Chapter 3

Tang Xiu’s carriage sped away, quickly disappearing beyond the Dong’an Gate.

Only then did Chen Yue tear his gaze away, and under the nervous and obsequious flattery of the eunuch, he headed towards the Qixiang Palace.

The two parted ways.

Meanwhile, as Tang Xiu had expected, the news of the sudden divorce between the couple, who had always been the epitome of a loving pair, spread like wildfire throughout the city of Beijing, reaching even the Princess Royal’s mansion.

Princess Rui’an was having her meal when she heard the rumor. She was stunned, and almost dropped the jade chopsticks in her hand.

She widened her eyes slightly and repeated, “Divorce?”

Had she heard wrong? How could her son and daughter-in-law be getting a divorce?

They had sent her gifts for the festival just the other day, how could they…

Princess Rui’an instantly lost her appetite. She put down her jade chopsticks and beckoned a palace maid to come forward and tell her exactly what was going on.

When she heard that Tang Xiu had gone to the palace and Chen Yue had also been summoned by the Emperor, and that rumors were circulating that the Emperor had already agreed to their divorce, otherwise, Tang Xiu wouldn’t have moved out of the Duke of Jiangxia’s mansion with all her belongings, Princess Rui’an couldn’t listen anymore.

“Stop. Someone, help me change.”

Princess Rui’an stood up, her face grave. “I must go to the palace to see the Emperor.”

Making sure that Chen Yue hadn’t left the Forbidden City yet, according to the palace maid’s report, Princess Rui’an hurriedly had someone fetch the token representing her status.

She had to go to the palace immediately and see if she could stop this. She was the Emperor’s sister, born to the same mother, and she could still speak to him somewhat.

Then she sent someone to inform the Duke. The Emperor valued this brother-in-law, and he would likely listen to what the Duke had to say.

Without waiting for the Duke, Princess Rui’an rushed into her carriage and headed towards the palace.

—If there was anyone in the entire capital who was most unwilling to see Chen Yue and Tang Xiu separate, it was none other than Princess Rui’an.

Others might not know, but Princess Rui’an knew very well.

Chen Yue was her only son, the Emperor’s only nephew, and he had inherited the title of Duke, his status was undoubtedly noble, but these were not really important.

What truly mattered was that he held the position of Commander of the Jinyiwei and was in charge of the prison of the Northern Town Guard.

The Jinyiwei had been established by Emperor Hongwu, the founding emperor, two hundred years ago. Whether it was court officials or ordinary people, whenever they mentioned the Jinyiwei, they would be terrified, fearing that they might say or do something they shouldn’t, and be discovered by the Jinyiwei, who would then drag them to the prison. If they could keep their bodies intact, it would be considered a mercy from the Jinyiwei.

Holding the power of life and death, they were powerful but notorious, feared by all. This was the Jinyiwei.

And Chen Yue, who had become the Commander by his own abilities and military achievements, leading tens of thousands of Jinyiwei, was undoubtedly even more intimidating. Most people, upon hearing his name, would immediately feel fear, let alone be close to him.

Therefore, even five years ago, when Chen Yue hadn’t yet risen to the position of Commander, Princess Rui’an was extremely anxious. No matter how capable Chen Yue was, the Jinyiwei had always had a bad reputation. Would she ever see Chen Yue marry and have a family in her lifetime?

What made her even more anxious was that Chen Yue himself wasn’t in a hurry at all!

While other people’s sons were already engaged, married, and having children, Chen Yue was almost twenty and still hadn’t found a wife. During that time, Princess Rui’an truly couldn’t eat or sleep. She had considered biting the bullet and shamelessly asking the Emperor to arrange a marriage for him, but she always stopped herself at the last moment. She was worried that if her son couldn’t find a wife, would anyone be willing to marry their daughter to a ruthless Jinyiwei? She couldn’t force a good girl to marry Chen Yue, marriage wasn’t about making enemies, she wasn’t that crazy.

She had to thank the Emperor. During a palace banquet, he had casually asked about it, learning that his nephew hadn’t gotten engaged yet at this age. The Emperor, for once, took it to heart. A few days later, he summoned Princess Rui’an to the palace and said that the Imperial Noble Consort’s family had a niece, beautiful and graceful, who was just of age, but not much younger than Chen Yue. He asked Princess Rui’an to ask Chen Yue if he wanted to meet her.

He also said that the niece had been pampered since childhood, was carefree, and didn’t care about status or family background when it came to marriage. Even if it was a Jinyiwei, it didn’t matter, as long as he was handsome and caught her eye.

Princess Rui’an was overjoyed to hear this. This was a gift from heaven, she had found her daughter-in-law.

She excitedly told Chen Yue about the meeting. At first, Chen Yue said that marriage was a matter for his parents to decide, but after the meeting, he changed his attitude, which had been indifferent, and became quite enthusiastic about getting married. Princess Rui’an inquired further and heard that the niece was also quite satisfied with Chen Yue. Princess Rui’an felt relieved and began preparing to propose marriage.

Later, everything went smoothly, following the traditional procedures. Chen Yue finally got his beautiful woman.

But how long had it been since he got her, and the beauty no longer wanted him.

Princess Rui’an felt that there must be a misunderstanding, or Chen Yue had done something wrong, and Tang Xiu couldn’t take it anymore, so she divorced him. Otherwise, with Tang Xiu’s temperament, would she ever say the word divorce?

No, she had finally found a daughter-in-law, she couldn’t let her fly away.

Thinking of this, Princess Rui’an urged them to hurry, she had to turn the tide before things got worse.

While Princess Rui’an was rushing to the palace to help Chen Yue salvage his marriage, Tang Xiu’s carriage had already arrived at the Tang residence.

Having received the news of Tang Xiu’s return long ago, the grand Tang residence was open wide at noon. Not only were there several rows of servants standing back and forth, but the masters were also waiting eagerly. People passing by couldn’t help but sigh that the Tang family truly loved their daughter. Ordinarily, when a married daughter returned home after a divorce, they wouldn’t even open the door to welcome her, let alone open it wide. They would even wish they could disappear, to avoid being laughed at. Only the Tang family was so open and welcoming, afraid that their daughter would be wronged if they were even a moment late.

But then again, the Tang family had three branches, but only one biological daughter. If it were any other family, they would also spoil her as the apple of their eye.

At this moment, the apple of their eye lifted the carriage curtain, revealing her face, and her mother, Feng Jingrong, rushed forward to greet her.

Feng Jingrong, Tang Xiu’s mother, was naturally elegant and beautiful, and well-maintained. Standing next to Tang Xiu, they looked like sisters. She said, “Are you hungry? Dinner is ready, I’ve been waiting for you.”

“Yes, I’m hungry.”

Tang Xiu got out of the carriage with her mother’s help and greeted her family one by one.

Then she smiled, “But I need to change my clothes first, this headwear is too heavy.”

Feng Jingrong looked at her elaborate hair bun, a complete set of pure gold headwear was indeed very heavy. “Go ahead and change, we’ve waited so long, it won’t make a difference if it’s a little longer.”

It’s worth mentioning that not only did the head of the family, the first wife, express this sentiment, but everyone else also nodded in agreement, saying that there was no hurry and that Tang Xiu should change into something more comfortable first.

They all went into the mansion together. Feng Jingrong and the others went to the main hall, while Tang Xiu went to her old bedroom to change.

Her bedroom was called Zhijianju (Simple Residence).

As the residence of the eldest daughter, Zhijianju was very spacious and exquisitely decorated. From the teacups in the room to the grapevine outside the courtyard, everything exuded the love and care of her family for Tang Xiu. Even though she had been married for three years and didn’t come back often, someone cleaned and tended to it every day. Looking at the blooming flowers in the small garden, the rocking chair under the shade of the budding trees swaying gently in the breeze, everything seemed to be the same as before.

At least the maids and servants like Liucai couldn’t help but show a familiar look as they stepped inside. Although the Duke of Jiangxia’s mansion was good enough, their original home was still the most memorable.

Tang Xiu, as soon as she entered the room, couldn’t wait to have Liucai help her change.

The diligent maid brought warm water and served her mistress, washing off the makeup on her face. After wiping away the water droplets, she changed into a plain Daoist robe. Liucai carefully combed through her long hair, which had been taken down, and then gently tied it up with a simple wooden hairpin. This was Tang Xiu’s most casual attire.

This look was far from the standard of a noble lady, but Tang Xiu felt more comfortable this way.

Unfettered and at ease, that was what she liked best.

Picking up a fan, Tang Xiu went to the main hall for dinner.

The Tang family wasn’t large, with few people and few things, so naturally, their relationships were easy to manage. The three branches still lived together and hadn’t split up. When Tang Xiu arrived, Feng Jingrong and the other elders were already seated. The eldest son of the second branch waved to Tang Xiu and called her “elder sister,” and the adopted daughter of the third branch also called her “elder sister.” Besides Tang Xiu, there were only these two younger ones in this generation of the Tang family.

Tang Xiu responded and sat down in the empty seat that her brother and sister had deliberately left for her.

When everyone was present, Feng Jingrong signaled for them to start eating.

Since Tang Xiu had last come back for the New Year, it had been a long time since they had seen her, and now that she was getting a divorce, they only took a few symbolic bites. Yu Sanye, the third master of the third branch, who was idle at home, couldn’t hold back and started asking Tang Xiu.

He said, “Cangcang.”

Cangcang was Tang Xiu’s nickname.

Tang Xiu swallowed the soup in her mouth and looked up. “Third Uncle.”

Yu Sanye hummed. “Cangcang, look, we’re all family here, no outsiders. Tell us, you and Chen Yue, because…”

Before he could finish, he felt his wife, Yun, glare at him. “Call him the Duke of Jiangxia.”

“…Oh, oh, the Duke of Jiangxia.”

Yu Sanye didn’t understand. Chen Yue was his elder brother’s son-in-law, which meant he was practically his son-in-law too. What was wrong with calling him by his name? When Chen Yue came to pay New Year’s greetings before, he had never heard his elder brother and sister-in-law call him the Duke of Jiangxia.

Why did he have to call him that way, it was so formal.

Yu Sanye mumbled a few words, not dwelling on it too much, and continued to ask Tang Xiu, “Tell us, why did you and the Duke of Jiangxia get a divorce?”

Then he realized, yes, divorce, they were divorced, Chen Yue was no longer considered family, so he had to address him by his official title and rank. It would be too familiar to call him by his name.

He had been used to calling him by his name before, and his mind hadn’t caught up.

Yu Sanye tapped his forehead in annoyance.

Then he heard Tang Xiu say, “Nothing, we just couldn’t go on.”

Yu Sanye was speechless. What kind of excuse was that?

Everyone had witnessed how good Chen Yue was to her over the years. He even doted on her more than they did. After she got married, everyone praised her for living a happy life. How could she possibly not be able to go on?

Yu Sanye pouted. “You might as well say you just don’t want to live with him anymore.”

He was just saying it casually, but Tang Xiu blinked and actually agreed.

“If you put it that way, Third Uncle, then yes.”

Yu Sanye was even more speechless.

So even she couldn’t come up with a suitable reason.

But even he, the listener, found it ridiculous. Imagine how Chen Yue himself would react? It was said that Chen Yue had personally written the divorce papers

Don’t tell him that Chen Yue had doted on his wife to the point of losing his mind, thinking that Tang Xiu was just playing around and would come back when she was finished playing.

Yu Sanye thought for a moment and finally came up with a reason that made some sense.

“Could it be that the Duke of Jiangxia is… not up to par?” Yu Sanye didn’t want to think about it, but the more he thought about it, the more he felt that it must be true. Otherwise, there was no other explanation. “No way, he looks so…”

A vein popped out on Yun’s forehead.

Seeing her adopted daughter blushing and skillfully covering her ears, the eldest son of the second branch also lowered his head silently. Yun made a decisive move, picked up a chicken claw, and stuffed it into Yu Sanye’s mouth.

This scoundrel, what was he talking about in front of the children!

Yun said angrily, “Shut your mouth.”

Yu Sanye: “Mmmmmmmm!”

I haven’t finished yet!

Yun didn’t listen, expressionlessly picking up a second chicken claw and stuffing it in.

Yu Sanye’s mouth finally closed.

Yu Sanye couldn’t ask any further, but Tang Xiu had already linked his unfinished words to certain scenarios.

Hmm.

Chen Yue’s physique, whether it was looks or performance, was indeed very…

As for whether Chen Yue was up to par, she had been tossed and turned last night and her waist was still a little sore, so he was definitely up to par.

Seeing that Tang Xiu seemed to be reminiscing about something, Yu Sanye’s eyes lit up. He quickly chewed, wanting to finish the chicken claw as soon as possible so he could free his mouth to speak. He loved to watch the fun.

But Feng Jingrong spoke at that moment.

“Cangcang just came back, she hasn’t even unpacked or had a chance to rest. We can talk about this later, let her eat properly first.”

The first wife had spoken, Yu Sanye’s frantic chewing speed immediately slowed down. He mumbled in agreement while holding the chicken claw.

Tang Xiu was able to eat in peace.

After dinner, everyone went back to their own courtyards. Before leaving, Feng Jingrong asked Tang Xiu if she needed help with her belongings, after all, she had brought a lot of things. Tang Xiu shook her head and said no, her mother could go to sleep.

Feng Jingrong looked at Tang Xiu for a while and touched her head.

“It’s good to have you back.”

Now that they were alone, just the two of them, Feng Jingrong finally said what she couldn’t say in front of others.

“Mother won’t ask you about those things, it’s pointless anyway. In this world, it’s hard for women, Mother just hopes that no matter where you are, you can live a comfortable life.”

Tang Xiu laughed when she heard this.

She said, “Mother, you know me, how could I make myself uncomfortable?”

Feng Jingrong said, “That’s the best.”

Tang Xiu: “Mother, don’t worry.”

Her mother was an only child, and she was pampered and cherished before she married into the Tang family. She had a comfortable and carefree life. As a result, she also had an only daughter. Her mother used herself as an example and instilled in her from a young age things like “Don’t seek anything in life, just seek comfort,” meaning that as long as she didn’t do anything wrong, she could do whatever she wanted. Anyway, the family was quite powerful, and even if she made a big mistake, the family could cover for her.

As a daughter, she naturally listened to her mother.

Tang Xiu had grown up carefree and wouldn’t easily change because of a mere man.

After sending Feng Jingrong to take a nap, Tang Xiu returned to Zhijianju and started sorting out the things she had brought from the Duke of Jiangxia’s mansion.

It took her a whole morning to inventory everything, and then another afternoon to organize it.

Even though the servants did the moving and she only had to give instructions, she was still tired and sore. Moving was really not a job for humans.

Then, as she sat down to rest, she heard the servants report that her father had returned.

Tang Xiu changed her clothes and went to see her father.

Tang Dongqi, Tang Xiu’s father, was the Left Duke, a high-ranking official of the first rank. Although the Left Army Governor’s Mansion where he worked and the Jinyiwei were not part of the same department, they were still related because Chen Yue was his son-in-law. Today, Tang Dongqi had a difficult time at the Left Army Governor’s Mansion. Almost every colleague he met would ask him about his daughter and son-in-law’s divorce. Finally, it was time to get off work and go home. Tang Dongqi hadn’t even had a chance to complain to Feng Jingrong when he heard about what had happened at home.

After listening, Tang Xiu came to greet him. Tang Dongqi, taking advantage of Feng Jingrong’s going to the kitchen to prepare dinner, couldn’t help but say to Tang Xiu, “Your mother’s authority is growing stronger.”

Even Yu Sanye, the most unruly, was afraid of her. It seemed like no one in the family listened to him, the pillar of support.

Tang Xiu understood this very well. The men in their Tang family were generally afraid of their wives, and it was only natural to respect their sisters-in-law.

She said unceremoniously, “That just means Mother is good at managing the family. You have Mother as your wise and capable assistant, you should be happy.”

Tang Dongqi stroked his beard. This middle-aged handsome man was very pleased with himself. “Of course I know your mother is a wise and capable assistant.”

Tang Xiu understood, her father was deliberately showing off.

She decisively chose not to respond to her father.

After showing off his wife for a while, seeing that Tang Xiu’s expression was perfunctory and she wasn’t listening attentively, Tang Dongqi stopped, not quite satisfied, and asked, “You inherited your mother’s ability to manage the household, you’re also very capable. Are you really not going to manage the Duke’s mansion?”

Tang Xiu nodded. “Whoever wants to manage it can manage it.”

After all, she had already returned all the management rights to Chen Yue.

Tang Dongqi said, “Even if he finds a new wife?”

“That’s none of my business.”

Tang Xiu said confidently, without hesitation. Tang Dongqi clicked his tongue and then shook his head secretly.

He was getting old, and he didn’t manage the family affairs, so let his daughter do whatever she wanted. He wasn’t that kind of old-fashioned scholar who insisted that his daughter obey her father at home and her husband after marriage.

…Although, it’s true that she had never really listened to him much, from childhood to adulthood.

Tang Dongqi sighed sadly.

At this moment, Feng Jingrong walked into the room, wiping her hands. Tang Dongqi, who had just been in a fatherly mood and feeling sorry for himself, immediately abandoned Tang Xiu and went to his wife, taking a handkerchief to wipe her hands, muttering to himself that it was still cold outside and she should touch cold water less.

Feng Jingrong responded, urging him to change his clothes, dinner would be ready soon.

Dinner was uneventful. Seeing Tang Xiu’s tired expression and eating less than she had for lunch, Feng Jingrong knew she was truly exhausted. She had the kitchen bring in a bowl of silver ear and lotus seed soup that had been simmering for two hours and told her to drink it and go to sleep.

Tang Xiu obediently finished it and even had Liucai fill a bowl to take with her, to eat as a late-night snack.

She had a feeling that even though she was tired, she wouldn’t be able to sleep well tonight.

As expected, she had only been asleep for a short while when she suddenly woke up from a nightmare. She was gasping for breath, covered in cold sweat.

Liucai had been guarding by the bed and immediately lifted the bed curtains when she heard the noise. “Miss, you’re having nightmares again?”

“Hmm.”

Even her voice was weak.

The room was dark, and the windows were closed, so the moonlight couldn’t reach inside. Liucai helped Tang Xiu sit up in the dark, worriedly saying, “Should we go to the temple to find a master again? This can’t go on.”

Tang Xiu was listless. “You forgot, the last few times we went, it didn’t do any good.”

She had consulted not only masters in the temple but also many doctors who specialized in treating insomnia and nightmares, but none of the prescriptions worked. The medicine she took was worse than not taking it.

Liucai didn’t say anything, silently helping her undress and wipe her down.

After the bed was remade and Tang Xiu finished drinking the warmed silver ear and lotus seed soup, she rinsed her mouth and lay back down in the covers.

Then she tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Tang Xiu covered her eyes in frustration.

She wouldn’t even mention how agonizing the past half-month had been. Just talking about the past half-month since Chen Yue returned to the Duke’s mansion after finishing his work, every night he would drain her energy, leaving her mind empty and unable to think, and she would sleep soundly until dawn. Now that she was separated from Chen Yue, there was no one to drain her energy at night, so as soon as she closed her eyes, she would dream, and the dream would always be the same scene she had dreamt countless times.

Everywhere was on fire, endless and overwhelming, trapping her like a net. She ran, but she couldn’t escape. She called out, but she couldn’t make a sound. The raging flames burned her, making her feel terribly uncomfortable. She struggled to wake up, but it was as if she hadn’t slept at all, exhausted to the extreme.

She had thought that things might improve after leaving the Duke’s mansion, but it was still the same at home. She couldn’t sleep normally, which was so uncomfortable.

Tang Xiu thought, maybe she should find a few clean little officials and see if she could fall asleep? If that didn’t work, she would talk to Chen Yue and ask him if he could come over every night to coax her to sleep, and leave after she fell asleep.

She could pay him.