Tearing the Prince's Clothes after Withdrawing Marriage
Chapter 305 - 304: The Divorce Letter

Chapter 305: Chapter 304: The Divorce Letter

The Emperor summoned Chu Qianli to the palace for an audience.

Although she had mentally prepared for it, the timing couldn’t be more tight, could it?

Fu Long was also somewhat surprised when he saw Chu Qianli in the palace.

"So tired, didn’t you rest well after returning?" he asked quietly, lowering his voice.

Chu Qianli couldn’t help but yawn.

"There is a lot to do at the Duke Residence, I couldn’t sleep."

Heaven knows how much she wanted to sleep?

Even a body of iron couldn’t withstand such back and forth exhaustion, not to mention a woman who had miscarried less than a month ago?

Rubbing her somewhat sore eyes, Chu Qianli took advantage of the moment when the eunuch Qing was walking ahead to report, and whispered, "Is there something happening in the palace?"

"Nothing, The Emperor is probably just happy knowing that Prince Xuan has been rescued. Of course..."

The following concern was what Fu Long really worried about, "He might also want to probe your intentions. Regardless, you should ask for a reward, understand?"

Chu Qianli nodded her head, and distanced herself from Fu Long before the eunuch Qing returned.

She and Fu Long had together saved Prince Xuan, and The Emperor would surely bestow a reward.

He who knows the times is a wise man; if she didn’t ask for a reward at this moment, then The Emperor would definitely think that she either harbored resentment or wanted more.

Eunuch Qing took Chu Qianli to the great hall.

What Chu Qianli didn’t expect was that there were others in the great hall.

Some high officials, indeed, and also Prince He, Prince Yu, and the Southern Prince.

Prince Xiaoyao, who rarely involved himself in court affairs, was seldom seen here and was not present today.

Prince Xuan had not yet returned; at this moment, he should be on his way back.

As for the other ministers, though Chu Qianli didn’t recognize them, just by observing their clothes and appearance, she knew their positions must be high.

"Miss Li, having seen The Emperor, are you not going to pay your respects?" the sharp voice of eunuch Qing suddenly sounded.

Chu Qianli took a deep breath, then bent over to pay her respects, "I pay my respects to The Emperor."

This ruler of Beiming Country, she didn’t know if he was involved with the coup of Longteng Country?

Whether the person who colluded with Long Tianliu that day was him or not?

But if he had the power to collaborate with Long Tianliu, even if he were not The Emperor, he must be a person of high authority.

Perhaps, one of those present?

She collected her thoughts and waited for The Emperor to say "rise," before straightening her body.

She suppressed the fullness of her hatred with an expressionless face.

For now, all was calm.

"Chu Qianli, very good, you, indeed very good!"

Today, The Emperor did not look at her with the disgust of previous days; on the contrary, his gaze toward her was filled with a smile.

Prince Xuan was saved, the Medicine Man stronghold destroyed; Chu Qianli was very clear that the news had long since been delivered.

Furthermore, before she left the city, she had indeed instructed Fu Long to speak well of her.

Seeing how The Emperor’s face was now pleased, she knew Fu Long must have embellished her deeds persuasively.

As she thought it over, The Emperor smiled again, "Chu Qianli, you have done a great service in saving Prince Xuan, and I am very pleased. Is there anything you want? Today, in the presence of all the ministers, I will grant it to you."

Though he said so, the look he gave Chu Qianli was still somewhat probing.

Chu Qianli knew that what she was about to say was of great importance.

To refuse would mean harboring ulterior motives.

To ask for too much would be tantamount to treason.

The Emperor also wanted to know what she really wanted.

However, Chu Qianli could distinctly feel that The Emperor’s disdain for her had truly faded.

Moreover, at the bottom of The Emperor’s eyes, there was clearly a hint of expectancy.

She was just, making a bet.

Locking eyes with The Emperor, she said calmly, "Your Majesty, your servant indeed has a request."

"Speak."

"Your Majesty, my eldest brother, Chu Jinnan, has long been guarding the border fortress, and I miss him dearly. I wonder if Your Majesty could graciously allow my brother to return to the Dynasty and bestow upon him a minor official position?"

The others probably didn’t know what was going on, thinking it was just a girl from a humble family seeking benefits for her relatives.

It’s a normal line of thinking.

However, both the Emperor and Steward Qing couldn’t help but exchange glances.

Prince He, Prince Yu, and Prince Nan each had their own thoughts.

The Emperor was, of course, well-informed about Chu Qianli and the Duke Residence.

Although Chu Jinnan was the eldest son of the Grand Tutor, his mother was a dancer who was not favored in the house.

Because she was unfavored and lonely, she engaged in an illicit affair and was tortured to death by the orders of the Grand Tutor.

The Grand Tutor had always regarded Chu Jinnan, his eldest son, as a disgrace and had personally orchestrated his stationing at the border. He simply didn’t want this son to return and be a nuisance.

As for the relationship between Chu Qianli and Chu Jinnan, there was hardly any interaction since childhood, so it would be hard to speak of any sibling affection.

Why, then, did she suddenly want to bring him back?

The Emperor glanced at Steward Qing, who nodded slightly.

The Emperor then looked at the people below.

Prince Yu suddenly stepped forward and said with a smile, "Father Emperor, I too have heard of the brave warrior Chu Jinnan. It is said that he has performed admirably in the military, a real talent."

A warrior, not a general, which was enough to indicate that Chu Jinnan held no position of significance in the military.

He was merely a minor figure.

Chu Qianli couldn’t help but turn her head to glance at Prince Yu, who was not far away.

Prince Yu returned her look with a warm smile, his figure graceful like jade, appearing to be quite approachable.

Especially since that day when Chu Qianli’s "wine" had embarrassed him in public.

Yet, it seemed he harbored no resentment and was even speaking on her behalf?

Chu Qianli withdrew her gaze and continued to look earnestly at the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, if you feel my elder brother is not suitable for an official post, then, even if it’s just to call him back..."

"Very well, your brother is a military officer, so I shall bestow upon him the rank of Third Grade Attendant Officer and call him back to the Imperial City immediately!"

"Should he distinguish himself with outstanding service in the future, I will naturally confer rewards based on his merits."

These words were very clear.

Chu Jinnan currently had no significant achievements, and thus it would be inappropriate to award him too high a rank at once.

However, should he distinguish himself in the future, it would not be difficult to promote his rank.

Chu Qianli was overjoyed and hurriedly bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you for your magnanimous grace!"

The Emperor said nothing more but looked at her indifferently.

The others also watched Chu Qianli.

They were unsure what the Emperor’s intention was in having them stay after the morning court session. Was it just to watch this young girl receive a reward?

However, this young girl merely asked for a Third Grade Attendant Officer position for her brother. Wasn’t her request too modest?

After all, saving Prince Xuan was a significant matter!

How many people never get the chance in their lifetimes to receive an award directly from the Emperor’s golden mouth?

The Emperor was also contemplating.

Steward Qing looked at Chu Qianli, intending to remind her of something.

An imperial bestowal was a tremendous opportunity that one must grasp.

However, before Steward Qing could speak up, Chu Qianli once again bowed slightly, her demeanor even more submissive, "Your Majesty, I have another request."

Indeed, her ambitions did not stop there.

The Emperor asked, "What else do you desire?"

Chu Qianli looked at him, took a deep breath, and then said earnestly, "I... I wish to request a letter of dissolution for an arranged marriage from the Imperial Family."