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

Li Da led his men back.

Manager Liu spat at his retreating figure, "You scoundrel who relies on his master's power."

Since the other party was unlikely to cause trouble anytime soon, Steward Liu went to report to Su Mingyue: "Madam, it seems they stayed at the Su family estate for a while, and Li Da has gone back. I just don't know who came. If it's that Miss Su, she will probably come back."

Manager Liu knew that this estate was the one Miss Su had her eye on. Now that the madam wasn't selling it, he was bound to come and inquire.

"Who cares who she is." Su Mingyue knew her seemingly virtuous younger sister best. Even if she dared to come over, she wouldn't confront her.

Back then, I didn't do anything wrong; I just left because I didn't want to stay in the Su family mansion. Now, if I want to go back, no one can stop me.

If the other party dares to come, she dares to go back to the Su family right now and let her good father properly recognize her.

"Madam, Lord Su is a favorite of the Emperor. Wouldn't it be bad if we offended him?" Steward Liu was somewhat afraid because of Lord Su's prestige.

“I’ll handle anything, no matter how big the problem is, what’s there to be afraid of?” Su Mingyue waved for Steward Su to leave. “If anyone comes from over there, let Su Ziyu come to see me herself. If she doesn’t come, just say my name is Su Mingyue, and I wonder if she remembers this name.”

Seeing his wife so confident and self-assured, Steward Liu couldn't help but wonder if his wife had some kind of relationship with the Su family.

Since that's what the lady said, she'll do as she's told.

"Madam," Xingchun spoke up from the side, "Do you know Miss Su?"

“An old friend.” Su Mingyue sneered, “She had better not mess with me.”

To be honest, she doesn't want to reveal her identity yet. Because her issues with Fu Jingsheng haven't been resolved, and she doesn't want him to know her true identity before they divorce.

What if Fu Jingsheng finds out her true identity as the legitimate daughter of the Su family and doesn't want a divorce anymore?

That's not okay.

They must divorce.

……

Su Ziyu led Fu Jingsheng to a manor owned by the Su family outside the city. It was a beautiful place nestled against the mountains and beside the water.

Su Ziyu led Fu Jingsheng inside and instructed the servants, "Quickly bring up some fresh fruits, chilled ones."

Before long, all sorts of fresh fruits were served.

“My mother gave me this estate a long time ago, saying it was part of my dowry when I got married. After we get married, we can come here to stay for a while every summer when the weather is hot. What do you think?”

“Of course it’s excellent.” Fu Jingsheng’s face flushed as Su Ziyu looked at him. “This place is located at the foot of the mountain, with comfortable air and a cool temperature. It’s a great place to escape the summer heat.”

Su Ziyu changed the subject: "It's a pity that this estate doesn't have hot springs. If it did, we could stay here for a while in the winter."

When Miss Li mentioned this, he stepped forward and whispered to her, "The other party doesn't agree to sell or exchange, and their attitude is extremely bad."

Su Ziyu became interested upon hearing this: "Don't they know that the Su family is the one who wants to buy their estate?"

"I told you, but they won't listen at all."

"It seems they still want more money. Go again and ask them how much they can offer. If they can increase it, then increase it. Our Su family isn't unreasonable."

Li Da received the order and quickly led his men there.

The voice was too soft for Fu Jingsheng to hear completely; he simply asked, "Has something happened?"

“It’s alright. There’s a manor with a hot spring not far from us. The owner was looking to sell, but they probably changed their mind because the price wasn’t right. I’ll have the manager add some money and we can negotiate again. If we can buy it, we can come and stay for a while in the winter.”

Fu Jingsheng immediately understood.

Once you reach Lord Su's rank, you can get whatever you want, right?

Even if the other party wants to add more money, we should consider how much. Offending the Su family would be a serious matter, and we might end up getting ourselves into a lot of trouble.

Li Da, having received orders from his young mistress, returned a considerable number of servants to her.

"Hey Liu, tell me, how much silver do you want to sell it for? If the price is right, we can all negotiate. If the price isn't right, don't blame us for being impolite."

"Everyone says that Lord Su is cunning and not a good official. Now it seems that's true. For just a courtyard, he's practically robbing people outright."

"How dare you!" Li Da gripped a thick stick in his hand. "You dare to speak ill of our master? Do you have a death wish?"

“Go back and tell your young lady. My mistress said that if she wants to buy the courtyard, she can come and negotiate herself. Oh, and by the way, tell your young lady that my mistress's name is Mingyue. As long as you mention that name, she will definitely know who she is. Go ahead.”

Li Da saw that the senior officials were unyielding and refused to budge. Since Miss Bian was on the estate, he couldn't be too forceful.

I had no choice but to go back again and wait for instructions: "Miss, the other party says they're willing to sell, but you have to go and negotiate in person. The owner across the street is named Mingyue, and they say you must know her."

Su Ziyu's face tightened upon hearing the name.

Su Mingyue, that's her.

Could it be that she's come to the capital?

No, she must be in the countryside waiting for Fu Jingsheng to send someone to pick her up right now. How could she possibly be here, and how could she possibly be living in a courtyard that's even better than the Su family's?

"What happened?" Fu Jingsheng asked, noticing Su Ziyu's unusual expression.

Su Ziyu's expression returned to normal, and she smiled faintly: "It's nothing serious. If they won't sell, then forget it. It's so cold in winter, I don't really want to come out anyway, so I won't buy it."

Seeing that Miss Li had indeed not pursued the matter any further, Li Da couldn't help but wonder if the owner of that courtyard was some important person.

"It's just a manor, and the other party knows your identity but still refuses to sell it. What are they trying to do?"

“My father told me not to do anything reckless outside, and even more so not to act in her name. So, for this kind of thing, if the other party is willing, then they are willing; if they are not, then so be it.” Su Ziyu said lightly, but she was gritting her teeth inwardly.

Su Mingyue, right? It's just a manor; it'll fall into her name sooner or later.

"Ziyu, don't worry, I will definitely work hard to climb up the ladder in the future so that you can be successful and glamorous outside, and you won't have to do what anyone else wants."

"Why bring this up?" Su Ziyu ate a piece of fruit, her eyes languid. "Our marriage is still far from settled, it's too early to talk about this now."

Are you blaming me? Blaming me for not proposing to you yet?

"I know your difficulties. You must be worried about my status, which is why you haven't dared to propose marriage yet."

"No. In my eyes, you are the best, and I would give you the best of everything."

“Then help me buy that estate across the street.” Su Ziyu winked at him, “It’ll be a good opportunity for me to see your sincerity.”