Chapter 46: Giving the Letter of Divorce
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Upon seeing the concern etched on Yue Er and Lu Er’s faces, Jiang Peihuan spoke gently, “I’m already feeling better. You two should rest now. Let Ye Xiao stay here. You can return in the morning.”
“There’s no need for everyone to keep watch.”
Seeing Yue Er about to object, Jiang Peihuan decisively made her decision. Only after hearing her firm words did Yue Er and Lu Er reluctantly leave.
Once alone, Jiang Peihuan turned her attention to Ye Xiao. “Was it King Cheng who brought me back?”
She vaguely remembered hearing his voice. To her query, Ye Xiao nodded affirmatively, “Yes, it was the master who brought you home. He…”
“Who’s there?”
Before Ye Xiao could complete her sentence, she heard a subtle sound of breathing from outside the window. Instinctively, she drew her dagger, but a familiar figure appeared in the window.
“You may leave for now.”
Xiao Nanye briefly glanced at Ye Xiao and gave a direct order. But Ye Xiao hesitated, looking at Jian Peihuan for guidance.
“Stay outside and keep guard.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Upon hearing Jiang Peihuan’s command, Ye Xiao finally exited the room. As she passed by Xiao Nanye, she respectfully bowed to him.
Once Ye Xiao had left, Xiao Nanye seated himself on Jiang Peihuan’s bed. Seeing her pale face, he searched his robe and took out a porcelain bottle.
“This is a Fragrant Pill. It’s good for recovery. Keep it with you,” he offered the bottle to Jiang Peihuan in a soft, gentle voice.
She looked at the porcelain bottle in his hand, her eyes filled with mixed emotions.
This medicine was as valuable as gold, yet he had casually given her an entire bottle.
“Your Highness, if you’re trying to win my father’s military power, there’s really no need…”
“Do you still believe that everything I’ve done is for the sake of your father’s military power?”
Xiao Nanye interrupted Jiang Peihuan before she could finish, an undertone of annoyance in his voice. Despite his face remaining expressionless, Jiang Peihuan could sense his irritation.
“Ye Xiao told me about your lung injury. This medicine will help in your recovery. Remember to take it.”
Saying this, he placed the porcelain bottle on Jiang Peihuan’s bedside table and left.
Watching his retreating figure, an uncommon feeling of helplessness dawned in Jiang Peihuan’s eyes.
“Miss, what happened with the master?”
The moment Xiao Nanye left the room, Ye Xiao returned. Seeing Jiang Peihuan’s puzzled look, she echoed the confusion.
“Don’t worry, he just came to deliver some medicine.”
After reassuring Ye Xiao with a few simple instructions, Jiang Peihuan closed her eyes. However, for some reason, whether it was due to too much sleep earlier or something else, she couldn’t fall asleep again.
Jiang Peihuan wasn’t the only one kept awake.
Back at the Cheng Mansion, Xiao Nanye was visibly upset, far from the gentle manner he had shown in front of Jiang Peihuan. Noticing his master’s bad mood, Han Feng held his breath, cautiously avoiding any actions that might provoke him further.
However…
“Get in here!”
Upon hearing the command, Han Feng reluctantly complied.
He had barely opened the door when a sudden, fierce gust of wind brushed against his cheek. Han Feng quickly moved aside, but the gust hit his shoulder.
The intense pain from his shoulder evoked a bitter smile from Han Feng. “Master, please show some mercy.”
“Come here, spar with me.”
Accepting his fate, Han Feng stepped forward.
An hour later, Xiao Nanye, his eyes still hard and frosty, though a touch less restless, gave an order to Han Feng, who lay motionless on the ground. “Stand up!”
At the sound of Xiao Nanye’s command, Han Feng, his eyes heavy with fatigue, retorted, “Master, wouldn’t it be simpler to kill me?”
“Master?”
Suddenly, the voice of a covert guard resonated from outside. Perking up at the sound, Han Feng quickly scrambled to his feet.
Xiao Nanye regained his habitual cold composure. “Come in.”
A man dressed in black stepped in. Approaching Xiao Nanye’s side, he whispered, “General Jiang has arrived at Hangu Pass. He’ll be in the capital in two days.”
“Have there been any movements from the other royal mansion?”
“Nothing conspicuous, but we have spies discreetly gathering information.”
“Keep an eye on them.”
“Yes.”
“Master, with General Jiang returning soon and his lady wife’s impending return, isn’t it about time you proposed marriage?”
“Get ready; we’re going to the palace.”
“Yes.”
Upon hearing Xiao Nanye’s order to head to the palace, relief washed over Han Feng, his eyes filling with unshed tears. His ordeal, it appeared, was finally over.
The General’s Mansion.
Early the next morning, the General’s Mansion was buzzing with arguments. At the entrance of the Chrysanthemum Hall, Zhao Fuqing stood, his face reflecting his unwillingness.
He had been waiting for a good half hour, grumbling about the discourtesy of the Jiang family.
“Your Highness, the Old Madam invites you in.”
As Zhao Fuqing’s patience dwindled, a maidservant guided him inside.
All members of the Jiang family were present, with the exception of Jiang Peihuan and Jiang Ruyun.
“What brings the prince here so early?” Liu Xiu asked, her gaze uninterested.
“I came to take Ruyun home,” Zhao Fuqing stated flatly.
“Kindly return, Prince. Yun Er won’t be leaving today.”
Upon hearing this, Zhou Rongfang’s patience snapped. She flared up at Zhao Fuqing, who simply sneered dismissively. “Madam Zhou, Ruyun is now a princess of the Huainan Mansion. It’s unreasonable for her to stay at the General’s Mansion indefinitely.”
“Since when has your Huainan Mansion started treating my second sister as a princess of the Huainan family? If it weren’t for me and my eldest sister bringing her back, she might have died in your mansion yesterday.”
“Third Miss, watch your words. When has my Huainan Mansion ever behaved in such a manner?”
“You…”
Jiang Sijin, rendered speechless by Zhao Fuqing’s boldness, struggled to find a response.
Suddenly, a frosty voice echoed from the entrance. “Prince, kindly leave.”
It was Jiang Ruyun.
In that moment, her gaze towards Zhao Fuqing was devoid of all previous warmth. Seeing her cold demeanor, Zhao Fuqing couldn’t help but furrow his brows.
“What are you implying?”
“I won’t go back to the Huainan King’s Mansion.”
“Heh… Jiang Ruyun, aren’t you being funny? You’re already part of the Huainan family, how can you…”
“We should get a divorce then.”
Before Zhao Fuqing could finish his sentence, Jiang Ruyun cut him off. “What did you say?” At the mention of ‘divorce’, Zhao Fuqing was visibly stunned.
The Jiang family members seated nearby were equally shocked. Zhou Rongfang stared at her daughter, disbelief etched on her face. “Yun Er, you…”
“Mother, my decision is final. If the Huainan Mansion considers me unworthy, why should I endure the humiliation?”
“Consequently, I want a divorce from the prince.”
“Divorce? You’re dreaming. Jiang Ruyun, a divorce is out of the question. If you don’t return today, all you’ll find is a divorce letter from me.”
“Do you dare?”