Yun Xueyao’s face turned livid with fury at those words. What she hated most was people bringing up her background. Though she was fortunate enough to be born in the capital, she was never considered a true noble daughter of a great clan. Her father had started as nothing more than a lowly soldier. Step by step, through sheer martial skill and fearless courage, he clawed his way up in the army. Ten years ago, he was only a minor officer; eight years ago, he rose to Fourth-Rank General of the Martial Guard. With repeated military merits, seven years ago he was promoted to Third-Rank Grand General of Huaihua, and only five years ago did he finally attain the lofty position of Second-Rank Assistant General of the Nation.
By the time her father became a great general, Yun Xueyao was already thirteen. Unlike the daughters of noble houses, she had not been raised under strict, refined tutelage. Those aristocratic young ladies often looked down on her.
Thus, Xiao Qingxue’s words struck straight at her heart like a blade.
Yun Xueyao lost all reason in that instant and shouted angrily: “Slap her mouth for me! Beat master and servant together!”
She truly was different from those noble-born daughters of great clans—but so what? Hadn’t she been granted in marriage to the Crown Prince all the same? Once the Crown Prince ascended the throne, she would be Empress, mother of the nation. Who would dare look down on her then?
Yun Xueyao’s maid stepped forward, hand raised, ready to slap Xiao Qingxue across the face.
Mingyue’s expression turned icy. “This is going too far!” She strode forward, seized the maid’s wrist, and without mercy delivered two sharp slaps. Smack! Smack!
The maid staggered back, her cheeks instantly swelling red. Clutching her face, she stared at Mingyue in disbelief. “You… you dare hit me?”
“What of it?” Mingyue’s gaze was cold. “Parasites like you who bully others by clinging to power deserve to be beaten. A mere lowly servant dares lay hands on my lady? You must have the courage of a beast!”
“You…” Yun Xueyao trembled with rage, raising her hand to point at her. “You insolent—” But her eyes suddenly shifted toward the palace gates. They reddened, and her voice quavered: “Your Highness the Crown Prince…”
Pei Ziyan emerged from within the palace. At the sight before him, his expression darkened.
Yun Xueyao hurried forward, speaking in a pitiful tone: “Please, Your Highness, uphold justice for me.”
“What is going on here?” Pei Ziyan frowned.
Head lowered, Yun Xueyao choked out: “I knew Sister Xiao was upset, so I waited here to apologize. But I never imagined she…”
She looked as though she had suffered a grave injustice, turning her tearful gaze toward Xiao Qingxue. “I know Sister Xiao resents me, but the position of Crown Princess was not mine to seize—it was bestowed by His Majesty. Even if Sister feels wronged, she should not have her maid strike my people.”
Pei Ziyan’s eyes swept over the gathered maids. Sure enough, one bore a swollen cheek marked with clear fingerprints. His face hardened as he looked at Mingyue. “It was you who struck her?”
Mingyue answered coldly, “And if I did? Does Your Highness mean to punish me?”
Her deliberate emphasis on “Your Highness the Crown Prince” dripped with open mockery.
Pei Ziyan pressed his lips together, turning toward Xiao Qingxue—only to meet her mocking gaze. His expression stiffened. “Qingxue, this matter… Mingyue was in the wrong…”
“So, Your Highness the Crown Prince intends to punish Mingyue?” Xiao Qingxue deliberately stressed the four words “Your Highness the Crown Prince”, her tone dripping with mockery.
Yun Xueyao whipped her head around, staring at the mistress and maid in disbelief. Was this truly how they dared speak to the Crown Prince?
“Mingyue, kneel and apologize to Lady Yun,” Pei Ziyan’s expression darkened, his voice brooking no refusal. “Both sides were at fault today, but as a servant, you should never have struck first.”
Mingyue sneered. “Dream on.” She wanted to spit out a crude curse, but remembering her mistress was still his consort, she held back, unwilling to shame her lady.
Pei Ziyan’s face chilled. “You—”
“Even defying the Crown Prince’s command? You truly have no fear of death,” Yun Xueyao fanned the flames. “It must be that His Highness indulges you far too much. Even a lowly maid beside the Princess Consort dares forget her place, with no sense of rank or propriety. A servant like you deserves to be dragged out and beaten to death with clubs.”
Mingyue nodded. “You’re right—I’ve indeed been spoiled beyond measure. But people like you dare speak of rank before my lady? How laughable.”
“Impudent!” Pei Ziyan’s voice was ice. “Mingyue, kneel!”
Yun Xueyao looked triumphantly toward Xiao Qinxue.
“My maid kneels to no one.” Xiao Qinxue’s tone was cool and distant, cutting off any approach. “Mingyue will not apologize to Yun Xueyao. Your Highness need not waste your breath.”
Yun Xueyao grew frantic. “Your Highness, look at her!”
“Qingxue…” Pei Ziyan’s gaze dimmed, his hands at his sides slowly curling into fists. “Have I truly spoiled you too much?”
“Rubbish!” Mingyue burst out, unable to hold back. “Two years ago, if not for my lady, you’d already be rotting in the underworld! Pei Ziyan, the one spoiled is you—ungrateful, heartless, treacherous! My lady saving you was the greatest mistake of her life—”
“Mingyue.” Xiao Qingxue’s calm voice cut her off. Her eyes met Pei Ziyan’s steadily. “She’s right. I have indeed been spoiled. That’s why I no longer deserve to be your consort or concubine. From this moment, our bond is finished.”
Pei Ziyan’s face changed abruptly.
“Pei Ziyan, once we return to the prince’s manor, I will write a divorce letter for you,” Xiao Qingxue declared, her decision firm. “From then on, man and woman will part ways, each to their own life.”
Having spoken, she clearly had no interest in wasting another moment with them. Taking Mingyue’s hand, she turned and walked toward her carriage.
Pei Ziyan froze, the blood draining from his face bit by bit.
Divorce? She dared to speak of divorce?
“Absurd!” Yun Xueyao shouted furiously at Xiao Qingxue’s retreating back. “You’re deliberately threatening His Highness! Xiao Qingxue, there has never been a precedent for divorce in royal marriages! You’re dreaming!”
Xiao Qingxue ignored her hysteria, calm and composed as she stepped into the carriage.
Mingyue followed, her face twisted with indignation. “Miss, you’ve wasted three years on him for nothing. If only we had known back then—”
“Mingyue,” Xiao Qingxue’s voice was gentle, “I do not regret it.”
Mingyue blinked in shock. “Miss?”
“I came here because of a broken dream. I wanted to know what lay beyond that incomplete vision. Now I have my answer. There is nothing to regret, no lingering sorrow. Let’s just say I’ve fulfilled a wish of my own.”
Mingyue nodded softly. “Mm.”
The carriage rolled forward, slowly leaving the palace behind.
Pei Ziyan fought to steady the tremor in his fingers, but a dark premonition welled up in his heart. No. He would never agree to divorce.
“Attend me! Bring my horse!” he barked.
“Your Highness,” Yun Xueyao tugged at his sleeve in panic, “Concubine Xiao is only trying to threaten you. She’s just a physician’s daughter with no family to rely on—she wouldn’t dare divorce you. Please don’t believe her words…”
The guards led forth his steed. Without sparing Yun Xueyao a glance, Pei Ziyan mounted swiftly and galloped after the departing carriage.
“Your Highness!” Yun Xueyao cried, stamping her foot in desperation. “Your Highness!”