Rebirth of the Cannon Fodder in the Entertainment Circle
Chapter 519: Cannon Fodder Princess Consort (12)

Chapter 519: Cannon Fodder Princess Consort (12)

Before there was no evidence, Duke Dingguo could still rebut a point or two.

Now that Prince Chen had presented all the evidence, Duke Dingguo could only kneel and beg for mercy.

The Emperor harshly reproached Duke Dingguo on the court assembly, implying that if he couldn’t even manage his own household, how could he handle court affairs.

Utilizing his position to arrange for his favored concubine’s family to be employed in the Ministry of War was a crime to be seriously investigated.

Of course, if the Emperor did not delve too deeply, at most there would be a punishment.

The Emperor stripped Duke Dingguo of his position in the Ministry of War, ordering him to return home and reflect behind closed doors.

It appeared that there was no severe penalty for Duke Dingguo, but the Emperor did not specify how long the reflection period should last, nor when he could return.

This left room for speculation. If it were a direct order to reflect for half a year or a year, Duke Dingguo would almost be forgotten in the upper echelons.

But this was much better than being directly demoted. It seemed the Emperor still had concerns about Princess Consort Chun and the Prince in the palace.

The cleverer and more sensitive ones knew the Emperor was also wary of Duke Dingguo’s military power.

After punishing Duke Dingguo, the Emperor looked at Lu Xiao below and spoke,

"Fourth brother, your mother-in-law has requested a divorce from Duke Dingguo, and I have granted it. When you go back, convey this news to the Princess Consort, so she no longer needs to worry."

Lu Xiao had not expected the Marchioness’s audience with the Emperor not only to accuse Duke Dingguo of destroying his wife for his concubine but also to seek a divorce.

According to the Emperor, this also concerned his own Princess Consort.

His mind turned, and he immediately stepped forward, "Your brother obeys the decree."

The Emperor had apparently been planning to suppress Duke Dingguo Mansion, hence Prince Chen had been collecting so much evidence for over a month before acting.

Duke Dingguo Mansion had suffered a significant blow this time, but its foundation remained intact; as long as the military power remained, all would be well.

Therefore, he didn’t plead for mercy.

It was just unknown whether the Emperor intended to take away Duke Dingguo’s military power. If so, that would be troublesome.

In addition, due to spoiling his concubine and destroying his wife, Duke Dingguo was even more supported by his Princess Consort in the divorce.

He was famously fond of his Princess Consort and naturally took her side.

In the future, he would not be able to associate openly with Duke Dingguo, or else he might be accused of forming cliques for selfish purposes.

The more Lu Xiao thought about these matters, the more stifled and uncomfortable he felt.

Lately, Luo Ning also seemed to be acting oddly, becoming increasingly incomprehensible to him.

Even bolder, she had repeatedly shut him out, and now she had even facilitated her own parents’ divorce.

Duke Dingguo’s confinement for reflection would probably also affect Princess Consort Chun in the palace.

The more he thought, the more irritable he became, which showed on his face.

Seeing his discomfiture, the Emperor’s mood brightened considerably.

The court officials also hadn’t expected the Marchioness to seek a divorce from the Emperor.

And the Emperor had actually agreed, making them the first couple in the history of the Dayan Dynasty to be granted a divorce by the Emperor himself.

Lu Xiao was gloomy, but Duke Dingguo felt even more like vomiting blood.

He hadn’t expected the Marchioness to have the audacity to ask the Emperor for a divorce.

He indeed wasn’t that fond of the Marchioness and had considered having her step aside.

But now to be rejected and commanded to divorce was utterly embarrassing.

After the court assembly, Duke Dingguo was mocked by many of his usual adversaries, making him lose face even more, and he cursed the Marchioness and Luo Ning several times in his heart.

Princess Consort Chun in the palace, upon learning of this, also wished she could tear the Marchioness and Luo Ning apart.

She wasn’t very favored in the harem, and having birthed a Prince was entirely a matter of luck.

The Emperor wasn’t a lustful and incompetent ruler. Instead, he was wise, and the favors in the harem were closely related to the court politics, maintaining a balance.

Her father had been made to close his door for self-reflection and had also been decreed to divorce, so her life in the harem was estimated to be not as easy as before.

However, one thing that she could find a little comfort in was that, after Mrs. Wen’s divorce, the position of Marchioness would become vacant, and her mother could directly become the Marchioness.

She would no longer be a concubine’s daughter, but a legitimate daughter instead; in the future, if she could ascend to the rank of an imperial concubine, no one in the harem would be able to gossip about her birth anymore.

But her father’s current situation was a bit troublesome; she still had to think of a way to help him out as soon as possible.

She was not a favored consort; since giving birth to her son, the Emperor had rarely turned over her card. Naturally, she could not rely on him.

After racking her brain, the only person she could think of was him.

Thinking of the palace banquet that would take place soon, she couldn’t help but smile at the corner of her mouth. He would definitely help her.

Elsewhere, after Lu Xiao returned to the Prince’s Mansion, he went directly to the inner court where Luo Ning lived.

This time, he wasn’t kept waiting outside.

Lu Xiao entered the room and saw Luo Ning leisurely stretching out her hand for a maid to help her apply nail polish.

Her originally delicate nails were painted in a bright red, which made her slender hands look even whiter and more attractive.

Luo Ning didn’t get up. She looked at Lu Xiao in a lazy manner and said, "Prince, what brings you here?"

Lu Xiao had a lump of anger stuck in his chest; this woman didn’t even bother to greet him properly.

He sat down on a chair opposite her with a cold expression, "I came to convey a message to you."

Luo Ning didn’t speak, her expression showing that she was waiting for him to continue.

Lu Xiao didn’t play coy, "Today, the Emperor granted your mother and Duke Dingguo a divorce."

Luo Ning’s eyes brightened, and her entire demeanor radiated with joy, "That’s really wonderful news."

"Zi Yan, later have someone go out and buy some firecrackers to set off. For such a happy event, we should certainly celebrate," she said.

Lu Xiao: "..." It was his first time seeing a daughter celebrate her parents’ divorce with firecrackers.

"You’re that happy?" He asked, frowning.

Luo Ning nodded, her face blossoming into a smile, "Of course I’m happy that my mother can escape the wolf’s den."

It was the first time Lu Xiao saw her express her joy so openly, and with a hint of inquiry, he said, "Ning’er, you’ve changed a lot since your last visit to the palace."

Luo Ning wasn’t afraid of his suspicion; after all, no one had been switched out, let him investigate as he would.

She casually continued painting her nails, "Have I? Even if I had changed a lot, it must be because of you."

Lu Xiao always felt that there was more to her words, "Explain that in detail."

Luo Ning yawned, "I don’t think I’ve changed that much. If you think I have, then so be it. There’s nothing much to say, I’m tired."

"You’re so tired that you feel tired even talking to me?" Lu Xiao couldn’t understand why Luo Ning was being so cold to him now.

Luo Ning smirked dismissively, "How could that be, you’re overthinking it."

"If there’s nothing else, I’m going to take a nap." Just as her nails were done, she got up to go to the inner room.

Lu Xiao couldn’t help but stand up and follow her, grabbing her arm, "Ning’er, we haven’t been together for a long time."

Then, he leaned in close to Luo Ning and whispered suggestively, "I’ll stay in the main court tonight."

Luo Ning tilted her head and raised an eyebrow, "I really can’t have you stay over tonight."

Lu Xiao’s expression darkened instantly, his voice carrying a hint of warning, "Ning’er, don’t test my patience."

Luo Ning was not intimidated by him; she leaned in a bit closer and teased with a curved lip, "I happen to have my period. If you don’t mind, then by all means stay."

She really did get it, and he checked—it matched up.

Besides, even if she hadn’t, this damned man could not even dream of touching her.

Lu Xiao’s face grew darker, "I still have matters to attend to, going to the study."

After saying this, he angrily left, his sleeves flapping, frustrated that Luo Ning had pushed him away once again.