“Hmph, wasn’t it his duty to be good to me?” Xiao Wanyu said coldly. “Without this princess, what is Qin Yan? These past three years, he’s been the Prince Consort, enjoying glory and wealth—that alone is the greatest reward I could’ve given him. It’s more than enough to repay whatever kindness he showed me.”
“Now that Ji Yuanyi has returned, I naturally want to pursue my true love. Only Ji Yuanyi is the one I truly desire for life. So, Father Emperor, Mother Empress, I ask you to grant me this.”
She scoffed at the Empress’s words. Clearly, she didn’t believe Qin Yan was as good as her mother claimed. In her eyes, everything Qin Yan had done was simply his obligation. Without her, what would he be? Perhaps a dead dog on the roadside.
“You…” The Empress’s face turned pale with anger at Xiao Wanyu’s heartless words.
“Enough, stop arguing,” Emperor Xiao Yuanwu finally spoke, his voice calm as his gaze fell on the divorce letter. After reading it, he looked at Xiao Wanyu and asked, “Changning, have you truly made up your mind? You really wish to divorce Qin Yan?”
“Of course, Father Emperor. I only wish to marry Ji Yuanyi. That Qin Yan is unworthy of me. Please approve my request to separate from him,” Xiao Wanyu said firmly, without hesitation.
“Sigh… very well.”
“Back then, if not for my own decision, you and Ji Yuanyi wouldn’t have been separated. Since you’ve made up your mind, I won’t stop you.”
“However, as your mother said, you must think carefully. Qin Yan is indeed a rare good man. Though not outstanding in talent, he has cared for you wholeheartedly. A man like that is hard to come by. Once gone, you may never find someone like him again.”
“As for Ji Yuanyi, he may have talent and capability, but he is not someone who will dedicate himself solely to love and affection. If you truly marry him, I fear you may be disappointed in the end. Think carefully,” Xiao Yuanwu advised.
He had no intention of obstructing his daughter. After all, he felt guilt for being the reason Xiao Wanyu and Ji Yuanyi were separated back then. However, as an emperor, he could clearly see that someone like Ji Yuanyi was unlikely to devote himself entirely to a woman. His ambitions would always come first. Compared to Qin Yan’s selfless care over the past three years, the contrast would be stark. He feared Xiao Wanyu would experience disappointment, and as a father, he felt obligated to remind her.
“Changning, your Father Emperor speaks the truth. Ji Yuanyi may be excellent, but he will never dedicate himself solely to you. You’re just blinded by the regret of your past with him. If you divorce Qin Yan and marry Ji Yuanyi now, I’m certain you’ll regret it,” the Empress added.
“Father Emperor, Mother Empress, how could you say that about Ji Yuanyi? How could he possibly be worse than Qin Yan?”
“I’ve already thought this through. Please allow the divorce. I won’t regret it.”
Xiao Wanyu had assumed her parents would immediately agree to the divorce. After all, Qin Yan had no background, no talent—how could such a mediocre Prince Consort compare to someone like Ji Yuanyi?
Yet she hadn’t expected them to try and dissuade her and even say she might regret it. From their tone, it almost sounded like they thought Ji Yuanyi was inferior to Qin Yan.
In that moment, Xiao Wanyu felt thoroughly displeased. She thought her parents had gone completely blind. How could Qin Yan ever be better than Ji Yuanyi?
“Enough. Since you’ve already decided, I won’t stop you,” Xiao Yuanwu said. “I approve your divorce from Prince Consort Qin Yan. From today onward, you are officially separated. There will be no further connection between you two. I will order the Ministry of the Imperial Clan to strip Qin Yan of his royal status. Are you satisfied now?”
Seeing his beloved daughter so determined, Xiao Yuanwu could only sigh inwardly and finally gave his approval.
“Thank you, Father Emperor, for fulfilling my wish,” Xiao Wanyu said with joy, immediately expressing her gratitude.
“Father Emperor, I have one more request…”
But before she could finish, Xiao Yuanwu interrupted, already anticipating her thoughts. “You want me to bestow a marriage decree for you and Ji Yuanyi, don’t you?”
Xiao Wanyu looked up excitedly and smiled. “Father Emperor is wise. I do hope you will grant us the marriage.”
Now that her divorce from Qin Yan was settled, she couldn’t wait to be with Ji Yuanyi.
“There’s no rush. You’ve just divorced Qin Yan. If I immediately grant a marriage decree for you and Ji Yuanyi, it would seem too eager and might spark criticism.”
“Wait for some time. Let the news of your divorce settle. Then I’ll find a proper opportunity to announce your marriage to Ji Yuanyi. How about that?”
Xiao Yuanwu didn’t reject her request but suggested patience.
“Alright, that works. Thank you, Father Emperor. I understand.”
Xiao Wanyu found his reasoning reasonable. She had just divorced, and an immediate marriage to Ji Yuanyi would definitely stir gossip. She didn’t mind, but Ji Yuanyi’s career was just taking off. His reputation mattered, and she didn’t want to bring him unnecessary trouble.
Now that the divorce was done, she could afford to wait a little longer. After all, Ji Yuanyi was already in the capital—what could possibly go wrong?
“Then go back for now. Qin Yan has been with you for three years. Even if he has no merit, he has endured hardship. Now that you’ve divorced, don’t treat him poorly. Make proper arrangements, so others won’t say our imperial family is heartless.”
“Yes, I understand. I’ll take my leave.”
Pleased and content, Xiao Wanyu no longer wished to linger. She wanted to hurry back and share the good news with her Brother Yuanyi.
“Your Majesty, how could you just agree like that and let her be so reckless?” the Empress complained the moment Xiao Wanyu left.
“Sigh, Empress, don’t you know your daughter’s nature by now? If I hadn’t agreed, she would’ve caused chaos. Who knows what outrageous thing she might have done?”
“Besides, it was indeed my decision back then that severed her ties with Ji Yuanyi. If I were to stop her again this time, she might end up resenting both of us.”