“Father, Mother, what I’m about to say may sound unbelievable, but every word is true!”
Seeing their daughter so serious, the elderly couple realized this must be important—likely not good news—and grew even more tense.
“Xing’er, say whatever you need to. You’re our daughter; of course we believe you,” said Xia Chengsheng.
“I’ve been reborn. Do you believe me?”
Though she had resolved to reveal everything, her heart still trembled with anxiety. She feared her parents wouldn’t believe her, feared seeing doubt in their eyes…
Hearing this, Xia Chengsheng and Liu Youran widened their eyes, momentarily stunned.
Seeing her parents’ shocked expressions, Xia Xing’er took a deep breath and continued, “In two days, our family will be confiscated and exiled.”
Xia Xing’er’s words struck like thunder, exploding in the hearts of Xia Chengsheng and Liu Youran. They exchanged glances, each seeing shock and disbelief in the other’s eyes.
“Xing’er, what… what is going on? How do you know our family will be confiscated and exiled in two days?” Xia Chengsheng asked, his voice trembling.
Tears streaming down her face, Xia Xing’er slowly recounted her experience of rebirth and everything she knew. As the elderly couple listened to their daughter’s story, their hearts surged with turmoil.
“Since heaven has given Xing’er a second chance, we cannot just sit and wait for disaster!” Xia Chengsheng said firmly, clenching his fists.
“But what should we do?” Liu Youran asked anxiously.
After a moment of thought, Xia Chengsheng said, “Xing’er, you said we were implicated because of our close ties with Zhennan Wang.”
“Yes. This time, Zhennan Wang achieved a great victory against the Northern Di, adding to his military merit. The emperor has long been wary of his youngest brother. If Zhennan Wang hadn’t been too young when the late emperor passed away, who would sit on the throne might not have been certain.
The late emperor entrusted the Heijia Army, which should have been under the emperor’s direct command, to Zhennan Wang. It became his trump card—and also a death warrant.
How can an emperor tolerate another sleeping beside his throne?”
Xia Xing’er found this emperor utterly exasperating. Zhennan Wang commanded 400,000 troops, including 50,000 elite Heijia soldiers who could fight one against a hundred. If he had wanted the throne, it would have been effortless.
In her previous life, on the day Zhennan Wang returned triumphantly to pay respects to his imperial brother, he handed over his command of 400,000 troops to ease the emperor’s mind.
Zhennan Wang, Xuanyuan Yi, took to the battlefield at age ten, fighting and defending the borders of the Xuan Yuan Dynasty for over a decade, protecting its people. In the end, he met a tragic death at the hands of his own family. How pitiful, how lamentable!
Her three elder brothers had been close to him since childhood, with her second brother serving as a deputy general under his command.
“Father, Mother, we cannot hide from this. We must prepare as soon as possible…” Before Xia Xing’er could finish, a voice called from outside: “Imperial Edict has arrived!”
The three inside the room exchanged bewildered glances. Why would an Imperial Edict come at this time? Though puzzled, they proceeded outside to receive it.
Steward Huang Bo had already prepared the incense table.
Once again, it was Eunuch Wu from the emperor’s side who came to deliver the edict.
Eunuch Wu glanced at the assembly and announced, “Xia Xing’er, receive the edict.”
Xia Xing’er stepped forward and knelt. “Xia Xing’er receives the edict.”
The rest of the Marquis’s Mansion knelt behind her.
“By the decree of Heaven and the mandate of the Emperor, it is proclaimed: Xia Xing’er, the legitimate daughter of Changxin Marquis Xia Chengsheng, is virtuous, gentle, dignified in conduct, graceful in demeanor, possessing extraordinary elegance, refined and generous, warm-hearted and sincere, with outstanding character and appearance. We have heard of this with great pleasure. Now, Zhennan Wang Xuanyuan Yi has reached the age of marriage and it is time to select a virtuous woman as his match. As Xia Xing’er is of marriageable age within the kingdom, she and Zhennan Wang are a match made in heaven. To fulfill this beautiful union, We hereby bestow upon Xia Xing’er the title of Zhennan Wangfei. Receive this decree with gratitude!”
What does this dog emperor mean? She had just received her Divorce Decree yesterday, and today he sends another imperial marriage decree.
The key point is that the match is Zhennan Wang, the war god prince in the hearts of the people of the Xuan Yuan Dynasty.
There are so many noble daughters of officials in the capital waiting to be married, yet he chooses her—a divorced woman, and the former wife of a subordinate. This is a blatant use of her to humiliate Zhennan Wang.
In her previous life, there was no such imperial marriage decree. It seems her rebirth has triggered a butterfly effect.
And she has no choice but to accept this decree. How frustrating.
Xia Xing’er kowtowed. “Xia Xing’er receives the decree and thanks Your Majesty for your great grace!”
Eunuch Wu smiled and said, “Congratulations, Changxin Marquis. Your household has produced a Zhennan Wangfei.”
Xia Chengsheng felt bitter inside. If he hadn’t known the future fate of the Changxin Marquisate and Zhennan Wang’s estate, he would have been delighted and grateful to the Emperor upon receiving this decree.
But now, he truly couldn’t feel any joy. However, he had to maintain a calm expression on the surface.
Xia Chengsheng cupped his hands. “Congratulations to you as well. You’ve worked hard, Eunuch Wu.” As he spoke, he handed him a pouch.
Eunuch Wu felt the pouch and discreetly slipped it into his sleeve, his smile widening a bit more.
“Well then, Marquis, you must be busy. I shall return to the palace to report back.”
With that, he led the Imperial Guards away in a grand manner.
As the Emperor’s personal attendant, he naturally understood the Emperor’s intentions and knew the fate that awaited these two households.
At the same time, Zhennan Wang’s estate received the same decree, though the one receiving it was different.
After the eunuch who delivered the decree left, before Xuanyuan Yi could say anything, Liuyun already voiced his indignation.
“What does the Emperor mean by this? Using a divorced, discarded woman to humiliate His Highness? There are so many noble ladies in the capital lining up to marry His Highness.”
Though Liuxing remained silent, his expression conveyed everything. His thoughts were the same as Liuyun’s.
Xuanyuan Yi was secretly pleased. No one knew that from the first time he saw Xia Xing’er, he had been captivated by her.
Three years ago, when the Marquis’s Mansion announced they were seeking a husband for Xia Xing’er, he had gone to propose marriage but was rejected by the Marchioness.
Simply because he was a member of the royal family. Even though he had promised a lifetime of devotion to one person, he was still refused.
Because they all knew that his marriage was not his to decide. If the Emperor or the Empress Dowager sent women to his household, he would be unable to refuse.
He used military affairs as an excuse to distance himself to the borderlands. Later, he learned from Xia Qingfeng that she had married—married that son of the declining General’s Manor, Helian Zhi.
Later, as the war intensified, Helian Zhi also came to the borderlands as reinforcements.
For her sake, he continuously gave Helian Zhi opportunities to earn military merit.
Helian Zhi did earn merit, but what he never expected was that upon returning, Helian Zhi’s first action wasn’t to request an honorary title for her, but to use his military merit to marry another female general.
He felt she deserved better, but he had no standing to do anything for her.
Later, he heard that she had petitioned for a Divorce Decree. He knew his chance had come; he did not want to miss her again.
He entered the palace overnight, arriving at the emperor’s study.
“For my imperial brother to seek an audience with me so late at night, I wonder what the matter might be.”
Emperor Shunkang looked down at Xuanyuan Yi kneeling below, his eyes slightly narrowed. His right hand continuously stroked the thumb ring on his left hand, as if deep in thought.
Xuanyuan Yi had always known that his imperial brother was wary of him, constantly suspicious of his intentions.