Killing Intent and Master Ian Reed’s Short Remaining Life

So what if it's a joke? If the move works, it doesn't matter how old it is. Even if no one in the world believes it, once the Ninth Royal Uncle made that offer in public—knowing full well there was a trick inside—Westlyn had no choice but to accept.

It's not just about interests—it's a matter of face. If Westlyn refuses, it means they're afraid of the Ninth Royal Uncle. Westlyn has no other option.

“This servant wouldn’t dare deceive Your Highness. If you don’t believe me, you can go see for yourself. Every word I’ve said is true.” Eunuch Zach Zhuo kowtowed repeatedly, raising his hand and swearing an oath.

The Princess Royal turned to glare at Master Ian Reed, gritting her teeth. “Was this all your scheme? Did you set me up on purpose?”

“I don’t understand what Your Highness means,” Master Ian Reed replied, feigning innocence and clearly refusing to admit anything.

“Fine, fine, you’re very clever… You actually dared to scheme against me.” The Princess Royal was so furious she laughed. “The Ninth Royal Uncle wants to see you—let’s see if he’d be interested in your corpse.”

As soon as she finished, the Princess Royal waved her hand, signaling her guards to kill Master Ian Reed.

“Report to His Majesty: the Prince Consort suffered a sudden illness and has passed away.” The Princess Royal’s tone was cold and resolute, without a trace of hesitation.

“You can’t kill me.” Master Ian Reed’s expression didn’t change; he wasn’t afraid at all. As the guard’s blade swung toward him, a flash of silver streaked by. With a clang, the blade was knocked from the guard’s hand, and a dark shadow sped toward where the Princess Royal and Master Ian Reed stood.

“Assassin! There’s an assassin—protect Her Highness!” the guards shouted, surrounding the Princess Royal. But the shadow didn’t try to harm her; it simply stood silently behind Master Ian Reed.

"You... you planned everything from the start!" At this point, the Princess Royal knew she had lost; she could not stop Master Ian Reed.

But she was truly unwilling to accept it. They were husband and wife—why was she the only one struggling in the dark? Even though she had dragged Master Ian Reed down with her, why could he still remain so dignified?

"I told you—I intend to divorce you." With the protection of the black-clad men, Master Ian Reed strode out of the Princess Royal's residence.

"Stop right there!" The Princess Royal was shaking with rage. The blood that had just clotted in her palm began to flow again; her swollen eyes were shot with blood, glistening with tears.

She couldn't imagine Master Ian Reed, with his battered face, appearing before officials from Eastlyn and Westlyn. How would they see her?

If Master Ian Reed brought up divorce on the spot again, where would her dignity be?

Ah... The Princess Royal finally couldn't bear it. She screamed, shoving everyone away: "I hate you all, I hate you! Get out, get out—every one of you! None of you believe me, every one of you betrays me. Fine! Very well! I will make you pay for betraying me!"

You Reed—if you think you can kick me out, you're dreaming!

...

Master Ian Reed entered the palace with his face still swollen from the Princess Royal's blows, making it clear he had no intention of leaving himself an escape route. He would rather lose face in Eastlyn than keep the woman who had humiliated him.

But Master Ian Reed could afford to lose face—Westlyn could not afford to lose him. When he entered the palace with his obviously swollen, battered face, everyone, including the Emperor of Westlyn, was stunned.

The Emperor of Westlyn immediately scowled, scolding Master Ian Reed for appearing disheveled and disrespecting imperial authority, ordering him to be taken away. But before he could finish, Ninth Royal Uncle interrupted.

Ninth Royal Uncle was here to watch the spectacle—there was no way he would let Master Ian Reed leave so easily. If Ian Reed were taken away now, how could the rest of the drama unfold?

This time, the embarrassment spread overseas. Westlyn's officials turned away, pretending not to know Master Ian Reed. The Emperor had no choice but to let him stay, secretly hoping Ian Reed would be smart enough to smooth things over and not disgrace Westlyn. But...

Would Master Ian Reed do as the Emperor wished?

Of course not...

Master Ian Reed calmly explained that he had scraped his face on his own grape trellis, and it had nothing to do with the Princess Royal.

Everything seemed normal at first, but mentioning the Princess Royal at the end made people suspicious.

Normally, a princess slapping her consort wouldn't be a big deal. But tonight, Master Ian Reed aired their dispute for all to see.

It all started with the divorce!

The Prince Consort wants to divorce the Princess!

This was truly unheard of—a sensation through the ages. Suddenly, everyone at the once-quiet banquet was in an uproar. Westlyn’s officials whispered among themselves, some sneaking glances at the Emperor, others at Master Ian Reed.

If Master Ian Reed were still powerless as before, everyone would have just dismissed his words as nonsense. But now?

As Westlyn’s prime minister, the chief among civil officials, Master Ian Reed’s words could not be ignored. Everyone realized he was absolutely determined to divorce the Princess Royal.

There’s a good show now." The Eastlyn officials were thrilled—watching their rivals lose face was one of life’s great pleasures.

The Emperor of Westlyn never expected Master Ian Reed to say such things in this setting. He stared at Ian Reed for several seconds, suppressing his rage: “Prince Consort, do you realize what you’re saying?”

“Your Majesty, though I married the Princess Royal, I am also Westlyn’s prime minister. I know exactly what I’m saying. I have written the divorce letter and given it to the Princess Royal, and she has received it. I respectfully request Your Majesty to issue the decree permitting me to divorce her.” Master Ian Reed did not mention that the Princess Royal tore up the letter.

“Divorce? Who gave you such nerve—to dare divorce a princess?” To separate from a princess was already a grave crime; to formally divorce her was to trample royal dignity beneath one’s feet.

“Your Majesty, I am acting according to ancestral law—I divorce her by the rites.” Master Ian Reed was calm and dignified, pausing before explaining further.

“The Princess Royal has been an unfilial daughter-in-law, driving my parents to their deaths, abusing my brothers’ wives and sisters-in-law. By law, she must be divorced.”

The Princess Royal has been an unfaithful wife, keeping a hundred male favorites in her residence and bearing an illegitimate child before marriage. By law, she must be divorced.

Since marrying the Princess Royal, I have never shared a bed with her. Two years ago, she bore another child of unknown paternity and insisted on recording him in the Reed family genealogy. I cannot accept this. I respectfully request Your Majesty to permit me to divorce her.' Master Ian Reed’s voice was not loud, but everyone present heard him clearly.

Westlyn’s officials all knew of the Princess Royal’s deeds, but no one had ever dared speak them aloud. Now, the look in their eyes toward Master Ian Reed held a shade of admiration.

To dare disregard royal dignity—Master Ian Reed was truly formidable. No one knew where he found such courage.

“Insolence!” The Emperor rose in fury, suppressing his murderous intent, and calmly addressed the Regent Prince and his party: “Regent Prince, the Prince Consort is not in his right mind, raving and disturbing tonight’s banquet. Another day, I will make amends to the Regent Prince.”

With those words, it was clear the Emperor intended to kill him. Everyone understood—Master Ian Reed’s days were numbered...