[Gold Powder GL] True Elegance Comes with Knowledge - Chapter 24

Qingqiu saw the news in the morning paper.

The Prime Minister’s eldest daughter-in-law filing for divorce via a public newspaper notice had become the hottest topic of the day. From the moment she arrived at school, Qingqiu could hear people discussing it everywhere.

The newspaper merely stated that the couple had grown apart—no details were provided. But since it was the wife who placed the ad, and the wording seemed to subtly point blame at the husband, it naturally stirred people’s curiosity.

Someone even approached Qingqiu and asked, “Aren’t you acquainted with the Prime Minister’s son? Did you hear anything about this?”

Qingqiu shook her head. “I’ve met a few members of the Jin family, but it’s nothing more than a passing acquaintance. Matters of this magnitude wouldn’t be shared with outsiders.”

“That makes sense,” her classmates agreed.

What was truly baffling was how such a major event had been kept completely under wraps. Even the most well-connected and gossip-savvy students at school hadn’t caught wind of it in advance.

An affair like this surely wouldn’t have come out of nowhere—there had to have been signs. It couldn’t have been just a spur-of-the-moment decision, could it?

Listening to this, Qingqiu couldn’t help but wonder—maybe it really had been an impulsive act.

After all, she had only been away for one night, and things had already escalated dramatically. She was just as curious as everyone else.

So, the moment school ended, she headed straight to Yan Hui’s house.

Before she could even ask, Yan Hui said, “I was just about to go visit Sister Peifang at the hospital. Want to come along?”

Qingqiu nodded eagerly. She dropped off her schoolbag and got into the car.

Yan Hui was driving herself, without a chauffeur. With no one else around, Qingqiu didn’t need to hold back. As soon as they were on the road, she asked, “What on earth happened?”

“Last night, Jin Fengju happened to be entertaining guests at his private residence—and Sister Peifang caught him red-handed. As the saying goes, if you’re going to catch a cheater, you do it with evidence. Since she caught him in the act, she decided to expose everything right then and there.

She’d already made up her mind to divorce him anyway, so the sooner the better,” Yan Hui explained. “But as for the details, I’m not entirely sure. We’ll ask her once we get to the hospital.”

Qingqiu narrowed her eyes and looked at Yan Hui thoughtfully. “How much of this was your idea?”

“Ahem… I just gave her a little encouragement,” Yan Hui replied. “She made the decision herself.”

Qingqiu believed her—mostly.

Still, she had a hunch that something like placing a newspaper ad probably hadn’t been Peifang’s own idea. But since Yan Hui wasn’t volunteering more information, she let it go.

They encountered a few obstacles before finally getting in to see Peifang. She was in a private intensive care suite, deliberately chosen for its remoteness, with multiple bodyguards stationed at the stairwell. Clearly, she wanted to avoid being disturbed.

Only after Yan Hui and Qingqiu had their identities verified were they allowed in.

Peifang was eating. Though she was in a hospital room, she hadn’t compromised on comfort—she’d ordered a full meal from a restaurant, and a whole table’s worth of food had been delivered.

Seeing the two arrive, she smiled and greeted them. “Have you eaten? If you don’t mind, join me.”

“We came straight from school, actually,” Yan Hui said. “We are a bit hungry.”

She sat down without hesitation and helped herself to a bowl and chopsticks. Qingqiu followed suit.

After they finished eating, Yan Hui cleared the dishes and set them aside before asking, “Is everything settled?”

Peifang shook her head. “I don’t know. But I’ve said all I needed to say, and the newspaper ad is out. The Jin family cares a lot about appearances—they’re not likely to make a scene. So far, only Madam Jin has come to see me. I imagine the rest are keeping their distance. From the looks of it, there’s no room for reconciliation.”

“Fengju didn’t come?” Qingqiu asked in surprise.

Peifang gave a cold laugh. “He wouldn’t dare.”

The memory of the previous night resurfaced in her mind, and she momentarily lost focus.

When she returned to the house last night, the other guests had already left. Only Yanxi and an old man named Yang Banshan remained. As luck would have it, Peifang had told the Wu family’s servants to keep quiet and stormed in—just in time to hear a woman named Wanxiang begging Yanxi not to mention her to anyone once they got home.

Peifang stopped in her tracks, curious about Yanxi’s reply—and what a reply it was.

Yanxi said, “I’m not the type to meddle in others’ business. Whatever happens, I won’t speak on both sides.” His meaning was clear: he intended to keep their secret.

At that, Peifang could no longer hold back. She swept open the curtain and stepped in with a sneer. “Well, well. ‘Not your business,’ is it? Yanxi if that’s how you really felt, you could’ve just told me. Why promise to investigate on my behalf? If I hadn’t caught you here myself, I wouldn’t have believed it—you wouldn’t have admitted it, would you?”

Her sudden entrance stunned everyone in the room.

The brothers Fengju and Yanxi were especially caught off guard. Peifang had long suspected Fengju and had even tried to gather information, but catching him red-handed was another matter entirely. As for Wanxiang, she didn’t know Peifang personally, but from her words, she guessed who she was. Embarrassed, she retreated to a corner and stayed silent.

Peifang had once been deeply preoccupied with Wanxiang, but thanks to Yan Hui’s reminder, she had a sudden realization: Fengju had grown tired of her. Even without Wanxiang, someone else would have taken her place. There was no point in taking it out on her. So, she looked past her and instead turned her scorn on the two brothers.

Yanxi, usually so eloquent at home, was struck speechless by the scene.

Fengju, even worse. He knew he was in the wrong. When she wasn’t around, he could rationalize things a hundred ways. But now, caught red-handed, he broke into a cold sweat and rushed over—only to fumble for words.

At that moment, members of the Wu household entered, drawn by the noise.

Surrounded by them, Peifang smiled coldly and said, “What a grand operation you’ve got here, Young Master. A private mansion, a mistress, a new car, dinner guests—even your brother knows. And yet, you chose to keep it from me. What’s the point? Honestly, you could’ve saved the trouble. This is the Republican era—marriage is about freedom and equality. If you don’t want to be with me, just say so. We’ll get a divorce.

Do you really think I’d cling to the Jin family?”

Fengju, with all the entitlement of a spoiled young master, couldn’t hold his tongue—even though he was clearly at fault. “What kind of nonsense is that?”

“Nonsense?” Peifang stepped forward, slapped him hard—twice. “Jin Fengju, as of today, we’re finished!”

Fengju was stunned. So was everyone else.

They all expected her to make a scene, but no one thought she’d actually strike him.

Fengju’s face twisted in anger. As he raised his hand in response, Yanxi rushed over to stop him. Just as he tried to intervene, the fierce and righteous Peifang suddenly swayed and collapsed, caught just in time by the people behind her.

With those two slaps alone, there was no way Jin Fengju would dare show up at the hospital. And with Peifang publicly announcing their divorce in the papers, it was out of the question.

Even Madam Jin, when she visited, didn’t mention her son—only inquired about the baby.

Peifang was cordial in return. She didn’t make a scene or say anything drastic. As Yan Hui had said, since she planned to keep the child, this would be the Jin family’s first grandchild. Even if she got divorced, the Prime Minister and his wife wouldn’t dare cast her off entirely.

Whether it was status or inheritance, it would still belong to her child. Why should she give that up just to vent her anger? The one at fault was Jin Fengju, not her.

Although Peifang appeared to have come to terms with everything, it was impossible not to feel some sorrow. Yan Hui tactfully changed the subject. “So, what are your plans now?”

“I’ve already asked someone to look for a new place.”

The Wu family had hoped she would move back in with them, but after some thought, Peifang decided to live on her own. Once she found a place and renovated it, she would return to the Jin family to collect her things—then everything would be over.

“A new home is important,” Yan Hui said, “but that’s not what I meant. You’ll be resting during your pregnancy for a while yet, but it’s still early. You should do something to pass the time.”
Peifang caught her meaning. “Do you have something in mind?”

“I do.” Yan Hui stood and gestured to her outfit. “Sister Peifang, what do you think of the clothes Qingqiu and I are wearing?”

“They’re beautiful,” Peifang replied. She’d noticed them the day before but had been too overwhelmed to comment. Now that Yan Hui brought it up, she asked, “Which tailor made them?”

Yan Hui smiled. “Madam Leng made them. With craftsmanship like this, don’t you think it’s worth starting a tailoring shop?”

Qingqiu looked at her in surprise.

Peifang noticed and laughed. “Of course it is. Are you suggesting I become a business partner?”

“Exactly,” Yan Hui said. “Are you interested?”

Originally, she’d wanted to start a garment factory to sell clothes nationwide. But in the Republic era, wealthy customers still preferred custom tailoring, and common folk couldn’t afford it. To lower costs would involve many complexities. So, she decided to begin with a boutique. Once they understood the industry and built a reputation, they could consider expanding.

“If you don’t mind having me, I’d love to join,” Peifang said.

“Then once you’re settled, come over to my place and we’ll talk details.”

With both Madam Leng and Peifang involved, they’d not only have something to do but also keep each other company. Madam Leng had experience with pregnancy and child-rearing, having raised her daughter alone—she could offer Peifang just the support she needed.