Chapter Thirty-Five: The Dowry
Consort Shu would certainly kill her.
Leaving the roots after cutting down the grass would only invite future trouble.
To prevent her from rising again, Consort Shu decided to see things through and acted without hesitation.
She was nothing more than a useless woman abandoned by the Emperor. What could she possibly do to turn the tables again?
Su Zhinian received the news in the Empress’s palace.
“You handled this very well. Whatever reward you desire, you need only tell me.”
The Empress regarded Su Zhinian with approval. She had rid herself of a formidable threat.
“Your Majesty, I wish to divorce Gu Shijin.”
Su Zhinian knelt on the ground, her gaze resolute.
“Gu Shijin is indeed unworthy of you. But divorce would ultimately damage a woman’s reputation. Zhinian, will you not reconsider?”
Concerned for Su Zhinian’s reputation, the Empress asked once more.
“Sister Empress, I have thought it through.”
Su Zhinian’s eyes shone with determination, and the Empress let out a quiet sigh.
“Very well.”
“I shall issue an imperial decree granting you permission to divorce Gu Shijin.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Su Zhinian returned to the Gu residence accompanied by Li Dewang, the Empress’s eunuch.
When Madam Gu and Gu Jingyuan learned that Gu Shijin had been demoted, they were furious.
“What a fool! Shijin!”
“That woman Ren Xixi actually dared to collude with Bai Wanwan and fake her death to deceive His Majesty. That is a capital offense!”
“Shijin, how could you get involved in this as well? Alas!”
Gu Jingyuan let out a heavy sigh, filled with exasperation at his son.
Gu Shijin was unable to explain himself. He, too, had been deceived by Ren Xixi. He had never imagined she could be so audacious.
“I knew there was something wrong with Ren Xixi long ago. Now she has ruined our entire family!” Gu Lingxuan was even more furious.
She had gone from being the sister of a general to the sister of a minor court official.
Someone far removed from military affairs and the central administration—who knew what sort of ridicule she would now have to endure?
She hated Ren Xixi to the very bone.
The more she had once adored Ren Xixi, the more she despised her now.
“Shut up!”
Gu Shijin’s head throbbed from the noise, and he drew his brows together tightly.
“Shijin, I heard that Zhinian has won the favor of both the Empress Dowager and the Empress. Do you think she might ask Her Majesty to help us?”
After recovering from her shock, the old madam asked cautiously.
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Su Zhinian must be overjoyed that Xixi was dead.
Gu Shijin clenched his fists.
“Brother, you know how much Su Zhinian loves you. If you ask her to plead with the Empress, she will surely agree!” Gu Lingxuan chimed in.
“Oh? What do you want me to plead with the Empress about?”
Su Zhinian’s figure suddenly appeared in the doorway.
“Zhinian, you’re back.”
Madam Gu wore an utterly insincere smile.
“Perfect timing. I have brought an imperial decree from Her Majesty. Since everyone is here, come and receive it.”
Su Zhinian stepped aside expressionlessly, clearing a path.
“Su Zhinian, you have finally shown some sense. Rest assured—in the future, you will still be the mistress of the Gu household!”
Gu Shijin was delighted, the corner of his mouth curling upward.
Everyone went into the courtyard with smiles on their faces to receive the decree. When Yushu heard the news, she hurried over with Youqing, who was covered in wounds.
The moment Yushu saw Su Zhinian, her eyes reddened despite herself.
“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Empress decrees:
Su Zhinian and Gu Shijin were joined in marriage, yet their union was ill-fated and their harmony shattered. Gu Shijin, the husband, conducted himself improperly, causing the affection between husband and wife to collapse beyond repair. Taking into consideration the dignity of the imperial family and Su Zhinian’s grievances, I hereby grant the two of them a divorce.
From this day onward, they shall part in peace, each free to seek happiness elsewhere. All dowry gifts and associated property shall belong to Su Zhinian. May she live freely from this day forth and find a marriage worthy of her.
So decreed!”
“What?!”
Every member of the Gu family was stunned, their eyes wide with disbelief.
“Lord Gu, receive the decree!”
Li Dewang held out the Empress’s decree, his expression full of contempt.
“Impossible! Su Zhinian, you want to divorce me?”
Gu Shijin glared viciously at Su Zhinian with bloodshot eyes.
Su Zhinian merely raised her voice and called, “Yushu, hurry and find people to retrieve all my dowry.”
“Yes, Miss!”
Yushu answered loudly, her spirits soaring.
At last, her mistress had escaped her sea of suffering.
“No!”
The moment Gu Lingxuan heard that all those things were to be taken away, her heart began to bleed.
“This is the Empress’s decree. Are you planning to defy it?”
Li Dewang gave a cold snort.
No one dared say another word.
As pile after pile of treasures was carried away, the hearts of the Gu family members bled.
At last, Yushu brought Su Zhinian’s dowry inventory and said, “Miss, half the items are still missing. We cannot find them anywhere.”
Su Zhinian raised her brows. “There are several pieces I gave to Grandmother. As for the rest, I have no idea who took them.”
Youqing pointed to several items on the list. “Miss, these were all taken by Miss Gu! This set of jewelry and these hairpins were taken by Ren Xixi.”
“In that case…”
Su Zhinian’s gaze fell on Gu Lingxuan. Seeing her lower her head guiltily, Su Zhinian gave a cold laugh.
“For anything that does not turn up, compensate me in cash.”
Su Zhinian left the Gu residence with all her belongings. Madam Gu wept so hard that she could barely speak.
“Su Zhinian is truly heartless!”
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Madam Gu was so enraged that she fainted on the spot. When she awoke, she had suffered a stroke and was left partially paralyzed.
“Miss Su, we shall return first and report back to the Empress.”
“Thank you, Eunuch Li.”
At Su Zhinian’s hint, Yushu handed him a bulging purse.
“Miss Su, you are too kind. I merely did what I ought to do.”
Seeing how well Su Zhinian understood the proper way to show gratitude, Li Dewang was deeply pleased.
“That’s wonderful! As long as you have come to your senses, daughter, your mother and I can support you for the rest of your life!”
Su Zhinian returned to the Su residence with all her belongings.
Her parents were both astonished and delighted, and indignant on their daughter’s behalf.
A man like Gu Shijin was utterly unworthy of their daughter!
“Father, Mother, I will stay at home and keep you company from now on.”
Looking at her safe and sound parents, Su Zhinian was overwhelmed by a thousand emotions. Her eyes reddened before she knew it.
In this life, she would protect her parents at all costs.
But her enemies had not all been dealt with yet.
Her gaze darkened.
That night, just as she had expected, Su Zhinian opened her eyes and saw that familiar figure once more.
“Miss Su, you certainly act with remarkable decisiveness.”
Helian Yu’s eyes were filled with amusement.
Su Zhinian rose with practiced familiarity, only to discover that there was no chessboard on the table. She could not help raising her brows.
“Why has Prince Yu come tonight?”
“We will not play chess tonight. I wish to ask Miss Su for a favor.”
“Oh?”
Su Zhinian narrowed her eyes.
Had Helian Yu finally come to trust her completely?
Was he finally willing to let her touch upon the true purpose behind his actions?
“Would you accompany me to Azure Dragon Temple tomorrow to meet someone?”
Helian Yu’s eyes glittered as he stared steadily into hers.
“His Highness has helped me many times. Naturally, I am willing.”
Su Zhinian nodded, her gaze sincere.
Then she suddenly remembered something and continued, “By the way, please release Gu Heng. He will certainly go looking for Gu Lingxuan.”
Helian Yu nodded. “Rest assured, Miss Su. Everything is unfolding exactly as you predicted.”
Did that mean he had helped set things in motion?
Before Su Zhinian could ask, Helian Yu spoke in a hoarse voice. “Since there is nothing else, I shall take my leave.”
“Very well.”
Su Zhinian nodded.
Yet after he left, she lay in bed for a long time, unable to fall asleep. Suddenly, a scene flashed through her mind.
Su Zhinian abruptly sat upright.
She might have guessed why Prince Yu was helping her.
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