The Fourth Prince glanced at Li Tiao and strolled in.

Hongye, being very perceptive, curtsied to the Fourth Prince and Li Tiao, then considerately closed the door and left.

"Just now..." The Fourth Prince feigned nonchalance, but his words trailed off slightly: "What I said to Mother just now was somewhat..."

"Master, let's get a divorce, or you can give me a letter of divorce."

Li Tiao didn't care at all whether the Fourth Prince's words were difficult to say; her mind was filled with what had happened after she asked Hongye.

Since most people in the palace believe that Master Kang has some unspeakable thoughts about her, she needs to find a way to save herself.

We cannot allow the Fourth Prince to ultimately sacrifice himself for his own benefit.

Although they divorced, which isn't a pleasant thing to hear or see in this day and age, it's still better than being sacrificed and "given" to Master Kong.

Moreover, before Master Kang could take any action, Li Tiao's desire to leave the palace would be realized after she was divorced by the Fourth Prince.

Although it is said that all land under heaven belongs to the emperor, this is ancient times. If a person hides their identity, it is not so easy for them to be found.

Yes, that's what we'll do!

Li Tiao reaffirmed her decision, then looked up at the Fourth Prince. Only then did she belatedly realize that the Fourth Prince looked as if he had just returned from a visit to the King of Hell.

She was a little scared, but thinking of what the Fourth Prince and Consort De had said, Li Tiao felt that it was better to leave now than to be humiliated later.

So Li Tiao mustered her courage: "Sir, if you don't want a divorce, then write a letter of divorce..."

"Divorce? You want a letter of divorce?" The Fourth Prince's voice was as cold as ice shards: "You were betrothed to me by Father Emperor. Without Father Emperor's decree, you belong to me in life and in death. I remember I've said this to you more than once."

Is your memory really that bad?

Li Tiao vaguely remembered, but...

She said, "My lord, times have changed. What if the Emperor were to issue an edict ordering you to divorce me? At that time..."

"Why did Father Emperor issue an edict ordering me to divorce you?" The Fourth Prince asked, almost uttering each word clearly.

Although Li Tiao was timid, she knew that she was sometimes a bit unruly, but she couldn't lose her dignity.

"My lord, although it is true that I was wrong to listen to what you and Consort De said, I have already listened to them. Now, if you ask me why, aren't you just deceiving yourself?"

Although I am not the true eldest daughter of the Li family, and although I have many faults, I do not wish to become Yang Guifei. Rather than feel awkward seeing you again in the future, it would be better to... divorce me now and leave the palace..."

The Fourth Prince narrowed his eyes and sneered, "Since you heard what the Emperor and Mother said, you should know that the Emperor has been planning to keep you by his side from the very beginning."

"That's because I was talking nonsense and said that you would replace the Crown Prince. You were afraid that I was talking nonsense, so you wanted to kill me. But later you found that Consort De's attention to me seemed a little unusual, so you didn't kill me."

Li Tiao was also surprised that she suddenly seemed to have become bolder, daring to speak to the Fourth Prince like that.

She thought that perhaps because she had heard so many things she shouldn't have known, and had almost been punished, she was truly no longer afraid of anything. After all, if she continued to be a coward, she would end up like Yang Guifei.

That humiliation...

Li Tiao thought with great pride that she would rather die standing than live in such humiliation.

"No matter what the reason, you're not dead now, so live well for me." The Fourth Prince said, putting his arm around Li Tiao's waist and taking advantage of her unexpected struggle, he lifted her up in his arms.

"Master, you..."

"Instead of thinking about so many useless things, why not have a child? Didn't Hongye just analyze the benefits of having a child for you?"

Li Tiao was furious. She raised her fist and punched the Fourth Prince, but to him it was just a tickle.

Li Tiao felt that after being in the palace for so long, besides being quite determined to escape, she also knew that one should never doubt a man's "potential impotence," because he would find ways to tell you whether he was capable or not.

She kept reminding herself not to have any romantic expectations of the Fourth Prince, so even when she heard what he said to Consort De, Li Tiao tried her best to act as if she didn't care.

However, in the past, when the Fourth Prince attended court in the morning, Li Tiao would smile as she helped him change his clothes. Now, Li Tiao is like a dutiful palace maid, her eyes fixed straight ahead, devoid of any emotion.

But in reality, Li Tiao tried her best not to think too much about what she really felt.

However, she didn't have much to do in the palace, so it's not like she could just stop thinking about it and it wouldn't leave any trace in her heart.

Even though Hongye was neither a bad person nor an evil person, she was ultimately the Fourth Prince's woman, so Li Tiao couldn't say too much to Hongye.

After much thought, Li Tiao thought of Su Mala Gu. Regardless of why the Emperor wanted her to establish a relationship with Su Mala Gu, Li Tiao thought that now that she had this connection, she couldn't waste it.

So he timed his visit to pay his respects to Sumalagu.

"I'm already very happy that Princess Li can come. Why did you bring anything else?"

Li Tiao said, "These are pastries made in the small kitchen. I think they taste pretty good, so I'll let you try them, Granny. I thought you probably eat mostly vegetarian food, so I specifically asked. The kitchen said these pastries are all vegetarian."

"Princess Li is so thoughtful."

Li Tiao smiled and said that she should be filial to her, but then her eyes flickered as she thought about how to get some information from Su Mala Gu.

Having lived her entire life in the palace and served Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, assisting both Emperor Shunzhi and Emperor Kangxi, Su Mala Gu was no ordinary person. Judging from Li Tiao's appearance, she knew that Li Tiao was not simply there to pay her respects.

After taking a bite of the pastry, Su Mala Gu asked, "How have things been between you and the Fourth Prince lately? I heard that you're the only one serving him now. You two must be getting along well, right?"

"It's alright." Li Tiao lowered her head, and the dim lighting in the Buddhist hall gave her a shy and timid appearance.

"That's good." Su Mala Gu asked with a smile, "How does Consort De treat you?"

Li Tiao was about to say it was alright, but she swallowed the words back. After organizing her thoughts, Li Tiao said, "Your Majesty is... alright, but Your Majesty and the Prince have a very bad relationship. I heard them arguing the other day. I don't know exactly what they argued about, but I vaguely heard the Sixth Prince..."

"Granny, how could the Sixth Prince have... Sigh, Her Majesty must be very concerned. Li Tiao heard that the Sixth Prince's name is Yinzuo. From the name alone, one can imagine how much the Emperor likes the Sixth Prince. Now..."

"Why did Your Highness bring up the Sixth Prince when you and the Fourth Prince were arguing?" Su Ma La Gu interrupted Li Tiao thoughtfully before she could finish speaking.