mesbooks Chapter 114 "Who Wants a Divorce?"
Chapter 114 "Who Wants a Divorce?"
Murong Xuan frowned, his eyes filled with conflict. He raised his hand to stroke his beard, pondering how to handle the entanglement between Murong Yi and Lin Qianqian.
Just then, Lin Qianqian rushed over, gracefully walked to Murong Yi's side, and knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects!"
Murong Yi glanced at her sideways and gave a heavy snort through her nose.
Lin Qianqian seemed not to hear, her face calm as still water, thinking to herself that she disdained to argue with him about such rude behavior.
Murong Xuan slightly raised his hand, gesturing for her to stand up, and then asked with a burning gaze, "I heard that my ninth brother wants to divorce you, saying that you are not a virtuous woman. Is this true?"
Lin Qianqian's anger flared up instantly. She subconsciously clenched her sleeves and cursed Murong Yi countless times in her heart, wishing she could immediately tear out his heart to prove her innocence. However, being in the main hall, she knew she couldn't lose her composure. So she took a deep breath, bowed respectfully again, and replied calmly, "Your Majesty, I am innocent. Today's events were truly a misunderstanding. The Fourth Prince mistook me for someone else, which led to his inappropriate behavior. The Tenth Prince can testify to this. As for me, I was merely acting according to propriety in the Prince's residence; how could I have been arrogant and domineering? As for the matter with Consort Su Wan'er, she was simply disrespectful to me. To protect my own reputation and the reputation of the Prince's residence, I gave her a slight reprimand, but it was twisted into all sorts of harassment. I wholeheartedly serve the Prince and fulfill my duties as a Princess Consort; I have absolutely not overstepped any boundaries. I hope Your Majesty will investigate thoroughly." After speaking, she glanced at Murong Yi out of the corner of her eye, appearing calm and collected even in the face of danger.
Enraged and humiliated, Murong Yi pointed at her angrily, "Lin Qianqian, you—"
Lin Qianqian slightly raised her chin, her expression calm and composed, and said slowly, "Your Majesty, I agree to the divorce, but the reason is not as the prince said."
These words aroused Murong Xuan's curiosity and doubt.
Murong Xuan: "Oh? Tell me about it."
Murong Yi frowned beside her, watching what tricks she was up to.
Lin Qianqian continued without changing her expression, "Since entering the Prince's mansion, I have been hoping to live in harmony with Your Highness, but things have not turned out as I wished. Your Highness completely disregards the facts and slanders me based solely on his own imagination, even slandering my maid. What's worse, in a fit of rage, Your Highness even beat me. Such violence has caused me great physical and mental harm. After many days of marriage, Your Highness has been very cold towards me, and it seems as if I am the only one left in the mansion."
She took a deep breath and straightened her back. "I know very well that this marriage is a political alliance. There is no emotional foundation, so why force it to continue? Now that conflicts are arising, it is better to end it sooner rather than later, so that we can both be free and find our own peace."
Upon hearing Lin Qianqian's words, Murong Yi's lips parted slightly, but it was as if something was choking her throat, and she couldn't utter a single word for a moment. She could only forcefully suppress the anger and frustration in her heart, her face turning pale and then purple.
Murong Xuan's eyes widened in shock and confusion, his brows furrowed into a deep frown. He abruptly turned his head, his gaze sharp as he looked at Murong Yi, his voice rising several decibels: "Ninth Brother, is this true?"
Murong Yi's eyes darted around, and she stammered, "This..." Then she lowered her head and fell into a long silence.
Seeing his expression, Murong Xuan understood immediately. He couldn't help but sigh, his tone full of disappointment and reproach: "Ninth Brother, you're foolish! You don't love such a good wife, what... what were you thinking!"
Murong Yi raised her head, a hint of stubbornness flashing in her eyes, which quickly dimmed. She said softly, "I... Your Majesty, but I have someone I love in my heart..."
Upon hearing this, Lin Qianqian's lips curled into a mocking smile. She tilted her head back slightly, her eyes filled with disdain and disappointment, before giving a helpless smirk.
Lin Qianqian stood tall and straight, her expression resolute, her gaze fixed on Murong Xuan. She spoke firmly and resolutely, "Your Majesty, since it is clear that there is no affection between us, and we now loathe each other and are unwilling to share a room, forcing ourselves to stay together will only cause us pain. I beg Your Majesty to issue a decree for a divorce and grant us our wish!" Her voice echoed in the hall, revealing an undeniable determination.
Murong Yi seemed to have heard something earth-shattering. Her face instantly filled with astonishment and shock, her eyes widened, and she exclaimed repeatedly, "!!!!"
Murong Xuan looked troubled, his brows furrowed. He slowly stood up and paced back and forth in the hall, muttering to himself, "This..." His hands were behind his back, as if he were weighing the pros and cons, caught in a deep dilemma.
"Who wants a divorce!" A stern rebuke, like a booming bell, sent a chill down the spines of everyone in the hall.
The Empress Dowager was dressed in a magnificent gold-embroidered phoenix robe, adorned with dazzling phoenix-shaped pearls and jade ornaments. Though the marks of time were etched on her face, she still exuded an unassailable nobility and majesty. She walked with steady, slow steps, each step seemingly carrying immense weight. The pearls and jade ornaments beneath her feet swayed and shone with each step, making a soft clinking sound.
The Fourth Prince Murong Che and the Tenth Prince Murong Feng followed respectfully like bodyguards. The Empress Dowager walked straight to the center of the hall, her eyes sharp as she scanned the crowd. Wherever she went, everyone unconsciously lowered their heads, not daring to meet her gaze.