Two days passed and Empress Dowager and Xu Yang were having tea in Empress Dowager garden.

❝What did you said, child? Divorce? I can't believe, I'm going to faint... ❞she said leaning back putting a hand on her heart.

❝Your majesty, should I call the Imperial doctor?❞ Xu Yang asked.

❝No need. Why do you want to divorce? You know how the people look at divorce... Child you're ruining your youth. I'll talk to my son and he'll treat you better, I promise. Marriage has ups and downs, everything will be fine. ❞

❝I'm sorry, mother, but I don't want to be married to his majesty anymore. Even if he starts to treat me better, nothing will change, I hate his majesty with my whole being.❞ Xu Yang said honest.

❝But why? Is it because he treats you cold? Or because he chose to spend his time with the concubines? You know how men are... you are his official wife, no one will look down on you, child... ❞

❝I came to ask you to help me,your majesty, but it's alright if you don't, I understand. Please excuse me. ❞

Xu Yang excused herself and left. Empress Dowager rushed to Zhang Wan's study room where he currently was, and barged in without announcing herself.

❝Mother? Why are coming in like this?❞

❝What did you did, son? I've always told you to pay attention to all your women so there won't be problems, but when you listen to me! ❞

❝What are you taking about?❞ Zhang Wan asked puzzled.

Empress Dowager was angry at him.

❝Xu Yang wants a divorce, that's the problem!❞

Zhang Wan's face fell.

❝What did you said? The Empress told you she wants a divorce? ❞

❝Yes, this morning at tea, she asked me to help her get a divorce. What did you did to anger her?❞

❝I can't believe it, she wants a divorce?❞

Zhang Wan rushed to Phoenix Palace where Xu Yang was eating snacks in her inner yard looking at servants who feed the koi fish in the pond.

❝Empress!❞ Zhang Wan shouted.

❝Greeting to you-❞

❝What is mother saying about a divorce? Are you crazy?❞

When Zhang Wan heard what his mother told him he was angry and hurt. In the past days he came to the conclusion he wants to get closer to Xu Yang, he started to like her new side. He felt anxious after hearing she wants to divorce him.

❝Crazy? I don't think I am, your highness.❞

❝Why do you want a divorce? I understand I didn't treated you like a loving husband, but I never mistreated you, so why? Didn't you married me because you love me? ❞

❝Loved you, your highness, but feelings change. And now, my feelings for you are no more.❞

❝What changed that? It's been only two months since we got married.❞

Xu Yang looked up at Zhang Wan and was surprised to see the hurt look on his face. She felt like she is doing something wrong, but then she remembered the pain she felt in past while being tortured and killed by him thanks to Mu Jong.

❝Is it too hard to believe? I don't want to be married to your majesty anymore. Or do you think you're so high and mighty and that everyone adores you and being your wife should be an honor?❞

❝Do not say that, you know it's not true. I will change my behavior towards you, drop the divorce idea, Xu Yang.❞

❝I won't. Fixing your behavior won't change anything, your highness. Let's end this friendly, give me the divorce and let us part ways.❞

❝No. I won't divorce you.❞

Xu Yang was already angry, she hoped he would just let her go, but his damn stubbornness.

❝Why? Your majesty doesn't even like me. ❞

❝Who said that? I like you, you are my wife and Empress and this is how it's going to stay. Drop that foolish idea. ❞

❝I really hoped your majesty will let me go, but it seems I was wrong.❞ Xu Yang scoffed and looked away.

❝Are you going to drop the idea of divorce, then? I won't divorce you. ❞

Xu Yang shook her head.

❝We will divorce, your majesty. I won't change my mind, please leave now, I want to rest.❞

❝Let's rest together then. I don't have anything to do now.❞

Xu Yang's lips twitched a little hearing Zhang Wan's statement.

Xu Yang sat down and continued to drink her tea. The Emperor sat next to her and took a pastry from the tray and tried to feed it to Xu Yang, but she looked away.

❝You don't like it? Tell the kitchen to prepare the Empress's favorite foods.❞ Zhang Wan ordered.

❝There is no need, I'm full already. ❞Xu Yang protested looking away angry.

❝Are you sure, Yang'er? You should eat to be healthy. ❞Zhang Wan said taking her free hand in his.

Xu Yang's eye twitched hearing him call her Yang'er and she tried to get her hand back, but Zhang Wan didn't allowed her.

❝Are you sick, Yang'er? Should I send after the imperial doctor?❞ he continued massaging her hand gently.

❝Is this how your majesty is going to play?❞ Xu Yang said gritting her teeth.

❝I don't understand what you're saying, Yang'er. I'm just spending time with my WIFE, am I not allowed to?❞ Zhang Wan smiled.

❝-Your-❞

❝Imperial Concubine Ki!❞ a eunuch announced as concubine Ki appeared in their views and stopped in front of the table.

❝Greeting to the Emperor and Enoress.❞ she said bowing.

❝Rise.❞ Zhang Wan said not even looking at her.

❝Thank you, your highness. ❞

❝Do you have anything to say?❞ Xu Yang asked concubine Ki smiling.

❝This one bought some new tea and wanted to ask her majesty if she wants to have it with me.❞ Concubine Ki said eyeing Xu Yang's left hand that's held between Zhang Wan's hands.

Xu Yang saw concubine Ki as an opportunity to escape from Zhang Wan.

❝It would be a pleasure, please bring it here.❞ Xu Yang said trying to get her hand back.

❝Maid, prepare the tea I brought with me.❞ Concubine Ki said then looked at Zhang Wan blinking fast tried to look cute.❝ Is your highness tired? This one can give your highness a massage. ❞

❝A massage you say?❞ Zhang Wan looked at Xu Yang smiling wide. ❝I want the Empress to give me a massage, my shoulders are as stiff. ❞

❝My apologies, your majesty, I don't know how to do it correctly and I might hurt your majesty. ❞

❝Hurt me? Zhang Wan laughed a little. Don't be modest, I'm not that easy to be hurt. ❞

❝Is that so?❞ Xu Yang clenched her teeth and got up to walk behind Zhang Wan.

Concubine Ki didn't understood what is going on, she knew the Emperor doesn't like the Empress and barely has any contact with her and now she asks for a massage from her specifically and she lookes... annoyed? Concubine Ki felt akward in that moment and she decided to look around the garden as if the two weren't there.

Xu Yang started to massage Zhang Wan's shoulder applying a lot of force to hurt him a little. The Emperor laughed.

❝You're really good at his, Empress, I should ask you to do it more often.❞

❝Your majesty should know I'm busy and I am sure your majesty has bussines to do as well. ❞

❝You think so? I'm sure everyone will understand if I drop some of those bussines for a while to spend time with my wife. ❞

Xu Yang clenched her jaw and furrowed her eyebrows and pitched Zhang Wan's shoulder.

❝Ow, be more getle, Yang'er, what I'm doing to do with you? Hm? Perhaps I should teach you how to do it properly? The Emperor looked up at Xu Yang with a smirk. ❞

❝I apologize. ❞Xu Yang said through her teeth.

❝Please excuse this lowly one, Your majesty, you have an urgent matter to atent to.❞ an eunuch said.

Xu Yang sighed relieved and went back to her seat.

❝I will leave first then, but wait for me, Yang'er, I want to have dinner together with you.❞ Zhang Wan smiled and left with the eunuch.

❝May you fall on your face and die on your way here. ❞Xu Yang said under her breath.

Concubine Ki who was still there widened her eyes at the Empress's comment, but decided it's best to not say anything.

❝Excuse me, I forgot I have something to do, your highness.❞ Concubine Ki said standing up.

❝Tonight at dinner... come at my Palace. ❞Xu Yang said taking her tea cup and raising it to her mouth smelling the powerful aroma.

❝May this one ask why? His highness said his majesty will accompany your majesty at dinner. ❞

❝I know, but don't you want a chance to get closer to his majesty? Oh, you can invite the other concubine's too.❞Xu Yang smiled.

❝What if his majesty gets angry?❞

❝He won't. I will protect you all if he tried anything, this is a promise. ❞

❝May this one ask why are you doing this, your majesty? Normally, you should be happy that his highness chose to stay in your chamber tonight for dinner, but you invite other women? This one doesn't get it... ❞

❝You see, imperial concubine Ki... I don't want his majesty favor, even better I want to divorce him, but he refused. ❞

Concubine Ki gasped then immediately apologized for her reaction.

❝Divorce his highness? That's pure madness, your majesty. Your honor... why would you give up the throne? ❞

❝I have my reasons.❞ Xu Yang looked at the sky with a sad smile on as she remember how in love she was and how she ended up because of it.

❝I understand. Then I will tell the other concubines about the invitation for dinner. I will leave now, take care of your majesty. ❞

Concubine Ki bowed and hurried to tell the others about her conversation with Xu Yang.