Xia Xing’er shook her head: “Your Majesty, this subject only wishes for a Divorce Decree.”
The Empress Dowager was taken aback. “You want a divorce from Helian Zhi?”
She had thought the girl had come to stop the emperor from bestowing the marriage, but she never expected her to be here requesting a divorce.
Xia Xing’er said, “Your Majesty, Helian Zhi and General Ye Qingyu have requested His Majesty to bestow their marriage based on their military achievements. This subject knows that even the emperor cannot refuse, lest he disappoint the hearts of thousands of soldiers. Today, Xing’er only asks for a Divorce Decree to fulfill the wishes of this pair of lovers.”
“No matter how nicely it is phrased, an equal wife is still a concubine. This subject does not wish to wrong Ye Qingyu, the only female general of the Xuan Yuan Dynasty.”
The Empress Dowager’s eyes held a complex expression. “Xing’er, do you know what you will face after the divorce?”
“I know.”
“Have your father and mother agreed to your divorce?”
Xia Xing’er replied, “This subject has not yet informed my father and mother, but I believe they will agree.”
“Your Majesty, you know best. Back then, it was Helian Zhi who promised my mother that in this lifetime, he would have Xing’er alone and never take a concubine, which is why he begged you to bestow the marriage.”
Tears welled up in Xia Xing’er’s eyes as she continued, “Today, he personally told me that he married me only because you bestowed the marriage, and that his true love is General Ye Qingyu. Although Xing’er is not a gentleman, she still has the heart to help others fulfill their wishes. This subject does not want to become a thorn between him and General Ye Qingyu.”
The Empress Dowager pondered for a moment. “Have you thought it through? Once the Divorce Decree is issued, there will be no turning back.”
Xia Xing’er kowtowed heavily on the ground. “Xing’er earnestly begs Your Majesty to grant this wish.”
The Empress Dowager felt she was acting impulsively and tried to persuade her again. “You are the principal wife. No matter what, Ye Qingyu will still be a concubine. As long as I am alive, she will never surpass you. There is truly no need for you to divorce.”
In her previous life, she had not divorced. When Helian Zhi demoted his wife to a concubine, no one spoke a single word in her defense. So, the Empress Dowager’s words were merely to be heard.
Xia Xing’er kowtowed again. “Xing’er does not wish to waste her life. I earnestly beg Your Majesty to grant this wish.” It may sound nice to call it a divorce, but in the eyes of the world, she would still be an abandoned woman.
Fine, she would just have to protect her more in the future.
The Empress Dowager waved her hand. “Rise. I grant it. You may return first. The Divorce Decree will be sent to the General’s Manor later.”
Xia Xing’er breathed a sigh of relief. “This subject kowtows in gratitude for Your Majesty’s favor.”
Watching her retreating figure, the Empress Dowager seemed to be speaking to herself, or perhaps to Granny Hua beside her.
“After all, she is his daughter!”
Only when Xia Xing’er was out of sight did the Empress Dowager turn to Granny Hua beside her. “Go and inform the emperor to come see me when he has a moment. I have something to say to him.”
In Qianqing Hall, Emperor Shunkang was reviewing memorials when Eunuch Wu, who attended him, reported, “Your Majesty, Granny Hua from the Empress Dowager’s side sent someone to say that when you have time, please go to her. She has matters to discuss.”
Emperor Shunkang put down the memorial in his hand. “Did she say what it was about?”
Eunuch Wu replied, “Today, Xia Xing’er, the legitimate daughter of the Changxin Marquisate, entered the palace.”
Emperor Shunkang frowned with displeasure. “It seems it’s about Helian Zhi wanting to marry Ye Qingyu as an equal wife. How thoughtless, to trouble the Empress Dowager over such a matter. Let’s go, prepare the carriage to Shoukang Palace.”
In Shoukang Palace, the Empress Dowager sat upright on a pearwood-backed chair, looking weary, as if she had been waiting for him.
“Your son pays respects to the Empress Dowager!” Emperor Shunkang stepped forward and bowed.
The Empress Dowager looked at this son before her and dismissed everyone. “Xing’er came just now, seeking a Divorce Decree. What do you think, Emperor?”
Emperor Shunkang was somewhat surprised. He had thought Xia Xing’er entered the palace to ask the Empress Dowager to intervene on her behalf, like other noble ladies, resorting to tears, tantrums, and threats.
However, he still did not approve of her actions.
“In this world, it is common for men to have multiple wives and concubines. To seek a divorce over such a matter sets a bad example for women across the land. If everyone were to follow her lead, would they all have to divorce?”
The Empress Dowager’s tone turned cold and stern. “Is that what the Emperor thinks? In our Xuan Yuan Dynasty, there is a law that forbids men from taking concubines within five years of marriage. On their wedding day, they did not even consummate the marriage before Helian Zhi went off to battle. For three years, Xing’er guarded his home, showing filial piety to her mother-in-law and kindness to his younger siblings. When he returned with achievements, instead of requesting an honorary title for Xing’er, he sought to take an equal wife. What does this say about his regard for Xing’er?”
“Emperor, are you all trying to drive this child to her death?”
As she spoke, tears streamed down the Empress Dowager’s face.
Seeing his mother weep, Emperor Shunkang immediately knelt before her. “Mother, I was mistaken. But Helian Zhi and Ye Qingyu requested a marriage decree based on their military merits. I had no choice.”
“Mother, Helian Zhi has already changed his heart. Since Xia Xing’er now seeks a Divorce Decree, she must have come to terms with it.”
The Empress Dowager also knew she could change nothing. “Then send the Divorce Decree and the marriage decree together to the General’s Manor. You may go now. I am weary.”
Hearing the Empress Dowager’s words, Emperor Shunkang felt a wave of relief, but seeing her expression, his heart ached again.
“Mother, you look pale. Should I summon the imperial physician?”
The Empress Dowager waved him off. “It is nothing. Go attend to your duties. Have Eunuch Wu by your side deliver the decrees later.”
When Helian Zhi returned to the General’s Manor, he was informed by the gatekeeper that Xia Xing’er had entered the palace at noon.
Instinctively, he assumed she had gone to complain and prevent the Emperor from granting the marriage decree. Anger surged within him.
He headed straight for Zhai Xing Yuan.
“Xia Xing’er!”
His voice arrived before he did. Chunliu trembled at the roar, immediately setting down her work and stepping in front of Xia Xing’er.
“What does the General intend to do?”
Helian Zhi did not spare her a glance, treating her question with disdain.
Xia Xing’er spoke calmly, “Chunliu, step aside.”
Chunliu obeyed her mistress and retreated to the side, but her eyes remained sharply fixed on Helian Zhi, ready to pounce and protect her lady if he dared to act.
Helian Zhi watched as Xia Xing’er sat quietly on the stool. The mere thought of her entering the palace to ask the Emperor not to grant the marriage decree made his icy gaze meet her calm, unwavering eyes. “Did you go to the palace today to ask His Majesty not to grant the marriage decree?”
Xia Xing’er nodded, then shook her head. “I did go to the palace today, but I did not ask His Majesty to withhold the marriage decree. Rest assured, your wedding with her will proceed as scheduled.”
Helian Zhi’s eyes were filled with sarcasm and disbelief. “Really? Xia Xing’er, I never thought you could be so hypocritical. Is this the upbringing of the Changxin Marquisate—daring to act but not to take responsibility?”
Xia Xing’er looked at this man, his face twisted with rage and spewing venom, and felt he was truly a stranger, as if she had never known him at all.
She even felt that this was not the Helian Zhi she knew, suspecting that he had been replaced by someone else. Perhaps she had never truly understood him at all.