After playing there for a while, they decided to return to the Marquis's residence, but Wang Yan wanted them to stay for dinner.

But none of them agreed. "No need, no need, let's eat at the manor. The food there is much better!"

Hasn't Lady Hou been busy these past few days? She often doesn't come home for dinner.

Even if she doesn't come back, the main kitchen will still send over the Lady of the Marquis's allowance.

Since they weren't sure if Madam would be back for dinner that evening, they decided to just have it delivered. Even if she couldn't make it back, it was better than having no food at all.

The first and second-class maids followed Granny Hua to do their work, while others went out with the Lady of the Marquis.

Those delicious dishes were all for the benefit of these young girls.

Alright! Wang Yan and her friends waved goodbye and turned back to the foot massage shop.

By this time, the foot shop should be closing. Aunt Wang and Fatty Wang locked the door, and the family, including Wang Yan and Wang Ying, took a walk and went home.

When passing by the night market, I bought two snacks and some red bean soup to take home for dinner.

…………………………………………………………

When Chunye and the others returned, it happened to be Aunt Cui's turn to be on duty.

Panxia from Aunt Cui's household is planning to be transferred to the sewing room recently, because she heard that a maid in Lady Hou's courtyard has a relative who works in the sewing room.

So when Aunt Cui saw that Chunye and the others were very nice, she gave them a wink, signaling them to slow down.

What happened? Chunye and the others asked curiously.

"We're so thirsty from walking all this way back. Could we have a bowl of water here before we continue?"

"Come, come inside, I'll get you some water."

After the group went inside, Aunt Cui whispered,

"You guys be careful on your way back. I'm not scolding you, so don't laugh it off."

This afternoon, a servant in our household was beaten to death. The Lady of the Marquis ordered Granny Hua to supervise the execution.

What if you and your friends go back laughing and joking and run into a troublemaker? Wouldn't it be terrible to get a scolding?

Chunye and the others were stunned for a moment before they realized what was going on. "Of course not, of course we won't blame Auntie. We need Auntie's reminders more."

Could the old lady please tell me who was beaten to death? Who was it? This is…

Aunt Cui told them frankly, and the news had already spread throughout the mansion; it wasn't a secret.

"The son of the imperial physician claimed to be selling medicine! He was selling poison to a maid, who had also had a quarrel with her master."

In a fit of rage, she poisoned our second master and mistress, but I heard today that they didn't die.

Chunque stared in disbelief, "So the Second Madam isn't dead?"

Aunt Cui clapped her hands and quickly reminded her, "Oh dear, girl, look at that expression! You can't do that!"

If someone were to find fault with this, they would ask you, "Does the second wife have to be poisoned to death before you'd be satisfied?"

Chunque chuckled sheepishly and waved her hand, "No, no, Auntie, that's not what I meant!"

Well, she did look a little surprised, but it wasn't directed at the second wife.

Didn't I just see the shocking and heartbreaking news today about Wang Ying's second wife's death?

So I was a little surprised and also wanted to laugh, because I felt that Wang Ying had been heartbroken and upset for nothing.

It's worth noting that Wang Ying did shed two tears at that moment. Despite her and her sibling Wang Xing's lack of affection for the Third Young Master, and even their occasional attempts to put him down, it's clear they were genuinely not fond of him.

However, Wang Xing and Wang Ying had a pretty good impression of the second wife. Several times when their brother and Lin Mu were punished, it was the second wife who came to their rescue.

However, these things happened when the Third Young Master was a child. Later, as the Third Young Master grew older, the Second Madam realized that she could not control his temper, so she simply stopped interfering.

However, Wang Xing and his group still had a very good impression of the second wife and were very grateful.

Although Wang Ying was punished with a slap on the hand, the Second Madam was fair in her rewards and punishments.

Normally, if the maids had any requests and went to the Second Madam for help, she would usually agree as long as they weren't too unreasonable.

Even when Mu Jin was forced into marriage, the Second Madam was initially unaware, but later, when she found out, she pressured the Second Master to send Mu Jin to the outer courtyard, preventing Concubine Yang from causing further harm.

Of course, the second master also wanted to take advantage of the situation to kick Nan Chen out, which was another reason.

So, to be fair, when the Second Madam was in the Marquis's mansion, she was always being scolded by the Old Madam.

However, the servants of the second wife were still quite grateful to her and had a very good impression of her.

Chunque thought to herself that she must go to the food stall and tell Wang Ying that the second wife was not dead when she took her next vacation. Wang Ying had been in a bad mood all afternoon.

Now that they know the truth, Sister Ying will definitely be happy.

………………………………………………………………

On Xilou Street, Gu Xiao was first kicked away, and then drank poison.

Even this couldn't sway the old Marquis's resolve. He said that in three days, he still had to go to the countryside with Gu Ting.

"Zheng Jin, could you please persuade my father to let me stay in the capital to recuperate? In my current state, what if something happens to me on the way?"

Zheng Jin remained silent for a long time before saying, "I've packed all your luggage, and the carriage is lined with three layers of blankets and two layers of quilts."

Two more servants were called in to attend to him; hopefully, there won't be any problems.

Gu Xiao was furious. "You knew it was poison in there, didn't you? I know you deliberately forced me to drink it!"

Zheng Jin smiled again, "So what? What exactly are you trying to say? You want to report me to my father and mother (the old Marquis and the old lady)? Are you so sure that no one will believe you now?"

Gu Xiao coughed twice in anger, then glared fiercely at Zheng Jin.

"Looking at your wicked appearance, it's hard to believe you're Old Master Zheng's daughter! I wonder if your father would be heartbroken if he knew what you've been doing?"

Zheng Jin was overjoyed to be getting rid of such a troublemaker, and wasn't annoyed at all by these words.

"I don't think so. After all, all of Father's sorrow was exhausted 20 years ago when he taught you such a useless poisoner!"

"You shameless wretch! Aren't you just resentful that my Marquis's mansion schemed against you when you married into the family?"

But in this respect, you can't blame us. Your stepmother was no good either.

If you have anything to complain about, it's your lowly fate. The legitimate daughter of the prestigious Yinghe Zheng family was married to a good-for-nothing illegitimate son.

"Aren't you just destined for a lowly and miserable life? You deserve it!"

Gu Xiao spat on the ground, then continued speaking to Zheng Jin.

"Are you still so indignant? I regret it terribly too. If I had known I would marry such a worthless wretch like you, I would rather die than agree to this marriage."

Zheng Jin found it extremely amusing to watch this clown jumping around and trying to provoke her.

"Gu Xiao, isn't that a bit insincere? I'll just ask you one question: when the Marquis's family came to propose marriage back then, were you aware of this matter?"

Gu Xiao remained silent. How could he not know? In fact, he was incredibly excited at the time, thinking that marrying a legitimate daughter of a prestigious family might even give him a chance to compete with his elder brother again.

He could have used Zheng's father's influence to his advantage, but who would have thought that this woman wouldn't help him at all after entering the family, and he didn't benefit from the Zheng family's fame at all.

"If I'm not mistaken, you're probably thinking right now that all your scheming back then didn't bring you any benefit from the Zheng family, right?"

Gu Xiao, to be honest, your thinking is wrong. How could you not have benefited from it?

My father felt guilty towards me, so he gave up the opportunity to compete for the position of Grand Tutor and devoted himself to teaching you for three years.

But you're stupid! You can't even pass the imperial examination!

Come to think of it, you and Gu Ting are quite alike. You two truly are father and son.

Is Gu Ting trying to climb the ranks by using the position of Hanlin Academician?

I noticed that too, but unfortunately he wasn't as lucky as you, having a good father-in-law to support you.

The father-in-law would rather not have his daughter than let such a scumbag get involved with him.

However, if we compare them further, you still can't even compare to Gu Ting. At least Gu Ting wasn't as foolish as you; he at least achieved some academic success and became an official.

Zheng Jin covered his mouth with a handkerchief and laughed, "Of course, he was unlucky, he's been dismissed from his post now, right?"

Gu Xiao was panting heavily on the side; he was furious!

"You bitch! What do you mean by saying that to me?"

Zheng Jin sighed softly, "It's nothing, but to be honest, I still want to give you some advice."

Gu Xiao, is your current predicament solely due to your stupidity? Or is it because your self-righteous father (the old Marquis) is biased?

What do you mean by that?

Zheng Jin sighed, said no more, and turned to leave.

What does that mean? Gu Xiao ended up in this situation entirely because of his insatiable greed.

Everyone has feelings of dissatisfaction and desires. But not many people are as obsessive and unsatisfied as Gu Xiao!

He is afraid to face failure, and whenever there is a problem, he blames others.

To be fair, the old Marquis treated him very well. In every single thing he did, from all aspects, he truly had his best interests at heart.

But whenever Gu Xiao fails, he blames the people around him.

He blamed the old Marquis for his business failures. He resented his father's disdain for his poor academic performance.

Zheng Jin spoke a few words to the Lady of the Marquis, which he felt was flattery and a plea for mercy from the Marquis.

But in this world, does everyone have to study hard and become a top scholar? Does everyone have to become a wealthy merchant? Is simply having a normal conversation with someone considered flattery?

If you can't accomplish something or don't find something suitable for you, you should strive to improve and find a way of life that suits you.

Instead of becoming resentful like Gu Xiao and living the life of a spoiled brat.

Even if someone lends him a hand in the wrong way, he is willing to do so at the time. Once he feels he has failed, he blames all the mistakes on others.

Zheng Jin realized that Gu Xiao's mindset was already fixed, and reasoning with him was pointless.

In that case, any further words would be futile!