However, later on, Prefect Yu found a bit of amusement in it. As the saying goes, a wife is not as good as a concubine, and a concubine is not as good as a secret affair. He was in awe of the tigress in the backyard; they were now an old married couple, and there was no more excitement.

Yet, Lady Bai, even though married to Jian Huaifeng, the thrill of stealing a friend’s wife made it impossible for him to stop.

Later, he devised some ways and succeeded several times.

At first, Lady Bai cried and resisted, but after several instances, she also felt a stirring in her heart and gave it to this cousin of hers.

She often used the excuse of visiting the Yu Family’s parents to secretly meet with Prefect Yu.

The Yu Family’s parents adored their son and had a bit of an intention to provoke their daughter-in-law. They covered for the two, and for the time being, no one knew.

Until later, Lady Bai became pregnant, and even she didn’t know if the child was Jian Huaifeng’s or her cousin’s.

Later, when the child was born, the Yu Family’s parents found a birthmark on the child that only Yu Family blood would have. Only then did they confirm that this child was theirs.

From then on, all the Yu Family parents’ affection and enthusiasm for grandchildren were poured into this child, who was Brother Guan.

After the Yu Family parents knew, naturally, Prefect Yu also knew that Brother Guan was his child, and he was very proud of it. With Brother Guan being smart, he treated him with affection. Of course, he told others that he and Jian Huaifeng were like brothers, treating Brother Guan as his own child.

This won him some praise, with outsiders remarking how Prefect Yu and Jian Huaifeng were truly close friends, sharing familial ties and all that.

Naturally, some envied them, thinking Jian Huaifeng had married well, becoming relatives with Prefect Yu’s family. If Prefect Yu wasn’t going to support him, who would he support?

Even though his wife frequently returned to her parental home and didn’t uphold the husband’s authority, compared to the benefits gained, those were minor issues!

During those three years of mourning, Lady Bai and Brother Guan lived with the Yu Family’s parents. Without Jian Huaifeng by their side, the two became increasingly audacious.

Furthermore, as Prefect Yu’s wife’s family had fallen on hard times in recent years, she, even upon noticing something off, dared not speak up. In the end, Prefect Yu was her support now, and if such a scandal were to break, Prefect Yu’s position might be at risk.

Moreover, women usually believe such matters are the fault of an outside vixen, never their own man.

As Madam Yu would say, given Prefect Yu’s status, how many women desire him? Why would he commit such a shameful act with a distant cousin? Surely it was the cousin’s greed for wealth that led her to seduce him.

Thinking this way, she deeply resented Lady Bai, but Lady Bai was backed by the Yu Family’s parents, and to maintain propriety, she couldn’t touch Lady Bai for now.

Thus, she endured silently, even trying her best to cover it up outside.

Though Jian Huaifeng was cautious, eventually, rumors leaked.

Prefect Yu was a decisive person, lacking in other areas perhaps, but not in resolution.

A few days later, Lady Bai caught a cold. After consulting an imperial doctor, her condition did not improve, but instead worsened significantly.

By the time Jian Huaifeng saw Lady Bai, she was barely clinging to life.

She herself seemed to sense something amiss but couldn’t speak, only looking at Jian Huaifeng tearfully, silently thinking of Brother Guan.

With Jian Huaifeng’s earlier health excuse and now Lady Bai’s severe cold, Brother Guan naturally remained with the Yu Family’s parents.

Seeing Lady Bai’s state, Jian Huaifeng, despite her and Prefect Yu’s shamelessness, couldn’t bear to abandon the innocent nephew Brother Guan. After a moment’s hesitation, he decided to bring Brother Guan for a final farewell to Lady Bai.

But before he could leave the courtyard, someone from the Yu Family tearfully reported that while Brother Guan was playing in the garden, he accidentally fell into the pond, and by the time he was rescued, he was already gone.

Lady Bai, already on her last breath, upon hearing this news couldn’t hold on anymore and passed away on the spot.

To outsiders, Jian Huaifeng’s situation was truly tragic. Immediately after the end of mourning for his parents, his wife and son were suddenly gone, leaving him all alone.

But Jian Huaifeng knew that Prefect Yu, to protect himself and eliminate future troubles, had dealt with both Lady Bai and Brother Guan.

With the death of the involved parties, Prefect Yu could outright deny everything.

Jian Huaifeng wanted to make a scene, but Lame Li, whom he had dispatched to the Capital City for investigations, and his servants were all unusable.

Even he was under house arrest, with outside stories claiming his grief had made him bedridden.

If it weren’t for Jian Huaifeng informing Prefect Yu that he had sent a letter with Lame Li to the Gu Family of the Capital City, he might’ve lost his life in Luzhou.

Prefect Yu still had some apprehensions and fear. With Lady Bai and Brother Guan dead, he wasn’t worried Jian Huaifeng could cause further trouble.

He threatened Jian Huaifeng to stay silent, resign peacefully, and he could keep his life. Otherwise, both would perish in the chaos.

Jian Huaifeng, although filled with hatred, wasn’t one to let emotion cloud his judgment. After some consideration, he gritted his teeth and agreed.

He simply asked why Prefect Yu would do such a thing, disregarding their past friendship.

Prefect Yu revealed that his supposed camaraderie with Jian Huaifeng was merely out of jealousy.

Back when they both studied under the same mentor, Prefect Yu considered himself a talented individual, yet their mentor favored Jian Huaifeng more.

Even in social interactions, others found Jian Huaifeng more agreeable.

Day by day, Prefect Yu’s envy fermented into a toxic brew, his heart soaking in it, robbing him of sleep.

Before the Imperial Spring Examination, he heard their mentor say Jian Huaifeng was certain to succeed, and with luck, might even rank among the top three.

In contrast, Prefect Yu was deemed mediocre, perhaps able to achieve a third-class degree if luck favored him.

These words kept him awake at night until he devised a plan—to prevent Jian Huaifeng from taking the exam by causing an accident.

During his first attempt, although he stopped Jian Huaifeng’s participation, he also faced setbacks and failed the exam.

By the second exam, he was more adept, acting without hesitation, but luck eluded him once more.

When he finally sabotaged Jian Huaifeng’s future completely, only then did he pass, albeit with a third-class degree. However, his appearance caught the eye of a Noble Patron from the Capital City, who wanted to marry him to their daughter.

They also helped him secure the position of Magistrate of Feng County, which wasn’t bad.

Coincidentally, Feng County was Jian Huaifeng’s hometown. They met again, recalling the past when Jian Huaifeng was promising while he was obscure.

Now their statuses were reversed. One was an official, while the other merely a graduate, needing to salute him.

Prefect Yu felt immense satisfaction, determined to remain superior to Jian Huaifeng his entire life, forcing him to survive on his crumbs.

Making Jian Huaifeng his master was just part of it!

Later, marrying Lady Bai to Jian Huaifeng and secretly fathering Brother Guan was also part of his grand plan! Just thinking, no matter how formidable Jian Huaifeng once was.

Now he serves as my master! I’ve shared his wife! His son has my blood! That hidden pleasure washes away past oppressions and shame!