Chapter 139

Thus, Lin Qingyue spoke calmly: "Your Majesty, before I went to the Chiying Land, you promised that as long as I ensured the Crown Prince returned safely, you would grant me one condition. Is that correct?"

Emperor Qi Zhaodi said: "That is correct. You previously asked for a title, and didn't I grant it?"

Lin Qingyue shook her head: "But I asked for the title of a Princess, which you did not grant. Therefore, I now wish to divorce Dongfang Yan. Please grant your permission, Your Majesty!"

Emperor Qi Zhaodi became anxious upon hearing this: "But I conferred upon you the rank of Female Prince, which is even higher than that of a Princess!"

Lin Qingyue shrugged, looking completely like a rogue: "The rank of Female Prince was something you gave on your own, not something I requested, so it does not count."

"Audacious! You are playing the rogue right in front of me!" Emperor Qi Zhaodi's expression darkened.

Having been Emperor for so long, no one had ever dared to play dirty tricks in front of him. This Lin Qingyue truly thought that because of her great contributions, she could disregard imperial authority!

Dongfang Qi also saw that his Imperial Father was truly enraged.

He hurriedly said: "Father, please calm your anger! Princess Chaolan is a person of straightforward character and has no intention of challenging imperial authority. She simply does not wish to be bound by an unhappy marriage and have her life's happiness ruined."

"The reason I am unwilling to marry is also to leave some hope for those aristocratic families. There are so many aristocratic families, but there is only one position for the Crown Princess. Once a candidate is chosen, it is equivalent to pushing away all the other families who were not selected."

"Furthermore, I also wish to cultivate more of my own power within the court. I hope that in the future, our royal family will no longer be constrained by those powerful clans."

"Although Princess Chaolan's maternal family's power is not strong enough, she herself is a rare talent. How many people in this world can emerge from the Chiying Land unscathed? If she continues to be the Princess of Jin, and she and Dongfang Yan develop feelings over time, it would be a threat to me. Rather than that, it would be better to let her be my right-hand assistant!"

While speaking, he quietly gave Lin Qingyue a wink.

Lin Qingyue solemnly expressed her loyalty: "I am willing to be the Crown Prince's right-hand assistant!"

Emperor Qi Zhaodi remained silent, secretly weighing the pros and cons.

He naturally knew that Lin Qingyue and the Lin family were not on good terms. And Lin Xiao was not someone who could achieve much; the legitimate son in the family was well-behaved now, but spent his days only composing poetry and painting, accompanying his wife.

Without a maternal family as a backing, Lin Qingyue was alone and could only rely on the Crown Prince, acting as his blade. Therefore, giving her some benefits now was not out of the question.

Moreover, what the Crown Prince said made sense. He could not let a talent like her be used by Dongfang Yan. Otherwise, it would inevitably threaten the Crown Prince's safety.

After a moment, he finally nodded: "Very well, I agree."

Dongfang Qi was immediately overjoyed: "Many thanks, Father!"

Emperor Qi Zhaodi looked at him suspiciously: "What are you thanking me for? If anyone should thank me, it should be Chaolan. What does this have to do with you?"

Dongfang Qi said: "I am thanking Father for allowing me to gain another talent under my command. From now on, both I and Princess Chaolan will do our utmost for the Qi Kingdom and serve you, Father."

These words immediately coaxed Emperor Qi Zhaodi into a beaming smile—he was indeed his good son, he certainly knew how to speak.

Lin Qingyue also obediently expressed her gratitude to Emperor Qi Zhaodi.

After leaving the Imperial Palace, Lin Qingyue waved the imperial edict in her hand and said to Dongfang Qi: "Thank you for today's matter."

Dongfang Qi said: "There is no need for thanks between us. However, in the future, be a little more careful with your words in front of my father. After all, he has been an Emperor for so long and is used to being high above. If you speak like that, what would you do if he really punished you?"

Lin Qingyue curled her lips into a smile, her eyes curving as she looked at Dongfang Qi: "Isn't that because you are here? No matter what rebellious things I say, you will help me, right?"

"I will naturally help you." Dongfang Qi suddenly realized, "You weren't doing that on purpose, were you?"

Lin Qingyue crossed her arms: "Not exactly, I just couldn't hold back my temper at the time and said it on impulse."

If things really turned sour, Lin Qingyue would not be afraid.

She had plenty of ways out. She could hang up her hat and leave, living a carefree life in the pugilistic world from then on. She could also play the assassin and become a widowed princess directly.

If it weren't for Dongfang Qi's sake, she might even have staged a grand coup to seize power and change the dynasty.

Thinking about it now, letting Dongfang Qi be the Emperor was also quite good. He could worry about the major affairs of state. When she wanted to do something, she would be Deputy Envoy Lin. When she didn't want to work, she would just lie flat and be a carefree noble. How wonderful!

After coming out of the palace, there was still some time, so Lin Qingyue prepared to return directly to the Jin Wangfu.

Before parting, Dongfang Qi was still a bit worried and intended to dispatch a squad of guards from the Eastern Palace to protect her.

Lin Qingyue refused: "No need to trouble yourself, I can handle such a small matter myself."

Dongfang Qi said: "Very well, take care."

After Lin Qingyue walked away, he still worriedly sent men to keep watch outside the Jin Wangfu.

After the morning court session, Dongfang Yan had been placed under a Silence Curse by Lin Qingyue, turning him into a mute who could only babble.

Because of this, he could not go out to see anyone and could only hide in the Jin Wangfu, stewing in frustration for half the day.

It was not until after noon that the effect of the Silence Curse wore off, and he was finally able to speak.

"Zhao An!" He summoned his confidant and immediately asked about Lin Qingyue's whereabouts.

Zhao An said: "Reporting to Your Highness, as you ordered, we have been keeping a distant watch on the Princess. After the Princess parted ways with you, she went to the Xuanjing Division, and later went to the Seventh Street District. The Seventh Street District is a place where all sorts of people mingle, and it is very chaotic. Fearing that the Princess would discover us, our men waited outside the district gate and did not dare to get too close."

Dongfang Yan snorted coldly: "She doesn't find it unlucky to go to such a place for the dregs of society! What happened later?"

"After about an hour or so, the Princess came out of the Seventh Street District and then went to the Eastern Palace. According to our informant in the Eastern Palace, the Princess's relationship with the Crown Prince is very close, and the Crown Prince even kept the Princess for lunch. The two were laughing and talking during the meal, but I don't know what they were discussing."

"After lunch, the Princess and the Crown Prince went into the palace together to see the Emperor. The Crown Prince had many attendants with him, so we did not dare to follow further for fear of being discovered."

When he said this, Zhao An couldn't help but feel indignant for his master: "Your subordinate was originally very puzzled; no matter how temperamental the Princess is, she shouldn't have completely fallen out with you. After all, you are her husband; how can a woman not treat her husband as her heaven? Only today did I realize that the Princess is probably..."

He did not dare to finish the rest of his words. But how could Dongfang Yan not know?

He had thought Lin Qingyue was not greedy for vanity, but now he knew she had climbed a higher branch and looked down on the position of Princess of Jin!

"Bang!" The blue and white porcelain teacup was crushed by him, the broken shards piercing his palm, and drops of bright red blood fell, but it was far less painful than his heart.

"Your Highness, your hand!" Zhao An exclaimed, hurriedly pulling out the broken shards embedded in his palm, feeling incomparably distressed.

"Your Highness, why do you torment yourself like this? There are so many women in the world; whether they are noble ladies or common beauties, what kind can you not find?"