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

Listening to Su Sihai's words, Ruan Yingying knew that he didn't actually care much about his daughter, Su Mingyue.

If the master cared enough about Su Mingyue, he wouldn't have been unaware of her return to the capital.

Of course, who would pay attention to a woman who came to the capital from the countryside, especially since the master was so busy with official duties?

"My lord, I actually have a plan, but I don't know if you would like to hear it."

"You said."

“I thought Mingyue was still alive, but she never came home. I wonder if she was still holding a grudge about us punishing her back then. But she’s not young anymore, and it’s not appropriate to keep her outside all the time. It would only cause more speculation. Why don’t we find someone who looks like Mingyue and bring them back? We can send them away after Mingyue comes back.”

"You mean you want to find someone to impersonate you and keep a fake young lady in your mansion?"

“A fake is a fake; it can’t become real.” Ruan Yingying hurriedly explained, “I’m foolish; this is the only method I can think of. Perhaps, sir, you could send more people out; maybe we’ll find her. As long as she’s willing to come back, I’ll even let her be the head of the household.”

“What kind of fake story is this? What kind of nonsense is this? If people find out, what will I do with my reputation? I’ll go out and have people look for her again. If they can’t find her, we’ll just announce that she died of a complicated old illness at the estate.”

Su Sihai is a cautious person.

There are risks involved in hiring an outsider.

The best solution would be to spread the news of Busu Mingyue's death. Once this news got out, the eldest legitimate sister of the Su family would be completely gone.

"Master is indeed very thoughtful." Ruan Yingying smiled slightly at Su Sihai's words. As long as Master announces to the public that the eldest young lady is dead, even if Su Mingyue dares to come knocking on the door, she will have her people thrown out.

The eldest daughter of the Su family has already passed away. Who does she think she is? She might just pop up out of nowhere and claim the title.

Su Sihai waved for Ruan Yingying to leave and beckoned a guard: "Go out and search for the young lady again. This time you must find her. Live or dead."

The guards took the order and left.

……

After getting up and having breakfast, Su Mingyue went directly to Qian's Medical Clinic.

The past tense: the couple from yesterday has already arrived.

Compared to yesterday, the woman looked even worse today. In her words, eating was becoming increasingly difficult; she couldn't eat anything at all.

I usually just drink some porridge or soup.

Sometimes, you'll spit it out after drinking it.

Su Mingyue examined her and determined that she was a suitable candidate for surgery. She advised her not to eat or drink anything after nightfall.

Although the woman did not understand, she did as instructed.

"Miss Su, I have built the operating room you requested according to your requirements. Please take a look and see if it is satisfactory."

She led the small first-aid kit inside, and the kit told Su Mingyue, "As long as it's discreet, that's fine. Leave the rest to me."

It's a professional when it comes to sterilization and disinfection.

“Okay, could you please add two more beds and a wooden frame here as well?” Su Mingyue pointed to the location.

Although Mr. Qian didn't understand what he needed these things for, he trusted Su Mingyue. To be precise, he regarded Su Mingyue as his cinnabar, and therefore trusted her unconditionally.

Otherwise, given Qian Lao's current age and his many years of experience as a doctor, how could he possibly believe a young girl?

And since the surgery was performed at his clinic, if it went wrong afterwards, the clinic would bear some responsibility, and possibly even full responsibility.

Such a huge risk is something most people wouldn't dare to take.

Mr. Qian also wanted to know if Su Mingyue was Zhu Sha, which is why he believed in his opponent and trusted him.

……

Xiao Zhan sat on the second floor of the teahouse, with a perfect view of the entrance to Qian's Medical Clinic. Old Master Qian escorted Su Mingyue to the door.

"How did she end up there?" Xiao Zhan thought that she seemed to have said she wanted to make some pills to exchange for money, so she must have sold the pills to Qian's Medical Clinic.

Su Mingyue looked up and saw Xiao Zhan sitting on the second floor.

Xiao Zhan beckoned to her, inviting her to come up.

"Mingyue." Xiao Zhan called Mingyue affectionately, "Did you just go to Qian's Medical Hall to sell your pills? Did he want them?"

"My pills are good stuff, anyone with medical knowledge can tell at a glance. Many people want them, but I may not give them to them."

"I'll go to the jewelry store for you in a bit."

"Where are you going and what are you doing?"

"I will be hosting a banquet tomorrow, and as the hostess, you should prepare some jewelry and such. This is the menu for tomorrow's banquet; would you like to take a look?"

"I don't understand these things. Even if you show them to me, I still won't understand." Su Mingyue didn't look at them.

……

Today is the second day of Su Ziyu and Fu Jingsheng's marriage. Logically speaking, the two of them are newly married, and their relationship should be incredibly sweet and intimate.

However, because Su Ziyu was pregnant, Fu Jingsheng had to sleep on the floor at night, which he somewhat resented.

But Su Ziyu's attitude has remained aloof and condescending since yesterday. Her previous gentleness, thoughtfulness, and understanding have all vanished.

All she did was offer sarcastic remarks.

Because of his wedding, the Emperor granted Fu Jingsheng a three-day leave. Su Ziyu asked Fu Jingsheng to take her to visit the estate.

Now that she is the matriarch of the Fu family, she will naturally pay more attention to the only property in the family that she bought at a high price.

Fu Jingsheng figured that Su Ziyu always found fault with him at home, but she probably wouldn't be like that outside. So he went along with her wishes.

Watching them leave, Fu Jingying breathed a sigh of relief. She complained to Qian Shi, "Mother, from now on, my sister-in-law will be in charge of the household. We can't even raise our voices at home anymore. This sister-in-law is rich, but sometimes she's too fierce."

"That's how rich girls are, always acting all high and mighty. As long as she's willing to pay, what's a little grievance to us? Once your brother's career is stable, we won't have to be afraid of her anymore."

“Her father is the Grand Secretary. No matter how high my elder brother’s official position is, it can’t be higher than my sister-in-law’s father. There’s definitely no way we can turn things around.”

"Even if this one isn't good, she's still better than Su Mingyue. What does Su Mingyue have besides a few coins? She's just an orphan with no background. If your brother doesn't divorce her, he might get dragged down by her."

"She doesn't have a family background, but she's been good to us. She always goes along with our requests. From now on, my brother's money will also be managed by my sister-in-law, so we won't be completely without a say in the family."

"You brat, if you have nothing to do, go out more. There are so many noble families in the capital, I don't believe there isn't one who would want you. You have to make your mother proud, marry into a noble family, and become a mistress of the house. Then you'll have the power of the treasury, and you can do whatever you want."

Upon hearing this, Fu Jingying thought it made perfect sense: "My brother is now the top scholar in the imperial examination, and his future is limitless. Those prestigious families only have good reputations; it's their good fortune that they can marry me."

Fu Jingying felt that as long as she wasn't too picky, it would be easy for her to marry into a prominent family.