After My Heart Turned Cold and I Divorced My Wife, I Rose as the Strongest Prince of Great Feng Empire - Chapter 15:

Chapter 15: We Still Have the Empress Dowager!

Night fell.

In the Imperial Study, the Emperor smiled as he sipped tea after hearing Eunuch Hu’s report.

“That boy always manages to come up with something new. He quickly stabilized grain prices and calmed public anger.”

“Indeed,” Eunuch Hu agreed with a nod.

Fengyang had resumed production. Every household had work to do and food to eat. The court hadn’t spent a single coin. Since Fengyang was Prince Ning’s fief, it was natural for his household to take responsibility. Ning Que had done quite well.

“He stabilized grain prices, introduced labor-for-relief, dredged riverways, reclaimed farmland, repaired public roads, and promoted winter wheat. All of these are good for the country and the people.”

The Emperor stared into the distance and murmured.

Labor-for-relief wasn’t a new concept. Other officials had used it before. But Ning Que’s approach was fundamentally different. He recruited disaster victims as workers, but for projects that truly benefited the people—dredging rivers, fertilizing fields, paying farmers to plow and plant winter wheat. He wasn’t doing this for personal gain. It was for the public good.

“He’s truly reminiscent of his uncle, Prince Ning,” the Emperor sighed. “I bestowed many rewards upon him, and he used them all to aid fallen soldiers’ families. What a shame…”

Eunuch Hu also sighed.

To the Emperor, the late Prince Ning was more than a royal relative—he was like a father. Since childhood, the Emperor had followed him to the barracks, learning military strategy and governance. With Prince Ning’s support, he had taken the throne. He had never forgotten this debt. Nor had the Empress Dowager.

She had established a Buddhist hall in the palace, reciting scriptures and praying for Prince Ning’s soul.

“Your Majesty, there’s another matter. Xiliang has sent an envoy. They should arrive in Great Feng within days. They seek to negotiate a ceasefire.”

“Send them to the Ministry of Rites,” the Emperor waved.

War was merely politics by other means. National strength and military readiness were the backbone of diplomacy.

The Battle of Yumen Pass had inflicted heavy losses on Great Feng. The commander, Prince Ning, had perished. His army was nearly wiped out. But Xiliang’s main force had also been exhausted. It was a mutual defeat.

Recently, Gu Yuan had launched a counterattack, striking Xiliang again. This forced them back to the negotiating table.

A treaty would benefit both nations. But treaties were only as good as their usefulness. When they lost value, they were torn up. Xiliang had done this many times. This time would likely be no different.

…

…

Lin Xianhong returned to the Lin residence, exhausted from traveling through the night.

“Xianhong, how are you feeling?” Lin Jiang rushed forward. His face bore fresh bruises.

Lin Xianhong shook her head numbly, eyes filled with hatred and disgust. She knew this was Ning Que’s revenge. He wanted to tear the Lin family apart and force her to yield. But he’d forgotten—she was no longer the helpless Lin Xianhong. She was a 3rd Rank Female Imperial Physician, personally appointed by the Empress Dowager. She oversaw the medical affairs of the inner palace and was known across the empire.

Money would not make her submit.

“Ning Que is a petty, spiteful man,” she said bitterly. “He only offered 50 coins per dan of grain. I had no choice but to accept.”

“Fifty?!” Lin Jiang almost passed out. “Don’t let your mother know yet,” he said weakly. “She’ll raise hell.”

“What now? Is he really going to divorce you?”

“He’s just putting on a show,” Lin Xianhong replied confidently. “Back then, he falsely accused us to force the marriage and used a Royal Pardon Medallion to shield himself. Now he’s using the debt to pressure me.”

“True. But what about the debt? And your sister’s dowry?”

Lin Xianhong looked up. A strange ache filled her chest.

Ning Que might be a scoundrel, but he had always been good to her. He cared for her in every detail. She knew this.

But her heart had always leaned toward Gu Yuan.

Yet after returning home, even before her body healed, she was already running around for the family—worrying about money, doing as Lin Jiang ordered, and receiving no care in return.

“I’ll figure it out, Father. The Empress Dowager’s gifts should arrive soon.”

That was her strongest support.

The Empress Dowager treated her well. Every time she visited the palace, she was given generous rewards.

Just as she prepared to leave, a carriage appeared in the distance—bearing the flag of Prince Ning’s Mansion.

“They’re back!” Lin Jiang paled. He was truly terrified now. Ning Que really was sending someone to the Lin family every single day—and each time caused them a loss.

“Greetings, Master Lin. Second Miss Lin,” said Fu Bo calmly as he stepped down.

People had already gathered.

“He’s here again!”

“That Ning Que is ruthless. Every day, without fail.”

“The Lin family really messed with the wrong man.”

“What do you think he’s delivering this time?”

Their mocking laughter made Lin Xianhong furious.

“What do you want now?!”

“To deliver a gift, of course.”

“You—!”

Lin Jiang stomped forward. “Out of my way! What are you staring at?! Get lost! We don’t want your damn gifts!”

“That’s not your decision,” Fu Bo said mildly.

Just then, a drum sounded in the distance. Armed riders cleared the path.

“It’s the Empress Dowager’s procession?!”

“She’s here in person?!”

“She’s come to support the Lin family?”

The crowd gasped.

Everyone knew how much the Empress Dowager favored Lin Xianhong. She supported her Medical House, gave it a plaque, summoned her often, and once personally scolded a noblewoman who bullied her. She even sent rewards regularly.

Lin Xianhong clung to that hope.

She looked at Fu Bo, eyes gleaming with defiance.

“See that? Even without your precious Heir Apparent, I can stand on my own. I suggest you leave. If you offend the Empress Dowager, even Ning Que will pay the price.”

Fu Bo only smiled.

Where did this woman get such confidence?

“Nanny Yang!” Lin Jiang rushed up with a sycophantic grin.

But Nanny Yang only spared him a cold glance, and the guards blocked his path.

To them, he was nothing but a mongrel.

If not for the Heir Apparent, no one would even look at the Lin family.