Chapter 10: The Palace Admission Quota Is Set

Even a clay Buddha still possesses a trace of spirit.

When Aunt Meng learned that Xu Guodong had married off his daughter for five thousand taels of silver, that the near-death ordeals her son had suffered in childhood were deliberately orchestrated by Aunt Qiu, and that both the matriarch and Xu Guodong were aware of these deeds, she instantly broke down.

“I know it’s hard for you to believe, but all this was told to me by mother. I overheard them saying they sold me to the Lu family for five thousand taels...”

“Enough! They... they are utterly heartless...”

Aunt Meng collapsed into her chair, tears streaming down her face—she felt utterly useless as a mother, utterly powerless!

Zhao Jiao offered no words of comfort and let Aunt Meng cry her heart out. Even for the sake of Xu Jiao Jiao, she could not simply stand by and watch Aunt Meng and Jun’er suffer.

As Aunt Meng wept, He Hua pushed open the door and announced, “Aunt, Fifth Miss, the master is urging again. He insists you go pay respects to the matriarch. It seems... he is angry and said that as long as no one’s dead, you must go!”

“Go? No, I won’t!”

Aunt Meng, still tear-streaked, defied Xu Guodong for the first time, her anger flaring like she was ready to fight. Even He Hua was too frightened to utter a word.

Seeing this, Zhao Jiao rose and said, “Aunt, please rest well and ignore them. As long as there’s a flicker of spirit left, there is still hope.”

“I want to ask him why he is so cold and heartless. You and Jun’er are his own flesh and blood! How can he be so biased?”

Despite the tears on her face, Aunt Meng suddenly showed a strange kind of resilience that Zhao Jiao had never seen before.

It is said that a woman becomes strong when she is a mother—that must be it...

But now was not the time to confront them. Zhao Jiao grasped her arm gently. “Right now, going to confront them is like an egg hitting a rock. We will remember this in our hearts and take it back later. Aunt, please rest assured. Mother said that Jun’er’s admission to the Wuyai Academy was her promise. Since she promised, she will keep her word. Jun’er will be well cared for, and once he recovers, he will be able to attend the academy in spring.”

“Is it true? Did madam say so?”

Aunt Meng finally stopped crying, a spark of hope lighting her eyes. In her heart, if her son could succeed, she and her daughter would have a future to rely on.

“Mother said it herself. Rest assured. I will go see Jun’er!” The decree should arrive soon. With Liu Xu around, it should be absolutely certain.

Aunt Meng finally calmed down. “...I’ll go with you to see Jun’er.”

Meanwhile, in the main hall, Xu Guodong’s expression was grim, and the matriarch looked aggrieved.

“Mother, it seems we returned at the wrong time. Both of them are sick...”

Aunt Qiu, dressed in plain clothes, spoke softly. Though not as beautiful as Aunt Meng, her eyes held a certain charm.

Her words were like pouring fuel on fire. Xu Guodong slammed his hand on the table. “This is outrageous! Someone, bring them here at once!”

“Father, no!”

Xu Qianying, who had been by the matriarch’s side, spoke up.

Her figure, appearance, and temperament surpassed Aunt Qiu’s, resembling a refined lady of a noble family. Yet, a subtle coquettishness lingered in her brows, much like Aunt Qiu’s.

“Father, mother and Aunt Meng are ill; it is we who should visit them. If we forcibly bring them here, people might think the matriarch came only to torment the younger generation. That would be improper.”

Hearing this, Aunt Qiu quickly changed her tone, standing and saying with feigned humility, “I spoke out of turn. I meant no offense. I only thought, as an elder, I should visit madam first. Master, I will go at once.”

“No need! Since they’re ill, do not disturb them. Let them rest in peace. It is good that mother is here. It’s time to set some order in this household.”

Xu Guodong said this and looked toward Xu Qianying.

“Qian, you understand well. Come here, Father wants to see you. It’s been a long time; you’ve blossomed beautifully.”

His joy grew as he looked at her.

“Master, it’s rare for you to praise your own daughter like this.” Aunt Qiu teased softly.

“What’s there not to praise? Qian is the best of the best. By the way, Guodong, is what you said true?”

The matriarch’s question caught both Aunt Qiu and Xu Qianying’s full attention.

Xu Guodong looked proud, holding Xu Qianying’s hand and appraising her.

“You’re a good child. You know the matters already. Once you enter the palace, you must be very careful. Your mother wrote that you are diligent and hardworking in Fushun, never neglecting music, chess, calligraphy, or painting...”

Before he finished, a frightening report arrived: palace envoys were here.

Aunt Qiu and her daughter were overjoyed.

They had come so soon?

Xu Guodong’s face was radiant as he went to greet them.

Though it was only to deliver a message and a booklet—no imperial edict—only two palace servants, Xu Guodong still received them with great ceremony.

After receiving the booklet and rewarding the servants, the family was all smiles.

“Qian’er, grandmother said early on you are blessed with great fortune. You must seize this opportunity. If you are selected, you will have no worries in the future.”

“Master, I always knew you cared for mother and me. I...”

Aunt Qiu’s eyes reddened, her appearance truly pitiful.

“Don’t worry, Father. I will perform well and not let you down.”

Xu Qianying’s joy was clear; she vowed silently to seize this chance.

“I timed your return perfectly. This arrived just in time...”

Xu Guodong smiled broadly as he opened the booklet, but his smile froze.

Disbelief overtook him as he looked down again.

“How... could this... be a mistake, a mistake!”

Xu Guodong exclaimed in disbelief.

Xu Qianying quickly took the booklet to examine it.

Her face instantly turned pale.

“What’s this?”

Aunt Qiu hurriedly snatched it and nearly fainted upon reading it. “Why is it Fifth Miss? Master, didn’t you say Qian would enter the palace? How did it become Fifth Miss? Could it be a mistake from above? Please, you must find a way to correct this.”

The matriarch could no longer sit still. “What’s going on? What Fifth Miss?”

“Grandmother!!”

Xu Qianying, as if deeply wronged, cried into the matriarch’s arms.

“I will find out what happened! It must be Fifth Miss who sought out Prince Su. It must be...”

Xu Guodong’s anger flared as he stormed off holding the booklet to find Zhao Jiao.

Aunt Qiu hurriedly grabbed Xu Qianying to follow, and the matriarch, furious, followed as well.

“Fifth Miss, come out here!”

At the courtyard gate, Xu Guodong shouted loudly.

Hearing the commotion, Aunt Meng’s heart trembled, and instinctively she stepped protectively in front of Zhao Jiao.

“Nothing to fear!” Zhao Jiao remained calm.

The imperial decree had arrived, and the matter was settled—only it was unclear whether the credit belonged to Lady Qiu or Liu Xu.

The door was pushed open; Xu Guodong’s face was full of anger.

“Fifth Miss, what is the meaning of this? Did you ask Prince Su to change it? You’re already listed with him. Why take Third Sister’s place?”

He accused without even asking, assuming the worst.

Zhao Jiao picked up the booklet tossed to her and glanced at it.

Seeing her own name, she smiled with relief, but when she closed the booklet, her expression turned icy.

“Father, be careful with your words. This is an official roster from the palace’s internal affairs department. How could I have such power? Besides, what do you take Prince Su for? He is a noble prince. How could I, a mere woman, influence him?”