Chapter 5: The Seven Grounds for Divorce
Cheng Yu had managed the affairs of the Eastern Palace for five years.
Until now, there was only one matter she found difficult to resolve.
The day after she moved in, she was forced to kneel in the study and beg for forgiveness.
Xie Genghe looked up from the towering stack of memorials, and shortly after, stormed angrily into the Cheng’en Hall.
Wen Changying had been writing all night, exhausted, resting on the soft couch.
Her clothes were disheveled, her eyes reddened and weary.
Xie Genghe abruptly stopped, scolding Bi Gui and the others, “Step outside!”
The footsteps awakened Wen Changying.
She glanced at Xie Genghe’s darkened face without surprise.
Casually, she straightened her clothes and threw the divorce document at his feet.
“Here to strip me of my title as Crown Princess?”
“Rest assured, besides the magpie, I won’t take a thing from this palace.”
“Wen Changying!” Xie Genghe’s eyes reddened.
There was the dryness from a sleepless night spent handling memorials, but more so, the heartbreak that Wen Changying had gone to such lengths to sever ties.
“Where have I displeased you so that you would destroy my reputation and force this divorce upon me?”
“Just seeing you in front of me is oppressive enough.”
Wen Changying blurted out, “I think if I look at you any more, I’ll be sick.”
Her harsh words could not hurt Xie Genghe.
“Childless, jealous, ill-tempered, quarrelsome, and disrespectful to in-laws…”
He even laughed bitterly, “I want to hear you explain why all these accusations inside and outside Chengze Hall are directed at me?”
Wen Changying threw her hair back, smoothing her clothes.
“I’ve been married to you for seven years with no child by my side—how is it not your illness and childlessness?”
“You pour filth on the Wen family and condemn Aye directly—how is that not quarrelsome and disrespectful to your in-laws?”
“As for jealousy,” Wen Changying sneered, “do I really need to explain?”
Xie Genghe was choked with anger.
He even felt powerless. “Aye, the Seven Grounds for Divorce are regulations for women; since ancient times, how could they be falsely applied to men?”
“If not for Officer Cheng gathering and destroying these baseless accusations, the Empress Dowager would have punished you again today.”
Wen Changying composed herself, “So you don’t admit it?”
Xie Genghe pursed his lips, “I won’t accept losing this way.”
“Fine.” Without hesitation, Wen Changying turned and picked up her brush. “I’m not afraid of ruining my reputation. Then I’ll write that I am childless, jealous…”
Rip.
Xie Genghe strode forward, grasped Wen Changying’s wrist, and tore up the unfinished papers.
The floor was a mess. Though they stood close, their hearts drifted apart.
Wen Changying glanced at the scattered sheets. “If you won’t let me leave the palace with dignity, I have other, less dignified ways.”
“Xie Genghe, you can’t stop me.”
Xie Genghe’s grip tightened.
“Unless I die.”
Wen Changying’s long-held composure neared collapse again.
She bit down on Xie Genghe’s wrist.
The right hand, again.
Through the winter clothing, it didn’t really hurt.
To let Wen Changying vent, Xie Genghe even rolled up his sleeve.
The countless unhealed bite marks told the story of their battered relationship.
“Bite.”
“If you vent today and stop quarreling with me, even if you bite me to death, the entire royal family won’t trouble you.”
Suddenly, Wen Changying released her strength.
She pushed Xie Genghe away and turned her back.
But the man behind her refused, forcibly straightening her posture so their foreheads touched.
“Aye.”
“I know you hate restraint. Once this is over, come spring, I’ll take you out of the palace for an outing, alright?”
Again like this.
As soon as her mood calmed, as soon as she accepted his goodwill, Xie Genghe assumed the matter resolved.
He never cared what Wen Changying truly wanted.
“What about before spring?” Wen Changying suddenly smiled.
“Do you plan to avoid me, spending all day locked in the study, indulging in sweet moments with Cheng Yu?”
“Wen Changying!”
He called her full name again. “I haven’t!”
“Officer Cheng lives in the Eastern Palace to handle palace affairs, to give the Empress Dowager and officials peace of mind.”
“What peace of mind?” Wen Changying sneered. “Seduction, betrayal of the Crown Princess, plotting to eliminate me, the last remnant of the Wen family, ahead of time for the civil and military officials?”
Xie Genghe raised his voice, “Why must you see everyone as so malicious? She…”
“Because I am malicious! I tolerate no one. I am the worst in the world, the cruelest, always blaming others and wishing her dead!”
Wen Changying covered her ears.
She could not bear to hear even a single word from Xie Genghe defending Cheng Yu’s innocence.
Perhaps Cheng Yu had never done anything truly wicked.
But her very presence was a thorn.
A thorn stuck in Wen Changying’s heart for five years, never removed.
In the second year of their marriage, Xie Genghe took over state affairs, busy for days without appearing.
Recommended by the Empress Dowager, he indeed brought Cheng Yu before Wen Changying, saying she would share the palace duties.
At first, having a female officer managing affairs in the Eastern Palace was nothing Wen Changying needed to mind.
But she could not bear it.
Cheng Yu was personally trained by Xie Genghe.
From assigning palace staff to managing accounts and procurement.
She held authority over people and affairs and was respected throughout the palace.
In fact, Cheng Yu’s status was even more illustrious than Wen Changying’s as Crown Princess.
As for Wen Changying, aside from the elusive favor of Xie Genghe, she had nothing.
Though she and Xie Genghe were husband and wife, inseparable day by day, it was another woman who shared his presence.
“Aye.”
Xie Genghe’s throat was dry.
He could not soothe such a Wen Changying.
Because any careless word would drive her to madness, hysterically demanding a divorce.
Wen Changying closed her eyes.
Her chest tightened painfully, and when she spoke, it was a flood of bitterness, spewed onto Xie Genghe.
His expression startled; he quickly embraced her and shouted outside:
“Imperial doctor!”
Bi Gui hurried away.
Cheng Yu also rushed in to check on the situation.
Her brows twitched as she observed Wen Changying’s closed-eyed state, unable to help but speculate.
“Your Highness, perhaps we should help the lady to bed first.”
That one sentence snapped Xie Genghe’s scattered mind back.
He hurried to comply.
Not long after, the imperial doctor arrived.
After taking her pulse, he reported, “The lady is distressed in her heart and has not eaten for a long time, which caused the acid reflux. Your Highness, if the lady cannot find happiness, it may harm her heart and lungs.”
Xie Genghe’s own mother had died from heartache.
He often urged Wen Changying to rest, fearing history would repeat itself.
“Prepare medicine,” the Crown Prince’s voice was hoarse.
In the entire Cheng’en Hall, no one dared speak but Cheng Yu.
“Your Highness, the Empress Dowager has centuries-old ginseng that nourishes the body. Shall I fetch it?”
“Mm, go.”
The others attending her withdrew.
Xie Genghe remained quietly by Wen Changying’s bedside, as if his heart had died along with hers.