"If your heart truly cannot bear to part, then don't be stubborn like a duck with its mouth shut. When Chu Chenyi comes to the Marquis of Pingyang's mansion to pick you up, don't be too stiff. You can each find a step down and let things go."
Don't let your pride ruin things, only to end up sad and hurt yourself.
Lin Yuwei nodded blankly: "He won't come to pick me up. He'll probably wish I'd never return."
"That's not certain. It's possible Chu Chenyi will come for you soon. Just wait here with peace of mind."
Feng Jin found an excuse to leave, and at the same time, asked Cai Qing to hurry to Prince Jing's mansion to find Chu Chenyi and have him come to fetch Lin Yuwei.
...
Inside Prince Jing's mansion, the empty main hall held only Chu Chenyi sitting alone. Facing a table laden with exquisite dishes, his appetite vanished. He impatiently tossed his chopsticks onto the table.
"Where is the Princess? Why isn't she here for dinner?"
"Your Highness, the Princess returned to the Marquis of Pingyang's mansion late last night." The maid, sensing the strange atmosphere, replied cautiously.
"She left!" Chu Chenyi's voice was laced with anger. "What were you maids doing? Didn't you try to stop her?"
The maid, terrified, immediately knelt on the ground, trembling, "Your Highness, please forgive me. We tried to stop her, but... but we couldn't."
The Princess insisted on leaving, and how could they, as servants, dare to defy their master's command? Naturally, they dared not stop her.
"Useless! None of you thought to report to me first, just letting the Princess leave like this!"
Chu Chenyi was furious. Not a single person in the entire mansion was intelligent enough to report to him when they saw Lin Yuwei leaving.
"Your Highness, please forgive me!"
"Get out!" Chu Chenyi shouted angrily. Immediately, all the people in the hall retreated one after another.
"Your Highness..."
"Are you all deaf? Didn't I tell you to get out!"
Chu Chenyi was in a fit of rage, and he grabbed a teacup from the table, smashing it down heavily.
Wang Qin, who was unaware of what was happening, shivered violently. "Your... Your Highness!"
Chu Chenyi glared at Wang Qin. It was because of her that Lin Yuwei misunderstood, and he naturally blamed Wang Qin for everything. "Get out! Don't appear before me again!"
"Your Highness... Your Highness, what wrong have I committed that Your Highness wants to divorce me?"
Tears welled up in Wang Qin's eyes, presenting a pitiful sight.
This demeanor, however, appeared as feigned innocence in Chu Chenyi's eyes. "Your presence in Prince Jing's mansion is itself a mistake. I will give you a letter of divorce. You can return to your maiden home or go to a Taoist temple to cultivate, as you wish."
"Your Highness, what wrong have I done to incur Your Highness's wrath and desire to divorce me? I was personally bestowed upon you by Her Majesty the Empress. I believe I have always been a dutiful wife in Prince Jing's mansion, never daring to take a single step out of line. Even if Your Highness wishes to divorce me, there must be a reason."
Chu Chenyi shot her a cold glance, his voice chilling, "Your presence in Prince Jing's mansion is a mistake. Disrespecting the Princess, and attempting to drug me – these are the reasons for your divorce."
"Ye Qi."
As Chu Chenyi finished speaking, a man hidden in the shadows emerged and knelt on the ground. "Your Highness."
"Send her back to her residence."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Ye Qi flashed forward, and with a swift, sharp chop to the neck, Wang Qin felt a sting and lost consciousness. She was then carried away horizontally. When she woke up, she had already been thrown into a courtyard of the mansion.
When Cai Qing arrived at Prince Jing's mansion, she saw a woman being thrown into a carriage. The figure seemed vaguely familiar. As she was about to step forward to get a closer look, the carriage sped away.
Not daring to delay her important task, she hurried into the mansion and met Chu Chenyi.
"Your Highness, the Princess is at my young madam's place. My young madam asked me to convey to Your Highness to quickly go and bring her back."
Cai Qing relayed Feng Jin's exact words to Chu Chenyi. After finishing, she realized she had forgotten something and added, "Oh, and my young madam also said that if Your Highness does not fetch the Princess today, she will find a young man for the Princess."
Chu Chenyi's expression darkened instantly. He clenched the teacup in his hand, and with a 'crack,' when he moved his hand again, the teacup had turned into fragments.
"Your Highness, I have delivered the message. I... I will take my leave now."
With that, Cai Qing hurried away. It was too frightening; how could Prince Jing be so terrifying when enraged? Just like the young general, she'd better leave quickly.
"Why did you return looking so distraught? What happened?" Lin Yuwei looked up and saw Cai Qing looking flustered and asked.
"It's just that..."
"Cough..."
Cai Qing was about to say she was scared by Prince Jing when she heard Feng Jin's cough. She quickly turned her head and shook it, "Nothing, I was just almost hit by a carriage."
"Oh."
Lin Yuwei acknowledged with a simple "oh," lacking the energy to ponder the truth of the words. She slumped back, her voice weak.
Damn Chu Chenyi. She had been out all day, and he still hadn't come looking for her. He was probably being affectionate with Wang Qin right now. Picturing the scene in her mind, Lin Yuwei grew even more indignant and slammed her hand on the table.
This startled the still-shaken Cai Qing again. She was clearly having bad luck today. Who knew what else might happen? She'd better stay quietly in the room and not go out recklessly.
"Young Madam, Princess." Lu Shi entered with a food container and placed it on the table. "Young Madam, this is from the Young General."
"Put it there." Feng Jin was organizing account books and did not look up at Lu Shi.
"Young Madam, the Young General will be returning late tonight."
"Returning late? Did something happen?" Feng Jin raised her eyelids, her gaze fixed on Lu Shi.
"His Majesty issued a decree today, appointing the Young General and Prince Jing to jointly prepare for the reception of the envoy from Xiliang."
"What!" Lin Yuwei impetuously slammed the table, a small spark igniting in her eyes.
"As expected, she's here. Come back with me."
Chu Chenyi had first gone to the Ling mansion and found no one. After searching for a while, he found this place. Upon seeing Lin Yuwei, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her out.
Lin Yuwei immediately glared at Chu Chenyi and forcefully shook off his hand. She had underestimated him. In such a short time, he had already connected with the Xiliang princess. The Emperor allowing him to welcome the Xiliang princess – everyone knew what his intentions were.
"What's wrong with you now?" Chu Chenyi was puzzled by Lin Yuwei's anger. Wasn't he here to pick her up personally? Why was she throwing a tantrum?
"What can be wrong? Of course, I can't compare to the Xiliang princess. Aren't you going to welcome the Xiliang princess? Why are you looking for me? Don't delay Your Highness's important affairs."
Lin Yuwei said sarcastically, the fire in her heart growing stronger, glaring at Chu Chenyi.