Xiao Qingxue, accompanied by Mingyue, was leaving the palace when she saw a luxurious carriage waiting outside the palace gates.
Over the past two years, she had dealt with Princess Royal De’an countless times—especially in the last six months, when she frequently visited the princess royal’s residence. So at a glance, she immediately recognized the carriage as belonging to Princess Royal De’an’s household.
Standing before the carriage was Nanny Gu, with six maids flanking either side and eight guards following behind.
Princess Royal De’an’s entourage was neither too large nor too small, but it was always lavish and formal—she never allowed herself the slightest indignity.
“Princess Consort.” Nanny Gu stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Xiao Qingxue. “Princess Royal has words she wishes to share with you.”
Without a word, Xiao Qingxue walked to the carriage and stood before the window. “Princess Royal.”
Princess De’an lifted the curtain, revealing a face of striking splendor—truly resplendent, her hair adorned with jingling vermilion hairpins, more lavish than any empress or consort in the palace.
“You sent word to me, saying you intend to divorce the Crown Prince.” Her eyes rested on Xiao Qingxue, probing beneath the surface. “Is this a threat to him, to me, or do you truly mean to part ways?”
For a royal princess, divorce was unthinkable—especially a consort daring to propose it to the heir apparent. It was no different from an egg striking stone.
Xiao Qingxue smiled faintly. “I have no need to threaten anyone. Yesterday I spoke with Pei Ziyan; he refused. Just now I met with the Empress. Two years ago, Her Majesty promised that if ever I had a request, so long as it did not involve treason, she would grant it. Yet when I presented the divorce letter and asked her to honor her word, she tore it to shreds.”
Princess Royal De’an narrowed her eyes. “You are serious?”
“Without the slightest falsehood.” Xiao Qingxue nodded slowly. “If Your Highness can persuade Pei Ziyan to sign the divorce letter, I will immediately present the prescription. From then on, you need never rely on others for your medicine.”
Princess Royal De’an asked evenly, “You are not of the capital. After divorcing the Crown Prince, where do you intend to go?”
Xiao Qingxue laughed. “The world is vast—surely there is a place for me.”
“The world may be vast, yet perhaps nowhere will shelter you.” Princess Royal De’an spoke not to frighten her, but in sober truth. “Though the Crown Prince’s foundation is not yet secure, dealing with a mere physician poses no difficulty. Even if you truly divorce him, you will not escape his grasp.”
Xiao Qingxue’s faint smile lingered, whether in scorn or indifference. She said calmly, “That need not trouble Your Highness. I will find my own way.”
Princess Royal De’an was silent for a moment, then asked, “Do you believe I can accomplish this for you?”
“I am not certain.” Xiao Qingxue’s tone was tranquil, as though it mattered little. “I simply have no mind to prepare medicines for now—unless someone resolves this matter of divorce with the Crown Prince.”
Princess Royal De’an understood.
Xiao Qingxue truly wished to divorce, and cared not who made it happen—only that it be done.
Princess Royal De’an did not know whether to be angry or amused: angry at Xiao Qingxue’s brazen boldness, amused at her naïve resolve.
A royal consort, a crown prince’s concubine—how dare she even entertain the thought of divorcing the heir apparent? Did she not know that under heaven, all lands belong to the sovereign; within the realm, all subjects serve the throne?
What was more absurd was that Princess Royal De’an actually felt compelled to help her. Not merely because Xiao Qingxue treated her illness, nor simply because she needed Xiao Qingxue’s prescriptions—but above all, because she despised Pei Ziyan’s faithless nature.
They say one should not burn the bridge after crossing the river. Yet he had not even reached the far bank, and already he was breaking his word—unworthy of a man’s responsibility.
Speak of the devil, and he appears.
Through the carriage window, Princess Royal De’an saw Pei Ziyan leaving the palace, two close guards at his side. His face was dark, as though freshly betrayed. When his eyes lifted and fell upon Xiao Qingxue standing before the carriage, speaking with the princess, his lips pressed tight and his hands slowly clenched. Suppressing his emotions, he strode forward with measured steps and bowed. “Aunt.”
“Crown Prince.” Princess Royal De’an’s voice was cool. “Qinxue was born humble, accustomed to freedom and ease. She cannot endure the strictures of royal life. Give her a divorce letter—set her free.”
Pei Ziyan’s face turned iron-blue. “Impossible.”
Princess Royal De’an’s expression hardened, her faint smile edged with disdain. “This is not a negotiation. You seek to marry the general’s daughter only to secure your position as heir. If you agree to give Qingxue a divorce letter, I can safeguard your claim. When you ascend the throne, it will be as solid as stone.”
Pei Ziyan ground his teeth. “I will never give her a divorce letter. I will never agree—”
“Zhou Yian of Duke Ding’s household has long admired Shanshan. He has sent proposals many times, and I have delayed only on account of her youth.” Princess Royal De’an’s tone was cold. “You should know what it would mean if my household were to ally with Duke Ding’s family.”
Duke Ding had risen by military merit, his victories once eclipsing even those of today’s Grand General. But an injury crippled his leg, leaving him unable to command in battle. His eldest son, Zhou Yian, inherited his father’s ambition. Gifted in both letters and arms, he was confined to the capital by imperial decree to serve his father in filial duty, barred from the frontier—a lifelong regret for both father and son.
For a family built on military glory, to be denied command meant power would fade, their name swallowed among the nobility. Thus the Duke had long sought a chance to send Zhou Yian to war.
Princess De’an’s consort, Su Cheng, hailed from a noble house. His elder brother was Count Cheng’an, and Cheng’an’s son, Su Yan, equally skilled in both civil and martial arts, commanded the Imperial Guards.
Princess Royal De’an and the Su family did not align themselves with any prince, which earned them the emperor’s trust.
The Su family maintained close ties with the princess royal’s household; the younger generation of the Su clan showed her great respect, and as cousins to the heir of her estate, their bond was deep.
If Princess Royal De’an were to ally through marriage with the Duke’s family, it would mean their interests would be shared. And the Duke had always supported Prince Rui, Pei Ziyu—for the Duke’s younger sister was the current Consort Xian, and Prince Rui was her son.
Should Princess Royal De’an openly side with Prince Rui, the court’s winds would shift accordingly. Her influence was not limited to her husband’s family; she held considerable leverage herself.
Because of his frail health, Pei Ziyan’s advantage as the empress’s son had long been diminished. Now that he had finally become Crown Prince, his position was still precarious. If Princess Royal De’an were to unite with the Duke’s household, then…
“The Crown Prince may not know,” Princess Royal De’an’s lips curved with a faint, mocking smile, “but Zhou Yian and Shanshan have long been devoted to each other. The marriage proposal has been raised several times. Setting aside our families’ political stance, I truly like that boy Yian—he is a man of responsibility. Do you know why I have delayed Shanshan’s marriage for over a year?”
Pei Ziyan’s pupils contracted, a thought flashing in his mind. His gaze toward the princess shifted. “Aunt, you mean…”
“Exactly as you suspect.” Princess Royal De’an smiled coolly. “Ziyan, it is not that I wish to make things difficult for you. But my health matters too, don’t you agree?”
Pei Ziyan lowered his eyes, their depths clouded, unreadable.