Chapter 24: Chapter 24: The Imperial Divorce Decree Arrives

Xiao Chengyi had always known she was beautiful, but today she seemed especially captivating, her beauty so enchanting it left people breathless and mesmerized.

Today’s sunlight was particularly bright, as if it came specifically to illuminate her, highlighting her face as flawless as jade, so pure and untouched by the world, akin to a fairy removed from the clamor of the earth.

A feeling of indescribable joy surged in Xiao Chengyi’s heart. No matter how well she spoke, she was still jealous. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have dressed so splendidly. At this moment, his vanity and sense of accomplishment reached their peak.

“The auspicious time has arrived!” A loud call pulled Xiao Chengyi’s thoughts back to reality, and only then did he realize he had been staring blankly at Shen Ruoxi for a long time on this joyous day.

He quickly composed himself and focused on the master’s loud proclamation: “First bow to heaven and earth!”

“Second bow to parents!”

“Husband and wife bow to each other!”

“Ceremony is complete!”

“Escort to the bridal chamber!”

The nanny handed the red silk to Xiao Chengyi, who couldn’t help but secretly glance at Shen Ruoxi again, seeing her expression as calm as ever, without a ripple, he gritted his teeth inwardly.

Though she often said one thing yet meant another, he found her little tricks quite endearing, and he thought to himself that he should treat her well in the future.

He was just about to lead the bride to the bridal chamber.

At that moment, a sharp “The emperor’s decree has arrived!” shattered the wedding scene.

Everyone was stunned for a moment, quickly tidied their attire, and knelt down.

Shen Ruoxi’s heart jumped, a smile unbidden appeared on her lips. His Majesty indeed understood her mind; out with the old, in with the new, was only natural.

On his grandson’s wedding day, the emperor personally sent greetings. Such an honor left Old Mrs. Xiao’s hands trembling with excitement.

Everyone pondered in their hearts, with Xiao Chengyi now becoming a new favorite, even the emperor favored him. Though not attending the wedding in person, the decree was still given as congratulations.

In the future, they must truly seek to establish good relations with this General Xiao.

The emperor’s decree was very clear; not only did it acknowledge Xiao Chengyi and Ning Zhen’s merits, but it also praised Ning Zhen profusely, wishing them a long and harmonious union.

Under the bridal veil, Ning Zhen’s face was filled with vain satisfaction. What did it matter if Shen Ruoxi was the first wife? She was the most dazzling light here.

Old Mrs. Xiao was even more proud. With such a grandson and granddaughter-in-law, how could the Xiao Family not flourish?

“Shen Ruoxi, listen to the decree!” A loud declaration rang out, everyone was stunned again.

On such a day, the emperor unexpectedly issued a decree solely to Shen Ruoxi. What could this mean?

Shen Ruoxi had long awaited this moment. She respectfully knelt and said loudly, “Minister Shen Ruoxi receives the decree.”

Following this, the decree content was slowly spoken: “By the mandate of heaven, the emperor decrees, the Shen family is loyal and virtuous, the lady Shen Ruoxi is virtuous and good-natured…”

Listening, Xiao Chengyi suddenly felt his mind go blank, leaving only the last few sentences echoing like thunder in his ears: “Grant permission for Shen Ruoxi to divorce Xiao Chengyi, return to the Shen family to inherit the marquis title, her husband will also be ennobled, the descendants will inherit for generations to come, hereby!”

As the decree finished, everyone was dumbfounded.

Only Ning Zhen was filled with wild joy in her heart; they were divorced. From now on, Xiao Chengyi would completely belong to her!

Even if Shen Ruoxi were ennobled as a marquis, she looked down upon it. The emperor bestowed this upon her only because of her father and uncle, incomparable to Ning Zhen herself.

“No!” Xiao Chengyi shouted inwardly, his body nearly swaying.

Shen Ruoxi maintained her cool expression, but her voice was exceptionally loud: “I obey the decree! Thank Your Majesty for the grace.”

She took the decree, with Qi Lin handing over the divorce document, “Sign it, Marquis Shen!”

Shen Ruoxi picked up the pen without hesitation.

“Shen Ruoxi, listen closely, if you write down… we’re really…” Xiao Chengyi’s lips trembled, unable to utter the word “finished.”

His heart was in chaos, not even knowing why he was reacting like this.

Shen Ruoxi’s lips curled into a disdainful smile, signing her name without hesitation.

“General Xiao, please!” she said coldly, handing the signed divorce paper to Xiao Chengyi.

“I won’t sign it!” Xiao Chengyi stepped back, as if what Shen Ruoxi handed him was a flood or beast.

“Why should the emperor meddle in his subjects’ family affairs?” Xiao Chengyi muttered, pale.

“General Xiao, are you defying the decree?” Qi Lin asked coldly.

“I must at least ask His Majesty for the reason! To divorce my wife, it needs my consent!” Xiao Chengyi stubbornly said.

“No need for your consent! Xiao Chengyi, it is I, Shen Ruoxi who doesn’t want you, no consent needed from you!” Shen Ruoxi coldly declared.

“You… you don’t want me? Was it you who asked the emperor for the divorce decree?” Xiao Chengyi asked, astonished.

“Yes!” Shen Ruoxi admitted without hesitation.

Xiao Chengyi turned pale, his lips still trembling, “From the moment you agreed to let me marry Zhen’er, you had made this decision?”

“Indeed! Hurry and sign! Your refusal changes nothing. The emperor has already decreed, for the sake of us once being married, let’s at least save some face for each other!” Shen Ruoxi stated coldly.

“Did you dress so beautifully today, knowing in advance the emperor would decree our divorce?” Xiao Chengyi suddenly gritted his teeth and asked.

This she didn’t really know, but let him think so, “Let’s say yes! It’s always good to leave gracefully.”

“You…” Xiao Chengyi was so angry he couldn’t speak.

He only felt a sharp pain in his heart as if something was slowly slipping away from him.

Marquis? Even her husband would be ennobled as a marquis and the descendants to inherit. This news hit Old Mrs. Xiao like a thunderbolt, leaving her mind in a whirl while her fingers felt icy, only gradually coming back to senses.

“Ruoxi, child, stop the fuss, lest the guests see it as a joke. Let’s set aside the divorce document and have His Majesty retract the decree later, divorce isn’t that simple.” Old Mrs. Xiao tried to ease the atmosphere with an awkward smile.

Mrs. Zhou, eyes rimmed red, understood finally why she warned herself against being weak; she was preparing to leave the Xiao family.

If back then she had reprimanded her son a little, or spoken a word of disagreement regarding raising the concubine’s status, perhaps things wouldn’t have reached this point.

It was the Xiao Family that wronged her; the Xiao Family lacked the fortune to have such an excellent daughter-in-law.

Mrs. Zhou’s heart was instantly torn.

“Chengyi, sign it!” Mrs. Zhou angrily reprimanded, “If you have any sense of responsibility as a man, sign it!”

“Brother Yi, sign it, you promised me.” Under the veil, Ning Zhen gently urged.

His refusal to sign left her anxious, fearing he now valued Shen Ruoxi’s marquis status.

She could guarantee that if he wholeheartedly dedicated himself to her, never mind the marquis title, she had the capability to strive for anything for him.

“No, I absolutely won’t sign!” Xiao Chengyi glared at Shen Ruoxi, his eyes full of fury.

Admittedly, he wronged her, but he had promised to compensate her many times. Why should she divorce him? Men having multiple wives and concubines was normal, he wasn’t unforgivably heinous. Why did she demand a divorce for that!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep