Chapter 8: Want a Divorce? Absolutely Impossible
Xiao Jingyi might be young and a total sycophant, but his ability to get things done was undeniable.
Two hours later, he arrived at the Princess Mansion with an imperial decree in hand. He secretly slipped it to Xiao Li, grinning like a foolish fox whose cunning plan had worked.
"Brother said you have to perform well tonight for this to count."
Xiao Li opened it and saw a few lines of useless praise, followed by the actual rewards. The first was a fiefdom.
Generally, only princesses born of the principal wife or those who were exceptionally favored would receive a fiefdom after marriage. The tax revenue from a fief was a princess’s main source of income. But the original owner of this body was just a pawn. Although she was registered under the Empress’s name, she wasn’t a true child of the main wife. How could the Emperor possibly have been willing to grant her a fief?
It seemed the Emperor had been well-fed recently, as he’d actually agreed to grant her a fiefdom.
But, Quzhou?
The Emperor must be taking her for an ignorant, sheltered princess.
Quzhou’s lands were vast, but it was a border prefecture that shared a border with an enemy nation. It was plagued by constant war and skies full of yellow sand. It was, without a doubt, an impoverished land. She’d be lucky not to lose money there, let alone collect any tax revenue.
But Xiao Li wasn’t about to complain. Every little bit counts. Besides, her original intention was just to squeeze something out of the Emperor; she didn’t really care where the fief was.
After the fiefdom came the rewards: a pile of various inedible and useless decorative objects, followed by fabrics, scented powders, and wine.
After reading it, Xiao Li summed it up in two words: "So stingy!"
Xiao Jingyi’s teacup clinked against his teeth. ’Imperial Sister really has some nerve,’ he thought.
Although the Emperor hadn’t given much, Xiao Li wasn’t stingy. She pointed to a few items. "This, this, and this—they’re for you!"
Xiao Jingyi’s eyes instantly lit up. "Thank you, Imperial Sister! You’re so generous!"
He had, in fact, only worked so hard to pry these things from their brother because his Imperial Sister had promised him a share. He hadn’t expected her to give him much—a token gesture would have been enough. He’d even considered the possibility she might give him nothing at all. But he never imagined Xiao Li would point out four valuable items for him. The main reason he’d helped her ask for them was that he’d wanted them for himself.
He had been plotting how he might trade for them with his Imperial Sister in the future, but he never expected her to just give them to him, and so readily at that.
’She was the best sister ever!’
Seeing his eyes gleam, Xiao Li asked doubtfully, "Are you short on money?"
Xiao Jingyi rubbed his face. "Is it that obvious?"
Xiao Li said, "You’re a Prince."
Xiao Jingyi sighed. "Can’t a Prince be short on money? I haven’t even had my coming-of-age ceremony, so Brother hasn’t given me a fiefdom. All I have to live on each year is that small stipend. My household can barely afford to eat."
He was so young, yet his face was etched with worry. He was clearly dirt poor.
Xiao Li thought for a moment, then tapped the imperial decree. "Of the other things, you can have twenty percent."
’A windfall from the heavens!’
Xiao Jingyi’s expression changed in an instant. He grinned more obsequiously than a eunuch. "Thank you for your generosity, Imperial Sister!"
Xiao Jingyi’s clowning around made Xiao Li break into her first genuine smile.
’So endearing. No wonder he’s the one who survives to the end.’
----
With the imperial decree as her payment, Xiao Li finally began to get ready for the palace.
Having reaped his rewards, Xiao Jingyi transformed into a devoted attendant, waiting on his Imperial Sister hand and foot.
His sycophantic behavior was almost too much to watch.
But having him around lightened Xiao Li’s mood considerably.
The two of them entered the palace just in the nick of time. By the time they arrived, nearly everyone was already there.
The Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and the Empress were seated at the head table. The members of the Lu family were present, as was... Xiao Li’s gaze swept to her left, landing on a man in magnificent gold and red Cloud Brocade robes. His aura was as cold as an iceberg. He was the story’s male protagonist, Prince Chen, Xiao Jingyu—her fifth imperial brother.
’Setting aside everything else, a face like that was certainly fit for a protagonist. But while he might be fit to be a protagonist, he wasn’t fit to be a human being.’
Beside Prince Chen sat Liu Xueyin, who had changed into fine robes. She was still dressed in white, but with a few more pieces of jewelry, she looked a bit more elegant and aristocratic.
There were quite a few people from the Lu family as well: Chief Minister Lu and his wife, Minister Lu and his wife, and Lu Yanzhi. All of them wore cold expressions that could rival the icy male lead, Xiao Jingyu.
Xiao Li and Xiao Jingyi went forward to pay their respects. The Empress Dowager ignored her, but the Emperor excused them from the formalities. Then he said with a wide grin, "Xuanyang, Jing Yi, you’re finally here! Quickly, take your seats. It’s time to begin the banquet!"
At this point, only two seats were left: one was by itself, and the other was next to Lu Yanzhi.
Xiao Jingyi darted over in a single bound and sat down. He then fixed his gaze downward, pointedly ignoring everyone as if in deep meditation.
Xiao Li shot him an ’angry’ glare and sneered when her eyes fell on Lu Yanzhi, but in the end, she walked over and sat down.
Seeing the two of them seated together, the Empress Dowager was satisfied. Just as she was about to try and mediate, Chief Minister Lu stood up.
"Your Majesty, now that everyone is present, this old subject dares to ask that Your Majesty issue a decree permitting Princess Xuanyang and my unfilial grandson, Lu Yanzhi, to annul their marriage."
The rest of the Lu family, including Lu Yanzhi, rose and knelt together. With a blank expression, Lu Yanzhi spoke words of apology, "I am truly unable to harbor romantic feelings for the Princess, and I am unworthy of Your Majesty’s great favor. To avoid becoming a resentful couple and causing the Princess future heartache, I implore Your Majesty to decree an annulment. I am willing to offer generous gifts as compensation to the Princess."
This same scene had already played out during the morning court session. Chief Minister Lu had submitted a memorial, requesting an annulment for his grandson and the Princess.
The Emperor was unwilling. On one hand, he told the Lu family that Princess Xuanyang was the wronged party in this matter and that an annulment could only happen if she agreed. On the other hand, he sent Xiao Jingyi to persuade Xiao Li not to agree to it.
He had been forced into a corner, left with no choice but to arrange this little banquet to have both parties sit down and resolve the matter.
However, having just issued a decree and received Xiao Li’s assurance, he was now as cool as a cucumber.
’An annulment? Absolutely not!’
"Ultimately, this is a matter between husband and wife. My Imperial Sister is the wronged party, so we should hear her opinion." He then turned to Xiao Li with a smile. "Xuanyang, tell us, do you want an annulment or not?"
Seeing Xiao Li’s hesitant expression, he added, "Don’t be afraid. Your Brother will back you up. Whatever you say, I will agree to it."
The Empress Dowager’s face immediately turned cold. She didn’t contradict the Emperor, but instead addressed Xiao Li directly, "Xuanyang, it is said that it takes a hundred lifetimes of fate to bring a husband and wife together. You must think this through carefully. Do not throw away such a fortunate match."
’A fortunate match? What a blatant lie.’
’Still, the Empress Dowager was clearly threatening her.’
Xiao Li picked up the wine flagon and poured herself a cup. She lifted the cup as if to drink, then set it down heavily, looking deeply conflicted.
Under everyone’s gaze, she looked at the great iceberg across from her, Prince Chen. "Brother," she asked, "do you think I should get an annulment?"
The Empress Dowager said, displeased, "Why are you asking him?"
Prince Chen’s eternally unchanging, icy face was devoid of warmth, and his words were just as chilling. "This is a major life event for our Imperial Sister. She should be the one to consider it carefully."
’In other words, it has nothing to do with him. But that was Prince Chen’s whole persona, anyway.’
’He didn’t care about his birth mother, his siblings, or his wife. He ignored his many admirers and indirectly caused the deaths of his own two sons. What the hell kind of scumbag was this guy?’
Xiao Li chuckled and gave Liu Xueyin, who was sitting beside him, a meaningful look. "Please don’t take offense, Brother. Your Imperial Sister-in-law came to see me today specifically to beg me to reconcile with my Prince Consort. I thought it might have been your intention as well, which is why I asked."