Chapter 44: Letter of Release

Page 1 of 3

The moment the hairpin was pulled free, Consort Dowager Xu felt utterly humiliated.

The Xu family had been a distinguished clan for generations. She had grown up in silks and fine food, and never in her life had she suffered such disgrace.

Ever since Chang Yuniang had married into the household, the entire manor had been thrown into turmoil. Consort Dowager Xu knew perfectly well that the woman was no good.

Thinking of how nothing good had happened in the manor since her arrival, Consort Dowager Xu could not help feeling irritated.

Yet when she heard Xiao Yunji say those words, fury overcame her.

“How dare you! That child carries the blood of the Zhao family. You have no right to slander him like that!”

Her sharp eyes made everyone’s skin crawl. “Were it not for consideration of your mother, I would have slapped you across the face!”

Xiao Yunji was already seething with anger, and now she was so enraged that she spoke without thinking.

“I was merely telling the truth. Was I wrong? I have finally seen through all of you. You keep saying that you are showing consideration for my mother, but…”

But whenever trouble arose, they still tried to take advantage of her.

Xiao Yunji had intended to bring up the matter of her dowry, but when she saw the warning in the prince’s eyes, she swallowed the words.

She deliberately turned her face aside and thrust out her neck stubbornly. “If Mother wants to strike me, then go ahead. I have no child to rely on anyway. At worst, I’ll follow the princess’s example and divorce you, then return to the capital!”

“How dare you!”

The finger Consort Dowager Xu pointed at her trembled uncontrollably. “Are you trying to anger me too?”

“I am not trying to anger you!” Xiao Yunji met her gaze without fear. “Ever since Lady Chang entered the household, I have no place in your eyes. As a barren hen, I am bound to be abandoned by the prince sooner or later. If that is how things are, I might as well return to the capital. At least then I will not have to suffer in this desolate frontier.”

“Listen to her! Just listen to the things she is saying!”

Consort Dowager Xu was so furious that she nearly vomited blood. She could only wag her fingers as she turned to her son.

Zhao Shenxing stared coldly at Xiao Yunji. “You have no business here. Go back and rest.”

Xiao Yunji had always been bold and spirited, fearing neither Heaven nor earth. The only person who could restrain her was Zhao Shenxing.

Who could blame her? She had fallen in love with this wretched man when she was young and first discovered the stirrings of her heart.

In those days, they had loved each other passionately. But Zhao Shenxing’s love always came quickly and faded just as fast.

He flirted with other women and transferred his affections elsewhere. Xiao Yunji had quarreled with him and made scenes, yet after every argument, nothing ever changed.

Instead, she was always the one who regretted the quarrel afterward, humbled herself, and apologized. With every passing day, she became more servile.

Pouting, Xiao Yunji said in deep grievance, “Is the prince telling me to leave?”

Page 2 of 3

“You keep speaking of Lady Yu, but with that temperament of yours, have you caused little enough trouble over the years?”

Zhao Shenxing had long since reached the limits of his patience. “Look at the way you just spoke to Mother. You must have forgotten your own position!”

“Even you despise me?”

Tears streamed down Xiao Yunji’s face like pearls falling from a broken string. “I never imagined that, in the prince’s heart, I would be worth less than Chang Yuniang.”

“Why are you crying now?” Zhao Shenxing was utterly exhausted. “Did you not want a divorce and to return to the capital? Very well. I shall grant your wish!”

“Shen’er!” Consort Dowager Xu cried sharply. “You are a father now. How can you still behave like an unruly child?”

“I am not being unruly. I have endured her long enough!”

Zhao Shenxing rose and declared sternly, “She is the one who does not want to suffer in Liangzhou. She is the one who wants a divorce and to return to the capital. I shall go back at once and write the divorce letter!”

Xiao Yunji had never expected him to agree so readily, and she regretted her words bitterly.

Consort Dowager Xu was stunned for a moment. Remembering the results of the previous investigation, she sighed and nodded.

“Very well. This cannot continue. If Yunji wishes to return to the capital, then let her go.”

“What… what did you say?”

Xiao Yunji stared at her in disbelief, her voice trembling visibly. “Mother, are you driving me away?”

Consort Dowager Xu immediately stiffened her face and said coldly, “You were the one making a fuss about leaving. How can you say that I want to drive you away as well?”

“I… I only…”

Xiao Yunji had intended to say that she had only been joking, but the words refused to leave her mouth.

“You what?”

“A married couple may share the same nest like birds in the forest, but when disaster comes, each flies away alone.”

The contempt in Zhao Shenxing’s eyes was unmistakable. “Come with me. At least you will not continue angering Mother.”

Xiao Yunji had no choice but to follow him reluctantly.

Once they stepped outside, tears poured down her face.

“Your Highness, I was only speaking in anger just now. Please do not take my words to heart, and certainly do not treat them as the truth.”

“Oh, what a fine example of words spoken in anger!”

Zhao Shenxing gave a cold laugh. “Yunji, we have known each other since childhood. Do you think I do not know what sort of person you are? The prince’s household has suffered such a calamity. It is understandable that you are afraid of sharing hardship with me and wish to return to the capital.”

Page 3 of 3

No wonder the prince had agreed so readily.

So that was what he thought…

Xiao Yunji was utterly unable to defend herself. Had she known this would happen, she would never have spoken so recklessly.

But matters had come to this. She could only wipe away her tears and hurry after him.

“Your Highness, Yunji truly never thought that way. I was only confused just now. I spoke without thinking…”

Zhao Shenxing slowed his pace. “You truly did not mean it?”

Xiao Yunji stopped, raised her hand toward the heavens, and swore, “I, Yunji, dare swear before Heaven that if even one word of what I have said is false, may thunder strike me down!”

“How many oaths have you made already?” Zhao Shenxing turned back and said irritably. “Why should I believe you?”

Xiao Yunji thought for a moment. “I… actually have one or two thousand silver pieces saved privately. As long as Your Highness does not write the divorce letter, I can take out the money to cover the household expenses.”

Zhao Shenxing’s eyes lit up at once, but he quickly returned to his former composure.

“Only one thousand?”

“Only one thousand!” Xiao Yunji nodded repeatedly.

With an expression of disdain, Zhao Shenxing clasped his hands behind his back and paced over to her. “In that case, let me see how loyal you truly are.”

Xiao Yunji nodded. “I will have Cherry deliver it to Your Highness later. Oh, that reminds me—Your Highness, I visited that Taoist nun again today. She said that if we share a bed tonight, the chances of conceiving a noble heir will be much greater.”

Remembering the ecstasy of that night, Zhao Shenxing smiled and pinched her cheek. “Go back for now. I will certainly come by tonight.”

Only then did Xiao Yunji smile through her tears. “Your Highness, the Taoist nun gave me something wonderful. I guarantee you will like it.”

“Oh? Then I had better come early.”

Zhao Shenxing turned away. “I have matters to attend to. You should leave as well.”

Watching his retreating figure, Xiao Yunji could not help placing a hand over her abdomen. She thought that, no matter what, she had to bear the prince a child.

“Miss, are you truly going to take out one thousand silver pieces for the household expenses?” Cherry asked worriedly.

Xiao Yunji’s face darkened again. She sighed. “You saw what happened just now. The consort dowager and the prince are completely united. If I had not done this, I fear the prince would already have written the divorce letter.”

Qin Luo also sighed. “If I may say so, Miss, why did you have to bring up divorce when everything was going so well?”