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

Consort Shu frowned as she thought of those banquets.

To be honest, they did scheme against Su Mingyue.

She wanted to marry Lingling into the Zhanwang Mansion, but her plan backfired and instead benefited the heir of the Changning Marquis.

……

Su Mingyue was unaware that Fu Jingsheng's collusion with spies from Xiqi to plot against her and the War King had already created a bloody storm, with everyone trying to distance themselves from Fu Jingsheng for fear of being implicated.

The person in question was sitting lazily in the yard, enjoying chilled watermelon and bayberries.

Two months in Qingzhou not only tanned her, but she also hadn't had fresh fruit or enjoyed these ice cubes for a long time.

Thinking of Qin Yun and Quan Feiying, he said to Xingchun, "Xingchun, take my invitation and invite Qin Yun and Quan Feiying over. Tell them that there are many delicious foods at the Prime Minister's residence and invite them to come and try them."

The Xu family was unaware that Qin Yun had secretly gathered supplies with Quan Feiying and Ye Wushuang to travel to Qingzhou. It wasn't until Prince Zhan and the others returned and the Emperor announced the list of rewards, which included Qin Yun's name, that the Xu family found out.

Because Qin Yun had just gained favor with the Emperor, the Xu family matriarch and Madam Xu were currently in Qin Yun's courtyard, talking to her.

"You child, you're too impulsive. Such a big thing, and you didn't even discuss it with us before doing it. Luckily, you've done a good job this time. If something happens to Young Master Ye or Miss Quan on the way, you'll be held responsible." Although Old Madam Xu was happy that Qin Yun had brought honor to the Xu family, she didn't consider that Qin Yun was being too presumptuous.

Women should just stay at home, taking care of their husbands and children. Those things that bring them honor and recognition are best left to men.

The third son has always been ignorant and incompetent, only knowing how to indulge in romance and pleasure. Qin Yun is also ignorant; this time, she didn't know to donate money in her husband's name, using her own name instead—what kind of behavior is that?

Qin Yun, sensing the unspoken meaning in their words, smiled faintly and said, "Grandmother and Mother are overthinking it. I didn't think that much about it at the time; I just wanted to do something for the people of Qingzhou."

"Fang Cheng has been giving you a lot of money lately, how come you have so much silver on hand?" Qin Yun had always lived at the Xu family's beck and call, and she had no more than a hundred taels of silver on her.

It wasn't that the Xu family was stingy with her; it was just that her brother came asking for money every few days, and Qin Yun indulged him, always giving him money. Knowing that she would be supporting her family, they gave her much less money.

This time, she took out five thousand taels of silver at once, which was a huge sum of money.

"I also want to thank my grandmother and mother for their love, and my husband for his generosity during this time. I have saved all the money you gave me. When the incident happened in Qingzhou, I thought that Mingyue saved my life and I couldn't let anything happen to her. I also wanted to accumulate good fortune for my son, so I participated in this matter with them. I didn't expect that such a small matter would alarm the Emperor, and the Emperor even specially sent a reward."

"What a good child." Old Madam Xu patted her hand. "You've brought honor to the family this time, and Grandma will reward you." Old Madam Xu gave her a pair of bracelets. "The housewarming banquet is in a few days. Wear these with you."

"Thank you grandma."

"This set of jewelry is a gift for you. You will be attending a banquet at the palace in a few days. You must maintain your dignity and appearance."

"Thank you, Mother. Grandmother and Mother, please rest assured. If anyone asks, I will say that the donation of silver to Qingzhou was your idea. You are concerned about the safety of the people of Qingzhou, but you don't want to be too conspicuous, so you put it through me." Qin Yun has learned her lesson now and always says a few nice things.

"She's really become much more sensible after having the baby. You don't need to say it, everyone knows it's all thanks to the Xu family." Qin Yun's words cheered the old lady up: "Has Fang Cheng not come to your room these past few days?"

“I neglected my husband after I gave birth, so I thought of taking him a concubine so that he would serve him well. He treats me very well, and my husband and I get along well now.”

"That's good. That's more like what a matriarch should do." Old Mrs. Xu was very pleased to hear this. Everyone has to be a mother at least once. After becoming a mother, a person becomes sensible and knows how to plan for their children's future.

A-Jing led a maid in; the maid was none other than Xing-Chun.

"Xingchun greets Old Madam Xu, Madam Xu, and Third Young Madam Xu." Seeing so many people, Xingchun bowed to each of them.

"Who is this?" Old Madam Xu did not recognize Xingchun.

"This servant is the personal maid of the County Princess Su. My lady wishes to invite Madam Xu, the Third Young Master, to a gathering at the Su residence."

"So you're the maid of the County Princess Su." Old Madam Xu smiled and said, "Yun'er, since the County Princess invited you, then you should go. Your mother and I will go back first."

Princess Su is a highly skilled physician who has rendered great service in Qingzhou and is a favorite of the Emperor. Regardless of her past, she is someone who absolutely cannot be offended now.

On the way, Qin Yun asked Xing Chun, "Did your young lady call me over for something?"

"Miss said that the watermelon and bayberries at the Prime Minister's residence are quite good, and she wants you and Miss Quan to go and try them."

"She's gone back to the Prime Minister's residence?"

Mingyue rarely returns to the Prime Minister's residence, so her sudden return now is probably not as simple as just inviting them to eat.

I met Quan Feiying at the door.

Quan Feiying went to Qingzhou and got quite tanned, but she looked much more energetic.

"Mingyue said she'd treat us to watermelon, let's go in together." She knew the situation in Qingzhou City well; it was good enough for the people to have enough to eat, let alone watermelon or ice.

When she entered, Su Mingyue's maid had cut up a lot of watermelon, as well as bayberries, grapes and other fruits and placed them on the table. She was lazily eating grapes, her languid appearance completely different from the person in Qingzhou who was wholeheartedly dedicated to treating the illness.

"Please sit down. It's hot today, so it's perfect to have something refreshing. These were all sent by Father to buy. Please try them."

Looking at the languid and carefree Su Mingyue, Qin Yun's eyes reddened. She stepped forward and hugged her, saying, "Mingyue, I'm so glad you're alright. When we learned about the epidemic in Qingzhou and that you were there, Feiying and I were extremely worried. Luckily, you know medicine, otherwise, I can't imagine what the consequences would have been."

“I wouldn’t have gone if I didn’t have medical skills,” Su Mingyue said frankly.

"I heard your ex-husband committed suicide?" Quan Feiying asked, munching on a grape as she recalled the events of the past two days.

“Dead.” Su Mingyue’s expression was as if she were talking about a stranger.

Qin Yun hadn't paid attention to this matter. When she heard that Fu Jingsheng was dead, she was extremely surprised: "How did he die?"

"He infiltrated Qingzhou, colluded with spies from Xiqi, and attempted to assassinate me and Prince Zhan. Upon returning, feeling deeply guilty, he committed suicide out of remorse."

"That bastard!" Qin Yun was furious upon hearing this. "He's so wicked. Heaven really has eyes; someone like that doesn't deserve to live in this world."