Every family has its share of messy and troublesome things.

If the regents use even such a trivial matter as a pretext, then the Empress Dowager will retaliate in kind, and they will not have any peace either.

What was originally a balanced and harmonious relationship can turn into a bitter feud.

As long as they don't make mistakes in matters of principle and major issues, the regents won't do anything to the Empress Dowager.

Gu's father first sent servants to clean the entrance of the Shen family's house. Then, he and his wife and children, despite the whip marks and mouth bruises on their bodies, went to apologize again.

This time, the Shen family actually let them in.

Madam Shen and the Lady of Dingguo sat in the hall, while Gu Yang's family stood awkwardly in the center.

Father Gu bowed respectfully: "Madam, Marquis of Dingguo... Yang'er was wrong in this matter! He shouldn't have been so fond of drinking, and even more so, he shouldn't have forgotten to send away those three concubines after the engagement..."

The elderly Mr. Shen and the Lady of Dingguo, sitting at the head of the table, remained silent, coldly staring at the three people below.

The three members of the Gu family were tense.

Mei said urgently, "We'll send those three wretches away as soon as we get back, so they'll never get in Manman's way again."

Madam Shen snorted coldly: "Since you want to apologize, then show some sincerity. After the marriage, Gu Yang is not allowed to take a concubine or have any maids for fifteen years!"

Gu Yang's expression shifted. Was he forbidden from taking concubines?

Isn't this going to kill him?

Mr. Gu and Madam Mei were delighted. Madam Mei quickly agreed with a smile, "Don't worry, don't worry, we'll do as the old lady says. Not to mention fifteen years, even twenty years is fine."

Madam Shen's expression softened a little, and she nodded, "Alright, everyone go back now!"

Madam Mei was delighted: "Good. Thank you for your kindness, Madam. My Yang'er will definitely treat Manman well from now on. If he makes a mistake again, we will not let him off the hook."

Madam Shen looked satisfied.

After the three members of the Gu family took their leave, they turned and departed.

Only after their figures disappeared through the door did the Marquis of Dingguo sneer, "They got off too easily."

Madam Shen gave him a stern look: "You drenched me in filth, whipped me, and then the Empress slapped me ten times. What more do you want?"

Marquis Dingguo said, "I also want to kick them into the pigsty for seven days and seven nights."

Madam Shen chuckled and sighed softly, "It's a pity. Not only can we not kick them, but we also have to pretend to let them go for Manman's sake. Otherwise, they'll be suspicious and on edge all the time, and our plan won't be able to be implemented."

We need to lower their guard so that their joy can turn into sorrow.

......

On the Gu family's carriage—

"What kind of creature is she? A jealous woman! A jealous woman! She's prevented me from taking a concubine for fifteen years. How can there be such a jealous woman in the world? I'm not afraid of being laughed at by others!"

As soon as Gu Yang got into the carriage, he couldn't help but start cursing:

"My mother is really something. They said fifteen years, and not only did she agree, she even said twenty years. Isn't that just setting me up?"

“You!” Madam Mei poked his head. “If they mention conditions, it’s proof that they’ve forgiven you. If they don’t, you’re in big trouble.”

"And what difference does it make whether she says ten years or twenty?"

"After you get married, you can endure it for two or three years. Then you can keep a few mistresses outside. It would be best if she found out immediately. When she makes a scene, no matter what promises were made before the marriage, once it actually happens, it will be her fault for making a scene."

"No matter what demands her family makes now, the only way to deal with it in the future is to make her keep quiet and not make such a scene."

"That's just how the world is. It's considered natural for men to take concubines, and if a woman makes a fuss, she's labeled a jealous woman! No matter the reason, you have to obey this logic!"

Gu Yang's eyes lit up as he listened: "Mother is so insightful."

Madam Mei chuckled, "You can chase those three sluts away first."

“Mother…” Gu Yang was reluctant to part with them; those three were the concubines he loved most.

Mei rolled her eyes at him: "Don't you like Chun Tao who's next to me? I'll make it up to you with her later."

Gu Yang was overjoyed: "Thank you, Mother."

"But you have to restrain yourself. If you miss Chun Tao in the future, just come to my yard to find her."

......

Ye Family —

Ye Caiping and Shen Zhiyan snuggled together on the daybed, with a warm rabbit fur blanket covering them.

Ye Caiping leaned half her body against his chest as she looked at the account book: "Gu Yang made such a scene today, aren't you going home to check on him?"

Shen Zhiyan raised an eyebrow: "My brother did all of that. I can't exactly go up and slap him, can I? That would be pretty boring."

Ye Caiping glanced back at him and said, "You're pretty bored right now too."

Shen Zhiyan laughed: "I'm not bored. You look at the ledger, and I'll look at you."

Ye Caiping's ear tips turned slightly red: "You old lewd man."

"What you said last time, I'm not old yet."

"The three girls are still outside!"

Shen Zhiyan looked out the window and saw Shen Manman, Jin'er, and Huan'er building a snowman in the yard, laughing and having a great time.

Shen Zhiyan was in a good mood. He closed the window, flipped over, and pounced on Ye Caiping onto the bed.

The curtain in Ye Caiping's hand fell onto the carpet with a thud.

Ye Caiping: What are you doing?

"I want to hug you."

Ye Caiping felt a sweet warmth in her heart and hugged him back. "Oh, right, there's one more thing. On New Year's Eve, the Empress told me that she hoped you could stay in the capital as the Imperial Tutor."

Shen Zhiyan looked up at her: "She asks me this once a year."

Ye Caiping said, "Then you should agree! The little emperor's growth is a matter of life and death for us."

Shen Zhiyan nodded: "Okay."

Ye Caiping looked into his clear eyes and chuckled, "Actually, you want to be one yourself, don't you?"

Shen Zhiyan coughed dryly: "In previous years, I didn't want to, but this year... there's no way around it. My eldest sister is the Empress Dowager, my brother is a general and a minister, you are a third-rank lady, and even Manman has become a princess. Only I am a lowly top scholar. If I don't work hard, I will really become the most useless one in the whole family."

Ye Caiping chuckled and lightly pecked him on the lips: "What's most useless? You're the most useful."

Shen Zhiyan smiled and sighed softly, "Why isn't the wedding date here yet?"

"Soon."

"Mmm." Shen Zhiyan buried his face in the crook of her neck.

......

The three girls are building a snowman outside.

Ye Jin'er gently patted the snowman: "Wow, this is the first winter I've ever had with snow. I can even build a snowman!"

Ye Huan'er: "When I was little, I always thought snowflakes were as big as eggs and fell from the sky. Now I know they float down like feathers."

Shen Manman chuckled, "Then let's stay in the capital and live there, so we can see snow every year from now on."

Ye Jin'er said, "I'll listen to Mother on this."

Ye Huan'er stuck a carrot nose on the snowman: "By the way, that Gu Yang today... why didn't Sister Man go home to visit him?"

Shen Manman looked disgusted: "Ugh, what's there to see? Their hypocritical faces? Anyway, we saw it clearly this morning when they were splashed with human blood."

"Look at those petty people, it's much more fun to build a snowman!"