Chapter 134 Wu insists on divorce
Ms. Wu was clearly taken aback by her daughter's question and stood there dumbfounded for a long time, unable to react.
But the moment Wu realized what was happening, she decisively replied, "If it doesn't affect my daughter's reputation, I'm willing to divorce!"
The thought of divorce frequently surfaced in Wu's mind after Zhao Maoquan brought Consort Xu into the household. It wasn't until her three-year-old son died unexpectedly from an illness that Wu's heart was completely broken.
He mustered up his courage and asked Zhao Maoquan for a divorce, but what he got in return was ruthless family discipline and the threat of his daughter's marriage, which made her give up on that idea.
Wu was so afraid that Zhao Maoquan would actually marry Yunxi off to his superior, who was over fifty years old, as a second wife, as he had said, that she was too frightened to mention the word "divorce" again.
From that time on, Zhao Maoquan seemed to have grasped her Achilles' heel, constantly using Yunxi to blackmail her. Zhao Maoquan demanded that she hand over all her dowry to Aunt Xu for management.
Aunt Xu immediately divided her dowry into several portions, intending to use them from her children as betrothal gifts and dowries.
Seeing that Wu could no longer produce any money, and even more so, Zhao Maoquan, devising a plan to exploit her father and brothers, instigated her to return to her parents' home to ask for money to supplement the family income.
Wu was coerced into returning to her parents' home several times, and her father and brothers, fearing she would suffer, would give her several thousand taels of silver each time.
But this amount of money was far from enough for the Zhao family to squander, and Zhao Maoquan and Aunt Xu's hearts were unknowingly fueled to become increasingly greedy.
Later, Wu risked her life and stubbornly refused to go back to her parents' home to ask for money again, so Zhao Maoquan let Aunt Xu torment her to death.
But as time went on, they realized that Wu was determined not to ask her family for money anymore, so they finally stopped paying attention to her.
After all, if Wu didn't go back and speak up, Zhao Maoquan, a mere official in the capital, would naturally not dare to rob the people of their wealth.
But Wu was still very worried, so she took advantage of a moment when no one was looking and went to the government office to sign a document severing ties with her family.
Wu's guess was indeed correct. When Zhao Maoquan ran out of money, he finally had the nerve to approach the Wu family.
Using the excuse that Wu and her daughter were ill, he asked his father-in-law and brother-in-law for three thousand taels of silver. It was only then that he learned that Wu had secretly signed a divorce agreement with his father and brother.
In a fit of rage, he returned home and gave Wu a severe beating. If he hadn't been afraid of causing a death, that day would probably have been Wu's death day.
After Yunxi was brought into the Prince's mansion and news of her gaining favor spread, Lady Wu enjoyed a relatively comfortable period of time.
Although Zhao Maoquan did not treat her any favors, he still ordered Aunt Xu to stop persecuting her.
But the good times didn't last long, and soon news spread that her daughter had run away from the Prince's mansion. Thus, Wu's nightmare returned, even more agonizing than ever before.
But Wu, concerned for her daughter's safety, stubbornly clung to life and barely survived.
Now that she sees her daughter alive and well, she has no more worries in her heart.
Just as Ms. Wu just answered, if her divorce would not affect her daughter's reputation, she would want to sever all ties with the Zhao family immediately.
As for Zhao Maoquan, a man so repulsive that Wu wished she would never see him again for all eternity.
Upon hearing Wu's reply, Yunxi smiled genuinely, and even the expression in her eyes brightened.
Yunxi believed that dealing with a scumbag was not difficult. The hardest thing was dealing with those old-fashioned and stubborn women.
If they want to suffer, even if you invite a deity, there's no way to save them.
Fortunately, Ms. Wu did not disappoint her, which made things much easier.
Gu Nanxiao, standing outside the carriage, only gave Mo Yu a glance after hearing Wu's reply. Mo Yu then sent someone to inform Zhao Maoquan to prepare another divorce agreement.
After discussing this matter, Madam Wu's expression relaxed considerably. She lowered her voice and asked, "Daughter, how well does Prince Xian treat you?"
Yunxi nodded without hesitation and said, "Very good."
Upon hearing this, Wu's face broke into a stiff smile, as if someone who hadn't smiled for years had lost the muscle memory to even know how to make that expression.
Yunxi squeezed Wu's hand tenderly, knowing what was on her mind, and offered a word of comfort:
"Mother, rest assured, Prince Xian loves his daughter very much. If I ever wish to get married, the person I marry will definitely be him."
After listening to Yunxi's words, Madam Wu felt that something was amiss. Upon closer examination, she realized that Yunxi implied that Prince Xian was like a cabbage in a field, which her daughter could choose at will.
As for the position of Princess Consort of the Prince Xian, it seems to be already in her grasp; she can simply take it when she is in a good mood.
Although she had heard that Prince Xian doted on his daughter, the mother couldn't help but worry. Madam Wu earnestly advised, "Yunxi..."
She had only uttered three words when Yunxi interrupted her, saying, "Mother, you don't need to worry about your daughter. For the rest of your time, you just need to cooperate with Doctor Su and get well. That will relieve your daughter's biggest worry."
Additionally, you could write a letter to your maternal grandfather and two uncles, asking if they would be willing to come and develop their careers in the Northwest. If the Wu family is willing, I will have Prince Xian send someone to fetch them.
Ms. Wu felt that her daughter's personality seemed to have undergone a complete change since she hadn't seen her for three years. She had changed from her previous weak appearance and seemed to have become very opinionated.
She had no idea what her daughter had gone through in the past three years, but she felt waves of heartache and secretly vowed to love her daughter well for the rest of her life.
Worried that her daughter's words might offend Prince Xian, Madam Wu secretly peeked at Prince Xian's expression through the gap in the carriage curtain as the wind blew.
But then she saw Prince Xian riding alongside her, his expression one of undisguised joy and elation. This sight sent a chill down Wu's spine.
It is said that men care most about their image, so why is Prince Xian different from others? Does he have some unknown quirk?
As they spoke, they arrived at the Prince Xian's residence. This mansion had been the residence of a previous prince. When the current emperor ascended the throne, the prince was convicted of treason and his entire family was executed.
Now that the mansion is empty, it naturally belongs to Gu Nanxiao.
The previous vassal king, being far from the emperor's reach, lived a very extravagant life in his region. Therefore, his mansion not only occupied nearly ten acres of land, but was also situated atop a high peak.
This palace, built against the mountain, is magnificent, with pavilions and towers that exude luxury.
What Yunxi was most satisfied with was that the mansion had its own hot spring. Soaking in the hot spring in the cold northern region was an extremely comfortable experience.
Therefore, Yunxi didn't manage any of the renovations to the Prince's Mansion, but personally designed the blueprints for the renovation of this hot spring.
For the first time in her life, Ms. Wu was soaking in a hot spring, and a smile gradually appeared on her usually taciturn face.
After settling Wu Shi in, Yunxi and Gu Nanxiao headed to the fortress to check on the progress of the city wall repairs.
This autumn, the northwest suffered a drought, and the foreign enemies failed to seize any grain. Presumably, when the winter is difficult to endure, they will still take the risk and invade the territory of Great Yan again.
Therefore, they don't have much time left. They must prepare all their weapons, bombs, and fortifications in advance.
We'll just wait for the barbarians to invade, then give them a good beating.
But this was only part of Yunxi's plan. In her vision, she planned to first conquer all the foreign tribes and barbarians surrounding the Central Plains.
Finally, armed with the late emperor's edict, they launched a general offensive to overthrow the regime in the Central Plains.
Qi Jinxiu maintained correspondence with Yunxi, so his actions in Kyoto were always in sync with Yunxi's.
At this time, a piece of bad news came from the capital: the kind and benevolent crown prince was terminally ill and would soon pass away.
Gu Nanxiao had a deep affection for his cousin, and Yunxi always remembered the kindness the Crown Prince and Crown Princess had shown her that day.
So the two decided to sneak back to Kyoto in hopes of seeing the Crown Prince one last time.
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