Concubine Yue spitefully said: “That yellow-haired girl actually dares to play me for a fool. I must definitely speak ill of her to the Marquis later, and have the Marquis properly discipline the eldest son. If the eldest son doesn’t fare well, let’s see how that first wife of his can still put on airs!”

According to Luo Meixiang’s arrangements, tonight Liang Yunshan was to rest at Qianxi Garden.

Concubine Yue ate her dinner with some melancholy, and after washing herself, she removed her outer garments and leaned against the bed, embroidering a pair of shoe insoles to pass the time.

Sleeping too early would inevitably lead to sleeplessness.

Looking at the bright lamplight, Concubine Yue again recalled those years in the border city.

Back then, Liang Yunshan was essentially hers alone – how wonderful those times were!

Sigh, in this world, there were never truly perfect things. The Marquis couldn’t possibly stay in the border city for his entire life.

Just as she was lost in melancholy, suddenly she heard Liang Yunshan’s footsteps outside and froze.

Liang Yunshan’s footsteps were heavy, and since her courtyard only had maids, his footsteps were easily distinguishable.

Before she could even throw back the covers and get out of bed, Liang Yunshan had already walked in.

“Marquis.”

Concubine Yue called out with barely contained joy – could it be that the Marquis was missing her?

However, when she saw the expression on Liang Yunshan’s face clearly, she was suddenly startled. Liang Yunshan’s face was clearly filled with anger – what was happening?

Liang Yunshan directly asked: “Concubine Yue, did you meet and speak with the eldest daughter-in-law in the garden today?”

Concubine Yue was confused – how did the Marquis know about this matter?

She felt somewhat nervous, “Yes, Marquis. What’s wrong?”

“You told her to seize the household management authority?”

Concubine Yue instinctively wanted to deny it. In the past at the border city, due to lack of experience, sometimes she would do wrong things, and when Liang Yunshan questioned her, she would deny it, and later it would often just blow over.

“No…”

“Then why is everyone in the entire mansion saying that you incited the first wife to seize the household management authority? Who went out with you today? Call them here for questioning!”

Concubine Yue met Liang Yunshan’s angry eyes and immediately shivered, “No…”

Liang Yunshan angrily rebuked: “Go! Call them in and get to the bottom of this!”

He had been troubled these past few days, and because of the matter with Princess Qin’an and those inexplicably beautiful women, he felt guilty toward Luo Meixiang, carefully coaxing her while being cautious not to anger her.

Yet tonight, as soon as he returned, he saw Meixiang crying.

Since his return, he had never seen Meixiang cry – what could have happened?

After his repeated inquiries, Luo Meixiang only cried without answering.

It was Ku Ju who couldn’t bear to watch and told Liang Yunshan that Concubine Yue had incited Qin Shuying to seize Luo Meixiang’s authority.

Only then did Meixiang cry and say: “Marquis, did you tell her about bringing Princess Qin’an into the mansion? Otherwise, how would she dare to be so arrogant and brazenly slap my face in front of the eldest daughter-in-law? Marquis, if anyone can slap my face like this, and the rules and dignity of the Marquis’s mansion don’t matter anymore, how can I continue to establish myself in this mansion? Marquis, if you don’t trust me, you can directly tell me to hand over the household management to the eldest daughter-in-law. Why must you let a concubine torment me like this? Even a concubine dares to humiliate me now!”

Liang Yunshan understood, swearing that he had never told Concubine Yue anything. After comforting Luo Meixiang, he hurried over to get to the bottom of this matter.

The maid who had accompanied them in the afternoon was called over, and under Liang Yunshan’s intimidating presence, the maid honestly recounted the afternoon’s events.

However, what she had heard was limited, but later she had also heard the mansion’s rumors, and she couldn’t help but piece together some things she hadn’t actually heard.

In any case, it was Concubine Yue who had actively approached the first wife to speak, and it was also Concubine Yue who had instructed her to pick the rose flowers – these were indisputable facts.

Liang Yunshan was furious beyond measure, pointing at Concubine Yue: “What else do you have to say?”

Concubine Yue was dumbfounded. From this, it seemed this matter must have been spread by Qin Shuying.

How dare she do such a thing?

Concubine Yue hated Qin Shuying to the extreme and simply began to file a complaint: “Marquis, it was all the first wife who said that since she is now the legitimate eldest daughter-in-law, if she doesn’t manage the household, the mansion’s rules cannot be established. Marquis, you know what kind of status the first wife has – where would this concubine have any room to speak? Although I disagreed in my heart, I didn’t dare to contradict her. The maids around the first wife don’t know how to keep their mouths shut and misinterpreted this concubine’s meaning, which led to the rumors.”

Liang Yunshan was momentarily stunned – Concubine Yue’s words weren’t without reason.

Just then, Jinxiu came over and said to Liang Yunshan: “Marquis, the Old Madam heard about this afternoon’s incident and requests that the Marquis come over for questioning about what exactly happened. The Old Madam said that the mansion has its rules, and those who don’t understand the rules should learn them properly.”

Concubine Yue’s face immediately turned pale.

Although she had never truly lived and struggled in a great household, from hearing her grandmother speak of the past events at Prince Qi’s mansion, she knew that great households emphasized rules, and these two words “rules” could easily destroy a woman’s entire life.

Concubine Yue couldn’t spare the energy to resent Qin Shuying. Making a quick decision, she immediately knelt on the ground: “Marquis, it’s all this concubine’s fault, all this concubine’s fault. This concubine will go and beg Madam’s forgiveness, seeking Madam’s pardon!”

Seeing Concubine Yue’s tear-stained face like pear blossoms in rain, Liang Yunshan’s heart softened somewhat.

Jinxiu calmly said: “Concubine, this servant thinks you should first learn the rules. How can Madam be seen by just anyone who wishes to see her? If everyone acted this way, wouldn’t everything be in chaos?”

Jinxiu was someone from Old Madam Liang’s side, and her words to a certain extent represented Old Madam Liang’s attitude, so even Liang Yunshan didn’t dare say anything.

Moreover, with Jinxiu saying this, Liang Yunshan’s stance immediately hardened again. Even if the matter’s origin lay with Qin Shuying, Concubine Yue’s behavior was also inappropriate.

Liang Yunshan said: “Since you’ve entered the mansion, you must abide by the mansion’s rules. Very well, you needn’t come out this month – learn the rules properly before we speak again.”

“Marquis…”

Concubine Yue was stunned.

She was being confined?

And the Marquis himself had spoken?

This was something she had never dreamed of before coming to the capital.

However, she didn’t plead desperately. Her grandmother had said that men needed to be handled gently – the more obedient and understanding one was, the more one could win their hearts.

“Marquis, this concubine will listen to everything you say.”

Jinxiu imperceptibly frowned slightly. This Concubine Yue appeared somewhat reckless and foolish, but she could bend and yield, able to swallow her pride.

Seeing Concubine Yue being so obedient, Liang Yunshan thought of her usual gentleness and consideration, and his anger dissipated by more than half.

“This is all for your own good.”

Leaving behind these words, Liang Yunshan went to Ning Garden.

Concubine Yue knelt on the ground for a long time before getting up.

The weather in late September was already quite cold, and she hadn’t been wearing much earlier. Now she only felt cold air seeping through her body and hurried under the covers, calling for someone to bring her brown sugar water to drink.

However, after waiting for a long time, forget about brown sugar water – there wasn’t even a cup of hot water.

Concubine Yue was about to get up and call for someone when sudden enlightenment struck her, and she froze in realization.