Xiao Qingxue said nothing.
Leaving those words behind, Pei Ziyan suppressed his fury and walked away.
“Be a concubine?” Mingyue exploded, glaring at Pei Ziyan’s retreating back and shouting, “Nonsense! Go dream your Spring and Autumn fantasy!”
Xiao Qingxue lowered her gaze, calmly sipping her tea, utterly unmoved by Pei Ziyan’s remark.
“Don’t be hasty,” she said with leisurely composure. “He can say whatever he likes—you don’t need to take it to heart.”
“But this servant cannot bear him humiliating you, my lady!” Mingyue was so enraged she could kill. “I want to go to the Yun household tonight and chop that arrogant Yun Xueyao into pieces—let’s see how she dares to become Crown Princess then!”
Xiao Qingxue cast her a glance. “If you chop Yun Xueyao into pieces, there will still be Wang Xueyao, Li Xueyao, Shen Xueyao… The one who changed his heart is Pei Ziyan. What do the others matter?”
Just as Pei Ziyan himself had said, an emperor’s harem could never be empty. Without Yun Xueyao, there would always be another woman. They were destined to reach this point sooner or later. Since that was the case, wasn’t it better to part early than late? She even felt she ought to thank Yun Xueyao.
“The maidservants outside reported more guards stationed around Shuangxue Courtyard,” Mingyue frowned, worry clouding her face. “My lady, will we truly be able to leave as we wish?”
“Since Pei Ziyan refuses the divorce, of course he won’t let me go easily.” Xiao Qingxue took a sip of tea, her voice calm and steady. “But don’t worry. I’ve already had Yinfeng send out the letter. Within ten days, we’ll leave Yong smoothly.”
Mingyue nodded. “Mm.”
Xiao Qingxue lowered her eyes and smiled faintly. “Just as well—I need these ten days to reclaim what I once gave away.”
If she wanted to leave tonight, she could. But she had to obtain the divorce document. She wanted the royal clan and all the court officials of Yong to know: from this day forward, she and Pei Ziyan had no ties whatsoever. When severing, it must be absolute—no lingering threads, no entanglements.
Outside Shuangxue Courtyard, more guards had indeed been posted.
Driven to fury by Xiao Qingxue’s unwavering resolve to divorce, Pei Ziyan lost control of his emotions. As soon as he stepped out, he ordered the commander of Prince Jin’s manor to transfer more guards: “Guard the front and back gates. Do not allow the princess consort or her maid to leave Shuangxue Courtyard.”
“Yes.”
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince.” A guard hurried forward, dropped to one knee, and reported: “General Yun’s son from the General’s residence requests an audience.”
Pei Ziyan turned his head toward Shuangxue Courtyard, closed his eyes lightly, and suppressed the gloom within them. “Invite Young Master Yun to the front hall and serve him tea.”
“Yes.”
Pei Ziyan lifted his foot and departed.
Yun Baocheng had risen from poverty. To save a mouthful of food, he enlisted in the army at twelve. Diligent in martial practice, he distinguished himself time and again, earning repeated promotions until he reached the rank of Second Grade Auxiliary State General. His humble origins set him apart from the noble families of the capital. He spent most of his years at the frontier, neglecting his daughter’s upbringing. His wife was the daughter of a deputy officer he married before becoming a general—also unlike the refined daughters of aristocratic households. Thus, the Yun children had never received proper training or strict education.
The eldest son, Yun Xiaoran, lived up to his name—valiant and fierce—but his temper was poor, and he was fiercely protective. His younger sister, Yun Xueyao, was the treasure he held in his palm; he never allowed anyone to bully her.
Today, Yun Xueyao had suffered humiliation. Yun Xiaoran came to vent her grievance, which was natural. Yet he seemed to forget his own station, forget that Pei Ziyan was the Crown Prince. Whether Xiao Qingxue was Princess Consort or Crown Prince’s concubine, she belonged to the Crown Prince. It was not his place to come demanding justice.
Pei Ziyan’s expression was dark as he entered the front hall with his guards.
Inside, the newly betrothed Crown Princess-to-be, Yun Xueyao, sat weeping softly. Yun Xiaoran’s face was stern, brimming with anger.
“The Crown Prince arrives!”
Yun Xueyao quickly wiped her tears, rose with her brother, and bowed to Pei Ziyan.
Yun Xiaoran dropped to one knee. “Greetings to Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
“No need for excessive ceremony—be seated.” Pei Ziyan walked to the main seat and sat down, his expression blank. “The maid beside Qingxue has served in the prince’s manor for three years. Her nature is forthright, spoiled by both myself and Qingxue. Today, she defended her mistress and struck a Yun servant. That was her fault, and I have already punished her.”
Yun Xiaoran cupped his hands. “Your Highness, Crown Prince, Snowyao was betrothed to you by imperial decree. It was not forced by the Yun family. Even if the Princess Consort feels aggrieved, she should not indulge her maid to bully Xueyao.”
Pei Ziyan remained silent.
“Today, outside the palace gates, her maid struck Xueyao’s maid. In the eyes of the Imperial Guards, that is as if a concubine struck the future Crown Princess—an act of insubordination.” Yun Xiaoran lowered his gaze. “I beg Your Highness to judge impartially.”
Pei Ziyan said lightly, “And what do you propose?”
Yun Xiaoran replied, “Even if she is not executed by the rod, at the very least she should be punished with twenty strokes.” He felt this request was not excessive.
Pei Ziyan lifted his teacup, lowered his eyes, and sipped without a word.
Indeed, Yun Xiaoran’s demand was not unreasonable. Yet Xiao Qingxue, though outwardly gentle, was stubborn to the core. She would never stand by and watch Mingyue beaten without resistance. If pressed, another quarrel was inevitable.
“Does Your Highness find my request unreasonable?” Yun Xiaoran raised his head, staring at Pei Ziyan’s silence. “I grew up in the army, where mistakes are always punished. Your Highness, as heir apparent, should set an example for princes and ministers alike. In the household, ranks must be clear, rewards and punishments distinct, so that all may be convinced. I beg Your Highness to decide fairly.”
Pei Ziyan set down his cup. “I understand the young general is accustomed to military discipline. But today’s matter cannot be laid entirely at Qingxue’s feet.”
Yun Xueyao suddenly lifted her head, staring at him in disbelief, her eyes reddening. “Your Highness means… you blame me?”
Yun Xiaoran frowned, his face darkening.
“Though Father has issued the decree, until Xueyao enters the Eastern Palace, she is not yet Crown Princess.” Pei Ziyan idly turned the jade ring on his finger. “Xiao Qingxue, though now titled concubine, is my properly wedded wife by formal rites. Xueyao, as the daughter of a general’s household, you ought to pay her respect.”
Yun Xueyao’s face turned deathly pale. To make her bow to that wretched Xiao Qinxue?
“Your maid offended the secondary consort. Mingyue’s punishment was not inappropriate,” Pei Ziyan said coolly. “If you believe there is no distinction of rank within the Crown Prince’s residence, then once you marry into the Eastern Palace, you will have the authority and duty to manage the inner court. But before the marriage, you do not.”
At these words, Yun Xueyao’s expression froze. “So what the Crown Prince means is that my maid was beaten for nothing, and I was humiliated for nothing as well?”
Yun Xiaoran’s face darkened, clearly displeased with this outcome.
Pei Ziyan turned and ordered the guards: “Send Nanny Zhou to Shuangxue Courtyard. Summon the Princess Consort and Mingyue here.”
The guards accepted the command and departed.
Pei Ziyan continued, “I will have Mingyue come and apologize to you in person.”