207 Write me a Divorce Letter
Lu Jiao said to him, “Next year August, you’ll be participating in the provincial exam. Then, you’ll be visiting the imperial palace to take the imperial exam. How about this. I will help you until your provincial exam is over. Then, you can return and officially move to the Capital City with the children.
Lu Jiao didn’t wait for a response before she continued, “However, I ask that you write me a divorce letter right now.”
She was afraid that things might change and figured that it would be more beneficial to get her hands on the official letter first.
Inside the room, Xie Yunjin’s expression was cold as he stared back at her. It was obvious however, that he had calmed down since this morning.
“Are you sure you want to separate?”
Lu Jiao nodded firmly to show that she was certain.
After this period of time, she thought she had gotten to know Xie Yunjin well. So much of his values and ways of thinking were traditional and common amongst men in this era. The only reason she was okay with co-existing with him all this time was because she knew they would eventually separate. Therefore, she let a lot of things go without putting up a fight.
If this man was her husband though, they would be bickering all the time.
On top of that, Lu Jiao did not forget about Chen Ying, the woman who seemed to be special to Xie Yunjin. In the novel, Xie Yunjin also had a fated wife.
All this information made it clear to her that he was not a man she should get close to.
Lu Jiao thought it over and looked towards Xie Yunjin, “My mind is clear. You’re going to pass all your exams and become an official in the Capital City. I am someone who enjoys a simple life. If everything goes according to plan, I will be spending the rest of my life in Qinghe. We have drastically different paths planned for the future and a separation is the best option for us.”
Xie Yunjin saw how collected and composed Lu Jiao was and knew then that she was determined to leave.
If that was the case, what was the point of trying to keep her.
“Okay, I can write you a divorce letter. However, don’t forget what you promised. You have to help me take care of the four little ones until my imperial exam in the palace is over. If I do get that far that is.”
“Okay.” Lu Jiao agreed.
Xie Yunjin noticed how crisp her answers were and didn’t feel too happy. Right now, he couldn’t help but self-reflect. Just how awful of a person was he for this woman to want to leave him without second thoughts.
Xie Yunjin replayed the past several months over in his head and realized that he truly did not treat her that well. Though he knew she wasn’t the person she used to be, he couldn’t help but to hate her because of her face.
Was it too late to treat her well now?
Xie Yunjin thought about it then said, “I have two conditions. Only if they’re fulfilled, will I write you the divorce letter.”
“What is it?”
Since she was getting what she wanted, Lu Jiao was now much more soft spoken.
Xie Yunjin stated, “First, you cannot tell the four little ones about our separation. In the short term, we shouldn’t let them know.”
Lu Jiao nodded in agreement, “Don’t worry about that. I will slowly set them up so they won’t be shocked, but I will not let them know.”
After all the commotions today, the children may just cause more trouble if they find out about this conversation.
Xie Yunjin then added, “Second, I am going to date the letter to six months later.”
This meant the divorce letter would only become effective in six months. In the next six months, Lu Jiao would remain Xie Yunjin’s wife.
Lu Jiao’s expression changed a little and asked, “Why would you date it six months later?”
Xie Yunjin answered slowly, “If I give you the letter now, you may take away the children whenever you are unhappy. What do I do then? Don’t worry, since I agreed to this, I will not give you a hard time later.”
Lu Jiao was not happy with this result and tried to remain calm, “Do I look like someone who would do such a thing?”
Xie Yunjin knew Lu Jiao was not that untrustworthy. Regardless, it was safer to date the letter half a year later.
His gaze fixated on Lu Jiao, “Since you’ve decided to take care of them until my imperial exam, why does it matter when I date the letter?”
This time, Xie Yunjin didn’t wait for Lu Jiao to comment before he continued, “Don’t you love them? If you love them so much, why are you not willing to stay half a year for them?”
Lu Jiao looked at the four children who laid on the bed. After a whole day of ruckus, the four little guys had wilted and now looked like small and beaten bok choy.
Lu Jiao’s heart ached. She turned back to Xie Yunjin, “How about three months?”
Xie Yunjin’s face turned cold, “What’s the difference between three months and six? Are you worried I would scheme and refuse to let you go? Don’t worry, if you are not willing to stay, I will not force you.”
Lu Jiao frowned unhappily. There was a big difference between three and six months. If he dated it three months later, she would be a free single woman in three months. If he dated it six months later, she would have to wait for half a year.
However, given where they were with this discussion, she knew there was really no point in arguing more about this. After all, she was willing to stay to take care of the children.
“Okay, then we’ll do as you said. You can date it for half a year later. However, do note that during the next six months, we will behave as if we’ve already separated. We need to watch how we act around each other.”
Her words caused Xie Yunjin to glance at her, “Are you worried I would take advantage of you?”
Before Lu Jiao could answer, he stared at her in a serious manner, “If you don’t want to, I would never. I’m not that kind of person.”
“Okay, remember what you are saying.”
Lu Jiao then said, “Now, you can write me the divorce letter.”
Xie Yunjin gaped at her. Under this dim candlelit room, the woman’s beautiful face was so determined and so humorless. There was not the slightest trace of hesitation, which indicated just how certain she was about leaving him.
If that was the case, then he would grant her her wish!
Xie Yunjin got up to go to the east bedroom. This time, he didn’t pause as he quickly drafted the divorce letter.
Lu Jiao read it through and decided that the letter had no problems – other than the later date of course.
Though the date was not ideal for her, at least she got the letter as she wished.
“I’m going to keep this then.”
Lu Jiao put away the letter. Inside the room, Xie Yunjin peered down onto her and asked, “Why do you dislike me that much?”
Without waiting for an answer, he left.
Lu Jiao ignored him also. Now that he had written the letter, what more was there to say?
In the middle of the night, the four little ones woke up. When they saw Lu Jiao, they started to cry.
Lu Jiao instantly started to sooth them, “It’s okay, don’t cry.”
The Fourth Born wrapped his arms around Lu Jiao’s neck, “Mommy, don’t go.”
...
“Okay, I won’t go.”
The Fourth Born’s eyes brightened. With his arms still around her neck, he asked, “Mommy, you’re not going to separate from daddy?”
The First, Second, and Third Born all sat up to stare at Lu Jiao.
Lu Jiao looked back at the four pairs of bright and clear eyes. Not able to lie to them, she danced around the question, “Fourth Born, did you know that only when two people like each other, can they live together happily? Your daddy doesn’t like me so how can we stay together? However, I have decided to give him half a year. If your dad starts to like me then, I will not leave.”
The other side of her statement was that if their dad still did not like her, she would still leave.
This was part of her plan to cushion them for what was bound to happen. She will start to subliminally hint to them about their eventual separation.
The four little ones were not at all aware of what point Lu Jiao was trying to make. They excitedly looked at Lu Jiao and confirmed, “Mommy, if daddy likes you, you won’t leave?”
“Mommy, you’re so great. I’m sure daddy will like you. You’re both capable and beautiful.”
“Yeah, mommy, you’re a miracle doctor! I’m sure daddy will like mommy.”
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