Chapter 30 Divorce Agreement
With irrefutable evidence, the two Zhang brothers were swiftly imprisoned. As promised, Li Chang led his men to the Sweet Drink Shop to issue an apology.
Whether it was due to lingering resentment or simply because he was too busy during the day, he deliberately chose the early morning when the streets were nearly empty.
At this hour, there were barely any passersby. Xu Shuyue had hoped that Li Chang’s public clarification would help restore the shop’s reputation, but seeing this, she realized it was all for nothing.
However, as the head constable of the yamen, Li Chang managed the major and minor affairs of the city. There was no telling when she might need his help in the future, so she couldn’t afford to offend him. Gritting her teeth, she swallowed her frustration.
Afterward, she put all her energy into reviving the shop, but no matter how much effort she put in, something was always missing. The money she had previously invested was barely recouped before she had to reinvest it—so quickly that she didn’t even get to warm it in her hands before it disappeared again.
Business was clearly on the decline.
Xu Shuyue was so stressed that she began losing hair.
Qi Siming, who swept the floor each night before laying down his bedding, quickly noticed.
As he held another clump of hair in his hand, he turned to look at the woman lying on the bed, her eyes wide open, unable to sleep. His brows furrowed with concern.
He stood up, intending to ask her about it, but just as he did, Xu Shuyue closed her eyes, pretending to sleep.
Qi Siming pressed his lips together and swallowed his words. Forget it. He’d ask Hou Ji and Ban Su tomorrow.
However, before he could get any answers, Madam Wei and Qi Ansheng arrived from Fengtong Village.
Ever since learning of their eldest son’s return, the old couple had been eager to see him. Once Second Brother Liang had collected the last batch of winter melons from the villagers, the three of them made the journey to the city together.
Now, after helping Second Brother Liang store the melons in the courtyard behind the shop, Madam Wei, unable to sit still, insisted on helping Xu Shuyue at the counter.
And it was then that she noticed something was wrong.
By the end of the day, they had only sold three barrels of winter melon drink and one of peach nectar, barely earning a single tael of silver. This was nothing like the prosperous business Xu Shuyue had described in her letters.
When she glanced at her daughter-in-law, who was clearly troubled, Madam Wei’s heart sank.
Could something have gone wrong with the shop?
Qi Ansheng had also noticed the unusual situation and was about to ask when Madam Wei stopped him with a look. Whatever needed to be discussed could wait until they got home.
Xu Shuyue had been racking her brain for ways to restore the shop’s reputation and was so absorbed in her thoughts that she failed to notice her in-laws’ concerns. By the time she realized the day had slipped away and night was falling, she knew they were eager to see Qi Siming.
Hurriedly, she instructed Second Brother Liang to close the shop and led the couple back to their courtyard.
Anticipating their arrival, she had arranged for a two-entry courtyard in the city. Since she had some silver on hand and had no intention of returning to the village, she had made the bold decision to purchase it outright.
However, she deliberately left out whether the house was rented or bought when explaining it to Qi Siming. There was still a hesitation in her heart.
Now, as the group entered the residence, Madam Wei couldn’t help but marvel, “City houses really are more grand than those in the countryside. Just look at that little pond!”
Qi Ansheng, on the other hand, gazed at the intricately carved screen wall and nodded approvingly. “Goldfish frolicking in the water… A symbol of prosperity year after year. What a fine omen!”
Xu Shuyue had only done a rough cleaning after purchasing this courtyard—enough to make it livable but nothing more. She hadn’t paid much attention to its finer details until now. Hearing Qi Ansheng’s praise, she glanced at the decorative screen wall and pursed her lips.
What good was an auspicious omen if it couldn’t even protect her?
She sighed deeply, frustration creeping in. Was this the end of the road for her shop?
The group walked at a leisurely pace, pausing here and there as they took in their surroundings. By the time they reached the main hall, Madam Wei’s face showed signs of exhaustion.
Xu Shuyue quickly poured tea and set it before them, then called for Second Brother Liang to bring in the luggage from the carriage.
Qi Ansheng, noticing how she had been running around without a moment’s rest, asked in a low voice, “Where is Siming?”
It was already so late, yet the rascal was nowhere to be seen. Hiding away while letting Xu Shuyue tire herself out like this—her face pale from exhaustion—how was that proper?
Xu Shuyue had just taken a sip of tea when she heard the question. Her gaze flickered toward the doorway, hesitating for a moment before replying, “At this hour… my husband should be on his way back.”
Madam Wei lifted her eyelids slightly, feeling a mix of emotions. More than a month had passed, yet her daughter-in-law and eldest son still hadn’t grown close. She wasn’t sure where the problem lay.
Clearing her throat, she abruptly changed the subject. “Forget about him. Shuyue, let me ask you—what exactly is going on with the Sweet Drink Shop?”
After saying this, perhaps realizing that her tone was a bit too sharp, she quickly added, “I’m not blaming you, child. It’s just that not long ago, you sent a large sum of silver home, saying business was excellent. But now that I’ve seen it with my own eyes, it’s clearly not the case. You’re not… pulling a Qingfeng on me, are you? Only reporting the good and hiding the bad?”
Qi Ansheng chimed in, “Business matters can’t be rushed. With the county shop still running, things will never return to the hardship of the past.”
Qi Ansheng rarely spoke at such length, and seeing both him and Madam Wei filled with concern, Xu Shuyue felt her heart warm.
Her nose tingled with emotion. She sniffled, and before she could speak, a long-held grievance surfaced on her face.
“Father, Mother… you wouldn’t believe what happened…”
Pouting, she recounted everything that had transpired over the past few weeks.
Madam Wei slammed her palm against the table, fuming. “Outrageous! How can such despicable people exist in this world?!”
Just as she finished speaking, Qi Siming stepped through the doorway. The loud slap against the table made his heart jump, but his expression was even darker.
So that’s why Xu Shuyue had been looking so troubled these past days. It was because Li Chang hadn’t given up and had pulled such an underhanded trick. That man had gotten too comfortable in his position as constable. He’d clearly forgotten his place.
Xu Shuyue’s expression tensed the moment she saw Qi Siming. She had specifically told Ban Su and Hou Ji not to inform Qi Siming about the trouble with the shop—fearing he would act impulsively and confront Li Chang.
Yet, in the end, she had spilled the truth herself.
Qi Siming’s eyes darkened further.
Madam Wei and Qi Ansheng, having not seen their eldest son in years, already felt somewhat estranged from him. Now, seeing him standing there with such a powerful presence, neither knew what to say.
Seeing this, Xu Shuyue frantically blinked at Qi Siming, signaling for him to hold back. She stepped forward and said in a soft, playful voice, “Husband, you’re finally back. Father and Mother have been waiting for you for a long time.”
Her voice was gentle, carrying a slight teasing note—like a wife playfully chiding her tardy husband.
That single “Husband” carried on the wind, slipping into Qi Siming’s ears like an intoxicating whisper.
His body stiffened.
His throat felt dry.
Struggling to form a coherent response, he muttered, “Ah… yes. I was… delayed by something.”
Madam Wei, still somewhat stiff herself, merely responded with a flat “It’s fine.”
Xu Shuyue shot him a glare. Yet, rather than appearing intimidated, Qi Siming seemed… exhilarated.
His once-cold eyes now gleamed with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine.
That one “Husband,” that one glare—just like adding oil to a fire, it fueled his unspoken desires.
Qi Siming parted his lips slightly, his voice so soft it was almost inaudible. “Wife.”
Xu Shuyue’s face turned scarlet.
Seeing her flustered reaction, Qi Siming smirked and strode toward her. Catching her off guard, he grasped her hand and pulled her down to sit beside him.
His grip was too strong—she couldn’t break free no matter how she struggled. Instead, she only ended up tiring herself out, her palms growing damp with sweat.
Qi Siming, however, remained composed. With an air of casual dominance, he lifted the hem of his robe and gently wiped her palm dry.
Madam Wei watched the scene unfold and suddenly felt uncertain about her earlier suspicions.
She exchanged a glance with Qi Ansheng, who simply sighed and shook his head.
Their children’s fate was their own to determine. They couldn’t interfere.
The small interlude left no lasting ripples in the hearts of the elders. At this moment, their thoughts were still centered on Qi Siming.
Meanwhile, sitting quietly at the side, Xu Shuyue found it impossible to remain calm.
She gazed at Qi Siming, her hand resting lightly against her chest, a trace of uncertainty flickering in her eyes as she watched his departing figure.
Hearing Madam Wei ask about his future plans, Xu Shuyue’s wandering thoughts were abruptly pulled back to the present.
She listened as Qi Siming spoke in a deep, steady voice: “I have rendered great service in battle. Once my men are properly settled, it won’t be long before His Majesty summons me to the capital. At that time, everything will depend on his decree.”
Whether he stayed or left was entirely at the emperor’s will.
Xu Shuyue felt as if a pail of cold water had been dumped over her head, jolting her fully awake. She clenched her palm, a bitter smile curling at her lips.
Qi Siming’s feelings for her were nothing more than a product of that absurd ‘fortune-bringing’ marriage. It wasn’t a bond forged through genuine affection, one that could endure the tests of time.
But what she longed for was a love that lasted a lifetime—a commitment to one person, unwavering and steadfast.
Once Qi Siming entered the capital, countless noble families would seek to arrange marriages with him. With his status, how could he refuse?
She was no match for those aristocratic ladies.
And Qi Siming? He might not even be capable of staying true to his heart. Rather than waiting for heartbreak, wasn’t it better to end things now—before she fell too deeply?
She should sever this misplaced thread of fate before it bound them both too tightly.
With nearly all her silver invested into the shop, household expenses had been drastically reduced. Yet, having endured hardship before, Madam Wei and Qi Ansheng didn’t find it difficult at all. Instead, they were even more considerate toward her.
Xu Shuyue took their kindness to heart. All the more reason for her to remain firm in her decision.
This was her trial to face. There was no need to drag down Qi Siming and his parents along with her.
That night, the moment Qi Siming stepped through the doorway, Xu Shuyue took out that document once again. This time, she had even borrowed ink and brush from Qingfeng in advance.
The flickering candlelight cast a warm glow on her delicate features, but the words that left her lips were as cold and unyielding as iron, sending a chill through the air.
“Qi Siming, sign the divorce papers.”
Qi Siming glanced down at his feet, wishing he could cut off the one that had stepped into this room first.
His expression darkened, his voice heavy with disbelief. “Why?”
Why was she bringing up this cursed document again?
He should have burned it the last time. What madness had possessed him to return it to her instead?
Striding forward, Qi Siming loomed over the table, his piercing gaze locked onto the divorce papers. If he could burn a hole through them just by looking, he would.
Xu Shuyue remained silent, unsure of what to say. She reached out, pushing the document closer to him, her voice calm but firm. “No reason. You should have signed it long ago. I’ve already delayed you for too long.”
“Delayed me?” Qi Siming let out a mirthless laugh, his temper flaring. “If anyone is causing a delay, it’s me—I’ve held you back.”
The anger boiling in his chest surged up, and before Xu Shuyue could react, he grabbed the document and tore it to shreds.
“Xu Shuyue, I know exactly what you’re thinking.”
She remained expressionless, as if she didn’t believe him.
Qi Siming’s fury only burned hotter.
He reached into his robes and slammed a bundle of items onto the table, gritting his teeth as he spoke.
“We are already husband and wife. We should share both honor and disgrace. The burdens of this household should be carried by the both of us!”
His voice trembled slightly, and as his gaze locked onto hers, his eyes burned red.
“Xu Shuyue, tell me the truth—are you pushing me away because you’re afraid of burdening me? Or… have you never once considered me your husband?”
