Pei Ziyan’s face darkened to iron in an instant. His fists clenched tight. “Xiao Qingxue, don’t go too far—”
“Your Highness,” Yun Xiaoran’s brows furrowed, his voice cold and unyielding. “Since the Princess Consort so despises the title of Side Consort and insists on divorce, why not grant her wish? Better than letting her brandish the divorce papers as leverage, as if Your Highness could not live without her.”
If he thought those words would unsettle Xiao Qingxue, he was gravely mistaken.
Xiao Qingxue inclined her head slowly. “General Yun speaks true. Your Highness is now Crown Prince. In time there will be one Crown Princess, two Side Consorts, and countless concubines of every charm. When you ascend the throne, the harem will overflow with beauties. There is no need to keep me bound. A single divorce paper, and we release each other—then you may enjoy your destiny as Crown Prince, while I return to my freedom as a physician. Is that not the best of both worlds?”
Pei Ziyan’s expression seethed with fury, emotions surging like a storm-tossed sea. He clenched his teeth, his face dark and grim. He simply couldn’t understand—why must she insist on divorce? What was so wrong with being the Crown Prince’s consort? A free and unrestrained physician?
She was far too naïve. If she ever crossed paths with a domineering, licentious noble, she would still end up as nothing more than a plaything to be possessed. Did she truly believe the world was so peaceful that it would allow a beautiful woman to wander alone?
“Your Highness,” Yun Xiaoran’s gaze dimmed as he noticed the prince’s prolonged silence. “Is it because you cannot bear to part with the princess consort that you are willing to let her threaten you?”
Pei Ziyan’s expression grew colder still. After two years of marriage, he knew Xie Qingxue’s temperament better than anyone. This was no threat—she was utterly serious. Even if divorce meant becoming a laughingstock, even if no man would dare marry her again, she was resolute enough to leave herself no retreat.
Pei Ziyan’s chest burned with fury, searing him from within. He wanted to order her confined back to Shuangxue Courtyard, to have her guarded so tightly that she would never step beyond its gates again—let’s see if she would still dare speak of divorce then.
The atmosphere in the hall grew heavy, oppressive, suffocating.
At last, after what felt like an eternity, Pei Ziyan spoke coldly: “You want a divorce decree? Impossible. Abandon that thought.”
Yun Xiaoran narrowed his eyes, studying Xie Qingxue. She was indeed a beauty—graceful, dignified, with a serene air. Perhaps it was her background in medicine, but her brows carried a certain compassion for the world. If such a woman were his concubine, he too would never let her go easily. But Xueyao was his sister—anyone who offended her would never be easily forgiven. Since the Crown Prince refused divorce, then let her at least make amends.
“Princess Consort, there is no need to use divorce as a threat against His Highness.” Yun Xiaoran stood tall, his physique hardened by years of martial training, radiating an oppressive presence. When he spoke with a cold face, few women dared not to flinch. “As long as your maid kneels and apologizes to my sister, this matter will be settled. I will not press further.”
Xie Qingxue gave a strange smile, her gaze fixed on his face. “You must be joking.”
Yun Xiaoran froze, then clearly saw the mockery and disdain in her eyes. His expression darkened, as though coated in frost. “What did you say?”
“You must be joking,” Xie Qingxue repeated lightly. “General Yun, perhaps you should look in the mirror and see how arrogant and ignorant that face of yours is—so brutish and ugly.”
Yun Xiaoran’s face stiffened, turning iron-blue. “Princess Consort, you are far too insolent!”
“Are you even worthy of being called a man?” Mingyue sneered. “At best, you’re nothing more than a dog bullying others by power.”
“Mingyue, how dare you!” Pei Ziyan roared, furious. “Kneel!”
“My lady already said—you’re dreaming!” Mingyue shot back without the slightest hint of submission. “If anyone should kneel, kneel yourself. I will never bow to the likes of you.”
Yun Xiaoran and Yun Xueyao were both stunned. It wasn’t just anger—they could hardly believe it. A mere maid, daring to be so defiant? Where did she find such courage? Did she think the Crown Prince was made of paper, that he wouldn’t order her dragged out and beaten to death on the spot?
Pei Ziyan trembled with rage. For Xie Qingxue’s sake, he had restrained himself from punishing Mingyue. But the more he held back, the more brazenly she provoked him—defying authority, showing no regard whatsoever for the Crown Prince.
Pei Ziyan could endure no longer. His voice was icy as he commanded: “Guards!”
Two guards entered from outside the hall and dropped to one knee.
Pei Ziyan ordered, “Drag Mingyue out and flog her twenty times.”
Mingyue sneered. “Go ahead—try it.”
Pei Ziyan’s tone grew colder. “Forty!”
“Bullshit,” Mingyue shot back, squaring off against him. “Send one, I’ll kill one. Send two, I’ll kill both.”
“Drag her out!” Pei Ziyan lost control, roaring in fury. “Why are you still standing there? Take this insolent maid who knows no rank or respect and beat her to death!”
The two guards rose to seize Mingyue.
Xie Qingxue turned her gaze slightly, her face expressionless as she looked at Pei Ziyan. “Your Highness has not lost control in two years. Yet today, you falter again and again. It seems the title of Crown Prince does not suit you very well.”
No sooner had her words fallen than—bang, bang!—the two guards were kicked flying through the air, crashing heavily onto the bluestone outside the hall.
Yun Xueyao leaped up in shock. “You wretched maid—you actually know martial arts?”
A flicker of astonishment crossed Pei Ziyan’s eyes. Clearly, he too had never imagined Mingyue possessed such formidable skill.
“Of course,” Mingyue said, clapping her hands. “If I had no means of defense, how could I protect my lady while she heals the sick? How could I stand up for her when others try to bully her?”
The hall fell into dead silence.
Yun Xiaoran gave a chilling laugh. “No wonder you’re so arrogant and unruly. So you’ve got martial arts to back you up.”
Mingyue only sneered in reply.
“Too bad two fists can’t beat four hands. What use is your skill against the Crown Prince’s many guards?” Yun Xiaoran’s voice was low and venomous. “The more you resist, the faster you’ll die.”
With that, he suddenly barked coldly: “Guards!”
Six blade-bearing guards filed in neatly from the doorway—Yun Xiaoran’s personal men. They were not from Prince Jin’s household and did not know Xie Qingxue or Mingyue, so naturally they would show no mercy.
Yun Xiaoran commanded, “Seize this wretched maid—”
“General! General!” A servant stumbled in from outside, breathless and urgent. “Madam sent word—you and Miss must return at once. The treasurer of the Treasure Pavilion has come with the bill, demanding payment.”
Yun Xueyao’s face changed instantly, panic flashing across her features.
Yun Xiaoran turned sharply, his voice thunderous: “What bill?”
“The people from Zhenbao Pavilion said… said Miss bought jewelry and ornaments on credit.” The servant lifted his head slightly, glancing uneasily at Yun Xueyao. “And men from Mobao Pavilion and Xiuluo Pavilion have come too. They all say Miss owes them silver. More than a dozen are gathered outside the Yun family gates…”
“I…” Yun Xueyao rose to her feet, her face pale. “Didn’t they say I could delay payment?”
“Xueyao.” Yun Xiaoran stared at her in disbelief, his face dark with fury. “You truly bought on credit?”