Xiao Qingxue almost wanted to laugh. After a brief silence, she truly did laugh. “Is it that once a woman marries, any request she makes will always be dismissed as mere jealousy?”
The Empress frowned. “What do you mean?”
“This is the divorce letter I wrote this morning.” Xiao Qingxue drew the document from her sleeve and placed it on the table before the Empress. “Yesterday I had hoped the Crown Prince would write it himself, but he resisted. So I prepared one myself, only wishing he would sign it soon.”
The Empress’s face hardened. She had not expected Xiao Qingxue to be so obstinately defiant. Had she not listened to a single word?
From the moment Xiao Qingxue understood the Empress’s true intent, she had no desire to keep up the polite pretense. Her gaze met the Empress’s directly. “Before I was betrothed to the Crown Prince, Your Majesty once said that because I saved his life, no matter when, whatever request I made, you would grant it.”
Ignoring the Empress’s darkening expression, she spoke calmly: “My only request now is this—please have the Crown Prince sign this divorce letter… or rather, ask His Majesty to bestow one upon us.”
Yun Xueyao pressed her lips together, staring coldly at Xiao Qingxue. She hadn’t imagined this woman would dare to go to such outrageous lengths.
Threatening the Crown Prince with a divorce letter was one thing—but to brandish it before the Empress herself? Did she truly believe the Empress would not dare to punish her?
The Empress’s cheeks twitched, her brows and eyes shrouded in frost. She looked at the elegant, composed young woman before her, torn between anger at her insolence and the weight of her own promise.
An emperor’s word is law; an empress’s pledge is worth gold.
And Xiao Qingxue had indeed saved Pei Ziyan’s life. The Empress had never denied it, and in her heart she remained deeply grateful, striving to repay that debt. Today she had summoned Xiao Qingxue precisely to reassure her in front of Yun Xueyao: even if she became a secondary consort, her treatment would equal that of the Crown Princess, unchanged from before. She had intended to ensure Yun Xueyao would treat her kindly, as a sister, supporting one another.
Though Yun Xueyao was hot-tempered and imperious, the Empress was not blind to her faults. If she could choose freely, she would rather have Xiao Qingxue—skilled in medicine—by her son’s side, to safeguard him against poison or plots.
But Yun Xueyao’s father was the Grand General of the State. And Pei Ziyan, though restored to health, had only been Crown Prince for two years. His foundation at court was still fragile. Without the Yun family’s support, he could not hold his position securely.
The court was riddled with factions, rival princes watching like tigers. Pei Ziyan needed allies, needed to win over ministers and generals alike. It was a bitter necessity.
Xiao Qingxue had given her whole heart to the Crown Prince—so why could she not think for his sake? And when Ziyan ascended the throne one day, did she truly believe she could monopolize the harem, that he would have only her alone?
The atmosphere in the hall grew heavy, the air seeming to chill. The palace maids stood trembling at the sides, heads bowed, not daring to speak.
The Empress closed her eyes lightly. “Qinxue, you and the Crown Prince are harmonious as husband and wife; your bond is deep. I believed you to be a sensible woman. You should not put me in such a difficult position.”
“I do not mean to trouble Your Majesty,” Xiao Qingxue replied evenly. “But you once promised me yourself—whatever request I made, you would grant it.” She paused. “This request is not excessive. I only wish to regain my freedom.”
The Empress’s tone was cool. “You married of your own will. Since you have entered the imperial family, how can you speak of freedom? Among the sons and daughters of emperors, there has never been a precedent for divorce.”
“There has indeed been no precedent,” Xiao Qingxue nodded. “That is why I ask Your Majesty to honor your promise and break it.”
The Empress picked up the divorce letter before her, read it word by word, then slowly tore it apart. “Impossible. Abandon this thought at once.”
“If Your Majesty refuses, I will not press further.” Xiao Qingxue was unsurprised by the act, her lips curved in a calm smile. “But I am willing to make a wager with you.”
The Empress narrowed her eyes. “What wager?”
“Within ten days, Your Majesty will of your own accord propose that I divorce the Crown Prince.”
The Empress instinctively wanted to say it was impossible—but then she remembered Xiao Qingxue’s medical skill. Her expression shifted, her voice unsteady. “Xiao Qingxue, what are you planning?”
Xiao Qingxue’s reply was mild. “I had always believed the royal family most faithful to its word. The world knows the emperor’s word is law—if even the promises of the emperor and empress count for nothing…” She gave a faint, imperceptible smile. “I wonder how the world would regard the authority of the throne.”
“Xiao Qingxue!” Yun Xueyao rose to her feet, scolding angrily. “How dare you openly accuse Her Majesty the Empress!”
Xiao Qingxue’s gaze shifted slightly, mocking as she looked at Yun Xueyao. “Yesterday you were chased to your door by creditors, Miss Yun. I wonder—have those debts been settled yet?”
Yun Xueyao’s face flushed crimson. “How dare you!”
“The Emperor did indeed choose a Crown Princess of illustrious birth for the Crown Prince. Yet perhaps this is the first time since the founding of Yong that a Crown Princess has been hounded at her own gates for unpaid debts.” Xiao Qingxue’s tone was leisurely, her smile never reaching her eyes. “Truly eye‑opening.”
“Debts?” The Empress’s expression tightened as she turned toward Yun Xueyao. “What debts?”
“Your Majesty, do not listen to Xiao Qingxue’s nonsense—she is deliberately sowing discord—”
“Miss Yun owes Zhenbao Pavilion twenty‑three thousand taels. Of that, five thousand eight hundred were spent last month on a white jade screen for the Empress Dowager’s birthday, and another four thousand six hundred on a golden headpiece, presented to Your Majesty half a month ago.”
Xiao Qingxue smiled. “The remaining ten thousand taels went to bracelets, earrings, necklaces, hairpins for herself… not just one set, of course. Zhenbao Pavilion’s jewelry is costly, but not so exorbitant as to consume such a sum in a single purchase.”
With each word, Yun Xueyao’s face grew stiff and ugly. She looked in panic toward the Empress. “Your Majesty, I…”
“Is what she says true?” The Empress’s voice was unreadable. “Xueyao, why would you buy so many extravagant ornaments?”
Yun Xueyao stammered, “I… I did not want to be outshone by the noble ladies…”
The Empress trembled with anger. “The jewelry of noble families rarely exceeds a hundred taels. Even pieces bought for a few dozen taels are considered fine. And you—you spent over ten thousand taels on ornaments…”
“The Crown Prince arrives!” came the sharp announcement from outside.
Pei Ziyan strode in, his face marked with urgency. Seeing Xiao Qingxue still present, he exhaled almost imperceptibly in relief, then composed himself, straightened his robes, and stepped forward to bow to the Empress. “Your son has just come from court and has come to pay respects to Mother.”