Dissolution of the Marriage Agreement
Everyone had a different expression.
Prince Li was…
Rong Xiu had already looked at Emperor Jiawen and bowed. "Father, please forgive me for being late." He couldn't stop himself from coughing twice after he said that. It seemed like he had been sick for a long time.
Emperor Jiawen shook his head with some disapproval. "You've had a weak constitution ever since you were a child. You must take good care of yourself now that you've just returned to the Imperial City. Why are you pushing yourself by coming?"
Rong Xiu looked smilingly at Rong Jin. "It is Brother's birthday banquet. As his brother and his subject, how can I not come?"
Rong Jin sneered inwardly, but he wore a smile on his face. "Seventh Brother, you're being too polite. It's only a birthday. I'll feel bad if your sickness gets worse. Quickly, sit!"
Rong Xiu followed his advice and took his seat beside the Third Prince, Rong Jiu.
He coughed a few times after removing his cloak. It seemed that he was suffering on this trip.
The crowd exchanged looks among themselves.
Indeed, Prince Li looked like he was in bad shape.
Some noble ladies were disappointed. He might have the looks, but there wouldn't be much of a future with his weak body. A pity. He was so handsome and exuded such a magnificent presence.
Rong Xiu didn't seem to care. He sat, greeted a few people around him, and quieted down.
What a gentle and humble gentleman.
Rong Zhen had no impression of her seventh brother. However, she was disgusted by him after he offered his handkerchief to Chu Liuyue. She sneered and turned her attention from Chu Liuyue to him. "Brother, you seem to care greatly for Big Chu Missy. Is it possible that you already know each other?"
Rong Xiu simply smiled. "I've only been back to the Imperial City for a month. This is my first outing. How can I know anyone?"
Rong Zhen remained skeptical. "Then why did you help her?"
Rong Xiu's smile slightly faltered. "I just feel that it's really not good to see blood as today is my brother's birthday banquet. Besides… I'm late. I don't know what happened earlier, and this place is actually in such a mess?"
He poured himself a cup of tea and casually said, "If I remember correctly, Miss Chu is engaged to my brother. I wonder who is bold enough to treat the Crown Prince's wife-to-be in such a manner on his birthday banquet."
Rong Zhen choked.
Rong Jin looked even more embarrassed.
Wasn't he being accused of letting others bully Chu Liuyue under his nose?
The Empress sensed that things had taken a wrong turn. She said warmly, "Prince Li must be mistaken. Rong Zhen felt close to her even though it was their first meeting, and she wanted to give the Golden Python to Miss Chu. They were merely taming the python earlier."
Rong Xiu was a little surprised. "Tame the Golden Python? Big Chu Missy is born with a crippled Yuan meridian, and she can't cultivate. How can she possibly tame it?" His perplexed question made the Empress and the
Rong Jin frowned. He felt that Rong Xiu had set the trap on purpose. However, judging from his shocked expression, he seemed to be asking the question out of genuine concern. Besides, Rong Xiu shouldn't know about what happened to the hunting ground. Rong Jin couldn't tell what Rong Xiu was thinking for a while, so he didn't say anything.
Rong Zhen, however, couldn't stop herself from arguing. "She obviously made the mistake of selling the deed for Brother's hunting ground to others! She has gone too far by doing that."
After a moment's silence, Rong Xiu asked as he fondled his teacup, "How did she do that if the deed belongs to the Crown Prince?"
There was dead silence in the palace.
Everyone naturally knew her name was on the deed, but anyone with a brain could tell that the Crown Prince highly valued the hunting ground.
The fact that she sold it meant she was screwing the Crown Prince over big time!
The Crown Prince was furious. He obviously wanted to deal with her today. Otherwise, why would a loser from the Chu family have the right to be present at a palace banquet?
Everyone was well-aware of this. Even the Empress had acquiesced to it.
When a man of Prince Li's status had pointed this out, it made the Crown Prince look exceptionally bad.
Chu Liuyue wiped the bloodstains off with the white handkerchief as she hid a smile. Since Rong Xiu had the intention to help her, she would seize this opportunity. "Your Highness, there is something you might be unaware of. Although my name is on the deed, it is still my fault for selling it away just like that because the Crown Prince and I have not been officially engaged. Earlier, the Fourth Princess also promised to let the matter rest if I can tame the Golden Python. Am I right, Princess?"
Rong Zhen glared at her with bulging eyes. "When did I say that? Don't put words in my mouth!"
Chu Liuyue looked at Emperor Jiawen in confusion. "Is that not what you meant, Your Majesty?"
Emperor Jiawen didn't expect Chu Liuyue to be so direct, and he felt embarrassed. He coughed and waved his hand. "It is just a hunting ground. Since Liuyue has already tamed the Golden Python as agreed, let's leave it at that. Zhen Zhen, you're not to talk about this again."
This wasn't just a warning for Rong Zhen alone, but also for everyone present.
Rong Zhen was annoyed, but when she saw the seriousness in Emperor Jiawen's eyes, she could only agree reluctantly. "Yes."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Chu Liuyue had no intention of letting it go so lightly. She sighed softly and wore an aggrieved expression. "Your Majesty, I know in my heart that you personally granted the title deed to me all those years ago, and I naturally treasure it very much. However, I would have never sold the deed if I had not been forced to do so."
Emperor Jiawen was stunned. "What is it? Is there something else?"
Chu Liuyue breathed deeply. "Your Majesty, life hasn't been easy because I was born with a crippled Yuan meridian, and my father had been seriously injured many years ago. If I had a choice, I wouldn't have to sell the deed away to raise some taels to sustain our living…"
First Elder stood up immediately and shouted out in anger. "Chu Liuyue! What nonsense are you babbling?" Is she trying to implicate the entire Chu family?
Emperor Jiawen looked displeased as he glanced at First Elder. "Let her speak!"
First Elder was furious, but he didn't dare to interject anymore.
"There was a time when my father and I sought help from the Crown Prince, but we couldn't even meet him. Before I sold the deed, I tried to talk to the Crown Prince about it. Alas, I was turned away. So…"
Rong Jin turned blue as he listened. This is some story from Chu Liuyue!
"Out of desperation, I was forced to do what I did. Your Majesty, I seek your wise judgment." Chu Liuyue's words were half-true, but the people in the palace were inclined to believe her.
Almost everyone in the Imperial City knew what kind of lives Chu Liuyue and her father were living. It was entirely possible that the Crown Prince had shut her out.
Wasn't it normal for the Crown Prince to do this when he loathed her so much?
If that was what happened, then Chu Liuyue wasn't to blame.
Emperor Jiawen looked more dignified when he looked at Rong Jin. "Crown Prince, I'm sure you have put in a lot of effort into that hunting ground. However, if you hadn't neglected Liuyue all these years, she also wouldn't have done this. If my memory serves me well, her birthday is in two days. You will be formally…"
Rong Jin's heart skipped a beat. Is it possible that Emperor Jiawen wants me to fulfill my marriage agreement with Chu Liuyue? Absolutely no way!
Rong Jin jumped out of his seat at this thought. "Father, I have a request." He pointed at Chu Liuyue. "I wish to dissolve my marriage agreement with Chu Liuyue!"