Chapter Fifty-Five: The Prince's Attitude

The grand hall was so quiet that it felt almost suffocating; no one had expected Su Jingluo to speak in such a way. Her stance was unmistakably clear: she would not tolerate anyone competing with her for the position of principal wife, nor would she accept anyone coming as a concubine. Unless she herself was dragged down from her rightful place, she would not give in.

Only now did Song Yunmo, seated opposite, realize that Su Jingluo was the Princess Consort of Prince Jing. Today, it seemed as though everyone in the hall was bullying her, yet her calm and dignified demeanor only made Song Yunmo admire her more. A woman like her was far beyond what Xiao Jingxuan deserved; only Song Yunmo himself could truly match her. Yet, for some reason, he sensed a faint sadness and melancholy in Su Jingluo.

The emperor spoke little today, as if seeing Su Jingluo for the first time after so many years, holding his wine cup and gazing at her with inscrutable eyes.

“I will not let go. I will not take a concubine. The Princess Consort shall only be Su Jingluo.” After a long silence, Xiao Jingxuan finally spoke. He could sense Su Jingluo’s resoluteness; through their time together, he had come to understand where her boundaries lay. He spoke his answer slowly, and then the faint sound of Lin Wanwan’s sobbing echoed through the hall.

“How intriguing, truly intriguing—the Empress forces the Prince to divorce his virtuous wife.” Song Yunmo’s voice suddenly rang out loud and clear, drawing more murmurs from the hall. Perhaps because someone had finally spoken the truth, everyone knew how absurd the Empress had been today, but still thought the Grand Tutor was bold to say it aloud.

“Grand Tutor, what do you mean by that? I was merely making a joke about family matters; why are you all taking it so seriously?” The Empress stared at the emperor for several seconds, but he made no move to intervene, instead gazing at Su Jingluo with meaningful intent. The Empress had no choice but to call it a jest.

Su Jingluo found nothing funny in the so-called joke—it was so distasteful it made her sick. Lin Wanwan had just made her feelings clear, and the Empress dismissed it all with a single jest.

“I merely noticed that the Princess Consort of Prince Jing is healthy and accomplished. I was curious why the Empress claimed she was unwell. Since the Empress was joking, then I shall take it as a joke as well.” His words shattered the Empress’s composure; her expression shifted through several shades, almost forming a rainbow. Song Yunmo calmly raised his wine cup to salute the Empress, and before she could respond, he drained it in one motion. His heart was in turmoil—he had finally found a woman he admired, only for her to be married already; worse still, his beloved was being bullied by a crowd. How infuriating.

The atmosphere in the hall remained awkward. Lin Wanwan looked bewilderedly at the Empress, then at Xiao Jingxuan. Su Jingluo sat back in her chair, sipping her wine, indifferent to anyone’s discomfort. As far as she was concerned, though she had never wished to be the Princess Consort and longed for freedom, the choice was hers alone. Anyone who thought to bully her or remove her from her place was dreaming.

After another dozen seconds of silence, the emperor, who had not spoken until now, finally set down his wine cup. Everyone watched him nervously.

“The Empress cannot hold her liquor and has had too much. Someone, escort her to rest.” The emperor gave the Empress no face, ordering her away without hesitation. The hall was filled with murmurs once more. No one knew whether the emperor blamed the Empress for her poorly played move or was simply dissatisfied with her actions.

“Jingluo, do not take it to heart. The Empress was drunk. I toast to you.” The emperor suddenly turned to Su Jingluo, raising his cup in apology. The hall buzzed with whispers—the emperor was showing exceptional respect to the Princess Consort of Prince Jing.

Whether his wife was drunk and acting mad or was simply mad by nature, surely he knew best. Yet he was the emperor—whatever he said became truth. As long as he believed it himself, that was enough. Su Jingluo was already a little tipsy, but she nonetheless drained her cup in one motion. The wine that slid down her throat was not only fiery, but bitter.