Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?

Just as Panqing uttered the words "invite trouble," a commotion arose ahead.

The Emperor had returned to Liangyi Hall.

Upon seeing the distant figure of the Emperor, Panqing couldn’t help but shrink back, gently pulling Chu Ruoyan’s hand and whispering, "Madam, we should leave while the Emperor hasn’t noticed you!"

Chu Ruoyan hesitated, being pulled back two steps by her.

But when Panqing continued to urge her to leave, she found Chu Ruoyan standing still, hesitating, yet she withdrew her hand.

"...!" Panqing looked at her in astonishment, "Madam?"

Chu Ruoyan bit her lip, glanced back at the approaching imperial carriage, and finally, as if making up her mind, said, "No, I promised the Princess to help her, I must!"

"But—"

"Panqing!"

This time, Chu Ruoyan’s gaze was resolute, looking up at the ever-loyal Panqing who had never thought of abandoning her despite the fall of their kingdom. The worry and concern in her eyes, though indicative of the danger, gave her the courage to face it. She said firmly, "I am Prince Qin’s Concubine, naturally sharing their fate. We are one."

"..."

"This time Princess Qin was schemed against; if I don’t lend a hand, what would happen to me in the future?"

"..."

"Moreover,"

She took a deep breath and said, "Yuan Qian is the Imperial Grandson, very important to the Emperor, even more so to Prince Qin. If he truly gets hurt, the Emperor will certainly hold someone accountable, but the path for Prince Qin will be difficult in the future."

"..."

"If his path is difficult, my path—do I even have another path?"

Upon hearing this, Panqing suddenly became aware.

She finally realized her narrow-mindedness earlier, couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat, but there was no more time for her to think deeply, as Yu Wenquan had already arrived at Liangyi Hall and from afar, had seen the silhouettes of both master and servant.

His brow furrowed slightly.

He had no particular liking or dislike for this Princess of the previous dynasty. When Yu Wenye had set him up, exchanging Empress Dowager Jiang’s stance for Yu Wenqian’s position as Han King, he understood that Empress Dowager Jiang sought Chu Ruoyan’s marriage and her peaceful later years. Though this noble-born was pitiable, born into the Royal Family, some burdens were inevitable for her to bear, so when she became Prince Qin’s Concubine, Yu Wenquan did not intervene much.

However, the false surrender by Jiang Chong’en had nearly cost Yu Wenquan his life at Longmen Crossing, and caused the death of one Commandery Prince and injury of another, leaving Yu Wenquan angered. He had wanted to punish Chu Ruoyan several times, but ultimately, for the dignity of himself as the Emperor, refrained from stooping to the level of a small woman, letting her off.

During those days, she hadn’t stepped out of Jinyu Garden, obviously fearing him.

Unexpectedly, now she had actively come to Liangyi Hall.

Yu Wenquan stopped and said, "Why are you here?"

Chu Ruoyan hurried forward with Panqing, bowing to him, to which Yu Wenquan waved a hand dismissively, "No need for formalities. Why aren’t you staying at Jinyu Garden, coming to me instead?"

Just after he spoke, a weak, cat-like sobbing sound came from a side hall of Liangyi Hall.

It was Little Yuan Qian.

Upon hearing this crying, Yu Wenquan immediately frowned, and then said, "Let’s talk inside."

Saying this, he turned and entered Liangyi Hall, with Chu Ruoyan taking a deep breath and following quickly.

Inside Liangyi Hall, just after sitting down, Nanny Feng was brought in by Eunuch Yu, accompanied by Han Yuhui who had been tending to them in the side hall. Little Yuan Qian was continuously wailing and struggling, his face flushed. Yu Wenquan frowned, immediately having Eunuch Yu hand the child to him. Seeing him cry until his voice was nearly hoarse, he said with a pained heart, "Why is he crying again?"

Nanny Feng cautiously replied, "The Young Master just woke up."

"Has he eaten?"

"He, he refused to eat."

"Refused to eat?"

Yu Wenquan’s brows instantly knit into a knot, and Han Yuhui, seeing this, immediately said, "He must have been frightened last night. Such a young child can’t endure such scares."

Nanny Feng glanced at her but did not dare speak.

And at the mention of last night, Yu Wenquan’s expression turned even grimmer.

While he was both angry and distressed, Chu Ruoyan stepped forward and softly said, "Your Majesty, I have something to say."

Yu Wenquan already had little patience for her, now even less, saying, "What is it? Speak."

Chu Ruoyan said, "I heard about last night’s events, and I know Sister Ruyi is confined in Chengqian Hall. Now Yuan Qian is crying so much, not just because of fright, but perhaps also because there aren’t any familiar people around, making him feel uneasy."

Yu Wenquan frowned at her, saying nothing.

Chu Ruoyan took a deep breath and said, "I wish to take Yuan Qian to Jinyu Garden to care for him—until Sister Ruyi clears her name."

Upon hearing this, even Eunuch Yu glanced at her in surprise, and Panqing, standing behind her, scarcely dared to breathe.

Yu Wenquan’s face showed no expression. After hearing her words, he simply lowered his head, patting the grandson against his chest. Whether because he heard her voice or had simply tired from crying, Little Yuan Qian gradually quieted down, his kitten-like sobbing particularly pitiful.

Yu Wenquan was silent for a moment, then said, "You want to take care of Yuan Qian?"

Chu Ruoyan quickly said, "I heard the Emperor brought Yuan Qian by his side to care for him, though it’s not my place to overstep. But after all, Father is the ruler of the nation, handling state affairs daily, and caring for Yuan Qian could be distracting and exhausting, affecting his health, which would have great consequences for national governance."

Yu Wenquan’s gaze flickered for a moment.

At this moment, Han Yuhui chuckled softly and said, "Lady Chu indeed has a caring heart, but without having given birth, you might not know how to care for a child; entrusting the young master to you might be—"

Chu Ruoyan was momentarily at a loss from her words, unsure how to respond when a little eunuch ran in from outside, "Your Majesty, Tao Jieyu requests an audience."

Yu Wenquan looked up, "She’s here too? Let her in."

The little eunuch immediately ran out, and shortly after, Tao Wanxin entered Liangyi Hall with palace maid Qiao Shu. Surprised by the crowd in the hall, she still quickly approached and bowed to Yu Wenquan, "This concubine greets Your Majesty."

Yu Wenquan gestured with a hand, "Why are you here?"

Tao Wanxin smiled, "I heard Your Majesty brought Yuan Qian to Liangyi Hall, so I came to see."

As she spoke, she moved to his side, looking down at the tired, dispirited Little Yuan Qian. Yu Wenquan wiped away a tear from the child’s chin with a thick thumb and then said, "You know about yesterday’s events?"