Chapter 305: The Envelopes
Chapter 305: The Envelopes
During the next couple of days, Xiang Ling made full preparations to handover and distribute the family’s businesses accordingly among the family members. She also spent long hours with Magistrate Chen and Offical Zhu in making plans for Nanxia County.
Everyone in the family could see that she was working extra hard, but they only dismissed it thinking that she was just trying to settle everything quickly so that she could finally take a break. After all, they all had gotten used to seeing her overworking no matter how hard they objected to it.
This particular day, Xiang Ling took her time to finish the last important task. The cultivators she had trained for nearly two years were ready to start their job of protecting the Chen family. She handed them several secret cultivation formulas and pills that would help them in their future cultivation. She promoted all seven of them to the positions of the secret Shadow Guards and they took their oath to protect the Chen family with their lives.
As the day came to an end, Xiang Ling finally took a deep breath of relief. She had finally wrapped up all the loose threads in the Chen family. After her departure, everything would keep working just fine.
She was sitting at the wooden table under the Peach Blossom tree in her courtyard, enjoying a cup of warm tea in the cold weather, when Fu Xiao arrived there.
"My Lady, a letter has arrived from the Imperial Palace. A shadow guard just delivered it."
Xiang Ling opened the letter and read through its content. By the time she finished reading, a serious look had taken over her face. She folded the paper and threw it into the brazier sitting on the ground next to her, watching as it caught the flames and turned into ashes.
"My Lady, is everything alright?" Fu Xiao asked quickly, noticing the sudden seriousness that had taken over her master.
"Ah Xiao, prepare paper and ink for me." Xiang Ling told the young woman as she stood up from her seat and headed toward her bed-chamber. Though confused by what was happening, Fu Xiao didn’t waste any time as she quickly followed after her lady and headed to complete the task that was given to her.
For the next ten minutes or so, Xiang Ling kept writing something on different papers. Once she finished, she picked up six parchments, among the ones she had just written, and placed them inside an envelope before handing them to Fu Xiao.
"My Lady?"
"There are divorce papers inside this envelope. Hand them over to father tomorrow morning-"
"My Lady!"
Fu Xiao was horrified when she heard about the divorce papers. She immediately kneeled on the floor and begged Xiang Ling. "My Lady, please take back these papers. Whatever the reason, you shouldn’t be making such rash decisions. Please think it over again."
"Ah Xiao, stand up and listen to what I’m going to say." Xiang Ling told the young woman who finally looked up at her. Slowly, she followed her lady’s words and stood up.
Letting out a small sigh, Xiang Ling signaled the young woman to walk closer and once Fu Xiao approached her, she pulled the woman closer and took hold of her hands. "Ah Xiao, I’m telling you these things because I trust you fully. His Majesty has asked me to join the cultivation sects in finding the Dark Force and eliminating them. Though I can refuse, I have decided to accept the task."
Fu Xiao’s eyes went wide as horror took over her. Just the mere name of Dark Force was enough to bring terror in the hearts of the listeners, and her lady was talking about fighting those evils. Quickly shaking her head, she spoke, "My Lady, you should refuse His Majesty. You didn’t have to get involved-"
"Ah Xiao! I have made my decision."
Xiang Ling’s calm, but powerful, words left Fu Xiao completely stunned. Tears welled up in the young woman’s eyes as she realized that she couldn’t make her lady change her decision.
Xiang Ling smiled softly at the girl and patted her cheek softly. "Since I have told you about my future plan, you can understand the reason I’m writing these divorce papers. Right?"
With her gaze fixed on their joined hands, Fu Xiao slowly nodded her head. The tears finally escaped her eyes and landed on the floor. She was finally able to understand why her lady was working so tirelessly the past couple of days to sort out the family’s businesses. She long prepared to join the war.
"I have written clearly in the divorce papers, all six of my husbands are free to leave the Chen Manor and continue living their lives in some other places. But if any of them want to stay here, they can live in this courtyard. I’m leaving a hundred thousand golden taels as their living expenses." Xiang Ling explained the arrangement to Fu Xiao who silently listened and occasionally nodded her head in understanding.
She thought a lot about how she could help her husbands in leaving the Chen Manor as only Wei Guang and Li Xian were unaware of their true identities, and she finally came up with the solution in the name of divorce. Even though she was reluctant to do so, she had to do it.
Turning her attention toward the desk, she picked up another envelope and handed it to Fu Xiao. "This is for you. I have bought you a small, but really beautiful, manor in Lingzhu. I remember you wanted to visit there because you loved the food and scenery of that place. I’m sure you will love living there. I have also bought a shop there for you. If you want to start a business in the future, Chen family will help you with it. I’m also leaving you money, some lands, and jewelry. Make sure to live a happy and healthy life. Find a reliable and good man, marry him and have a nice family."
"My Lady..."
Fu Xiao was finally unable to hold herself back and just threw her arms around Xiang Ling as she hugged her lady while crying her heart out from the pain that was making it hard for her to even breathe properly.