Ye Qingluan was also exhausted.
She really didn't have the energy to discuss this matter with Luo Hao tonight.
So she bypassed Luo Hao and walked straight out of the room.
The snow was falling heavier and heavier outside, while the stove in the study was burning brightly.
But Luo Hao felt that the temperature in his heart had dropped to rock bottom.
He didn't know how long he had been kneeling.
Only then did he prop himself up on the table and stand up.
So much time had passed, and she never once looked back.
Was he really going to lose her this time?
Luo Hao's head went numb.
He leaned on the desk for a while before his feet could move.
He walked out of the door.
How time flew!
Dawn was almost breaking.
Luo Hao rubbed his forehead, and his temples throbbed.
A servant came from the side courtyard to report.
"My lord, Concubine Liu refuses to eat or drink and insists on seeing you."
Luo Hao looked in the direction of the side courtyard and sighed.
"Bring her to the study."
"Yes."
Before long, Concubine Liu came running in a frenzy.
The door of the study was wide open.
Luo Hao was bent over the desk, writing something.
Liu Yuan quickly tidied her clothes and then walked in.
Luo Hao didn't look up at her. Liu Yuan knew that she had made such a big mistake that this time, just acting coquettishly wouldn't save the situation.
So she knelt down, putting both hands on her body.
"My lord, Yuan Yuan is guilty."
"Um."
"Please punish Yuan Yuan."
Luo Hao looked up at Liu Yuan.
The tear stains on Liu Yuan's face were still clearly visible.
"Yuan Yuan."
"My lord."
"You've changed a lot."
"My lord, are you still angry with me? I really didn't mean to attract so many villains. Everything I did was out of jealousy and because I love you."
Luo Hao sat in his seat, looking at Liu Yuan kneeling in front of him.
He always thought that the girl he had grown up with as a childhood sweetheart would, when they grew up, still be as gentle and kind as she was in childhood.
Little did he know that time could change a person's appearance as well as their temperament.
"Yuan Yuan, I'm sorry for you."
Liu Yuan deflated and looked at Luo Hao.
What did he mean by that?
"Brother Hao—"
"I shouldn't have agreed to bring you into the mansion in the first place. I was too superficial. I insisted that the Luo family should have a descendant to inherit my mantle, but I forgot that everyone has only one heart. How could I divide it between two people?"
"I don't mind, Brother Hao. I don't mind. Please don't drive me away. The small mountain village where we used to live has now become a desolate place, and I have no parents anymore. If you drive me out, I'll really have nowhere to go."
"Brother Hao, I beg you, for the sake of my serving you for so many years, forgive my ignorance this time."
"Brother Hao, is it because Sister won't agree? I'll go and plead with her. Is it because she can't tolerate me?"
"Liu Yuan, you're still making excuses for yourself even now. Haven't you taken any responsibility over the years?"
"What responsibility do I have?"
Liu Yuan's eyes were unfocused.
"Brother Hao, what responsibility do I have? When we were kids, we were so close. You once said that when you grew up and became famous, you would ride a tall horse and send an eight - sedan chair to marry me as your wife. But what happened? In the end, I'm just a concubine in a marquis's mansion."
"Childhood jokes can't be taken seriously."
"I don't care, Brother Hao. I don't care. If it weren't for that woman, you wouldn't treat me like this. Originally, all this should have been mine."
"If it weren't for Qingluan, I wouldn't even be able to sit in this marquis's position."
"Brother Hao, you've made up your mind to drive me away, haven't you?"
Luo Hao handed the paper he had just written to Liu Yuan.
On the top, the words "divorce letter" were clearly written.
Liu Yuan looked at the words on the paper and suddenly burst out laughing.
She had schemed for so many years and used so much intrigue, but in the end, all she got was a divorce letter.
"Back then, it was because Qingluan pitied your sad background that she used proper rites to marry you into the mansion. All the three documents and six betrothal gifts were complete. Now, I'm writing this divorce letter to you. From now on, we'll have nothing to do with each other and go our separate ways."
"Luo Hao, Luo Hao, you're so heartless. At least, at least I gave birth to Qiuqiu for you. How could you be so cruel?"
"I'm not a qualified father, but Liu Yuan, have you ever regarded Qiuqiu as your own daughter? She became a pawn of yours even before she was born. I was wondering why the child had a high fever all the time after the full - moon banquet. I first thought it was because she was scared at the banquet, but last night I found out that you had poisoned the child."
"You say I'm heartless? If you hadn't insisted on getting rid of Qiuqiu, would I have done this? Luo Hao, before you blame others, have you ever looked back and seen what you've done for Qiuqiu?"
Overnight, Luo Hao seemed to have aged a lot. He was no longer as high - spirited as before.
"Yuan Yuan, let's separate. We've both done too many wrong things. In the days to come, I just want to focus all my energy on my wife."
Liu Yuan roared, "Impossible!"
Luo Hao called out.
"Guards."
"My lord."
Two guards entered the study.
"Take Liu Yuan back to the side room to pack her things. If she's not willing to leave, drive her out. It's best if she disappears from Taoyuan City."
Liu Yuan looked up.
"Luo Hao, it's snowing heavily outside now. Driving me away at this time is no different from killing me."
"Go back to the side courtyard and pack your luggage. Liu Yuan, I know you've hidden a lot of wealth over the years. I'm giving you this chance. Go to the side room, get it, and then leave. As long as you don't squander it, you'll be able to live comfortably for the rest of your life."
The dream of becoming the mistress of the marquis's mansion shattered at this moment.
Liu Yuan looked at Luo Hao despairingly, then walked out of the door, returned to the side courtyard, and slowly packed her things.
The human heart was the coldest and most heartless thing.
Over the years, Liu Yuan had already seen it clearly.
Luo Hao only pitied her. All his affection was given to Ye Qingluan.
If, if he had cared for her a little more.
If he had been a little better.
Maybe she wouldn't have become like this.
Liu Yuan left the mansion.
Ye Qingluan stood in the room on the second floor and looked out. Most of the red plum blossoms in the yard were covered by the white snow, with a bit of bright red faintly showing.
It was extremely beautiful.
"Madam, the marquis has divorced Concubine Liu."
Ye Qingluan didn't reply, not even showing any expression.
Now that Liu Yuan was gone, she wouldn't stay here either.
There was already a rift between her and Luo Hao. Now, no matter what Luo Hao did, she couldn't forgive him.
"Is the young lady awake yet?"
"Not yet. Granny Liu is boiling the medicine. She'll take it to the main pavilion as soon as it's ready."
"I'll go with her."
Ye Qingluan still didn't know what had caused Yan'er to suddenly become like this.