Zhan Beiwang took a deep breath, staring at her in disbelief. Was she genuinely seeking to leave, or was this another attempt at coercion? But he would never divorce her; the gossip alone would drown him and Yi Fang. Furthermore, the military would see them as dishonorable. Everyone respected Marquis Song as a hero and prominent general; losing the favor of his former subordinates would be detrimental.
"Song Xixi, I won't divorce you," he said, both frustrated and vexed. "I won't mistreat you either, but you need to stop creating so many problems. Especially using Mother's illness to blackmail me—don't you find that too malicious? If you have any demands or grievances, vent them at me. Don't torment Mother. This is unfilial behavior, and it will tarnish your reputation."
Song Xixi's face was cold, "Is it that you won't divorce me, or that you don't dare to? Divorcing me would only bring you trouble. People will call you heartless and fickle, and you risk losing the support of my father's old subordinates. You want your love, but also your career. The world doesn't work that way. The Song family may have dwindled, but we don't need to rely on the General's residence to survive. You've underestimated me and overestimated yourself."
Zhan Beiwang's face flushed with anger, having been hit where it hurt. "Enough with the nonsense. The marriage decree is from the Emperor. I will marry Yi Fang. As for other conditions, just name them, and I will agree."
"There are no conditions. I don't need anything," Song Xixi stood proudly before him, her gaze unwavering, her beauty accentuated by a striking beauty mark.
Zhan Beiwang, feeling both anger and frustration, said, "Honestly, Song Xixi, I thought you would accept this marriage favorably, given your father and brothers were military men. I thought you wouldn't make things difficult for Yi Fang."
"Haha!" Song Xixi let out a mocking laugh, "My husband wants to marry another woman, and I'm supposed to be fine with it? You're asking for too much, Zhan Beiwang. Let's end this here."
Seeing her resistance, Zhan Beiwang became furious, "Fine, since you are so heartless, I will take this to the Emperor. You deliberately defy his decree; you are defying the imperial edict. Prepare to be reprimanded by the Emperor."
Song Xixi retorted, "That's laughable. I am a woman with no official position. How can the Emperor reprimand me? You'd be better off talking to the Empress Dowager, informing her that I won't allow Yi Fang into the residence. Isn't the Empress Dowager fond of Yi Fang? Go ahead and complain to her."
"Don't think I won't. You have denied Mother her medicine—that's a grave unfilial act. I can easily ask the Empress Dowager to punish you."
"Don't let us keep you," Song Xixi said dismissively.
"You will regret this!"
Zhan Beiwang, looking at her cold face, left with a venomous warning.
"General, you might still need to sort out the dowry. Do you need to borrow money from me?" Song Xixi mocked from behind.
Zhan Beiwang paused but didn't look back, marching away in anger. He had considered borrowing from her, but now he'd rather negotiate with the Yi family to reduce the dowry. He would never ask her for money.
Baozhu peeked her head out from the doorway, "Miss, if he asks to borrow, will you really lend it?"
Song Xixi rubbed her cheeks, tired from talking too much. After a while, she answered Baozhu, "Sure, if he can humble himself enough to ask, I'll lend him the money. I'll charge the going rate of interest, and he has to repay the principal and interest on time."
"Aren't you afraid he won't repay?"
"If he doesn't, I'll send someone to his doorstep every day to collect." Song Xixi looked at the cleaned-up corner where the lotus seed soup had spilled, "Baozhu, is there any more lotus seed soup? I'd like some."
"There is. I made a big pot, and we also have bird's nest soup. Which one do you want?"
Song Xixi's eyes lit up with happiness, "Bring me a bowl of each. You can have some too, and send the rest to the nanny and the others. By the way, is everyone ready to leave?"
"All packed. Just waiting for the imperial decree, and we can leave," Baozhu said, her spirits lifted from previous disappointment.
"Yes, the rupture is complete. Now we just wait for the decree. However, Zhan Beiwang might negotiate with the Yi family to reduce the dowry, and Yi Fang, being so generous, will likely agree. After all, she's different from all other women."