Chapter 352 - 222: Dissociative Identity Disorder
Xiao Song said, "Just as you stated, their marital relationship might have been indifferent. I previously looked into Chai Xuanyi. This man is debauched and unrestrained, adept in poetry, hence he is immensely popular among the courtesans of the brothels. It is said that two brothels once fought fiercely over a poem he composed, causing a serious uproar. Perhaps the princess Wenxi was dissatisfied with his behavior?"
"You mentioned that he is skilled in poetry and calligraphy, sounds like a talented man..." why didn’t he enter into official service? Ran Yan thought about it and then understood. Li Wanshun’s status was awkward, even if Chai Xuanyi served in government, he could only be a minor sixth or seventh-rank official like her first husband.
One could say that by marrying Princess Wenxi, he was essentially cutting off a promising future for himself.
Chai Xuanyi also didn’t seem like a man without aspirations, under such circumstances, where could their marital relationship possibly be good?
"Looking at it this way, it should be Chai Xuanyi who resents Princess Wenxi even more." Ran Yan said.
Rubbing his neck, Xiao Song answered, "According to my investigation, Chai Xuanyi is a magnanimous person, living his life wildly and unrestrained. Even before marriage, he often frequented brothels and had connections with several Oirans there. He had expressed his dislike for officialdom disputes, preferring the happiness of hiding in rural tranquility. It seems he has no aspirations for courtly positions."
After a pause, Xiao Song continued, "I suspect Princess Wenxi’s main reason for marrying Chai Xuanyi is tied to another matter, and it’s also the reason why she would marry him."
There was more to the story, Ran Yan silently waited for the rest.
"It is said that at the time, Princess Wenxi and her husband Liu Yingdao encountered bandits in the State of Zi. In the life-and-death crisis, they were saved by Chai Xuanyi and his group. However, Liu Yingdao’s injuries were severe, and he soon passed away. Right after her mourning period, Princess Wenxi was arranged by the Empress to marry Chai Xuanyi." Xiao Song had reasons to suspect that there was some hidden backstory that had caused Princess Wenxi to harbor resentment, especially since this time, too, involved an encounter with bandits, a similarity that was hard to ignore.