Fang Ruotang put down her chopsticks, shifted her legs slightly, and looked straight at the bent-over Miss Yuan.

Is there some misunderstanding here?

When Xiao Jingzi recommended these three people to her, she asked them about it. Although the three young men had a reputation for being playboys, they did not engage in any of the usual vices such as drinking, gambling, prostitution, rape, or robbery.

At most, he's just idle and spends his days wandering around from house to house.

“There’s no misunderstanding. I don’t know what I did to offend him, but he kept saying bad things about me to my fiancé, which led him to ask my family to break off the engagement.”

"Is that so?"

Fang Ruotang casually agreed, feeling relieved. It was good that he hadn't forcibly taken a woman, especially since she had promoted him. But was Song Chiyu really that gossipy? Was he so idle as to speak ill of someone else's fiancée? Fang Ruotang asked Xiao Jingzi incredulously.

Is it really true?

【real. 】

"I will advise Young Master Song to be careful with his words and actions in the future and not to discuss other people's marriages. However, your fiancé is not a good man to break off the engagement with you just because of a few words from others. Even without Young Master Song, he may abandon you for other reasons in the future. Madam Yuan does not seem to be a submissive person. I hope you will consider this matter carefully."

"Thank you for your advice, Grand Preceptor. I understand, and there is no possibility of turning back." Seeing that the Grand Preceptor was so easy to talk to, Madam Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.

The rumors about going to the capital were indeed true.

The Imperial Preceptor is beautiful and kind-hearted. If you suffer unfair treatment, it may be useless to complain to the government, but if you just ask the Imperial Preceptor, your request will be granted every time.

The Grand Preceptor has always shown particular favor to women.

What is Song Chiyu doing? Why is he targeting a young woman from a tavern? And using such methods? Isn't this just needlessly harming her? How difficult it is for a young woman to live after her engagement is broken off!

Do you remember a time when a certain type of character you liked seemed perfectly suited to Song Chiyu?

Fang Ruotang's eyes were filled with confusion.

To be honest, she's an omnivore, and for a while she fell in love with a type of anime character.

[The male lead has a classic line, haven't you forgotten? "From the moment I saw your girlfriend, I knew you were the brother I was going to be."]

Fang Ruotang was dumbfounded, never expecting this situation.

Does Song Chiyu like Yuan Niangzi?

【right. 】

If you like Miss Yuan, pursue her honestly and openly propose! Using these underhanded tactics only invites misunderstanding and dislike.

Novels, after all, are different from real life.

[Madam Yuan is engaged and will definitely not agree to his proposal. Besides, if he pursues Madam Yuan and causes her to break off the engagement, her reputation for marrying into a wealthy family will follow her for life. On the other hand, things are different now. At most, she will suffer some cold looks for a while, but she will get through it.]

Fang Ruotang: ...

[How shameless! He pursued her, and then made her suffer and take the blame.]

[Actually, that's not the case. A few gossips from others could make Yuan Niangzi's fiancé think she was of lowly status, showing her face in public, and unworthy of him. Such a person's nature won't change just because of marriage. In a way, he did a good thing, preventing Yuan Niangzi from falling into a wolf's den.]

That's true. Although Song Chiyu's actions were somewhat inappropriate, it's not necessarily a bad thing that Yuan Niangzi took the opportunity to see someone for who they truly are.

"Your Excellency, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now, so as not to disturb your enjoyment any longer." After waiting a few moments, seeing that Fang Ruotang had nothing else to say, Madam Yuan prepared to leave on her own.

She was just an ordinary merchant's daughter, and her family owned only a small fortune in the capital, so she couldn't hear Fang Ruotang's true feelings.

The reason I was able to sneak into the banquet this time was because of a young lady from an official family who particularly liked her peach blossom wine. After a few visits, the two of them got to know each other.

After learning the reason why she broke off the engagement, Miss Guan gave her a suggestion and took her into the venue.

"You...wait a minute." Fang Ruotang hesitated for a moment, "What's your impression of Young Master Song?"

Madam Yuan pursed her lips and secretly observed Fang Ruotang's expression.

Everyone in the capital knows that the Second Young Master Song was promoted by Fang Ruotang. In the court, he is one of Fang Ruotang's trusted followers; wherever she points, they follow.

Ordinary people may not know much about the affairs of other officials, but the two young masters of the Song family used to be notorious playboys on the street. Their sudden change of nature naturally became the topic of conversation.

"Well, that's good! But it would be even better if he didn't target me in the future."

"He actually likes you, he's not targeting you. As long as you find a good man in the future who truly loves you, he can't break you up. After all, he's not a bad person by nature. His fighting and snatching is just because he wants to marry you. But if you insist on not giving in, he won't go so far as to kill or commit arson."

Fang Ruotang is not a person who beats around the bush.

In addition, although Song Chiyu doesn't often hang out in front of her, the Loyal General's Mansion would send some good things to the Prime Minister's Mansion every now and then. It's just that she doesn't know if this is his own idea or the General's Mansion's.

Fang Ruotang didn't care about these social interactions; her aunt and mother were in charge of keeping an eye on them.

"Ah?" Yuan Niangzi's small mouth opened slightly, and she made a breathy sound.

This was something she never expected.

That man who looked down on her and acted superior was actually infatuated with her?

"real."

"...I won't be a concubine!"

Yuan Niangzi was not overjoyed at being favored by the superior; instead, she felt a chill in her heart and was somewhat afraid of the other party's family background and methods.

"It's probably not about making you a concubine, is it? The fact that you're going to put so much effort into this must mean you want to bring her back to the household as your principal wife, to manage the household affairs. I don't know anything about this, you two can discuss it yourselves!"

"If you marry me, you will only have me as your wife. You are not allowed to keep maids or concubines. You may only take concubines if you are forty years old and have no children." Madam Yuan said again, looking at Fang Ruotang with trepidation.

I was somewhat afraid, but very determined.

Fang Ruotang smiled faintly to reassure her.

"It's good that you have ideas, and you don't need to be afraid. Since you've come to me for help, you can come to me again if you need anything later. If you two are in love, I congratulate you. If you don't like it, I will support you and not let him use his power to oppress you. Just relax."

"Thank you, Imperial Advisor."

Madam Yuan knelt and bowed to Fang Ruotang.

Miss Guan said she would take her to see the Imperial Preceptor, but she thought it was unnecessary to go to such trouble. Now she really has to thank her, otherwise she would never have had the chance to face Young Master Song on equal terms.

"It's alright, go ahead!"

After Madam Yuan left, Fang Shengtang asked, puzzled, "Judging from your words, you don't seem to have high hopes for this relationship?"

"Huh? No!" Fang Ruotang had just picked up her chopsticks when she heard her older sister's words and turned her head to the side, looking confused. "I actually quite like it!"

Anyway, she liked the kind of storybooks from the previous world that featured characters who rose to prominence and competed fiercely.

"I can't tell."

Fang Ruotang thought for a moment before she understood what Fang Shengtang meant.

She said, "It's probably because the relationship between the two people is unequal! It's easy to make things backfire and turn into forceful acquisition."