Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?

Shang Ruyi took a group of people for a walk in the garden, and seeing that it was still early, they went to Jinyu Garden. Chu Ruoyan was delighted to see them and quickly had tea and snacks brought out. The two of them chatted and joked while entertaining the child.

Unknowingly, the wind began to blow outside.

As the sky gradually darkened, indicating rain, Shang Ruyi was about to ask Tushere to go back and see how the arrangements were. Just then, someone came to inform them that Qianqiu Palace had been cleaned up and ventilated, and Princess Qin could return to rest.

Shang Ruyi took her leave with her entourage and returned to Qianqiu Palace.

As soon as they returned, it began to rain outside.

And, just as the little eunuch had said, the entire Qianqiu Palace, inside and out, including the backyard, storeroom, and corners, had been thoroughly steamed. Even though they had aired the place before leaving and wiped off the dripping bamboo vinegar, there was still a lingering pungent smell in the air. Shang Ruyi had the palace carefully cleaned again until no trace of the odor remained.

After all this turmoil, Shang Ruyi was even more exhausted. Fortunately, it rained, so no one came to her, and she went to bathe and change before retiring early without having dinner.

For some reason, despite being so tired and her eyelids drooping during the bath, she had difficulty falling asleep once she lay down. She stared at the window frame that faintly glowed in the dark, her vision alternately clear and blurry. The rain outside gradually stopped, and the night deepened, growing so dark that no light shone into the palace. Only then did Shang Ruyi drift into a hazy sleep.

Even so, her consciousness remained somewhat blurred, as if she could still hear the wind outside and the rustle of leaves.

In the sound of the wind, raindrops fell from the eaves.

The sound, akin to a sand clock, lent the tranquil night an inexplicable sense of unease and restlessness.

While Shang Ruyi was half-asleep, the palace patrol shifted shifts. It was past the third watch, a time when everything was silent, and others are in deep sleep. They, too, were yawning, eyes drowsy, trudging heavily through puddles, carrying lanterns along the pathway within the palace walls. When they reached the Divine Dragon Gate, they divided into two groups—one patrolled the Imperial Garden along the Thousand-step Corridor, while the other went through Liangyi Hall before circling eastward to Qianqiu Palace and Jinyu Garden.

As they were about to pass through Anren Gate, they saw a few figures moving ahead and immediately asked, "Who’s there?"

The other party, also carrying lanterns, appeared indistinct. As both sides drew nearer, it became evident that it was Han Yuhui, the Chief Palace, accompanied by two palace maids. The leading Imperial Guard questioned, "Han Shanggong? Why so late—you haven’t rested yet?"

Han Yuhui replied, "I’ve just come from Zhang Jieyu and am about to rest."

"Late at night, what business did Jieyu have with the Chief Palace?"

"Jieyu summoned me to discuss the arrangements for the Emperor’s birthday next month. The matters were complex, so it took longer."

"Oh, I see..."

The guard immediately relaxed, knowing that Han Shanggong was in the Emperor’s favor and being in the palace this late shouldn’t pose any issues. It was just customary to inquire, and upon hearing that preparations were underway for the Emperor’s birthday, he cheerfully remarked, "Looks like the Chief Palace will have to work hard again."

Han Yuhui smiled quietly, "Not really hard work, you all are on patrol this late—it’s not easy either."

As she spoke, she walked alongside the Imperial Guard through Anren Gate.

It was pitch black around them; only the lanterns in their hands illuminated a small area ahead. The light also faintly sketched out the massive outline of a palace hall up ahead. Han Yuhui squinted slightly, saying, "This seems to be—"

The guard swiftly responded, "Qianqiu Palace."

"Oh. Prince Qin isn’t here, so when you patrol this area, be particularly cautious. Young Master is small and can’t endure disturbances."

"Thank you for reminding us, Han Shanggong."

As they spoke and moved forward, a gust of wind blew by, and the shadows of trees swayed with the sound of pine waves.

Suddenly, the little palace maid beside Han Yuhui gasped, "Ah!"

Though not loud, in the quiet night, it was quite startling. Han Yuhui immediately frowned and reprimanded, "Why are you shouting? Didn’t I say Young Master can’t endure disturbances?"

The little palace maid, eyes wide, pointed ahead with trembling fingers, as though seeing something extraordinary, saying, "That, there seems to be—"

"What is there?"

"There, seems someone climbed out."

"What!?"

On hearing this, Han Yuhui hadn’t spoken yet, but the guards were alarmed immediately and rushed forward. Not far ahead was Qianqiu Palace’s backyard. The high palace walls revealed a rockery and several pines and cypresses within, swaying intensely in the wind. The rustling sound heightened fear.

Someone climbed out from here?

Someone climbed out from Qianqiu Palace?

How could this be? Could it be—

Someone whispered to the little palace maid, "What did you see?"

The little palace maid, with a pale face, was further frightful under the swaying lanterns, whispered, "Seems, seems it’s a, a man..."

"What?"

The guards were astounded and exchanged glances but dared not speak, while Han Yuhui sternly rebuked, "What nonsense! King Qin has been on a campaign for ages, Qianqiu Palace only has Young Master as a boy. Where’s a man? You must be mistaken!"

The little palace maid looked at her, then quickly nodded, "Yes, yes, perhaps I mistook it."

Han Yuhui said, "Let’s go, hurry back!"

Saying this, she nodded to the guards, then hurriedly left with the two palace maids.

The remaining group stood outside Qianqiu Palace’s rear wall, momentarily bewildered. The wind was strong just now, the shadows swung, though they hadn’t seen it, they couldn’t confirm if the maid really misstated it; moreover, as Han Shanggong said, there shouldn’t be another man in Qianqiu Palace. If a man truly scrambled out over the wall at midnight, could it be—

They felt chills down their spines, someone muttered, "What should we do?"

"Should we report this?"

"If reporting, how should we say it?"

While they mused over whether to leave or further investigate, they suddenly heard a commotion from afar in the Inner Court Imperial Garden. The group glanced at one another and immediately sensed something wrong, hastening to run toward it.