The mistress has no feelings, why do you provoke her?

Gu Huaizhou was now poor and lacked confidence, and having just been demoted, he no longer put on airs in front of Song Wenjun.

He sat down dejectedly in the chair, and unusually pleaded with Song Wenjun: "You've worked so hard these past few days, managing everything in the household. I've seen it all. It's my greatest blessing that Wenjun married you."

Song Wenjun knew him all too well; whenever he needed her, he would put on an act of deep affection.

She smiled slightly and said, "My lord, what are you saying? Isn't this what I should do?"

Gu Huaizhou felt a little embarrassed. If he hadn't squandered all the money in the manor, the family wouldn't be in such dire straits.

What's even more hateful is that his mother actually punished Song Wenjun by making her kneel in the ancestral hall, thus offending the eldest son of the Song family.

"Your mother has a sharp tongue but a kind heart. Don't take it to heart; she's only doing it for your own good."

Gu Huaizhou already knew the whole story. He knew that Song Wenjun had gone to ask Song Jinshu for money, which was why she didn't return to the Marquis's residence.

Zhou punished her by making her kneel in the ancestral hall without distinguishing right from wrong. Although it was inappropriate, she was, after all, his mother.

As a son, he couldn't very well criticize his own mother.

That is unfilial.

Therefore, Song Wenjun had no choice but to endure this injustice.

Song Wenjun's smile widened: "I didn't take it to heart. If the Marquis hadn't brought it up, I would have forgotten about it. It's kind of you to still remember it."

Gu Huaizhou was speechless at her words, and felt a little embarrassed.

He realized that Song Wenjun was subtly mocking him.

"You take out all your grievances on me, and I, as your husband, should bear it."

"Your Excellency is joking. You just told me not to take it to heart, so why are you taking it on for me now?"

The more nonchalant Song Wenjun appeared, the more suffocated Gu Huaizhou felt.

He wanted to use this incident to show Song Wenjun his considerate side and to discuss with her the matter of elevating Xue Qingwan to the rank of concubine.

Unexpectedly, Song Wenjun was completely unyielding.

Gu Huaizhou's face darkened, no longer bothering to pretend: "You brought up your cousin's matter?"

“It was my mother who suggested it.” Song Wenjun picked up the pattern she had embroidered a few days ago and started embroidering again. She was thinking of making a tiger-head hat for her child when spring came.

She embroidered with great care, but Gu Huaizhou was furious.

He tried to reason with her in a very gentle manner, but she didn't take it seriously at all.

He's so angry!

“My cousin is related to our Marquis’s family after all, but she’s just a concubine. If she wants something, just give it to her. Why make things so formal?”

With a snap, Song Wenjun placed the embroidery hoop on the table, her face darkening.

She met Gu Huaizhou's slightly surprised eyes and said, word by word, "Anyone can bring this up with me, except for the Marquis."

Why can't I?

"Has Your Excellency forgotten the promise you made to me? When you proposed to me, you said you would never take a concubine. How long has it been and you've already changed your mind?"

Gu Huaizhou's face froze, and his imposing manner deflated: "This, wasn't this the idea you proposed to Mother to elevate my cousin to the status of a concubine? How come you're blaming me now?"

“I brought it up because I am magnanimous and considerate of the Marquis in everything I do. I don’t want you to lose face in front of the scions of noble families. But what does it mean for the Marquis to bring it up? To put it bluntly, isn’t this a case of being fickle and neglecting one’s wife for the sake of another?” Song Wenjun looked at Gu Huaizhou with cold eyes. Her sharp eyes seemed to be able to penetrate his heart, making him feel ashamed and embarrassed.

He did indeed say something like that when he proposed to Song Wenjun, wanting her dowry.

He meant it as a joke, but Song Wenjun took it seriously.

Now, they're even using that phrase to manipulate him.

Gu Huaizhou, unable to contain his anger, retorted, "Those were those days, and now is now. Go out and see which noble family treats you as devotedly as I do. I don't even have a maidservant by my side. Song Wenjun, don't be ungrateful."

"I'm not satisfied?" Song Wenjun's long-suppressed anger finally erupted at this moment: "You know better than anyone what state the Marquis's mansion is in. If it weren't for my hard work, the Marquis's mansion would have collapsed long ago. The Marquis's wife may look glamorous, but outsiders don't know the hardships she has endured. Can't you see that, Marquis?"

Gu Huaizhou's face turned pale and then red as he choked on his words; of course he knew.

If it weren't for Song Wenjun's business acumen, he would have kicked her out long ago, instead of letting her act so arrogantly.

"Alright, I was just saying it casually, but you're going on and on."

Song Wenjun's eyes reddened and tears fell: "Since I am so unworthy in the eyes of the Marquis, then the Marquis may simply give me a letter of divorce and divorce me from the Marquis's mansion."

"You, you're just being ridiculous..."

Gu Huaizhou was so angry that his face turned ashen. He couldn't argue with Song Wenjun, so he could only leave in a huff.

As soon as he left, Song Wenjun wiped away her tears, and there was no trace of the heartbroken look she had just had.

Nothing is worthy of challenging her authority.

The manor was dirt poor, and Gu Huaizhou had been demoted. She wanted to see how far the Marquis's manor could go.

Gu Huaizhou left Qiufeng Courtyard fuming; Song Wenjun dared to threaten her with divorce.

That wicked woman, I'll teach her a lesson she won't forget.

"Cousin." A clear voice called out to Gu Huaizhou.

Xue Qingwan walked over from not far away. She was fair-skinned and from Jiangnan, so she had a natural grace.

But she also loved wielding swords and sticks, adding to her carefree and unrestrained spirit like a wandering swordsman.

Unlike the gentle and reserved beauty of women in the capital, she was bold in her actions and even bolder in her words.

Xue Qingwan grabbed Gu Huaizhou's arm, staring intently at him with her beautiful eyes, and said, "I missed you, so I came to see you."

Gu Huaizhou looked around in surprise, and only breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that no one was around.

But inside, I felt a strange excitement and joy: "Why are you so blunt?"

Even though he had been with Jiang Miaoyin for so long, he had never done anything like this with her.

This is the first time I've ever experienced such a novel feeling.

"If you like someone, shouldn't you let them know? Otherwise, what's the point of liking them?" Xue Qingwan took another step forward, staring intently at Gu Huaizhou's face. "Or is it that you, cousin, don't like me?"

Gu Huaizhou's handsome face flushed slightly as he turned away, but the corners of his lips curled up: "Don't do that again."

Seeing that he clearly liked it, Xue Qingwan persisted, saying, "Cousin, tell me."

Her lively and playful demeanor put Gu Huaizhou in a great mood.

He reached out and gently stroked the bridge of her nose with his finger, saying, "I like it."

Xue Qingwan helped him walk towards Tingfeng Courtyard and took the opportunity to ask, "So, did you mention me to the young mistress? Cousin, I'm devoted to you, you can't let me down."

"I brought it up." Gu Huaizhou's smile froze. "She didn't agree."

"Why shouldn't you agree? You're her husband. Shouldn't women always listen to men?"

Seeing that she was anxious, Gu Huaizhou comforted her, "Qingwan, this matter is not as simple as you think. Actually, you can promote her to concubine first, and I will promote her to a higher rank later. It is not in accordance with the rules to promote her to a noble concubine rashly."