A few days later, with the collective efforts of the Xiyuan Army, the training grounds were fully established. Helián Yu, who had returned from his official duties in another region, was forcefully brought to the military camp by Prince Chen and left Gong Xiaohua to undergo training.
From that day on, no one in the military dared to violate the military regulations. They spent their days either in training or on their way to training, and there was no longer anyone in the kitchen being selective about the meals.
On the first day Gong Xiaohua started her duties, Qin Chuyuan promptly ended his leave. On the first day back, he privately sought assistance from Zhou Wenxuan to help him secure the position he desired. He also instructed the undercover guards to investigate the hardships his sister-in-law had endured in the Zhou family over the years, listing them all and presenting the information to Minister Qin.
Originally, Minister Qin's heart had already softened, but upon seeing this letter, he was furious. "This is outrageous!"
The next day after the court assembly, Minister Qin angrily rebuked Lord Zhou, saying, "Your Zhou family is truly audacious and reckless. You dare to trample upon the honor of my Qin family's lady."
"What do you mean, Minister?" Lord Zhou asked.
"What do I mean? Go back and ask your virtuous wife and your honorable son. Tomorrow, I will send a divorce letter to the Qin residence. Otherwise, don't blame me for not cherishing our old relationship. Hmph." With that, he ignored Lord Zhou and walked away.
"Minister, Minister!" Lord Zhou tried to catch up and inquire, but the other party was clearly in a rage and had already gone far.
As soon as Lord Zhou returned home, he stormed into the main courtyard and angrily drove out all the servants.
Seeing this, Madam Zhou hurriedly went forward to greet him. "Lord, what has happened? Why are you so angry?"
Lord Zhou looked at his wife, who had long been instructed not to mistreat Qin Chuqin. If she didn't like her, she could treat her as an ancestor. But could it be that his wife was acting one way to his face and another behind his back?
"Go and bring our young master here," Lord Zhou ordered someone outside.
"Yes."
Then he sat down by the bedside and looked at his wife. "Have you and Xiaor have been mistreating Chuqin?"
"Lord, how can you say such things? She is the minister's legitimate granddaughter. Who would dare mistreat her?"
"Is that so? Are you saying there's nothing?" Lord Zhou stared at his wife and asked again.
"No, there isn't. Why do you have to repeat it?" Madam Zhou's eyes avoided his gaze, unable to look at Lord Zhou.
Lord Zhou understood everything from her reaction.
"Foolish woman, you may not like her, but you should also consider who she represents. Before doing anything, can't you use your brain?"
Madam Zhou had been diligently serving the Zhou family for decades, and now she was being scolded so ruthlessly by Lord Zhou for the sake of a Qin family woman. She felt extremely wronged and complained with a teary voice, "Our Zhou family has always had few descendants, with three generations of single heirs. But look at her, occupying the position of the principal wife for so many years without bearing any children. And she won't even let the children born to concubines be registered under her name. Until now, our Zhou family doesn't even have a legitimate son. Do you know how many people have mocked me outside?"
"There's a saying, 'Filial piety comes in three forms, and having no heir is the greatest.' She is from the Qin family, and our Zhou family has abandoned her. No one dares to say anything. After so many years, we still tolerate her being the main wife in the Zhou family. The Qin family should be grateful."
Lord Zhou also knew that having no legitimate grandson had always been a sore spot for his wife. Sometimes he also felt uncomfortable about it, but their Zhou family's influence was weak, and sometimes they had to rely on the power of some century-old prestigious families.
"Alright, alright, I just said a few words. Why are you getting upset?"
"Lord Zhou, why do you keep favoring the Qin family? A few days ago, while I was socializing outside, the Lin family informed me that they have a concubine daughter waiting at home. From what I gather, they intend to form a marriage alliance with our Zhou family. The eldest daughter of the Lin family is married to the sixth prince, and by forming a connection with them, we can establish ties with the sixth prince."
"Is this true? How would the Lin family know about our plan to separate from the Qin family?"
"Do you think I would deceive you? Qin Chuqin has been staying with her family for a long time without returning to the Qin residence. It's common knowledge, and it has tarnished the reputation of our Zhou family."
Upon hearing this, Lord Zhou was also displeased. How could a married woman disregard her husband's family's reputation and stay at her parents' home? What would others think of the Zhou family? He asked, "What does Wenxuan think about this?"
Just then, a maid's voice came from outside. "Lord, Madam, young master has returned."
"Father, Mother."
"I ask you, what do you think if we were to separate you from Chuqin?"
"Father, I am willing to separate from her."
Madam Zhou was surprised by how easily her son agreed. She knew that deep down, her son actually liked Qin Chuqin. When they first got married, they had a period of happiness, but over the years, with Chuqin's infertility and her son taking in concubines one after another, their relationship grew distant and now seemed like that of enemies.
However, she was glad that her son was able to be open-minded about it. "Lord Zhou, how should I respond to the Lin family?"
"Let me confirm with the Qin family tomorrow." Lord Zhou didn't know if Minister Qin was acting out of anger or genuinely wanted to sever the marriage ties with the Zhou family. If it was just a momentary anger, sending a separation letter hastily would offend Minister Qin. Although the Qin family was not as prominent as the sixth prince, the Zhou family couldn't afford to offend them. If Minister Qin indeed wanted to sever the ties with the Zhou family, the Lin family would be a good alternative.
"What about the Lin family?"
"After you and Qin Chuqin separate, you will have to remarry eventually, and the Lin family is interested in forming a connection with us," Madam Zhou explained.
"Father, Mother, I... I don't want to remarry for now."
Madam Zhou knew that her son had finally agreed to the separation, so she couldn't rush him. She kindly advised, "Wenxuan, as the saying goes, there are three unfilial acts, and having no offspring is the greatest. After separating from Qin Chuqin, you should quickly marry a legitimate wife and have several legitimate sons to carry on the Zhou family's lineage. You and Qin Chuqin are destined not to be together, so it's best to forget about her as soon as possible and start a new relationship."
Zhou Wenxuan reflected on everything that had happened. He didn't know when he had reached such a point with Qin Chuqin. Was it because he suspected her of having an affair with someone else, which caused him to be unpredictable? Or was it because of her years of infertility, leading to ridicule, and his subsequent acceptance of concubines? Their relationship had become irreparable.
With his eyes closed tightly, he weakly said, "Everything is up to my father and mother to decide."
After Lord Zhou confirmed once again with Minister Qin that he truly intended to sever the marital ties with the Zhou family, Qin Chuqin received the divorce letter sent by the Zhou family that same afternoon. When she laid eyes on the divorce letter, she felt neither sadness nor joy.
However, from that moment on, she became fervently dedicated to taking care of Gong Xiaohua in every aspect of her life whenever she had free time. She personally supervised the creation of Gong Xiaohua's new clothes, including the colors, patterns, and cutting styles. She also personally prepared the daily medicinal remedies and tirelessly delivered them to Green Tide Courtyard.
Gong Xiaohua?
This behavior caught the attention of Third Madam Qin, who worried that her daughter might be feeling unsettled. She cautiously probed, "Aqin, are you alright?"
"What do you mean?"
"You're always around Xiaohua. Are you bored? Or is there something you can't let go of? How about Mother accompanies you to stay in another courtyard for a while?"
"Is Xiaohua unhappy with me?"
"Not really, but your actions can easily be misinterpreted."
"What are you thinking? Xiaohua is like a little sun—carefree and unrestrained. When I'm with her, I feel at ease."
Third Madam Qin? Does she exist? She doesn't seem to realize it. Well, both of them have fallen under Gong Xiaohua's spell.
