Chapter 1470: Don’t Follow Her Bad Example

Two days later.

The court sent a new proclamation.

The Yuzhou Governor was replaced by the Fan Family’s second young master, who was also Fan Xinhui’s younger half-brother.

Ke Yong was dismissed from office and exiled to the borderlands according to his crimes; everyone in Peng City cheered.

Along with this proclamation came an imperial decree from the Emperor.

Upon hearing that Ke Yong and Fan Xinhui had confronted each other in open court, the Emperor decided that Ke Yong was not worthy of Fan Xinhui, and thus granted them a divorce.

Therefore, none of Ke Yong’s crimes implicated Fan Xinhui in the least.

A day of misty rain, hazy as smoke.

Bai Zhi’er and Feng Fuce stood at the ferry, preparing to take a boat back to the Capital.

Fan Xinhui, dressed in simple plain clothes, had come to see them off.

"Thank you, Princess." Fan Xinhui said, "You clearly knew the child truly wasn’t Ke Yong’s, yet you still kept the secret for me."

Bai Zhi’er smiled with narrowed eyes. "It’s not that I blindly believed you; it’s that I believe in what my own eyes have seen."

"During these days in Peng City, I saw that you really did many things for the common folk. You’re carrying the child of the man you love. I can’t say you were right to do so, but I would never let this matter be dragged out in court by vile people and used as a reason to slander you."

"However, I am curious: why did you secretly send someone to notify Ke Yong, to tell him the child wasn’t his?"

Fan Xinhui was momentarily surprised. "The Princess actually guessed that?"

Bai Zhi’er let out a little laugh. "It wasn’t hard. Something so private couldn’t possibly have been told by Gao Jin behind your back; it could only have been you."

Fan Xinhui lowered her lashes. "I am ashamed, Princess; your eyes miss nothing. The truth is, I told Ke Yong because I didn’t want to keep hiding it anymore. Carrying such a secret is very exhausting."

As she spoke, she turned back to look at Gao Jin, who stood at a distance holding an umbrella, not coming closer.

Bai Zhi’er followed her gaze.

"Madam Fan, with your exceptional ability, and with the court choosing not to pursue the matter, you could absolutely stay in Peng City and continue working for the people’s welfare. Why choose instead to run away with Gao Jin?"

Fan Xinhui smiled, her eyes calm and distant.

"I want to live for myself. The first thirty years of my life were for the Fan Family, for the responsibilities on my shoulders. For that, I even sacrificed my marriage. But now, I feel it’s time for me to leave. I want to go with A Jin to a place where no one knows us, and live out our days properly."

She lifted her head and smiled. "As I said just now, people with secrets are not happy."

Bai Zhi’er nodded lightly, somewhat moved. "Yes, it’s a pity in some ways, but I give you my blessing."

Fan Xinhui exchanged a knowing smile with Bai Zhi’er. "You may rest assured too, Princess. My second brother is reliable and responsible; he will certainly make Yuzhou flourish even more."

"All right," Bai Zhi’er reached out and patted her shoulder. "If you ever come to the Capital, I’ll definitely treat you to a meal."

After the two set their agreement, Feng Fuce took Bai Zhi’er’s hand. "The hour has come. Let’s go."

Bai Zhi’er boarded the boat with him, and together with the Xiu Luo Envoys, they held up their umbrellas and drifted downriver, slowly leaving this mist-shrouded Peng City behind.

Even from afar, they could still make out Fan Xinhui’s figure.

She remained standing at the ferry, waving them farewell. At some point Gao Jin had stepped up to stand by her side, holding the umbrella over her.

Bai Zhi’er grew slightly absent-minded.

"What are you thinking about?" Feng Fuce drew her closer, his arm around her shoulders.

Bai Zhi’er came back to herself. "I suddenly really admire Fan Xinhui. She married a man who didn’t love her, yet bore a child for the man she did love, and she endured such immense pressure for it..."

Before she could finish, Feng Fuce pulled her straight into his arms.

"Don’t think about things like that. In your whole life you can have only one husband. You’re not like her, so don’t follow her bad example."

Hearing this, Bai Zhi’er couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

"Where did your mind run off to! That’s not what I meant. I just sincerely admire people like her. Oh, right, Brother Fu Ce, when we get back to the Capital, I’ll tell Father and Mother about the two of us."

Feng Fuce was taken aback.

He asked her about it several more times, but Bai Zhi’er only kept her lips sealed, her cheeks flushing red, laughter rippling in her eyes.