Xiao Yuanwu’s eyes widened in disbelief. He could hardly believe what he was hearing. His own imperial sister actually wanted to steal away his daughter’s Prince Consort. This was outrageous—utterly absurd.
“Imperial Sister, do you realize that Qin Yan is Princess Changning’s Prince Consort? He’s your niece’s husband,” Xiao Yuanwu said.
The Empress had also reacted by now, her gaze filled with shock as she turned to Xiao Chuo, clearly unable to calm her emotions.
“Imperial Brother, Imperial Sister-in-law, but as Princess Jinyang has heard, Changning and Qin Yan have already signed the divorce letter. You also personally approved it and even had Qin Yan removed from the imperial family register. Since that’s the case, Qin Yan is no longer part of the royal family and not a Prince Consort.”
“Now, his status is that of an ordinary citizen with no family of his own. In that case, what rule am I breaking by wishing to marry him?” Xiao Chuo remained calm and confident, already anticipating the shock on their faces. She looked at her imperial brother and sister-in-law and responded softly.
“This…” The Emperor and Empress were briefly stunned by her words.
It was indeed true. Qin Yan had already divorced Princess Changning, and the two were no longer connected. His name had been removed from the royal genealogy. He now had no ties to the royal family. In that case, if Princess Jinyang, Xiao Chuo, wished to marry Qin Yan, there didn’t seem to be any issue. She hadn’t violated any laws.
“Imperial Sister, even if that’s so, Qin Yan was once Changning’s Prince Consort. You marrying him now would be a laughingstock,” Xiao Yuanwu said after a moment of regaining his composure, speaking earnestly.
Even though Qin Yan had officially divorced Princess Changning, he had once been her Prince Consort, her husband. Now Xiao Chuo wanted to marry him—her niece’s former husband? How could that sound respectable? Wouldn’t it just invite ridicule?
“Exactly, Imperial Sister. If you do this, what will become of Changning? Wouldn’t the world mock her?” the Empress added, trying to dissuade Xiao Chuo.
“A joke?” Xiao Chuo’s smile faded. “Imperial Brother, Imperial Sister-in-law, who is really the joke here? Isn’t it Qin Yan?”
“We all know why he married Changning. From the beginning, there was never any real affection between them. Changning only married him because he resembled Ji Yuanyi. She merely used him as a form of comfort.”
“If anyone is the laughingstock, then it’s Qin Yan in everyone’s eyes.”
As she spoke, Xiao Chuo’s expression turned cold, her voice gaining a sharp edge. When it came to feelings, it was clear who had given more. In the end, it was Qin Yan who became the biggest joke. A substitute who had been discarded the moment the original returned.
Once he rose like a phoenix, now he was nothing but a soaked bird fallen in the mud. In the eyes of the capital’s nobility, Qin Yan had already become the biggest joke of all.
“You…” Xiao Yuanwu was stunned to see Xiao Chuo speaking up for Qin Yan so angrily, even looking indignant. He and the Empress couldn’t understand why Xiao Chuo would be so furious.
“Imperial Sister, you’ve never had any interaction with Qin Yan. Why are you suddenly so insistent on marrying him?” Xiao Yuanwu asked in confusion.
As far as he knew, Xiao Chuo had spent most of her time in Jinyang and rarely returned to the Capital. Even when she did, she either stayed in her residence or in the palace. There had been no opportunity for her to interact with Qin Yan privately. When had they even gotten involved?
“Yes, Imperial Sister, do you even know Qin Yan?” the Empress asked, equally puzzled. She had never heard of any closeness between them. For Xiao Chuo to now insist on marrying him and no one else—it was far too sudden and bizarre.
“Matters of love are guided by fate.”
“Qin Yan and I were not acquainted before. The reason I wish to marry him is simply because he has qualities I admire.”
“Imperial Brother, Imperial Sister-in-law, I ask that you fulfill your sister’s wish and bestow the marriage,” Xiao Chuo said, looking at Xiao Yuanwu again.
She had rushed back to the Capital precisely for this matter. She hadn’t even returned to her own residence before entering the palace to request the imperial marriage decree. She was afraid that any delay might lead to complications.
This time, she was determined. She would not leave without securing the imperial decree to bind her and Qin Yan. Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
“No, no…” Xiao Yuanwu and the Empress both shook their heads. They didn’t know what had prompted this, but they could not allow it.
“Why not?” Xiao Chuo frowned and looked at Xiao Yuanwu.
“Imperial Sister, I would agree to anyone else—but not Qin Yan.”
“Qin Yan was once Changning’s Prince Consort. If you marry him now, how will the world see it? Wouldn’t that bring shame upon the royal family?”
“Besides, although I permitted their divorce, I was never in favor of it. I was still hoping they’d reconcile. If I now bestow marriage between you and Qin Yan, what would become of Changning?”
Xiao Yuanwu looked helplessly at Xiao Chuo as he explained. Public opinion wasn’t the main issue. He believed that the bond between Changning and Qin Yan wasn’t completely broken. He was waiting for his daughter to realize her mistake and come back to her senses. But if someone else took Qin Yan first, what then? If Changning woke up one day and regretted it, wouldn’t it break her heart?
He was, of course, fond of his sister, but compared to her, his daughter, Changning, was even more precious to him. That was why he could never allow such a thing.
“Exactly, Imperial Sister. Qin Yan is Changning’s Prince Consort. Even if they’ve divorced, it was only a moment of confusion on Changning’s part. What if she regrets it later, and Qin Yan is already married to you? What would she do then?”
“As her aunt, you can’t treat your niece like this, can you?” the Empress added, making it clear that they both would not agree.
“Imperial Brother, Imperial Sister-in-law, are you seriously planning to make Qin Yan remain as Changning’s backup? Isn’t that going too far?” Xiao Chuo said coldly.