Mrs. Wang Sr. was troubled by the rumors her son had stirred outside, while Wang Wen was also conflicted. He knew he shouldn’t have developed any other thoughts with Wu Xueqin, yet after their encounter, the two had reached this point. It only took a few days, something he hadn’t anticipated.

In Wu Xueqin’s residence, Wu Xueqin waved Yangtao away and walked to Wang Wen’s side. "When will you go back and divorce her? I’ve been waiting, but the child in my belly cannot wait."

Wang Wen furrowed his brow deeply. "I’ll find a chance to speak with her after I return home. But my mother’s side poses a challenge. In our mansion, it’s stipulated that men cannot take concubines."

Now he intended to return and divorce instead, which was even more inconceivable.

The last time this issue arose, his mother didn’t approve, let alone now, with the talk about him and Wu Xueqin spreading everywhere. His mother would definitely not agree.

Wu Xueqin sat on another chair nearby. "I’m not forcing you. She has no offspring and often thinks of going to the estate. Given that, it would be best to fulfill her wish and let her go there. I don’t necessarily need the position of the main wife. However, now being appointed as Lady by the Emperor, with such a status, it’s impossible for me to enter the household as a concubine, and the Emperor would be displeased."

Despite Wu Xueqin claiming she didn’t mind not becoming the main wife, she laid the facts before him, highlighting them for Wang Wen, knowing there were also implications with the Holy Emperor.

Wu Xueqin hadn’t expected that after a dinner with Wang Wen at her residence, both drank too much and ended up together. When she woke, she pretended it hadn’t happened, though in her heart, she thought about Dong Boyun and Lin Youning. If they knew she had taken Dong Boyun’s man, who knew how upset they’d be.

In front of Wang Wen, however, Wu Xueqin showed nothing, nor did she mind, though she felt the incident was to her benefit.

Such is the way between men and women; where there’s a first time, there’s often a second. Who would have guessed that half a month later, Wu Xueqin’s period didn’t come? Disguised, she went out to have a doctor check her pulse, confirming she was pregnant. Wu Xueqin felt as though the heavens were aiding her.

Wang Wen’s frown deepened upon hearing this, but Wu Xueqin pretended not to notice. Seeing that it was getting late outside, she asked, "Will you stay the night in the residence?"

"I should probably go home. I haven’t been back for a few days. Although I’ve been busy with official duties, my mother might grow suspicious. It’s not good for her to find out before I tell her myself." Wang Wen stood up. "Now that you’re pregnant, prioritize your health above all else."

Wu Xueqin smiled and saw him off. "I’m fine here. I know it’s you who’s having a hard time."

"The child is here because I wanted it, so it’s my responsibility." Wang Wen nodded at her and then left in large strides.

Watching him depart, Wu Xueqin returned to the main room. "Any news from the Wang Family?"

Yangtao smiled, "That Miss Dong went to the East Mansion, but was turned away outside. She wandered around all day before returning to the Wang Family. It seems she wants to plead with the Madam there."

"So what if she pleads? This is a household matter, not something outsiders can meddle in." Wu Xueqin felt that compared to Lin Youning, she had never come out on top.

But now it was different. She could leave Lin Youning without any recourse, thus winning a round.

Seeing the cheerful mood, Yangtao laughed, "If Mrs. Wang Sr. finds out Miss Wu is pregnant, she might be thrilled. I heard she’s been yearning for a grandchild for years. But Second Young Master Wang has always prioritized his studies. It wasn’t until participating in the autumn exam that he got married. Unfortunately, Miss Dong wasn’t blessed, losing the child after over five months."

"This is not so easily said. The Wang Family has always been strict with norms." Wu Xueqin was not so optimistic.

If the Wang Family insisted she couldn’t join the household, ignoring even the Emperor’s face, Wu Xueqin knew she’d be helpless, possibly raising the child by herself. But doing so would subject her to ridicule in the Capital, and the Emperor might think poorly of her conduct.

So the best solution was not to give birth, which was why she had been pressing Wang Wen to address the issue at home. If it was untenable, she could consider an early termination given the small size of the fetus.

Seeing her silence, Yangtao didn’t speak further.

After returning to the mansion, Wang Wen heard that his mother was seeking him. He guessed the reason and went to Mrs. Wang Sr. with a somber expression. There were no servants in Mrs. Wang Sr.’s room; upon entering, Wang Wen knelt down to the floor.

Seeing her son in such a state, Mrs. Wang Sr. furrowed her brow. "It seems the rumors outside are true?"

"I am unfilial. She is already with my child. I beg Mother to fulfill this." Wang Wen bowed until his head touched the floor.

His forehead remained on the ground, not rising.

The room was silent; even just the two of them seemed to hear each other’s breaths.

"I’ve always trusted you, thinking you were sensible. Now it seems I was wrong." Mrs. Wang Sr. sighed. "Since you’ve done this, what will happen with Mrs. Dong in the household? Divorce her? What just cause do you have? Even if you did divorce her, do you know what people in the Capital would say about you? That you abandoned your wife of humble beginnings?" Mrs. Wang Sr. inquired again.

Wang Wen didn’t dare lift his head, unsure how to answer. "I am unfilial."

That was all he could say.

As for Dong Boyun poisoning him, Wang Wen didn’t mention it. He understood that even if he brought it up now, his mother wouldn’t blame him and would think Mrs. Dong ought to be divorced. However, having wronged Mrs. Dong already, how could Wang Wen bear to do that?

After all, they were a couple. Wang Wen still held onto a shred of affection.

It could be said that in his heart, there was still Mrs. Dong. Being with Wu Xueqin was something he hadn’t expected, and even now, facing Wu Xueqin, his thoughts were only of responsibility, nothing more.

Mrs. Wang Sr. sighed. "Go deal with your affairs yourself. I’m against you divorcing your wife, but it seems you’ve made up your mind. Whatever I say won’t change it."

Wang Wen stood up and left.

Upon reaching the back courtyard, he stopped, unsure how to face Mrs. Dong. Previously, when Mrs. Dong requested to go to the estate, he hadn’t agreed. Now he intended to divorce her.

Wang Wen lingered at the courtyard entrance until a young maid approached, pulling him from his thoughts.

"Second Young Master, Madam requests your presence inside." The young maid was repeating what Dong Boyun had instructed.

Wang Wen merely stood there, which Dong Boyun was well aware of. From the moment he arrived, a maid had informed her, but seeing he was unwilling to enter, she sent a maid to summon him.

Having made up her mind long before, as soon as Wang Wen entered, Dong Boyun said, "I understand your difficulties, Husband. Give me a letter of divorce."