"how?"

Qin Sheng asked him, "I don't think I've embarrassed you, Guard Lü, as your student, have I?" She considered herself not to be a martial arts prodigy, but she wasn't stupid either.

"So-so," Lu Qingfeng commented bluntly.

Qin Sheng smiled and turned to go to the backyard with Qiao'er, unaware that Lu Qingfeng was looking at her back with a deep gaze.

...

The capital city.

Yue Rongheng rarely returned to the manor, and when he did, he had a deep and serious expression. Seeing the fierce look on his face, Yun Yin didn't even dare to breathe too hard.

"Hidden Clouds".

After an unknown amount of time, Yue Rongheng finally spoke. Yun Yin, keeping his eyes down and seemingly lost in thought, hesitated for a moment before entering.

Yue Rongheng leaned against the couch with his eyes closed. He had removed the jade crown from his head, and his black hair was now draped behind him. Yun Yin was so handsome that he was stunned for a moment.

"Have those Western Rong people been dealt with?"

"Reporting to Master, they have all been killed, and their bodies have been buried on the spot. In this desolate wilderness, it will probably take three to five years before anyone discovers them."

They were referring to the Western Rong assassins who had twice tried to harm Qin Sheng.

Seeing that his master still had a cold expression, Yunyin thought for a moment and then boldly asked, "Is Master angry with Madam Qin?"

He was angry that Qin Niangzi hadn't told him about this.

Yue Rongheng raised his hand and pinched his aching brow; his head was throbbing slightly.

Seeing that he didn't kick her out, Yunyin quickly said, "Madam Qin comes from a prestigious family and is now divorced. As a woman, she naturally has to consider her reputation."

"In my humble opinion, the reason why Madam Qin didn't tell you about this is probably because she didn't want to cause you any trouble."

"..."

After Yunyin finished speaking, he was actually feeling a bit uneasy.

He kept his head down, unable to see the expression on his master's face. Just as he was about to retreat, he heard his master scoff.

Yue Rongheng said, "You seem to know her quite well."

In fact, he himself knew perfectly well that Qin Sheng was just that kind of person. She had her own ideas about everything she did and was particularly unwilling to cause trouble for others.

He actually... wanted her to cause him some trouble.

...

Three days after returning from Daji Temple, Wu Xiaotong came to the Qin residence.

Qin Sheng was looking at the account book, while Qiao'er was telling her about the things that had happened outside in the past two days.

"...They said they were going to the capital to celebrate Prime Minister Liao's birthday, and the birthday gifts alone filled two carts."

It refers to the Marquis of Wuping's residence.

Qin Sheng asked, trying to think outside the box, "Did the Lady of Wuping Marquis go along too?"

Qiao'er shook her head, "No, I heard that she was not feeling well and should not travel far. It was the Marquis who took Aunt Xing and Miss Wu with him."

"..." Qin Sheng thought to himself, "Just as I thought."

It seems that what Wu Jin'er said at Daji Temple was true; the Left Prime Minister Liao Wushan really wanted to recognize her as his goddaughter.

Qin Sheng's heart sank. Certain thoughts swirled in her mind, and she dared not sort them out.

"My lady---"

Caiyue's voice interrupted Qin Sheng's thoughts, "Young Madam Lin is here. She said she needs to see you about something, she..."

"What's wrong?"

Qin Sheng casually closed the ledger he had finished reading, picked up his teacup, and took a sip of hot tea.

Caiyue's voice sounded strange: "She doesn't look well. She looks badly injured. She came wearing a veil."

"..."

When Qin Sheng arrived at the small hall, Wu Xiaotong was already seated. She made no attempt to avoid suspicion and directly removed the veil from her face.

Qin Sheng was stunned, while Emerald and Qiao'er behind her both gasped in shock.

On Wu Xiaotong's right cheek, there was an "X" mark drawn with something, and the skin and flesh were turned inside out.

"What are you doing---"

Qin Sheng's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly instructed Caiyue, "Go and fetch a doctor to examine Young Madam Lin."

"No."

Wu Xiaotong shook her head and said with a wry smile, "I cut my face myself with a dagger."

"..."

Qin Sheng was even more stunned, "Why?"

Who would directly use a dagger to slash their own face? Women all love beauty, and with Wu Xiaotong's face so badly injured, scarring is inevitable.

"I want a divorce."

Wu Xiaotong looked directly at Qin Sheng: "Sister Qin, you are also a divorced woman. I think you should be able to understand my determination."

Qin Sheng understood, of course.

In this world, if a woman really can't live with her husband anymore, why would she want a divorce?

"I understand." Qin Sheng nodded.

Wu Xiaotong's gaze became more fervent as she looked at her. "Then can you help me? As long as we can get a divorce, I'll be your slave for the rest of my life!"

"..."

Several maids withdrew and stood guard at the door.

Qin Sheng pursed her lips and said, "I can tell Mrs. Lin about everything that happened before and after my divorce, but as for help... I'm afraid I can't help you."

Wu Xiaotong's heart sank, but she didn't blame her.

To be honest, this matter had nothing to do with Qin Sheng, and it was within her expectations that they wouldn't help.

The wound on her face was inflicted by Wu Xiaotong herself the night before last when her husband, Lin Ke, had a seizure and locked the bedroom door, intending to beat her.

She had hidden the dagger under her pillow beforehand.

When Wu Xiaotong pulled the dagger out from under her pillow, Lin Ke was startled, thinking that she was going to die with her.

Who knew that Wu Xiaotong just looked at him with hatred, and then raised the knife and slashed her face twice.

That night, the entire Lin residence was in complete chaos.

Normally, Mr. and Mrs. Lin would turn a blind eye to how Lin Ke beat Wu Xiaotong.

But that night, when Wu Xiaotong ran out of the room with her face covered in blood, the two elders were terrified.

Even if things don't go well, the daughter-in-law is still the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Wuping's family!

If he were to die in the Lin family, the entire Lin household would be held responsible.

No matter how Lin Ke explained that he didn't do it, his parents didn't believe him, and his father even severely punished him with family discipline.

"I've come today to apologize to you."

Wu Xiaotong said, "It's only natural that you don't want to get involved in helping me. But the day I asked you to go to Daji Temple, and then I stood you up and had my personal maid talk to you about those things, it was all intentional. My purpose was to evoke your sympathy and make you feel that we were in the same boat."

"..."

Qin Sheng lowered her eyes. "I truly sympathize with your situation. If there's anything I can do to help, as long as it doesn't involve anyone else, I will."

Wu Xiaotong shook her head to interrupt her, "Regarding divorce, although the laws of Da Xiang are helpful to women seeking divorce, it is not easy to sever the marriage alliances between powerful families."

For a woman to get a divorce, the most crucial thing is to gain the support of her family.

Wu Xiaotong also tentatively revealed this idea to her mother, Lady Wupinghou.