The Double-Chapter 586 - 171 Tearing Up_4

This appearance, it’s as if she truly had reached a dead end, a measure of desperation.

Li Zhongnan and his son, who stood at the forefront, had their eyelids twitch violently, as none had anticipated Princess Yongning would burst in so suddenly. This princess, accustomed to doing as she pleased due to her status, even dared to enter the Golden Throne Hall uninvited. This was a fact that Li Xian had not foreseen. He had thought that, although Princess Yongning was presumptuous, she would still consider the Li Family’s status to some extent, at the very least for the sake of Prince Cheng. They were Prince Cheng’s people, and even if Princess Yongning wanted to target the Li Family, to weaken Prince Cheng’s influence, she wouldn’t dare do so if she had any brains. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

But when Princess Yongning set her mind to something, she’d never reconsider, not even by a fraction. Whomever she wanted dead had to die; that was always her principle.

Li Xian couldn’t help but look towards Prince Cheng.

Prince Cheng was also stunned; he had no idea what had taken place. These days, he was consumed with his own important matters, and didn’t concern himself with Yongning’s issues. He assumed that the Li Family, considering his own face, wouldn’t dare to mistreat Yongning. Although Yongning was somewhat headstrong, as long as there was no major conflict with the Li Family, nothing untoward would happen.

But today, when Yongning rushed out so unexpectedly, shocking the Li Family, it also caught Prince Cheng off guard. On one side was his sister, on the other, his confidant. Honestly, at this juncture, he would rather protect the Li Family over offending them; the Li Family was a crucial part of his plans. If his cause were jeopardized because of Yongning, his great endeavor would be ruined!

"Yongning, stop this nonsense and go back right now!" Prince Cheng gave a warning, "This is not the place for you to speak."

Yongning turned a deaf ear, knowing she only had one chance. She hated the Li Family, for they had killed her child, yet there was nothing she could do. If she didn’t divorce Li Xian now, Prince Cheng, in order to appease the Li Family, would certainly ensure she couldn’t do so. Moreover, to protect this secret, the Li Family would make her remain Madam Li for a long, long time, never allowing her liberty.

She absolutely refused such a future, even for—Shen Yurong! Yongning’s eyes swept across Shen Yurong standing among the courtiers, his expression calm, without the slightest fluctuation, nor did he look at her. It was as if a complete stranger had suddenly intruded into the Golden Throne Hall, and he had no opinion about it whatsoever.

A pang struck Princess Yongning’s heart, and her hatred for the Li Family deepened. Without waiting for others to speak, she addressed Emperor Hongxiao, "Your servant lady... wishes to divorce Li Xian, and seeks Your Majesty’s gracious approval!"

As these words came out, the surrounding erupted in an uproar, and everyone’s gaze shifted between Li Xian and Princess Yongning. All knew about Princess Yongning’s miscarriage a few days ago. Could it be due to the miscarriage that discord arose between the couple? But what could there be to argue over in such a case? It was said there had been an assassin; could there be more to the story? Eldest Young Master Li had always been of good temperament; how was it then, that he could not placate Princess Yongning, to the extent that they needed to divorce?

Li Xian desperately tried to signal Princess Yongning with his eyes, he truly had not expected her to be so audacious. Even as Prince Cheng was still advising, "Yongning, how can you bring domestic issues to court, go back! Guards!"

Before anyone could pull Princess Yongning away, she had quickly spoken, "Your Majesty, Li Xian is duplicitous! He feigns adoption of orphans in his residence, gives them Mute Medicine, and then... I cannot be married to such a bestial man, not even a moment longer. Your Majesty’s decree of marriage cannot be defied, yet I beg Your Majesty to allow your servant lady to divorce him!"

The eyes of the crowd made the Li Family father and son feel as though they were on pins and needles, wishing they could tear the speaking Princess Yongning to shreds.

Both Prince Cheng and Shen Yurong were astonished; they too were unaware of this affair. However, Prince Cheng quickly frowned, even so, discussing such matters before all the civil and military officials, had Princess Yongning gone mad? No matter how large the dispute with Li Xian was, it surely hadn’t reached such extremes, had it?

"There must be some misunderstanding here," Prince Cheng had to stand up and speak for Li Xian, "Li Xian is not such a person."

"Why would I have any reason to frame my own husband?" Princess Yongning said with a bitter laugh, "If you do not believe me, you are free to investigate. I believe there are no impermeable walls in the world; the deeds he’s done will certainly leave traces."

The court officials were abuzz with discussion, and Li Xian suddenly felt a rage welling up inside him. If his family were to simply accept these accusations, the Li Family would truly become a target of ridicule. Even if Prince Cheng succeeded in his endeavor and took the throne, intending to promote the Li Family, their current disgrace could be mocked for generations and might even affect their descendants.

The more distinguished and noble a family is, the more they cherish their reputation, which directly impacts how far they can progress in the future. Prince Cheng would not employ a minister with a tarnished reputation, who would only be gradually replaced over time.

Therefore, Li Xian looked at Princess Yongning and said, "Even if I came to know of Your Highness’s secret, Your Highness should not frame me like this. You should know, had Your Highness properly discussed a divorce with me, I would have agreed."

"Secret? What secret?" asked a court official who loved a scandal, his interest piqued.

Princess Yongning’s heart skipped a beat, and she defiantly retorted, "What nonsense are you spouting? When has this princess ever had secrets? The things I’ve said about you are the truth, not a trap. Don’t use your glib tongue to weave some story to deceive the people."

"Her Highness was with child when she married into the Li Family, a fact I originally did not wish to disclose. I had planned to turn a blind eye, as everyone has their own unspeakable secrets. Besides, Her Highness is certainly not of a corrupt character; surely she must have encountered some misfortune. I came to know this secret by chance, and had Her Highness not mentioned it, I would’ve taken it to my grave. It was Your Highness who forced my hand; I had no other choice," Li Xian said reluctantly.

What did that mean? What did "with child" when marrying into the Li Family imply?

Prince Cheng was taken aback, as he had been unaware of Yongning being pregnant before the affair, thinking the child was conceived after she had been with Li Xian. Naturally, he believed that although this matter was shocking and scandalous, Li Xian wouldn’t make such a claim without basis. It must be true!

Shen Yurong’s expression changed slightly. How did Li Xian come to know about this? Princess Yongning had kept it well concealed; what could have happened?

Princess Yongning had not expected Li Xian to reveal everything in a do-or-die manner. She sneered, "You are slandering me. I got pregnant after marrying you. I never thought that after my miscarriage, you would dare to slander me like this!"

"Is that so?" Li Xian sighed, as if he regretted it, "I have evidence. Such as the imperial doctor, the fetus-preserving medicine, and most importantly, on our wedding night, I was drunk, slept in the study, and all the servants know I did not share a room with Your Highness. Afterwards, when Your Highness fell ill, I had to stay in a separate room. I never laid a hand on Her Highness, and yet, Your Highness became pregnant. Isn’t that very strange?"

He continued, "Or perhaps? Was the child indeed conceived after Her Highness entered the Li Family?"

These words implied that Princess Yongning, after marrying into the Li Family, had an affair with someone else, hence the suggestion that the child was conceived later!

"You!" Princess Yongning was furious: "You’re spouting malicious slander!" She never imagined that Li Xian not only knew of the secret but also had evidence, which inevitably made her feel guilty.

"Whether I am slandering or not, there is someone who knows the truth better than anyone," Li Xian looked towards someone standing among the officials and said indifferently, "Assistant Head Writer, Lord Shen, wouldn’t you agree?"

Shen Yurong furrowed his brow.

Li Xian continued, "You are the father of the child, you know best."