Tearing the Prince's Clothes after Withdrawing Marriage
Chapter 306 - 305: She Ultimately Belongs to the Fourth Prince

Chapter 306: Chapter 305: She Ultimately Belongs to the Fourth Prince

The divorce paper mentioned before was actually, not formal.

If Prince Yexuan, that willful and reckless fellow, were to tear it up, then it could be considered as if it never existed.

For a man to unilaterally dictate his will, what can he not get away with?

Even the Emperor is helpless against him not acknowledging the divorce paper.

But, the Imperial Family’s annulment paper is a different matter.

Especially today, with so many high-ranking officials and princes present.

Once the annulment paper is given out, there’s no turning back.

The marriage between Chu Qianli and Feng Yexuan would be completely nullified!

"Chu Qianli, you must think this through," the Emperor said expressionlessly, his emotions inscrutable.

"Your Majesty, this servant has thought it through. Although Prince Yexuan favors me, in his heart, I am but a concubine toy," she said.

"I am aware of my humble origins and that I have no chance of becoming Princess Yexuan. However, I am also proud and will never consent to being a mere concubine," she added.

Chu Qianli spoke with sincerity and fervor.

Though there was a touch of regret, she seemed to be not too saddened by it.

For a girl to know that her future is not bright,

Many would have already fallen into despair.

But this young girl stood tall, her posture rigid, exuding an air of cold pride.

The words ’despair’ seemed never to have manifested in her.

Feng Qihe was watching her, as was Feng Xianyu.

Even Prince Feng Yunan, who had previously paid her little attention, was now watching her.

Such a woman was indeed extraordinary.

After a while, the Emperor finally nodded and said, "Good, since you are so determined, then, I shall grant you an annulment paper! Qing De!"

"This servant is here!" Qing De, the eunuch, bent at the waist and said in a thin voice, "This servant will prepare it right away, please wait a moment, Miss Chu..."

"Qing De," Chu Qianli raised her head to meet his gaze and said evenly, "From now on, please address me as Miss Chu!"

Qing De was momentarily stunned but then quickly understood and nodded, "Very well, please wait a moment, Miss Chu."

...

Chu Qianli emerged from the main hall.

Several high-ranking officials also came out.

They were all witnesses to Prince Yexuan being "abandoned."

Though being a concubine, to be able to enter the Prince Residence was indeed a supreme honor for a girl.

After all, Chu Qianli may have been born in the Duke Residence, but her mother was just a singer.

What good end could a singer’s daughter have?

Even the eldest son of their Duke Residence had been sent to a desolate border city because of his poor lineage.

Was she not content to live in Prince Yexuan’s Residence?

This time, after saving Prince Yexuan, even the Emperor summoned her to the palace to bestow rewards.

Given this trend of events, it would have been unsurprising for her to rise to the position of side consort.

Could it be that Chu Qianli still thinks the position of Prince Yexuan’s side consort is not worthy of her?

The crowd was perplexed.

Prince Feng Xianyu caught up with Chu Qianli and said with a smile, "Miss Chu, I haven’t had the chance to apologize to you about the incident at my residence last time."

Chu Qianli simply nodded lightly in response, "I wouldn’t dare."

Feng Xianyu, with utmost sincerity, said, "Your Highness has already punished his wife and begs the lady for forgiveness."

"I dare not!" Chu Qianli responded indifferently and distantly, her face expressionless, "This humble woman only wishes for peaceful days and now simply desires to return to the Duke Residence to care for my aging grandfather."

"This humble woman dares not meddle in the affairs of the Prince Residence, my lord, I take my leave."

She truly turned around and left without waiting for any reaction from Feng Xianyu.

"Second brother, this lady seems very reluctant to interact with anyone from the Imperial Family," remarked Prince Feng Yunan as he slowly walked beside Feng Xianyu, smiling, "Since she doesn’t even regard the Fourth Prince highly, we might as well not embarrass ourselves by trying."

Feng Xianyu merely smiled slightly, turned around, and indeed saw Feng Qihe staring unwaveringly in the direction where Chu Qianli had left.

Feng Xianyu teased, "Does our eldest brother view this young girl differently?"

Feng Qihe’s eyes darkened as he looked at him coldly, "What are you implying with that statement, Second Brother?"

"Eldest Brother, I mean no offense, I merely intend to remind you that even though she has already been rejected by the Imperial Family, she was once involved with the Fourth Brother."

Feng Xianyu spoke with genteel eloquence, his face warm and demeanor sincere.

"Eldest Brother, you ought to realize the temper of the Fourth Brother; I would advise you against approaching such a thorny flower."

Feng Qihe ignored him and walked away directly.

"Eldest Brother has a temper much like the Fourth Brother’s," admitted Prince Feng Yunan, chuckling as he watched Feng Qihe’s departing figure, "Why bother with this mess, Second Brother? Besides, haven’t you heard that the Medicine Man Corps eliminated by the Fourth Brother was orchestrated by Qiu Qinghai?"

"Qiu Qinghai?" The news hadn’t spread yet; very few were aware.

Feng Xianyu was somewhat surprised, "Is that true?"

"Of course, it’s true the Emperor is also aware," affirmed Feng Yunan.

"Then..."

"Haven’t you noticed, Second Brother, that the Emperor’s attitude towards our eldest brother hasn’t changed even today?"

The Emperor was well-informed, naturally privy to Qiu Qinghai’s involvement.

Qiu Qinghai was the brother of the late Princess of He, and had been close with the Prince of He.

On the surface, it seemed very likely that the Prince of He was behind the scheme.

But the fact that the Emperor did not mention this at all meant that he had other plans.

"I surmise that even if the Medicine Man Corps’ backer turns out to be our eldest brother, the Emperor won’t act against him. Without the eldest brother, who would stand up to the Fourth Brother?"

Feng Yunan said boldly, glancing at Feng Xianyu, "Don’t you agree, Second Brother? The Emperor certainly can’t let the Fourth Brother dominate alone; what if he aims to overshadow even the Emperor?"

"You’re quite bold to say that! Aren’t you afraid of losing your head?" Feng Xianyu commented lightly.

Feng Yunan laughed carefreely, nonchalant, "I am the Emperor’s son, after all. At worst, I’d be demoted to a vassal prince, but that doesn’t matter to me. Living far from the Emperor’s reach is indeed carefree."

Feng Yunan started walking towards the palace gate, "When the time comes and we’re both vassal princes, Second Brother, remember to visit me once in a while to catch up."

The struggle between princes was such that those who could rise to the top would become Emperor.

Those who couldn’t would mostly be granted vassal titles and sent to desolate places to enjoy their freedom.

Those who stayed behind had their military power stripped and were restrained at every turn within the Imperial City.

It was better to go far away and live freely.

...

Chu Qianli had not yet left the Imperial Palace when she was stopped by a young eunuch, "Miss, His Majesty has summoned you to the Imperial Garden."

Chu Qianli’s eyes darkened slightly.

She had just faced the Imperial Family in the grand hall and severed all ties with them.

Now, the Emperor wanted to see her alone. What conspiracy or trickery could this be?