Corn in Exchange for a Divorce

Even after the court session ended, Xu Weibei was still furious.

He waited at the door for Gu Yuanshi to come out, wanting to continue the fight.

But as the autumn wind blew, he gradually calmed down.

--Although there was a reason for it, Gu Wanning might easily misunderstand it after hearing about it.

And she shouldn't have been put in the spotlight.

Gu Yuanshi said, "Let him talk, just ignore it."

I shouldn't have argued with him; I should have confronted him privately.

He needs to calm down.

Qin Lie walked over and said with a smile, "Marquis, you're really quite angry today."

"Don't even mention it, it's bad luck," Xu Weibei said. "By the way, I was actually planning to look for you."

He told Qin Lie about his wives and concubines going out to burn incense, and also accurately conveyed Gu Wanning's message.

"Don't be too rash," Xu Weibei cautioned worriedly. "Madam treats those four very well and is quite protective of them."

By comparison, he wasn't even as good to himself.

Another sour day.

Once those four are gone, there will probably be no one left to "compete for his favor."

Qin Lie was very excited. "Thank you, Your Marquis. I'll go back and make preparations now."

"What's the rush? Aren't you going to be on duty?"

"I'll take a day off," Qin Lie said. "I'll go buy a couple of new clothes, shave, and then think about what to do next."

Should he bring his mother along?

If he doesn't bring it, what kind of Buddha is he going to worship?

If he were to bring her, his mother would nag him endlessly, and he was worried that she would cause him trouble.

In short, it's quite difficult; I need to think about it carefully.

What kind of job is this?!

When you're thinking about your wife, who has the mind to work?

This isn't a battlefield; those petty squabbles can be resolved on their own in a day.

The decision was made happily, Qin Lie left excitedly, walking with a spring in his step.

Xu Weibei shook his head, thinking to himself that he had truly been bewitched by his First Concubine.

Although reluctant, he still had to go to the Ministry of Revenue to look at the bad debts and see if he could recover some of the pile of IOUs.

He was truly overwhelmed by the Emperor's boundless grace.

As a result, Gao Lan arrived while he was at the Ministry of Revenue, before lunchtime.

"My Marquis, Chief Grand Secretary Gu has arrived."

Gu Yuanshi is here?

Was he upset by the argument he had with him in court?

Okay, okay, he thinks so too!

Since that's the case, let's continue.

Xu Weibei slowly rolled up his sleeves. "Let him in!"

"No, my Marquis, he went to the Marquis's Residence."

"What is he doing at the Marquis's Residence?" Xu Weibei, quite surprised.

"Could it be that he complained to the madam?"

"How dare he!"

Despite this, Xu Weibei was still worried and hurried home.

Old Thief Gu, don't be the one to accuse others first.

Chapter 84 Corn for Divorce

Gu Wanning was tending to her precious Corn in the backyard when she heard that her biological father had arrived, which surprised her greatly.

Under normal circumstances, let alone someone of Gu Yuanshi's rank, even a minor official like the First Concubine's father, who was only a sixth-rank official, would put on airs at home.

If someone misses their daughter or needs to speak with her, they will definitely send someone to pick her up and bring her home, rather than going to her door in person.

Gu Wanning didn't have time to think further and hurriedly went out to greet them.

The steward of the Marquis's Residence's residence immediately sent someone to invite Xu Weibei back.

"Father, what brings you here?"

Gu Yuanshi frowned when he saw Gu Wanning with Er Ya and a group of concubines and maids following behind. Apart from Gu Wanning, everyone else was dressed in fine clothes.

This Marquis's Residence is incredibly extravagant!

"I have a few words I'd like to say to you privately."

"Alright, Father, let's go to the main hall to talk. You all go about your own business."

The crowd agreed, bowed to the two men, and withdrew.

Everyone had their heads down, except for Fourth Concubine, who kept looking at Gu Yuanshi. Even when First Concubine pulled her away, she couldn't help but look back at him.

Hehe, so that's the Chief Grand Secretary Gu scolds the Prince in court every day.

What a wonderful old man! Oh, he's not that old, he has a refined and handsome appearance.

"Father, what's wrong?" Gu Wanning led Gu Yuanshi to the main courtyard.

Gu Yuanshi didn't go inside; he sat down on a stone bench in the courtyard and pointed to Little Flower under a makeshift shed opposite him, saying, "That... that's Fifty Thousand Taels?"

Gu Wanning almost burst out laughing.

Or should we change Little Flower's name to Wuwan?

"It's Fifty Thousand Taels." Gu Wanning placed the tea on the stone table. "Be careful, it's hot."

Gu Yuanshi was heartbroken, "This Fifty Thousand Taels of silver could have helped so many poor people, it could have..."

"Father," Gu Wanning interrupted him, her tone indifferent, "The Marquis has defended the borders for the country for many years, achieving great military exploits; moreover, he has not embezzled or broken the law, and all his money is Gu Wanqing and honestly spent. If you want to use your money to help others, feel free to do so. As for his money, he can spend it however he wants, and you shouldn't interfere."

"Gu Wanning, don't think so simply. He spent those Fifty Thousand Taels of silver to impress you, to get you used to spending money like water, and then gradually corrupt you. He wants to drive a wedge between us, father and daughter!"

Listen to what Xu Weibei said in court—was it all to speak out for Gu Wanning?

That was to sow discord between father and daughter, thereby suppressing himself—look, your daughter has become the kind of person you hate the most.

Previously, Xu Weibei insisted on divorce, but now he refuses. He's spent so much money on gifts for his daughter, making a big fuss about it, just to satisfy her curiosity and make her think he's a good person.

Gu Wanning: "... You're overthinking it."

Although she didn't understand why Xu Weibei was spending money so lavishly, Xu Weibei disdained using tactics like sowing discord.

She wasn't saying that Xu Weibei was particularly upright, but rather that she herself wasn't worth Xu Weibei's troubles.