Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Planning to Separate

“Xiu Gu, how can that maidservant be so cruel-hearted? It’s been two years! Just because I scolded Qi Shu Xian a little, she hasn’t stepped foot into the palace even once.”

“I wonder how she’s doing now. Those people at Duke Qi’s Mansion aren’t easy to handle. Her eldest sister-in-law’s husband is clearly useless, yet he dares to complain about the post she painstakingly arranged for him…”

“And Qi Shu Xian! He went off to the Border Pass the day after their wedding, only to return with another woman. Does he truly think this grandmother of hers is blind? Wait until the palace banquet—I will have Qi Shu Xian bring that woman so I can have a good look at her…”

“Grandmother!” Sheng Zhi Wan could no longer hold back her cry.

So, Grandmother had been worried about her all along!

So, the reason Grandmother tried to humiliate Meng Yang at the palace banquet in the previous life—but instead unintentionally made her famous, and later endured public criticism—was all for her sake!

“Grandmother…” Sheng Zhi Wan felt her eyes sting even more.

The Empress Dowager immediately pulled her into an embrace, tears falling freely. “You little maidservant! You’ve finally come to visit me? Quick, let Grandmother have a look at you. How did you get so thin?”

The Empress Dowager grasped Sheng Zhi Wan, looking her up and down. Sheng Zhi Wan allowed her grandmother to examine her as she pleased.

Only after she had finished did the Empress Dowager address the real matter at hand.

“How do you intend to deal with that farm girl?”

“How about sending her away to a country estate?” The Empress Dowager suggested thoughtfully. “Right now, the rumors about her and Qi Shu Xian have spread everywhere. Some even claim that if not for her curing Qi Shu Xian’s poison, the battle would have been lost.” The Empress Dowager sneered coldly.

Who knew where such ridiculous gossip came from?

Clearly, it was the soldiers’ bravery that earned their victory, yet now a woman somehow got credit.

Sheng Zhi Wan paused, the sweet rice wine spoon trembling slightly. These rumors had existed in her previous life too.

Back then, she had thought just like Grandmother that it was a simple slip of the tongue. It was only later, when she noticed Meng Yang’s strange behavior and sent someone to investigate, that she learned the truth.

But in this life, she would never let such rumors grow again.

Moreover, even Qi Shu Xian’s share of battle merits—she intended to reclaim at least half.

She gently placed a bowl of sweet rice dumplings before the Empress Dowager. “Grandmother needn’t worry about me. Regarding Duke Qi’s mansion, I have my own plans.”

“What plans?” The Empress Dowager anxiously grabbed her hand. “Grandmother knows you still care about Qi Shu Xian and worry that punishing his people might push him further away. But you two haven’t seen each other in two years, and now there’s another woman. Are you truly confident you can hold onto his heart?”

“Men are creatures who taste something new and can’t forget it. And he already has…” The Empress Dowager stopped short, afraid of upsetting Sheng Zhi Wan.

Instead, Sheng Zhi Wan took her grandmother’s hand and smiled. “Grandmother, I plan to separate.”

“Separate?” The Empress Dowager stared at her, stunned. “You foolish child, what nonsense are you talking? You’re still so young! If you separate, how will you live your future?”

“Of course, I’ll live well.” Sheng Zhi Wan patiently explained her thoughts bit by bit, afraid of agitating her grandmother. “Even if we separate, I am still a princess. Moreover, I have you and Imperial Father protecting me. The estates, farmlands, and personal property you gifted me will ensure a lifetime of wealth. Isn’t it better than suffering others’ disdain?”

“But that’s… that’s not the same.” The Empress Dowager shook her head repeatedly. “After all, you’re still a woman.”

“What if I’m a woman? Rather than waste my entire life tangled up, it would be better to cut ties early. Grandmother knows how I’ve lived at Duke Qi’s mansion. Before, I loved him and willingly endured. But now, I’ve opened my eyes,” Sheng Zhi Wan said gently but firmly.

“You won’t regret it?” The Empress Dowager still vividly remembered Sheng Zhi Wan’s determination when she’d begged to marry.

Sheng Zhi Wan shook her head resolutely. “I won’t!”

The Empress Dowager gazed at her granddaughter for a long while before finally releasing a heavy sigh. “Fine, since you’ve already decided, Grandmother will invite your Imperial Father over shortly.”

When Sheng Zhi Wan had begged to marry, she had resorted to fasting and kneeling. Now, separating would certainly not be simple.

Knowing this, the Empress Dowager intended to request the imperial decree herself.

Sheng Zhi Wan, however, shook her head again. “Grandmother, I have everything planned. For now, pretend you don’t know anything…”

At the Imperial Study, news of Sheng Zhi Wan entering the palace arrived just as Emperor Chong Sheng put down the final stroke on the imperial edict awarding Qi Shu Xian.

Sheng Kingdom had many warriors, yet most were aging.

Qi Shu Xian had appeared at the perfect moment, exactly the kind of hero Emperor Chong Sheng longed for.

Especially his godlike command of troops, notably his bewildering tactics in the final battle, securing a miraculous victory against Yanjue despite having fewer men.

Such a person must be cherished and promoted!

Yet, thinking of Sheng Zhi Wan, Emperor Chong Sheng couldn’t help but frown again.

His beloved maidservant was deeply devoted to Qi Shu Xian. Hearing that Qi Shu Xian had returned from Cangnan with a woman, she’d most likely gone to the Empress Dowager today, hoping he would intervene through his mother’s influence.

But men taking multiple wives and concubines was normal. It was Sheng Zhi Wan herself who begged to marry Qi Shu Xian; after all, Qi Shu Xian hadn’t married into royalty. If he punished him now, wouldn’t that disappoint Qi Shu Xian?

The more Emperor Chong Sheng pondered, the more his head ached. He rubbed his temples and instructed, “If the Empress Dowager sends someone to summon me, just say… I’m busy.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Grand Attendant Su quickly snapped out of his thoughts.

The note in his sleeve felt scorching, burning his fingertips, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.

He couldn’t understand what had come over that person, instructing him to speak ill of Qi Shu Xian. Having stayed by Emperor Chong Sheng’s side for many years, how could he not understand his master’s thoughts?