All of Chang’an is Waiting for Me to be Divorced

Yun Xiangye, the orphaned daughter of a modest embroidery shop owner, has been married for three years to Gu Yan, a man she met after he saved her from drowning. Their union was arranged out of necessity when Gu Yan fell critically ill and a Taoist priest advised a marriage for good luck. Yun Xiangye traveled from Jiangnan to the capital, Chang’an, with her two-year-old daughter, Nuonuo, to meet her husband’s parents for the first time. She harbors deep insecurities about her humble background and fears rejection, a fear exacerbated by a nightmare in which Gu Yan divorces her due to her lowly origins. Upon arrival, she is shocked to discover that Gu Yan is not merely the son of wealthy merchants but the heir to Prince Ning, the Left Chancellor, and Princess Shengzhao, the Emperor’s sister. Gu Yan had concealed his true identity from her for three years, claiming it did not matter, which Yun Xiangye interprets as a profound lack of care and respect.

The arrival in Chang’an reveals a stark contrast between Yun Xiangye’s expectations and reality. While Princess Shengzhao appears welcoming and assigns Yun Xiangye managerial duties for family businesses, the household staff, particularly the maids, display open contempt. They mock Yun Xiangye’s appearance and background, whispering that she is merely a temporary convenience and that Gu Yan will soon divorce her to marry one of the five noblewomen who had previously vied for his hand. These noblewomen, including the daughters of high-ranking officials and dukes, have remained unmarried for three years, waiting for Gu Yan’s return. Yun Xiangye’s distress deepens when she learns that Gu Yan maintains a separate residence and that his maids discuss the possibility of him taking concubines in the future. She firmly states that she will not share her husband and threatens divorce if he proceeds with such arrangements.

A significant turning point occurs when Yun Xiangye uses her connection to the Crown Prince, Zhao Cheng, to search for her cousin, Ye Wanhe, a palace maid who has been serving in the Eastern Palace for thirteen years. Yun Xiangye hopes to secure her cousin’s release from the palace before her twenty-fifth birthday, allowing them to reunite with family in Jiangnan. However, she discovers that Ye Wanhe is the Crown Prince’s most trusted senior palace maid and is effectively held against her will. Zhao Cheng refuses to release her, revealing a manipulative and possessive nature. Yun Xiangye is left with the bitter realization that her attempt to help her family has failed, and her cousin remains trapped in the palace hierarchy.

The narrative further complicates the social landscape as Yun Xiangye navigates the intricate politics of the noble household. She encounters Gu Yan’s younger sister, Jingru, and other relatives, while also facing the lingering presence of Wei Nian, a cousin who openly mocks her. Despite the hostility from certain family members and servants, Princess Shengzhao treats Yun Xiangye with kindness, offering advice and assigning her responsibilities that acknowledge her capabilities. Gu Yan attempts to reassure Yun Xiangye of his fidelity and intentions, but the trust between them remains fragile. The story highlights Yun Xiangye’s internal struggle to find her place in a world of immense wealth and power, her determination to protect her daughter, and her growing awareness of the political and personal alliances that define her new life in the capital.