The Lin'an Marquis's estate in the capital was truly magnificent. The late Marchioness was the previous Emperor's most beloved Princess Yuqing. Originally, after becoming a son-in-law, the military power of the Lin'an Marquis should have been taken back. However, due to Princess Yuqing's spoiled and cunning nature, the previous Emperor also indulged her. This is enough to show the position of Princess Yuqing in the heart of the previous Emperor.

  Yu Qing Gongzhu gave birth to Guo Se Tian Xiang, and her personality was also the most gentle and considerate. After marrying into the Lin An Hou Fu, she was also favored by Lin An Hou, being placed in a position of utmost importance. Unfortunately, Lin An Hou still took on a concubine, who is now Fang Shi.

  If Yu Qing Gong Zhu was born to be a noble lady, good at dancing with long sleeves. Fang Shi, on the other hand, was a small and delicate jade, originally because her father had done favors for Lin An Hou, but later when Fang's family declined, her father used his past kindness to coerce Lin An Hou into marrying Fang as a concubine.

  A good concubine is different from an ordinary concubine, and she cannot be beaten or killed at will. Moreover, Fang Shi really lowered herself and did not show any signs of jealousy, so Lin An Hou didn't take it to heart. It's likely that the sons of noble families are used to having three wives and four concubines, and someone like Lin An Hou who only took one good concubine is already quite rare. Lin An Hou also didn't think it was wrong.

  Unfortunately, men and women have different views on issues, especially when it comes to concubines. Lin'an Hou thinks that taking in a virtuous concubine is not a big deal, as concubines are just playthings, and the one he truly cares about is Princess Yuqing. However, Princess Yuqing does not see it that way.

  Princess Yuqing grew up under the pampering of the previous emperor since she was a child. After marrying into the Marquis's household, she continued to live a life of luxury and comfort. Her husband had only her as his official wife, and she was accustomed to such a life. Who would have known that suddenly, a concubine appeared in the household? At that time, Princess Yuqing had just given birth to Xie Jinghang and hadn't even finished her postpartum confinement when she was struck by this event.

  Fang's family came every day to pay respects to Princess Yuqing, and they were all very formal. If Princess Yuqing was an ordinary princess, she could have easily found a way to secretly trip Fang up and get rid of her. But Princess Yuqing had always been well-protected and had a naive and carefree personality, so she didn't know how to use those underhanded tactics.

  The princess's maid still thought of a way, without telling the princess in advance, secretly finding an excuse to try to drive Fang Shi away. Who knew that somehow it didn't work out, and was even discovered by Lin An Hou.

  Although Lin An was a person who acted unrestrainedly in his daily life, he had a straightforward and upright character at heart. He couldn't stand women resorting to petty tricks, so he severely reprimanded Princess Yu Qing on the spot.

  Yu Qing Gongzhu had never quarreled with Lin An Hou since she married him, but now she was arguing with him for the first time. She couldn't bear to be wronged, so she didn't mention the wet nurse's matter and instead went toe-to-toe with Lin An Hou, until he finally stormed off in anger.

  Originally thought that after a few days, Lin An Hou would come to see her, but unexpectedly, a month had passed and Lin An Hou was still staying at Fang's place. During the postpartum period, women should not be sad, Yu Qing Gong Zhu fainted and fell seriously ill.

  Lin'an was still deeply in love with his wife, so he came to visit Princess Yuqing. However, he received the imperial edict to go on an expedition that very night and didn't even have time to bid farewell to Princess Yuqing before leaving.

  Not long after leaving Lin'an, Fang Shi discovered she was pregnant.

  As the legitimate wife, Lin An was not present, and Princess Yuqing absolutely could not let Fang Shi bully her, but instead had to protect the child in Fang Shi's womb. Otherwise, once something went wrong, she feared that all the rumors in the capital would be about her plotting against her concubine while her husband was away.

  After a long time, Yu Qing Gong Zhu's body gradually declined and was about to collapse. Seeing this, the wet nurse was anxious in her heart, but Yu Qing Gong Zhu forbade the wet nurse from reporting back to the imperial family. She struggled to get up and wrote a letter to Lin An Hou, asking him to return and see her one more time.

  She waited and waited, but Lin An Hou never showed up.

  Yu Qing Gong Zhu passed away. Three days after the funeral, Lin An Hou returned triumphantly, but didn't even get to see his beloved wife's body, and was overcome with grief. Alas, the beauty had gone, leaving behind only a handful of yellow earth.

  At that time, the former emperor was furious and removed his official position as Marquis of Lin'an. It wasn't until the new emperor took office that he pitied him for his talent and reinstated him as Marquis of Lin'an. Unfortunately, there was no longer a beautiful story of a talented man and a beautiful woman.

  Lin'an Hou did not remarry, and the Lin'an Hou Mansion only had Fang Shi. Fang Shi still maintained her humble demeanor for decades, and she gave birth to children, but Lin'an Hou was slightly concerned about them, yet he still devoted all his energy to his eldest son, Xie Jingxuan.

  But Xie Jinghang didn't take it to heart, from the time he began to understand things, he had always kept his distance from Lin'an Hou's love-hate entanglement with Yuqing Princess, and the story of their complicated relationship was almost a household name in Dingjing.

  Lin'an felt guilty towards his son and always tried to satisfy him. Xie Jinghang, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy going against his father's wishes, often giving him a headache. However, he had inherited Yuqing Princess's beauty and talent, except for being mischievous, he was a brilliant and handsome young man, naturally becoming the dream lover of Ming Qi's noble daughter.

  It's the same today too.

  Xie Jinghang strode into his study with big steps.

  His courtyard was where Princess Yuqing had stayed to recuperate, and it was far away from the main courtyard, which made it quiet. Xie Ding had also suggested that he move to a place closer to the main courtyard, but Xie Jinghang refused. The reason was: really didn't want to see certain people.

  He has always been so indifferent to the Hou Mansion.

  A young servant beside him pushed the door and walked in, holding a snow-white ceramic bowl with safflower patterns, saying: "Mrs. Fang made crystal lotus seed porridge, saying that it was simmered for several hours, master warm up."

  He didn't like his subordinates calling him "Young Master" or "Crown Prince", only calling him "Master", as if that would sever ties with the Marquis's household.

  Xie Jingxing glanced at the bowl, and the porridge was shiny and bright, with a fresh and thick soup color. It must have been simmered for quite some time, emitting a refreshing fragrance that made one's fingers move with hunger.

  "He coldly said: 'It's over.'"

  The little servant thought it was a usual greeting and withdrew.

  Just as he was about to leave, a figure suddenly appeared behind the door, slightly lowering his head and saying in a low voice: "Master, it's been investigated clearly. The eldest daughter of the main house of the General's Mansion is Shen Xin's legitimate daughter, Shen Miao."

  "What's wrong?" Xie Jinghang furrowed his brow.

  Shen Xin and Xie Ding have had differing views on governance for many years, and the Shen and Lin'an Hou estates also looked at each other with disapproval. Moreover, their military powers were mutually restrictive, involving not a small number of interests.

  Lin'an Houfu and the Su family are also good friends, and the Shen family reminds the Su family, perhaps it's just a reminder to the Xie family. But as opposing parties, suddenly coming to remind them, what does it mean? Moreover, Shen Miao is just a young girl, what does she understand? It must be that the Shen family deliberately let her come to remind them. Shen Xin is now far away in the northwest, could it be the second or third branch of the family? Shen Gui and Shen Wan are also extremely ambitious people, with the current turmoil in the imperial court, they might just want to muddy the waters again.

  "The Shen and Xie families have always been at odds, but now the Shen family's maid is suddenly being friendly, clearly with ulterior motives." He raised an eyebrow, his tone as cold as ice: "Continue investigating!"

  Digression

  The male and female leads always have a single parent.