Yun Manyin knew it was inappropriate for an unmarried young girl to hear about her parents' affairs, so she could only cry and plead, "Father! Mother can't die! My brother and I can't be without our mother!"

As Hongyu pulled her past Madam Su, she cried out, "Aunt, please, we only have one mother! Even if she's wrong, she's still our mother!"

Su's heart skipped a beat, as if she could see Xiao Youran.

Her heart softened, and she said to Yun Rui, "Second Master, what happened today must not be spread. You should make a good decision."

Yun Rui frowned. "Sister-in-law, why don't we quietly send her back?"

Madam Su shook her head. "I wasn't trying to scare you when I said she was a thief or a petty thief. What if she goes out and then makes a scene that the whole capital knows about it?"

Yun Rui looked at Guo Shi, "You wouldn't... do that, would you?"

As he spoke, he himself became uncertain.

Guo wiped away her tears, stood up with a cold laugh, and tugged at her collar. "Yunrui, do you dare to do it but not admit it? I may not be a virgin, but I'm not someone you can just sleep with as you please!"

Yun Rui's face darkened.

Madam Su sighed, "Second Master, things have come to this, so please listen to my advice. You don't want your second sister-in-law to come back because you're angry with her for selfishly returning to the capital when the Yun family was suffering. But have you considered that the position of the second wife can't remain vacant forever? Mother will have to remarry sooner or later. If you marry someone who is caring and understanding, that's fine, but what if she isn't? You already have legitimate sons and daughters, as well as illegitimate daughters. If you have another wife who has children, how will you treat them all equally? In the end, your second sister-in-law hasn't committed any major wrongdoing; she just wants to secure a good future for her children. If you still have any pity for her, then keep her. As for Mother, I'll go with you to plead for her tomorrow."

After saying that, she turned to Aunt Lin and said, "Aunt Lin, you and your second sister-in-law have gotten along for so many years and it's been peaceful. If a difficult mistress were to come in, you would suffer, wouldn't you?"

Then she turned to Guo, "Second sister-in-law, if you can come back, please don't bring up the past anymore. There's no point in dwelling on old grievances; we must move forward, don't you think?"

His words left all three speechless.

Yun Rui sighed after a long while, "What my sister-in-law says is very true."

Guo was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed, "Husband, you agreed?"

Yun Rui nodded. "Yes, you stay in the room and don't make a sound. I have to go out to meet guests. Tomorrow, after my sister-in-law and I have informed Mother, we'll ask you to come out and see them!"

Guo beamed with joy, "Alright! I'll only listen to you!"

After saying that, he curtsied to Madam Su again, "Thank you, sister-in-law!"

A storm was averted without a trace.

The next day, after listening to Su's words, Old Madam Yun remained silent for a moment and then asked Yun Rui, "Second son, have you made up your mind?"

Yun Rui took a deep breath. "Although I am not talented, I dare not forget the Yun family's precepts. I was indeed rash about what happened to Aunt Lin back then, and I have felt deeply sorry for Madam Guo all these years. Now that she wants to come back, I do not want to let her down again. I beg Mother to grant my request."

Madam Yun had no choice but to nod. "Alright then, you shall follow your sister-in-law's arrangements. For the sake of Yin'er's marriage, we have to do some pretense."

"yes."

Half an hour later, Guo was pushed out of the side gate with a veil covering her face by Hongyu.

Guo was still somewhat incredulous, clinging to the doorframe, hesitant to move. "Hongyu, did my sister-in-law really say that?"

Hongyu nodded firmly, "It's absolutely true. Go back and wait patiently!"

Guo asked hesitantly, "Is it really not a lie?"

“When has our Duchess ever lied to anyone?!” Hongyu patted her chest. “She said she would buy back the old people of the Marquis’s mansion, and she did it right away. Haven’t all those maids and servants who were sold off been bought back these past few days?”

Remembering something, she added, "Oh, besides Qingyu, who ran off with our money back then!"

Guo's expression darkened again. Qingyu had run away with the money because she couldn't stand Guo's beatings and scoldings.

Hongyu pushed her out the door again, "Go back quickly, Madam said it will be at least three days, and at most seven days! Second Madam, just wait!"

Guo had no choice but to leave, looking back every few steps.

Three days later, the Duke's mansion did something that shocked everyone in the capital.

It is said that the second branch of the Yun family once again brought back Guo, the daughter of the Minister of War, who had been divorced by the second branch, to the mansion in a grand sedan chair carried by eight men.

Of course, the Yun family's explanation was that when the Yun family suffered in Taizhou, Madam Yun couldn't bear to see her second daughter-in-law and two grandchildren suffer as well, so she sent the three of them back to her parents' home.

Now that the Duke's Mansion has regained its glory, the grandchildren have returned to the Yun family, and the second daughter-in-law should also return to the Yun family.

Only after stepping over the brazier and entering the main courtyard of the second house did Guo finally feel completely at ease.

They really came back?!

Aunt Lin brought in a bowl of steaming hot noodles and said carefully, "Madam, this noodle soup is too hot. Let me take off your hair first before you eat."

Madam Guo happily grasped her hand, "Aunt Lin, I misunderstood before. From now on, we should take good care of our husbands."

Aunt Lin lowered her eyes and nodded, saying, "Madam, this servant will take good care of you and the Second Master."

Guo was extremely pleased to hear this.

When Yunrui came into the room that evening, he saw his wives and concubines interacting with Mu, and couldn't help but give a thumbs up to his sister-in-law, Su.

For more than a decade, because of Aunt Lin's presence, this Guo woman was always making trouble and causing unrest in his household.

He was heartbroken when he received a letter from his mother after being exiled to Ningguta, informing him that Guo had requested a divorce and returned to the capital. After all, they had been husband and wife for over ten years, and to end it all in one day was something he couldn't bear.

But then I remembered that she was doing it for her children's future, and I felt relieved.

The incident a few days ago was truly unexpected for him.

But only now did he understand his sister-in-law's good intentions, given her firm attitude.

Although he lost face after all this commotion, he preserved the reputation of the Duke's mansion, paved a bright future for his daughter and son, and also preserved his marital bond with Madam Guo.

The elder sister-in-law's words not only put Guo Shi in a bad light, but also put Lin Yiniang in a bad light.

If peace and tranquility can be maintained in the home afterward, it would truly be a win-win situation.

Because of this, everyone in the Yun family was convinced of Su's authority.

In addition, Su was a skilled businesswoman, and the original farmland and shops of the Duke's mansion were well managed by her. The monthly allowance of the Duke's mansion also increased significantly, and the entire Duke's mansion presented a thriving scene.

On the other hand, the Yong'an Marquis's family finally received the last half of their fortune from Dingzhou at the end of March. They were able to settle the high-interest loans owed by the Gao family and the debts incurred from various merchants over the past few months. They also used the remaining money to cover the funds embezzled by Jiang Mingli before taking Jiang Mingli home.