Chapter Fifty-Four: If You Seek to Replace the Main Wife and Take a Concubine, the Princess Will Divorce

Xiao Chengze opened his mouth as if to retort, but his face was filled with defiance.

“I do not wish it either,” Xiao Jingxuan suddenly declared, his stance clear. Turning slightly, he caught sight of Su Jingluo eating heartily, yet her expression remained cold as ice.

“Cousin, why?” Lin Wanwan asked, her composure slipping.

“Because my son does not wish it,” Xiao Jingxuan replied, sitting up straighter, his shoulders trembling as though he had made a tremendous decision.

“He is but a child. As long as the princess consort agrees, it will be easily settled. Jingluo, you are willing, aren’t you?” The empress seized the awkward moment to turn attention to Su Jingluo, making her the center of the room. The moment the empress finished her question, the ‘Drunken Immortal’ Gu worm inside the porcelain bottle in Su Jingluo’s arms trembled violently. If the little creature had been inside her, she would have answered with an expressionless “I am willing” by now.

“I am not willing either,” Su Jingluo stood up, a cold laugh in her voice.

The empress’s expression shifted through several hues as she stared at Su Jingluo in shock. She had not expected the Gu worm to fail, which meant her attempt at manipulation had been unsuccessful.

“First, my son is unwilling. Second, I will not be anyone’s concubine.” The position of first wife was stripped away as if it meant nothing. Did the empress think herself so superior? Putting on airs as if it were all for Xiao Jingxuan’s good—how convenient that the moment the Gu was administered, she hosted a banquet; before the banquet, Lin Wanwan wept to Xiao Jingxuan, then the empress acted as matchmaker. Every step was calculated.

“My princess consort has already stated her position. I fear I must disappoint both Your Majesty and Wanwan’s kind intentions,” Xiao Jingxuan said quietly, his gaze at Lin Wanwan brimming with regret.

“No, no! I have waited for you for so many years, cousin. I do not need to be the principal wife—I only wish to remain by your side, to grow old with you,” Lin Wanwan suddenly broke down, voicing her heart through tears.

The grand hall fell silent.

Xiao Jingxuan’s shoulders stiffened; it was obvious how deeply he was moved.

A wave of bitterness rose in Su Jingluo’s throat. She had once wondered if Xiao Jingxuan’s teasing meant he liked her. Now she saw that true feelings were restrained. Xiao Jingxuan restrained himself for Lin Wanwan’s reputation, for her not to become a concubine, no matter how much he cared. Fortunately, she did not love him. Su Jingluo straightened her back and lifted her chin as if she had triumphed.

She stepped aside, moving out from behind Xiao Jingxuan’s silhouette.

“Your Majesty, Miss Wanwan, a woman’s youth is her most precious treasure. The two of you have long been in love. It was my youthful ignorance that mistook another’s devotion for something owed, leading to this bitter marriage. In this world, whether man or woman, if one truly loves, how could they bear to see their beloved as a mere option, to accept her as a concubine beneath others? How could they willingly see the one they love endure the slightest grievance? Miss Wanwan cannot enter this house as a concubine. Today, whether the prince and I part ways amicably or by divorce, I will harbor no resentment. All I ask is that Yunbai, if he chooses to leave with me, is not stopped. Should the prince wish to see him, he may do so at any time, or even bring him home. The prince and Miss Wanwan have a long life ahead, filled with children and happiness, while for me, my whole life is for Yunbai alone—I wish only for his health, safety, and joy. Prince, I let you go to fulfill your happiness; I hope you will grant me the same.”

Having said her piece with dignity, Su Jingluo met Xiao Jingxuan’s gaze with calm resolve. The appearance of Lin Wanwan had brought Su Jingluo so close to her goal—though there was some sorrow, at least they could part peacefully. From now on, she would live openly in the capital as a prosperous merchant and physician.