In early March, the heavy snow finally stopped completely, and the common people who had been hiding in the homes of civil and military officials were gradually driven out, leaving the officials in a state of great distress.
After enduring more than a month of hardship, I wish I could renovate the entire mansion to completely eliminate that foul air.
The officials pinned all the blame on Zhao Zhiyan.
A heavy snowfall made the people feel more favorably toward the Eighth Prince's Mansion. Occasionally, when someone passed by the mansion, they would put their hands together and mutter "Amitabha" to pray for the people inside.
Night deepened
The Imperial Guards patrolled the streets in horse-drawn carriages, but any they found were immediately wrapped up and taken away.
Overnight
Kyoto seems to have returned to its original state.
It was as if nothing had happened.
"The officials are in court, and the city gates are open?" Xu Lingqing was incredulous. Had this deadly disaster just passed by so quietly?
No, that's impossible.
Mo Xiang shrank her neck, and before she could speak, she heard a series of gong and drum sounds coming from outside. Xu Lingqing's eyelids twitched: "What's that noise?"
"It was a procession to honor the ancestors organized by the Crown Prince."
Xu Lingqing pondered for a moment and got up to go out, but was stopped by Moxiang: "Your Highness, you are not well enough to go out. There are many people today. What if you bump into something?"
"It's alright..."
"Your Highness!" Mo Xiang tugged at her sleeve, but unable to resist Xu Lingqing's persistence, she had no choice but to grit her teeth and follow.
The wide street was packed with people, each holding a stick of incense half their height, and the street was filled with the rich scent of sandalwood.
The banging of gongs and drums was deafening.
This harmonious and lively scene is the complete opposite of the horrific tragedy of the past, where corpses littered the ground.
Xu Lingqing pinched her palm, and the pain confirmed that this was not a dream. She was then pulled back by Moxiang in a daze.
Separated by a large gate, Xu Lingqing looked somewhat dazed. She looked up and saw Zhao Zhiyan standing not far away, his eyes filled with a hint of resentment.
"Your Highness, things shouldn't be like this." She took a few quick steps toward Zhao Zhiyan, reaching out to grab his sleeve, but missed.
Zhao Zhiyan took a deep breath, took out a piece of paper from his pocket, and handed it to Xu Lingqing.
Xu Lingqing stared intently at the words "divorce agreement," which stung her eyes. She widened her eyes in disbelief as she looked at Zhao Zhiyan: "Why? I'm carrying your child, how can you be so heartless?"
She looked frantic, and even her breathing was trembling.
"Northern Chu has arranged for a princess to be given to Xuanyuan Che as his Consort Ping. Dongying will soon leave Northern Chu. With the status of the Eighth Prince's Consort confining you, you cannot leave Northern Chu."
Zhao Zhiyan said calmly, "The victor is king, the loser is villain. Whether you stay or leave is entirely up to you."
Her anger was instantly extinguished by a bucket of cold water. Xu Lingqing stared blankly at Zhao Zhiyan, hesitated for a moment, then tremblingly took the divorce papers, lowered her eyes and wept bitterly.
Seeing the other person's tears, Zhao Zhiyan was numb, and there was even a hint of mockery in his eyes.
As expected.
The words "Your Highness" stuck in her throat. Xu Lingqing could only cry and couldn't utter a single word to persuade him to stay. She sniffed and said, "Your Highness, for the sake of the child, I can leave first. After the child is born, I will do everything I can to bring you back. Then our family of three will be reunited."
Zhao Zhiyan pursed his lips, sighed, and looked past Xu Lingqing to Moxiang: "Go pack the princess's luggage."
"yes."
"So eager?" Xu Lingqing asked in surprise.
"A long night can lead to many unforeseen events."
Xu Lingqing thought about it and agreed. Who knew what kind of trouble the Crown Prince and his wife would cause this time? She gripped Moxiang's hand tightly and walked towards the courtyard without looking back.
All that remains is the hurried silhouette of someone walking away.
Zhao Zhiyan laughed.
"Mo Xiang, pick out some simple ones," Xu Lingqing said.
Mo Xiang did as she was told, and quickly packed her luggage. She hesitated and asked, "Your Highness, shall we leave now?"
"Walk!"
Staying even one more day would be dangerous.
The master and servant arrived directly at the gate of the mansion. After explaining their purpose, they were quickly allowed to pass. They waited in the main hall for a long time before finally meeting the three Xuanyuan brothers.
Xuanyuan Ming glanced at the bundle on Moxiang's body and sneered.
"Are you really going to leave with us?" Xuan Yuanche asked, frowning.
Before coming, Xu Lingqing had already thought about how to explain. She put one hand on her lower abdomen and forced a smile: "I just want my child to be born safely."
“The Crown Princess has promised that she will not make things difficult for this child,” Xuan Yuanming explained.
Two days ago, on the day the Crown Prince conferred the title of Princess for the marriage alliance, the Crown Princess personally promised that she would never harm an innocent child.
Xu Lingqing's expression froze. She looked up at Xuan Yuan Ye and Xuan Yuan Che and asked, "Second brother, senior brother, do you really believe that the Crown Princess won't lay a hand on me?"
Xuan Yuanche pursed his lips and remained silent.
Xuanyuan Ye's expression flickered.
Seeing the three brothers' expressions, Xu Lingqing's heart sank to the bottom, her eyes filled with disbelief. She smiled bitterly, "Fine, fine, I'll leave."
As she was about to stand up and stumble out, Mo Xiang stopped her: "The Prince has already given you the divorce papers. The world is vast, where do you want to go?"
Xu Lingqing exclaimed excitedly, "Let's go!"
Xuan Yuan Ye couldn't bear it any longer and quickly stepped forward to stop her: "Junior Sister, we'll take you away."
Three days later
The Japanese envoy left with Princess Linghu Ning, who was to be married off to Japan.
It was only when they were riding in the carriage that Xu Lingqing learned that Linghu Ning was actually a princess sent for a political marriage, and that she was betrothed to Xuan Yuanche. Her eyes flickered slightly.
She remembered that Linghu Ning had never married in her previous life and died on the battlefield.
The Linghu clan was extremely loyal. The old general and his sons all died on the battlefield, leaving only Linghu Ning in the vast Linghu mansion.
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