Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Breakup Fee

Ling Zetian was momentarily taken aback by her words.

He had once intended to marry Qin Ruyan; even if her background prevented her from becoming empress, granting her the title of Imperial Consort was hardly an issue. Yet at that time, Qin Ruyan refused. She had said life in the palace did not suit her, that as a lowly concubine-born daughter whose mother was a woman of ill repute, she would become a laughingstock if word spread. Therefore, she was unwilling.

Now, she had come to him, asking to be his consort?

A faintly mocking smile appeared in his eyes, though a chill crept into his heart. He was the emperor, the ruler of the land—did Qin Ruyan believe she could manipulate him at will, that he would cater to her every whim?

Qin Ruyan seemed to read his mind, her smile radiant as she spoke, “I know you’re reluctant, so I have to hold you to that promise. You’re the emperor, and an emperor’s word is law—you must keep your word, mustn’t you?”

Looking at her smiling face, Ling Zetian also smiled slightly. “Very well, I promise you.”

“Then I thank Your Majesty. Please issue the imperial edict—I shall await your betrothal gifts at home.” As she gazed at the cold, distant smile on his face, Qin Ruyan suddenly reached out, wrapped her arms around his waist, pressed her face to his chest, and murmured something.

Her voice was so soft and indistinct that Ling Zetian did not catch what she said. He simply let her hold him, and then she was gone, leaving his arms empty.

Watching the fluttering green of her departing figure, he felt a strange restlessness.

“Mother, aren’t we going over there?” A childish voice suddenly broke Ling Zetian’s reverie. He turned his head and saw Feng Qiuji carrying a plate of pastries in one hand and holding Anuo with the other, preparing to leave.

Seeing him look over, Feng Qiuji had no choice but to turn and approach, leading Anuo forward. “Anuo and I found some delicious pastries in the imperial kitchen, so we brought some for you.” After leaving just now, she’d thought it over and realized she had been too disrespectful—after all, he was the emperor, and it was improper to treat him so coldly. She’d planned to bring him pastries as an apology, but upon entering, she overheard Qin Ruyan discussing marriage with him.

She didn’t want to intrude and was about to quietly leave when Anuo’s sudden words exposed them.

Ling Zetian said nothing, merely glanced at her before entering Chao Yun Palace.

Feng Qiuji felt awkward. Now, it was embarrassing whether she went in or left—all because of that boy Ling Shunuo. She glared at him angrily, but the child merely blinked his large, innocent eyes and grinned at her.

Helpless, Feng Qiuji could only take him inside.

“Your Majesty, after careful consideration, I believe children should be properly disciplined. From now on, I will not meddle in others’ affairs again.” Setting the pastries on the table, Feng Qiuji calmly admitted her mistake.

But Ling Zetian ignored her, acting as if he hadn’t heard, immersing himself in memorials and official documents.

Since Feng Qiuji had moved back to Chao Yun Palace, he seemed to prefer handling state affairs there, often instructing the eunuchs to bring his paperwork over.

Seeing him silent, Feng Qiuji began to feel angry. He was the one marrying another consort—shouldn’t he at least offer her an explanation? She’d already apologized; what more did he want?

What she failed to consider was that this was far from the modern age, and Ling Zetian was no ordinary man. For an emperor, it was perfectly normal to take more consorts—there was no need to explain anything to his empress.

Anuo, however, noticed Feng Qiuji’s displeasure, ran over, and hugged Ling Zetian’s leg. “Father, are you really going to marry Aunt Ruyan?”

Ling Zetian glanced at Feng Qiuji, who was sitting by the table sipping tea, and gave a brief “Hmm,” as an answer.

“But didn’t you tell me she was a bad person last time?”

“Yes.”

“Then why are you marrying her?”

“Children shouldn’t ask so many questions about adults’ affairs,” Ling Zetian replied impatiently, rubbing his brow. Sometimes Anuo was childish, sometimes surprisingly clever—he often didn’t know how to handle this little rascal. He wondered whether Anuo’s mischievous nature came from his father Yan Wuying, his mother Qin Rushui, or was simply a genetic fluke.

“But I don’t like her anymore—I prefer Mother now.” With that, Ling Shunuo scrambled up onto his lap, tugged at his collar, and swayed as he spoke.

Watching Anuo torment Ling Zetian, Feng Qiuji couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“Anuo, can you go play outside for a bit? Your father and I need to talk,” Ling Zetian said, glancing again at Feng Qiuji as he set Anuo down.

“Why can’t I listen too?” At Ling Zetian’s words, Anuo’s lips trembled in grievance.

Feng Qiuji realized just how adept this boy was at acting cute—who had taught him that?

“Anuo, just listen to your father and go out, quickly,” she urged.

Anuo glanced at her, and seeing her agreement, reluctantly shuffled out.

“When did he become so obedient to you?” Ling Zetian asked, watching Anuo leave. He remembered that in the past, Anuo and Feng Qiuji couldn’t stand each other and would quarrel whenever together.

“I don’t know—maybe he’s grown up and become more sensible,” she replied.

“Feng Qiuji, do you like living in this palace?” Ling Zetian changed the subject, studying her face.

“Hm? Why ask that?” Pouring herself a cup of tea, Feng Qiuji looked at him in confusion. Since when did he care about such things? Whether she liked it or not, as empress she had to stay—there was no way he’d let her live outside.

“If you don’t wish to stay, I can let you leave the palace.”

Her hand trembled, spilling tea onto the table. She set the teapot down and stared at him in astonishment. Let her leave the palace? Was this... a dismissal?

“I mean, if you no longer want to be empress, I won’t force you,” Ling Zetian added, sensing her reaction was off.

Yet a wave of bitterness welled up in Feng Qiuji’s heart, and she felt her eyes grow moist.

He’d just agreed to marry Qin Ruyan, and now he was so eager to drive her out of the palace—was it because she held the empress’s position that should have belonged to Qin Ruyan?

She walked slowly to Ling Zetian, set her cup of tea before him, and forced a smile. “Fine, but you’ll have to pay me a separation fee.”

“A separation fee?” Ling Zetian was taken aback, never having heard of such a thing. “What’s a separation fee?”

“I married you and became empress—even if we never shared a real marriage, as far as others are concerned, I’m now a discarded woman. Shouldn’t you compensate me? How will I ever marry again?”

“You still want to marry?” Hearing this, Ling Zetian frowned. Had she been planning this all along?

“Of course! If we have nothing to do with each other anymore, why shouldn’t I remarry? Let me think...” Feng Qiuji rolled her eyes at him, counting on her fingers. “How about this—you give me two hundred thousand taels of silver, and from then on, we go our separate ways, never interfering with or seeing each other again. Deal?”

“Fine.” If she wanted silver, he would give it to her.

Feng Qiuji hadn’t expected him to agree so readily. Privately, she thought she’d asked for too little. He was the emperor—according to marriage law in the modern world, she’d be entitled to half his property, which was half the empire! Two hundred thousand taels was far too cheap for Ling Zetian.

“All right, it’s settled then.” Feng Qiuji tossed her head. Two hundred thousand taels was plenty for her—no need to be too greedy. For such an effortless windfall, she was lucky indeed. “I’ll go find Anuo now, you carry on.”

Watching Feng Qiuji’s figure leave Chao Yun Palace, Ling Zetian felt a growing irritation. He’d only considered that someone as free-spirited and unrestrained as her might find palace life dull and stifling, and with Qin Ruyan’s intentions unclear, he feared for Feng Qiuji’s safety. That was why he’d brought it up—he hadn’t expected her to agree so quickly, even asking for some so-called separation fee!

Perhaps he truly shouldn’t keep her confined any longer.

Outside Chao Yun Palace, Anuo saw Feng Qiuji walking out in silence with her head bowed and followed her in puzzlement.

He watched her walk for a long time before finally sitting down by a pool of jade-green water, hugging her knees, burying her head in her arms, looking utterly melancholic.

He went over and tugged at her sleeve, only to see her hurriedly wiping away tears.

He was momentarily stunned, then asked quietly, “Do you like him that much?”

Feng Qiuji, having just wiped her tears, was startled by the question. She couldn’t help but find it bizarre—hearing such words from a four-year-old sounded utterly absurd! Truly absurd!

“I heard everything—he asked if you wanted to leave the palace...” Anuo sighed, then cupped Feng Qiuji’s face and asked seriously, “Are you really going to leave?”

For a moment, Feng Qiuji felt as if she were hallucinating—Anuo didn’t seem like a child at all, but more like a little angel with wings!

“What are you doing?” Anuo, seeing her gazing at him so dreamily, realized she was spacing out again and gave her a light smack on the head.

“Come on, you’re only four years old—can’t you stop saying things so far beyond your age?” Feng Qiuji shot him a disgruntled look.

“You’re the one overthinking!” Seeing her cheerful again, his mood also improved—he really wasn’t used to her gloomy side.

“What am I overthinking—what’s it to you?”

“It’s not my business, but you do like my father, don’t you?”

“You little brat, do you even know what ‘like’ means?”

...

---A note in passing--- Thank you all for reading; Remnant Sun is delighted.