Chapter 28 Divorce
Unable to hold back any longer, Lin Lanting frowned and emphasized.
Huiyi had initially been more amiable to Lin Er because of his agreeable words, but after this rebuttal, her gaze towards him became somewhat displeased.
As the food was served, Huiyi sat down and sneered, "How can it not count? Although I don't have the title of live-in son-in-law, I have the reality. Think about it carefully, don't you think?"
After thinking about it carefully, Lin Lanting realized that there was some truth to it.
Although the children born would still take the husband's surname, all other children would be respected by their wives, and taking concubines or prostitutes was strictly forbidden.
Lin Lanting chuckled, but still refused to back down, stubbornly saying, "I don't care what others think, I'm not a live-in son-in-law anyway."
The term "son-in-law" sounds terrible.
How could such a magnificent man be reduced to a son-in-law?
Lin Lanting was filled with refusal.
Unexpectedly, the willful princess did not argue with him; instead, she calmly agreed with him.
“What you said is not wrong. Although the prince consort is a son-in-law who lives with his wife’s family, you are not.”
"The other person is real, while you are fake."
The last sentence was muttered, in a very low voice, so that it was not easily heard if one was not paying attention.
Lin Lanting was born with excellent hearing and eyesight. After learning martial arts and going to the battlefield, his hearing became even more outstanding than that of ordinary people.
Therefore, he roughly heard Huiyi's mutterings, his expression was inscrutable, and his face kept changing.
...
The next day, at dusk.
Li Huaiyu took his daughter Minghui back to the Xie family. After a night of deliberation, he had already formed a plan in his mind.
There was also a part of her reluctance to part with her beloved husband and the unease about the impending change in her life.
Holding her daughter's hand, Li Huaiyu walked through the Xie residence. As she approached the courtyard where she and Xie Yun lived, she saw a woman in a smoky red dress walking out of the courtyard.
With almond-shaped eyes and peach-like cheeks, she was a charming and beautiful young woman.
Li Huaiyu recognized her; this was Wang Ling, the niece of her mother-in-law's family, her husband Xie Yun's childhood sweetheart cousin, and also the daughter-in-law her mother-in-law had recently been considering.
It is said that if she hadn't interfered and married into the Xie family back then, the eldest young mistress of the Xie family would definitely have been this Wang San Niang.
Five years have passed since then. Wang San Niangzi's husband has passed away, and she has become a widow. She has come to the Xie family to accompany her aunt and fulfill her filial duties.
Li Huaiyu suddenly found it somewhat amusing.
Instead of showing filial piety to her own parents, she's showing filial piety to her aunt.
It's ironic that this widowed niece would occasionally bring soup to her married cousin.
Suddenly, Li Huaiyu had a flash of inspiration and understood something in an instant.
Perhaps this cousin from the Wang family is the concubine her mother-in-law has in mind?
They would probably feel wronged that their niece couldn't be their beloved niece as their legal wife.
With a thousand thoughts swirling in his mind, Wang San Niang arrived before him and gracefully curtsied.
"This humble servant greets Princess Changji."
Just like her demeanor, her words were soft and charming, making her both pitiful and adorable.
Li Huaiyu had no intention of paying attention to this Wang San Niangzi, but since the other party didn't seem to think so, she gave a curt "hmm" and was about to lead her daughter away when she heard Wang Ling say softly, "Why did the princess only return today? My cousin and aunt were so worried. They were thinking that if the princess didn't return tonight, they would send someone to invite her back."
Her tone was gentle, but the words that came out were anything but gentle and persuasive, reminding Li Huaiyu of the phrase "a needle hidden in cotton."
Li Huaiyu's expression grew increasingly cold, and his heart, which had become somewhat clearer after being enlightened by his mother and sister, also underwent some changes.
That anger started to seep out; I couldn't hold back any longer.
"Oh, so what? This is my family matter, what business is it of Third Sister Wang?"
The sudden appearance of thorns on the dough surprised Wang Ling greatly, and a look of astonishment appeared on her face.
If Princess Changji were as assertive and difficult to deal with as her younger sister, Wang Ling would have no choice but to behave herself.
However, Princess Changji was really dull and docile. During her time living in the Xie family, she saw that he was as docile as a steamed bun, and her awe for the imperial princess subconsciously diminished.
Suddenly hearing Li Huaiyu touch on her sore spot, Wang Ling's head spun and her temper flared up.
She had been in love with her cousin Xie Yun since childhood and was also favored by her aunt. When she was sixteen, she always thought that she would marry her cousin.
This young girl's feelings had been hidden for many years, but Li Huaiyu, a princess from the countryside, interfered and took the place that should have been hers.
The imperial family had decreed a marriage for her, and the Xie family could not refuse. The Wang family dared not risk their lives for her, so they immediately arranged for her to marry someone else.
If we were to ask who Wang Ling disliked or hated the most in the world, it would undoubtedly be Princess Changji, Li Huaiyu.
Even every time I see her, she's still dwelling on the regrets of the past.
When her gaze fell on the exquisitely beautiful little girl, Wang Ling felt a twisted mix of jealousy and anger.
She suddenly chuckled softly, her heart surging with intense emotions that were hard to suppress. Wang Ling smiled and said, "My aunt often mentions to me that my cousin is already in his twenties and still doesn't have an heir to carry on the family line. I suppose the princess is also troubled by this matter?"
"What a coincidence! I have a very effective remedy here. My cousin-in-law took it for a month and then discovered she was pregnant. Why don't you give it a try, Your Highness?"
It sounds like it's all well-intentioned, but when it comes to Li Huaiyu, a princess who hasn't conceived for many years and whose mother-in-law is secretly pressuring her to take a concubine for her husband, it's undoubtedly a subtle mockery.
Upon hearing such sarcasm, Li Huaiyu's already barely suppressed anger immediately burst forth like a spring.
In an instant, my sister's earnest words of advice echoed in my ears.
"Sister, we are princesses, why should we fear anyone!"
"Why should you humble yourself before the Xie family? It will only make them bully you more!"
"If anyone bullies my sister, she'll fight back. If she can't win, she can call me, and I'll make sure they know what's what!"
"Sister, remember, we are princesses..."
Yes, she is a princess. She doesn't need to endure these things. Her parents are the emperor and empress. What is she afraid of?
As if a gentle breeze had brushed against her head, Li Huaiyu's mind cleared, and she looked at Wang Ling, who had dared to offend her.
"Wet nurse, take Hui'er back first."
"Hui'er, go back with your wet nurse. Your mother has some things to attend to and will be returning shortly."
She gently patted her daughter's head and whispered instructions. The wet nurse, Madam Sun, immediately picked up Minghui and left.
This unusual scene made Wang Ling realize that something was wrong, but facing the ever-docile Princess Changji, she felt that she was overthinking it.
What can this "Baozi Princess" do? She can only say a few cold words.
With this thought in mind, Wang Ling felt calm and was about to give Princess Changji a gentle smile when she was suddenly slapped across the face, a burning pain shooting through her.
"you……"
Suddenly slapped, Wang Ling looked at Li Huaiyu in shock, and after a long while, she could only utter the word "you".
Li Huaiyu felt an inexhaustible amount of strength in her body at this moment. Meeting Wang San Niangzi's incredulous gaze, she sneered, "What do you mean, 'you'? It's just that I'm usually too soft-hearted, which is why you ungrateful bastards have taken advantage of me!"
"Dare to offend me, this is your consequence. If you dare to say another word, this princess will slap you!"
Li Huaiyu mustered all his strength and spoke with a resounding voice.
Wang Ling covered her face, startled by Li Huaiyu's first display of power.
A princess is a princess after all, and Wang Ling could not deny the power that came with that status, so she did not dare to speak for a moment.
However, as her gaze wandered, Wang Ling saw her cousin Xie Yun's tall figure emerge from the courtyard and walk towards her. She immediately felt as if she had found her pillar of support, and her panic subsided. She continued to cover her face and called out softly and timidly.
"Cousin~"
She exudes a gentle grace unique to young women, along with a subtle hint of pitifulness that makes her all the more endearing.
Although it was just a soft call, the scene and the posture were enough to make people guess who had been wronged.
Xie Yun, the eldest son of the Xie family, arrived under the moonlight. With the air of a pine tree and the spirit of a crane, his handsome face was indifferent and aloof, yet a hint of displeasure could be faintly seen.
Yes, he saw everything.
He saw that his cousin from the Wang family had provoked him first, and then his usually gentle and submissive wife slapped her.
He had just been discharged from the hospital when he saw this scene and was taken aback, followed by his displeasure at the terrible situation.
Upon hearing Wang's cousin's tone, which sounded as if she wanted him to uphold justice, Xie Yun pursed his lips and coldly rebuked her: "Your cousin-in-law is right. Why are you meddling in our Xie family's affairs? Watch your words in the future, or you might cause trouble for your Wang family again."
Wang Ling shrank back in response, and Xie Yun then looked at Li Huaiyu.
Hearing Wang Ling's harsh reprimand, a tiny seed of hope was just sprouting in Li Huaiyu's heart when Xie Yun turned around and interrupted it.
"Princess, no matter how angry you are, you should not slap someone in public. It is not the behavior of a virtuous lady."
"Please, Princess, do not do this again in the future."
The seed that had just sprouted was once again silenced in the ruins, and Li Huaiyu's heart sank to the bottom in an instant, feeling utterly cold.
"hehe……"
Li Huaiyu chuckled to himself, his eyes full of self-mockery.
What's wrong with slapping a subject's daughter who dared to humiliate and offend him?
They've been husband and wife for five years, yet he showed no respect for his wife in front of outsiders.
No, perhaps they are not outsiders.
Li Huaiyu's smile grew increasingly sarcastic, and he felt utterly foolish.
Perhaps it wasn't that the mother-in-law was acting unilaterally, but rather that her beloved son-in-law also had his own agenda.
"Xie Yun, let's get a divorce."
After laughing at himself, Li Huaiyu finally understood.
His words were icy, and the words that came out of his mouth startled both of them.
However, Wang Ling was hopeful, while Xie Yun was confused.
...
Within two days, the news of Princess Changji's divorce from Xie's eldest son spread throughout Chang'an.
The common people also look forward to exciting events, especially those involving the royal family.
Not long ago, Princess Chang Le, the younger sister, went to Xinfeng Tower to catch her husband, and before we could even get enough of the excitement, here comes the excitement of the older sister and her husband.
Chang'an City was once again engulfed in noise.
As for Huiyi, upon hearing that her elder sister had finally proven herself and divorced Xie Yun, she planned to celebrate with a hearty drink that very night.
So much so that when Lin Lanting returned, he smelled the whole house filled with the smell of alcohol, and saw the spoiled princess lying on the daybed, slightly tipsy.
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Author's Note: I wasn't planning on updating today, but something exciting happened! I discovered a lovely reader gave my next book a shout-out, so I decided to write a chapter and post it anyway, haha [heart emoji]
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