Divorce
Madam Song and Song Chengyu were so anxious their hearts felt like they were about to leap out of their chests.
The Emperor had just been so amiable toward them, and it seemed he was about to bestow rewards upon the Song household—perhaps even grant her the title of First-Rank Lady.
They could not let this opportunity slip away.
With their minds made up.
Madam Song hurried forward to bow, her movements deliberately or inadvertently displaying a maidenly charm.
“Your Majesty, you once said that when Chengyu marries, you would allow him to inherit the marquisate. I dare to ask Your Majesty to fulfill this promise.”
Had he said that?
The Emperor was momentarily taken aback. Perhaps he had said it. In any case, Song Chengyu had some achievements to his name and would inherit sooner or later, so it didn’t really matter.
Just as he was about to nod.
He heard Jiang Zhaoying speak with concern.
“But, Mother… my husband is currently unwell and his temperament is not yet settled. Why not wait a little longer? Once he recovers, you can ask His Majesty for approval?”
Madam Song’s heart instantly rose to her throat, and Song Chengyu hurriedly looked toward the Emperor.
“Hmm, Zhaoying does have a point.”
Engaging in illicit affairs and dying from suffocation were not good signs. As for his temperament, it wouldn’t hurt to wait a little longer.
Thus.
The Emperor thought for a moment and instructed Eunuch Chen.
“Give Zhaoying more rewards. As for the matter of inheriting the marquisate, it’s fine to observe for a year or two.”
A year or two?
The mother and son were stunned, and as anger flared within them, both turned coldly to glare at Jiang Zhaoying.
What was wrong with her?
She opposed them at every turn. Did she not know that a single misstep could lead them to their doom?
“Your Majesty…”
Song Chengyu was eager to explain, but the Emperor, feeling physically and mentally relaxed at the moment, was thinking of summoning the newly arrived beauties to attend to him. He had no desire to dwell on this matter any longer and waved his hand dismissively.
“Enough. Young Master Song, you must live well with Zhaoying from now on. I am tired. All of you may withdraw.”
“Yes!”
Jiang Jianzheng, Xu Zhiyan, and Wei Jiuzhao were the first to bow, cutting off the Song mother and son.
The Emperor gave Jiang Jianzheng a satisfied glance before hastily rising and striding away. Madam Song and her son watched the Emperor’s retreating figure, their throats burning with rage.
Turning around.
Song Chengyu glared darkly at Jiang Zhaoying. He took a step forward, intending to reprimand her, but Xu Zhiyan and Wei Jiuzhao simultaneously stepped in front of Jiang Zhaoying, coldly eyeing Song Chengyu.
“Young Master Song, what do you intend to do with such a fierce demeanor?”
Although the Imperial Astronomer’s Bureau was only a minor office, it was still easy enough to bring someone to ruin.
“Chengyu.”
Madam Song hurriedly grabbed Song Chengyu’s arm. Gritting their teeth, the two reluctantly turned and left.
Outside the hall, the crimson glow of sunset painted the sky, making everything before them appear as if coated in a layer of fresh blood.
Jiang Zhaoying watched coldly as the Song mother and son departed, then slowly walked into the imperial garden. She gently caressed the blooming petals, the chill emanating from her fingertips almost freezing them.
A palace servant glanced up, perhaps sensing the aura, and moved farther away with their tools to continue working.
Behind her.
Xu Zhiyan stood a few steps away, quietly watching her graceful figure. Only when she couldn’t see him did he dare let the heartache in his eyes overflow.
“Ahem.”
A soft cough sounded.
Jiang Zhaoying turned around. Xu Zhiyan’s eyes were sharp, but upon seeing it was Wei Jiuzhao, they quickly softened.
The two stepped forward and bowed.
“Senior Brother.”
Wei Jiuzhao lowered his gaze to look at the young girl they had cherished for over a decade. He reached out to tuck the stray hair on her cheek behind her ear before speaking in a deep voice.
“How could your teacher’s wife arrange such a marriage for you? Although you fought back brilliantly, I can see that the Song family are people who hold grudges over the smallest offenses. Ying’er, firstly, you must be careful, and secondly, if anything happens, you must tell us.”
After speaking.
Wei Jiuzhao’s eyes flashed with deep concern.
He had divined for Jiang Zhaoying twice before, and both results were the same.
The divination hexagram revealed nothing, yet it was inexplicably chilling!
The Marquess of Song’s wife is malicious, using the Emperor’s prohibition against Zhaoying seeking a divorce, but now that enmity has been sown, how can life possibly go on peacefully from here?
Ying’er, a delicate woman, would she not be easily worn down by the Song mother and son?
Xu Zhiyan watched Wei Jiuzhao fixing Jiang Zhaoying’s hair, his heart churning with dull pain and bitterness. He had also seen that stray lock of hair and wanted to step forward to fix it himself.
Jiang Zhaoying gave a cold laugh.
Seeing her pale complexion, Xu Zhiyan finally couldn’t hold back. He plucked the flower she had just touched and tucked it into her hair. Gazing at Jiang Zhaoying, whose beauty surpassed that of the flower, he said coldly.
“No matter what method is used, you must secure a divorce!”
In such a household, every additional day spent there brings another day of danger.
He had already lost her once; he could not bear a second time.
“Yes, I will think of a way.”
Jiang Zhaoying turned around, looking at the exquisitely crafted scenery of the imperial garden, a flash of killing intent appearing in her eyes.
This Emperor truly knows how to meddle in others’ affairs!
After a long while.
She finally suppressed the irritation in her heart and said bitterly.
“It’s true that the Emperor’s word is law, but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for change.”
Xu Zhiyan and Wei Jiuzhao, knowing her intelligence, remained silent as they looked at her beautiful back.
Jiang Zhaoying slowly turned her head.
“If I can position myself where I can sway the Emperor’s opinion, whether to divorce or not, he will listen to me. Another method is for the Song residence to commit a grave mistake, one so severe it cannot be forgiven!”
At this point.
Jiang Zhaoying’s tone carried much more sarcasm.
“Song Chengyu likely didn’t take a fancy to me, but rather to the dowry my mother left me. If I’m not mistaken, the Song residence must have done something treasonous, requiring a large sum of money to cover up the hole. Senior brothers, could you help me investigate in this direction?”
In her previous life.
The Song clan was utterly unscrupulous, swindling every last bit of her dowry, but where it was used, she truly did not know.
She only knew that not long after, Clan Leader Song and Madam Song were beaming with joy. Song Chengyu and Shen Yuefu lived extravagantly outside, while Song Mingji and Song Qinghuan also flaunted their wealth all over the capital, suddenly leaping to the top of the lists of most luxurious young ladies and gentlemen. Noble young ladies and gentlemen seeking marriage alliances with the Song residence came in an endless stream.
During that time.
The Song residence was utterly triumphant, walking as if on air.
“Alright, we will investigate this matter.”
Jiang Zhaoying bowed in thanks, but she still felt uncertain. After all, her senior brothers were stationed at the Imperial Astronomer’s Bureau, which had nothing to do with investigating cases.
Therefore.
She still needed other assistance.
The one who could most influence the Emperor’s decisions… besides the imperial consorts in the palace… would be the Crown Prince.
However.
The Crown Prince’s methods were not something ordinary people could withstand. A single misstep could bring fatal disaster.
Her eyes flickered.
She looked at Xu Zhiyan.
The three imperial physicians who came with him were exclusively assigned to the Crown Prince and rarely came out to assist others. Since they had come, it must have been with the Crown Prince’s approval.
Second Brother and His Highness should have a good relationship.
Even if I offend him, there might still be a chance for survival!
This risk must be taken.
“Second Brother, do you remember a place called Qishan Town, four hundred li north of the capital?”
Xu Zhiyan nodded.
Because they had to observe, calculate, revise, and add new details day and night, they knew the terrain of the Daye Kingdom better than anyone, even down to where a small stream was located.
“This ‘Qi’ character is the same as the one in Crown Prince’s name, and I’ve calculated that within twenty days, this town will experience an earthquake. Second Brother, can you take me to see the Crown Prince? I need to find a way to get him to change the name of this town. Otherwise, once it happens, someone will definitely use this ‘Qi’ character to stir up trouble. For His Highness, this would be no small problem.”
“Have you thought this through?”
Xu Zhiyan knew from listening that she wanted to seek cooperation with the Crown Prince, but that man was so cold. Gaining his trust would be extremely difficult!
Jiang Zhaoying nodded.
“But,” Xu Zhiyan’s eyes showed concern.
“How do you know there will be an earthquake?”
As soon as he asked this, both Xu Zhiyan and Wei Jiuzhao froze.
Their eyes were filled with shock and turmoil.
Right.
How could they have forgotten about that matter!