"After all, divorce is seen by the world not as a reward but as a severe punishment."

"You and Ziqian made great contributions together, but before Ziqian returned, the Emperor issued a decree for divorce. How will the common people who don't know the inside story view this?"

"What would those soldiers and officers who served the country think?"

"They fought bravely on the battlefield, while the emperor caused them to be separated from their wives and children in the rear?"

"Only after Ziqian asks to marry a concubine will it be proper for the Emperor to issue you a divorce decree."

"When the people talk about this in the future, they will only say that you have a strong character, or that Ziqian abandoned his wife, but they will not say that the emperor is unfair in rewarding and punishing people."

"Alas, even the royal family is heartless. The emperor will not let your affairs affect his image in the eyes of the people."

"Whether you accept it or not, you can only wait. The only thing I can guarantee is that the imperial decree for divorce will be delivered, it's just a matter of sooner or later."

Su Yujiao nodded: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Go back first, don't think too much. Even if you divorce Ziqian in the future, I will still treat you like my own child."

"I'll have Granny Yu take you back."

Su Yujiao shook her head: "No need to trouble Granny Yu, I'll go back by myself."

"I don't want anyone to know that I've been to the palace."

The Empress nodded and sighed. This child had truly suffered, and she was terrified that something might go wrong.

"Very well, I will have someone escort you secretly, so that you will not appear in public."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Come with me to change your clothes first, otherwise what will you say if others ask?"

"Um."

Su Yujiao returned to the General's Mansion alone. The steward, upon learning of the young mistress's return, immediately informed Madam Zhou.

Madam Zhou hurriedly came out of the inner courtyard and asked in surprise, "Jiaojiao, why did you come back by yourself?"

"Where's Seventh Brother? Didn't he come back with you?"

As was customary, Lu Ziqian always returned in triumph after a victorious battle, never quietly.

Su Yujiao said in a normal tone: "I came back early. He is still handling the handover and follow-up work, so it will probably be a while later."

"I missed my child, so I came back early."

When Zhou mentioned the child, she couldn't stop smiling. She took Su Yujiao's hand and led her into the house, talking non-stop about the child's funny stories.

“You’ve been away for a few months and the child has grown a lot. He changes every day and doesn’t cry or fuss. He’s so well-behaved.”

"I've never had such an easy child to raise."

"And this child is growing more and more like you and Ziqian, especially An Yan, who looks exactly like Lao Qi when he was a child. Everyone who sees him says they look alike."

"If I said that the two children are not your biological children, I doubt anyone would believe me."

"You know, this child is really destined for you. I find it amazing."

When Zhou talked about her two children, she talked non-stop.

Su Yujiao frowned slightly as she listened to her mother-in-law say that the child looked more and more like Lu Ziqian.

In truth, she didn't want her child to look like Lu Ziqian. If the Lu family knew that An Yan and An Mo were Lu Ziqian's children, she definitely wouldn't be able to take them away.

Su Yujiao smiled and said, "I've heard from the older generation that a child resembles the person who raises them."

"Kids these days are smart; they often look like whoever they see."

Hearing this, Zhou couldn't stop smiling. She knew her son was good-looking, but she overlooked the fact that neither of the children had ever met Lu Ziqian since birth.

The two entered the room, where Xiao Tao was putting the children to sleep. When she saw Su Yujiao come in, she immediately stood up excitedly.

"Miss, you're back."

Seeing that the two children were asleep, Su Yujiao made a shushing gesture.

Xiao Tao nodded, indicating that she would not speak.

Su Yujiao walked to the bedside, looked at this and then at that, and couldn't help but cry.

She abandoned her child for several months shortly after birth; she is not a good mother.

Seeing her crying, Zhou quietly left.

She is a mother herself and can understand Su Yujiao's feelings at this moment.

"Madam, Mo Shu and Mo Hua have returned."

As soon as Zhou came out of the house, she saw Steward Wang and the ink paintings and calligraphy behind him.

"Why are you all back? Seventh Brother is back too?"

Mo Shu didn't speak, but Mo Hua asked anxiously, "Has the young mistress returned?"

Zhou was taken aback. When did Mo Hua become so concerned about Jiao Jiao?

"She just got back not long ago."

"What happened?"

Mo Hua then asked, "The young mistress didn't mention divorce to you, did she?"

Is she emotionally stable?

Zhou suddenly had a bad feeling: "What on earth has happened?"

"Did they fight again?"

"Why bring up divorce again?"

"Did the seventh brother bully her again?"

Zhou asked a series of questions anxiously, her face serious: "You two come with me."

"Tell me, what exactly happened?"

"Mo Shu, you tell me."

She directly named Mo Shu because Mo Shu wouldn't lie.

Mo Shu hesitated for a few seconds before speaking: "Master wants to marry Chen Yunniang as his concubine. Chen Yunniang is already pregnant with Master's child."

"The master even forced the young mistress to protect Chen Yunniang's pregnancy."

"return……"

Zhou's face turned deathly pale. She clutched her chest, struggling to breathe, and asked angrily, "What else?"

"The master also allowed the young mistress to stay in Chen Yunniang's tent to serve her when she was ill."

“Chen Yunniang, relying on her master’s favor, tortured the young mistress, and the young mistress almost died at her hands.”

"The young mistress pleaded with the Crown Prince, and under the protection of the Eastern Palace's secret guards, she escaped back to the capital overnight."

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