Chapter 7

Unsurprisingly, negotiations broke down.

Qin Yanwei and Cui Shiyu made a scene in the mourning hall and smashed the coffin to pieces.

Qin Yanwei moved straight into the Cui residence.

His Highness had a perfectly good explanation for the outside world.

A loyal minister had returned, and he could not bear to let the Cui family feel neglected. He had therefore chosen to stay at their residence to show his concern for the minister and his household.

Cui Shiyu stood outside my door and refused him entry.

“My family has no need of Your Highness’s concern.”

Qin Yanwei finally lost his temper after being stopped at the door for the eighth time with a bowl of sweet soup.

“Why are you so jealous? What other kept lover in the world has to suffer as I do? And what other first husband behaves like such a bastard?”

Cui Shiyu remained impervious.

“My wife is resting. Outsiders should not disturb her. Please leave, Your Highness.”

Qin Yanwei took two steps away, then suddenly raised his voice.

“Zhaozhao, my wife! The sun and moon bear witness to my love! My longing for you flows on like the endless river… Cui Shiyu, how dare you! I went out of my way to compensate you with a promotion and a noble title. Don’t be ungrateful.”

“Why doesn’t Your Highness mention that the title’s fief is in the northwest? I want neither promotion nor title. Leave my residence, and I shall be grateful beyond measure.”

“Cui Shiyu, if you can’t manage being the first husband, let me do it. I certainly wouldn’t disgrace myself by squabbling out of jealousy.”

There was a sharp hiss.

Someone outside had drawn a sword.

Startled, I abandoned my pretense of sleep and cracked the window to peek out.

Cui Shiyu stood with his sword pointed straight at Qin Yanwei’s nose.

Qin Yanwei narrowed his eyes. “Cui Shiyu, are you plotting rebellion?”

“I can’t let you take her away.”

Qin Yanwei paused, then mocked him.

“Now you treasure her like the apple of your eye? How could you bear to send her into the palace back then?”

Cui Shiyu turned pale. “You remember too?”

Qin Yanwei snorted. “If you hadn’t been so jealous, she wouldn’t have broken off contact with me. The moment she entered the Eastern Palace that day, her heart gave out. Had I known, I would never have let you keep her.”

“I didn’t know it was you. If I’d known, I would never have sent her there.”

They were so busy arguing that neither noticed I’d already opened the window.

Only when they finished did they see me.

“Zhaozhao, look how Cui Shiyu shouts at me.”

“My dear, he provoked me first.”

I poked a finger in my ear.

“Stop pretending. I heard everything.”

“Did you think I couldn’t understand?”

Both their expressions changed.

“I came back to life too. I remember all of it.”

Cui Shiyu’s breath caught. “My dear, I—”

“Don’t. You could shell all the crabs in the world, and it still wouldn’t make up for what you said.”

With your wanton nature, my dear, you should serve the crown prince very well.

Pain filled Cui Shiyu’s face. “My dear, I regretted it at once. I meant to bring you home that very day.”

But that wasn’t the only thing I resented.

I’d had a heart condition since childhood. I couldn’t bear shocks.

Yet Cui Shiyu had grown suspicious of everything, forever climbing into my bed in the middle of the night without so much as a warning.

It was terrifying.

I simply wasn’t fortunate enough to enjoy a husband like that.

Qin Yanwei fanned the flames beside him.

“Who knows what you were thinking? Zhaozhao, civil officials like him are masters of glib words. Don’t believe a thing he says.”

I took out the divorce agreement I’d prepared.

“Sign it.”

“Can you bear to see me grow old alone, my dear?”

“You’re still young. It won’t be hard to marry someone else.”

Qin Yanwei beckoned. “Fetch my seal. I approve this divorce.”

Cui Shiyu signed the agreement in the end.

“My dear… no, Li Zhao. If you have nowhere to stay, you can remain in the Cui residence. I won’t drive you out.”

“Wait, Your Highness. Why are you carrying my dog? I gave that dog to Li Zhao.”

Qin Yanwei told the dog, “Say Dad.”

“Woof!” said the dog.

With Cui Shiyu looking on in despair, Qin Yanwei led me and the dog away without a backward glance.