The Divorce
Go ahead, go ahead.
He Shi led Gu Wanning to Wei Shi's room.
Wei Shi was embroidering on the kang (a heated brick bed). When Gu Wanning came in, she put down her needlework and said, "Come sit on the kang and warm up. It's getting colder every day these past few days. I've already put knee pads on your father."
Seeing that everything was peaceful at home, Gu Wanning secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
It seems she was overthinking things.
Nothing bad happened to the Gu family.
He Shi took Er Ya out, leaving the mother and daughter alone.
"Good child, tell your mother, is divorce truly your own wish?" Wei Shi asked.
Gu Wanning was somewhat incredulous upon hearing this.
Is there some progress in the divorce proceedings?
It seems that God has given her an excellent birthday gift this time!
"Yes, Mother, what's wrong?" Gu Wanning asked calmly.
"Don't you and the Marquis well? I always feel it's a pity... But now, there's no point in regretting it."
"What? Mother, what are you saying about regretting it?"
"Didn't you plant Corn? Your father has been acting like a madman these past few days, talking about Corn all the time. I don't want to hear those two words anymore," Wei Shi sighed.
Gu Wanning couldn't help but chuckle.
"Based on your records, your father submitted a memorial to the Emperor detailing the Corn planting and yield. Furthermore, he was careful not to have all the Corn harvested; instead, he left a few acres unharvested, waiting for the Emperor to send someone to verify the yield."
Gu Wanning: Yes, that seems to make it easier to gain the Emperor's trust.
After all, seeing is believing.
"It's because the Emperor truly trusts your father. Yesterday, he actually went incognito with your father to the Marquis's Estate to personally witness the Corn harvesting process again and weigh the Corn kernels..."
Gu Wanning: The Emperor actually went out of the palace incognito?
"Your father, seeing that the Emperor was in a good mood, mentioned your desire for a divorce to him..."
"Has the Emperor's attitude softened?" Gu Wanning asked with concern.
"He's softened his stance." Wei Shi nodded. "Yesterday, the Emperor agreed to help you with the divorce. Mother said the Emperor is truly a wise ruler!"
They're actually getting a divorce?
The surprise came so quickly; her dream had finally become a reality, yet Gu Wanning felt a sense of disbelief.
It's like being hit by a pie falling from the sky and getting stunned.
"... But your father said," Wei Shi lowered her voice and leaned closer to Gu Wanning, "That you are too capable, and if you remain by the Marquis's side, the Emperor might not be so pleased."
Chapter 130 Divorced
"Heh, that's all the tolerance he has," Gu Wanning sneered.
It's true that she wants a divorce, but if she had to choose between the Emperor and Xu Weibei, she would still stand by Xu Weibei's side without hesitation.
"Don't talk nonsense. What's wrong, Gu Wanning? Are you regretting it again and can't bear to part with the Marquis? This is a bit difficult..."
"No, Mother, I don't regret it. I'm very happy."
Freedom, that's the freedom she wanted.
Nothing is more important than freedom.
Including love.
Besides, there's no love between her and Xu Weibei yet!
"It's good that you have no regrets," said Wei Shi. "Actually, His Majesty agreed yesterday, but he said that this matter couldn't be discussed without consulting the Marquis. So he will summon the Marquis to the palace today to discuss it further..."
"Discuss again?"
Gu Wanning felt that discussing it again would only create unnecessary complications.
"Don't worry," Wei Shi knew what she was thinking and quickly patted the back of her hand, "I've asked your father about this. He said it's about giving the Marquis some face and letting him bring it up. Otherwise, it would be like forcing him..."
Give Xu Weibei face?
But Xu Weibei is ungrateful!
He definitely doesn't care about appearances.
Xu Weibei's attitude was already very clear: he didn't want a divorce; he wanted to just continue living like this, in a daze.
"Mother, I'm afraid there will be more twists and turns in this matter," Gu Wanning sighed.
Xu Weibei's restless, rebellious nature is about to cause another uproar today.
She beat up her older brother last time, I hope she won't beat up her father this time.
Last time they overturned the Grand Princess's table, will they overturn the Emperor's table this time?
Don't say that nothing is impossible.
There's nothing Xu Weibei can't do, only things she can't imagine.
"Your father said the same thing," said Wei Shi. "That's why he instructed me before going to Marquis's Residence today to go to the Marquis's residence and bring you back as soon as your third brother returns. It just so happens to be your birthday today, so we have a ready-made reason."
Gu Wanning had a headache. "So, Mother, does Father mean that I'm coming back now to avoid the Marquis, and that I won't be going back in the future?"
"We're not going back," Wei Shi said firmly. "And we don't want the dowry either."
Gu Wanning: "..."
Alright, the two hundred taels of dowry have long been spent. The silver she has saved now, although not much, is still her little treasure trove!
She is now practically penniless.
Oh no, she also has "accounts receivable" from Baoji's.
Thank goodness.
But if they divorce, will Baoji bully her and deny everything?
Gu Wanning's primary concern was her money.
Then she thought, her own father is the Chief Grand Secretary, if Baoji wants to swindle her money, they'll be in big trouble.
Then Gu Wanning remembered Xu Weibei.
No matter how fierce Xu Weibei's attitude is today, it seems that their divorce is already a done deal.
Nothing else matters; what matters is her ability to please the emperor while simultaneously arousing his suspicion.
The Emperor did not want anyone who could help Xu Weibei to become his ally.
Therefore, Xu Weibei should not refuse a toast today and instead force the emperor to find an opportunity to suppress him.
Let them get a divorce then. They didn't have a deep relationship anyway, and they were never really husband and wife.