dren happily, constantly calling out "eat slowly, eat slowly."Zhong Bai and Su Yusheng were fighting over a few slices of sausage, both openly and secretly. Fang Jinxiu watched and just wanted to shak...Just as the father and daughter finished speaking, a servant ran over.

"Master, your uncle has arrived."

Yuan Xiangli's expression tightened instantly upon hearing that Zong Pingchuan had arrived.

Yuan Buyu stood up, “Don't be so nervous, remember to keep calm later.”

"Yes, Father. Daughter understands."

She followed Yuan Buyu into the front hall. Zong Taizhen had brought his younger brother back to the minister's residence in advance, so that their father wouldn't really bring that wretch and her child in as well.

The mistress of this mansion could only be their mother; outsiders wouldn't even dare to touch her.

As soon as the father and daughter of the Yuan family appeared, Zong Pingchuan could no longer maintain his usual coldness and hurried to greet them.

"My lady!"

He first looked at Yuan Xiangli, then as if reacting, he noticed Yuan Buyu beside her. After restraining his expression, he took two steps back and bowed to him.

"Father."

Yuan Buyu walked to the chair in front and sat down. Yuan Xiangli, remembering her father's teachings, didn't even glance at Zong Pingchuan.

As for Yuan Buy, he deliberately shifted his gaze to the gauze bandage wrapped around his head.

"How did you get hurt again Should I call a doctor for you" Yuan Buyu's tone was still as gentle as ever.

It doesn't look like he called people over to confront them.

But the more calm he appeared, the more uneasy Zong Pingchuan felt.

Someone who can hold the position of prime minister for so many years, their scheming and intelligence are certainly beyond ordinary people. Their every move and word cannot be judged by common sense.

Faced with this formidable task, Zong Pingchuan was quite nervous.

"Please don't worry, father-in-law. My injury is nothing serious."

After finishing his words, Zong Pingchuan lifted his robe and knelt down with a thump.

He pondered for a long time, feeling that playing those tricks in front of Yuan Buyu was courting death. It would be better to give a half-truthful account of his true thoughts.

"Master, my son-in-law is here to apologize."

"Yesterday at Jinxiu Mountain Villa, Xiangli suffered a lot of grievances because her son-in-law didn't handle the household chores properly. At that time, her son-in-law also didn't react immediately."

Besides, Your Majesty King Jing was also present. As your son-in-law, I truly don't know how to respond. If I were to say the wrong thing, I fear it would implicate my father-in-law and bring trouble to you.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Buyu couldn't help but let out a snort of laughter.

"An old man doesn't need you to remind me, back then I gave you a choice. My daughter Yuan Buyu is not someone that can't be found by anyone else besides you."

"But seeing that you're quick to learn, I'll give you a chance."

Yuan Xiangli's face was full of astonishment as she listened.

She couldn't help but interrupt.

"Father, was the marriage between your daughter and Zong Lang arranged by you"

Yuan Buyu looked at her kindly.

"Wasn't it you who was clamoring and demanding to marry him back then"

"Didn't your father fulfill your wish"

Yuan Xiangli seemed to have figured something out, and she turned her head to look at Zong Pingchuan again.

"So, you married me back then not because you fell in love with me at first sight, but because you were interested in my family's power"

Zhong Pingchuan frowned slightly, his face showing no other expression.

But in his heart, he couldn't help but mutter to himself, how could someone like Yuan Buyu raise a daughter who was so innocent.

If she were not the daughter of a high official, how many men would have been willing to serve such an arrogant and domineering young lady for so many years

"Alright, Li'er, what's the point of asking him these questions now He's just a poor scholar from the countryside. No matter his reasons, the fact that he married you is already thanks to your ancestors burning incense for good fortune."

He was also very clear that everything he had received today was because of someone.

Zongpingchuan's eyes trembled slightly, then he respectfully bowed his head.

"As my father-in-law said, your kindness and the affection of my wife have never been forgotten by me, even for a single day."

Yuan Buyu seemed very satisfied with his answer and patted Yuan Xiangli's hand.

But Yuan Xiangli, seeing such a despondent Zong Pingchuan, couldn't feel any joy at all; instead, she felt some sadness.

After more than ten years of marriage, is there truly nothing else about me that matters to him besides the fact that I am the daughter of a high-ranking official

Did he ever truly love her

"As Yuan Buyu's daughter, I would never be subservient to another woman. Pingchuan, I also don't want to meddle in your household affairs too much."

"But Yuan has only one jewel in his life, Li'er. If you make her suffer too much, this old man will certainly not stand idly by."

Zong Pingchuan immediately felt relieved when he heard the result. It was much better than he had imagined.

Yuan Buyu did not intend to let Yuan Xiangli divorce him.

In fact, he had guessed the result. He had been by Yuan Buyu's side for over ten years and had helped him do too many unspeakable things.

Their interests were already intertwined. If Yuan Buyu truly abandoned him, leaving him to face ruin, he would only be able to drag him down to hell with him.

"My son-in-law thanks his father-in-law for his understanding. In fact, my son-in-law has never thought of leaving his wife. She will always be the only mistress of the Prefect's Mansion."

Hearing this, Yuan Xiangli's heart felt a little better. storage spaces just in case.Inside the carriage, she counted the remaining food and frowned.Even if I left all the food behind, it wouldn't be enough for the villagers to get through the winter."Does...