Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Pei Muhang's hand slid down, resting on his knee.

His gaze darkened gradually, fixated unwaveringly upon her.

The two of them locked eyes for several breaths.

Xu Yunqi remained composed throughout, even adopting a consoling tone, "Third Prince was compelled to marry me due to the imperial edict. His Highness the Emperor is now aware of today's incident; it could be seen as an opportunity..."

"Fleeing at the first sign of trouble is your usual approach, Madam?" Pei Muqing interrupted her mercilessly, his expression colder than ever before. His eyes were as deep and dark as a whirlwind filled with impending storm, bottomless and unfathomable.

Xu Yunqi paused, not because of his words, but rather the tone in which they were delivered.

In her memory, they had been husband and wife for half a year, and he had always been gentle, never having spoken harshly to her before. Today's display of cold ruthlessness was a first.

She couldn't comprehend the reason for his anger - was it because a female physician had dared to suggest a divorce?

Although Pei Muhang never discussed court affairs with her, Xu Yunqi could infer some details from subtle hints. He was ambitious, perhaps with grand aspirations, and his stance, as well as that of his mother, was evident today. The more she pondered, the more apparent it became that they were not well-suited. Why not cut the Gordian knot and end it swiftly?

"Third Young Master, we have different paths and cannot harmoniously collaborate. We both understand this, and neither of us will change for the other, don't you agree? I do not wish to be a burden to you."

Xu Yunqi's tone was crisp and decisive, without any lingering sentiment.

Pei Muheng squinted at his wife, genuinely amused by her words despite the anger they provoked.

Her brows and eyes were still familiar, gentle and soft, devoid of any sharpness. Yet, the words she spoke were as cutting as an unfeeling knife.

Her utter decisiveness contrasted starkly with their intimate moments from the previous night, rendering them laughable.

Pei Muheng turned away, facing forward, taking deep breaths. He laughed at himself, truly unsure of the kind of woman he had married. She was vastly different from what he had imagined.

Pinching the space between his eyebrows, Pei Muheng forced himself to calm down. In a marital dispute, it was best to say nothing in the heat of the moment. Once spoken, words could not be taken back and might later be used against each other.

The carriage came to a halt. Without hesitation, Pei Muheng lifted the curtain and stepped out, not looking back as he crossed the threshold.

Xu Yunqi descended from the carriage, holding onto Silver Apricot's hand. She gazed at his retreating figure for a moment, shook her head, and followed him inside.

Though it was late into the night, the Xihua Palace was eerily quiet. The servants stood silently, not daring to make a sound.

First, Princess Xi returned to her residence with an ashen face, followed by Pei Muheng, who leaped through the door with a cold expression. Although Third Master was not one to smile easily, he rarely lost his temper. For him to be in such a state today, something significant must have occurred.

After three hours of intense treatment, Xu Yunqi was exhausted. Upon returning home, she hastily washed up and leaned against a bolster for rest.

She gave Pei Muheng time to consider his options.

He had always been clear about what he wanted, and apart from separation, there was no other solution between them.

Ginkgo inspected the medical pouch and chest, tidied them up, then entered the room. Seeing Yunqi resting her forehead on the bolster, she approached softly and draped a thin blanket over her abdomen. "Miss, lie down and sleep."

"Mmm..." Xu Yunqi came to her senses, glanced at her, and then gazed out the window. Pei Moling probably wouldn't return tonight. She gave up waiting and fell into a deep sleep.

Upon returning to his study, Pei Muheng did not allow himself to be overwhelmed by negative emotions. He unfolded the secret reports delivered by his covert agents and began to examine them meticulously.

Today's events could indeed be seen as a turning point. Yan Shaoling is Yan Ping's beloved and cherished youngest child, a taboo that cannot be touched. Previously, by recommending Yan Shaoling to investigate a case in Jinzhou, thereby gaining exposure before the emperor, he had in fact shown favor to Yan Ping.

Why take such action? Over the years, he has observed with a detached eye that Yan Ping and Prince Qin were not inseparable allies. Prince Qin tends to act impulsively, whereas Yan Ping is a cunning fox, always deliberating and keeping a hidden card up his sleeve, preferring a steady and cautious approach. Their political views often clash.

Prince Qin, in his eagerness to undermine the Crown Prince, has forced Yan Ping into a position where he must clean up after him. This situation has undoubtedly infuriated Yan Ping. Today's incident, where the young princess of the Qin Palace accidentally injured Yan Shaoling, presents the perfect opportunity for Yan Ping to sever the ties between the Yan family and the Qin Palace.

Ringing the small bell concealed beside the lattice window, the stealthy guard on the rooftop swiftly entered through the casement.

"Deliver a message to Liu Yu. Inform him to re-examine the Governor of Tongzhou, Chen Mingshan."

Ever since he received that anonymous plea for help, he had followed the trail, eventually uncovering the intriguing nature of Governor Chen Mingshan. This man was treading a delicate balance, assisting both the Crown Prince in amassing wealth while also holding leverage over Prince Qin. To him, such a person was a double-edged sword.

The covert guard obeyed and left, but soon returned with an update.

"Third Master, half an hour ago, a senior official from the Ministry of Punishment investigated Chen Mingshan's background and discovered that his initial position in the court was obtained through the corrupt practice of selling ranks and titles."

Who concerns themselves with the promotions and appointments of officials? The Ministry of Personnel.

And who is the Minister of Personnel? None other than the Chief State Councillor, Yan Ping.

Pei Muhang's expression flickered, then he slowly smiled while stroking his chin. "Someone has sensed today's opportunity and moved ahead of us. Interesting... Tell Liu Yu to go with the flow..."

"I understand."

Pei Muhang leaned back against the curved armchair, settling into it with an air of leisure.

Who could that person be?

With a deep understanding of Chen Mingshan, one would know how to strike at his vulnerability, aiming to expose any hidden connections by targeting him. This kind of tactic was clearly not ordinary.

A face flashed across Pei Muleng's mind.

He softly scoffed.

Once this case was brought to light, Yan Ping, being a wise man, would know how to proceed.

Just then, the chiming clock placed in the corner sounded, indicating the third quarter of the hour of Hai.

Pei Muleng was startled once more.

She usually retired at this time.

That was precisely why he had set the clock to chime at this particular hour as a reminder for him to finish up and return to the backyard.

The clear, resonant sound of the bell gently echoed in his heart, causing the satisfaction of his well-laid plans on his face to fade, replaced instead by a look of bewilderment.

How could she so casually demand a divorce?

Had their half-year of marriage not stirred any hesitation in her?

Pei Mushan's heart burned like molten lava, suffocating him. He spent the night in his study.

In the Marquis of Yan's residence,

Several court physicians and guards carefully escorted Yan Shaoling back home.

Pei Mushan rode alongside, accompanying him throughout the journey.

Worried about his daughter, the Duke of Xi also stayed close by.

Halfway through the trip, Yan Ping invited the Duke of Xi to join them in the carriage, but he declined, mindful of avoiding suspicion. The Duke of Xi understood such matters, leaving Yan Ping no choice but to ride alongside on horseback. Poor man, with his age, it was no easy feat to endure the bumpy ride back to the mansion.

Doctor He administered a bowl of ginseng soup to fortify Yan Shaoling's strength and replenish his blood. By then, Yan Shaoling had already fallen asleep.

With the Duke of Xi present, Yan Ping didn't feel right retiring. He gathered his wits and remained in the hall, keeping the company.

Pei Mushan sat resolutely in the hall, while Madam Yan, having exhausted her energy, dispatched her eldest daughter-in-law to persuade Pei Mushan.

"Princess, please retire for now. It may be a while before Shaoling awakens."

So many events unfolded in a single day, leaving Pei Mushan utterly unprepared. She lifted her dazed gaze to look at Madam Yan, then glanced at her father not far away, her face displaying confusion. She buried her face back into the palms of her hands and said, "I wish to wait for him to awaken."

Following Lady Yan's instructions, arrangements were made for a guest courtyard where Yan Ping and her father could rest. However, Pei Mushan refused to leave. She remained in the main hall. Turning to Yan Ping, Emperor Xi of Hui placed his hands open in a gesture of surrender, saying with a touch of helplessness, "Venerable Lord Yan is no longer young. He should retire for some rest. I shall keep her company."

"How could that be..."

Before he could finish his sentence, his trusted steward approached and whispered in Yan Ping's ear. A fleeting frown creased Yan Ping's brow, but the seasoned statesman quickly regained his composure. Rising to his feet, he bowed respectfully to Prince Xi.

"Your Highness, forgive me, but I must retire for a brief respite."

Prince Xi, a man of straightforward character, waved him off, dismissing any need for formalities.

The night proceeded with Yan family's head and second master accompanying Prince Xi.

Upon returning to his study, Yan Ping received a document from his steward, who wore a stern expression. "Following the incident in Tongzhou, Chen Mingshan has been held in the dungeons of the Supreme Court. After the Eastern Palace case was settled, he was supposed to be executed in the fall. However, it seems someone is secretly keeping an eye on him, uncovering that he bought his way into the court. They've reported this to the Emperor, sir. This is a direct attack on you and Prince Qin."

Yan Ping didn't even glance at the report, his eyelids not fluttering in the slightest. "Mm, leave it here."

The steward, seeing his calm expression, couldn't help but worry. "Are you not going to think of a way to respond?"

"I will deal with it naturally," Yan Ping waved his hand, dismissing the steward. "Let me rest for a while."

Prince Xi and Pei Mushan spent the entire night sitting in the reception hall of the Yan family. Yan Ping didn't interfere much. As dawn approached, Doctor He sent word that there were signs of Yan Shaoling regaining consciousness, indicating that he was out of danger.

Prince Xi asked his daughter, "Do you want to see him?"

Pei Mushan rubbed her sore eyes and shook her head. Rising to her feet, she walked briskly outside. "As long as he's awake, that's good enough."

Prince Xi watched his daughter's straight back, suddenly smiling. Her personality resembled his own, free-spirited and unconstrained.

Father and daughter returned to their palace one after the other.

Upon reaching the entrance, the guard from the previous day stepped forward to report,

"Your Highness, Princess, last night someone attacked the young princess of the Prince Qin's palace, covering her head and beating her. She has two broken ribs and injuries to her lungs. The severity of her condition is still unclear."

Pei Mushan's eyelids drooped, showing no reaction.

The Duke of Xi glanced at his expressionless daughter and raised an eyebrow, uttering an "oh" in approval. He then patted the guard on the shoulder, almost implying "well done."

Pei Mushan, after a sleepless night, retreated to her room to rest.

The Duke of Xi strode into the Jinhua Hall with a grand presence. As he passed the screen, he saw his wife with a headband covering her forehead, sternly reprimanding him,

"Why have you returned? You must enter the palace and appeal to His Majesty. The incident from yesterday requires an explanation from the imperial court for the Duke of Xi's household."

Startled at first, the Duke of Xi then showed a hint of displeasure as he approached her, saying, "What explanation do you want? What kind of clarification are you seeking?"

The Duchess of Xi stepped down from her bed, holding her forehead and supporting her waist. "Did His Majesty not investigate her family background or verify her reputation before bestowing the marriage? How could he simply push her into the Duke of Xi's palace?" Her voice trembled, and Lady Hao and others hurried to support her, fearing she might fall.

The Duke of Xi observed his wife quietly for a moment, noticing her pale complexion and uneven breath, indicating that she too had been up all night. He sighed, stepped forward, and sat on a cushion, pouring himself a cup of tea before addressing her seriously,

"I've already told you, the Emperor bestowed the marriage for a reason – to prevent an alliance between the Duke of Xi's household and the Xun family, and to send a warning. Moreover, the word of the Son of Heaven cannot be broken; even if it was later discovered that her origins were less than desirable, His Majesty cannot go back on his promise. This is the royal credibility. What good will it do to dwell on these matters now?"

The Duchess of Xi turned around and sat opposite him, her forehead pulsating with pain, causing her to gasp for air. "I don't care. You must enter the palace for me."

Suddenly, a tall nanny rushed in from outside, hastily stepping over the threshold, and stood behind the screen, reporting,

"Your Highness, Her Ladyship, it's a terrible calamity."

"What is it?" The heart of Princess Xī sank abruptly. She was already exhausted and couldn't endure any more blows.

This nanny was in charge of external affairs and also served as Princess Xī's informant. With a quivering voice, she said,

"This servant sent people to the market this morning and overheard some gossip. They say that our Third Young Lady is not actually the biological daughter of Lord Xu; she was born from her mother's relationship with a man outside their marriage!"

The news struck Princess Xī like a bolt of lightning, leaving her stunned and unable to comprehend. When she finally regained her composure, she turned to Prince Xī and lashed out in anger,

"Did you hear that? Look at what kind of mess this is! My son, noble as a fragrant orchid and a towering jade tree, how could he be matched with such a woman? You, right now, must immediately go to the palace and appeal to the Emperor!"

Prince Xī didn't anticipate the situation taking such a sudden turn. He wiped his face and said,

"That doesn't seem plausible. Perhaps someone is deliberately slandering her."

Princess Xī paid no heed. She threw aside the headband on her forehead and sat up straight, saying,

"Go, let's enter the palace to plead our case before His Majesty, asking for his blessing in separating," she said. Seeing Prince Xi still motionless, Princess Xi grew furious and lifted her skirt, preparing to leave. "If you won't go, I will!"

Prince Xi, usually submissive to his wife, but resolute in matters of principle, furrowed his brow and ordered, "Stop right there!"

Princess Xi stood below with a cold expression, glaring at him with tears of resentment in her eyes.

Prince Xi had never scolded his wife like this before. He rose and approached her, speaking earnestly,

"What wrong has that child committed? Can one choose their birth? Nor could she decide on her arranged marriage. She just rendered a great service yesterday. Our Xanthe is grateful to her. Yet today, you're advocating their divorce. How will others perceive our Prince Xi's Mansion? I, Pei Zheng, have always been an upright man. I cannot bear to act dishonorably."

Hearing this, Princess Xi couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with sorrow. Tears streamed down her face as she shook her head, weeping, "I know this, and I don't blame her. She is truly a good person. These past six months, she has served me obediently, with a gentle and mild disposition. I don't despise her as a person. What I resent is her status."

"Yes, she may be blameless, but is Heng'er at fault? How innocent is he? Neither of them is in the wrong; they simply shouldn't be together."

She turned to grasp her husband's arm, looking at him with teary eyes. "Don't think I'm unaware of your father-son antics. Heng'er has great ambitions, and as his mother, I understand. Xu's path doesn't align with his. If that's the case, then let me be the villain. As long as I can persuade His Majesty to issue the edict, I, Xiao Jinqiao, will dedicate a longevity plaque for her at Green Mountain Temple. I will compensate her a hundredfold, ensuring she won't be wronged."

Prince Xi closed his eyes.

Just then, a young servant girl's crisp voice echoed outside the door:

"Your Highness, the Duchess, Third Young Lady is requesting an audience!"

Prince Xi and his wife were instantly taken aback.

*

A quarter of an hour earlier, Xu Yunqi was in the medicine room mixing ointment for Yan Shaoling. Xing Yin, who was in charge of keeping tabs on the Xun family, rushed in breathlessly:

"Miss, there are rumors circulating that you're not actually the Xu family's biological daughter. They're saying the Xu family has committed a great offense against the Emperor. I suspect it's those two women from the Xun family behind this."

Xu Yunqi continued grinding the herbs in her hand with a faint smile. "Excellent. I'm not afraid of them making a move; I just hoped they would. The fish has taken the bait."

Sitting across from her on a brocaded stool, Xing Yin analyzed the situation logically, "By implicating the Xu family in a crime against the Emperor, they're trying to ensnare both you and the Duchess."

Unperturbed, Xu Yunqi paused, passing the mortar to Xing Yin. "Keep grinding. When it's ready, put it in this small bottle. I've already prepared some medicinal liquid inside. Stir it well later, and we can send it to the Yan residence."

"Got it!" Xing Yin took over, taking Xu Yunqi's place at the mortar.

Washing her hands clean, Xu Yunqi left the room and changed into a new outfit. Exiting, she found Chen Ma waiting tearfully in the corridor.

Nanny Chen's voice trembled with sobs. "Madam, what are we to do now that such a calamity has occurred?"

She glanced at the serene Xu Yunqi and then peeked through the window at the absorbed gingko tree. Her heart ached, wondering if this mistress and servant were either fearless due to ignorance or simply indifferent to everything. Both were equally composed.

Xu Yunqi smoothed her sleeves and reassured Nanny Chen,

"Don't overthink it. Just do what you need to do. I'll make a visit to the Jinhé Hall first."

"Ahh? This servant will go with you," Nanny Chen hastily wiped away her tears.

"No need," Xu Yunqi waved her hand, her figure elegantly disappearing beyond the moon gate.

Along the way, numerous servants secretly watched her from hidden corners. Some looked on with admiration, while others sighed in sympathy. Xu Yunqi maintained her gaze straight ahead as she walked into the Jinhé Hall's passage.

Apparently having received news, Pei Mushan, without bothering to dress up, rushed to the Jinhé Hall with her glossy hair loose and wearing embroidered slippers. She leaped into the passage before Xu Yunqi, stretching out her arms to block her path.

"What are you doing, sister-in-law?!"

Pei Mushan was breathless from running, her chest heaving unevenly. Her eyes were bloodshot, and a yellowish tinge covered her face.

Xu Yunqi, noticing Shan Shan's unhealthy appearance, expressed concern,

"Did you not sleep last night? You should go back and rest."

But Pei Mushan glared at her in anger,

"At a time like this, you still have the heart to worry about whether I slept or not," she said, then stepped forward to embrace Xu Yunqi's shoulders, tears welling up in her eyes,

"Sister-in-law, I understand. You saved him for my sake, otherwise there would be no need for you to reveal your true identity..."

Xun Yunqi responded with a carefree smile, shaking her head. "You're mistaken. I would save anyone who fell before me, even if they were a general from the opposing camp." Her tone grew more serious as she spoke. She patted Pei Mushan's hand gently, signaling her to let go.

"Shan Shan, I'm glad to have met you. I'll handle my own affairs."

Pei Mushan's face turned blank, as if a piece of her heart had been cut away, leaving her too pained to find words.

"Are you planning to leave?"

Seeing the sadness on the young girl's face, Xu Yunqi was unsure how to comfort her.

Life is an endless cycle of meeting and parting.

Xu Yunqi didn't say much; he merely stated, "Step aside."

Tears streamed down Pei Mushan's face as Xu Yunqi had already passed her, heading for the main residence along the corridor. As she gazed at his fading figure, she vowed in her heart that if the Xi Palace abandoned her sister-in-law, she would sever all ties with the Xi Palace.

On Xu Yunqi's side, a maid was dispatched to announce her arrival. The maid soon reappeared and gestured inside.

"Madam, please come in."

Xu Yunqi entered the main chamber.

The Xi Prince and Princess were seated on a comfortable couch against the north wall. The prince wore a look of concern, while the princess remained as aloof as usual.

Approaching them, Xu Yunqi first bowed and then got straight to the point.

"I have come to discuss two matters with Your Highness and Her Highness. Firstly, I am not truly the biological daughter of Master Xu. My father passed away during his journey to the capital for the imperial examinations when I was four. Later, my mother remarried into the Xu family. Master Xu, a man of noble character and great generosity, took me in, registered me under his name, and acknowledged me as his daughter. I have always been deeply grateful for this."

"In terms of official records, I am indeed a member of the Xu family, and there is no deception involved here. Even if the Emperor were to investigate, our Xu family has nothing to hide."

Prince Xi showed no doubt in Xu Yunqi's words and immediately nodded. "I understand. I'll personally enter the palace to clarify this matter with His Majesty. I won't let Father blame the Xu family, nor will I involve them in any way. On the contrary, I greatly admire the Xu family's generosity."

A smile appeared on Xu Yunqi's face as she bowed. "Thank you, Your Highness."

"The second matter is that I have a request for you."

"What is it?" The couple looked at her in unison.

Xu Yunqi bowed solemnly. "I beg of Your Highness to enter the palace and appeal to His Majesty on my behalf, allowing me to divorce Third Young Master."

Prince Xi was stunned by these words, and even Princess Xi's expression changed. The embroidered handkerchief in her hand slipped as she stared at Xu Yunqi in disbelief.

But Xu Yunqi didn't look at her. Instead, she earnestly explained to Prince Xi, a smile blooming on her lips as her clear eyes shone like bright moons.

"I have no intention of wasting my skills. My master has taught me everything, and I refuse to let my talents be buried in the inner courtyard. I've always dreamed of carrying my medical kit, facing the sky, the earth, and protecting all living beings. I find joy and fulfillment in this path, but I didn't anticipate that it would conflict with the royal code of conduct, causing trouble for all of you."

"A long-lasting pain is worse than a brief one. There's no need for us to force ourselves. Third Young Master is an honorable man who wouldn't break his promises. Therefore, I humbly ask Your Highness to enter the palace and explain the situation to His Majesty, requesting his blessing for our divorce."

Each word Xu Yunqi spoke was sincere and resolute, devoid of any pretense or hesitation.

Prince Xi stared at her intently, his throat seeming to seize up, leaving him silent for a long moment.

Princess Xi was even more astonished. She hadn't expected Xu Yunqi to voluntarily give up the marriage. In her heart, she admired Xu Yunqi's character; if it were her, she might not have been able to easily abandon such wealth and status.

Still in disbelief, Prince Xi cleared his throat and asked solemnly, "My child, this matter is no trifling thing. Don't speak in haste, don't take your mother's words to heart. Our Prince Xi's Palace..."

"Your Highness," Xu Yunqi interrupted softly, "it is I who do not wish to remain in the palace."

"If you insist on knowing, then let me be clear. Before my marriage, I was already betrothed to another. Due to His Majesty's imperial edict, I had no choice but to marry into your palace. Yesterday's incident could be seen as an opportunity – Third Young Master can be freed from an unsatisfactory engagement, while I gain my freedom. A clean break, each of us living well apart, why not embrace such an outcome?"

With these words, there was no room for hesitation on Prince Xi's part.

He glanced indifferently at his wife beside him, his gaze seemingly saying, "Look, you were worried she would cling to our son, yet she can't wait to leave."

Princess Xi's face flushed red. After realizing that Xu Yunqi never liked their son and had no desire to marry him, some of her resentment dissipated. Lowering her eyes, she remained silent.

Prince Xi expelled a deep breath, then shifted his gaze back to Xu Yunqi and declared firmly,

"In that case, I, Prince Xi, will pay a visit to the imperial court."