Chapter 1: Divorce
On their wedding night, her husband was summoned by imperial decree to go to war before he even had the chance to enter the bridal chamber.
Three years later, he returned in triumph.
Not only had he come back victorious, but he had even brought home an illegitimate son?
And the moment he returned, he warned her—the lawful wife—not to make things difficult for his mistress?
“Yuniang has suffered a great deal with me at the border these past few years. Now that we’re back, the two of you should get along. Yuniang is simple-hearted and has no intention of competing with you for anything. Keep those household schemes of yours away from her!”
Li Yaoting’s deep voice echoed in her ears.
Yun Wei raised her eyes, looking at the unfamiliar man before her with faint surprise.
Three years of fighting on the battlefield had completely transformed the once carefree young noble into a battle-hardened general renowned for his military achievements.
When she first heard news of his victory, Yun Wei had genuinely been happy.
After all, during those three years, she had managed every affair of the household alone, all so he could fight without worries and restore the family’s honor.
But who could have imagined that after being away for three years, the first thing this man would do upon returning was humiliate her so thoroughly?
Chen Yuniang!
Wasn’t she the legitimate daughter of Duke Chen’s household?
Back then, when Duke Chen’s family was convicted of a crime and the entire clan was exiled to the frontier, it had shaken the entire capital.
So this… was the real reason he had left on their wedding night without even entering the bridal chamber, accepting the imperial order and rushing to the military camp overnight?
Had he and Chen Yuniang already been in love?
Was marrying her nothing more than a cover?
Then what happened back then…
A mocking smile curled across Yun Wei’s lips.
“Chen Yuniang is a convicted exile. Husband, aren’t you afraid His Majesty will punish you for bringing her back so openly?”
“That’s not something you need to worry about. The Chen family was exonerated a few days ago. His Majesty will soon restore their noble title. When that happens, Yuniang will once again be the young lady of the Duke Chen Manor.”
Yun Wei was somewhat surprised.
She had heard nothing about the Chen family’s exoneration.
Still, it explained why Li Yaoting had dared to bring Chen Yuniang back to the capital so openly—he already had something to rely on.
“Don’t worry. Yuniang is generous and kind. She won’t use her status to pressure you. She has already said that she’s willing to remain beneath you and become my concubine,” Li Yaoting continued, his tone softening.
Yun Wei glanced at him.
Between the lines, he was making one thing perfectly clear: Chen Yuniang’s status was higher than hers, but since she had no desire to fight for the position of principal wife, Yun Wei should know her place and stop making trouble for Chen Yuniang.
“Can you guarantee she’ll be willing to remain a concubine for the rest of her life?” Yun Wei asked.
Li Yaoting frowned in displeasure.
“Do you think Yuniang is as narrow-minded as you? She is the legitimate daughter of Duke Chen’s household and has already borne me a son. Even if I were to petition His Majesty to elevate her as my equal wife, it would still be beneath her. Yet she pitied everything you’ve done for the Li family over the past three years and didn’t want to upset you, so she repeatedly persuaded me against it.”
Yun Wei almost laughed.
From the way he put it, she was supposed to be grateful to Chen Yuniang.
Back then, she had only agreed to this marriage because the Old Madam had personally visited the Yun family again and again to ask for her hand, and because Li Yaoting himself had passionately declared in the Yun residence that he would marry only one woman for his entire life.
Yet now, he had forgotten those words completely.
Or perhaps…
Looking back now, it had all been nothing more than an act.
Seeing her lower her eyes without saying a word, Li Yaoting frowned and said impatiently,
“If you have no objections, I’ll bring Yuniang to meet you tomorrow.”
Yun Wei looked up.
“I won’t meet her.”
“What?” Li Yaoting had never expected her to refuse. His brows knitted together, his face showing both surprise and anger.
Yun Wei glanced at him and suddenly raised her voice.
“Did the war damage your hearing? I said, I won’t meet Chen Yuniang. If you want to take a concubine, fine. But first, we’ll get a divorce.”
“You…!”
Li Yaoting’s once handsome face turned as dark as thunder.
Furious, he snapped,
“I spoke to you politely and tried to discuss this with you, yet you’re so unreasonable! You’re even using divorce to threaten me? Look around the capital—which respectable man doesn’t have multiple wives and concubines?”
How laughable.
Unable to control his own desires, yet he dressed up his womanizing as a symbol of status and power.
Yun Wei had no interest in arguing with him any longer.
“Li Yaoting, call it a threat or call me unreasonable—it makes no difference. My words stand. If you want to take a concubine, that’s fine. We divorce first. That’s all I have to say today. I need to rest.”
“Tian’er, see the guest out.”
Calling her personal maid, Yun Wei turned away.
“Yun! How dare you address me by my given name! I will definitely bring Yuniang into this household. You’re violating the Seven Grounds for Divorce—”
Bang!
Before Li Yaoting could finish speaking, Yun Wei didn’t even wait for the maid to come over. She stepped forward and shoved him straight out the door herself.
Huh?
Standing outside, Li Yaoting stared blankly at the tightly shut door, completely bewildered.
He was a general who had slain countless enemies on the battlefield.
How had he been pushed out so effortlessly by a woman?
The thought only puzzled him for a moment.
The blow to his pride quickly overwhelmed everything else.
Pointing at the closed door, he shouted angrily,
“Yun! Stop playing these tricks! Divorce? After the divorce, do you really think the Yun family will take you back? You may carry the Yun family’s blood, but in their eyes, Yun Yao is their precious jewel. They’d be delighted if you were married as far away as possible! Think it over carefully!”
With those harsh words, Li Yaoting flicked his sleeve and stormed away.
“Miss, the Young Master has gone too far!”
Beside her, the maid Tian’er was so angry that her eyes had turned red.
“In the three years since you married into the Li family, if you hadn’t used your dowry to support the household, the Li family would’ve collapsed long ago. But what about him? He disappeared for three years, and the moment he came back, he wanted to bring a concubine into the house—and he even has a son already! If he never consummates the marriage with you and you never have a legitimate heir, what will become of you, Miss?”
“And Madam… news of the Young Master’s plan to take a concubine has already spread everywhere, yet she hasn’t even sent anyone to comfort you. W-Waaah…”
As Tian’er spoke, she became more and more aggrieved until she finally burst into tears.
Hearing her maid’s words, Yun Wei couldn’t help but laugh despite herself.
Still, Yun Wei spoke gently to comfort her.
“Tian’er, isn’t it better that I have no children? Otherwise, there would only be more ties holding me back from getting a divorce. As for my mother, what difference does it make whether she comes or not? We have money and our own shops. We don’t need the Yun family to support us.”
That was true.
Her young mistress always had a way of getting straight to the heart of the matter. Tian’er’s worries immediately eased.
“Miss…”
She had been about to ask whether Yun Wei wanted any pastries so she could go to the kitchen and make some.
Before she could finish speaking, however, the maid serving the Old Madam arrived outside the door to summon her.
“Madam Heir, the Old Madam requests your presence.”
Yun Wei frowned.
Li Yaoting had barely left, and the Old Madam had already sent someone for her.
Was the old lady worried that she had been wronged…
Or was she simply anxious to know her attitude toward Li Yaoting taking a concubine
