Chapter 8: Want a Divorce? Absolutely Impossible!

Don't let Xiao Jingyi's young age and status as a lackey fool you; his ability to get things done was truly beyond reproach.

Two hours later, he arrived at the Princess's Manor carrying an imperial decree. He quietly slipped it to Xiao Li, smiling like a silly fox who had successfully pulled off a scheme.

"Imperial Brother said you have to perform well tonight for these to count."

Xiao Li opened it to find that after a few useless compliments, the actual rewards began, the first of which was a fiefdom.

Generally speaking, only princesses of legitimate birth or those who were exceptionally favored could possess a fiefdom after marriage. The tax revenue from the fief was the primary source of a princess's income. However, the original owner of this body was merely a pawn; although she was registered under the Empress's name, she was not truly of legitimate birth. How could the Emperor be willing to grant her a fiefdom?

It was clear that the Emperor had been "eating very fatly" lately—he had actually agreed to grant a fiefdom.

However, Quzhou?

The Emperor was clearly bullying her, thinking that as a princess who had never left the palace, she knew nothing.

The land in Quzhou was relatively vast, but it was a frontier prefecture bordering an enemy nation. It was plagued by constant warfare and swirling yellow sands; it was undoubtedly a place of poverty. It would be a miracle if it didn't lose money; what kind of tax revenue could it possibly generate?

But Xiao Li didn't complain. Even a mosquito's leg was still meat, and besides, her intention was merely to scrape some resources off the Emperor; it didn't matter where the fief was located.

Following the fiefdom were various rewards: a pile of ornaments that were neither edible nor useful, followed by fabrics, fragrant powders, and alcohol.

After reading through it, Xiao Li summarized it in two words: "So stingy!"

Xiao Jingyi's teacup clinked against his teeth. His Imperial Sister really dared to say that.

Although the Emperor hadn't given much, Xiao Li was not stingy either. She pointed at several items: "This, this, and this—for you!"

Xiao Jingyi's eyes instantly lit up. "Thank you, Imperial Sister! Imperial Sister is so generous!"

Although he had indeed worked hard to squeeze things out of his Imperial Brother only because his sister said she would share some with him, he hadn't expected Xiao Li to give him so much. He thought it would just be a token gesture, or perhaps she wouldn't give him anything at all. He hadn't expected Xiao Li to directly pick out four precious items for him; primarily, he had only helped ask for them because he wanted them himself.

He had originally thought about whether he could use these items to trade with his sister in the future, but he hadn't expected her to give them to him so directly and so readily.

She really was his dearest sister!

Seeing the glint in his eyes, Xiao Li asked in confusion, "Are you short on money?"

Xiao Jingyi wiped his face. "Is it that obvious?"

Xiao Li: "You are a Prince."

Xiao Jingyi sighed. "Can't a Prince be short on money? I haven't reached my capping ceremony yet, and Imperial Brother hasn't given me a fiefdom. The annual stipend I can use is only that small amount. My household is almost unable to keep the pot boiling."

To be so young yet have such a face full of sorrow—it was clear he was truly poor.

Xiao Li thought for a moment, then tapped the imperial decree. "As for the other items, I'll grant you twenty percent."

A windfall from the heavens.

Xiao Jingyi's expression changed instantly, and he smiled even more obsequiously than a eunuch. "Thank you for the reward, Imperial Sister!"

Because of Xiao Jingyi's antics, Xiao Li showed her first genuine smile.

Being this likable, he deserved to live until the end.

——

Having received the imperial decree as her reward, Xiao Li finally began to dress up and prepare to enter the palace.

Having obtained his benefits, Xiao Jingyi now transformed into "Little Yi-zi," devoting himself entirely to serving his Imperial Sister.

His sycophancy was almost too much to watch.

However, because of him, Xiao Li's mood lightened considerably.

The two entered the palace just in time; by the time they arrived, almost everyone had gathered.

The Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and the Empress sat in the seats of honor. There were the members of the Lu family, and Xiao Li glanced to the left at a man dressed in gold-red cloud brocade, possessing a cold temperament like an iceberg. He was the protagonist of this story, Prince Chen, Xiao Jingyu—her fifth Imperial Brother.

Setting everything else aside, that face alone was certainly worthy of being a male lead, but while he was worthy of being a male lead, he was not worthy of being a human being.

Sitting beside Prince Chen was Liu Xueyin, who had also changed into magnificent attire. She was still dressed in white, but with a few more pieces of jewelry, she looked more elegant and noble.

Many people from the Lu family had also arrived: Grand Secretary Lu and his wife, Minister Lu and his wife, and Lu Yanzhi. All of them had cold faces, rivaling the iceberg male lead, Xiao Jingyu.

Xiao Li and Xiao Jingyi stepped forward to pay their respects. The Empress Dowager ignored her, but the Emperor told her to dispense with the formalities, then said with a grin, "Xuan Yang, Jingyi, you've finally arrived. Sit down quickly, it's time to start the feast!"

At this moment, only two seats remained: one was solitary, and the other was next to Lu Yanzhi.

Xiao Jingyi darted over to sit down in one stride, then kept his eyes fixed on his nose and his heart, looking at no one.

Xiao Li gave him an "angry" glare, then let out a cold laugh when she looked at Lu Yanzhi, but in the end, she walked over and sat down.

Seeing the two sitting together, the Empress Dowager was satisfied. Just as she was about to suggest a reconciliation, Grand Secretary Lu stood up.

"Your Majesty, now that everyone is here, this old official takes the liberty to ask Your Majesty to issue a decree permitting Princess Xuan Yang to divorce her unfilial grandson, Lu Yanzhi."

The rest of the Lu family, including Lu Yanzhi, rose and knelt. Lu Yanzhi spoke words of guilt with an expressionless face: "I truly cannot feel romantic affection for the Princess. I have failed Your Majesty's great kindness. To avoid becoming a resentful couple in the future and causing the Princess heartache, I implore Your Majesty to issue a decree for divorce. I am willing to offer generous gifts to compensate the Princess."

This scene had already occurred during the morning court session. Grand Secretary Lu had submitted a memorial requesting that his grandson divorce the Princess.

The Emperor was unwilling. On one hand, he told the Lu family that the one suffering was Princess Xuan Yang and that the divorce could only happen if she agreed; on the other hand, he called Xiao Jingyi to persuade Xiao Li not to divorce.

He had been pushed to his limit, which was why he had to prepare this small banquet to let both sides sit down and resolve the matter.

However, having just received Xiao Li's confirmation via the imperial decree, his heart was currently as steady as an old dog.

Want to divorce? Absolutely impossible!

"Ultimately, this is a matter between the two of them as husband and wife, and the one suffering is also my Imperial Sister. This matter should be decided by her opinion." Thus, he looked at Xiao Li with a smile. "Xuan Yang, do you say you want to divorce?"

Seeing Xiao Li's hesitant expression, he added, "Do not be afraid. Imperial Brother will stand up for you. As long as you say it, Imperial Brother will agree to anything."

The Empress Dowager's face immediately turned cold, but she did not contradict the Emperor. Instead, she said to Xiao Li, "Xuan Yang, it takes a hundred lifetimes of cultivation to become husband and wife in one. You must think carefully; do not squander a good marriage."

A good marriage? She was telling blatant lies.

However, the Empress Dowager was clearly threatening her.

Xiao Li picked up a wine pot and poured herself a cup, then lifted the cup as if intending to drink, only to set it down heavily, looking very conflicted.

Under everyone's gaze, she looked toward the great iceberg, Prince Chen, across from her: "Imperial Brother, do you think I should divorce?"

The Empress Dowager was dissatisfied: "Why are you asking him?"

Prince Chen's ten-thousand-year unchanging iceberg face held no warmth, and his words were equally freezing: "This is a major life event for my Imperial Sister; she should consider it carefully herself."

In short, it had nothing to do with him. But that was Prince Chen's character archetype.

Not caring about his biological mother, not caring about his siblings, not caring about his wife, ignoring numerous pursuers, and indirectly causing the death of his own two sons—what kind of absolute jerk was this?

Xiao Li let out a laugh and gave a meaningful look at Liu Xueyin beside him: "Do not blame me, Imperial Brother. Today, Imperial Sister-in-law specifically sought me out to beg me to reconcile with the Consort. I thought this was also Imperial Brother's intention, so I thought I would ask."

Ancient political intrigue is too brain-burning, modern CEO romances are unfamiliar, sweet stories are too brainless to write, and xianxia cultivation is too hard to get into.

After ten years of writing, I have returned only to find I am still a novice.

>_<

(End of Chapter)