"Hey, why did you leave so soon after arriving?"
The city king stared at Lu Ziqian's retreating figure as he galloped away on horseback, utterly bewildered.
Lu Ziqian galloped all the way, riding his horse directly into the Crown Prince's tent, startling all the guards who came out, thinking they had encountered an assassin.
The Crown Prince breathed a sigh of relief when he saw it was Lu Ziqian: "Cousin, what are you doing?"
"What if the guards accidentally hurt you..."
Lu Ziqian interrupted the Crown Prince: "She made the gunpowder?"
The Crown Prince's heart skipped a beat. Did his cousin find out?
"Say something."
How did you know?
Upon seeing his reaction, Lu Ziqian roared, "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I owe my cousin a favor, and she doesn't want you to know."
"Why doesn't she want me to know? Is she afraid I'll steal her credit?"
After saying this, Lu Ziqian fell silent.
The Crown Prince could tell from his reaction that he had also remembered the time when he had stolen his cousin's credit and attributed it to Chen Yunniang.
“You’re right. Your sister-in-law is completely disappointed in you. She’s afraid that you’ll steal her credit again and glorify Chen Yunniang.”
"Moreover, what my cousin-in-law cares about is not the credit, but the ability to use that credit to buy her freedom."
"You've already missed your chance. Your cousin-in-law has done two great things: one to secure Su Yujing's freedom, and the other for her own."
Lu Ziqian's eyes widened suddenly, his blood boiling as if it would burst from his veins: "What is she going to do?"
The crown prince curled his lip: "Cousin, you know the answer already."
"You're going to marry Chen Yunniang, does that mean your cousin-in-law is going to stay and take care of her during her postpartum period?"
“My cousin’s wife may seem gentle, but she is proud at heart. She can’t tolerate any flaws, yet you insisted on crossing her line.”
“My cousin’s wife has already gone back to beg for a divorce decree, and this time no one can stop her.”
Lu Ziqian's face drained of color, his mind went blank. He wanted to chase after them, but his feet seemed to be rooted to the spot, making him stand motionless.
"Cousin, let go. You can't give her what she wants."
"Since you were husband and wife, let's part ways amicably."
"If this continues, she really will die!"
"She's just in love with you, she's not some heinous criminal, so please let her go."
Lu Ziqian stared at the Crown Prince's lips as they opened and closed, as if the surroundings had gone silent.
He couldn't hear what the Crown Prince was saying; all he knew was that this time he was going to lose her completely.
The man stumbled out, mounted his horse, and galloped away.
"Stop chasing him, let him go."
"This time, my cousin is probably going to suffer a big setback."
Two days after Lu Ziqian left, the Crown Prince also set off back to the capital, while the Prince of Cheng stayed behind to wait for the garrison general to come and take over.
Chen Yunniang returned to the capital with the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince didn't care about her; he let her come along if she wanted to.
After traveling for two days, Chen Yunniang started bleeding. She summoned all the imperial physicians, but they couldn't save the child in her womb.
The Third Prince would not allow this child to be born to jeopardize his plans.
He understands women; once they have children, everything revolves around the child, which would be detrimental to his plans.
Moreover, he doesn't lack children, and he certainly doesn't lack children born to Chen Yunniang.
If Su Yujiao were to become pregnant with his child, he would consider keeping it.
Chen Yunniang is out of the question; she's not worthy of it!
After her miscarriage, Chen Yunniang was depressed for a while. She wanted to torment Su Yujiao by self-harming so that she would also suffer.
But she was also afraid of harming herself during her postpartum period, leaving her with health problems and causing her lifelong suffering.
So, after thinking about it, she decided against it. It wasn't worth hurting herself more than the enemy to teach a bitch a lesson.
Su Yujiao arrived in the capital and went straight to the palace to request an imperial edict.
She can't take any more turmoil; this time, let's end it all for good.
When the Emperor learned that Su Yujiao had returned from the front lines, he immediately summoned her.
Although he had received the urgent news a few days earlier, written descriptions are limited, and he still wanted to hear the incredible good news from the person who had come down from the battlefield.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects. Long live the Emperor!"
The emperor was overjoyed and personally went over to help the person up.
"Su, you are truly a lucky star for the Great Ming Kingdom. Not only did you control the plague, but you also developed gunpowder, forcing the Jin Kingdom to submit. You deserve the greatest credit!"
"Quickly tell me about the situation on the battlefield."
Su Yujiao recounted the story truthfully, and the Emperor was deeply moved. He had never dared to dream of conquering most of the Jin Kingdom's territory in just three months, yet that kid Lu Ziqian had actually accomplished it.
Although it was related to the Jin soldiers being infected with the plague, it must be admitted that this guy was lucky.
"By the way, did you come to the palace to see me because you have something important to report?"
Su Yujiao knelt solemnly: "Your Majesty, I wish to receive a reward for my merits."
The Emperor chuckled and nodded: "Of course, you have rendered great service and deserve a rich reward. Tell me, what do you want?"
"Your Majesty, I beg you to grant me a decree of divorce. I wish to divorce Lu Ziqian."
The emperor was taken aback, clearly not expecting her to ask for such a reward.
Why is that?
"Did Lu Aiqing bully you?"
"Although he has made great contributions this time, I, as your elder, will make the decision for you."
Su Yujiao prostrated herself on the ground: "Your Majesty, this humble woman only wishes for a divorce."
Seeing her persistence, the Emperor frowned slightly: "Su, do you know what you will face after the divorce?"
"I am mentally prepared. No matter how difficult or bitter life may be, I will have no complaints."
"Why is that? What exactly did he do?"
"I remember that the Lu family has a rule that men are not allowed to take concubines, which was personally set by the Empress."
"Could it be that he has another woman outside? It's not a big deal..."
Looking at Su Yujiao's unpleasant expression, the Emperor sighed, still unable to understand why these women took love and affection so seriously.
Knowing full well that having multiple wives and concubines is normal, yet still fantasizing about having only one lover, is simply asking for trouble.
The emperor was too lazy to persuade him, so he directly ordered Wei Zhong to take the man to the empress's palace and let the empress talk to him.
After all, the Empress is Lu Ziqian's aunt, so it would be more appropriate for her to mediate the matter.
"How did things escalate to the point of wanting a divorce?"
"Did that brat Ziqian bully you? Your aunt will stand up for you."
The Empress did not put on airs, but instead affectionately referred to herself as "Auntie".
Seeing the Empress's kind demeanor and gentle tone, Su Yujiao's carefully constructed facade of strength crumbled instantly, and she burst into tears.
She told the Empress that Lu Ziqian was going to marry Chen Yunniang, and that Chen Yunniang was pregnant with his child.
He also used the child to force her to help Chen Yunniang with her pregnancy, otherwise her child would be adopted into Chen Yunniang's name.
She will be left destitute and alone in her old age.
The Empress was furious as she listened to Su Yujiao's tearful complaints, which reminded her of the Emperor's ruthlessness.
Are all men in the world so heartless?
"Who gave him the audacity to take a concubine? Did he take my words as a joke?"
Su Yujiao shook her head: "He is not taking a concubine, but marrying a wife."
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