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

Main courtyard.

When Su Jingyi learned what Rong Yingluo and Gu Qingyin had done that day, she was so angry that she smashed several pieces of porcelain.

"Madam, this news has spread far and wide. The marriage between the Second Miss and the Fifth Young Master of the Gao family is definitely off," said Granny Zhao regretfully.

"Damn Rong, how dare she ruin my plans. Why won't she die?" Su Jingyi gritted her teeth.

If the Gao family had a suitable son to match Qingya, how could she have married off the daughter born to that lowly maid Gu Qingyin to the Gao family?

"Madam, isn't there also the Third Miss? She'll be of marriageable age in a year, and she can be married off to the illegitimate son of the second branch of the Gao family. That way, we can also establish a connection with the Gao family," suggested Granny Zhao.

Su Jingyi was stunned. Gu Qingyu was too young, and she couldn't wait that long. Moreover, the status of the second son of the Gao family was too low, and he was not worthy of the daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo. If word got out, how could the Gu family save face?

"Isn't Qingwan from the second branch still unmarried? I remember the eldest son of the second branch of the Gao family hasn't been engaged yet. Find out about that young master and report back to me. If he's not too bad, then we'll arrange a marriage for Gu Qingwan." Su Jingyi had her sights set on the second branch.

The eldest son of the Gao family is at least a legitimate son. He is a perfect match for Gu Qingwan.

"But the Second Madam might not be interested in the second son of the Gao family. These days, the Second Madam has been getting close to Princess Pingyang, so she must have taken a fancy to the princess's second son," said Granny Zhao.

"The Eldest Princess would take a fancy to Gu Qingwan? She's got a heart that's too high for her. This won't work out. Do as I say." Su Jingyi sneered.

"Yes," Zhao Mama replied.

"Also, arrange for him to meet me at Hexin Pavilion tomorrow night. I have something to tell him." Su Jingyi narrowed her eyes. "And go and call Ah Xi here. I have something to tell him."

Granny Zhao quietly withdrew to carry out her duties.

Not long after, Gu Xi came in: "Mother, did you need something from me?"

"Hmm, sit down and talk." Su Jingyi winked at Zhao Mama.

The two maids who were serving were sent away.

"Ah Xi, have you been to the casino lately?" Su Jingyi asked gently.

Gu Xi became dejected whenever this was mentioned.

"Mother, ever since I gambled away my fourth sister-in-law's dowry, I haven't gambled much. With my meager monthly allowance, I can only gamble in the main hall of the gambling den; I can't even get into a private room," Gu Xi complained.

He's already eighteen years old, but he doesn't own any property of his own and relies entirely on the little money his mother gives him.

"Do you want the Rong family's dowry?" Su Jingyi tempted.

"Of course we want her, but isn't she still alive? Can she move now?" Gu Xi's eyes lit up.

"She's been married into the Gu family for almost a month now; she's lived long enough."

This afternoon I received an invitation from Princess Jinyang, inviting Rong Shi to go horseback riding at the racecourse outside the city the day after tomorrow. Have your sister come along too.” Su Jingyi’s meaning was clear, and Gu Xi understood immediately.

"Thank you, Mother." Gu Xi was overjoyed.

He can gamble again.

Unfortunately, Rong's dowry was not much, far less than the 100,000 taels of silver she offered to the emperor.

The next day.

Aunt Miao secretly sent her a message, inviting her to meet her by chance in the garden.

Rong Yingluo changed into a simple dress and, together with Yinghong, entered the Lotus Pavilion in the garden as promised.

Aunt Miao and her daughter Gu Qingyin have not arrived yet.

She picked up some fish food and threw it into the water, attracting a school of fish to scramble for it.

"Yinghong, the fish in this lotus pond, they must not be for ornamental purposes, right?" Rong Yingluo noticed that the fish were all black carp, not colorful koi.

"Miss, I don't know either. I'll go ask someone right away." Yinghong used this as an excuse to leave.

Just then, Aunt Miao and her daughter strolled leisurely towards the lotus pond, chatting and laughing as they walked.

Rong Yingluo waved to the two of them: "Aunt Miao, Second Sister, what a coincidence! Come on, let's feed the fish together."

Aunt Miao couldn't openly take Gu Qingyin to Silver Willow Courtyard to find her, but by creating the illusion of a chance encounter, Madam Su would have no reason to punish the mother and daughter if she found out.

Yesterday, Rong Yingluo used that method to force the Gao family to break off the engagement, so Su Shi cannot openly force Gu Qingyin to marry him.

Both families want to save face.

The Su family is determined to suffer this injustice in silence.

Aunt Miao and her daughter entered the Lotus Heart Pavilion, both with smiles on their faces.

Aunt Miao wanted to bow to Rong Yingluo, but Rong Yingluo stopped her with a look.

The three of them sat down.

Aunt Miao then expressed her gratitude: "Madam, thank you so much for yesterday."

I'm truly sorry that your reputation has been damaged.

Aunt Miao never expected Rong Yingluo to resolve the issue so publicly, making it known throughout the city.

"It's alright, I've never cared about these empty titles. I didn't suffer any loss; on the contrary, that Fifth Young Master Gao suffered a great loss and got a severe beating from his family. It was truly gratifying." Rong Yingluo was very happy acting in that scene.

Gu Ce had already ruined his reputation by killing four of his wives, so what was this compared to that?

Both mother and daughter laughed.

Unfortunately, the mother and daughter had to make a living under the Duchess's control, and they had no say in many things.

If only the Duke were here.

"Aunt Miao, I am a straightforward person, I don't have any ulterior motives."

"The reason I helped my second sister break off this engagement was because I wanted something in return." Rong Yingluo didn't mince words.

"I know." Aunt Miao had already guessed Rong Yingluo's purpose.

"The Crown Prince's four previous wives have all died. I am likely to be the next one."

But I don't want to die. You've lived in this mansion for a long time, so you definitely know more than I, a newcomer, especially those in the inner quarters.

"So I need you to provide me with some useful information." Rong Yingluo said very bluntly.

Aunt Miao's eyes darkened: "Yin'er, take the fish food to the covered bridge and feed the fish."

She sent Gu Qingyin away.

"Madam, I don't know much either. After all, I was a maidservant of the former madam, and the Duchess is very wary of me." Aunt Miao lowered her head slightly.

"Are you someone who works for the Crown Prince's biological mother?" Rong Yingluo was surprised. She hadn't specifically inquired about this, so she didn't know.

Gu Ce didn't say anything either.

"Yes. After giving birth to the heir, the former lady's health deteriorated, and she passed away two years later. Before she died, she asked me to be her concubine, hoping that I could take care of the heir."

However, the heir went missing shortly after the ex-wife passed away, but was found and brought back by the Duke six months later.

The prince has changed a lot; he is no longer close to me.

The Duke seemed unaware of my existence, and never visited my room.

He spent little time in the mansion to begin with, and even after marrying his second wife, Lady Su, the Duke never thought of his concubine.

The Duchess gave birth to the second son, and even became pregnant with the eldest daughter, but she didn't think of me.

"It wasn't until one of the Duchess's maids tricked her into getting into the Duke's bed that the Duchess sent me to the Duke's bed to counteract the effects of the drug, and only then did I become pregnant with Qingyin." Aunt Miao recounted the past, tears streaming down her face.

A lowly maid, especially one who was once the mistress's maid, even if she were elevated to the status of a concubine, would be no different from a nobody without the support of her master.

Rong Yingluo understood that Madam Su knew that Consort Miao would not be favored, so she deliberately sent her to the Duke's bed.

Aunt Miao was older than Madam Su, and her daughter was a few months younger than Gu Qingya.

"Then how did Aunt Feng come to be?" Rong Yingluo had never met her, only heard about her.

"That's the younger sister of one of the Duke's subordinates. As for how she ended up with the Duke, I don't know. But Aunt Feng and the Duchess are very close, so you'd better be careful," Aunt Miao warned.

"But I've never seen her. I only saw my third sister on the day of the family reunion. Where did she go?" Rong Yingluo asked, puzzled.

She's been married into the family for almost a month now, and I haven't seen her even once.