Volume One, Chapter Eight: Petition and Separation

How could Li Chengqian not know how Su Chan’er would respond? Yet, he still chose to leave the decision in her hands. Li Chengqian wanted everyone present to see clearly that Su Chan’er would never betray him.

Su Kui quietly said to Su Chan’er, “Chan’er, tell me, do you want to divorce? With grandfather here, you need not worry about your honor being tarnished.”

The traditional virtues of obedience and purity were designed for ordinary women. As a proud daughter of the Su family, many suitors lined up to marry her.

Su Chan’er released Su Kui’s hand and gently performed a woman’s courtesy. “Grandfather, if Chan’er marries the Crown Prince, then in life she is his, and in death, she remains his.”

Li Chengqian smiled softly and stepped forward, gently helping Su Chan’er to her feet. “Madam, please rise.”

Then he looked back at Su Kui. “Lord Su, do you see clearly now? The bond between me and the lady is deep; we share life and death and shall never abandon each other. If there is nothing else, I bid you farewell.”

Li Tai, Su Xu, and Xiao Deyan had gone to persuade Su Kui, secretly hoping he would personally appeal to the Emperor on this matter.

Su Kui thought that going straight to the Emperor might negatively impact Su Chan’er. But he hadn’t expected her to reject his suggestion so decisively.

“Hmph!” Su Kui snorted coldly. “Then I shall go petition the Emperor myself!”

“Grandfather!” Su Chan’er was startled. No matter what happened in the future, she would never leave Li Chengqian. Once a wife, always a wife.

“Let go!” Su Kui was furious, shaking off Su Chan’er’s hand and standing up to leave.

Unconsciously, Su Chan’er’s eyes reddened. “Your Highness... Chan’er does not want to leave you.”

Though they had not consummated their relationship last night, the warmth she felt was not only around Li Chengqian but also gave her a sense of security only he could provide.

Li Chengqian smiled gently, “Do not worry; no one can tear us apart. Trust me.”

At that moment, his gaze was resolute, full of kingly authority. Unconsciously, Su Chan’er believed him.

Li Chengqian paused, then looked toward the kneeling senior servants and spoke softly to Su Chan’er, “There is still some business to attend to.”

“Mm.”

He returned to the stone table and addressed the senior servants, “Shall we go?”

“Your Highness, we have come to understand. We are indeed not fit to remain in the Crown Prince’s residence. We will pack our belongings and leave today.”

“Please forgive us, Your Highness.”

“Thank you for your grace, Your Highness. We shall never forget it.”

Whether servants or concubines, they all expressed their intention to leave the residence.

Su Chan’er looked at Li Chengqian in surprise.

Was the Crown Prince really so perceptive? These people changed their attitudes immediately over such a trivial matter. Could they be trusted in more turbulent times?

Why had the Crown Prince never done this before?

Since returning from the palace, Su Chan’er increasingly felt that Li Chengqian was different from before.

Li Chengqian sneered disdainfully and called them one by one to receive their salaries, ordering them to leave the Crown Prince’s residence before sunset.

After the crowd dispersed, Li Chengqian handed Su Chan’er a list. “Chan’er, help me summon these people. Any wrongful accusations must be handled by you.”

Su Chan’er agreed, wiped away her tears, and hurried off to get to work.

After she left, Li Chengqian pinched his chin thoughtfully.

Why had Su Kui, who should be staying quietly at home, suddenly come looking for trouble?

Though Su Kui spoke well, there was a problem. Even if Su Chan’er divorced, rumors unfavorable to her wouldn’t spread. But for the Su family itself, this was hardly good news.

At the very least, with Su Kui’s temperament, he would find this matter unacceptable.

Moreover, no matter how incompetent Li Chengqian might be, he was still the Crown Prince. As long as he wasn’t deposed or exiled, there was still hope for a comeback. Why would Su Kui suddenly show up?

If no one was urging the old man behind the scenes, Li Chengqian did not believe it.

With this in mind, Li Chengqian pulled out a paper from his bosom.

“Yang Tai, Sizheng Qi, Li Feiyu... do you have any connection to this matter?”

Was the person thrown out to stir the pot aligned with Li Tai’s faction? Or was there someone else entirely?

It seemed he would have to devise a scheme to test the waters.

...

Elsewhere.

Su Kui’s face was flushed with anger as he left.

The coachman dared not breathe heavily, waiting for Su Kui’s orders.

“To the palace. I must see the Emperor.”

The carriage sped swiftly and arrived at the palace after half an hour.

Emperor Li II was deep in thought about what Li Tai had told him the night before.

Should he choose Li Tai as Crown Prince and depose Li Chengqian, or keep Li Chengqian as Crown Prince and let him continue? He had no decision yet.

If the roles were reversed, would he plead for Li Tai after last night’s events?

Li Tai had cried bitterly, begging him to spare Li Chengqian, which warmed his heart.

After all, he knew exactly how he obtained the throne and no longer wished to see brothers destroy each other.

Throwing fish food into the pond, he watched the carp writhe and murmured to himself, “Two fish are good, yet they quarrel over one bait. Who should be fed?”

Wang De, the eunuch who had served him for years, guessed the Emperor was troubled about the heir.

But as a eunuch, he dared not speak freely and instead said, “Your Majesty, the wind outside is strong. You must not catch a chill. It would be best to rest inside.”

“Mm.” Li II turned to leave.

A young eunuch hurried over, “Your Majesty, Lord Su Kui requests an audience.”

“Su Kui? Summon him!”

The young eunuch hurried away.

Li II asked Wang De, “What do you think Su Kui wants?”

“Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, it likely concerns the matter of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess’s marriage.”

The Emperor’s mood was relatively stable today, so Wang De dared to speak his mind.

“Oh? About Li Chengqian’s marriage?”

“Exactly, Your Majesty. Lord Su Kui is hot-tempered. If only the Crown Prince were to fall from favor, he might not sever ties with him. But if the Crown Prince prefers men, Su Kui would not tolerate that.”

“Crown Princess Su Chan’er is the treasure of the entire Su family. With Su Kui’s personality, even if faced with execution, he would defend his granddaughter.”

Li II’s expression darkened.

Seeing this, Wang De wisely stopped speaking.

A moment later, the young eunuch led Su Kui in.

Su Kui was visibly enraged, as if holding back a torrent of fury he wished to unleash upon Li II.

Li II quickly resumed his smile. “Lord Su, what brings you here in such anger?”

Su Kui knelt heavily before Li II. “Your Majesty, this old servant has a request. I hope you will grant it.”

“Speak.”

“I beg Your Majesty to issue an edict for the Crown Prince to divorce my granddaughter! Your Majesty, I know this is improper, but I am truly disappointed in the Crown Prince. If Your Majesty finds my actions offensive, you may punish me, but please do not persuade me otherwise!”