The male supporting character was actually myself.

As Zhang Ziqiu gradually transformed into a professional woman, strangely enough, she never thought about Li Dongchen again.

Even when the school was on holiday, she stayed at the Marshal's Mansion every day and didn't sit idle. She asked the teachers to buy her many books related to education, and she would read them whenever she had free time to enrich herself and think about how to make the school better.

However, Li Tianxing saw things differently.

Although Zhang Ziqiu's previous secret rendezvous was inappropriate, the other party was Dong Chen, with whom she had a past relationship, so it didn't matter now that they were married. Especially considering that she lost face in public that night, she didn't complain at all and diligently managed the school affairs, which truly showed the demeanor and ability of a matriarch.

"Sigh... In previous years, even though Dongchen wasn't home, Jiang Chen alone was enough to make it lively." Li Tianxing looked at the red lanterns hanging all over the courtyard, and the occasional sound of firecrackers in the distance made the New Year atmosphere even stronger, but he felt increasingly empty inside.

The new concubines were chattering and making a ruckus, but he was preoccupied with his youngest son who was far away in the west and hadn't been able to come back for the holiday. He didn't know how the battle was going on the front lines, and it was really too hard to fight during the New Year.

"I guess I really am getting old." He stared blankly for a while and then smiled bitterly at his adjutant Li beside him. "I used to think Jiang Chen was too noisy, but now that he's not home, it's really a bit strange how quiet it is."

How about... it's almost Chinese New Year, let's call Dongchen back to stay for a few days, I've noticed he's been much more well-behaved lately.

Besides, after thinking about it carefully, it's understandable for young people to have affairs. After all, he's my son who I've watched grow up, and I know he's not that bad at heart!

What's more, there's a new daughter-in-law in the family.

"No matter what, there's no reason to divorce Ziqiu. It's not good for the young couple to stay separated like this. It would be better to let Dongchen come back during the holidays to properly discipline them and help them repair their relationship. After the New Year, we can arrange a job for him to do steadily, and that will put this matter behind us!"

Lieutenant Li glanced at the commander-in-chief, knowing that he had softened again and was trying to save face for him, so he saluted and went along with it, saying, "Then I will go and invite the young master back to the manor."

"Yes, yes, it's the New Year, a time for family reunion and harmony!" Li Tianxing felt much more at ease knowing he could finally have a son by his side. He also thought about getting the young couple back together as soon as possible so they could have a son or daughter and he could enjoy the joys of family life.

Lieutenant Li received his orders, set off, mounted his horse, and galloped towards the courtyard where the young master was being held. Passing by the Reform Bureau, he glanced at it and, seeing no one paying attention, dismounted and went inside to deliver a message.

Before Li Dongchen could be brought back to the marshal's mansion, Jiang Chen received an urgent report call.

"Bug was right, Li Dongchen will definitely take this opportunity to cause trouble." The fluffy little dumpling glanced at the still-unupdated script, scratched its ear, and looked confused. "Host, it seems the script team can't wrap things up anymore. Do you think the protagonist will take this opportunity to steal our home? We're working so hard to build our empire, and he…"

The little white cat stopped mid-sentence.

It really couldn't imagine what kind of home the protagonist could steal now. The commander's mansion in Yucheng was just a name now. Its host had a good reputation and strong military, and had already established his own power. What could it do?

“‘It’s the Lunar New Year,’ that’s a classic reason.” Jiang Chen wasn’t surprised.

The old man would never easily give up any of his sons before he had any other offspring. However, given the current situation, no matter how dazzling the protagonist's halo is, it won't affect him.

With a bug in Yucheng, even the chosen one wouldn't be able to cause any trouble.

Li Dongchen appeared quite dejected after being under house arrest for so long.

The spirited and refined demeanor he had when he returned to China was long gone. Now, he was being brought back to the Marshal's Mansion from the tiny courtyard by Lieutenant Li. He was only wearing a gray cotton robe and heavy cotton boots, and his stubble beard and long, slightly greasy hair made him look like a greasy mess.

"Father, I know I was wrong!" He kowtowed and admitted his mistake as soon as he entered the door.

Seeing this, Li Tianxing felt a pang of heartache, influenced by the protagonist's halo. Both sons were his own flesh and blood! This was also his precious son whom he had once cherished. However, after studying abroad for a few years, he had picked up some bad habits. Look at what the foreign environment had done to the child!

I was still angry and left him outside without taking care of him. As the saying goes, it is the father's fault if he is not taught. I should have brought him back to my side and taught him carefully.

"Alright, if you know you're wrong, hurry up and correct it." Li Tianxing sighed and nodded, "What young person doesn't make mistakes? As long as you know your mistakes and can correct them, you're still a good kid."

"Get up quickly, go back to your yard and tidy yourself up properly. Make sure you're clean and coax your wife. She lost so much face, but she still hasn't given up on managing the school for you. Be nicer to her from now on!"

Li Dongchen mumbled in reply, "I understand, Father."

He had always harbored suspicions about being caught in bed with someone else. Unfortunately, he didn't have a capable person to gather information, and he was practically blind and deaf, learning too slowly to figure out what had happened.

Why did so many people crowd into Qinxiang Xiaozhu that night?

Where did these rumors about suicide notes and suicide originate?

He walked towards the west courtyard with his hands in his pockets, thinking as he went about trying to get some information out of Zhang Ziqiu. That silly woman was easily swayed; if he just said a few sweet words, she would spill everything.

The only one who's determined to ruin me is my younger brother!

But I need to know exactly what methods Li Jiangchen used and how he lured my father into the trap. Once I figure it out, I can take advantage of the fact that he's away fighting and can't come back, and then I can plan a counterattack...

Haha, Li Jiangchen, you could never have imagined that your father would still love you so much.

You didn't even come back to be with your father during the New Year. I will show him what family happiness is. No matter how capable you are, you are just a young marshal. If you win the favor of the Grand Marshal and plan carefully, you will be able to rival him!

"Wife, I'm back!" He showed great enthusiasm as soon as he entered the courtyard, and was humble and polite to the maids and servants who came to greet him, once again putting on a first-rate show of politeness.

Upon hearing his voice, Zhang Ziqiu's body trembled slightly involuntarily, her heart filled with resistance.

She didn't even want to see that face of his that made her feel disgusted just thinking about it!

Fortunately, Li Dongchen went to wash up and tidy himself up immediately and did not come over to bother her. Zhang Ziqiu was so nervous that she was trembling as she tightly gripped her handkerchief.

Why did he come back out of nowhere?

No! I have to find a way to distract Li Dongchen. I can't let him know that the suicide note was forged, nor can I let him realize how much I hate him...

Completely unprepared, Zhang Ziqiu listened to the servants whispering praises about how the young master had finally regained some of the polite manners he had shown four years ago. She suddenly realized a problem she had overlooked—this was the Li residence!

My parents' family has moved away, and we can only talk on the phone occasionally.

My brother rarely had time to come back as he was always by the young marshal's side.

As long as she remains the eldest young mistress of the Li family in the Marshal's Mansion, she will be surrounded by people who respect Li Dongchen!

"Aunt Chen, I suddenly remembered something I forgot to do, I have to go out right away." After thinking it over, Zhang Ziqiu made up her mind, picked up her handbag and instructed, "Young Master just got back, he needs to be properly tidied up, it will take some time."

I'll be right back. If the young master asks after he's finished washing up, just let him go have dinner with his father-in-law first. I'll go straight there when I get back!

Chen Ma had gotten used to the eldest young mistress's busy schedule lately, so she nodded and went to call a car for her to go out.

After Li Dongchen had a good bath, washed up, shaved, cut his hair, and changed into new clothes and shoes, looking refreshed and ready to find his wife, he was told by Chen Ma that the eldest young mistress had gone out on errands.

"Honestly, what urgent matter could she possibly have at this hour?" He complained casually, somewhat annoyed. "I haven't seen her for so long and she didn't even glance at me. Now that I've finally returned home, she's run off again before I can even say a word. What's the meaning of this? Doesn't she know the saying 'the husband is the head of the household'? She's supposed to be a lady from a respectable family, how can she lack even this basic female virtue?"

Hearing this, Chen Ma felt indignant on behalf of the eldest young mistress.

The school was supposed to be your career, but you've been spending all your time philandering and shirking your responsibilities. Even though your wife has been supporting you despite past grievances, and now she's busy with school matters, you're full of complaints!

What kind of female virtues and husband-wife authority are you talking about? You're supposed to be an educated person who studied abroad. Nowadays, Yucheng is promoting advanced ideas of gender equality and equal pay for equal work, but you've regressed here. Compared to the second young master, you're like heaven and earth, and you should dig a hole to squat in.

"Young Master, please stop complaining," said Aunt Chen, somewhat displeased. "While you've been away, the Young Mistress has been taking care of everything, inside and out."

The warlord's new concubines are quite a handful, and the eldest young mistress is already busy enough with school affairs.

Please be understanding. Originally, marrying into the Marshal's mansion as the eldest daughter-in-law meant being the most privileged and respected matriarch. Now, she's busier and has more to manage than any man. At home, she has to serve the Marshal and his concubines; outside, she has to oversee the school. How can she not suffer some grievances and get upset? Being the eldest daughter-in-law is truly not easy!

Li Dongchen was very unhappy to hear the servant talking back, but since the servant was older and had made great contributions, he couldn't reprimand him. So he just turned and went to his father's courtyard.

The father and son enjoyed a warm and loving dinner together.

During the meal, Li Dongchen used all his charm to coax the old man and a group of concubines who were all younger than him into smiling. Zhang Ziqiu, who arrived late, sat quietly in the corner and ate without even raising her head.

"Ziqiu, what kind of daughter-in-law are you?" Li Dongchen was smiling happily when he looked up and saw his wife sitting silently in the corner. His face immediately fell. "Come and serve your father some food! Don't you know these basic manners? Didn't I teach you the family rules when you first came in?"

Zhang Ziqiu looked up at that familiar yet unfamiliar face and suddenly remembered a line from the book: "When the strong are angry, they draw their swords against the stronger; when the weak are angry, they draw their swords against the weaker."

Only incompetent men need to command women to satisfy their pride. Their inherent cowardice makes them grovel and fawn over others, while also demanding that their women be even more subservient and appease everyone!

She stared blankly at the man who was still verbally belittling and ordering her around, and suddenly felt really stupid. How could she have been so blinded by love for such a coward?

"I'm talking to you! Can't you hear me?" Li Dongchen called out a few times, and seeing that his wife was sitting still, he was immediately displeased.

He finally managed to make his dad happy, but his wife dragged him down!

She has no tact and can't say anything flattering. No wonder I find her increasingly unpleasant. What use is a woman who can't even help a man in a crucial moment?

"How dare you speak like that?" Li Tianxing glared at him and scolded, "That's the wife you married with all the proper betrothal rites, not some pimp singing and serving you."

Even though there were no outsiders in front of the family, you shouldn't have spoken to her like that. Besides, I gave the order that Ziqiu shouldn't serve the food during the meal!

You got into trouble and were put in solitary confinement without knowing anything. During this time, Ziqiu was very courteous at home and managed the school very well. She was worried about you the whole time.

They're so busy every day, and she still has to serve them food at mealtimes? That's too harsh on our daughter-in-law! With so many servants in the Marshal's Mansion, why do we need to bully our daughter-in-law to establish our authority?

You need to change these outdated ideas. How can you be so old-fashioned and conservative like an old remnant of the previous dynasty?

After scolding his son, Li Tianxing turned to comfort his daughter-in-law, saying, "Ziqiu, don't pay him any attention and just eat your meal. From now on, there's no need to worry about serving others in the house. Let the servants do the things Dongchen doesn't want to do. You just need to focus on your own career and manage the school."

Of course, it would be even better if I could hold my grandson soon, hahaha…”

Chapter 45 Opening the Door, Bringing Warmth

After dinner, Li Dongchen could clearly sense that his wife was unhappy.

He thought about it and realized he didn't know the rules had changed, so he figured she hadn't done anything seriously wrong. As for his father's explanation, it was just him trying to justify Zhang Ziqiu because of her hard work and contributions in managing the school.

If she doesn't know her place and starts to act like a hero, then she'll be incredibly ungrateful.

“Wife, as the saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. We haven’t seen each other for so long, so how about we…” On the way back to the west courtyard, Li Dongchen took the initiative to make amends, keeping quiet about what happened at the dinner table earlier and letting it go.

Zhang Ziqiu walked with her head down, not daring to look at him.

I don't know if I have some kind of strange illness, because everyone else seems to be perfectly fine.

But as soon as you stare at Li Dongchen, you feel that his originally clean and handsome face has started to turn black, moldy, and oozing pus. In addition to a rotten smell, you also feel that there are flies and maggots wriggling and rolling on his body.

Getting even a little closer to him makes my scalp tingle and my stomach churn violently.

"I haven't been feeling well these past few days." Zhang Ziqiu suppressed her nausea, covered her mouth with a handkerchief, and tried to speak softly. "I've probably been too busy with school matters lately, and I'm just not feeling well."

Or... I'll talk to my father-in-law and ask him to pick out two young and pretty women to marry as concubines for you when he has time.

My father-in-law always says that the Marshal's Mansion is too deserted because there are no children.

My health probably won't recover anytime soon, so I'd better take two concubines sooner rather than later. Firstly, they'll keep you company and prevent you from being lonely; secondly, having children sooner will fulfill your father-in-law's wish.”

As long as she can keep him occupied, she's willing to live away from Li Dongchen! And if he's bewitched by his concubine, it would be even better if they never see each other again…

Zhang Ziqiu quickened her pace to get as far away from the other person as possible, so that the faint stench wouldn't give her a headache.

"Ha, now you're taking a concubine? You think I'm living too well?" Li Dongchen said, his face drooping with annoyance.

Ever since that crucial day when the old man caught him, fired a shot, and kicked him off the bed, leaving him so terrified, he has never touched a woman again.

Damn it, I feel like I have some kind of psychological trauma and I want to find a woman to see if I'll back down, but my wife keeps making excuses!

"Which young master from a wealthy family doesn't have three wives and four concubines? Marrying a few concubines is also for the sake of the Marshal's family to have more offspring. I'll go and talk to my father-in-law myself, and he definitely won't object." She reassured him with empty promises, and with a combination of pushing and blocking, she finally managed to keep the teddy bear-like Li Dongchen out of the study.

The other party first tried to please him with a humble and obsequious manner, but when that didn't work, he started to glare and berate him. However, he was ultimately blocked from the outside by the locked door. He couldn't bear to lose face and couldn't contain his anger. He jumped up and down, complaining and cursing.

"What bad luck to be back during the Lunar New Year! I finally got back but I can't even sleep with my wife!"

"How much could there be at that lousy school? How could you get sick from overwork? I think you're just faking it to make yourself look good!"

"If you make an excuse to keep me out today, you won't even get to have my favor if you actually marry a concubine in the future!"

"Are you going to open the door or not? If you don't, I'm really going to get angry..."