After the Divorce

When the last snow of winter fell, news of Lin Xian reached the capital. They said he had won one battle after another and earned the emperor's favor. When he returned, he was sure to receive a promotion and a noble title.

Su Mo heard the news and smiled with relief, lovingly stroking her belly. When Lin Xian came back, she would tell him the good news right away.

But what awaited Su Mo was news that he had taken a concubine. That concubine was carrying Lin Xian's child. By the count, the two children would be born only a month apart.

Lin Xian supported the woman named Qin Rou.

He said, "Su Mo, we've been married for seven years without a child. Rou'er is now carrying my child, and she also saved my life. I'm going to ask His Majesty to elevate her to the status of co-wife."

In silence, Su Mo took a divorce agreement from her robes. "On our wedding day, I told you I would never share a husband with another woman. Since she's already carrying your child, General Lin, be kind enough to divorce me and marry her instead."

She had never been one to tolerate even a grain of sand in her eye.

Life after the divorce was decent enough. She opened a small restaurant nearby, tending to business every day while listening to the gossip coming from the Lin residence.

"I heard Madam Lin lost the baby..."

"I heard His Majesty arranged a marriage for General Lin..."

"I heard the elder Lins offended a princess, and His Majesty has ordered them executed..."

"I heard the Crown Prince has taken an interest in Madam Lin..."

"I heard Madam Lin was divorced, and the Crown Prince was so delighted for his beloved concubine that he sent someone to break General Lin's leg."

The day after hearing that Lin Xian's leg had been broken, Su Mo closed her shop, returned to the Lin residence, and saw Lin Xian off on his final journey.

Theme: The path you choose is one you must walk, step by step.