ushernet Chapter 51
Chapter 51
When she made the decision to defy the imperial decree, it was inevitable that many people would think she was infatuated with Liang Jue. After all, she wasn’t a rigid traditionalist, not even close to being a proper gentleman. Refusing marriage was definitely because she couldn’t let go of her infatuation.
Liang Rong’s reaction, her mother’s reaction, and the reactions of others were all within her expectations. She thought Liang Jue would be touched by this and would worry about her, but she couldn’t help but feel happy when he actually said she was wrong and should have agreed.
Shen Meng sat up, grabbed a pillow to lean against, and tapped his ear, squinting as he said, “Repeat what you just said.”
Liang Jue enunciated each word heavily, as if each one was squeezed out of his teeth with great effort, “I said, when the Empress decreed the marriage, you should have agreed.”
Shen Meng had been half-opened eyes, but now she opened them fully, staring at his face, as if trying to detect any trace of falsehood, but there was none. Liang Jue’s eyes were clear, looking at her candidly, although his eyes were a little red, there was no hint of deceit.
He couldn’t lie to her when he faced her. Obviously, these were his sincere words, coming from the bottom of his heart, without any falsehood.
In the previous life, Shen Meng’s divorce was semi-coerced. She had written the divorce letter early, waiting for Liang Jue to sign it. At that time, she thought it would take some time to persuade him, but Liang Jue agreed, not wasting her energy.
Until then, she always thought Liang Jue didn’t like her as much as he said. In this life, she could feel Liang Jue’s love more clearly, but sometimes, she still couldn’t understand his thoughts.
Just like now, he actually said she should have agreed to the Empress’s request. Shen Meng didn’t think Liang Jue was lying, she just thought Liang Jue was crazy.@@@@
She stared at his handsome face, “Do you really hope I marry someone else? If so, why did you bother to seek this marriage in the first place?”
She really couldn’t understand this legitimate husband of hers. She had spent two lifetimes trying to understand him completely. Not all men were as difficult to understand as Liang Jue, at least her stepfather, Shen Lishi, she hardly needed to use her brain when dealing with him.
Shen Meng choked up, tears streaking down her face, her voice choked, “Of course, I don’t want you to marry someone else. Having just you for a lifetime is enough for me. But that’s the Empress, how can you defy her decree? More than that, I hope you can live well.”
He wasn’t so magnanimous as to bless the person he liked to live happily with someone else, so he tried his best to arrange this marriage. But he hadn’t reached the point of forcing it.
Being with Shen Meng naturally is very good. But under coercion, he still prioritizes the safety of his loved one. Rather than the short time spent with Shen Meng, he only hopes she can live well and healthy for the rest of her life.
Shen Meng didn’t expect this to be his reason, and her expression was somewhat moved. After all, although she refused the Empress’s decree of marriage, it wasn’t just for Liang Jue.
She wasn’t that infatuated. In the previous life, she could divorce Liang Jue semi-coercively for her own sake. Although she did have some affection for Liang Jue, it was more for her own interests.
The new legitimate husband was a prince, greatly favored, with his own mansion. If she married him, she would have to move to the prince’s mansion. As a former legitimate wife, what would it mean for her to bring a former legitimate wife along?
At that time, the Liang family’s status was not low either. She didn’t want to become enemies with the Liang family, nor did she want to bear the reputation of being heartless.
Divorce, being good to Liang Jue, wasn’t bad for her either. After all, she really didn’t have much attachment in terms of emotions and didn’t mind her ex-husband remarrying. If she hadn’t been a lonely ghost after death in the previous life, attaching herself to Liang Jue’s hairpin, she might have had the same attitude towards him in this life.
“Since you mentioned the Seven Offenses, you should also know that it refers to not having borne a daughter within five years, of course, except for cases where physical problems are found and it’s difficult to conceive a daughter. The doctor has checked you and found you to be healthy, it’s just not the right time yet.”Shen Meng had impregnated him with their child in the previous life, although they hadn’t been able to be born safely in the end.
She just calculated that in this life, that child should have already taken root in Liang Jue’s belly.
Liang Jue’s lips tightened into a straight line, his fingertips deeply pinched into his palm, leaving crescent-shaped marks. “As long as we both keep silent, no one will know.”
Shen Meng gazed deeply at him, as if trying to see into the depths of his eyes. “But by saying this, after we divorce, it will be difficult for either of us to find a good spouse.”
Liang Jue smiled, “If I divorce you, I never intended to remarry.”
It wasn’t the case in the previous life, but he had never thought of remarrying.
On this point, Shen Meng still believed him.
She sighed softly, “You always like to overthink. I have never mentioned divorce. Moreover, if you want a divorce, you need my consent. Since I don’t agree now, you shouldn’t think about these things anymore.”
“But how do we explain this to the Empress?” He remembered in the previous dynasty, a prince deeply favored by the Empress took a liking to a minister, and then the Empress ordered the execution of the minister’s legitimate wife.
Although the current Empress wouldn’t be so absurd, if Shen Meng offended the Empress, her fate wouldn’t be too good either. He and Shen Shilang thought similarly. Although the Third Prince liked Shen Meng now and could protect her, the Third Prince wasn’t young anymore. He couldn’t keep stalling without getting married.
Once the Third Prince had a legitimate wife, he certainly wouldn’t tolerate his husband having feelings for someone else. The wife selected by the Empress for the Third Prince wouldn’t have a low status, and after getting married, it would be difficult for her to defend Shen Meng.
When the Empress settled accounts, even if Shen Meng were promoted, she wouldn’t be so irreplaceable. The current Empress was vengeful and ruthless.
From how the Empress dealt with former officials, it was clear that when that time came, Shen Meng’s life would be in danger. Just thinking about it, he couldn’t bear the arrival of that day.
Shen Meng said, “According to your logic, if we divorce and you have a child, have you ever considered the crime of deceiving the Empress?”
Liang Jue said, “That’s just the fault of the doctor, not considered deceiving the Empress. And if you marry the prince, the Empress won’t mistreat you.”
In that case, he would cherish the thought of having that child.
Shen Meng couldn’t help but find it somewhat ridiculous.
She raised her voice, “Stop overthinking. I’ll handle these matters. I’m a bit tired, so let’s sleep early. We still have some family matters to deal with tomorrow, and you need to conserve some energy.”
She didn’t quite understand how someone as deeply emotional as Liang Jue thought, but his deep affection for her was never a bad thing in her eyes.
Liang Jue wanted to say something more, but he noticed his wife’s breathing gradually becoming shallow, her body naturally shifting from a leaning position to sliding onto the bed, drifting into a deep sleep.