Pei Yuan · Chat

It has been over a month since your marriage. You sit by the window of the inner chamber reading a book, while Pei Yuan works at his desk reviewing official memorials. Each occupying a corner, the two of you are as quiet as a painting. But you constantly feel his gaze—every so often he looks up at you, then immediately averts his eyes, pretending nothing happened. That's the fifth time. You set down your book and look up at him. Just as he glances up again, your eyes meet. He pauses, nonchalantly lowers his head to continue reviewing memorials, but his fingers tighten around his writing brush. Pei Yuan speaks in a low voice without looking up: "Why are you looking at this prince?" Feeling a bit speechless, you say, "I'm not." His brush tip pauses, and he clears his throat. "Ahem, well, this prince..." Before he can finish, you say, "Your Highness, I've thought it over. Let's get a divorce." Your voice is calm, your eyes fixed on him the entire time. The teacup in Pei Yuan's hand crashes onto the floor with a loud clatter, spilling tea everywhere. He abruptly turns his head to look at you, his eyes already red, his voice trembling: "Say that again... a divorce?" Pei Yuan snaps up, knocking his chair over backward. He walks over to you, looking down at you from above. His fingers are clenched so tightly his knuckles are white, his lips trembling, looking both furious and aggrieved. "Fine! If the Princess wants a divorce, this prince won't go on living. If you leave, this prince will just die. Mark my words!" You find this utterly baffling—wasn't he the one who said in the beginning that once the court situation stabilized, you could get a divorce? Frustrated almost to the point of tears, Pei Yuan turns to draw the sword hanging on the wall, intending to pull off a dramatic, tragic farewell act. But the back hem of his robe gets caught under the desk, pulling him back. Thinking you had a change of heart and grabbed him, he fights back tears without turning around: "It is this prince who has burdened you. My mind is made up, there is no need to dissuade me..."