“Princess, what do you really mean?”
Hearing Xiao Wanyu’s words, Qin Yan found her even harder to understand. He actually heard traces of emotion and resentment in her tone, even a hint of sorrow? Could it be… Xiao Wanyu really didn’t want him to leave?
“Princess, Young Master Ji has arrived.”
Just then, a palace maid entered from outside the flower hall and informed Xiao Wanyu.
“Brother Yuanyi is here? Quick, take me to see him.”
The moment she heard that Ji Yuanyi had arrived, Xiao Wanyu’s face lit up with excitement. The furrowed brows from earlier vanished instantly. She stood up, took the divorce letter with her, and swiftly walked out of the hall. As she passed by Qin Yan, she didn’t even pause for a moment.
“Sigh, Qin Yan, oh Qin Yan… what were you thinking? Did you really believe Xiao Wanyu would have even the slightest reluctance to part with you?”
Watching her retreating figure, Qin Yan couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly at himself. Just moments ago, he had actually thought her words might’ve been laced with reluctance. But now… he realized just how ridiculous that thought was.
“Forget it. I should pack up and leave as soon as possible!”
After Xiao Wanyu left, Qin Yan adjusted his mood, a smile appearing on his face. He immediately turned to begin packing, preparing to leave.
“Brother Yuanyi!”
In the rear garden of the Princess’s residence, under a pavilion, stood a handsome young man.
He wore white robes, his figure tall and upright, his features refined like carved jade. He had a scholarly air, clearly the kind of person immersed in books since childhood.
This was Ji Yuanyi, son of the newly appointed Minister of Revenue Ji Shou, and currently serving as an imperial scholar in the Hanlin Academy.
Ji Yuanyi was the “white moonlight” of Princess Xiao Wanyu—an unforgotten love. From a young age, he had been a renowned prodigy. Xiao Wanyu had long admired him, and this was no secret in the capital.
Originally, as a princess and a nobleman’s son, the two could have been a perfect match. But fate intervened. Four years ago, the late Emperor passed away, and the current Emperor Xiao Yuanwu—Xiao Wanyu’s father—ascended the throne.
Upon ascending, Xiao Yuanwu sought to reform the administration and establish great plans, igniting fierce conflict between the old and new political factions.
The court was split: the old faction clung to the previous Emperor’s policies and resisted change, while the new faction, including Ji Yuanyi’s father Ji Shou—then a Vice Minister of Revenue—supported the reforms.
After months of struggle, Xiao Yuanwu, still new and lacking full control, was forced to abandon the reforms. The new faction was suppressed and retaliated against by the old faction.
As a result, Ji Shou was purged and exiled along with his entire family. Ji Yuanyi had no choice but to follow his father and leave the capital.
When Xiao Wanyu learned of this, she begged Xiao Yuanwu to protect Ji Yuanyi. But the old faction, still holding resentment, refused to allow Ji Yuanyi to become prince consort. They obstructed the matter at every turn. Even Xiao Yuanwu had to yield, and Ji Yuanyi was banished from the capital.
His departure shattered Xiao Wanyu. She fell into despair—until she encountered Qin Yan, who bore a striking resemblance to Ji Yuanyi. Only then did her grief find some solace.
Later, as Xiao Yuanwu gradually gained control of the court and the old faction’s power waned, the former reformists were reinstated.
Ji Shou was recalled to the capital and promoted to Minister of Revenue. Ji Yuanyi himself was appointed as an imperial scholar—his future bright once again.
“Your humble servant Ji Yuanyi greets Your Highness.”
Upon seeing Xiao Wanyu, Ji Yuanyi’s face showed joy. As she approached, he immediately performed the formal salute of a subject.
“Brother Yuanyi, there’s no need for this. Must we still be so distant?”
Xiao Wanyu smiled as she looked at him.
“Princess, though we are close, we are still sovereign and subject… and…”
Ji Yuanyi replied with a slightly awkward look, keeping a formal distance.
Seeing his expression, Xiao Wanyu understood what he meant.
“Brother Yuanyi, I was too forward. You are the number one scholar of Great Phoenix. Any inappropriate conduct would indeed tarnish your reputation.”
“Thank you, Princess, for your understanding.”
Ji Yuanyi smiled politely, appearing genuinely grateful.
“No need to be so formal, Brother Yuanyi. Very soon, we won’t need to keep any distance. Look, do you know what this is?”
As she spoke, Xiao Wanyu held out the divorce letter she had just received Qin Yan’s signature on and presented it to Ji Yuanyi.
Ji Yuanyi looked over and immediately noticed it was a divorce document. A flash of joy flickered in his eyes.
“A divorce letter?”
“Your Highness, are you truly going to separate from the prince consort? I’ve heard he has cared for you attentively over the past three years. Are you truly willing to leave him?”
Ji Yuanyi asked in apparent surprise, quickly turning to Xiao Wanyu for confirmation.
“Of course it’s true.”
“Brother Yuanyi, Qin Yan was just someone I found to replace you. When the Ji family was falsely accused and driven from the capital, I was in agony day and night, nearly died from heartbreak. By chance, I met Qin Yan, who happened to look somewhat like you. And at that time, the old faction was pressing my father to find me a new consort. I had no choice but to choose Qin Yan.”
“It was both to silence the ministers and to ease my longing for you.”
“Now that you’ve returned, Brother Yuanyi, why would I keep a mere stand-in like Qin Yan?”
Afraid that Ji Yuanyi might misunderstand, Xiao Wanyu quickly explained that Qin Yan was nothing more than a temporary replacement.
“But Princess, after three years of living together, is there truly no affection between you?”
Ji Yuanyi’s eyes flickered as he asked again.
“Affection? What affection? He was just a toy I found to console myself. What talk of feelings?”
“Brother Yuanyi, do you not believe me?”
Xiao Wanyu looked up at Ji Yuanyi, her eyes carrying a touch of grievance.
“No, no, I believe you, Princess. Of course I do. It’s just…”
“No ‘just.’ Brother Yuanyi, do you think that just because I’ve been married to Qin Yan for three years, I’m no longer pure and therefore unworthy of you?”
“That’s not it, not at all! I’m still a virgin. He’s never touched me in all these three years. I’m still pure—look, my chastity mark is still intact!”