place to stay when she came to visit the young master. You two should serve the Madam carefully, and when you arrive at the Fu family, don't say anything out of turn, understand?"

When Su Mingyue left, she asked for their opinions before staying with her.

Xingdong has an elderly mother at home, and her mother doesn't allow her to travel far, so she didn't come along.

Only Xingxia and Xingqiu followed.

Xingchun was a girl who followed Su Mingyue before she married Fu Jingsheng. Xingxia and Xingdong were girls bought after Su Mingyue married Fu Jingsheng.

People born in the summer are quite clever and quick-witted.

Xingdong is a little foodie; she gets all dazed whenever there's food around. She's quick-witted and straightforward, with her hands and feet moving faster than her brain.

Xingxia nodded to indicate that she understood: "Sister Xingchun, we understand. Madam must have her reasons for doing this."

"Are we going to live here from now on? I really love it here. There are all kinds of fruits and vegetables." Xingdong took a walk around and found that the farm was full of good things. She couldn't have been happier.

“We’ll stay here for now, but we’ll still be heading to the city. You can eat as much as you like while you’re here, but don’t overdo it.” Xingchun said this while glancing at Xingdong.

Xingdong wiped her lips somewhat shyly.

Xingchun returned to the house, where Su Mingyue was lazily lying in a chair: "Go find two sets of men's clothing that fit well. We're going into town now."

"Madam, didn't you say you would rest here for a few days before going out? What happened that you're in such a hurry?"

"I'm just bored and want to go into the city to have some fun." Su Mingyue stretched.

"Slave, go now."

Xingchun quickly found two sets of men's clothing. Su Mingyue changed into them, styled her hair in a man's hair, and put on a hat, looking no different from an ordinary scholar.

The two boarded a carriage and headed to Kyoto.

The Fu family is holding a thank-you banquet today.

He had the silver in his hand, plus the silver bestowed by the emperor, and he borrowed some more from outside, thinking that he could pay it back after Mingyue came.

As the newly appointed top scholar is hosting his first banquet, he should naturally follow the proper standards and not be too stingy.

As the newly appointed top scholar in the imperial examination, he was to hold such a thank-you banquet.

First, he thanked the Emperor for his discerning eye in bestowing upon him fame and a mansion. Second, he also expressed his gratitude to his former classmates and teachers.

However, this kind of thank-you banquet is not something that can be attended by just anyone who is invited.

It also depends on his own network of contacts.

Most of those who came were of similar rank to him.

Even those of higher rank have to be dealt with depending on his mood.

If they're in a good mood, they might come just to go through the motions. If they're in a bad mood, they might just have someone send a small gift, or simply not send anything at all and pretend they don't know anything about it.

Therefore, Fu Jingsheng had no idea who would come today.

Compared to Fu Jingsheng's trepidation, Madam Qian and Fu Jingying were overjoyed. They dressed up elaborately, displaying their wealth and status as ladies of high society. However, the wives of real officials would look down on their attire.

She looks like a madam in a brothel.

“Brother, there must be a lot of talented young men coming today.” Fu Jingying wore the headdress Su Ziyu had given her and the clothes Su Ziyu had just made for her.

This outfit wasn't cheap; it cost several hundred taels of silver to make, and it's said to be the most popular style in Kyoto.

She couldn't let go of this rare opportunity to shine in front of these talented young men.

Fu Jingsheng glanced at her and whispered a warning: "The guests who came to my house today may become my colleagues in the future, so be polite to them."

"Don't worry, I wouldn't do anything reckless. It's just that I'm curious what those talented young men look like; I'd like to meet them."

"You and your mother take good care of the female guests, and I'll take care of the male guests."

The first to arrive was Su Ziyu. She came with several of her sisters, bringing many nice gifts.

As soon as Su Ziyu arrived, the families of those officials who had been hesitant about coming immediately sent people over.

Su Ziyu's arrival signifies that the marriage between the Su family and Fu Jingsheng is real, not fake.

If Fu Jingsheng, the newly appointed top scholar, really becomes related to the Su family through marriage, then he will be part of the Su family line. Naturally, they should get to know each other better.

“Mother, this is Miss Su Ziyu. Yu Zi, this is my mother, and this is my younger sister Jingying.” Fu Jingsheng stood in front of Su Ziyu. He could clearly feel the change in the atmosphere at home after Su Ziyu came over.

Those guests who were originally just there for show became enthusiastic, and the way they looked at him changed.

Thinking of this, he stood up even straighter. Despite being the newly appointed top scholar, in these people's eyes, until he climbed higher, he was just a minor official, not worthy of their attention.

"So it's Miss Su." Madam Qian warmly grasped Su Ziyu's small hand, her smile kind and gentle. "Miss Su, I'm so happy you could come today. Please forgive me if there's anything I haven't done well in our hospitality." Madam Qian was secretly pleased.

To prepare for this thank-you banquet, she selected the best ingredients and chefs, and even bought the finest items for the house.

It cost quite a bit of money, inside and out.