Chapter 45: The Joy of Fish and Water

Recalling the intimate passion of that night, she had assumed that when she proposed a divorce by mutual consent, the Prince would be reluctant to let her go, and the Dowager Consort would try to persuade her to stay.

To her surprise, both of them had agreed immediately!

Xiao Yunjiche poked out her lower lip, looking as though she could hang a couple of oil jars from it.

"I thought that when the Princess Consort proposed the divorce, the Dowager Consort and the Prince would refuse, so... I just said it casually. Who could have known the Prince would actually agree!"

The more Xiao Yunjiche spoke, the more aggrieved she felt. Her tearful, about-to-cry expression was simply heart-wrenching.

"It's one thing for the Prince to agree, but why on earth did the Dowager Consort agree so readily? She always claimed we were close kin, practically family, and that her affection for me was genuine. Seen in this light, it was all a lie, nothing but deceitful words!"

Cherry handed over a handkerchief, watching her cautiously.

"The Prince is a man, and he has his pride. Since the Madam spoke like that, did you expect the Prince to swallow his pride and beg the Madam not to seek a divorce?"

Xiao Yunjiche wiped away her tears, breaking into a smile through her weeping as she said, "Does that mean the Prince is also reluctant to let me go in his heart, and only reluctantly agreed for the sake of his pride?"

"Naturally. If the Prince held no place for you in his heart, would he have agreed to come visit you tonight?"

Seeing her looking so happy, Cherry finally dared to speak her mind.

"The silver we have left is running low, and we spent a considerable amount trying to conceive this time. Since the Prince didn't ask for it, why on earth did the Madam eagerly send over a thousand taels of silver?"

"Indeed, Madam, if the other ladies find out, goodness knows how they will laugh at you." Qinluo chimed in as well.

Xiao Yunjiche regretted it deeply too, and hearing these words instantly made her flare up. "The words have already been spoken, and the silver has already been sent. What use is there in saying all this now? Are you two gloating over my misfortune as well?"

The two maids quickly shut their mouths. Xiao Yunjiche casually snapped off a branch, and with a look of bitter resentment, fiercely stripped away its leaves.

Plucking the leaves one by one, she said through gritted teeth, "Once I conceive a child, let's see who dares to laugh at me!"

"That medicine... does it really work?"

Qinluo asked with some worry, "The Madam has taken medicine so many times to no avail. Will it truly work this time?"

With a flick of her finger, Xiao Yunjiche tossed aside the bare branch and sneered, "Don't forget, it's not just this Madam taking medicine; the Prince hasn't taken less of it over the past year or two, has he? The Prince's constitution might have had issues before, but the fact that Chang Yumian was able to conceive shows that the Prince's body is no longer hindered."

The two maids suddenly understood, which explained why their mistress was so confident.

Cherry nodded repeatedly. "The Madam is right. With the Madam's wonderful health, she will surely conceive this time."

Without a sound, Xiao Yunjiche fished a small porcelain pouch from her sleeve, clutching it in her palm like a treasured jewel. "That Immortal Fairy Miao is truly wondrous. I believe it won't be long before I conceive a child."

Qinluo and Cherry were left in a daze, but upon hearing this, they simply nodded vigorously.

Just as the moon rose into the sky, Zhao Shenxing arrived as promised at Xiao Yunjiche's Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

In the bedroom's incense burner, the sweet and cloying exotic fragrance seemed to carry a soul-captivating allure.

Xiao Yunjiche had changed into a gossamer-thin red silk gown, her snow-white skin shifting between visible and concealed. At this moment, she leaned languidly against the daybed, utterly unlike her usual arrogant and domineering self.

As if under a spell, the moment Zhao Shenxing laid eyes on her enchanting posture, his blood instantly surged.

The moonlight illuminated the quiet window, reflecting the jade-like beauty;
Red candles flickered as they danced gracefully together.
The light silk curtains hung low, veering the spring scenery from view;
Deep affection and intense passion intertwined endlessly.

...

The small courtyard at Jinning Inn always allowed Ning Junruo to feel the warmth of home.

Every time she returned, she wished she could stay to live there permanently and never have to return to that scheming Prince's residence.

Having returned from the academy too late yesterday, Ning Junruo had spent the night here, and her suppressed mood had lifted considerably.

"Madam, you have no idea how everyone was praising you."

As soon as breakfast was finished, Huaixi said cheerfully, "When I went out to buy sweet bean pudding this morning, I heard that Xu Mingyi led those scholars in composing quite a few poems praising you. Everyone eating breakfast in the shop knows that Madam is as kind-hearted as she is beautiful."

Yesterday, she had casually mentioned to Xu Mingyi that before she left, the Dowager Consort had already entertained thoughts of divorcing her.

She had said she wasn't worried about being cast aside, but rather felt resentful at the prospect of the academy and those shops falling into their hands.

She had not expected Xu Mingyi to be so proactive, spreading those poems to every street and alley in such a short time.

Ning Junruo sighed inwardly. A gentleman does not stand under a tottering wall; she wondered whether his actions would ultimately prove beneficial or harmful.

Nanny Wei smiled and praised, "Master Xu is indeed immensely talented. This old servant has also read a couple of them, and Master Xu's two pieces are by far the finest."

She had already laid eyes on those two poems by Xu Mingyi.

Hearing this, a rosy blush immediately flew across Ning Junruo's cheeks. "Nanny, you mustn't misunderstand. He was writing about a fairy maiden, how could it be me?"

Nanny Wei teased with a smile, her eyes full of affection as she looked at her. "Did they strike a chord in your heart? This is the first time this old servant has seen the Madam look so shy."

"Why must Nanny tease me too?"

Ning Junruo feigned annoyance and puckered her lips. "Enough, I won't say any more. We had better hurry back to the estate."

After packing up simply, they prepared to return to the mansion.

Just as they reached the entrance, Yuan Wenxiu hurried forward to greet them.

He bowed deeply, then lowered his voice to ask, "Madam, what should be done with those silver banknotes? Young Master Guan sent them over rather late, so this subordinate dared not disturb you."

Nanny Wei had already tactfully led the maids away.

Ning Junruo thought for a moment and said, "Leave them in the accounts as before. If I need them when I return to the estate later, I will have Zisu come collect them."

Yuan Wenxiu cupped his hands in acknowledgment and was just about to leave when he heard Ning Junruo ask, "Did you give him the key?"

"He took it back last night, but who would have thought Young Master Guan would send someone with it again early this morning, saying that the residence now belongs entirely to the Madam."

To think he still kept his word. Ning Junruo nodded to show she understood, then departed with her maids.

Those poems had spread to Jinning Inn, and naturally, they reached the King of Liang's estate as well.

At that moment, Zhao Shenxing had dark circles under his eyes, looking very much like a man exhausted by excessive indulgence.

Hearing the maid's report, he flew into such a rage that he smashed the teacup in his hand to pieces. "She merely opened an academy! How did she suddenly become a pure soul of jade and ice with boundless virtue and grace?"

"And where is the Princess Consort? She still hasn't returned?" The Dowager Consort also wore a look of utter wrath.

Zhao Shenxing said with righteous indignation, "Based solely on her staying away for the night, this Prince has grounds to cast her out!"

"Oh? Does the Prince truly wish to divorce me?"

Just as the words left his mouth, Ning Junruo entered with her two maids.

"The letter of divorce has already been drawn up by me. If the Prince truly holds such intentions, please sign and press your fingerprint directly."

With that, Zisu produced the prepared letter of divorce and placed it upon the rosewood table between Consort Dowager Xu and Zhao Shenxing.

Not only that, she thoughtfully opened the ink pad she had brought along and set it beside the paper.

Zhao Shenxing glared at her fiercely before picking up the letter of divorce from the table to read it.