"Miss Shen, it’s not that I’m one to gossip, but why hang yourself on a single tree? A forced melon is never sweet!"
In this world, perhaps only the young prince would dare to be so arrogant. He had even dropped the formal title of "Third Sister-in-law" and addressed her directly as "Miss Shen." Typical of you, young prince Chi Yan.
But isn't the young prince being a bit too bold? Publicly asking His Highness for a woman—and a notoriously spoiled, shameless woman at that. Is she even worth the young prince going through all that trouble to convince the Prince to release her?
Then again, the Prince detests this Princess Consort so much... who knows if he’d actually agree. They were all quite curious.
As for Xuanyuan Ming, he certainly wanted to get rid of her, but the imperial decree could not be defied. Unless Shen Qingyan herself requested it, he would be stuck with her for the rest of his life.
Shen Qingyan was left speechless. She maintained a faint smile: "Sweet or not is beside the point. I just enjoy plucking it anyway. Isn't being pushy and unreasonable my specialty?"
That certainly fit her reputation for being "willful and arrogant."
"Third Brother, you say something! Just write the letter of divorce right now and let Miss Shen go to me! You don't even like her, why ruin her chances of finding happiness elsewhere?"
The crowd was thunderstruck by his words.
Shen Qingyan: "..." Are you alright? Was everything she just said for nothing?
Xuanyuan Ming cast a glance at Shen Qingyan, his expression clearly saying, "Look at the mess you've made," as if everything was her fault.
Shen Qingyan: "..." I guess I just shouldn't exist.
"Chi Yan, don't be absurd. I’ll let it slide normally, but look at the occasion!"
Chi Yan chuckled. "Third Brother, I’m just joking! Don't take it to heart!"
The crowd let out a collective sigh. So, the young prince didn't actually want this vicious woman after all! That made sense; who would ever like someone like her?
Before leaving, Chi Yan looked at Shen Qingyan, a glint of amusement in his eyes, before making up an excuse about being hungry and departing.
Xuanyuan Ming ordered the matron and the maid who had falsely accused Shen Qingyan to go and receive their punishment. Then, he pointed at Shen Qingyan and said, "You, follow me!"
Lian'er felt a wave of relief, thinking she should hurry and freshen up; her mistress didn't like her to be untidy.
At Zuiyue Pavilion.
Shen Qingyan was so lost in thought about how to draft the divorce agreement that she didn't watch where she was going. When Xuanyuan Ming suddenly turned around, she walked straight into him.
A look of disgust flashed across the man's eyes; in his mind, this was just another one of her tricks to throw herself at him.
"Shen Qingyan, let me tell you, don't dream of me acknowledging your status! I could never like you. No matter how you try to seduce me, it will be useless. Do you understand?"
"Xuanyuan Ming, are you insane? Seduce you!? Are you dreaming?"
The man's sarcasm deepened: "You’ve even changed your tactics to try and seduce me—playing hard to get. Do you really think I can't see through it?!"
"Rest assured! I’d rather seduce someone else... even a dog, before I’d ever seduce you. If you’re sick, go see a doctor; if they can’t cure you, just go die!"
Her words successfully enraged him.
He grabbed her by the wrists and shoved her against the wall. Her back hit the hard surface with a sharp *thud*, and she winced in pain. Xuanyuan Ming’s tone turned even nastier: "I’m telling you, don't even think about trying to seduce me, or Chi Yan for that matter. If not for today, I wouldn't have realized you were so good at being a seductress!"
To think she had actually made his third brother ask for her! He truly couldn't underestimate this woman.
The sour, mocking tone was grating on her ears.
"This consort has been behaving herself and hasn't provoked anyone. Your Highness, your talent for slandering people is truly effortless. It really commands my respect!" *Just you wait, once we’re divorced, I’ll find a man and parade him in front of you every single day just to disgust you.*
The man’s eyes turned icy. He reached out and grabbed her chin. After being slammed against the wall, Shen Qingyan was beyond furious.
"I thought you’d learned your lesson, but it seems last time wasn't enough! Shen Qingyan, if you want to stay by my side, behave yourself. I am not a man who treats women with tenderness! Especially not for a vicious woman like you; I will not be soft-hearted."
Shen Qingyan smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. Even at a disadvantage, she refused to back down. She shoved his hands away and, in a flash, swung her hand and slapped him hard across the face.
"Sorry, I have a bad temper! What you said was truly unpleasant to hear!"
For a moment, Xuanyuan Ming was stunned. He had never imagined in his wildest dreams that this woman would dare to lay a hand on him!
"Shen Qingyan! Have you lost your mind?!" he roared at her, the words grinding out from between his teeth.
"I told you I have a bad temper! Did you think I was joking? Xuanyuan Ming, who the hell do you think you are? I used to like you, so I took your mistreatment, but now just looking at you disgusts me. What gives you the right to be so arrogant? Let me tell you, I, Shen Qingyan, am famous for my short temper. If you lay a hand on me again, I won't mind becoming a widow!"
She wanted to kill him?
The disbelief in Xuanyuan Ming's eyes turned into shock. For the first time, the very first time, he looked at her properly, and he realized he couldn't read her at all. Did she really mean that she had endured his mistreatment because she liked him, and now that she didn't, she no longer needed to tolerate it?
A woman who loved him so much—how could she suddenly stop? He must be losing his mind to have believed her nonsense for even a second.
Having been slapped, Xuanyuan Ming wanted to teach her a lesson, but as he stared into her face, he found he couldn't bring himself to do it.
All his rage turned into a threat: "I’m warning you, stay in Zuiyue Pavilion and reflect on your mistakes! If you step one foot outside without my permission, I promise I will break your legs!"
The urge for divorce grew even stronger. Shen Qingyan didn't say a word, and Xuanyuan Ming took her silence as compliance.
The man flicked his sleeves and left. At the door, Lian'er, carrying a tray of food, ran into Xuanyuan Ming as he stormed out of Zuiyue Pavilion, and her hands shook violently.
The next day.
Shen Qingyan had finished drafting the divorce agreement and was preparing to go find Xuanyuan Ming to sign and seal it when a delicate, willowy figure caught her eye.
The woman was dressed in a water-blue gown, her long hair draped over her shoulder, making her look charming and gentle, yet with a hint of shrewdness. Her delicate, oval face and those watery, affectionate eyes made her look truly pitiable.
"I came without an invitation, Sister. I hope I haven't interrupted your recovery?" Her voice was melodious, like that of a nightingale.
*So, she couldn't help herself anymore? She couldn't wait any longer? I’m leaving soon, and this woman just can't keep her composure.*
Lian'er, having fetched a pot of hot water from the kitchen, arrived to serve tea to the guest. After offering a respectful greeting to Side Consort Qing, she stood by Shen Qingyan’s side with a worried expression.