"If you sincerely admit your mistake, this king can, seeing as you were misled, forgive you this once and not hold it against you."
As Chu Chenyi spoke, his gaze fiercely raked over Feng Jin. If Feng Jin hadn't stirred things up, Lin Yuwei would never have been so resolute in divorcing him.
This woman was truly a menace. He couldn't fathom how Ling Mohan could tolerate Feng Jin.
Feng Jin set down the abacus in her hand, her fearless gaze meeting Chu Chenyi's. Sparks instantly ignited in the air. Feng Jin held up the ledger and made a gesture of demanding payment towards Chu Chenyi.
She was the creditor now. Who had ever heard of the debtor acting like the master? If she were truly angered, she wouldn't mind going to Emperor Xuanwen to demand money. She wanted to see if the father would acknowledge the debt his son had incurred.
Having already experienced Feng Jin's prowess, Chu Chenyi dared not oppose her at this moment. He shifted his gaze to Lin Yuwei, who looked worried, and reaching for her hand, was about to lead her out.
He had to seize the opportunity while Lin Yuwei hadn't yet reacted and take her away while the iron was hot.
"Sister Feng Jin..." Lin Yuwei turned to look at Feng Jin as she reached the doorway, her eyes full of pleading.
After taking a step forward, Lin Yuwei suddenly stopped. She violently shook off Chu Chenyi's hand. "I don't want to go back with you!"
Lin Yuwei's strong reaction made Chu Chenyi falter slightly. His hand froze in mid-air, and he was suddenly at a loss for what to do.
"I don't want to go back with you. Our marriage was forced upon us. Since neither of us has feelings for the other, let's not force ourselves to be together. We'll only torment each other. Let each other go."
Lin Yuwei's words sank into Chu Chenyi's ears. In that instant, he didn't know what to do.
"Do you truly think so?" Chu Chenyi's voice was extremely soft, his heart clenching violently, his breathing trembling slightly. The air fell silent, every speck of dust waiting for Lin Yuwei's next words.
Lin Yuwei took a deep breath, suppressing the tears welling up in her eyes. Her lips parted slightly, uttering a single word: "Yes!"
A powerless sense of defeat enveloped Chu Chenyi. A hollow space opened in his heart, as if something had been lost.
Feng Jin watched the two of them, her eyes lowered. "Your Highness Prince Jing, you should leave first."
Chu Chenyi lifted his eyelids and looked at Lin Yuwei, his eyes filled with an unutterable complexity. "I... I'll leave now."
Lin Yuwei turned her head away. Her bright face was etched with stubborn pride. This was her last shred of dignity.
After Chu Chenyi left, Feng Jin stepped forward, took Lin Yuwei's hand, and sat down. "You should rest well for these two days, relax your mood. We can discuss things later."
"I want to go home and tell my parents about this matter."
"Are you truly decided?" She could tell that Lin Yuwei still had feelings for Chu Chenyi, but she was too caught up in the moment.
She worried that after the divorce, they might regret it, and then it would be too late.
"From the moment I received the imperial decree granting me marriage to Chu Chenyi, all my hopes and expectations were abandoned. I thought that like most couples, we could live a life of mutual respect and be content. But I never expected... this outcome."
"I went back today with the intention of reconciliation. But I saw him chatting happily with another woman. I felt like a complete fool. Yesterday, I was worried sick about him, and yet he was with another woman..."
Lin Yuwei's eyes reddened, tears continuously welling up. She fought to keep them from falling. "Perhaps we are truly not suited to be husband and wife. Cutting our losses now is the best outcome for both of us."
Her entire life, she had been taught to be 'obedient' and had never lived for herself. This time, she just wanted to live comfortably, not to exhaust herself over useless matters.
"You must consider it carefully and not regret it later."
Once certain things were done, they could never be undone. Feng Jin only hoped that Lin Yuwei would not regret it in the future.
"I understand. I'll probably have to impose on you for a few more days. Sister, please don't be bothered by me."
Her current state was not suitable for returning to Pingyang Marquis Mansion. She had no choice but to shamelessly stay here for a few more days.
"It's nothing. If you wish to stay here forever, you can. It would be nice to have someone to talk to."
She was idle at home, and with Lin Yuwei around, she would have someone to chat with, which she welcomed wholeheartedly.
"If you need anything, just tell Cai Qing to prepare it for you. Treat this as your own home, don't be so reserved."
"Yes, thank you, Sister Feng Jin." Lin Yuwei replied with a smile, her mood significantly improved at this moment.
...
"Baby, come here... come to Mommy."
Feng Jin stood in front of Da Bao, shaking a rattle to encourage him to crawl forward.
Er Bao, on the other hand, was held by Lin Yuwei. This little one was strange. For the past few days, he had only wanted to be held by Lin Yuwei. If anyone else held him, he would cry and fuss incessantly. Even Feng Jin couldn't coax him, so they simply let Lin Yuwei hold Er Bao continuously.
"You're such a good baby." Feng Jin picked up Da Bao, who had crawled over, and affectionately kissed him on the cheek, making him giggle uncontrollably.
She glanced at the other little rascal, who hadn't spared them a glance, contentedly resting on Lin Yuwei's shoulder.
"I feel like I've given birth to a son for you!" Feng Jin said with a hint of sourness.
Her son, whom she carried for ten months, now didn't even recognize his own mother. How could she not feel a pang of disappointment?
Lin Yuwei teased, "Perhaps we are fated." She raised Er Bao in her arms. "Isn't that right, little darling?"
Er Bao maintained his aloof demeanor, not even offering Lin Yuwei a smile.
"Little fellow, you're really like your father!" Lin Yuwei looked at Er Bao in her arms, his familiar face bringing to mind Ling Mohan's cold expression.
She used to think Er Bao resembled Feng Jin more. Now, he looked exactly like Ling Mohan, without the slightest difference. Truly father and son; not only their looks but their personalities were the same.
In comparison, Lin Yuwei preferred Da Bao. His lively and adorable demeanor was truly endearing. He would surely be popular with girls in the future.
"He is simply Ling Mohan's replica, exactly like his father."
Despite being twins, their personalities were worlds apart. If they didn't look so alike, Feng Jin would have doubted if they were truly twins.