That hand was warm and broad, but Ji Hanyi’s body couldn’t help but stiffen, a wave of nausea rising within her.
The only time Xie Yuheng was not so cold and detached in her presence was when they were in bed.
Though they did not share a bed often, and he frequently arrived to sleep only after she had already drifted off, even on those few occasions, his actions were far from gentle. Often, he would not stop after just one round a night.
In the past, she had tried her best to accommodate him in hopes of conceiving a child early. Now, however, as his hand rested on her waist, she felt an irrepressible urge to pull away.
A faint warmth brushed against the back of her neck as Xie Yuheng’s raspy voice came from behind her. “Hanyi, I admit I have neglected you in the past, but we are far from the point of needing a divorce.”
“First, the household has never lacked for anything where you are concerned. Second, what man of my background doesn’t have three wives and four concubines? Furthermore, you haven’t produced an heir in these three years; have I ever blamed you?”
“You are still my wife. Divorce is a serious matter; stop being so willful and making a scene.”
“Once New Year’s Eve has passed, I will accompany you to visit your mother on the third day of the lunar month.”
“Besides, my grandmother is very fond of you. With Old Madam Xie’s birthday approaching, this is really not the time for you to cause trouble. Even if you must, wait until after her birthday celebration.”
As he spoke, Xie Yuheng placed a hand on her shoulder in a pacifying gesture, as if telling her to be more obedient.
In truth, while back in the study, every time he thought of the earnest look in Ji Hanyi’s eyes when she spoke of divorce, his usually calm and controlled heart grew restless. He did not understand why she would suddenly bring up divorce when their life was perfectly fine.
He understood even less where she got the confidence or the nerve to suggest such a thing. She lived a life of luxury in the Xie household, yet her only backing was her maternal grandfather’s family. She had nothing. He knew she only owned a single shop, and even if it brought in some profit, it was nowhere near enough to sustain the lifestyle she enjoyed here.
Over the past three years, even if she felt slightly wronged, it was hardly grounds for divorce. Xie Yuheng felt that although he was busy with official duties and didn’t pay much attention to her, he was satisfied with her as his wife. She was a source of peace.
She never troubled him with anything. Though she did not manage the entire household, she handled everything in their courtyard perfectly. The servants never spoke ill of her, and she never burdened him with domestic disputes or household affairs.
Moreover, Ji Hanyi was gentle and submissive, catering to his every need. Though he sometimes disliked her meticulous attention to detail, he had to admit he had grown accustomed to it.
Even if she was always jealous of Li Mingrou and targeted her at every turn, Li Mingrou’s marriage would be settled next year. Ji Hanyi should be able to calm down by then.
Xie Yuheng was certain that Ji Hanyi could not live without him. He had spent a long time in the study thinking it over, eventually concluding that she was merely throwing a tantrum because he had left her behind in the snow and later misunderstood her—and now, with the trouble surrounding her grandfather’s family, she was using this method to vent her frustration.
He was not a man who usually bowed his head to women, but he admitted his handling of recent events was somewhat improper. There was no harm in humoring her for now.
In the silent darkness, Ji Hanyi opened her eyes after hearing his words.
She stared blankly at a point in the room, listening to his patronizing speech. Looking back at the last three years, it felt like a gloomy, oppressive corridor. She had been walking alone, holding a lamp, cautiously heading toward a predetermined end filled with wind and snow.
She had always been walking alone.
Xie Yuheng never cared about household matters, and he never cared about her.
If she stayed here, her life would never improve. She would always feel cold to her core.
Her resolve was not a joke. Nor was it a tactic to win back a man who did not love her.
Xie Yuheng expected Ji Hanyi to be satisfied after his concessions. After all, where could she possibly go after a divorce?
To his shock, however, the soft, warm body that should have stayed submissively in his arms pulled away for the first time.
Xie Yuheng watched in disbelief as Ji Hanyi sat up, pulled back the bed curtains, and draped an outer garment over her shoulders. She then turned back to look at him.
She wore a pink silk robe underneath a cyan hibiscus-patterned overcoat, her dark hair cascading down to her waist. Her plain features held a sickly yet enchanting beauty under the lamplight.
She coughed twice, her voice as gentle and soft as ever. “I am not throwing a tantrum.”
“I never was.”
Ji Hanyi lowered her gaze, her voice very light. “It was my fault for bringing the marriage certificate to find you back then. Three years later, it is not too late to fix it. You don’t need to feel guilty; there will be no resentment between us.”
“Eldest Young Master, the sooner you sign the divorce agreement, the sooner I can leave, and the happier the household will be.”
After speaking, she tightened her collar and walked toward the outer room.
Xie Yuheng sat up on the bed. He watched her thin, delicate figure vanish, noting that her eyes no longer held their usual submissiveness. The clarity of her resolve made his heart race with a sudden, inexplicable panic.
He didn’t understand what she was still making a fuss about. He didn’t understand when she would finally stop.
He realized he understood her less and less. After three years of marriage, why was she suddenly acting like this?
The sound of the crystal curtains clinking echoed in the quiet room. Belatedly, Xie Yuheng threw on his clothes and chased after her.
In the outer room, Rong Chun was shocked to see Ji Hanyi walk out. She rushed over, and seeing her mistress’s thin frame draped only in a light coat, she hurriedly pulled the garment tighter around her. “Young Madam, your cold hasn’t fully healed. What do you need? Why didn’t you call for us?”
Ji Hanyi looked at Rong Chun’s worried face and said softly, “Rong Chun, get my cloak and hood. I’m going to the study.”
Rong Chun was startled. It was so late, and they had only just returned from the study—why was she going back? But seeing the look in Ji Hanyi’s eyes, she froze for a moment before turning to obey.
Xie Yuheng followed her out. Hearing her words, his voice lost its previous warmth, returning to its usual coldness and blame. “Hanyi, how much longer are you going to keep this up?!”
“What will it take to satisfy you?!”
“Are you doing all this simply because I refused to help your cousin?”