Chapter 206: Volume One Chapter 206 Who

Volume One Chapter 206 Who's separated from whom can't get by?

After suppressing other thoughts, Song Huihe stayed indoors at Yunhua Palace, single‑mindedly wanting to display a map of the rivers and mountains, hoping to make a splash and gain His Majesty's renewed attention.

On the other side, Su Ying, after learning Song Huihe's intention, was so angry she could have flipped the table, but she had to admit that Song Huihe was right about one thing: her name was illegitimate and her words were unsmooth, and whatever she did lacked any legitimate authority.

Thus, the two of them temporarily fell silent, and calm life was a rare sight in Hou Gong.

Days passed one by one; Rong Luoge received a letter from Rong Ling Shan, learning that she was safe with the Chu family. Although she did not mention that she had left because of the Lin family affairs, Rong Luoge also knew that Chu Ke had completely fallen out with Lady Lin.

Even so, she also heard that Rong Heng still wanted to continue this marriage arrangement, and that Lin Gao Xuan had staged a scene of bearing the blame and pleading for forgiveness, which made for a very lively spectacle after another.

The incident of Lin Gao Xuan bearing the blame and pleading for forgiveness truly disgusted Chu Ke; she could not even preserve her dignity, went herself to the mansion gate, and with a forced smile began to make polite remarks to acknowledge Rong Heng, the son‑in‑law, giving them no leeway and itemizing every past matter in full.

"Young Master Lin, my Shan'er does not dare to reach for your lofty branch. Let me tell you, unless I die, this marriage cannot happen. No matter what scheme you plot, if you dare to manipulate my child again, see whether I dare to lodge a petition and strip the Lin family's skin, press it on the ground, and show everyone what it really is!"

Chu Ke's anger made her vision go black; seeing Rong Heng's dark‑faced, striding approach, she felt utterly despondent and, without waiting for him to speak, said, "Rong Heng, if you dare force me to sell my daughter again, I will divorce you."

Rong Heng's hand rose as if to strike, but the words stopped him cold; he stared at Chu Ke in disbelief, "What did you say?"

Divorce?

What a joke, she dares to divorce me—does the Chu family even consent?

"Stop playing deaf! If you pressure me again, we'll part ways at once!" Chu Ke turned and returned to the mansion, leaving Rong Heng and Lin Gao Xuan still outside, not even glancing at them.

Lin Gao Xuan, being a favored son of heaven, could not endure repeated humiliation; the last time the Duchess Who Guards the State had disgraced his mother, and this time he thought returning would restore face, but upon hearing such words he was so angry he turned and left without a word.

Rong Heng's eyes twitched; hearing the surrounding murmurs, he entered the door with a dark face, his fury raging to the brim.

When she later heard the news, Rong Luoge was surprised that Chu Ke intended to divorce Rong Heng, and even more shocked that the divorce papers were almost signed by both.

It wasn't just fast; it was almost unbelievable to Rong Luoge.

Having received the information, she specifically summoned Chu Ke into the palace; upon seeing her again, she appeared even more withered and aged than before.

Chu Ke, seeing Rong Luoge, forced an uneasy smile, "You've made the Duchess laugh; I'm already of advanced age and still causing a divorce."

Rong Luoge looked at her and asked, "If you truly want a divorce, I won't stop you, but given your current situation, where will you go after the divorce? Returning to the Chu family—let alone whether they would sincerely welcome you back—consider that Rong Yan is at the age to be married, Ling Shan's marriage is about to be arranged, and the divorce would first affect the two children; moreover, your destination is unlikely to be ideal."

If we divorce later, who's separated from whom still can't get by.

But Chu Ke's current divorce differs from the one she had with Prince Qi; with Prince Qi she never consummated the marriage, and she was at the peak of her youth, able to support herself without children to burden her, while the children are now at the marriageable age.

In such a time and space, women's throats are constantly strangled, forcing them to struggle for survival. She didn't want to urge Chu Ke to continue living with the scumbag Rong Heng, but after a divorce, she feared Rong Heng would not let her keep the children.

"If you truly divorce, Rong Heng will never let you take the children; isn't Ling Shan's marriage falling right into his hands?" Rong Luoge sighed, "You two have no affection left; your push for divorce may be exactly what Rong Heng wants. He won't sign the divorce papers unless it gives him a reputation for righteousness, and once he drags you a few more days, he'll probably sign faster than anyone."

Chu Ke looked at Rong Luoge and hesitantly said, "I demand that the children stay with me; I will sign the divorce papers only if he agrees."

"Madam, you're usually so clever; have you forgotten that the Chu clan still has its extended family? As long as the clan head steps in, aren't Rong Yan's brother and Ling Shan still Chu children? The clan head's word is not easily defied—do you really intend for Ling Shan and the others to sever ties with the Chu family after the divorce?"

Chu Ke hesitated, looking at the Duchess, "Your Highness, could you lend me a hand?"

Rong Luoge sighed; if this were a later era she could hire a great lawyer, but in this time the clan's power is so strong that even she cannot intervene forcefully. Looking at Chu Ke she said, "It's not that I won't help you; I'm afraid my involvement would only anger the Chu family further. Think, when I broke with the Chu clan I first obtained the clan head's consent; only with his approval could I extricate myself. Have you spoken to the clan head yet?"

Chu Ke naturally had not; she knew the clan would never let her take the children, so how could she approach them? She only thought of pulling out the divorce papers both to intimidate Rong Heng and, should he agree, to have leverage with the clan head.

But the Duchess was right; if the clan opposes, the divorce papers would be of little use.

Rong Luoge watched her, rubbed her temples, and then said, "Given the current situation, divorce brings you only harm and no benefit; why would you pursue it? As long as you retain the position of Lady Chu and have my backing, even if Rong Heng is furious, he won't dare to do anything to you. Whether it's Rong Yan or Ling Shan, there will be room for maneuver."

"I just look at Rong Heng's face and can't continue living with him…" Chu Ke said, then covered her face and burst into tears. She had lived a smooth life, felt very happy after marriage, and never imagined such bitter days.

"Then wait a while longer; if you truly want a divorce, it won't be now—wait for a good opportunity before you act." Rong Luoge watched Chu Ke and thought to herself that a sip and a bite truly seemed fated; she had once taken Rong Heng, and now she suffered at his hands—karma's cycle, retribution unsatisfied.

"Opportunity?" Chu Ke stopped crying, quickly wiping her tears with a handkerchief, and asked Rong Luoge, "What do you mean by the opportunity the Duchess mentioned?"

Rong Luoge looked at her, "The war between Owl Kingdom and Azure Kingdom will eventually end. You think Di Yue Nu can truly abandon Rong Dai here? I always feel she will return."