CHAPTER 546: CHAPTER 280: HOIST WITH ONE’S OWN PETARD

"Why must you do this!" Shi Fengming became irritable, his brows furrowing as he said, "I’ve made up my mind, just go back! If you refuse to agree to a divorce, I will dissolve the marriage myself! Think it over clearly for yourself!"

Zhou Jingyi’s face turned deathly pale, staring blankly at him.

Seeing that she was frightened by his words, Shi Fengming’s heart slightly relaxed, and he softened his tone, "That’s settled then! Think it over carefully and you’ll realize you’re not at a disadvantage, go back!"

"Don’t overthink things," Zhou Jingyi, treating his words as delirious ramblings from illness, softly said, "Just focus on your recovery. Although I may not be talented or virtuous, I understand the principle of staying true from beginning to end. Since we are husband and wife, we should share joy and hardship together. You focus on your recuperation; I won’t leave the Shi family!"

Shi Fengming, out of desperation, let out a cold laugh, "Since that’s the case, then wait for the divorce decree!"

Zhou Jingyi shook her head calmly, "If you truly despise me that much, divorce me when you are healed. But as of now, you cannot, and I would rather die than leave the Shi family! Husband, I’ve been stubborn since childhood, once I decide on something, even my parents and siblings can’t force me to change. If you want to force me, you might as well divorce me!"

Shi Fengming was dumbfounded.

"You should rest well for now, I’ll come back to accompany you later!" Zhou Jingyi gently released his hand, tucked in the blanket for him, and left the room.

Shi Fengming watched her leave, furious, pounding the bed, "What’s wrong with this woman! What kind of people have I encountered? Why are they so stubborn!"

Zhou Jingyi, however, did not concern herself with him. She summoned Xiaocui and the old woman, inquired in detail about Shi Fengming’s condition, and gave instructions for preparing his medicines and meals, resolving to handle things personally from now on.

After returning to Suxin Pavilion, Zhou Jingyi tidied up, then went to see Mrs. Wang, Third Madam Shi, Sang Wan, and stayed for a while at Sang Wan’s place. She told Sang Wan about her desire to move to Suxin Pavilion, and upon mentioning Shi Fengming, she couldn’t help but feel distressed and shed tears, asking about their encounter in Hangzhou and hesitantly inquiring about Su Qing’er.

Sang Wan, noticing her distress, couldn’t help feeling secretly guilty, believing Shi Fengming’s behavior to be outrageous and contemptible. As one of the few who knew the truth, she felt even more guilt and struggled to comfort Zhou Jingyi, finding it hard to know what to say. Fortunately, Zhou Jingyi was already deeply distressed and didn’t perceive the anomaly, feeling only gratitude towards her and Shi Fengju.

Upon hearing Zhou Jingyi inquire about Su Qing’er, Sang Wan was momentarily taken aback, then with a half-hearted smile responded, "Why bring her up? Do you want to find her and bring her back?"

Zhou Jingyi sneered coldly, gritting her teeth, "That shameless wretch, I wish I could take her life! If not for her deceitful seduction, my husband wouldn’t have ended up in this plight! I never imagined she could be so cold-hearted and ruthless, leaving him in his illness and fleeing far away to ensnare someone else!"

Sang Wan fell silent for a moment, then sighed softly, "That’s her true nature; how could she stay and risk her life for nothing! Her leaving is for the best! People like her will meet their fate; we needn’t bother with her! Right now, you need to take care of yourself, don’t be too heartbroken. What’s done is done, do what you can and leave the rest to fate. Don’t torment yourself!"

"Elder sister," Zhou Jingyi couldn’t hold back her tears, "I appreciate your kind intentions! I just can’t accept why my fate is so harsh! He barely returned, only to turn out like this! He, he even says he wants to divorce me!" Zhou Jingyi burst into tears, covering her face and sobbing loudly.

"Sister-in-law!" Sang Wan was taken aback, promptly dismissed everyone else, approached gently and patted her back, softly saying, "That’s just the delirious rant of a sick man, it doesn’t count! Just ignore it! Stop crying, stop crying, the servants will gossip if they see this!"

"Elder sister!" Zhou Jingyi cried even more grievously, embracing Sang Wan and sobbing painfully against her, her cries interrupted by sobs, the words unclear, but Sang Wan could feel her excruciating pain.

How could Zhou Jingyi not feel wronged? But such grievances she could not even confess to her parents, for if they heard, wouldn’t they be furious enough to immediately take her back home? Yet, she didn’t want to return, so she had to bear it alone! It was only under Sang Wan’s questioning that she could no longer contain her emotions and vented uncontrollably.