My Aloof Lord Ex-Husband Begs for Remarriage
Chapter 323 - 324: Choices

Chapter 323: Chapter 324: Choices

Hearing Ye Yunting’s own admission, the annoyance in Princess Consort Yang Shu’s eyes almost materialized.

If she had known it would come to this, she should have never agreed to let Chu Nanli enter the Prince Residence.

A woman of unknown origin and low status like her, what good could she do?

She might as well have selected someone for Ye Yunting from her own family.

"Your Majesty, this humble woman has something to say."

Chu Nanli knew that even now, Ye Yunting stubbornly believed the child in her womb was a bastard.

She could not produce any proof, and she was unwilling to let Ye Yunting know the truth either.

She might as well let him continue to misunderstand.

"I know I have let down the War King and tarnished the Royal Family’s reputation, so I am willing to request to step down on my own accord and hope that Your Majesty will grant this."

"Father Emperor, your son disagrees!"

As soon as Ye Yunting uttered these words, he realized he was being somewhat hasty.

Even now, he still hadn’t come to terms with what was truly in his heart.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t let go of Chu Nanli.

It was just that with the bastard still in Chu Nanli’s womb, how could he be content if she were to simply ask to step down, leaving the issue unresolved?

The Emperor had no intention of agreeing to Chu Nanli’s request outright either.

Clearly, he valued the reputation of the Royal Family even more.

This child, it was imperative to eliminate it.

Chu Nanli noticed the dark look in the Emperor’s eyes and a bad premonition instantly rose in her heart.

She was well aware that to protect the Royal Family’s reputation, the Emperor might truly demand the life of the child in her womb!

Chu Nanli had no choice but to speak up boldly, "Does Your Majesty still remember the promise once made to this humble woman?"

The event that happened not long ago was certainly remembered by the Emperor.

But Chu Nanli bringing up the promise at this moment seemed somewhat threatening in the Emperor’s view.

A hint of displeasure was clearly visible on the Emperor’s face.

"This humble woman earnestly asks Your Majesty to allow her to leave the War King Residence."

As for the life of the child in her womb, she did not mention it directly, but the Emperor understood the implication.

"Father Emperor..."

The Emperor raised his hand to directly stop Ye Yunting’s actions.

He looked at Chu Nanli again, his gaze now scrutinizing her.

"You mean to use the promise I made earlier to save the life of the child in your womb?"

"What if I refuse?"

He looked at Chu Nanli, no longer gentle as before, now fully exhibiting the dignity of an emperor.

Being the Emperor, his word was law.

But if he wanted Chu Nanli’s life, it would only take a thought.

Chu Nanli understood that the Emperor would definitely not easily forgive her for the sake of the Royal Family’s reputation.

Unless she could offer something that would tempt the Emperor.

Meanwhile, Ye Yunting, hearing that Chu Nanli would rather pay such a price to leave him, his expression had turned exceedingly ugly.

If it weren’t for the Emperor and Princess Consort Yang Shu being present, he probably would have already turned on Chu Nanli.

Princess Consort Yang Shu was equally unwilling to let her go so easily, "Your Majesty, it was shameful enough that she bore a bastard, but now she even uses her prior promise to blackmail you!"

"If such a thing were to spread, wouldn’t the common people laugh at you?"

She hoped that the Emperor would become so angry because of this matter that he would order Chu Nanli’s execution!

"What should be done, I have my own judgment."

The Emperor gave Yang Shu a warning glance; indeed, she had been somewhat impetuous concerning today’s events.

Even though there was indeed another man’s child in Chu Nanli’s womb.

She should not have publicized the matter so loudly, causing such an irretrievable situation.

"However, the Princess Consort does have a point, I can allow the two of you a divorce, but this child, absolutely cannot be kept!"

After all, this child was not of Ye Yunting’s own blood, yet it was conceived while Chu Nanli was still the Princess Consort of the War King Residence.

If someone were to make an issue out of this, muddying the bloodline of the Royal Family, what then?

Before Chu Nanli could object, the Emperor had already continued speaking.

"The divorce papers will be drafted by my command, and at the same time, I will order the preparation of the drugs for the abortion."

"I am giving you only two options."

Either you give up this child, or you shall never rid yourself of the title of Princess Consort of the War King Residence.

Such a choice could be seen as the Emperor being lenient and magnanimous.

Yet Chu Nanli would still not agree.

After all, she could not possibly abandon the child in her womb.

This was not just the original host’s wish.

She and this child were connected by blood, how could she abandon her own child?

Now, she must either find a way to prove what happened that night at the Xingshan Temple, incidentally proving that the child was indeed Ye Yunting’s.

But if she did, Ye Yunting would likely be even more unwilling to let go.

However, if she did not reveal the events of that night, the child would still be regarded as illegitimate in the eyes of others.

The Emperor and the Empress Dowager would probably not tolerate it.

What should she choose in the end?

Chu Nanli was torn, and at this moment, there actually remained a desperate gamble she could take.

"Princess Consort of the War King, think carefully before you answer," the Emperor said, as if offering a kind reminder.

In reality, it was a veiled threat.

Chu Nanli’s back was already drenched in cold sweat, yet she still tentatively spoke, "Your Majesty, the child in the common woman’s womb is, after all, innocent..."

"Do you know what the penalty is for those who bring chaos to the Royal Family’s discipline?"

"I have considered your previous service of healing me favorably and have treated you with leniency, do not be obstinate!"

Upon hearing this, a glint of smugness flashed across Yang Shu’s eyes.

Among those present, none understood the rules of the palace better than she did.

She actually hoped that Chu Nanli would continue to defy the decree.

According to palace rules, those who have affairs were to be executed by caning!

Under immense pressure, Chu Nanli’s abdomen was already faintly aching.

She steeled her heart and had made her decision.

Just as she was about to speak, a familiar voice suddenly came from the entrance of the palace.

"What a lively gathering you have here, Royal Brother!"

Ye Jiuxiao was covered in the dust of travel, his figure seeming a tad leaner than before he left the capital.

Yet his demeanor remained composed, "I have only just returned to the capital, and did not anticipate encountering such a grand scene."

"When did you return to the capital, Royal Brother?" A flicker of surprise crossed the Emperor’s eyes, "Wasn’t it said that you would need more time?"

He clearly remembered that the secret scouts he had sent out reported that Ye Jiuxiao was not faring well at the Southern Border.

It was possible that he would have to delay his return due to this.

"The matter was settled, so naturally I returned," Ye Jiuxiao said.

"I found many amusing trinkets for Mother while abroad, intending to present them to her. Little did I expect such a coincidence."

Ye Jiuxiao looked at Ye Yunting with a mocking smile before he leisurely continued.

"Just now, I have asked someone to invite Mother over here."

Ye Yunting spoke with barely contained anger, "This matter is the concern of your nephew; why must you broadcast it for all to know, Royal Uncle?"

"Could it be that I am no longer considered your elder?"

Just standing before him, Ye Jiuxiao’s presence already overshadowed Yunting by a considerable margin.

Not to mention that he had the advantage of seniority on his side.