The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 252: Give Me a Divorce Letter

Chapter 252: Give Me a Divorce Letter

"What?" Empress Xie was astounded. Her body trembled, and the pearls on her phoenix coronet shook violently.

Ye Chengyan also looked at Nanli, pressing, "Aunt, what do you mean by this? Could it be that Uncle has come into contact with some malevolent force?"

Ye Siheng, having a deep look at the Marquis Zhenbei, seemed to realize something, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes.

Empress Xie turned, pleading, "A’Li, since you can clearly identify my brother’s condition, you must have a way to help, right?"

Having witnessed Nanli’s prowess multiple times, Ye Chengyan was confident. "Mother, rest assured, Aunt’s skills are exceptional. She will certainly help Uncle."

Nanli, looking at them, remained calm. "I’m sorry, but this time, there’s nothing I can do."

Ye Siheng wasn’t surprised. He had seen the Marquis’s soul severely damaged without the protection of talismans. The fact that his soul remained tethered to his body was solely due to the talismans and his sheer willpower.

Empress Xie staggered, barely able to stand, her face pale. "My brother has always been healthy. How can there be no way? A’Li, name your price. I will give you any amount of silver you ask."

"Though I love making money, some sums I simply cannot earn," Nanli explained. "The Marquis Zhenbei suffered soul damage years ago, causing various degrees of harm to his three souls and seven spirits. He’s relied on talismans to forcefully stay in the mortal realm, which has only worsened his condition. Even if he were to willingly go to the underworld now, it’s uncertain how many years it would take for his soul to fully recover."

Empress Xie turned sharply to the Marquis, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Soul damage from years ago? How is it that I never knew?"

The Marquis, still recovering, felt a pounding headache from her questioning.

Ye Siheng, calculating the time, urged, "A’Li, the auspicious hour is approaching. Can you help the Marquis through this moment?"

Otherwise, today’s wedding might not proceed.

"Alright." Nanli took out her Heaven Star Brush and drew two talismans in front of the Marquis. One temporarily repaired his three souls and seven spirits, and the other stabilized his soul within his body.

With a flicker of golden light, the talismans fell onto the Marquis’s forehead. Instantly, he felt a warm current flowing through him, filling his body with strength.

He was overjoyed, rising to bow deeply to Nanli. "Thank you, Princess. Today is Beihan’s joyous day. I couldn’t go out looking so ill."

Nanli warned, "But your soul is severely damaged. Staying within your body is already a challenge. This will only last for half a day."

"That’s enough," the Marquis said with a broad smile, displaying a rare optimism. "Let’s hurry out. We mustn’t miss the auspicious hour."

Empress Xie, learning that her brother’s days were numbered, struggled to maintain her composure.

The Marquis said, "Death is inevitable. It’s only a matter of sooner or later. Don’t wear that mournful expression; we must let Beihan have a joyful day."

Hearing this, Empress Xie couldn’t hold back her tears. She quickly dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief to avoid ruining her makeup. "You’re his father. How can we hide this from him?"

No wonder her brother had hastily arranged Beihan’s marriage, foreseeing this day.

The Marquis sighed, "Let’s keep it hidden as long as we can."

On such a happy day, they mustn’t let his condition cast a shadow.

The group returned to the main hall. Though the guests were curious about their brief disappearance, none dared to ask.

The Marquis exchanged a few words with the guests, laughing heartily.

Empress Xie, seated in the place of honor, couldn’t mask her sorrow.

Xie Beihan entered with his bride, and the guests cheered, the atmosphere lively.

Though his face remained tense, lacking any joy.

The auspicious hour arrived, and the matchmaker presided over the ceremony with a smile. The Marquis watched, tears welling up, repeatedly expressing his approval.

Xie Beihan noticed his father’s graying hair and his unusually high spirits. Suddenly, he didn’t feel as resentful about the marriage. If getting married could bring his father joy, it was worth it.

Ye Siheng and Nanli, understanding the Marquis’s condition, couldn’t help but feel a touch of sadness.

Thankfully, Xie Beihan didn’t strongly oppose the marriage. After the ceremony, he escorted his bride to the bridal chamber.

The banquet continued, and Xie Beihan, despite having had some wine, remained clear-headed after stepping outside.

He squinted at Fan Yunxi, who sat on the bed with her head covered by a red veil. Her hands clenched tightly, knuckles white, clearly nervous.

"Please lift the veil, Young Master," the matchmaker urged, handing him the rod.

"Leave us," Xie Beihan ordered sternly, his face serious.

"But, Young Master..." The matchmaker was puzzled, as they hadn’t yet lifted the veil or drunk the ceremonial wine. Why was he in such a hurry?

"Are you deaf? Do I need to repeat myself?" Xie Beihan snapped, his anger evident.

Sensing the tension, the matchmaker signaled the maids to retreat and closed the door tightly behind them.

Fan Yunxi, unable to see the situation, grew more anxious. She wanted to lift the veil but feared it was inauspicious.

Unexpectedly, Xie Beihan said, "Lift it yourself. I need to talk to you."

Fan Yunxi bit her lip, more nervous than ever. "Husband, it’s auspicious for you to lift the veil yourself."

"I despise being manipulated. I didn’t want to marry you in the first place. Why should I care about auspices?" Xie Beihan sat on a stool, his heart heavy.

Not one to hide his feelings, he needed to speak his mind tonight for his own peace of mind.

Fan Yunxi, taken aback, felt her heart sink. Ignoring tradition, she lifted the veil herself.

Her makeup, slightly smudged from the long day, did little to diminish her bright eyes and delicate beauty under the soft candlelight.

"What do you mean?" she asked directly.

"What do I mean? I asked you in Ruyang City if you wanted to marry me, and you said no. Yet, you turned around and begged my father and aunt to arrange this marriage, leaving me no choice. Why are you so manipulative?" Xie Beihan’s anger grew as he spoke.

Fan Yunxi’s first instinct was to deny it, as she hadn’t done such a thing. "I didn’t!"

"Don’t deny it. If it weren’t for you or your family, how would my father and aunt know so much?" Xie Beihan sneered.

Fan Yunxi, clueless about the details, knew only that Xie Beihan hadn’t initiated the marriage and was forced into it. She had been genuinely happy to marry a man she admired and respected.