Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?

Yu Wenye said, "The Imperial Brother indeed wants Pei Xingyuan’s life, but he has many methods—not only through formal punishment, but also by using the opportunity to implicate me; dispatching people to assassinate a prisoner is not only difficult but could also leave evidence for investigation, and I have temporarily extricated myself from this matter."

"..."

"With his intelligence, it’s impossible for him to overlook this point."

Shang Ruyi thought for a moment and nodded, "Makes sense. So, this time, the assassination of Pei Xingyuan—"

Yu Wenye said, "If I guessed correctly, it’s just General Ningyuan and Lou Liangdi acting on their own, competing with the Crown Princess Consort and her daughter."

Shang Ruyi sneered, but in her heart, she was alarmed.

Since childhood, she had witnessed and heard many hidden tales of the inner court, knowing that household unrest would cause more than mere scandals of women pulling each other’s hair and clothing; the larger the family, the greater and more severe the impact of household unrest.

Both the Crown Princess Consort and Lou Liangdi have strong military support, which could offset the Crown Prince’s years away from home without a firm foothold in the court, especially lacking military achievements to rely on. It could’ve greatly assisted in solidifying the Crown Prince’s position, yet, unexpectedly, they began to struggle against each other.

Fire in the Crown Prince’s rear courtyard has even spread to the political front.

Shang Ruyi precisely saw this point, Yu Wenqian is smart, but after being away for a decade’s spiritual practice, he’s less knowledgeable and sensitive to matters related to the household, especially romantic affairs, so when this fire started, she intentionally fanned the flames.

Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi softly said, "As I said earlier, after this matter, you must visit Lady Chu at Jinyu Garden, be sure not to forget."

Yu Wenye just smiled without arguing, "You are quite cautious."

Shang Ruyi also smiled.

Speaking of which, she fanned the wind because she knew Yu Mingyue had a notion of "one lifetime, one pair," and given the Crown Princess Consort’s nature, she would definitely compete with Lou Liangdi for favor; in fact, Shang Ruyi herself had such expectations, but she was clearer that not all expectations must be responded to, and she wasn’t foolish or selfish enough to make other women suffer for her expectations, nor to let Yu Wenye fall into danger.

What one should or shouldn’t do is decided by reason, not by expectations.

She thought for a moment and said, "So, the Emperor must have thought of these things faster than us. He’s asking you to deliberately give the Crown Prince a way out?"

Yu Wenye nodded, "Mistakes and guilt are indeed two different matters."

Shang Ruyi said, "Then, why did you even let Lou Yingxiong go?"

Yu Wenye did not immediately speak, instead, he glanced at her with a half-smile, and Shang Ruyi felt a stir from that gaze, and upon realizing, she quickly caught on: "You let him go because others won’t let him go?"

Yu Wenye finally curved his lips.

He picked up the teacup, drank the last slightly bitter tea, making him more awake, and solemnly said, "The matter at Hot Spring Palace shouldn’t have had a result."

Shang Ruyi hearing this, silently lowered her eyes.

Soon, the matter spread in the court.

The Crown Prince was restrained, General Ningyuan imprisoned, the sudden upheaval caught everyone off guard, Six Ministries continuously gathered in Xuanzheng Hall to plead, denounce, or express dissatisfaction on behalf of the Crown Prince, some worried about the turbulence in the political scene and the morale of frontline soldiers, yet before long, the Emperor’s illness flared, forcing everyone to withdraw from Xuanzheng Hall.

However, the matter wasn’t over.

Soon, the crowd split into two groups, one went to Qianqiu Palace to see King Qin, only to be told he was out of the palace on business, leaving them unable to meet and retreating, while the other gathered at the Crown Prince Mansion.

By now, it was late, and a crowd of people gathered at the entrance of the Crown Prince Mansion, despite the gatekeeper’s extinguished lights, the officials’ retinues carried lanterns and torches, illuminating the entrance as if it were daylight.

Yet, the doors opened, and the gatekeeper stepped out with a bitter face, nodded, and said, "Honorable officials should return, His Highness the Crown Prince says he’s now reflecting, and won’t see anyone."

Immediately someone said, "The Emperor only commanded the Crown Prince to reflect privately but didn’t stop us from coming."

Someone beside quickly agreed, "Yes, we’re here to see the Crown Prince."

"Please deliver our request to him again."

"We must see His Highness tonight no matter what!"

"His Highness, His Highness..."

Amidst the commotion, the doors suddenly opened wider, revealing a graceful figure slowly stepping out, her splendid attire lit up by the lanterns, with her stunning face showing impressive confidence, instantly quieting the crowd.

Someone softly murmured, "Crown Princess Consort..."

Standing before them was Crown Prince Consort Yu Mingyue.

She stood at the door, facing the eager ministers, smiled and said, "Everyone, I heard what you all said just now, please also understand the Crown Prince’s predicament."

"..."

"Reflecting privately is already a lighter punishment from the Emperor, yet if you play with words and let the Emperor find out, the consequences—"

The crowd hesitated and quieted.

Yu Mingyue again smiled and said, "This time, it’s an individual’s recklessness that invited trouble. Indeed, His Highness was implicated, but even so, whether implicated or not, the Emperor’s wrath and favor are, ultimately, benevolence from the heavens, and His Highness accepts them gratefully. Please, do not further trouble him."

"..."

"Or do you intend to ruin His Highness by entanglement?"

Upon hearing this, some turned pale.

Prior rumors varied, but after hearing it from the Crown Princess Consort’s mouth, it became clear that indeed, General Ningyuan overstepped and worsened matters, pulling those behind the Crown Prince onto the burning stage.

Someone softly replied, "Crown Princess Consort, we understand now. We will leave."

Yu Mingyue smiled and said, "Please return."

Thus, she stood at the gate, watching the ministers leave one by one, the bustling entrance finally quieted, she turned and walked down the dark path towards the most secluded and serene courtyard of the residence, three quiet chambers stood in the night, only the western wing showed a flicker of candlelight inside, she entered without a word, immediately smelling a faint lingering sandalwood fragrance in the cold air.

There stood Yu Wenqian in the center of the room.

Opposite him lay the Buddhist altar.