Chapter 6: Wishing He Would Divorce Me

Yilan Residence remained as tranquil as ever.

On a high pedestal in the corner, several pots of precious ink orchids were blooming in quiet elegance. Agarwood burned in a beast-patterned bronze censer, its curling ribbons of scent filling the room with a cloying sweetness. Ning Junruo sat before her desk, eyes fixed on the book in her hands, though she could not take in a single word.

"My Lady, Concubine Xiao is truly amusing."

Huaixi’s eyes danced with irrepressible joy. "I heard she is parading all over the courtyard wearing that set of jewelry, infuriating all the other ladies."

"She has always loved to show off. Now that she has obtained such a fine treasure, how could she not flaunt it? In my opinion, My Lady, you shouldn't have given her that kingfisher-inlaid jewelry with South Sea pearls," Zisu said coldly.

Little did they know, the tactic of "borrowing flowers to offer to Buddha" had worked quite well; Lady Xiao certainly had not disappointed her.

Ning Junruo set down her book, a faint, imperceptible sneer curling her lips. "That jewelry was brought back by the Prince and Chang Yuniang. If I hadn't given it to her, was I supposed to save it for Chang Yuniang?"

In her past life, armed with that set of jewelry, Chang Yuniang had become the center of attention. Consequently, when she claimed to be from the Chang family of the capital, no one dared to doubt her.

"Does My Lady mean... that the jewelry was meant for Chang Yuniang by the Prince?" Nanny Wei was, as always, quick to grasp the implication. She had felt all along that her mistress seemed different today.

"If that is the case, it was better to give it to Lady Xiao," Zisu asked with concern. "Will the Prince blame you when he finds out?"

Even the finest agarwood could not calm her mind. Thinking of the predicament before her, Ning Junruo felt a sudden wave of despondency. Liangzhou was so far from the capital; she was alone, without family or support, trapped in this deep mansion. Even if she knew the outcome, what could she do? Could she truly change everything with her own limited strength?

Ning Junruo tossed the book aside and said sharply, "Let him blame me! I wish he would divorce me!"

"Pah! Why would you say something so disheartening for no reason?" Nanny Wei hurriedly set down the boots she was stitching, stood up, and walked to her side, comforting her in a soft voice. "Your marriage to the Prince was bestowed by the Empress Dowager herself. Even if that woman Chang bears a son, she cannot shake your position as the Princess of Liang. Why must you fret over her?"

Nanny Wei was her wet nurse, who had loved her like a mother since she was a child. Had it not been for Nanny Wei’s careful consolation, she did not know how she would have endured these days so far from home.

Thinking of how Nanny Wei had died an unexplained death in her previous life, Ning Junruo felt a pang of deep sorrow. Seeing the nanny’s worried expression made her feel guilty; she longed to throw herself into the old woman’s arms and weep, just as she used to. But she ultimately suppressed those emotions.

"Nanny, please do not worry. I am not angry, I simply find this Liang Prince’s estate incredibly dull."

She was barely twenty; her life had such a long road ahead. As if sensing her inner pain, Nanny Wei sighed and pulled her into a comforting embrace. "I know your difficulties, but as women, how much agency do we ever have? With the Prince’s temperament, it is best not to expect anything. Is there any life one cannot survive? You are the Prince’s lawfully wedded wife, and with your substantial dowry, even without the Prince’s favor, we can live in comfort for the rest of our days."

So, the nanny thought she was worried about such trivialities.

Ning Junruo sighed. "Nanny, you misunderstand. I have never desired his favor. It is just... the tree desires stillness but the wind will not cease. I truly have no desire to be the Princess of Liang."

Her words carried hidden meaning. Nanny Wei signaled, and Huaixi tactfully led the other maids away.

Only then did Nanny Wei whisper, "If you trust me, My Lady, why not speak your mind? Perhaps you will feel relieved once it is off your chest."

In her past life, Nanny Wei had risked her life multiple times to protect her, so Ning Junruo had never intended to hide anything from her. Besides, Nanny Wei was steady and had spent many years by her mother’s side, possessing much of her mother’s wisdom. Two heads were better than one; with her guidance, it would surely be better than struggling alone.

Ning Junruo took a sip of tea to moisten her throat and said softly, "Last night, I had a long dream. In it, Chang Yuniang was the daughter of a brothel family. As soon as she entered the house, the Dowager required me to acknowledge her as a cousin. Under the intense pressure of the Dowager and the Prince, I was forced to comply. Who would have known..."

Although she did not know for certain if Chang Yuniang was truly from a brothel, her behavior and mannerisms were certainly not those of a respectable family.

The more she heard, the more startled Nanny Wei became. Was her mistress’s dream too prophetic? Was it a premonition? Although she believed in the supernatural, she still stared with wide, stunned eyes. After a long silence, she stammered, "No wonder you said her eyes were flirtatious and her mannerisms light; she didn't seem to be from a merchant family. Was all of this known through your dream?"

Ning Junruo nodded with a solemn expression. "I know you may not believe me, Nanny. To be honest, I didn't believe it at first either, but those things happened exactly as they did in my dream. I have no choice but to believe."

The truth about her rebirth was too outlandish; Ning Junruo feared the nanny would not believe her, so she framed it as a dream. In reality, it was only after Chang Yuniang had taken over the household affairs in her past life that she had begun to study Zen and divination, learning to read faces during that time.

"I believe! I believe! I was wondering how you suddenly learned to read faces. So it was a blessing from the immortals!" Nanny Wei immediately pressed her palms together, closed her eyes, and began to murmur, thanking her ancestors and the gods for their protection. "If that dream is true, we cannot bear the grave crime of deceiving the Emperor. We must find a way to leave the Liang Prince’s estate as soon as possible."

Ning Junruo took her hand and said solemnly, "Such a major matter cannot be told to my parents by letter, lest they worry in the capital for no reason. You are the only one in this household I trust. In the future, I intend to plan for myself; you wouldn't mind, would you?"

"You should have planned for yourself long ago." Nanny Wei’s gentle face became calm. "I have always said you were a woman of great fortune. Now that you have the blessing of the gods, as long as you do not find me a burden, I am willing to go through fire and water for you."

"Go through fire and water." Tears welled up in Ning Junruo’s eyes.

"Do you truly intend to leave the Prince’s estate?" Nanny Wei asked again. "Even if it means being divorced?"

Ning Junruo nodded without hesitation. "If I am truly divorced, we will find a Taoist temple to practice in. Compared to one's life and safety, reputation truly matters for nothing."

Nanny Wei praised her, "With such resolve, I am no longer worried. However, wealth is the foundation of one's security. You must not, as you did before, take your own dowry to foolishly cover the deficits of this household."

"Thank you for the reminder, Nanny. Before, I always thought we were family, so I didn't think much of it."

"Alas, it is a pity that the Prince never regarded you as family. Your temperament is so much like your mother’s—always willing to suffer yourself rather than treat others poorly..."

Ning Junruo thought to herself, *I was indeed like that before, but from now on... that may not be the case!*

After speaking for a long while, the knot in Ning Junruo’s heart was completely untied. Nanny Wei then called Huaixi back in and had her bring the dowry lists, property deeds, and all the account books.

One truly did not know until one looked—and the sight was shocking. Upon checking the income of the shops, she discovered they had been in a state of deficit for years. If not for the income from the orchards, she feared they would have been unable to make ends meet.