Chapter 2018: The Least Regrettable Thing

Chapter 2018: The Least Regrettable Thing

This time, Xiao Shi remained silent for even longer. She took a couple of sips of tea and then spoke with a subdued tone, "Yes, this time, he will agree."

He would agree to the divorce.

"He's a very responsible person, both to me and to his family. Now that the Xiao family is no longer what it used to be, and the Xiang family is at its peak, he should find a suitable girl from a similar background for marriage."

Xiao Shi had married Xiang Weinan because of an imperial decree from Empress Xiao. The Xiang family, as a prominent marquisate, and Xiang Weinan, a brilliant top scholar, could have chosen any girl for him to marry. However, due to that imperial decree, they had no choice but to be tied together, and some even mistakenly thought that Xiang Weinan had been forced into the marriage by the Xiao family.

Such a situation was frustrating, not just for Xiang Weinan but for the entire Xiang family and their friends and relatives. Even Xiang Weinan's mentors and fellow scholars couldn't help but pity him.

Now that the Xiao family had fallen, and Xiao Shi had lost her backing, she believed that all these people would advise him to dissolve this marriage. No one would accuse Xiang Weinan of being ungrateful. He had saved her and her parents, and that was more than enough.

Moreover, if Xiao Shi initiated the divorce, both parties could part on good terms, considering it as her way of repaying his kindness, allowing him to be free.

After taking a deep breath, Xiao Shi raised her head and smiled at Shu Yu. She said, "He saved me and my parents. I can't repay his kindness by holding him back. It's better for us to part amicably, especially since we don't have any children. It's better to part on good terms now than to become an unhappy couple in the future."

While her words sounded reasonable and practical, the smile on her face became increasingly forced and her lips stiffened, trying to maintain the facade of cheerfulness.

Shu Yu couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Although she understood Xiao Shi's point and saw the practicality of it, she had a feeling that Xiang Weinan might not agree to the divorce.

However, this was their matter as a married couple, and the ultimate outcome would be their own choice.

Seeing Xiao Shi's low spirits, Shu Yu gently held her hand that rested on the table and said with a smile, "Whether you two divorce or not, we're still friends. If you do leave the capital, you can write to me. You know that I often travel around for business, and it's possible that I might pass by the places you go to. We can still meet."

Xiao Shi reached out and held Shu Yu's hand, her eyes becoming slightly misty. She replied with an 'Hmm,' "Yes, we are friends. Over these years, the thing I regret the least is getting to know you in Jiangyuan County."

She hadn't idled away these years.

In the end, Xiao Shi didn't stay for dinner at the Lu family's residence. She was set to depart tomorrow and wanted to return to the estate on the outskirts of the county before the city gates closed.

Shu Yu accompanied her to the door. However, just as Xiao Shi was about to board her carriage, something seemed to occur to Shu Yu. She said, "Wait for me a moment; I'll be right back."

Xiao Shi was left puzzled but nodded, sitting quietly in the carriage.

Beside her, there was Gu Mayi, who had once been sent to the Lu family's estate by the Xiao family but had been brought back to the Xiang estate by Xiang Weinan when he reclaimed her. She had come with Xiao Shi to Jiangyuan County this time.

Seeing the girl she had watched grow up, her eyes filled with calm loneliness, Gu Mayi couldn't help but feel distressed.

"Miss, how about we continue staying in Jiangyuan County? You seemed to enjoy it here. We don't have to return to the capital." Not going back would mean not facing the outcome of their divorce.