med unlikely to die down anytime soon. He walked up to Fang Jinshu's side."There are no bandits plaguing the town anymore, I can come collect my ashes anytime. I really apologize for wasting all your...Yuan Xiangli was driven to a headache by her youngest son's incessant clamor.

"It's not that I don't want to pamper you and fulfill your request, but bringing a widowed woman back home would be too damaging to the reputation of the Minister's Residence."

Moreover, she has two little ones. Are you going to raise other people's children

"If you truly like her, letting her stay as a concubine already shows enough face. When you return home, don't even think about it."

Zong Taiwu twitched his mouth and snorted, then remained silent.

He knew it was unlikely, but he just wanted to test the waters. What if it worked

As expected.

"People don't even look at me as a mistress."

"To actually fall for a dead merchant reeking of copper! How superficial!"

As soon as Zong Taimu thought of this, he gritted his teeth in anger. The other party looked down on him, and they even cheated him out of one thousand taels of silver.

Yuan Xiangli was instantly furious when she heard this.

"What A widow actually dares to look down on you!"

She stood up angrily.

"You are the second son of a high-ranking official, what lowly background could she possibly have to refuse you"

"Mother, you're right! That widow, just because she has some looks, thinks she can ignore our family. Please help your son, Mother. He really likes her."

Yuan Xiangli was pampered since she was a child, getting everything she desired. She had it all, even more so than the princesses in the palace.

Her son, to be rejected by a widow, this is simply slapping her face.

"Don't worry about this, since you like her so much, your mother will definitely help you get her."

Yuan Xiangli didn't think an unmarried woman was anything difficult to deal with. Women, after all, only had a few soft spots. As the daughter of a high-ranking official, she could easily handle a lowly widow.

Zongtai Wu's eyes lit up with delight.

"Thank you, Mother! You're still the best to your son."

He hugged Yuan Xiangli and acted cute.

Yuan Xiangli once again earnestly pleaded, "Helping you is no problem, but you must remember your mother's words. That widow can only be kept outside. You mustn't let your father know."

Zong Taiwu nodded hurriedly, "Mother, don't worry, I'm not stupid. If Father found out, he would definitely scold me again."

"Mom's the best."

Yuan Xiangli hugged her youngest son and tapped his head, "You, after this incident, just focus your mind and learn to manage the family business well."

"Alright, Mother."

After soothing her youngest son, Yuan Xiangli returned to her own courtyard, had a cup of tea, and then called Wang's mother in.

"You handle the widow's affairs."

"Know what to do"

Wang Ma hastily nodded, "This old servant understands, Madam, please rest assured."

No sooner had the two finished speaking than a maid's voice came from the doorway, "Madam, Master is back."

Yuan Xiangli, upon hearing this, hurriedly got up and tidied her clothes and hair bun.

Have the prepared hot water and prepared dishes ready.

"It's the lady."

She hurriedly rushed toward the front hall and from afar, she saw the tall figure of her husband.

Even though he was over forty, Zong Pingchuan's appearance and temperament were still outstanding. Among officials of the same age, he was the most handsome and eye-catching.

For eighteen years of their marriage, every time Yuan Xiangli saw her husband, she couldn't help but linger her gaze on his face.

In her eyes, her husband was exceptionally talented, handsome and unparalleled. He had a gentle and elegant personality. After many years of marriage, there was only one legitimate wife in his backyard. Not to mention concubines, Zong Pingchuan didn't even have a maidservant.

During the few years Yuan Xiangli was pregnant, she still worried that her husband would be unable to control himself and cheat on her.

After all, since her husband is so handsome, there are always a few restless maids in the household every year. There are also many people outside who want to give her husband a beautiful concubine.

But Zong Pingchuan was surprisingly upright, completely a gentlemanly demeanor. He had never acted improperly in all these years.

This makes it impossible for Yuan Xiangli to not be completely devoted to him.

Over the past few years, most of their arguments stemmed from concerns about the future of their two sons.

The husband felt she spoiled the two sons too much and sometimes it was necessary to discipline them seriously.

Yuan Xiangli felt that with her natal and maternal families supporting them, Tai Wen and Tai Wu wouldn't have to work so hard. Even if they were truly incompetent, the Yuan family would find a way to arrange their futures perfectly, ensuring a lifetime of wealth, honor, and comfort.

She didn't understand why her husband cared so much about whether their son was talented or not.

But today she really didn't want to argue with Zong Pingchuan. This period of time he was busy with the emperor's birthday banquet, and the two hadn't sat down together for a proper meal and a good talk in days.

Yuan Xiangli proactively lowered her stance and walked up to him with a smile, taking off Zong Pingchuan's official hat and robes.

"My husband, I've prepared wine and dishes for you today. Please don't be angry anymore, alright"

She gently shook the man's arm.ell was that strong when she was at the door just now.There was a servant over there, quick on his feet and hands. Afraid Fang Jinshi wouldn't believe him, he pushed open the door with force.Suddenly,...