Chapter 121: The Divorce Decree

Tan Yunge gritted her teeth, her body wracked with agonizing pain that pierced to the bone, until her heart began to grow numb.

He did not believe her. Her own husband did not believe her.

"I am not lying; I am truly in so much pain."

"Hah..." Shen Xiao let out a cold, derisive laugh. "Someone, take the Heir's Consort back to her quarters. Keep a close watch on her; do not let her sneak out again."

"Yes, sir."

The household servants stepped forward and grabbed Tan Yunge by both arms.

Tan Yunge shrieked, "Get away! Get away from me! Do not touch me!"

Her maid stood to the side, her face filled with anxiety. "Young Master, the Heir's Consort looks like she is truly in great pain."

"Still putting on a show, are you?" Shen Xiao did not believe her for a second. "Take her away!"

Tan Yunge was dragged back to her courtyard. Once the servants had left, she collapsed into a chair, completely drained of strength. But the moment she made contact with the seat, she recoiled with a sharp jolt. Every point of contact felt as if a thousand needles were piercing her skin.

Drenched in cold sweat and with her mind numbed by the pain, only one thought remained: if she could not even sit, how could she ever sleep?

Tan Qingjiu, you are truly ruthless. That wretch had used such a vicious method to torture her. She had the gall to call her snake-hearted, but Tan Qingjiu’s mind was far more venomous than her own.

Tan Yunge bit her lip. "Go. The physicians in this estate are quacks; they cannot identify the poison in my body. Go outside the estate—find a physician from outside!"

"Yes, mistress." The maid, terrified by the sight of Tan Yunge’s distorted, pain-stricken face, quickly complied and rushed out.

A moment later, the maid returned in a panic. "Heir's Consort, the Young Master has ordered our courtyard to be guarded. He said no one is allowed to enter or leave."

Tan Yunge lifted her head abruptly. "What? No one allowed in or out?"

"Why?" Her expression turned ghastly. "Did you tell them you were going out to find a physician for me?"

"I did, but the guards at the gate said that the Young Master’s orders are absolute—no one from this courtyard is to leave, for any reason."

Tan Yunge stumbled back, then steadied herself. "I will go out and see for myself. I will ask him."

She hurried to the entrance, only to find the gates indeed blocked by guards. When she approached, the guard held out a hand. "Heir's Consort, the Young Master has decreed that due to your improper conduct and the stain you have brought upon the estate’s reputation, you are to remain in your quarters for reflection. You are forbidden from leaving."

Tan Yunge took a deep breath. "I am ill. I do not need to go out, but I must allow my maid to fetch a physician to treat me."

"Please do not make this difficult for us, Heir's Consort. The Young Master said that under no circumstances is anyone to leave this courtyard. If we let anyone out, our heads will be the price."

"The Young Master also said that you should stop putting on this act and refrain from brewing any more trouble."

"He said to remind you that the true master of this estate is him, not you."

"If you truly wish to leave, it can be arranged." The guard pulled a piece of paper from his sleeve. "This is the letter of divorce the Young Master has prepared. If you accept it, you may leave this estate."

"A letter of divorce?" Tan Yunge staggered back. "He wants to divorce me?"

The guard lowered his head. "I am only following the Young Master’s instructions. He said that if you wish to go mad, do so on your own, and do not drag the estate down with you."

Her vision blurred, but her eyes remained fixed on the document in the guard’s hand. She had indeed used underhanded methods to marry Shen Xiao, which was why she had been so desperate for a child after the wedding. When that failed, she had turned her sights on Tan Qingjiu. She had stolen Tan Qingjiu’s child, and with Shen Zijiao in her arms, she had finally secured her position as the Heir's Consort.

Though she had been troublesome within the estate over the years, her public reputation remained intact. Shen Xiao had occasionally been dissatisfied with her, but he had never entertained the thought of divorce—he had never even mentioned it. Yet now, he was actually saying... he wanted to divorce her?

Tears fell uncontrollably. Tan Yunge wiped them away. It must be because of Tan Qingjiu. It was due to the scene Tan Qingjiu had caused at the Prince Ding’s residence. The Princess of Ding and Shen Xiao must have believed her words and begun to doubt that she was Shen Zijiao’s biological mother.

It was all because of Tan Qingjiu! Because of her constant, calculated schemes, she had lost all face in front of so many people and destroyed the reputation she had spent years building.

It was all Tan Qingjiu’s fault!

Tan Yunge’s face turned icy, her expression spiraling into madness.

As long as she got rid of Tan Qingjiu—as long as she eliminated her—everything would be resolved. Her face cold and grim, she turned and swept back into the room.

"Heir's Consort..." The maid lowered her head, her face full of panic. "How are you feeling now? Should I... should I try another way? I can send a message to our people outside to have them find a physician?"

"Have the physician disguise himself as a servant; he should be able to sneak into the estate. Then..."

"No." Tan Yunge’s face was frozen in a mask of coldness. The pain persisted, but she had grown somewhat numb to it; as long as she wasn't touched, and didn't have to sit or lie down, it was barely tolerable.

She gritted her teeth. "Send word to our people outside. Tell them to go to Zhao the Physician at the Huaian Hall in the city. Tell him to find me a poison—a fierce one, but not one that kills instantly. I want it to make the victim suffer greatly before they die."

"And it shouldn't take effect immediately. Something that waits a day or two."

"Tell him to send the poison to me."

The maid hesitated. "Poison? Mistress, you want poison to..."

"You don't need to worry about what I’m going to do! Just get someone to deliver it. Go!" Tan Yunge roared.

"Yes! Yes!" The maid hurriedly complied and scrambled out.

Tan Yunge stood in the room, her teeth clenched.

Tan Qingjiu, I will have you dead!

Over at the Prince Duan’s residence, Tan Qingjiu had not yet rested.

"Has Shen Zijiao fallen asleep?"

"Yes," Qingdai replied, bowing her head. "The nurse said he cried under his covers for a while, then fell asleep from exhaustion."

Tan Qingjiu nodded. "Let’s go. I’ll go check on him."

She led Qingdai to the boy’s room, walked to the bedside, and gazed at Shen Zijiao’s face before placing her fingers on his pulse.