Volume One, Chapter One: Divorce

“Lin Che, I am officially informing you this time that it’s over between us. We are getting a divorce.”

At the Xiao family residence, in the Jade Plum Pavilion.

A ray of sunset fell precisely on the speaker’s profile.

Her already perfect and delicate features now bore a sharper edge; her brows were spirited and resolute, and her eyes radiated a fierce intensity unbefitting her gender.

“Why? Ao Yu, is it because I have failed you somehow? I will change!”

Lin Che was stunned, panic flickering across his face as he hurried to ask.

Xiao Ao Yu had been away at war for three years. Not long ago, she decisively defeated the Xiongnu, reclaiming three cities for the Great Zhou and earning the emperor’s personal bestowal of the title General Linglong.

Today, Xiao Ao Yu triumphantly returned home, and the entire Xiao household was ecstatic.

Lin Che was no exception, for he was Xiao Ao Yu’s husband.

He was genuinely happy for her, feeling that all his efforts over the years had finally been rewarded by her achievements.

Yet he never expected that the first words she uttered upon seeing him would be a demand for divorce!

“Lin Che, after three years away at war, I have come to understand one thing — we no longer belong to the same world.”

“What I want is not a man who blindly obeys me, but a distinguished gentleman worthy of me, one who can support my career,” she said with a piercing gaze.

Lin Che was dumbfounded, his heart aching deeply.

He had believed that if he treated her well, someday she would truly see him.

But to his dismay, she was ending their marriage without a second glance at him.

As they spoke, Lin Che noticed the red thread tied around Xiao Ao Yu’s wrist.

She caught his gaze and smiled lightly. “It’s a Mandarin Duck Knot. I already have someone I love.”

Lin Che’s heart clenched with sudden pain.

No wonder… no wonder…

“Who is he?” Lin Che asked unwillingly.

“Prince Liang, Lin Wangzhi!” Xiao Ao Yu mentioned the name with pride and affection shining in her eyes.

“The beloved grandson of the Dowager Empress, a feudal lord who shuns luxury and indulgence, rising with calm determination. A role model for countless young men, hailed as the war god of the younger generation, and even a hopeful candidate to ascend the throne after the emperor — Prince Liang, Lin Wangzhi!”

Lin Wangzhi was both wise and brave, known for cutting down enemy commanders amid the fray.

Being a royal kin and a feudal prince, he enjoyed great popularity among the people.

Moreover, the reigning emperor had no heirs. Though it was not spoken aloud, after the emperor’s passing, Prince Liang was expected to rightfully inherit the throne.

And he was Xiao Ao Yu’s superior officer.

Indeed, he was far superior to Lin Che in every way.

“Lin Che, thank you for taking care of me all these years, but Wangzhi is the man I desire. Whether it’s background, status, or ability, he surpasses me! He has saved me many times on the battlefield, and I owe him my gratitude.”

“Besides, if it weren’t for him recommending me to the emperor and securing my appointment as a subordinate general to lead troops, I wouldn’t be the Linglong General today.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Che lifted his head in disbelief!

The person who helped Xiao Ao Yu become General Linglong was him!

He, Lin Che, was the last prince of the Great Zhou emperor.

In fact, the current emperor was not without heirs.

But for nearly thirty years, every royal child of Great Zhou had died young, none lived beyond three years.

The emperor knew someone was deliberately trying to end the royal bloodline to seize the throne.

However, due to corruption in the court, although the emperor wished to reverse this, he was powerless against entrenched traitors.

Forcibly removing them might even jeopardize the throne itself.

Therefore, to preserve the bloodline, Lin Che was secretly sent away upon birth.

Because of this, no one knew the emperor still had a son, and with the faction supporting Prince Liang, everyone assumed the prince would rightfully ascend after the emperor.

Four years ago, upon coming of age, Lin Che began his journey back to reveal his identity and claim the throne. But in the streets of Chang’an, he happened upon Xiao Ao Yu being harassed by ruffians.

He stepped in to protect her and was captivated by her beauty, falling deeply in love.

He then sent a message to the emperor, requesting to marry her.

The Xiao family was merely an ordinary merchant household, unworthy in status or rank to be allied with a future emperor.

Moreover, revealing Lin Che’s identity would bring no benefit to the Xiao family.

It might even spell their doom.

Because the noble families eyeing the throne would never tolerate a merchant family suddenly taking the prize.

Most importantly, the emperor had already arranged a marriage for Lin Che that would guarantee his smooth succession.

Lin Che’s sudden decision shattered twenty years of his father’s painstaking plans.

The emperor was furious, even saying he never wished to see Lin Che again.

Yet Lin Che was his only son and heir.

Though unwilling, the emperor had no choice but to accept it.

To blend into the Xiao family, Lin Che took the imperial examination as a commoner and became a scholar.

But Xiao Ao Yu disliked the arts and literature; she had trained in martial skills since childhood, determined to earn glory on the battlefield.

This made her melancholy.

Lin Che had no choice but to petition the emperor again, asking him to grant her the rank of subordinate general to lead troops and gain merit.

The emperor refused, so Lin Che threatened to renounce the throne.

Thus, Xiao Ao Yu was allowed to go to war.

Fearing for her safety, Lin Che also arranged for the renowned military master Han Zong to tutor her.

Supplies, provisions, and soldiers were all provided in the best and greatest amounts.

Because of this, she was able to return victorious from the war against the Xiongnu.

Lin Che even requested the emperor to break protocol and confer upon her the title of Linglong General.

The emperor refused, so Lin Che again threatened to renounce his claim to the throne.

When the emperor fell ill, Lin Che did not visit or offer a word of concern.

As his father’s condition worsened, he still did not go to see him.

He had given everything to Xiao Ao Yu, even elevating her family.

Her father, once a mere scholar, was granted a rare honor and appointed governor of Jingzhao within a year.

The Xiao family rose to prominence, becoming a noble household.

“Yu’er, in truth, your campaign, all of it was because of me…” Lin Che tried to confess.

But Xiao Ao Yu cut him off, shaking her head. “Lin Che, it doesn’t matter anymore. The emperor arranged our marriage because you acted bravely. We never had feelings for each other…”

Those final words stunned Lin Che.

Indeed, they never had feelings. What more could be said?

“Lin Che, for the sake of our marriage, if you have any requests, you can say them. I will try to fulfill them,” Xiao Ao Yu sighed.

Though she pitied Lin Che, she knew he was not worthy of her.

Lin Che smiled bitterly. “Forget it…”

But Xiao Ao Yu felt his pride was getting in the way. “Don’t be so quick to refuse. This promise stands at any time.”

If Lin Che did not accept now, once he left the Xiao household and lost their protection, he would soon discover the harshness of the world and be forced to seek her help.

Having said that, she turned and left.

“Wait…” Lin Che suddenly called after her.

When Xiao Ao Yu turned back, Lin Che hesitated before saying, “That Prince Liang—I don’t think he’s someone you should entrust your life to. You should reconsider…”

Even though he was arranged by his father, Lin Wangzhi stood in his way. Such hypocrisy meant he surely lacked responsibility.

Moreover, Prince Liang was involved with many corrupt officials in the court and was hardly a man of virtue.

He might have ulterior motives for being with Xiao Ao Yu.

Xiao Ao Yu paused, a flicker of displeasure crossing her face. “Lin Che, I thought that even if you had no power, you were still a gentleman. How could you slander others behind their backs? Such words could land you in prison, but I pity you, so I won’t report you.”

“Also, do you think my judgment of character is inferior to yours?”

“Sign the divorce papers. Wangzhi dislikes me entangling with other men.”

The pavilion fell silent, leaving Lin Che alone.

Outside, maids whispered softly as they passed.

“Miss seems to have been sent back by Prince Liang!”

“I saw it. He was waiting at the back gate with several carriages. Truly magnificent—worthy of a feudal lord!”

“More than that, I heard Prince Liang might be the next emperor…”

“Really?! Then won’t our Miss become empress?”

“How wonderful! Miss and Prince Liang make such a perfect match!”

“A brave and unparalleled woman like her deserves a man as outstanding as Prince Liang!”

“Quiet, here he comes…”

Along the way, maids and guards chatted excitedly but fell silent upon seeing Lin Che, though their mocking eyes spoke volumes.

Lin Che wandered dully past them.

In the front courtyard, a deaf-mute servant hurried past and secretly slipped a letter into Lin Che’s clothes.

Once away, Lin Che opened it.

“The emperor’s condition has worsened recently. His days may be numbered.”

The man was sent by the emperor to protect Lin Che at the Xiao residence.

Images of his father’s last meeting with him, filled with disappointment and sorrow, flashed in his mind.

His father was gravely ill?

Lin Che’s eyes shifted from shock to sharp determination.

He resolutely returned, donned a grand cloak, and stepped outside.

The wind rose, leaves fell…