Shen Ruoxi was startled and hurriedly said, "Cousin, let's not talk about those harsh words anymore. We can't handle such matters.
Moreover, this time it's Zhen'er, who knows what kind of Zhen'er might appear next time? Do we have to eliminate each one?"
Xu Ci looked at her and sighed helplessly, "Silly girl, but what can you do?"
"That's why Ruoxi specially came to seek my cousin's help." Shen Ruoxi said sincerely.
Consort Xian gently pressed her lips together, hesitated for a while, and then spoke with some difficulty, "Although Xiao Chengyi is a fourth-rank general, the merits he earned this time are significant.
The great victory at Pingyang Pass was his masterpiece, not only recovering Pingyang Pass but also destroying fifty thousand enemies, forcing Yuncang Country to hoist the peace flag, allowing our soldiers to breathe and regain their strength.
The victory report was personally issued by the commander of the border city, Prince Zhan, and the people admire him greatly.
Him taking a second wife might not be a big deal in the eyes of the people. Such a favor, I'm afraid even your cousin can't help, it requires the Emperor to step in."
Shen Ruoxi spoke indifferently, "Cousin, I'm not trying to stop him from marrying, I just want a divorce letter for Xiao Chengyi."
"Ah!" Xu Ci exclaimed in surprise.
Shen Ruoxi's eyes slightly reddened, very resolutely, "Cousin, I've thought it through clearly. Back then, I married for two reasons: one was my fondness for Xiao Chengyi, and the other was my mother, your aunt, who didn't want anything to happen to me, wishing to preserve her only blood.
Thus, I followed my mother's wishes. But now, my husband has someone else in his heart, what am I still holding onto him for? Should I watch them be loving while wasting my years? Moreover, my aspirations are not here."
A woman divorcing a man? That's unheard of throughout history, and even hearing it is unsettling, not to mention that the other party is not only a fourth-rank official but also a meritous court minister, "This... historically, there's no saying of divorcing a husband."
"He broke his vow and should be divorced."
"Such a significant matter as divorcing a husband, your cousin cannot manage, it still requires the Emperor to decide."
Shen Ruoxi puffed her cheeks, said somewhat defiantly, "He despises me to the bone, surely will not agree."
Xu Ci chuckled softly, "The Emperor surely won't hate you, perhaps it suits his intention."
"Cousin, please don't tease me." Shen Ruoxi said, "I've always regarded the Emperor as a brother, like a real brother."
Xu Ci couldn't help but smile, "Oh no, if the Emperor hears this, he might be heartbroken!"
"Cousin!" Shen Ruoxi frowned, reproached.
"Alright, I won't tease you, this matter can only be handled by the Emperor. Only he can do it." Xu Ci stopped smiling and said seriously.
Shen Ruoxi felt troubled, the Emperor might not help her.
Xu Ci spoke earnestly, "Ruoxi, let your cousin open up her heart. Divorcing is impossible, but a separation might work.
Even a separation isn't as simple as you think, you'll be drowned by people's gossip! In people's eyes, a separated woman is a discarded wife."
Shen Ruoxi's eyes were determined, "Won't having two wives drown in people's gossip? I, the legitimate daughter of Loyalty Marquis, to be a flat wife with an orphan girl, would also disgrace the loyal and righteous Shen family."
Xu Ci inquired, "So you are resolute?"
Shen Ruoxi gently nodded.
"If you find it difficult to speak, I can step in to ask the Emperor to make a decision for you."
Shen Ruoxi bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, but still firmly said, "I will go speak to the Emperor myself!"
Xu Ci gently patted her shoulder, "I understand why you don't like coming here, after all, the Imperial Palace has many rules, inconvenient for action. But your grandparents are elderly, not much time left, you should take time to visit them more often."
Shen Ruoxi felt a sourness in her nose, mainly because meeting them left her unsure what to say, like tearing open a healing wound, a pain only the person involved could understand.
"Ruoxi understands." She replied softly.
Xu Ci nodded with tears in her eyes.
...
In the Imperial Study Room, the Emperor was focused on reviewing memorials.
Chief Eunuch Qi Lin cautiously glanced at the Emperor, hesitated to speak.
After a while, Qi Lin respectfully offered a cup of tea, "Your Majesty, this is Snow Pear Tea contributed from Nanyu Small Country, fragrant and refreshing, please taste it."
The Emperor didn't even raise his eyelids, "Put it down!"
Qi Lin placed the teacup down, his heart full of conflict.
As the Emperor's close eunuch for nearly ten years, he could almost discern the Emperor's thoughts, but at this moment, he didn't know whether to report the matter.
Qi Lin tentatively suggested again, "Your Majesty, the peach blossoms in the Imperial Garden are blooming beautifully, would you like to go for a walk, and relax?"
Today, Qi Lin seemed to speak more than usual, the Emperor's gaze pierced like an arrow towards him, "Is there something?"
Qi Lin trembled with fear, hurriedly knelt, stammered, "Your Majesty, no… nothing!"
"Speak!" The Emperor's tone brooked no refusal.
"Your Majesty, it's not a major matter. It's just that Young General Xiao's wife entered the palace today and visited Consort Xian." Qi Lin cautiously reported.
The Emperor didn't respond at first as to who Young General Xiao's wife was, but when he heard about her visiting Consort Xian, he finally knew who it was.
The Emperor paused, coldly said, "Understood, stand up, talkative!"
Qi Lin stood up trembling, secretly gauging the Emperor's thoughts.
The Emperor's expression didn't seem to change much, but his imperial brush was suspended in mid-air for a long time without falling.
An ink drop accidentally fell, smudged the memorial into mottled spots, he suddenly gripped the pen shaft tightly, with such force it seemed to almost break it.
The handwriting on the memorial suddenly blurred, like ants crawling, the Emperor vexedly closed the memorial with a heavy thud.
Two years had passed, unexpectedly, just mentioning her name still had such a strong impact.
He tightly furrowed his brow, coldly ordered, "Leave, no need for service here!"
Qi Lin was alarmed, didn't expect the Emperor still missed Shen Ruoxi.
He quickly gestured for the palace maids and eunuchs in the Imperial Study Room to leave.
Soon, the Imperial Study Room was left with only the Emperor alone.
Her seventh brother, good friends with him since childhood, was his study companion.
She, as the Shen family's only daughter, gathered all the love under the sun.
In childhood, she was as delicate as a porcelain doll, exquisitely shaped, naturally evoking a desire to protect.
However, at the age of five, she unexpectedly disappeared, leaving the entire Shen family in a state of panic and anxiety.
Fortunately, she was later found, and her family spoiled her like never before.
Rumors said she was adopted by a farmwoman, but only a few close ones knew she was rescued by her master, learning extraordinary skills at Medicine Spirit Valley.
He still remembers asking Shen Yijin, her seventh brother, about how she grew up.
Shen Yijin would always mysteriously smile, saying you'd know when you see her.
He finally saw her at the Shen Mansion, beside the fully blooming lotus pond.
At fourteen, she wore a pink dress, gently turned her head to meet his gaze.
At that moment, it seemed all things lost their color, only her bright presence etched deeply in his sight, and deeply carved into his heart.