Chapter 57 Divorce
"Chu Yu'an, just how much have you deceived me?"
There were only the two of them in the hall. Yu'an knelt on the ground, sweat trickling down her temples. She swallowed, paused for a moment, and said, "No."
“I have never lied to you. I wanted to clear my father’s name, but I never intended to use you. I acted impulsively to shield you from the sword, and it was not for any other reason… If the Empress Dowager has any doubts, Yu’an has nothing to say.”
If it were before, she would definitely have been frank and honest.
But right now, she doesn't understand the situation and really can't just admit it honestly.
Whether it was a test or disappointment after certainty, she truly didn't know.
She lay prone on the ground, her head buried deep in her arms.
The Empress Dowager looked around from above; what couldn't she guess?
Even the person she rarely trusted learned to lie to her.
Because of expectations, there was disappointment; knowing her difficulties, I wanted her to be an exception, an exception different from others.
But no.
The Empress Dowager withdrew her gaze, turned to look at her hands, and remained speechless for a long time.
“Your mother and I are old acquaintances. My understanding towards you is also my understanding towards your mother. It can be considered that I love the house because of the house. You saved my life, you became a first-rank noblewoman, and you also cleared the name of the Chu family. I have not treated you unfairly.”
"Do you... have any other grievances against me?"
"No, absolutely not. The Empress Dowager's kindness to Yu'an is as heavy as a mountain, and Yu'an will never forget it."
The Empress Dowager nodded repeatedly, "Good, you said it yourself."
Something was thrown from above and landed right next to her hand.
"This is an imperial edict from the Emperor. Whether you are truly loyal to me depends on your ability to carry it out."
After a long while, only after hearing the people around her had completely left did Yu An slowly straighten up.
With a throbbing head, I picked up the imperial edict and felt a heavy weight lift from my shoulders.
The fifty strokes she was supposed to take to appeal to the emperor were replaced with a period of quiet contemplation at Tantuo Temple. She was also required to strike the bell 108 times every morning and evening at Jiuwan Mountain, as a prayer for the Empress Dowager to ward off misfortune and bring blessings. After a hundred days, she would be completely free.
Looking up at the empty rear hall, a feeling that was hard to describe welled up in my chest.
She was certain that it was the Empress Dowager who saved her life.
Trading a hundred days of quiet contemplation for fifty deadly blows may seem like a punishment, but it was actually a way of protecting her.
She let out a long breath, pushed herself up, and, holding the imperial edict, staggered out.
She won; she did it.
She cleared the Chu family's name of their injustice.
After more than a year of patience and hardship, the day finally came to fruition, and even the sun shone brighter than ever before.
When Huangmen saw her come out, he hurriedly stepped forward to lead the way.
When they arrived at the palace gate, the carriage was still there.
"The Empress Dowager instructed that the young mistress must be escorted back to her residence."
Yu An responded with an "Eh," and after getting into the carriage, tears almost welled up in her eyes.
All sorts of bitterness accumulated and entangled in her heart, making it impossible for her to stop crying.
What she needs to do now is repay the debt of gratitude and then wait patiently for the day Xia Zhao is beheaded.
It wasn't until that day that her father was able to see the light of day in heaven.
Upon arriving at the mansion, she had barely stepped off the carriage when she saw the servants guarding the gate hurriedly run back inside.
Before she could even walk halfway, she saw Ji Shu rushing towards her, "Sister-in-law! Sister-in-law! You're back safe and sound, that's wonderful..."
She pulled Yu'an over for a thorough inspection and said with relief, "Luckily, those people from the Ministry of Justice didn't make a move. If they had dared to use torture, I would have told my brother to take revenge on them."
"Hurry, hurry, your mother and grandmother are waiting for you at Rongshou Hall. No matter what, go see them first and tell us in detail so we can feel at ease."
Well, it's always good to make things clear before leaving.
Ji Shu dragged him there, and he listened to Ji Shu's incessant chatter: "Luckily, His Majesty acted swiftly, and you came back after only three or four days. I was so worried about you. That prison is so harsh; how could you stay too long? I asked my brother to send some money to people so they could take care of you, but I couldn't even see a trace of my brother..."
As Ji Shu spoke, she would occasionally slip by and gesture to Cai Qi behind her.
Understanding her master's meaning, Caiqi immediately turned and ran away.
"Sister-in-law, you've accomplished such a huge thing. We've been so worried about you at home, we haven't been able to eat or sleep..."
Upon receiving the news, the entire Ji family was in a state of panic.
Even the elderly and frail Madam Ji began to get anxious, constantly sending servants to inquire about the situation. It was just last night, when she was sound asleep, that Qingque ran back with the news that Luo Qian had confessed.
Upon seeing Shen Qiulan and Ji's mother inside Rongshou Hall, Yu'an was certain that Ji Shu was not lying and truthfully explained the whole story.
"I still want a divorce, and my mind has never changed."
She took a step back and bowed, saying, "I have spoken to Ji Jinghe many times, but he has never agreed. I wonder if he will change his mind today."
"If things remain as they were before, I urge my grandmother and mother-in-law to advise him that I am not a good match and that he should find another suitable wife."
She spoke each word clearly and without the slightest hesitation; her expression was open, serious, and she had made up her mind.
Just as Ji Shu was about to speak, a figure burst in from outside the door.
Yu An turned around at the sound and saw that it was Ji Jinghe. After bowing to Ji's mother and Shen Qiulan, she went out.
Ji Shuxiang lifted her foot to chase after him, but her mother stopped her.
The next moment, Ji Jinghe followed closely behind and went out as well.
Yu An didn't wait for him under the corridor; he went straight back to Banmu Courtyard.
Baozhu stood at the gate of the courtyard waiting. When she saw her from afar, she quickly walked forward.
"Is everything packed?"
Baozhu nodded: "We're waiting for you, Miss."
She had been away for the past few days, and had been tidying up the half-acre courtyard. When she heard the news last night, she was overjoyed.
Yu An patted her head as she walked in, then smiled and went into the house.
Before long, someone caught up from behind.
Seeing this, Baozhu silently withdrew, leaving only the couple in the room.
Yu An gulped down a cup of tea before asking, "What are you planning, sir? Should I write the divorce papers?"
Ji Jinghe stood frozen at the doorway, looking at her frank and straightforward manner, feeling completely at a loss.
A sentence reached his ears, but he couldn't process it; he found himself unable to speak.
She won this victory on her own, and now nothing can stop her, not even him.
The lingering relief hadn't completely dissipated. He lowered his hands, staring intently at her. The things he had packed in the corner of his eye constantly reminded him that she would leave.
Yu An tapped the table, indicating the imperial edict above, and said coldly, "His Majesty has ordered me to go to Tan Tuo Temple for a hundred days of seclusion. I must depart tomorrow. You'd better give me an answer today."
"Besides, didn't I say that two days ago?"
Those eyes gazed at her calmly, like a stagnant pool, as if a single glance could drown her.
Never mind, we still have to see her.
Yu An lifted her foot and walked towards the desk. Just as she was about to sit down and dip her brush in ink, her wrist was grabbed without warning.
I love you.
The already quiet room became even more somber. The words he dared to utter, spoken only after mustering his courage and humbling himself, failed to cause the slightest ripple.
The person seated looked up at him, even calmer than him, or rather, indifferent.
"Let go."
He loosened his grip slightly, but didn't let go easily. "Yu'an, this isn't a lie. I truly love you. I don't know when it started, maybe because of the little things we've done together, maybe because of something else, but I know it's only because of you..."
"I...I don't want you to leave. Please give me another chance."
Yu An looked helplessly at the paper on the table, not struggling, and just quietly waited for him to let go.
“I’ve made myself perfectly clear, so why are you saying these things now…” Yu’an leaned back. “You know my feelings won’t change.”
"Let go."
Ji Jinghe: "What can I do to make it up to you?"
The most tragic thing is that we are powerless to change it.
For example, this time, he presumptuously tried to find a solution for her, but in reality, he was just being delusional.
She doesn't need him, and she doesn't need anyone's help.
On the contrary, he was the biggest hindrance to her actions.
His belief that he was being good to her was actually her biggest constraint.
“I know it was all my fault from beginning to end, but I never intended to hurt you. I thought... that was what was best for you, that was how to act thoughtfully.”
“I know that the hurt I caused you is irreparable, which is why I wanted to keep you here so I could make amends… Yu’an, I’m really sorry.”
Yu An: "There's no point in saying more. Besides, if everything could be solved by making amends, what would be the point of criminal law?"
He said those words.
With her wrists freed, she began to write, but he took the pen from her hand.
Yuan:......
Ji Jinghe: "You've always written it before, but I'll write it this time."
Well, the result is the same anyway, it doesn't matter who writes it.
She got up and began to check the boxes that Baozhu had packed.
Take away what she was supposed to take, nothing more.
Yu An took the divorce papers and noticed that Ji Jinghe hadn't signed them yet. She wrote her name first and then watched him write his.
"The rest of the government's business is up to you."
Looking at Ji Jinghe's gloomy face, Yu An couldn't help but remind him, "I think we really don't need to make things any more complicated. Breaking up is the best choice for both of us."
When she called Baozhu back to discuss where to put these things, Ji Jinghe spoke up from the side: "Once the matter of the Xia family is settled, His Majesty will send people to renovate the Chu residence. Why don't we just leave them here for now, and when you return from your retreat, we can just take them to the Chu residence."
That makes sense; she can't bring these things with her when she goes to Tanzhe Temple.
Seeing that she silently agreed, Ji Jinghe took the divorce papers and left.
Baozhu and Yu'an packed their clothes, said goodbye to their family, and prepared to get into their carriage and leave.
Ji Shu stood at the gate of the mansion, holding onto Yu An, wanting to say a lot, but refusing to let go.
"Sister-in-law, I'll come to see you in a few days. Just tell me what you need and I'll bring it to you."
Yu An laughed and said, "It's bitterly cold there, so you shouldn't come."
“If I’m not going, then let my brother go… I can’t bear to separate you two.”
Looking into the distance, the figures at the gate of the mansion were still Ji's mother and Shen Qiulan, while Ji Jinghe seemed to have hidden himself away.
Yu An patted Ji Shu's hand, and after a brief embrace, they boarded the carriage.
Her life is about to start anew.
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Author's Note: Starting the fight against the boss again.
Yu An: Please let me go [please]
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