3 request for a divorce

Baoshu brought the dowry list and said, "Over the past year, you've supplemented more than six thousand taels of silver, but the shops, houses, and estates remain untouched. The deposit receipts, house deeds, and land titles your mother left are all locked in the box."

"Yes." Song Xixi looked at the list, feeling a sharp pain in her heart. Her mother had given her such a generous dowry, fearing she would suffer and be wronged in her husband's family.

Baoshu, weeping beside her, asked, "Miss, where can we go? Could we return to the Marquis's residence? Or should we go back to Mount Mei?"

The sight of the blood-soaked residence and the tragic deaths of her family flashed before her eyes, causing a sudden pain in her heart. "Anywhere is better than staying here."

"If you leave, you will fulfill their wishes."

Song Xixi said indifferently, "Then let it be. If I stay, I will be tormented by their love for a lifetime. Baoshu, I am the only one left in the Marquis's residence. I need to live well, so my parents and brothers in heaven can rest in peace."

"Miss!" Baoshu cried tearfully. She was born in the household, and during the massacre of the Marquis's residence, her entire family perished.

If they left the General's residence, would they return to the Marquis's residence? But with so many tragic deaths, every corner would break their hearts.

"Miss, is there no other way?"

Song Xixi's eyes were heavy. "There is a way. I'll go before the emperor and use the merits of my father and brothers to force him to retract the edict. If the emperor doesn't agree, I'll crash my head against the golden throne and die."

Baoshu was so frightened she knelt hurriedly. "Miss, you must not!"

Song Xixi's eyebrows showed a sharp coldness, but she smiled. "Do you think your lady is so foolish? When I go before the emperor, I'll only request an edict of divorce."

If Zhan Bei Wang could marry Yi Fang by imperial decree, she required an edict for their divorce. She would leave with dignity, not in disgrace, like being swept out of the house.

With the resources of the Marquis's residence, she could live comfortably for the rest of her life. There was no need to wrong herself any further.

Someone called from outside, "Madam, the old madam asks to see you!"

Baoshu whispered, "It's Cui'er from the old madam's side. She probably wants to persuade you."

Song Xixi, composed, stood up and said, "Then let's go."

The evening sun was blood-red, and the autumn wind was bleak.

The General's residence was bestowed upon Zhan Bei Wang's grandfather by the late emperor. Once a splendid residence, it had now declined. Most of the Zhan family's sons were on the battlefield, with few civil officials in the court. Zhan Bei Wang's father, Zhan Ji, was unsuccessful in his official career, and his uncle, Zhan Gang, was only the prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture. Only Zhan Bei Wang and his elder brother, Zhan Bei Qing, held some influence in the military. However, before winning the current war, they were just fourth-rank generals.

The first and second branches of the family lived together in the General's residence. Separating would only hasten their decline.

Song Xixi, accompanied by Baoshu, entered the old madam's room. The old madam, looking healthier, was half-lying on the bed, smiling kindly at her. "You're here!"

Also present were Zhan Bei Wang's elder brother, Zhan Bei Qing, and his wife, Min Shi, along with their younger sister, Zhan Shao Huan, and other children from the concubines. The second madam, Madam Lu, also sat beside them, but she looked indifferent and seemed disdainful.

"Mother, Second Aunt, Elder Brother, Elder Sister-in-law." Song Xixi greeted them as usual.

"Xixi, come here!" The old madam motioned her to sit by the bed, holding her hand affectionately. "Now that Bei Wang is back, you have support. You've been through a lot this year, especially with what happened to your family. The Marquis's residence only has you left. Fortunately, it's all over now."

The old madam was quite shrewd, addressing the fact that her family was gone, implying that she needed to rely on the Zhan family in the future.

Song Xixi withdrew her hand and said lightly, "Mother, did you meet General Yi Fang today?"

The old madam did not expect her to be so direct. Her smile stiffened for a moment before she recovered and said, "Yes, I met her. She is quite rough, and her appearance is no match for yours."

Song Xixi looked at the old madam. "So, Mother does not like her, correct?"