After being forced into a marriage with a wealthy family, the virtuous wife caused a huge uproar.

"Third Aunt, Qingling, you..." Rong Yingluo was confused.

Shouldn't she be very happy to invite Gu Qingling to the banquet?

Madam Xiang then wiped away her tears, her voice tinged with a bittersweet smile: "Thank you, young mistress."

The mother and daughter both knelt down in a gesture of respect.

"Third Aunt, there's no need for that." Rong Yingluo felt embarrassed and immediately got up to help the person up.

Even if her status is low, her third aunt is still her elder, so how can she bow to her?

The three of them took their seats.

"Young Madam..."

"Third Aunt, you can just call me Liuli." Rong Yingluo could tell from this short time that her Third Aunt was a gentle and quiet person.

Her facial features reveal that she has been burdened with long-standing sorrows, unable to express them, and that suppressing them has become a habit.

"Third Aunt, what's wrong with you?" Rong Yingluo asked, even more puzzled.

"Liuli, my Ling'er has never attended a banquet like this before. I can only take her shopping normally."

He also associated with the wives and daughters of merchants who had business dealings with the Duke's mansion.

Ling'er is almost fifteen, but she still hasn't found someone to marry.

I wanted to tell her about a son of a wealthy family, but I didn't even have the chance. My poor Ling'er, born into the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, doesn't even have a respectable status." Madam Xiang cried even more bitterly as she spoke of her daughter.

What mother doesn't hope her daughter will marry well, have a respectable status, and live a wealthy life?

"What? Didn't Mother-in-law consider Qingling's feelings? She's the head of the household." Rong Yingluo exclaimed in surprise.

"Ah, it's a long story. I had a falling out with the Duchess." Xiang felt a tightness in her chest whenever she mentioned Su.

"What's going on?" Rong Yingluo asked, even more curious.

The third branch of the family seems well-behaved, so why would Madam Su bully them? Isn't she always pretending to be a kind mother?

"A few months ago, it was the Duchess's birthday. Her nephew from her maternal family came to offer his congratulations. He accidentally saw my Ling'er and, lacking manners, harassed her. He even asked the Duchess to take my Ling'er into his household as a concubine."

My poor Ling'er suffered this misfortune before she even reached marriageable age, her reputation ruined.

I had a big argument with the Duchess because of this, and demanded an explanation from her family.

As a result, Madam Su said that once the marriage was arranged, Ling'er would be sent to the Su family as a concubine as soon as she came of age.

"Your third uncle was so angry that he disregarded his rank and slapped the Duchess." Madam Xiang recounted the events of a few months ago while crying.

Gu Qingling also cried beside her.

Several months have passed, but in the hearts of the mother and daughter, it feels like it just happened yesterday.

A woman's reputation is of utmost importance.

Rong Yingluo was also furious when she heard this.

What kind of family is the Su family that they could raise such a child?

Thinking of the lotus lamp stand she discovered, she wondered if Gu Ce had dealt with the matter; she would have to ask him later.

It would be best to teach the Su family a lesson through this incident.

Rong Yingluo stood up, walked to Gu Qingling's side, and gently hugged her: "Don't cry, little sister, it's all over now. Your sister-in-law will help you."

She didn't know how to comfort people, so she could only offer a promise.

My third uncle was born out of wedlock and had no official rank, so he lived off the Duke's mansion.

Everything depends on the eldest son's family's mood; no wonder they live in seclusion and rarely move around the mansion.

Anyone would react violently to something like this, unless they didn't love their own child.

Third Uncle still had some backbone when it came to his child.

"Sister-in-law, thank you." Gu Qingling sobbed softly, suppressing her emotions.

Rong Yingluo didn't say anything, but gently patted her back until she calmed down.

Xiang Shi also stopped crying, but her eyes were still red. She said apologetically, "Liuli, I'm sorry you had to see this."

"Third Aunt, there's no need to be so polite. Mother is currently under house arrest by Grandmother, and Second Aunt wasn't invited either, so it'll be up to me to take my sisters. On that day, I plan to take my two younger sisters, Qingyin and Qingling, to the Zhao family to play, so they can keep each other company." That was indeed Rong Yingluo's plan.

As the Prime Minister's wife, she probably didn't have much time to spend with Gu Qingyin, so she specially found her a companion.

She also wanted to use this incident to test the character of the third wife.

Since the old lady has already let go of the past, and although Third Uncle is born out of wedlock, he is still a member of the Duke's family. Having more support around Gu Ce is always beneficial.

Since she has promised to be a good wife, whatever her purpose, she has to consider Gu Ce's feelings.

"Thank you, Liuli. But..." Xiang Shi hesitated.

"What's wrong?" Rong Yingluo asked, puzzled.

"To be honest, we, the third branch of the family, are born out of wedlock. My daughter Qingyin doesn't have any decent jewelry. Her clothes are far inferior to those of the daughters of the first and second branches. I'm afraid it will embarrass you," Xiang Shi said truthfully.

Attending such a banquet dressed in such a shabby manner would not only be a disgrace to oneself, but also to the Gu family.

If guests like this come to the door, the Zhao family will be laughed at as well.

Rong Yingluo then took a closer look at the clothes worn by the mother and daughter.

It's really quite ordinary. The material is just low-grade silk, and the color is somewhat faded, indicating that it has been washed many times.

Looking at the style, it's not exactly trendy either.

It seems that the Duchess is cutting back on the expenses of the third branch of the family.

"In that case, Qingling, come with me to the Silver Willow Courtyard and pick out a suitable outfit. Consider it a loan from me to you." Rong Yingluo originally wanted to say she would give it to her, but considering her pride, she said she would lend it to her first and give it to her when they returned to the manor.

"Sister-in-law, you are so kind." Gu Qingling was very touched.

The eldest sister-in-law, with whom she usually had no contact, not only took the initiative to invite her to the third branch of the family, but also lent her clothes and jewelry.

Gu Qingya always mocked and bullied her.

This was the first time she had received care and concern from the first wife's family.

She knew that although her aunt always smiled when she saw her, she actually looked down on her.

The three chatted for a while before Gu Jingheng returned from outside, his face filled with worry.

"Greetings, Third Uncle." Rong Yingluo stood up and bowed.

"The Crown Prince's wife?" Gu Jingheng was a little surprised.

"Third Uncle, just call me Liuli," Rong Yingluo said with a smile.

This couple really humbled themselves; she was the younger generation.

"Father, my sister-in-law invited me to a banquet at the Zhao family's house with her." Seeing her father's puzzled look, Gu Qingling explained her sister-in-law's purpose.

Gu Jingheng was taken aback and looked at Rong Yingluo.

Rong Yingluo smiled and nodded gently: "I want to take Qingling to broaden her horizons."

"Thank you very much." Gu Jingheng cupped his hands in thanks. "Ling'er, you must not let your sister-in-law's good intentions go to waste." Gu Jingheng instructed.

"I will listen to my sister-in-law and not cause her any trouble."

"Third Uncle, have you run into some trouble? I noticed you looked worried when you came in," Rong Yingluo asked.

"It's nothing." Gu Jingheng didn't want to talk about it anymore.

"Father, are you having trouble with your business? My sister-in-law is a member of the Rong family; perhaps she can help you." Gu Qingling had overheard her father and mother's conversation last night and knew what difficulties her father was facing.

Gu Jingheng glanced at his daughter, saw the hope in her eyes, and hesitated for a moment.

"Father?" Gu Qingling called softly again.

"My lord, Liuli is a kind-hearted child." Madam Xiang also hoped that her husband would seek help from Rong Yingluo.

So far, the only person in the Duke's mansion who has shown goodwill towards the three branches of the family is Rong Yingluo.

"Liuli, Uncle San is indeed in a bit of trouble. Shall we go to the study to talk?" Gu Jingheng made the decision.

He's not stupid. Rong Yingluo took the initiative to come to the third branch of the family and even brought her daughter to the Zhao family's banquet, which shows that she came to befriend the third branch.