Chapter 116: I’m divorcing you. Why are you taking off your clothes?

Cheng Xianzhi had just entered the city and finished his official business in Binzhou. He rushed back to Kyoto overnight without sending any news back to the capital. As he turned a corner along Weiyang Street, Han Zhou saw the housekeeper Zhu from the mansion leading the way in a hurry.

Han Zhou sensed something was amiss and called for help. Butler Zhu paused at the sight of the two, as if he had found a lifeline. He panted heavily as he knelt and replied, "Master has finally returned. The First Madam has brought her private troops to siege Yansheng Hall. They say the Second Madam and General Xie are having an affair, and blood has already been shed."

Han Zhou was surprised for a moment, and saw the cold light on Cheng Xianzhi's body, and the fatigue from the journey was visible.

"Looking for death!" Cheng Xianzhi clenched the reins tightly, suppressed his murderous intent, and whipped his horse faster.

Lu Tingwan retreated half a step, clutching the wound on his shoulder armor as blood flowed from his fingers. Xie Zhao was under siege again, and the sounds of fighting from Yansheng Hall reached outside the courtyard. "Gongsun Xue, you used your private soldiers in the Shangshu Mansion. Do you know what kind of crime this is?"

Gongsun Xue had no choice. Hatred and madness were controlling her. She had long lost her mind. Once she made this decision, there was no turning back. Suddenly, she drew her sword from her follower and approached the injured Lu Tingwan step by step with viciousness. Lu Tingwan held the crossbow tightly in her hand. If necessary, she would not mind shooting Gongsun Xue with an arrow.

Xie Zhao broke free from the encirclement, his black robe soaked with blood. He supported himself with the weapon in his hand and stood in front of Lu Tingwan again. Gongsun Xue raised her sword and pulled it on the bluestone slab, sending out sparks.

"You've risked your life to protect me, and yet you still claim to have no personal feelings?" Gongsun Xue sneered. "If that's the case, today I will grant your wish."

"Gongsun Xue, how dare you? I'm the head of Jinhua Palace and the second wife of the Cheng family. Even if I'm guilty, I have to wait for Cheng Xianzhi to come back before making a final decision. Why are you so ruthless and wanting to kill me?"

"Cheng Xianzhi?" Gongsun Xue smiled as she read the name. "Why can you call him by his name so unscrupulously? Why would he travel thousands of miles for you, rushing back day and night, risking his position and title in front of the emperor just to save your life? And why does he repeatedly belittle my feelings for you?"

"You..." Lu Tingwan hesitated for a moment. If this was the reason, she found it even more ridiculous. These were just a deal between the two of them at first. As for later, she couldn't tell whether it was a deal or something else. At this moment, she was confused because of the drug.

There were too many private soldiers rushing up, and Xie Zhao was unable to resist. He was suppressed by the spear again, with his cheekbones pressed against the cold floor. Seeing the long sword approaching, Lu Tingwan held on and pulled the trigger of the crossbow hidden behind him.

As Gongsun Xue raised her sword.

"Jiang Yanli!" Xie Zhao's screams drowned out the sound of Yansheng Hall. His footsteps almost flew as he rushed to the door. Han Zhou's hidden weapon knocked the sword in Gongsun Xue's hand away, which was about to hit her heart.

The long sword fell off, and Lu Tingwan's crossbow, which was held in the air, finally dropped. His body, which had been holding on for half a day, was now exhausted.

In the blurred vision, he saw a figure falling on the restrained Xie Zhao.

The moment Gongsun Xue saw Cheng Xianzhi, she froze in shock, hatred welling up in her heart. She knew that there was no chance anymore and Lu Tingwan would die.

She leaned against the wall and retreated. Before Han Zhou could make a move, Cheng Xianzhi drew his sword and knocked the sword out of her hand without even looking at her.

"Come!" Cheng Xianzhi hid his murderous look. No one outside the courtyard dared to move. Gongsun Xue wailed unwillingly and violently, crying to the sky, but the palace soldiers remained motionless.

The effect of the medicine on Lu Tingwan had not yet worn off. He felt extremely uncomfortable at the moment and did not want to touch anyone. He just kept backing away. When he looked at Cheng Xian, there was only fear in his eyes, and pity filled his eyes. He hardened his heart, squatted down and picked him up.

Gongsun Xue stared at the tall figure, her fists clenched tightly. Cheng Xianzhi's voice sounded menacingly, "Send Captain Xie back to recover from his injuries. The rest of you who trespassed into the Shangshu Mansion will be taken to the Ministry of Justice for trial."

"Yes." Han Zhou agreed. Cheng Xianzhi said nothing more. With a look of care and tenderness, as if he wanted to crush the person in his arms, "Don't be afraid, I'm back."

"Cheng Xianzhi." Gongsun Xue roared heartbreakingly.

"Send Gongsun Xue back to Yingyue Pavilion. Without my order, you are not allowed to take a single step out." Cheng Xianzhi gave the ruthless order.

His body was warm, but Lu Tingwan's limbs were cold. Under his warmth, all the hardness that he had managed to maintain was eroded by the effects of the medicine in his body and the pain. He eventually fell into coma, and the outline in front of his eyes gradually turned black.

The doctor examined the injury and said the medicine was effective. Cheng Xianzhi knew better than anyone how piercing the pain was. The medicine spoon he clenched in his palm was almost broken.

"The external injuries on your body are easy to treat, but it will take some suffering. Sir, don't worry too much." Cheng Xianzhi breathed a sigh of relief, and Cang Zhu sent the man out.

The person on the low couch was still unconscious. After the effect of the medicine wore off, his face turned pale, the wound on his shoulder armor was oozing red, and his brows were furrowed.

He raised his fingers and lightly scratched the loose hair on her forehead, then let his fingers fall on the side of her face. After looking at her for a long time, he tucked the corner of the quilt tightly. Feng Xin was also brought back from Yingyue Pavilion and stayed in Yansheng Hall to look after Lu Tingwan.

He will settle all the things that need to be settled.

Cheng Xianzhi left Yansheng Hall. When they met again, Gongsun Xue was smashing the objects in the Yingyue Pavilion like crazy. Luzhu tried to persuade her with tears in her eyes but to no avail.

"Madam, the Lord has only confined you, not punished you. For the sake of the Minister of the Central Secretariat, we should plead with him again. He will relent."

"Besides, you are only punishing the corrupt practices in the mansion. What's wrong with that? Even if the master wants to blame us, we have a reason to shirk responsibility."

Gongsun Xue's hair was disheveled, and her bright features had become ferocious with anger. "Just one step, just one step, why did you have to play tricks on me like this!"

Cheng Xianzhi's back fell eerily outside the house. Before he could take a step forward, a broken porcelain vase happened to hit his boot. He interrogated him like a criminal, "How could you mobilize the Zhongshu Ling's guards?"

Gongsun Xue slowly raised her eyes, hatred intertwined with love, shattering her. Her messy hair stuck to her cheekbones, and she choked out a sob, "You're here."

She lunged forward, but Cheng Xianzhi took two steps aside, avoiding her touch. "I told you not to touch her. I can only promise you a safe birth in the Cheng residence."

"Lu Tingwan, it's Lu Tingwan again." Gongsun Xue leaned against the door frame, feeling unwilling.

Cheng Xianzhi's eyes no longer held the kindness they once had, only disgust. "What's wrong with you? You mobilized the Zhongshu Ling's troops to the Shangshu Mansion just to save Lu Tingwan and Xie Zhao's lives?"

The Zhongshu Ling Mansion will not have an easy time this time. Even if Cheng Xianzhi does not pursue the matter, the Jiang family in the court will not let it go and thus restrain Gongsun Yin.

Even though Cheng Xianzhi had intended to break the web of the Gongsun family long ago, he was not so radical. Now that the two families have come to this, the Jiang family should just sit back and watch.

Gongsun Xue refused to give up and continued to argue, "Lu Tingwan and Xie Zhao were having an affair. As the mistress of the Shangshu Mansion, I was only doing my job. Xie Zhao wanted to attack me in the inner chambers, so why couldn't I defend myself? Lu Tingwan insulted your reputation, disregarded your dignity in the fighting arena, and openly cheered for Xie Zhao. The two of them were intimate day and night in the palace, out of your sight, and you turned a blind eye? Cheng Xianzhi, what's so good about Lu Tingwan that you have to go in and protect her like this?"

"Stupid." Cheng Xianzhi didn't listen to a word he said. "Do you believe what you said?"

"The crime of adultery?" He sneered and got back to the point. "How did you get the token to mobilize the palace soldiers?"

"Is it important?"

"If you don't want to talk, that's fine. Come here." Cheng Xianzhi waved his sleeves, and the guards in the courtyard formed two teams of twelve people each. "Escort Miss Gongsun back to the Zhongshu Ling's residence."

The call of "Miss Gongsun" stunned the master and servant in the room. Gongsun Xue wanted to approach him again, but the palace guards held their spears, preventing her from even touching him. "Cheng Xianzhi, what do you mean? You promised me that you would let me stay in the mansion to nurture my baby."

"I also told you to stay within your means, but have you done so?"

Cheng Xianzhi stood with his hands behind his back, no longer looking at her. "You were the one who went back on your word first. Don't blame me for being ruthless."

"Father won't agree."

"Send him away."

"Father won't agree." Gongsun Xue screamed, and Luzhu was terrified.

After giving birth to the baby, she faced divorce, which she naturally didn't want. Gongsun Xue blamed all the reasons on Cheng Xian's love for Lu Tingwan, in order to make her leave with a legitimate reason.

If Lu Tingwan wasn't there, none of this would exist. This thought came to her mind when she saw Xie Zhao and Lu Tingwan acting so intimately.

Although there are risks, the chances of winning are great. As long as she wins, she will still be the mistress of the Cheng family regardless of whether he still cares about her or not.

Cheng Xianzhi kept his dignity and sent the person away in a horse-drawn carriage. Two rows of palace guards formed a team from Changjie to the Zhongshu Ling's mansion. When Zhongshu Ling heard that, the palace soldiers sent him to the Ministry of Justice's prison. That was to say, Cheng Xianzhi had no intention of hiding this matter from the beginning.

Inside the main hall, there are carved railings and jade bricks, and a plaque engraved with "Heaven rewards hard work" on the high hall is particularly eye-catching.

Gongsun Yin sat upright, with a kind and loving look on his face. "Xue'er lost her mother when she was young. It's because of my failure to discipline her that she has become a little spoiled."

Cheng Xianzhi lifted the tea lid and refused to respond. Gongsun Yin was troubled. "She is deeply in love with you, Xianzhi, so she is so fearless. The jealousy in the backyard has led her to do such an outrageous thing. I feel guilty about this."

"You are so busy right now. If you feel that I cannot take good care of you and you want to send her back home, I have no objection. After Xue'er gives birth, I will send you and your child back safely."

Gongsun Yin avoided the important issues and only talked about matters in the inner chamber, not business as usual.

He paused for a long time, without even taking a sip of the tea in his hand. He simply took out a letter from his sleeve and said calmly, "Sir, Xianzhi is not here today as a father-in-law or son-in-law, but as a student. It will remain the same in the future."

It will be the same in the future! Gongsun Yin speculated on this sentence.

"What do you mean?"

"This is a letter of divorce. After she gives birth, I will not be responsible for your arrangements. From now on, Gongsun Xue and I, Cheng Xianzhi, will have nothing to do with each other."

No matter how patient Gongsun Yin was, he couldn't tolerate such disrespect. He was furious at the moment, "Cheng Xianzhi! You consider me your husband and your teacher. Even if Xue'er has done a thousand wrongs, she's pregnant with your child. You're so heartless! You truly disregard the teacher-student relationship and the friendship between our two families. How could you go to such lengths?"

"The child in Gongsun Xue's belly is not mine. Your private soldiers broke into my residence and tried to kill my people. I wonder how you would view this so-called favor?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Gongsun Yin shouted angrily, the teacup shattered to the ground, and water droplets splashed on his eyelashes. Cheng Xianzhi did not move at all, "Sir, there is no need to be angry. I came here today for only one thing." He moved the divorce letter forward a little.

Gongsun Yin seemed confused, "What do you mean the child is not yours?"

"Divorce letter, I'll stay." Cheng Xianzhi stood up, his momentum brooking no room for negotiation.

"Hmph," Gongsun Yin could no longer pretend, "Your situation is different now. My words are no longer effective. It's my fault for not raising my daughter well. My husband's family doesn't tolerate me."

"But the Jiang Party still exists, so why are you so anxious to sever ties with the two families?"

"The father of the child in Gongsun Xue's belly is Jiang Qingsheng!" Cheng Xianzhi said.

"Sir, do you want me to keep the heir of the Jiang family and make him the legitimate son of the Cheng family?"

"If it weren't for the kindness you showed me in the past, what I would have sent you today wouldn't be the intact Gongsun Xue, nor would it be just a divorce letter."

If Gongsun Yin wanted to get involved, he would have the patience to deal with him.

"The guards from the Ministry of Justice will review the regulations and send the student back. As for the memorial to be submitted to Hanzhang Palace tomorrow, that is what you should be worrying about right now."

Cheng Xianzhi bowed and said goodbye with a normal expression. Gongsun Yin's beard was shaking with anger, his palms pressing on the armrest turned purple, his eyes were dry and red, and his kind face had already turned hideous. Cheng Xianzhi's words left no room for negotiation. If he didn't accept the divorce letter, it would be his fault.

After leaving the Zhongshu Ling Mansion, Cheng Xianzhi did not rush back home. Instead, he went to Guangling Palace in the palace. Binzhou official business only needed to be reported according to regulations. Li Tingfeng was ill, but he was still energetic to handle state affairs. Cheng Xianzhi wanted to advance Xie Zhao's schedule to go to the northwest to avoid any more trouble.

He didn't believe that Gongsun Xue could get the transfer token of the Minister of the Central Secretariat without Gongsun Yin's secret push.

Gongsun Yin wanted to take advantage of his daughter's jealousy to kill Xie Zhao, or to prevent him from going to the northwest. He was willing to take this risk because he was sure that Gongsun Xue was pregnant with his child and that Cheng Xianzhi would not punish him.

He boasted that he had planned everything perfectly, but he missed one thing.

The marriage was originally granted by the imperial decree, and he wanted to end this evil relationship with Gongsun Xue. Although it was a foolproof plan, he still needed Li Tingfeng's approval.

"Gongsun Xue's actions are truly absurd. The affairs of the inner palace have implicated important officials of the Imperial Guard. Xie Zhao is to be transferred to the northwest, and there must be no mistakes. Xianzhi has always done his job properly, and the Minister of the Central Secretariat has failed in his discipline. I will approve this matter."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Cheng Xianzhi got Li Tingfeng's consent and completely got rid of Gongsun Xue. Two years ago, he stood here. Li Tingfeng arranged a marriage for him, and Cheng Xianzhi had no choice but to accept the order.

Li Tingfeng smiled with a pale face, and he spoke in a slow tone, "Xianzhi came here today for more than just this matter. Am I right?"

Cheng Xianzhi bowed.

"Your private affairs are your own decision. I don't care anymore." Li Tingfeng was relieved and didn't want to care anymore. He just wanted the crown prince Li Hongzhi to grow up healthily and become the monarch of Dalan.

"Don't forget what you promised me. I will allow you to do whatever you want." Li Tingfeng coughed heavily.

He returned home only after he had dealt with all his worries.

Lu Tingwan had been awake for a while. Feng Xin fed her medicine and said with concern, "I was injured again not long ago. The eldest lady tricked me and locked me up in Yingyue Pavilion. It turned out she wanted to kill you. Such a despicable and despicable method to destroy someone's reputation. She always seemed kind, how could she be so cruel?"

Lu Tingwan let her talk, her eyes dull, recalling the person who wrapped her tightly in the cold wind and tenderly gave her enough security. The words "Don't be afraid, I'm back" in her ears were still lingering in her mind.

She was extremely confused at the moment.

"Where's Xie Zhao?"

"Thank you for sending me back to the barracks to recuperate. He left a message when he left. If you wake up, tell me everything. He is here, so don't worry."

"Why did it become like this?" The north wind lashed the window lattice, and her head was still dizzy. "By the way, how is Gongsun Xue?"

"This," Feng Xin said hesitantly, "the lord escorted them back to Gongsun Mansion, and they haven't come back yet. Feng Xin doesn't know anything else."

Lu Tingwan speculated about his actions. Cheng Xianzhi had promised to allow her to stay in the mansion to take care of the baby. As for the future where the child would stay, it would be decided by Gongsun Xue. She didn't know what his plans would be.

Just as he was lost in thought, there was a noise outside the room. Cheng Xianzhi looked tired and his voice was hoarse, "He's awake."

"The master is back." Feng Xin stood up and made way. Cheng Xianzhi raised his hand. Lu Tingwan moved back and looked up. His cold face was as calm as water.

Feng Xinshi closed the door with a keen eye, blocking the sound of the wind outside. Although the charcoal fire in the house was warm, he still felt cold.

"Still feeling bad?"

Lu Tingwan shrugged slightly. The wound on his shoulder armor was painful, and the scratches on his arm were glaring, but Cheng Xianzhi was not asking about the external injuries, but the discomfort after taking the drug.

She didn't realize it, "Much better."

"You are in Binzhou this time, won't it take another half month to return?" She served the Empress Dowager in government affairs, and the memorial submitted by the Ministry of Works said that it would take half a month to return to the capital, so Lu Tingwan was surprised to see him today.

"It was a last-minute decision, and everything has been dealt with." His voice was gentle, like a husband returning from a long journey and giving detailed instructions.

On that snowy night in Binzhou, he was also thinking of someone. Although he didn't see her often after returning to Kyoto, he felt sweet looking up at a pearl curtain every day. Although he couldn't see her face clearly, he could catch a glimpse of her vague shadow.

He should be glad to be back!

"What about Gongsun Xue's matter?" Lu Tingwan asked tentatively.

Cheng Xianzhi was dignified and didn't need to hide anything. He helped her lie down and said, "A letter of divorce. From now on, I will have nothing to do with you."

Lu Tingwan paused, half-supported, stunned for a moment. Cheng Xianzhi's long arms slipped around her waist, moving smoothly and pulling her inward, leaving a little space on the outside.

"You, you..." Lu Tingwan didn't know whether to continue asking or scold him for being too intimate. The faint scent of soapberry came into her nose. He came here after taking a shower.

"Divorce letter?"

Cheng Xianzhi seemed to see a hint of longing in her eyes, and immediately became displeased.

She didn't get what she had been looking for for so long, but instead gave it to Gongsun Xue. Lu Tingwan was confused.

"Will the Gongsun family agree? That child..."

"Neither the child nor the person has anything to do with me," Cheng Xianzhi said. "If this hadn't happened, I would have divorced her after she gave birth. I just pushed the plan forward, so why bother about it?"

After he had explained everything, he took off his cloak and hung it on a hanger. Lu Tingwan watched him get up and thought it was because the charcoal fire in the house was too strong. She even said, "Feng Xin was worried that I would be cold, so he made the charcoal fire burn a little brighter."

Cheng Xianzhi said "hmm" nonchalantly, and continued to take off his outer robe, followed by his waist belt. Lu Tingwan was not mistaken, and her voice trembled, "You, you, you, Cheng Xianzhi, this is not your study, you are taking off your clothes in my room, what are you taking off your clothes for?"

After saying that, he wrapped himself tightly in the quilt.

"This is my residence, you are my wife, and I am staying here. What's the problem?" Cheng Xianzhi turned around slowly, and his inner clothes made his cold face in the candlelight look warm.

"What do you mean?" Seeing him step forward, Lu Tingwan panicked, "Cheng Xianzhi, taking advantage of someone in distress is not what a gentleman does."

"You're right," the figure pressed down on the couch. As he sat down, the couch sank slightly. "I'm not a gentleman. What does a gentleman's behavior have to do with me?"

Lu Tingwan pulled the quilt to hide inside, but Cheng Xianzhi ignored her, lay down flat, turned his head, and pulled a corner of the quilt to cover himself.

"Aren't you cold?" He gave her a provocative look.

Lu Tingwan's cheeks flushed. "What exactly are you going to do?"

"I'm telling you, even though you've helped me again, I still want a divorce."

Cheng Xianzhi smiled faintly but said nothing.

"If you don't leave, I'll kick you out."

"I sleep in the same bed with my wife, what's wrong with that?"

"What?"

Madam?

"Speak more clearly."

"Lu Tingwan, I won't give you the divorce papers. If you keep arguing, I won't mind showing you what it means to take advantage of someone's misfortune."