Eure Majestät

Kapitel 14

"Oh!" Du Peiru raised her eyebrows.

Seeing that Du Peiru didn't react, Madam Zhao continued, "I suppose Han'er has already told you about the Emperor's intention to arrange a marriage between him and the princess, right?"

"Oh! So that's what it is. Just tell me what you want me to do!" Du Peiru's emotions didn't fluctuate much, as if she had expected this.

"My husband and I have discussed it, and our Ouyang family cannot wrong the princess." Madam Zhao paused.

Du Peiru understood what she was trying to say, so she said, "I never thought you could persuade Master Ouyang to divorce me."

After Du Peiru saw through her, Madam Zhao no longer concealed her intentions and said, "That's right! But I didn't mean to oppose you. It's because if Han'er becomes the imperial consort, then the Ouyang family will naturally belong to Yu'er." Madam Zhao paused for a moment, then continued, "Although the Emperor doesn't mind that the princess and you are of equal rank, will the princess not mind? If the princess makes a scene before the Emperor and refuses to marry, then Han'er will not only fail to become the imperial consort but will also face death! And if the Emperor is ruthless and orders you to commit suicide, wouldn't you lose your life? So I'm doing this for your own good! Think about it, even if the princess doesn't mind sharing a husband with you now, it's hard to guarantee she won't be jealous later. If she goes crazy in a fit of anger and kills you, who will uphold justice for you? She's a princess, and you're just a merchant's daughter. What can you do to fight her...?"

The Real and Fake Bride (1)

Upon hearing this, Du Peiru interrupted, "Second Madam, I understand what you mean. Actually, I also planned to leave, so I already tricked Ahan into signing the divorce papers." As she spoke, Du Peiru took out the two divorce papers from her bosom and handed one to Madam Zhao.

After glancing at the letter of divorce, Madam Zhao asked, "When are you leaving?"

"I'll leave after I've packed my things," Du Peiru replied.

“Actually, you could stay a couple more days!” Madam Zhao said.

"No! If I stay any longer, I'm afraid I won't be able to leave!" Du Peiru refused.

"Then, take good care of yourself! I'll give the letter of divorce to Ahan for you!"

Du Peiru nodded, then stood up and led Jin'er out the door. Just as they reached the door, Du Peiru turned back to Madam Zhao and said, "Actually, I'm quite envious of Yu-di! He has a wonderful mother!"

Madam Zhao was shocked when she heard this, but by the time she looked again, Du Peiru was already gone.

Du Peiru returned to the villa with Jin'er and began packing. Just then, Madam Zhao sent Lian'er to bring a small box. Du Peiru opened it and found a stack of silver notes. Jin'er counted them; there were a full ten thousand taels.

Du Peiru asked Lian'er if Madam Zhao had anything else to say.

Lian'er said, "Madam told me to tell the young mistress to take care of herself, and that the things in the box were a small token of her and Master's appreciation for the young mistress."

"Hmm! Go back and tell Madam that Yushan has thanked you!" After saying that, he sent Lian'er back.

"Miss, should we take those dowry items back?" Jin'er asked.

"No need, let him keep it! It's too much trouble for us to carry it. Jin'er, have you packed your things yet?"

"Everything's packed!"

After looking around the room, Du Peiru said to Jin'er, "Let's go!"

After leaving the Ouyang residence, Du Peiru and Jin'er went to the "Yunni Cloth Shop." Han Yufeng happened to be there checking the accounts.

As soon as Han Yufeng saw her, he complained, "My dear aunt, when are your rotten eggs coming back? I'm exhausted! Could you please help out at the shop?"

"No way! I'm going back to my parents' house these few days. I don't have time! You just enjoy yourself! Here! There's a letter. Give it to Ahan when he comes back so he can come pick me up. If you lose it! Ha! Ha! You'll be in big trouble! Also, don't--peek!" Du Peiru pretended to be nonchalant as she bickered with Han Yufeng and handed him the letter.

"I'm leaving! You just keep an eye on the shop!" Du Peiru patted his shoulder, then turned and left.

Han Yufeng was lamenting his misfortune and therefore did not notice Jin'er's unusual behavior.

Five days later, Ouyang Han secretly returned to the villa, wanting to surprise Du Peiru. However, he found her absent. Ouyang Han assumed Du Peiru was helping out at the fabric shop. So he went to the shop to look for her. Just then, Han Yufeng was there settling accounts.

As soon as Han Yufeng saw Ouyang Han, he cursed, "You rotten egg! You finally decided to come back? I'm exhausted from working here! And you're off to Mount Wutai to worship Buddha, do you have any conscience at all?! You..."

Volume 9

The Real and Fake Bride (2)

Ouyang Han completely ignored Han Yufeng! He searched the entire fabric shop, inside and out, but still couldn't find Du Peiru. Han Yufeng followed Ouyang Han around, cursing him. Seeing his lack of reaction, Han Yufeng couldn't help but ask, "Are you even listening to me?"

Ouyang Han didn't answer, but only asked, "Where is Yu Shan?"

"Yushan? Oh! She went back to her parents' home a few days ago. She left you a letter, saying that you should go to the Li residence to pick her up after reading the letter." Han Yufeng handed the letter to Ouyang Han, and then continued, "Now that you're back! You're in charge of the cloth shop and weaving business. Now it's my turn to relax!"

Ouyang Han opened the letter. As he read, his face grew paler and paler. Han Yufeng noticed something was wrong and asked, "What's wrong?"

With trembling hands, Ouyang Han handed the letter to Han Yufeng, then slumped into the chair behind him because his legs were weak.

Han Yufeng looked down at the letter, which read:

Husband:

By the time you read this letter, I will have already left. The divorce papers have been written, one for you and one for me. I've already given your copy to my stepmother. I'm so sorry I tricked you into signing those blank sheets of paper! Actually, they weren't for writing a written agreement, but for writing a divorce letter.

My dear husband, please let me call you that one last time. This is the last time I'll call you that! Actually, the night you came back and told me the Emperor was going to arrange a marriage for you, I already knew I had to leave. Perhaps you'll say that the Emperor has already agreed to make me and the princess equal, so why should I leave? In other people's eyes, it's normal for a man to have multiple wives and concubines, but in my eyes, love cannot tolerate a third party. I cannot bear to share a husband with another woman, and I cannot bear to see you with another woman in front of me, even if you don't love that woman at all. I don't want to be jealous and scheming with other women for your sake; I don't want to become a scheming person years later. Don't come looking for me. I don't want to live in the pain of a love triangle for the rest of my life. Ah Han, I will always remember you, remember those three words you said to me last. I also want to say those three words to you—I love you—and I will keep them buried in my heart forever. Farewell, my dear husband.

Finally, I wish you and the princess a long and happy life together, with many children and grandchildren.

Yu Shan left a message

Han Yufeng was stunned, holding the letter! At that moment, Ouyang Han's face turned from pale to ashen. He punched Han Yufeng in the nose and yelled, "Why did you let her go? Why didn't you keep her?"

"Don't take your anger out on me, the main responsibility lies with you! Why did you agree to the Emperor's arranged marriage? Why didn't you stay by Yu Shan's side to comfort her after telling her you were going to marry another woman? Instead, you went to burn incense and pray with another woman. Tell me! Tell me why!" Han Yufeng shouted as he started fighting with Ouyang Han.

After hearing Han Yufeng's words, Ouyang Han stopped hitting him and refused to retaliate no matter how Han Yufeng struck him. Ouyang Han was like a soulless zombie, all the light gone from his eyes.

The Real and Fake Bride (3)

Seeing that Ouyang Han wasn't fighting back, Han Yufeng stopped and said to Ouyang Han, "Go find her!"

Upon hearing Han Yufeng's words, Ouyang Han seemed to have been resurrected, a glimmer of hope shining in his eyes. He grabbed the letter that had fallen to the ground, stood up, and ran towards the Li residence.

"Open the door! Open the door! Open the door for me!" Ouyang Han was like a madman, his eyes red, pounding on the door.

"Where did this madman come from? Get out of here! Get out of here! Don't cause trouble in front of the Li family's gate, or you'll regret it!" A servant opened the door and looked at Ouyang Han with contempt.

"I want to see your master! Tell him that Ouyang Han requests an audience!" Ouyang Han said to the servant, suppressing his heartache and anxiety.

"Go away! Go away! Go away! I don't care if you're Ouyang Han or Ouyang Re. My master isn't receiving guests today!" the servant said impatiently, waving his hand.

Ouyang Han lost his patience, and in a flash, he twisted his arm with his left hand and grabbed the back of his neck with his right hand, saying, "I want to see your master. If you don't take me to see him, I'll kill you!"

The servant was already pale with fright and dared not refuse. He had no choice but to take Ouyang Han to see Li Fugui. Although some people tried to stop Ouyang Han along the way, he easily defeated those overconfident fellows with his martial arts skills.

Li Fugui was taking a nap when he suddenly heard servants outside shouting, "Master! Master! Something terrible has happened! Something terrible has happened! An enemy has arrived! He's coming into this courtyard! Many people have been injured by him!"

Upon hearing this, Li Fugui immediately jumped out of bed and ran out of the yard without even putting on his clothes, trying to escape for his life! Unexpectedly, he was caught after only a few steps.

Li Fugui immediately knelt down and begged for mercy, saying, "Hero, spare my life! I'll give you all the money you want! Please don't kill me!"

Although Ouyang Han was extremely anxious, he also found it both amusing and exasperating. He said, "Father-in-law, I am your son-in-law, Ouyang Han!"

Upon hearing this, Li Fugui realized it was his son-in-law and immediately stood up, wiping the cold sweat from his brow, and asked, "What brings my son-in-law to me?"

"I'm here to take Yushan home!" Ouyang Han said.

"Yushan? Yushan isn't home! She didn't even come home on her wedding day!" Li Fugui found it strange that his son-in-law would come to his house looking for his daughter.

"Don't lie to me! Otherwise..." Ouyang said coldly.

Upon seeing Ouyang Han's face, which was colder than a thousand-year-old ice, Li Fugui couldn't help but tremble and said, "She really hasn't come back. You can ask them if you don't believe me."

Upon hearing this, everyone fled. Not one dared face Ouyang Han, that cold-faced man. They feared they'd be frozen solid before they could even answer. Seeing their lack of loyalty, Li Fugui thought to himself that once he escaped this predicament, he'd teach them a lesson. How dare they stand by and watch him die! Humph!

"Is Yu Shan really not in the manor?" Ouyang Han asked, narrowing his eyes.

“It’s absolutely true, I swear to God! If you still don’t believe me, you can search the mansion!” Li Fugui was terrified by Ouyang Han and broke out in a cold sweat.

The Real and Fake Bride (4)

"Don't let me find Yu Shan in the manor, or else..." Ouyang Han threatened, narrowing his eyes.

"Yes! Yes! Yes! As soon as that brat Shan'er comes back, I'll send her back to you immediately." Li Fugui was practically begging him on his knees.

As soon as Ouyang Han left, Li Fugui plopped down on the ground and couldn't get up for a long time.

As soon as Ouyang Han returned to the Ouyang residence, he went straight to the villa. He hoped that when he returned to his bedroom there, Du Peiru would be waiting for him with a smile on her face. He even hoped that it was all just a dream, and that when he woke up, Du Peiru would be sleeping beside him. But when he opened the door and looked into the empty room, he knew that it was not a dream! Du Peiru had indeed left, left without a backward glance! Ouyang Han sat motionless in his chair, staring at Du Peiru's dowry, silently shedding tears! He didn't eat or drink, just sat there blankly, clutching the letter Du Peiru had left behind.

The servants were alarmed when they saw Ouyang Han's state. They immediately went to inform Ouyang Hai.

"What did you say? Han'er cried over Shan'er's dowry as soon as he came back, and he wouldn't respond to anyone calling him. He wouldn't even eat or drink!" Ouyang Han stood up from his seat in surprise.

"Yes, sir! We suspect the young master might be ill! Should we call Doctor Han to take a look?"

"Hmm! Go and call Yufeng. I'll go check on him first!" Ouyang Hai said, walking towards the door.

“Master, I’ll go with you!” Madam Zhao stood up and followed Ouyang Hai.

Ouyang Hai stopped, glanced at Madam Zhao, nodded, and headed towards the villa. Upon arriving at Hengxiang Villa, Ouyang Hai saw a large group of servants surrounding Ouyang Han, urging him to eat something. However, no matter who tried, Ouyang Han remained silent. Seeing this, Ouyang Hai waved to the servants, signaling them to leave.

"Han'er..." Ouyang Hai had barely called out to Ouyang Han, and before he could even begin to persuade him, Ouyang Han roared at Ouyang Hai like a madman, "Go away! Go away! I don't want to see you! If it weren't for you, Shan'er wouldn't have left!"

Madam Zhao said to Ouyang Hai, "Let me do it!"

Ouyang Hai nodded and went out.

"Is that letter of divorce with you? Give it back to me right now!" Ouyang Han said angrily.

Upon hearing this, Madam Zhao took out the letter of divorce from her bosom and handed it to Ouyang Han.

After receiving the letter of divorce, Ouyang Han roared at Madam Zhao, "Get out! All of you, get out! If it weren't for you, my wife wouldn't have abandoned me!"

Madam Zhao was not intimidated. She said firmly, "Han'er, whether you want to hear it or not, I have to tell you. I advised Yushan to leave for her own good..."

Ouyang Han roared, "For her own good? If it were for her own good, she shouldn't have been allowed to leave the Ouyang residence!"

Ignoring Ouyang Han's words, Madam Zhao continued, "If Shan'er stays, after you and the princess marry, if the princess sees how loving you two are, and gets jealous and makes a scene with the emperor, there's no guarantee the emperor won't order Shan'er's execution. If that happens, wouldn't you be harming her by not letting her leave? Think about it carefully!" Madam Zhao then walked out the door.

The Real and Fake Bride (5)