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

Ziyu suffered a miscarriage yesterday due to Fu Jingsheng's actions and will be infertile. At this point, forcing him to sign a divorce agreement or a letter of release is the most appropriate course of action.

The master did not do that, and even asked Ziyu to forgive him and let him out of prison.

“Even without yesterday’s events, Ziyu wouldn’t have been able to give birth. Her body was already damaged before, making it difficult for her to conceive again. This time, the fetus was in an abnormal position, and it could have miscarried not yesterday, but any day now. As for her external injuries, they didn’t affect any vital organs, so there’s nothing serious. She just needs to rest for a few days.”

His gaze shifted to Su Ziyu, his eyes icy: "She's the one you were going to marry. Your wedding was such a huge affair. If you divorce now, what will people think of you and me? Divorce is impossible. The only option is forgiveness. Go back and live your lives peacefully, as if yesterday never happened. Be more mature in the future. Men can be easily appeased; why make a scene with him? If things escalate, you'll be the one who looks bad."

Su Ziyu couldn't believe these words would come from her own father.

"Father, how can you say that to me? Why did I marry him? It's because you didn't agree to my marriage with the Fourth Prince. If you had agreed, would I have married Fu Jingsheng? I feel disgusted just looking at him."

“This was your own choice. Did I force you? I haven’t even settled accounts with you for what happened between you and the Fourth Prince, and you’re already complaining. Didn’t I warn you before to stay away from the Fourth Prince? You didn’t listen, and you even made a lifelong commitment to him.”

With tears welling in her eyes, Su Ziyu suddenly shouted, "So you knew all along. You knew all along, then why didn't you help him when he was in trouble? If you had said a word or two on his behalf, perhaps he wouldn't have had to leave the capital, and we could have gotten married and started a family together." Su Ziyu felt extremely distressed when she thought of her affair with the Fourth Prince.

If my father had been willing to stand up for the fourth prince and clear his name, he wouldn't have been banished from the capital by the emperor and forced to suffer in that harsh, cold place.

The Fourth Prince hasn't left the capital, so what business does Fu Jingsheng have? Normally, she wouldn't even want to glance at a poor scholar like Fu Jingsheng.

As Ruan listened to the conversation between the father and daughter, she felt as if the sky was falling.

Good heavens, what evil has bewitched Ziyu? How could she have fallen for the Fourth Prince?

She even became pregnant with his child twice.

"I don't want to bring up what happened before, and you shouldn't either. After Jingsheng comes back, you and he should live a good life together. Don't quarrel anymore and make a fool of yourselves."

Su Ziyu turned her face away, not wanting to speak.

Ruan secretly wiped away her tears with a handkerchief.

Su Sihai sighed: "Ziyu, stop thinking about the Fourth Prince. There was no possibility between you two before, and there will be no possibility in the future. Even if he returns to the capital, given what has happened to you these past few days, what hope do you have of entering the Fourth Prince's residence?"

Su Ziyu didn't want to listen, so she covered her ears and told Su Sihai to leave: "I don't want to listen, get out, get out."

Su Sihai instructed Madam Ruan: "Please persuade her not to cause any more trouble with Fu Jingsheng. They are husband and wife, and she was the one who insisted on marrying him back then, everyone saw it. As for her pregnancy, I will talk to Jingsheng and have him acknowledge it."

Madam Ruan felt sorry for her daughter, but dared not directly contradict Su Sihai: "Master, I really can't bear to see Ziyu like this..."

"Womanly compassion." Su Sihai scolded her, "Ziyu has become like this because of your indulgence. She can have a divorce if she wants, I'll send her to a temple to become a nun, you can choose for yourselves."

Disbelief appeared in Ruan's eyes.

Su Sihai flicked his sleeves and left.

"Mother," Su Ziyu hugged Ruan Shi, "Am I not Father's daughter? Why are you treating me like this? Can't he see that I'm not doing well?"

“Ziyu, that’s just how we women are, what can we do? Your father is right, even if you divorce him, where can you go? Forgive him, he comes out safely and admits that the child in your belly is his, and then you two can live a good life together and not cause any more trouble.”

"I'm going to find the Fourth Prince." Su Ziyu suddenly sat up. "He said he would marry me."

Madam Ruan immediately covered her mouth and whispered, "Nonsense. The Fourth Prince is a criminal. Do you want to implicate the entire Prime Minister's residence? If your father finds out, he'll break your legs."

"Was it Su Mingyue who treated my injury yesterday?" Su Ziyu asked again.

“It was her. You were seriously injured and bleeding heavily yesterday, and even Physician Shen was helpless. You were out of danger only after she arrived.” Madam Ruan sighed; “She saved you after all.”

“If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have been in this mess yesterday.” Su Ziyu was angry when she thought about what happened yesterday: “She shouldn’t think that just because she saved me once, I will forgive her.”

"Alright, stop talking and get some rest." Madam Ruan stopped her from saying anything more: "Take good care of yourself at home during this time and don't think about anything else."

Su Ziyu nodded obediently.

Madam Ruan pulled the quilt up for her and came out to instruct Shuangjiang: "Go to my dowry and find some valuable jewelry. Send it to Su Mingyue later and tell her that you are grateful for her saving your life yesterday."

She could have refused to save Ziyu yesterday, but she didn't.

If it weren't for her intervention, Ziyu would very likely have died yesterday.

She remembered this kindness.

……

Su Mingyue came out of the palace, and Xingchun rushed to greet her as her young mistress came out.

"Please wait, Your Excellency. Please explain to the Emperor that Mingyue guarantees to complete the mission."

"I will inform the Emperor. Princess, please take care on your journey."

After Eunuch Gao left, Su Mingyue got into the carriage and was about to leave when Anping chased after her.

"Su Mingyue, wait for me."

"Princess, you were looking for me?"

"I heard someone is going to cause you trouble tomorrow. Are you alright?" Anping hurriedly caught up with Su Mingyue after hearing that she had left the palace.

"I am fine."

Anping looked her over and said, "It's good that you're alright. If there's anything I can do to help, you can ask me."

"Okay, thank you princess."

“You’re really boring.” Anping got into her carriage directly: “I’m going to see your residence. Lead the way.”

Su Mingyue politely declined: "Princess, I'm afraid it's not possible today. I have some things to take care of."

"You don't welcome me?" Princess Anping was displeased.

“Princess Anping, can’t you tell that Mingyue is busy today? If you really have time, please keep me company and show me some hospitality. I’m going back to Dongzhou tomorrow.”

"You're finally going back." Princess Anping stepped down from the carriage. "You've been with us in Nanli for so long, you wouldn't have any other thoughts, would you?"

"What could this princess possibly be thinking? It's just that there are too many handsome men in your Southern Li, so I wanted to stay a few more days." The Eastern Zhou princess shrugged, then thought of a place and mysteriously said to Anping, "I know a place full of handsome men. You, as a princess of a country, have probably never seen it. Would you like to go and take a look?"

Anping's mouth watered as he listened. A handsome man? How handsome? He really wanted to see for himself.