Volume One, Chapter Five: No Longer Serving Him

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Chun Tao was stunned speechless by these words. Previously, Jiang Yutang had proposed a divorce... She had always believed that Jiang Yutang was merely displeased about Yun Qianqian and wanted to intimidate Xie Yihe.

“Young Madam, please don’t act impulsively. Have you really thought this through? Once you enter the palace, if His Majesty makes the decision, there will be no chance of turning things around...” Chun Tao said anxiously, continuing hurriedly, “No matter how much Young Master cares for Yun Qianqian, you are his lawful wife. She is not even a concubine. How could she possibly bypass you? Perhaps if you endure a little longer, Young Master will change his mind.”

Chun Tao wanted to persuade Jiang Yutang further, but Jiang Yutang’s heart was firmer than ever before.

“You foolish girl,” Jiang Yutang said, turning her head and smiling, “Do you think the entire Marquis’s mansion dares to treat us like this because they fear I will give in to Xie Yihe? We don’t need to prove ourselves by steam buns. Even if we leave the Marquis’s mansion, we can still live well. My mind is made up. You don’t need to persuade me anymore, and please stop saying such discouraging things.”

Chun Tao was at a loss, unsure whether this was right or wrong. Unable to argue with Jiang Yutang, she helped her behind the screen to change clothes and do her hair.

In the afternoon, the two left the Marquis’s mansion and headed straight for the Imperial Palace.

The sky was overcast with heavy clouds, ominous and silent.

At the end of the long jade-white marble steps stood the imperial study, its vermilion gates tightly closed, guarded sternly by sword-bearing attendants on either side. The atmosphere was solemn and dignified.

Jiang Yutang and Chun Tao waited outside for summons.

The current ruler of Beiming was Beiming Jing, who had once trained under her grandfather and could be considered her half-senior brother.

Jiang Yutang hoped that Beiming Jing would show some respect for her grandfather and their shared teacher-student bond to grant her divorce request from Xie Yihe.

However—

An entire hour passed, and she had yet to see this so-called ‘senior brother.’

Jiang Yutang was unwilling to give up just yet.

She wanted to wait a little longer, to fight for one last chance.

The early spring wind was like an ice blade. Jiang Yutang stood by a pillar beside the study, her exposed skin aching from the cold, cheeks flushed red.

She stared fixedly at the study’s door, standing still as a wooden statue, numb from the cold, her hands and feet losing sensation.

Chun Tao looked at Jiang Yutang with pity.

This path, she feared, might not lead anywhere...

Suddenly, with a click, the heavy door was pushed open, and the eunuch Chang Shun stepped out from the study.

Jiang Yutang’s eyelashes fluttered, and she hurried forward to ask, “Eunuch Chang Shun, has His Majesty agreed to see me?”

“Well...”

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Chang Shun’s face showed hesitation as he recalled the emperor’s refusal.

He spoke delicately, “Madam of the Heir Apparent, your timing today is truly unfortunate. His Majesty is currently busy and has no time to see you. The weather is quite cold, and you’re visibly freezing. Perhaps you should return for now.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yutang’s heart sank halfway.

His Majesty did not wish to see her.

It was understandable.

Xie Yihe was now a prominent figure in the court.

Her grandfather had long since passed away, and the old ties from years ago could not soften the heart of this young emperor.

In the end, she had been naive.

Chang Shun looked at Jiang Yutang’s hands, purple and numb from the cold, and said to Chun Tao with some reluctance, “Please help Madam back inside quickly.”

Chun Tao nodded hurriedly and helped Jiang Yutang walk back.

The palace path was long and seemingly endless.

“Young Madam, about the divorce... perhaps it’s best to just forget it...” Chun Tao lowered her voice and said anxiously.

Young Master never agreed to divorce. If he found out she was plotting behind his back, she dared not imagine what would happen.

Jiang Yutang’s expression darkened.

Yun Qianqian was no good; after moving into the Marquis’s mansion last lifetime, she had often incited the Xie family to scheme against her.

If she simply gave up now, they would be completely devoured, down to the bone.

Passing beneath the vermilion walls and green tiles, Jiang Yutang thought deeply.

The emperor refused to see her simply because she held no value yet. Moreover, this was a matter within the court, and naturally, he would not intervene.

But what if...

she made the emperor owe her a debt he could not refuse to repay?

At this thought, Jiang Yutang recalled a critical event from her previous life regarding the emperor’s life.

The emperor had been ambushed by spies from an enemy nation and poisoned with a rare toxin that baffled the entire Imperial Medical Institute. Near death, it was Xie Yihe who had found a famous doctor from among the common folk, enabling the emperor to barely survive.

Though his life was spared, the lingering poison could not be cleared, leaving the emperor chronically ill and bedridden.

Jiang Yutang calculated the timing in her mind: at this very moment, the emperor had already been poisoned by the enemy spies.

The toxin within him would flare up in seven days at the secondary palace.

If she seized this opportunity to save the emperor, not only would her divorce from Xie Yihe become inevitable, but her future dealings would be far easier.

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Jiang Yutang had been mischievous in her youth and was sent to Meishan to learn skills, including medicine. Her master was skilled and could perform miraculous cures. She had practiced under him for several years and might be able to try.

Her eyes darkened as she left the palace and returned to the Marquis’s estate, instructing Chun Tao to send someone to inquire whether the Imperial Medical Institute had recently been recruiting female doctors.

Though she had studied medicine, she had never had the chance to practice, always confined to the inner residence. Now, she needed a convincing identity.

This matter sparked an idea in Jiang Yutang’s mind: she would grasp all useful information from her previous life for her own benefit.

Sitting at the table, Jiang Yutang focused on recalling details.

Then she instructed, “Also, provide three thousand taels of silver to those few shop owners under my name whose businesses are struggling, and have them purchase merchant ships.”

In the future, Beiming’s maritime trade would flourish. Investing early would bring great profits.

She had to plan for life after the divorce as well.

Chun Tao was stunned.

“Yes, mistress. I’ll do it immediately.”

In the room, Jiang Yutang sat alone at the table, busy with her plans.

Silence reigned.

Dusk fell, night approached.

Xie Yihe came to the estate.

Since marrying Jiang Yutang, unless they quarreled, they usually slept together.

Jiang Yutang was willing to serve him.

Though she felt somewhat restrained in bed, she tried her best to comply with his excessive demands.

Now that they had reconciled, Xie Yihe saw no reason to sleep in the study.

But this time—

In the spacious main room, Jiang Yutang was nowhere to be seen. Only a scheming maid remained, and she was arranged by Jiang Yutang herself!

“Young Master, the Young Madam said she’s not feeling well and fears catching a cold and passing it to you, so she’s resting in the next room. She specially instructed me to take good care of you...”

The maid’s rosy cheeks and bashful manner masked a hidden agenda as she stepped forward to undo Xie Yihe’s belt.

“It’s late. Let me attend to your needs for the night.”

Upon hearing this, Xie Yihe’s narrow eyes darkened sharply.