“This…”
“I, too, understand all of this,” the Empress said with a helpless sigh, her expression filled with worry. “But everything Qin Yan has done over the past three years—we’ve both seen it. His devotion to Changning, we witnessed it all. I’m just afraid… afraid she’ll regret it someday.”
“Don’t worry, Empress, I’ve already considered that possibility,” Xiao Yuanwu suddenly smiled slyly, giving her a knowing look.
“You’ve considered it? Then… could it be…” The Empress paused in surprise. When she saw that sly smile on Xiao Yuanwu’s face, she immediately understood.
“You’re intentionally not granting the marriage between Changning and Ji Yuanyi?”
“Exactly. As long as I don’t bestow the marriage, Changning still has a chance to turn back. She’s been spoiled by Qin Yan for three years, yet she’s blind to his care and sacrifices. Now that they’re divorced, once Qin Yan leaves the Princess’s residence, the place will descend into disorder. Then she’ll gradually come to realize how important he was.”
“When she finally understands that the person she truly can’t live without is Qin Yan, she’ll come begging me to undo the decree. At that time, I’ll have them reunite and repair the broken mirror. Their relationship will surely be stronger than before.”
“So, Empress, don’t be in a hurry. Let your daughter come to this realization herself.”
Xiao Yuanwu truly lived up to his title as Emperor—everything was within his grasp. The reason he didn’t immediately grant the marriage between Ji Yuanyi and Xiao Wanyu was precisely to leave this path open. That way, even if Xiao Wanyu regretted it later, there would still be room to turn things around.
“Your Majesty is wise,” the Empress beamed with delight, all her earlier worries vanished. Watching Xiao Wanyu’s retreating figure, she murmured, “Silly child… you’d better come to your senses soon.”
Jinyang City, the founding site of the Great Phoenix Empire.
The Great Phoenix Empire had stood for over 200 years, and its founding ancestor had raised his banner in Jinyang. Because of this, Jinyang held a unique status—it was the secondary capital of the empire.
In the southern part of Jinyang, a grand residence stood tall. It was clearly newly constructed, its luxurious architecture covered in intricate carvings and ornate beams.
This was the renowned residence of Princess Jinyang.
Its owner was none other than Princess Jinyang, Xiao Chuo.
Xiao Chuo was the youngest sister of the current Emperor, Xiao Yuanwu, and the only daughter of the Late Emperor. From childhood, she had been deeply favored.
At the age of three, she was officially titled Princess of Jinyang with a real fief and land, stationed in the founding city of the empire—Jinyang—demonstrating her unrivaled status.
After the Late Emperor passed and Xiao Yuanwu ascended the throne, he elevated his only sister Xiao Chuo to the rank of “Eldest Princess,” making her the only one in the empire to hold that title and the foremost among all princesses.
Though she held the title of Eldest Princess, she was actually two years younger than Xiao Yuanwu’s eldest daughter. Now, Xiao Chuo was only twenty-three years old.
“Your Highness, urgent news from the capital!”
Inside the residence, Xiao Chuo was in her study reading, holding a book with a pink cover titled Red Chamber. She was completely engrossed, palace maids standing by her side.
Hearing someone enter with news, she quickly set the book down. Her bright eyes immediately locked onto the messenger.
“Speak. What happened to him?”
“Uh…”
Even though the messenger had seen her many times before, he couldn’t help but freeze for a moment when Xiao Chuo looked up. Her face was simply too beautiful—beyond words. Even the phrase “a beauty who could bring down a nation” couldn’t do her justice.
Xiao Chuo wasn’t just the Eldest Princess; she was also known as the most beautiful woman in the Great Phoenix Empire. Every glance, every smile could steal the soul and leave one helplessly captivated.
“Reporting to Your Highness, news from the capital says Princess Changning entered the palace yesterday to request a divorce from Prince Consort Qin Yan. His Majesty has approved the request. As of now, Princess Changning and Prince Consort Qin Yan have officially divorced, and Qin Yan has been removed from the royal registry and left the Princess’s residence.”
“Divorced… he’s finally divorced…”
Hearing this, Xiao Chuo’s eyes lit up with joy. She had waited so long, and at last, the news she had longed for had arrived.
“Where is he? Is he still in the capital?” she immediately asked.
“Yes, Qin Yan is still in the capital.”
“Good. Very good.”
“Someone, prepare the carriage immediately. I’m returning to the capital.”
Upon learning that Qin Yan hadn’t left the capital, Xiao Chuo’s eyes gleamed. She wasted no time and ordered preparations to set out at once.
“Qin Yan… Qin Yan… Qin Yan…”
In the capital, inside Princess Changning’s residence.
Xiao Wanyu slowly opened her eyes. The moment she woke up, she felt a dull ache in her head. The name that slipped from her lips was Qin Yan’s.
“Princess, you’re awake. Are you feeling unwell?”
Several palace maids rushed in upon hearing her voice. Seeing her awake, they quickly came forward to check on her.
“Why is it you all? Where’s Qin Yan? Where did he go? Have him come serve me.”
Seeing only her maids and not Qin Yan, she frowned and ordered them to go fetch him. In her heart, she was already annoyed. How dare Qin Yan not be at her side the moment she woke up? In the past, he was always there. He took care of all her daily needs.
“This…”
The palace maids looked at each other, momentarily at a loss.
“What are you all standing around for? Go get Qin Yan for me!” Xiao Wanyu snapped.
“Please forgive us, Princess… the Prince Consort… he’s not here anymore,” one of the maids stammered, dropping to her knees in fear.
“Not here? Where did he go?” Xiao Wanyu paused and asked.
“Princess… have you forgotten? Yesterday you divorced Prince Consort Qin Yan. His Majesty approved it. He packed his things and left the residence yesterday,” one of the maids carefully reminded her.
“Divorced?”
She froze. Then, after a slight shake of her head, the memories slowly returned.
“Ah, right… how could I forget… I’ve already divorced Qin Yan.”
Xiao Wanyu murmured to herself. Only now did it fully hit her—she had already separated from Qin Yan. He was no longer her Prince Consort, no longer lived in the residence. At this moment, Qin Yan no longer existed in her world.