Zhan Beiwang wandered around outside, trying to borrow money from friends. He only managed to gather one thousand taels, still far short of the more than ten thousand taels needed for the betrothal gifts, dowry, and banquet expenses. Naturally, if he could set aside his pride and borrow from noble families, securing twenty to thirty thousand taels wouldn't be an issue. After all, he was a newly recognized achiever in the court, and everyone was eager to curry favor with him.
But his pride prevented him from doing so. Borrowing money was already embarrassing and sensitive; he couldn't bear to lose face. After much consideration, he concluded that it was better to borrow from Song Xixi. Embarrassing himself in front of her was preferable to doing so in front of others.
On his way back to the residence, he saw his younger brother riding towards him. Before he could ask, Zhan Beisen said, "Second Brother, hurry back! Mother is nearly driven to death by Second Sister-in-law."
Hearing that it was about Song Xixi again, he felt annoyed, "What has she done now?"
Zhan Beisen replied, "She got Doctor Dan to stop treating Mother."
Thinking it was a minor issue, Zhan Beiwang said, "There are plenty of doctors in the capital. If Doctor Dan doesn't come, we can find another. If necessary, I can request an imperial physician."
However, this revealed much about Song Xixi's character. To use his mother's illness against him, she was really adept at such underhanded methods. Unlike Yi Fang, who was open and straightforward, Song Xixi resorted to clandestine tactics. Zhan Beisen urgently added, "When you left on campaign, Mother fell ill shortly after. Second Sister-in-law had already consulted several imperial physicians, but none could alleviate Mother's illness. It only worsened until Doctor Dan came and prescribed rare pills that stabilized her condition and gradually improved her health."
Upon hearing this, Zhan Beiwang's eyes filled with anger, "So, she's using Mother's life to threaten me."
Zhan Beisen nodded repeatedly, "Exactly. Since her plea to the Emperor to retract the marriage decree was denied, she's using this method to force you not to marry General Yi Fang. This woman is truly malicious."
Zhan Beiwang immediately rode back to the residence and headed straight for Wenxi Residence. As a general skilled in martial arts, he easily kicked down the doors and barged in.
Song Xixi was calmly enjoying a bowl of lotus seed soup, freshly picked and prepared by Baozhu to help cool and calm her mind. With a sweeping motion, Zhan Beiwang knocked over the bowl, and the delicate porcelain shattered on the floor.
"Song Xixi!" Zhan Beiwang gritted his teeth, "Are you done with your antics? When will this end? What are you trying to achieve?"
Song Xixi, her expression calm, looked at the pieces of the broken bowl and the wasted lotus seed soup, feeling sorry for Baozhu's hard work. "Baozhu," she said, "clean up the broken bowl and the soup. I need to speak with the General."
Baozhu swept up the fragments and the spilled soup, then left the room.
Looking directly at Zhan Beiwang, Song Xixi asked, "Is this about Doctor Dan?"
Zhan Beiwang's voice was harsh, "How dare you ask?"
Song Xixi laughed, her beauty dazzling, "Why shouldn't I ask? It's Doctor Dan who refused to treat your mother. Isn't it you who should feel ashamed?"
Zhan Beiwang coldly sneered, "Stop pretending. You were the one who told Doctor Dan not to come. You're using this as leverage to force me not to marry Yi Fang. Despicable."
"Song Xixi, let me tell you, even if I don't marry Yi Fang, I would never treat you well. You disgust me."
"If I had known you were such a scheming, venomous woman, I would never have married you. I regret it. I was blind."
Song Xixi raised her head and asked, "Then why don't you divorce me?"
Zhan Beiwang was caught off-guard, "What?"
Song Xixi stood up, speaking clearly, "I said, if you detest me so much, why don't you divorce me? You love Yi Fang and want to be with her, making me redundant and loathsome to you. Why not divorce me?"
"I..." Zhan Beiwang hesitated. He would not consider such a step.
Song Xixi took a step forward, her face full of mockery, "Is it because you have no grounds? Let me provide you a few: I'm jealous, unfilial, childless, malicious, and argumentative. Any of these is reason enough for divorce."