During their time away from the North, their relationship had improved considerably. Chu Changning had to persuade Yan Beimo for a long time before he finally agreed to let her go out, but he allowed someone to follow her.
Chu Changning knew he was suspicious, so she didn't argue. After leaving the city, she made an excuse to send the maid away and went to the post station to mail a letter.
Having finally managed to get out of the house, she wasn't in a hurry to go back. After her maid brought out the clothes she had bought from the shop next door, she took her entourage to a restaurant for a good meal.
Located on the northern border and adjacent to the Western Regions, North Korea saw a great deal of trade, and many Korean merchants could be seen in the streets.
She strolled around with great interest until the people following her urged her to return by carriage.
The Yan family had always disliked Chu Changning, and the old lady had long wanted to demote his wife to a concubine and marry the daughter of the Li family of Longxi.
Now that Yan Beimo is in charge of the Yan family, his wife naturally cannot be a princess of a fallen kingdom.
Moreover, the Li family of Longxi monopolizes the entire Taiyuan area and has submitted to the King of Qi. If the Yan family were to form a marriage alliance with the Li family, and Yan Beimo were to launch a southward attack, there would be no shortage of food supplies.
Therefore, when Wang Hezhan came to Libei this time, the old lady asked Li Ruoxue to come along.
Chu Changning only heard about this matter after returning to Changxin Palace.
A cold glint flashed in her eyes as she asked a question, seemingly casually.
"What do you mean? Does the old lady want the Marquis to divorce his wife?"
She hasn't even divorced yet, so why openly bring the Li family's daughter to Libei? Is she trying to kill her and take her place?
The maid behind her lowered her head and said, "This servant saw that Miss Li has moved into Ganlu Palace."
The Xin Palace covers a large area, and Chu Changning has not yet explored it thoroughly, so he doesn't know where the Ganlu Hall is.
She couldn't eat anymore, so she ordered the food on the table to be removed and stood by the window.
Yan Beimo is stubborn and won't let her go until he gets tired of her.
She has no power or influence. Once Li Ruoxue enters the family, she will be no match for her. If Li Ruoxue is ruthless, she might even instigate Li Ruoxue to kill her.
She cannot wait to die. Unless they divorce, she cannot allow him to demote his wife to a concubine and marry another noblewoman.
bother.
Chu Changning frowned in annoyance.
"Qingdai, where has the Lord gone?"
Upon hearing the voice, Qingdai, who was waiting outside, replied respectfully, "Your Excellency and the Third Prince of the Wang family are discussing matters at Zhangtai Palace."
Upon hearing this, Chu Changning did not ask any further questions.
Just then, a woman's soft voice suddenly came from outside.
"Madam, Miss Li has arrived."
Chu Changning was slightly taken aback. What was she doing here?
"I'm not feeling well, so please let Miss Li go back first."
She has no interest in palace intrigue.
"Sister, if you feel unwell, you should call a doctor to take a look."
As soon as she finished speaking, a woman in a peach-colored dress walked in with a faint smile, followed by her maid who looked terrified. She did not stop her.
Chu Changning gestured for her to step back before taking a closer look at Li Ruoxue in front of him.
As expected of someone raised in a prestigious family, her face was as beautiful as jade, her skin as white as snow, and her eyebrows and eyes as beautiful as peach blossoms.
However, is she really a noble lady raised in a prestigious family, rushing to assert her sovereignty so hastily?
"What can I do for you, Miss Li?"
Li Ruoxue smiled broadly, "Since I'm new here, I should visit my sister first."
Chu Changning had no interest in engaging in banter with her and smiled faintly.
"You must be tired from your journey. Go back and rest first."
"My sister doesn't like me. She won't even drink a cup of tea with me."
"---"
Chu Changning raised an eyebrow. "Miss Li seems to be over twenty-nine, older than me. Please call me by my name."
Li Ruoxue was born into the Li family of Longxi. She was originally engaged to the Yang family of Hongnong in the southwest, but for some reason the engagement did not come to fruition. In aristocratic families, young men of marriageable age would marry and form alliances, but she had high standards and remained unmarried.
Hearing Chu Changning's words, a sense of unease flashed through his mind.
“When I was young, I went to Kyoto with my father and met the princess. It has been several years since I last saw her. She has changed a lot.”
"It's been so long, I don't remember much."
As Chu Changning spoke, he walked to the table and poured her a cup of tea.
Li Ruoxue accepted it with a smile and sat down in the chair as if they were old friends.
"I heard that the princess left Yandu without permission and was suddenly attacked by bandits on the way, but was fortunately rescued by you, my lord."
Chu Changning, "---"
"The princess was taken away by kidnappers; it must have been quite a fright."
Chu Changning rolled her eyes inwardly. Don't think she didn't know what she was trying to say. A woman's chastity was of utmost importance. If these words got out, wouldn't Yan Beimo lose face and she also be tainted with infamy?
"Miss Li, where did you hear these rumors? My husband was going to leave the north, so he sent someone back to Yandu to bring me here."
Li Ruoxue smiled and didn't dwell on it.
Chu Changning had no interest in paying attention to her and pretended to have a headache, sitting on the soft couch to the side.
Seeing this, Li Ruoxue's expression darkened slightly. After saying a few words, she made an excuse to leave.
Once everyone had left, Chu Changning let out a long sigh, leaned back on the soft couch, took out the geography book from under the couch table, and began to read it.
She secretly bought this outside; it contains maps and descriptions of local customs and traditions.
She longed for Penglai and often looked at the book.
As night deepened, the room fell silent.
Chu Changning rubbed her neck, feeling sleepy. She looked out through the vermilion window. The moonlight hung high on the branches, and the cold wind howled. It was already midnight.
She frowned. Yan Beimo usually resided in Changxin Palace. In the past, he would return to Changxin Palace to rest when he was busy until midnight. This was the first time.
"Qingdai".
"lady."
Chu Changning asked, "Is the Lord still in the Council Hall?"
"This servant does not know. Should we ask someone?"
"No need, you can go now."
"yes."
Chu Changning carefully hid the geography book and went to the washroom to take a bath.
She changed into a clean, light red dress and went straight to bed to sleep.
When I woke up early the next morning, the room next to me was still empty.
Chu Changning sat on the couch and couldn't help but let his mind wander, feeling somewhat nauseous.
She couldn't accept sharing a man with another woman. When she was poisoned and couldn't find Yan Beimo for an antidote, it was because she knew he was clean and there were no women in his household. She could still pretend to be friendly with him. But if he had other women, then---.
She couldn't help but frown in disgust, trying to shake off the jumbled thoughts in her mind.
It's no wonder Chu Changning had wild thoughts. For several days in a row, Yan Beimo had been busy with something and hadn't come to Changxin Palace, nor had he sent anyone to inform her.
She was treated like a plaything, utterly disrespected. She was only favored when she wanted to, and otherwise, she received no concern whatsoever, not even a single word. She was as if she were dead.
Although Chu Changning was enjoying her leisure, the people in the palace were always opportunistic. Rumors circulated that the Marquis was going to divorce his wife and marry someone else, so he began to treat her perfunctorily.
She didn't care, but the thought of divorce popped into her mind again.
She's been playing along with him long enough. Now that he has someone new, he ignores her completely. He's probably tired of her. If she brings up divorce now, he'll probably agree.
If the Yan family or the Li family of Longxi wanted to kill her to silence her, she could use her past favors to ask Yan Beimo to protect her for a while and help her leave the Great Jin safely.
Chu Changning didn't know if this path would work, after all, that madman couldn't be compared to an ordinary person.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com