NOVEL NEXT Chapter 177: Tomorrow, I’ll Have Everything I Want
"You lied to me, you bastard!" An angry voice echoed through the room.
It had been five months since the Young Generation Competition ended. Qian Xiaoli, after helping the Qian family secure second place in the competition, had asked her father, Qian Niu, to fulfill his end of their deal.
All she wanted was for him to officially end his marriage with her mother. Given how little Qian Niu cared for her mother, this shouldn't have been a big deal.
He had only married her to secure his position as emperor, but he had already held the throne for over two decades. Their marriage no longer served any purpose.
Yet, despite knowing this, Qian Niu had been delaying the announcement for five months. Fed up with his stalling, Qian Xiaoli stormed into the imperial chamber and confronted him directly.
Seated on his throne, Qian Niu gazed at his daughter with a warm smile.
How could he not? After all, he loved his dear daughter—at least, he loved what she could bring to him.
Not only had she excelled in the Young Generation Competition, bringing countless rewards to the Qian family, but she would also play a crucial role in securing his breakthrough to the Return To Void realm.
The plan with Mao Yuan, the sect master of the Heavenly Demon Sect, was nearing its final stage. Soon, they would strike the Su family, and everything would fall into place—exactly as he had planned.
'Su Liqiu is a sharp woman. She must have sensed that something is off,' Qian Niu mused. 'But even if she knows, what can she do?'
As Qian Xiaoli stood before him, she saw only a warm smile on his face—a smile that only infuriated her. She clenched her fists, ready to lash out at him, but before she could speak, a cold voice interrupted.
"Qian Xiaoli, is that any way to speak to your father—and your emperor?"
Qian Xiaoli furrowed her brows and turned to her right. Standing there was an elegant, breathtakingly beautiful woman, Ren Xiu.
If there were a list of people Qian Xiaoli despised most, Ren Xiu would be at the very top.
She was the Qian Emperor's first wife, or rather, the only one who truly mattered in the imperial court. Su Liqiu, her own mother, had long been cast aside, treated as nothing more than an afterthought by Qian Niu.
Qian Xiaoli took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm. Of all the people she hated, two of them had gathered in the same room. Discover exclusive content at My Virtual Library Empire
Her patience snapped.
"This has nothing to do with you, Ren Xiu. Get the hell out!"
Ren Xiu's graceful expression twisted in displeasure.
'Damn brat, let's see how long that arrogance lasts,' she thought, her eyes gleaming with malice. 'Once the Heavenly Demon Sect's master has you beneath him, we'll see if you're still so rebellious.'
Ren Xiu was well aware of the plans unfolding between her husband and Mao Yuan. She had no love for the Su family, and even less for Qian Xiaoli.
She had tolerated Su Liqiu as Qian Niu's first wife only because the woman served a purpose. But love? That was something she would never allow her husband to have—not for anyone but her.
Any other woman in his life was nothing more than a disposable tool.
Even his concubines, which she considered mere distractions to satisfy his sexual desires, were beneath her notice.
Of course, if one lingered too long in his chambers or, worse, if she sensed even a shred of affection growing between them, she made sure they disappeared without a trace.
Knowing Ren Xiu's temper, Qian Niu decided to step in before things escalated into an unnecessary fight.
"I apologize for the delay, Qian Xiaoli," he said, his voice calm. "Everything has been prepared. Tomorrow, the decree will be announced. Su Liqiu, your mother, will no longer be my wife."
Hearing his words, Qian Xiaoli momentarily forgot about Ren Xiu. Her eyes lit up with happiness.
But just as quickly as joy filled her heart, she forced it away, masking her emotions behind a cold, unreadable expression.
In a room full of snakes, showing weakness was the same as inviting death. Because of her temper, she had already shown too much today.
"Thank you, Emperor Qian. I'll wait for the good news," Qian Xiaoli said smoothly before turning on her heel and leaving.
A vein throbbed on Ren Xiu's forehead as she glared at the departing girl. "Damn brat, showing no respect for her emperor," she muttered in frustration.
But Qian Niu simply chuckled in response.
When Ren Xiu stepped closer to him, he grabbed her waist, his hand trailing lower until he squeezed her butt firmly. A faint blush crept up her cheeks.
"My emperor, aren't you angry?" she asked, her voice dripping with seduction.
Qian Niu laughed. "Angry? Why would I be? Tomorrow, I'll have everything I want."
—
When Qian Xiaoli arrived home, she went straight to her mother's room. Without stopping to knock on the door, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Su Liqiu sat by the window, a book in her hands, her expression calm as she read. Sunlight streamed through the glass, casting a soft glow around her, outlining her delicate features with an almost ethereal beauty.
To Qian Xiaoli, her mother looked like a caged bird—beautiful yet trapped.
But after tomorrow, that cage would finally be broken.
Su Liqiu heard the creak of the door and lifted her chin to glance toward it. There, standing in the doorway, was Qian Xiaoli, her face lit up with a smile.
The warmth in Qian Xiaoli's smile made Su Liqiu return it with a gentle one of her own.
"You're back, my dear. You seem more cheerful than usual. Did something good happen today?"
Qian Xiaoli nodded, stepping closer to her mother. With a tender touch, she placed her hand on Su Liqiu's forearm.
"Mother, I just had a conversation with Qian Niu. Tomorrow, he'll announce your divorce... You'll finally be free to marry Uncle Duan, just like you've always wanted."
Su Liqiu slowly closed her book and offered a soft smile. Yet, if one looked closely, there was a trace of concern hidden in her eyes.