Pei Yao: "Let go."
Ao Zheng: "Ayao, believe ..."
"Slap!" Pei Yao pulled out her hand and slapped Ao Zheng.
Ao Zheng was stunned.
It was a while before he touched his cheek, looking at her incredulously.
Pei Yao was also slightly surprised.
Although she had long wanted to slap him, the authority of a husband is supre; she did not have the courage.
Perhaps it was the sight of two young and beautiful concubines visiting today that had upset her.
She pulled back her hand, gently twisting her fingers.
"I am no longer your wife. This slap is for your presumption; you deserved it."
Ao Zheng’s eyes suddenly filled with tears.
Not because of the humiliation or pain from the slap.
But because of the estrangent from Pei Yao, the loneliness of being a solitary parent without his children, and the remorse for losing what he could not regain.
"Deserved," he slowly lowered his hand, looking down, "for the sake of our children, Ayao, give another chance. Will you?"
Pei Yao remained silent.
Ao Zheng said, "Now that Xiaoqi has brought ho a new bride, the house lacks a mistress to manage affairs. Mother is advanced in years; the Ao Family is almost in disarray..."
Pei Yao, hearing the chokes in his voice, also felt a pang in her heart.
After so many years of marriage and three children, Ao Zheng was a man of good temperant. There was naturally affection between them. Even now, all of Pei Yao’s sisters envied her for marrying a good man, and no one could understand why she would act willfully and divorce.
Pei Yao couldn’t bear to watch anymore and turned her eyes away.
"Please leave. I do not wish to be annoyed any further..."
The outco of each conversation between them was always less than satisfactory.
Ao Zheng wanted her to return, but after the divorce, she was unwilling, so he could not force her.
Bowing his head, he said a few more words pleading for understanding, then went to bid farewell to Pei Chong and leave.
After he had left, a servant girl ca to report that Minister Ao had brought many things and asked the mistress how they should be handled.
Pei Yao walked out and saw the chests contained fabrics and clothes as well as jewelry and gems. Although the sight dazzled the servant girls, her expression was dim.
What Ao Zheng didn’t know was that the more he did this, the more Pei Yao felt uncomfortable, the harder it was to forgive him...
If he had been utterly despicable, she would have given up on him long ago, and maybe even remarried for him to see...
However, over the years, Ao Zheng never argued with her and always treated her well, trying to please her, even defending her in front of his mother.
Otherwise, how could she, a re woman, have the power to prevent the concubines from bearing children?
After all, it was with Ao Zheng’s approval.
Too much kindness only bred more regrets. The more regrets, the less satisfying it beca. A marriage once torn apart is harder to let go of...
-
-
On the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, it was especially cold.
Feng Yun spent the night dreaming, waking to find sweat on her forehead.
She called Xiaoman and asked, "What ti is it?"
Xiaoman replied, "It’s 5-7 AM. Did the noise out there disturb you?"
Feng Yun, montarily disoriented, rembered that today was Pei Jue’s return to the capital.
She had Xiaoman help her get up and change. When she went outside, she saw the imperial procession lined up in the courtyard, extending down the village road.
Imperial Guards ard with weapons stood on both sides, with villagers only able to watch from a distance.
As Feng Yun ca out, Yuan Shangyi had just arrived from Yangxin Restaurant.
He was leading a few Palace Attendants, and the Female Historian was also by his side, dressed neatly and looking serious—a proper little grown-up.
Seeing Feng Yun waiting to one side, he instinctively started to co over when the Female Historian beside him said:
"The Princess is here to see the Emperor off."
Yuan Shangyi then realized there were many onlookers.
The wife had said that in public, one must adhere to the proprieties of ruler and subject.
He humd in agreent, stood in place waiting for Feng Yun to co forward and salute, then he smiled and returned the gesture.
"While I am away, take care of yourself, my dear. Add layers in the morning and evening, have plenty of als."
With that, he nodded at Dong Bai, signaling him to present Feng Yun with the little gift he had prepared for her.
"Thanks to your care in Huaxi, I am at a loss how to repay you. As we part, I leave you with this small token, to rember by."
A delicate zitan wood box was handed to her.
Feng Yun smiled gently, curtsied, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."
Feng Yun was quite fond of the sensible and well-behaved Young Emperor, and had already prepared gifts for him to take back to Xijing. Seeing the exchange, she promptly had them loaded onto the carriage.
She then smiled at the Female Historian, "Doctor Yao’s dical records are also in the chest. After His Majesty returns to the capital, he can hand them to the court physicians. If there is anything unclear, you may send soone to inquire."
The Female Historian replied, "I will surely take the Princess’s teachings to heart."
Feng Yun nodded without saying more, gave Yuan Shangyi another look, and quietly moved aside.
Changn Academy was lively for a while, and then it was ti to depart.
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