Don't look down on Xiao Jingyi just because he's young and a lackey, but his ability to get things done is truly remarkable.
Two hours later, he arrived at the Princess Manor with an Imperial Edict, quietly handing it to Xiao Li, smiling like a fox who had successfully played a trick.
“Imperial Brother said you need to perform well tonight, only then will these rewards be valid.”
Xiao Li opened it and, after a few meaningless compliments, came the bestowals, the first of which was a fiefdom.
Generally speaking, only legitimate and exceptionally favored princesses can own a fiefdom after marriage. The taxes from the fiefdom are the princess’s main source of income, but the original body was just a pawn. Although registered under the Empress’s name, she wasn’t truly legitimate, would the Emperor be willing to give her a fiefdom?
It’s clear the Emperor has been living well recently, actually agreeing to grant a fiefdom.
However, Quzhou?
The Emperor is bullying her, an unmarried princess, for not knowing anything.
Quzhou’s land is still quite vast, but it’s a prefecture city bordering an enemy country, constantly plagued by war and covered in yellow sand. It’s not hard to imagine it’s a poor and desolate place; it would be good if it didn’t lose money, let alone generate taxes.
But Xiao Li didn’t mind, even mosquito legs are still meat, and besides, she only intended to scrape some things from the Emperor anyway, it didn’t matter where the fiefdom was located.
After the fiefdom came the gifts, a pile of useless ornaments and impractical decorations, followed by fabrics, incense powder, and wine.
After looking through everything, Xiao Li summarized it in two words: “So stingy!”
Xiao Jingyi knocked his wine cup against his teeth. Imperial Sister really dares to say that.
Although the Emperor didn’t give much, Xiao Li wasn’t stingy either, pointing to a few items: “This, this, and this, take them!”
Xiao Jingyi’s eyes lit up instantly: “Thank you, Imperial Sister, Imperial Sister is so generous!”
Although he did work hard to get things from Imperial Brother because Imperial Sister said she’d share with him, he hadn’t thought Xiao Li would give him so much. A small gesture would have been enough, and he wouldn’t have been surprised if she hadn’t given him anything at all, but he didn’t expect Xiao Li to directly choose four valuable items for him, mainly because he wanted them and helped ask for them at the time.
He had originally thought about using those items to trade with Imperial Sister in the future, but he didn’t expect her to give them to him directly, and so readily.
She is his most beloved sister!
Seeing his eyes gleaming with excitement, Xiao Li asked in confusion: “Do you need money?”
Xiao Jingyi wiped his face: “Is it that obvious?”
Xiao Li: “You are a Lord.”
Xiao Jingyi sighed: “Can a Lord not need money? I haven’t reached adulthood yet, and Imperial Brother hasn’t given me a fiefdom. I only have a small stipend each year, and my manor is almost bankrupt.”
Looking so worried at such a young age, it was clear he was truly poor.
Xiao Li thought for a moment and then pointed to the Imperial Edict: “Give you twenty percent of the other things.”
A windfall!
Xiao Jingyi’s expression changed instantly, smiling even more obsequiously than a eunuch: “Thank you, Imperial Sister, for your generosity!”
Because of Xiao Jingyi’s playful behavior, Xiao Li showed her first genuine smile.
Being so likable, he deserves to live a long life.
Receiving the Imperial Edict as a reward, Xiao Li began to dress up and prepare to enter the palace.
Xiao Jingyi, having received a benefit, now transformed into Little Yi, wholeheartedly serving his Imperial Sister.
Obsequious to the point of being sickening.
However, because of him, Xiao Li’s mood was much lighter.
The two entered the palace right on time, and when they arrived, almost everyone was already there.
The Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and the Empress sat at the highest seat. The Lu Clan members, and Xiao Li glanced at a man on her left wearing fine robes of gold and crimson cloud brocade, with a cold and icy demeanor, the story’s Male Lead, Prince Xiao Jingyu, her Fifth Imperial Brother.
Not to mention anything else, just his face alone is enough to be a Male Lead, but he doesn’t deserve to be a person.
Sitting next to Prince Xiao Jingyu was Liu Xueyin, who had changed into fine robes, still dressed in white, but with a few more pieces of jewelry, making her look elegant and noble.
There were also many people from the Lu Clan, Chief Minister Lu and his wife, Lu Shangshu and his wife, and Lu Yanzhi, all with cold faces, as cold as the icy Male Lead Xiao Jingyu.
Xiao Li and Xiao Jingyi stepped forward to greet them. The Empress Dowager ignored her, but the Emperor allowed her to skip the formalities and smiled: “Xuanyang, Jingyi, you finally arrived. Come and sit down, it’s time to begin the banquet!”
At this moment, there were only two seats left, one was a single seat, and the other was next to Lu Yanzhi.
Xiao Jingyi rushed forward to take a seat, then kept his head down and eyes averted, not looking at anyone.
Xiao Li glared at him ‘angrily’, and when she looked at Lu Yanzhi, she gave a cold smile, but in the end, she still walked over and sat down.
Seeing the two of them sitting together, the Empress Dowager was pleased. Just as she was about to say something to smooth things over, Chief Minister Lu stood up.
“Your Majesty, now that everyone has arrived, the old minister dares to ask Your Majesty to issue an edict allowing Princess Xuanyang and the unfilial grandson Lu Yanzhi to divorce.”
The Lu Clan members, including Lu Yanzhi, all stood up and knelt down. Lu Yanzhi spoke with a blank expression, expressing his remorse: “This subject truly cannot have feelings between men and women for the Princess, and apologizes for Your Majesty’s kindness. If we remain a mismatched couple and cause the Princess grief in the future, I beg Your Majesty to issue an edict for divorce. This subject is willing to offer generous gifts to compensate the Princess.”
This had already happened during the morning court. Chief Minister Lu had submitted a memorial requesting his grandson and the Princess to divorce.
The Emperor was unwilling, telling the Lu Clan members that Princess Xuanyang was the one who was wronged, and that the divorce could only happen if she agreed. He also called Xiao Jingyi to persuade Xiao Li not to divorce.
He was also forced into a corner, so he had to prepare a small banquet, allowing both sides to sit down and resolve the matter.
But having just received Xiao Li’s approval after issuing the Imperial Edict, he was now as steady as an old dog.
Want a divorce? Absolutely not!
“After all, this is a matter between the two of you, and Imperial Sister is the one who is wronged. Her opinion should be heard.” So he smiled at Xiao Li: “Xuanyang, do you want to divorce?”
Seeing Xiao Li’s hesitant expression, he added: “Don’t be afraid, Imperial Brother will be your support. Whatever you say, Imperial Brother will agree to it.”
The Empress Dowager immediately frowned, but didn’t refute the Emperor, instead, she said to Xiao Li: “Xuanyang, it takes countless lifetimes to cultivate a relationship in one lifetime. You must think carefully, and don’t ruin a good match.”
A good match? Saying something ridiculous with her eyes open.
But the Empress Dowager was clearly threatening her.
Xiao Li picked up the wine pot and poured herself a cup of wine, then raised the wine cup as if to drink, but heavily put it down again, looking very conflicted.
Under the gaze of everyone, she looked at the icy Prince on the opposite side: “Imperial Brother, do you think I should divorce?”
The Empress Dowager said unhappily: “What are you asking him for?”
Prince Xiao Jingyu’s eternally unchanging icy face showed no warmth at all, and his voice was as cold as ice: “This is Imperial Sister’s important matter, she should consider it carefully herself.”
He just doesn’t care anyway, but that’s just Prince Xiao Jingyu’s public persona.
He doesn’t care about his birth mother, his siblings, his wife, ignores countless pursuers, indirectly caused the death of his two sons, what kind of creature is this?
Xiao Li laughed, looking meaningfully at Liu Xueyin beside her: “Imperial Brother, don’t be mistaken. Imperial Sister specially came to find me today, begging me to reconcile with the Consort. I thought this was also Imperial Brother’s intention, so I asked specifically.”
Ancient Chinese power struggles are too brain-burning, modern bossy presidents are unfamiliar, sweet novels can’t be written, and fantasy cultivation is difficult to get into.
Having written for ten years, I still return as a novice.
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