"Yonglang..." Liu Fangniang watched Zhou Yongli leave in a fit of anger, and stood at the courtyard gate, pretending to call out twice.

Afterwards, she said to the newly arrived maids, "Aren't you going to stop them? What if Yonglang and Madam have some misunderstanding?"

Her tricks were nothing new to the old maids and other women who came from the palace; they even found them rather low-class and ridiculous.

She's just a concubine. The lady is the only mistress of the Zhou family, and she's a county princess personally appointed by His Majesty. Do you think you can do anything to the lady by inciting the master? How naive!

In fact, Liu Fangniang knew that Zhou Yongli's trip would probably not bring her any justice, but her current need was simply to cause trouble for Song Xia.

Yonglang is the head of the household after all. Even if Songxia is the mistress, can she disobey all of Yonglang's orders?

Little did she know that Zhou Yongli had gradually calmed down by the time he reached Song Xia's main courtyard. He had just had such a big argument with Song Xia, and he was in the wrong. If he barged in again and Song Xia found out that he had just come from Fang Niang's place, wouldn't that make Fang Niang hate him even more?

Fangniang is too naive. She only knows that she feels wronged, but she doesn't know how ruthless Song Xia will be. Isn't the change of servants in the courtyard a lesson for her?

It must be said that Zhou Yongli was quite intelligent to become a third-ranked scholar.

These past few years have simply been too smooth sailing, so I've stopped thinking and have fewer scruples.

As soon as he approached, Song Xia knew and asked Fu Rong to invite him in.

"Just pretend you ran into him by chance when you go out, and tell him you have something to say to him."

"Yes, madam."

Zhou Yongli kept a straight face, neither mentioning that he came from Qinyaxuan nor asking about the replacement of the maids in the mansion. He and Song Xia had essentially broken off all ties, so he simply couldn't be gentle.

Song Xia didn't force her, because she was the same way. She was still in the mansion just to guard the family property for Yu Qing and to make this family suffer. She felt better when she saw them having a hard time.

"It's just in time for your arrival, my lord. I've changed the servants for Qinyaxuan and Yingyuege today. Just let me know."

"Why replace him when everything was fine?"

“My lord, please don’t misunderstand. It’s not that I’m deliberately targeting Aunt Liu and Ying’er. It’s just that Aunt Liu spoke rudely the other day, forgetting her status as a concubine. Also, I heard from Ying’er’s courtyard that Ying’er said that Yu’er was bad and that it was my retribution. That’s when I realized that Aunt Liu and Ying’er’s manners were terrible.”

Zhou Yongli was somewhat irritated. Fangniang had just been punished, and now bad news was coming from Yingjie'er. How could she be so unruly while in solitary confinement?

“Ying’er is still young. Even if she says something outrageous, I can’t argue with her. But she is, after all, a girl who will marry into another family in the future. If she is not properly taught manners, people will think that our Zhou family has no upbringing. So I specially invited a nanny from the palace to teach her. Those maids who didn’t know how to advise her before can only be sent away to prevent Ying’er from being swayed. What do you say, my lord?”

What should Zhou Yongli say? No matter who judges, Song Xia is someone who considers the overall situation of the Zhou family. It's just that Fangniang and Yingjie are suffering.

"I haven't changed my mother's place. After all, she's getting old, and I'm afraid she might have some thoughts if I did. But I can't interfere too much with her affairs. I hope you can advise her more, my lord, not to spoil Aunt Liu and Ying'er too much in the future. You should restrain their behavior. My lord, you're thinking of us, aren't you? Don't let His Majesty reprimand you and then have someone else seize on your mistakes."

Zhou Yongli glared at Song Xia. This was the first time in so many years that he had been reprimanded by His Majesty. Was it her doing?

He was filled with hatred and shock at the same time. Did Prince Cheng really still have such great influence? Didn't he usually stay out of politics? And how could Song Xia be so ruthless, showing no regard for the affection between husband and wife?

However, he didn't consider that although Song Xia's father had long since stopped getting involved in politics, he was often summoned to the palace to accompany His Majesty. Whenever His Majesty went hunting or went out of the palace for inspections, he always had Song Xia's father accompany him.

The only remaining branch of the imperial clan closest to His Majesty is the line of King Song Xia's father; the rest had long since disappeared and declined during the previous power struggles.

His Majesty is getting old and, though suspicious, he is also nostalgic. But no matter how suspicious he is, he can't be suspicious of Song Xia's father. After all, there are so many grown princes, and the throne is not going to be theirs. Moreover, Song Xia's father never takes sides and only wants to amuse His Majesty. How could he not be favored?

Besides, King Song Xia's father only mentioned his unsatisfactory son-in-law to His Majesty once by chance, and he didn't make any excessive demands, so His Majesty naturally gave him face.

Zhou Yongli's resentment towards Song Xia for disregarding their marital bond is even more laughable. Over the years, you have devoted yourself to Liu Fangniang, relentlessly suppressed Zhou Yuqing, and indulged in Zhou Shuqing without restraint. When have you ever considered your relationship with Song Xia? Do you even care about Zhou Yuqing, your eldest son? And when have you ever thought about the reputation of the Chengjun Prince's Mansion?

It can only be said that selfish people will never see their own problems.

If Song Xia doesn't use his methods, won't you become even more arrogant?

"There is one more thing I want to tell you, my lord."

"Is there anything else?"

Seeing his impatience, Song Xia wasn't angry. She simply casually mentioned the matter that he found extremely objectionable.

"The old lady's death anniversary is approaching, and the clan has sent some people to offer their condolences. Judging by the dates, it should be in the next day or two."

The old lady that Song Xia was referring to was not Zhou Yongli's biological mother, Madam Liu, but Zhou Yongli's legal mother, Madam Zhou.

Zhou Yongli had almost forgotten about this person. He stared at her with wide eyes and asked, "Why are you suddenly holding a memorial service?"

He looked at Song Xia suspiciously, wondering if she had deliberately created this situation to trouble him.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!