Chapter 14: Asking for a Divorce Decree
Lu Zhiran lowered her head, speaking respectfully and cautiously, "Your Majesty may not be aware, but my biological mother was the daughter of a wealthy merchant in Suzhou. When she passed away, she left me with a number of staff. The management of the business relied entirely on those capable managers, and I was merely given a title."
Her attitude was humble and she did not take credit for herself, which made Emperor Defeng feel more favorable towards her. However, the emperor did not show his emotions on his face and his tone remained majestic.
"Your company's righteous act has resolved Xiping's predicament and saved countless people. It is a great achievement and deserves a reward."
Lu Zhiran looked sincere and spoke earnestly, "The soldiers of Xiping braved the bitter cold and defended the borders of Daqi with their flesh and blood, which brought peace to the capital. I, your humble servant, am trapped in my inner chambers, with nothing but a few pieces of silver. This time, I was able to help Xiping resolve this predicament, which is my humble contribution to the court. I dare not take credit for it."
These words comforted Emperor Defeng, and his tone softened a little.
"Wrongdoings deserve punishment, and meritorious service deserves reward. There's no need to be modest. Tell me, what reward do you want? As long as you ask, I will grant it."
Lu Zhiran folded his hands and touched the ground with his forehead, bowing deeply.
"I, your humble servant, would also like to ask for a favor from the Emperor."
Emperor Defeng narrowed his eyes and the expression on his face faded.
"My imperial decree has been issued, and it is impossible to take it back."
Lu Zhiran said in a steady voice, "I am not asking the Emperor to revoke his order. I only ask the Emperor to issue an imperial decree, allowing me to divorce and return home."
A hint of surprise flashed in Emperor Defeng's eyes, and he couldn't help but re-examine the woman in front of him.
"You want a divorce?"
Lu Zhiran said firmly, "This is the decision I made after careful consideration. I beg Your Majesty to grant it."
"Are you taking your anger out on the imperial edict I issued?"
Lu Zhiran's heart tightened, and she explained with deep fear, "I would never dare to do that. Your Majesty, you are the ruler of a country. Chu Yian and Doctor Zhao are meritorious officials who have made contributions to you. It is understandable that you reward them. How could I be dissatisfied with this? This decision was made from the heart, not out of anger."
Emperor Defeng's tone was ambiguous. "Then tell me why you insist on a divorce. If you can convince me, I will grant your consent."
Lu Zhiran secretly clenched his fists and slowly spoke out what was in his mind.
"Although I am Chu Yian's first wife, we were not acquainted before our marriage, and we have never spent a single day together since our marriage. He and Doctor Zhao are the true lovers, and I am just a figurehead. In that case, why should I come between them? Why not just divorce and let each other be together?"
"Staying in the Marquis' Mansion will only lead to mutual torture and a waste of life. I'm still young and have plenty of good times ahead of me. Why should I be trapped with someone who doesn't care about me for the rest of my life?"
Emperor Defeng looked at her deeply.
"Are you willing to divorce like this?"
Lu Zhiran: "What you accept disappears, and what you reject exists. The more this subject holds this matter in his heart, the more it will become like a maggot on the tarsal bone, never to be removed. I accept it calmly, and all my resentment and resentment disappear."
Emperor Defeng looked at her with a hint of surprise, "You think things through."
Lu Zhiran lowered her eyes, with a self-deprecating attitude, "I am ashamed that I am not yet able to be truly open-minded. I asked for the imperial edict from Your Majesty because I have resentment in my heart and want to use the imperial edict to support myself."
Lu Zhiran touched the ground with his forehead again, his voice choked with suppressed sobs.
"I only wish to be able to stand upright and leave with dignity. I beg Your Majesty to grant this."
She was crawling on the ground, like a delicate and easily broken flower, fragile and helpless, and Emperor Defeng was her only lifeline. This appropriate show of weakness did not disgust Emperor Defeng, but instead aroused his sympathy.
After all, she is a young girl, only a few years older than his little daughter, but it is pitiful that she has to go through such a change in life.
This matter had something to do with him, which made Emperor Defeng feel even more guilty.
His tone softened, "Since you have made up your mind, I will approve it."
After hearing this, Lu Zhiran's tense heartstrings finally relaxed completely.
"This humble servant thanks you for your grace!"
Emperor Defeng called her up and offered her a seat. Lu Zhiran thanked him and sat down, but she only dared to sit on the small half of the seat, with her posture straight and not daring to relax.
"Your contribution this time is far greater than that of the Zhao girl. This imperial edict is my compensation to you. Besides this, do you have any other requests?"
Lu Zhiran pretended to think for a moment before speaking, "This matter is not the work of this minister alone. It is also inseparable from the efforts of the managers and servants of the business. If the emperor really wants to reward them, then distribute the rewards to them. If we can receive the emperor's praise, no matter how much, it will be a great encouragement to everyone."
Emperor Defeng was surprised again, "Don't you have anything you want to ask for yourself?"
Lu Zhiran shook her head calmly, "I have already achieved my wish and have no other requests."
Emperor Defeng looked at her with a little more appreciation.
This woman is not self-righteous, not arrogant, knows when to advance and retreat, and is generous and decent. She is indeed a good person. It is probably a great loss for the Xuanping Marquis Mansion to lose such a mistress.
When Lu Zhiran left the palace, her back was already wet with cold sweat, but a huge stone had fallen from her heart.
Soon, she will be free again.
At the corner of the corridor, Xiao Yanci raised his eyes and caught a glimpse of a graceful aqua-blue figure in his peripheral vision, whose steps were as light and brisk as a spring breeze.
It seems that what she wanted has been achieved.
Xiao Yanci turned around and went to the imperial study.
As soon as Emperor Defeng saw him, he immediately showed disgust.
"Why haven't you left yet?"
Xiao Yanci looked heartbroken. "I just came back and wanted to be around you as much as possible to show my filial piety. How could you chase me away like this?"
Emperor Defeng did not believe his lies. He thought that accompanying him was fake, and that the real purpose was to get information.
The eunuch in charge drafted the imperial edict and sent it to the emperor for his seal. Xiao Yanci approached without any hesitation.
He had already guessed the content of the imperial edict, but acted surprised.
"I never thought that old coward Lu Guanxuan could actually give birth to such a courageous and courageous daughter. This is truly a case of good shoots coming out of bad bamboo."
Emperor Defeng: ...
It's true that you can't spit out ivory from a dog's mouth.
"Father, please give this imperial edict to me, your son. I will announce it."
Xiao Yanci rolled up the imperial edict very skillfully and put it into his sleeves, which made Emperor Defeng laugh out of anger.
"I haven't agreed yet."
Xiao Yanci said shamelessly, "I don't want to watch the fun, I just want to share your worries. How could the emperor object to such filial piety?"
Emperor Defeng: ...
"Look at him, he's becoming more and more lawless. He even dares to do what my master does!"
The chief eunuch, Feng Youcai, bowed and said with a smile, "His Highness the Seventh Prince has always been straightforward in front of the Emperor, but he always acts with measured steps and is extremely cautious."
Feng Youcai has served Emperor Defeng for many years and is truly a shrewd person.
As long as it does not involve important court affairs or issues of principle, the Seventh Prince's jokes will not annoy the emperor, but will make him happy.
This is the precious family relationship between the royal father and son.
At this time, he just praised the Seventh Prince.
What's more, the real owner is still here.
Emperor Defeng let out a heavy snort through his nose.
He waved his hands in disdain, "Get out of here now, don't get in my way."
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