He truly learned from the lessons of his past life. At this moment, he’s far from being reserved with words; he seems eager to share all his plans with her, fearing they might misunderstand each other once more.

Xie Wanqing listened quietly to the end.

The Jin people, after suffering countless defeats, were retreating back into their territory, even losing the Crown Prince to the Great Khan. This battle marked an unprecedented victory in a century.

Was he planning to return to the Capital, since he wasn’t pursuing them anymore?

She asked curiously, "Are you planning to return to the Capital?"

Lu Ziyuan responded with a hum, "We’ll have to wait until the spring after the New Year."

Otherwise, if he left now, the Jin people, lacking clothing and food for the winter, might resume their pillaging.

"This year, we’ll stay in the Northern Land," he said, holding her hand softly, "Let’s have a hasty wedding before the year ends, what do you say?"

These days, he’s been keen on having a wedding. Even if not many guests were present and it wasn’t grand, he could still let the world know that she was his wife.

"I know the conditions here are simple and might be a bit unfair to you," he said, "But when we return to the Capital next year, I’ll properly conduct the marriage rites and welcome you as the Crown Princess Consort."

As for those who dared to join with Jin Wuji against her, he wouldn’t spare a single one. If the Emperor were sensible, he’d temporarily accept being the Crown Prince.

If not...

He didn’t mind forcing the Emperor’s hand once more.

Xie Wanqing had no idea that he was even plotting a coup in his mind. She was still contemplating the wedding, with hesitation showing on her face. Seeing this, Lu Ziyuan felt his heart sink, "Wanwan, are you regretting again?"

Wasn’t it agreed that she would marry him?

"...It’s not like that."

His relentless push felt very much like a General who never lost a battle!

Xie Wanqing silently mocked, and said aloud, "You must let me see the divorce papers before I can decide whether to marry you, right?"

Otherwise, with her marriage contract with Pei Yuqing still in effect, how could she marry someone else?

"Then wait, at most three days, at most five, Yun Jin should be back with the documents." Lu Ziyuan chuckled, "By then, not only will there be the imperial decree for your divorce, but also the decree granting our marriage. Don’t tell me you also want that sickly man’s handwritten letter."

Of course, if she really asked for it, he would find a way to get it.

That sick man’s spirit was strong, but so what?

In Lu Ziyuan’s eyes, there was no unbreakable pride in this world.

If in his hands, even if their life and death mean nothing to them, they surely have family they care about.

Princess Duan Yang, Duke Pei, Princess Pingning, so many blood relatives, surely one would make them comply.

A handwritten divorce letter meant nothing; he would crush them altogether.

A hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes as he looked at her, saying, "Prepare for the wedding first, if you really want that sickly man’s handwritten divorce letter, fine, I’ll get it for you before the wedding."

"I don’t necessarily need his written divorce letter, don’t force him!" Xie Wanqing felt her chest tighten and hurriedly said, "The imperial decree is enough, but..."

She paused, her expression a bit strange, "You’re asking the Holy Emperor to contradict himself, how would he agree."

After all, her marriage to Pei Yuqing was granted by the Emperor himself. Just a year later, to annul it and grant her another marriage.

It’s almost like self-contradiction.

But he’s the Emperor!

The word of a king is not to be taken lightly!

Imperial decrees shouldn’t be treated as child’s play!

She couldn’t believe that it would be so simple, yet Lu Ziyuan sneered, "Of course he would agree. When you were captured, he did nothing, and his other two sons got involved. Do you think he prefers seeing his sons fight each other or sacrifice a minister’s marriage to appease me?"

Xie Wanqing listened, shocked, "You mean the Emperor knows that the Crown Prince and Second Prince allied with foreign forces..."

"Who knows what that old emperor is thinking," Lu Ziyuan lifted her chin, speaking earnestly, "Listen, the imperial decrees you hold in such esteem mean nothing; those rules and doctrines are made by those in power; you can just scoff at them."

He only believed in strength above all.

He would eliminate everyone who ever wronged her, ascending step by step to the highest position, and she, just needed to stay peacefully in his embrace, never leaving.