Inside the room, Ji Hanyi sat before her dressing table. Seeing Rong Chun’s hesitant expression, she smiled slightly. “I know what you want to say.”
Looking at her sickly reflection in the bronze mirror, Ji Hanyi removed her hair ornaments and spoke slowly, “Rong Chun, you don’t need to say anything. I know exactly what I’m doing.”
She was the Xie family’s grandson-in-law, and Xie Yuheng was the family’s most promising eldest grandson. She knew many eyes were watching her, waiting to pick apart her faults.
In the past, for the sake of harmony and the peace of the household, she hadn’t dared to make a mistake or vent her emotions. She had yielded at every turn, doing her best to maintain a facade of peace with Xie Yuheng, terrified of becoming a burden to him.
But this heavy remainder of her life, which she could see clearly to its end in a single glance, only made her feel increasingly weary.
If she were to be trapped in these dull, powerless, and tedious shackles for the rest of her life, she thought, then it might as well end.
Ji Hanyi knew Xie Yuheng certainly wouldn’t stay here tonight. Similar things had happened many times before; when Xie Yuheng was angry, he would even have someone send copies of *Admonitions for Women* or *Rules for Women* to her.
Back then, she would always feel heartbroken, even wondering if she truly hadn’t done well enough. But thinking about it now, no matter how well she did, it would never be enough in his heart.
After washing up unhurriedly, she called the maids in to ask a few questions, confirming that Xie Yuheng likely wouldn’t return tonight.
She wondered how long it would be before they crossed paths so she could speak to him about the divorce agreement.
Resting her head on her hand, her gaze fell upon the closed latticed window. The howling wind battered the panes, much like the night the Ji family’s troubles first began—even closed windows couldn’t shut out the panic filling the courtyard.
Ji Hanyi closed her eyes, unwilling to think about it further.
As expected, Xie Yuheng did not return that night. When she saw him the next morning, his expression was cold and aloof, his gaze indifferent to everyone, as if trying to force Ji Hanyi to compromise first.
But Ji Hanyi acted as though she hadn’t noticed, keeping her head down to attend to her own business.
In the past, there had always been a clear line between her and Xie Yuheng, separating them completely; she was not allowed to cross it by even half a step.
When Xie Yuheng finished preparing to leave, his movements—usually decisive and without hesitation—faltered for a moment because of Ji Hanyi.
Ji Hanyi was also ready, dressed in plain colors with only a single jade hairpin in her hair. Under the lamp, her eyebrows were like soft mist, her figure like green smoke and emerald fog.
She was born beautiful and charming, with cherry lips and snowy skin, a contrast to her somewhat quiet personality.
Xie Yuheng watched her silently. She sat at the dressing table, clutching a hand warmer, her lovely eyes downcast as she discussed which hairpin to choose with Rong Chun in a low voice.
She was unusually quiet today, so quiet it felt as if she wasn’t even there with him.
He was used to her coming over every morning to chat—about household matters or gentle reminders for his well-being.
Xie Yuheng paused slightly.
He suddenly realized that he, too, had never truly spoken any intimate or heartfelt words to her.
In fact, he had returned last night after seeing Li Mingrou off. Standing outside the curtain, he had heard her coughing inside—the sound of someone in distress. He thought that, deep down, he did owe Ji Hanyi something.
Yesterday, his Third Master had run into him and mentioned this, saying he was in the wrong and owed Hanyi.
Initially, he hadn’t felt anything was wrong. Li Mingrou had been frail and lonely since childhood, and he had promised to take good care of her. Since Hanyi was his wife, she should naturally help him look after Li Mingrou.
But Third Master asked, if he took Li Mingrou away first, wouldn’t his wife be afraid?
For a man to abandon his legal wife to take someone else away first was a violation of social norms.
He later reflected that leaving a woman out in the snow all night was indeed a lack of consideration on his part.
He had assumed the carriage would pick up Ji Hanyi soon, so he hadn’t gone back for her.
He could overlook her behavior from last night, as long as she admitted her mistake.
Besides, Ji Hanyi was Li Mingrou’s sister-in-law and older than her; regardless of the reason, by all logic and emotion, Ji Hanyi should yield more to Li Mingrou.
Furthermore, he had already selected a family for Li Mingrou’s marriage; they could discuss the engagement once spring arrived.
She was his wife and would be for life. Why did she have to be so narrow-minded? Moreover, his father had made him promise not to take concubines, and he had no intention of doing so anyway.
But he waited, and seeing Ji Hanyi keep her eyes down as if she had no intention of looking at him even once, his rare moment of waiting turned into disappointment. He turned and lifted the curtain to leave.
The servants waiting outside helped Xie Yuheng with his hood and cloak. Ji Hanyi followed him out, letting Rong Chun drape a cloak over her as she prepared to pay her respects to her mother-in-law.
Xie Yuheng couldn’t help but cast a cold glance toward Ji Hanyi. Though he hadn’t particularly enjoyed her doing these things for him in the past, her sudden cessation made him frown.
However, his expression remained normal, his aloof features still distant. After that single glance at Ji Hanyi, he walked away.
His elegant, refined figure was like a green crane, always leaving her with only his back.
Seeing Xie Yuheng’s back, Ji Hanyi called out to him, “Eldest Young Master.”
Xie Yuheng paused when he heard this form of address.
She had never called him that before. She always called him “Husband,” saying it made their relationship feel closer.
Why had she suddenly changed how she addressed him?
Xie Yuheng stopped in the dim courtyard and looked back at Ji Hanyi.
She stood in the bright doorway, her face not entirely clear, but he could sense that her features beneath the light green cloak must be beautiful.
In truth, he had been stunned by Ji Hanyi’s beauty at first sight. Though she was young then, her dark hair was lush, her eyes like cold stars, and she possessed a grace like precious jade and orchids.
But her character did not match her appearance; she was narrow-minded and jealous, always targeting Li Mingrou.
He regarded her as his wife, but he disliked her temperament. Now, he was even more disappointed; after three years, she still hadn’t changed.
Then he heard Ji Hanyi’s voice: “Can you return earlier tonight? I have something I need to say to you in private.”
“It’s an important matter. It won’t take much of your time.”
Xie Yuheng knit his brows slightly and nodded.
After Xie Yuheng left, Ji Hanyi sighed. He had never taken her words to heart, so she didn’t know if he would actually return. She thought that if he didn’t, she could simply give him the divorce agreement once it was written.
It had grown colder over the past few days. Ji Hanyi stood under the corridor, the draft blowing the white fox fur on her collar, strands of it brushing against her chilled chin.
The sky was still pitch black. The lanterns under the eaves swayed in the wind, causing the shadows on the ground to rise and fall.
Ji Hanyi exhaled a breath of mist. With the New Year approaching, it wasn’t exactly the best time to bring up a divorce agreement with Xie Yuheng.
But she truly would not wait any longer.