Chapter 13: Entering the Palace

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“Oh my, you left so quietly and yet still remembered to come bid farewell to your elders?”
The matriarch’s tone was dripping with sarcasm the moment they met.
Zhao Jiao had only just completed half a bow when she straightened up immediately, thinking that such disrespect toward one’s elders was utterly shameless.
“Guodong, look at her—she can’t even perform a proper bow. How can she compare to Sister Qian? With that attitude, how could she possibly be chosen for the palace? Mark my words, if she goes in today, she’ll be sent right back tomorrow. Just wait, it’ll be a disgrace.”
Zhao Jiao was truly speechless—was this really what a grandmother should say?
Xu Guodong’s face darkened; after all his efforts, this ungrateful girl was taking advantage of him. His heart was heavy, but since things were settled, there was nothing he could do.
Thinking of Su Wang behind Zhao Jiao’s back, he forced a faint smile, but it was a grim one.
“This opportunity to enter the palace is rare. Don’t disgrace the Xu family. The imperial palace isn’t like home; you can’t act recklessly. Remember, this is just to broaden your horizons. Being chosen is unlikely. Focus more on Su Wang. You’ve already broken off your engagement; it’s difficult to find a match now. If you can become a concubine in Su Wang’s residence, that will be your greatest fortune.”
Zhao Jiao wanted nothing more than to slap him into silence but refused to soil her hands.
“Father is right. Our fifth daughter is indeed fortunate. She was a concubine’s daughter before, so the broken engagement won’t affect her much. I, as her mother, will take care of her future matches. Father need not worry. Su Wang is a royal prince with a noble status. Father, please watch your words—if this spreads, it will be troublesome.”
Was this really what a father should say?
Madam Qiu could no longer bear it and scolded herself for ever approving such a match.
Xu Guodong finally closed his mouth, folding his hands in silence.
“Fifth sister… is indeed fortunate and capable. A sheltered girl, yet she even knows a prince. Unlike me… Today, as fifth sister enters the palace, I have nothing good to give you. This is a safety talisman I embroidered myself. Take it. I hope it keeps you safe while you’re there.”
The words sounded overly sentimental, perhaps from drinking too much tea.
Zhao Jiao glanced at it— a talisman? She wasn’t sure if it was truly for protection or secretly ill-intended. “Thank you, but I don’t believe in these things. Third sister’s kindness is wasted.” She was too lazy to entertain her.
Xu Qian looked as if she had suffered a great grievance, her body trembling like a sieve.
“Fifth daughter, you shouldn’t be so harsh.”
The matriarch, full of pity, stood and pulled her beloved granddaughter away. “Don’t mind this ungrateful thing. If she manages to enter the palace, it will be amazing. She’s so arrogant. How could she compare to you? Who knows what tricks she used to steal your place and then come flaunting it in front of you? Just wait, she’ll be sent back soon, and I’ll deal with her then.”
“It’s also because Sister Qian is foolish, staying up late to embroider this little gift, thinking it’s a token of goodwill. Such trinkets aren’t worthy of our fifth miss. Not nearly as generous as madam’s gifts. Look at that outfit—no less than a hundred or eighty taels for sure,” Aunt Qiu began to speak with envy.
Didn’t master say the family was short on silver? Isn’t that silver?
Xu Guodong’s expression darkened once more.
“Your third sister means well; it’s the thought that counts. Enough, enough, let’s go.” Out of sight, out of mind.

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As for the silver, Xu Guodong had no face to say anything, though Aunt Qiu was unaware. He knew very well that all of this had been paid for with Madam Qiu’s own money for the fifth daughter.
Over the years, his salary was mostly in his own hands. The family’s only income came from a few shops, but the revenue from those shops was barely enough to cover household expenses. Madam Qiu had supplemented quite a bit, which meant he, the master, had to endure the temper of a mere woman—he felt deeply aggrieved.
Zhao Jiao was tired of their performance and turned away.
At the mansion gate, Mistress Meng and Aunt Qiu gave her more instructions.
When Zhao Jiao boarded the carriage, Xu Yunjun held her hand and pressed a pouch into it.
“Sister, take this. I heard that the palace requires some bribes here and there, though not much…”
Silver?
Given Mistress Meng’s and his own situation, this might have been all his savings, given to him during festivals by Madam Qiu and Mistress Meng…
Zhao Jiao grasped his hand in return. “You’re about to study at the academy soon. Keep it for yourself. Both Auntie and Mother have given you something. Sister has silver too. Remember my words.” He was sensible, unlike some heartless people.
After hesitating a moment, Xu Yunjun took back the pouch. “Don’t worry, Sister. I’ve got it all in mind.”
Zhao Jiao did not delay further and climbed into the carriage.
Watching the carriage drive away, Mistress Meng couldn’t help but weep silently, releasing all her reluctance and worry at this moment.
“Let’s go inside. It’s cold. The fifth daughter will be fine.”
Madam Qiu turned quietly, hoping the fifth daughter would truly succeed. She had spent five thousand taels on her, but she was still determined. Even if it benefited the fifth daughter, she would never let that mother and daughter gain any advantage.
“Madam, Jiao Jiao left a letter for you when she left.”
Mistress Meng wiped her tears and handed the letter to Madam Qiu.
Madam Qiu was surprised. Why leave a letter unless there was something unspeakable?
She opened it immediately. After reading, she felt both amused and deeply moved.
In the letter, Zhao Jiao wrote that the Xu family’s assets were truly meager. She had means to pressure Xu Guodong to repay the money, but he was incapable of doing so. He told her to wait; the five thousand taels would be repaid with double interest when her eldest brother married.
Five thousand taels, with double interest! Hopefully, he was not just making empty promises. In truth, when she gave the money, she never expected to get it back.
Five thousand taels—Zhao Jiao could have produced it, but now was simply not the right time.
Standing once again before the palace gates after her rebirth, Zhao Jiao’s feelings were especially complex.
She never expected to enter the palace so soon.
This imperial palace was not unfamiliar to her…
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Today was, in a way, a return to old grounds.
“Miss, I cannot enter with you. Please take good care of yourself. I will also tend to Auntie and Master.”
Yun Xiang could not follow her into the palace. At the gate, she handed the bundle to Zhao Jiao, tears shimmering in her eyes.
“Remember my words—whether I stay in the palace or not, wait for me here at home.”
“I will remember.”
Yun Xiang bowed and said farewell to Zhao Jiao.
Zhao Jiao lifted her bundle and faced the biting wind, moving toward the palace gates.
Several carriages had already arrived one after another. Aunts and stewards waiting to receive them stood by the gate.
All were young ladies of officials, here to enter the palace to serve the Empress Dowager. The aunts and stewards showed little enthusiasm, while the young ladies were all cautious and well-behaved.
“There are twenty young ladies in total. When you hear your name, step forward. Once your name is confirmed, you may enter the palace. It’s cold, so please don’t delay.”
The steward announced, counting the arrivals and noticing some had yet to appear, so he waited.
In such situations, there were always one or two latecomers.
Those who dared to be late were definitely of noble birth, with reasons worthy of waiting for.
A luxurious carriage came to a stop, and a beautiful woman dressed in splendid clothes stepped down. Despite the cold, she wore a bright red fur coat, standing out conspicuously.
“Eunuch Fang, Nurse Li, sorry to keep you waiting. We were delayed leaving.”
Her voice was melodious, like a yellow oriole’s song.
“Miss Song, you are too polite. We arrived a bit early; the timing is just right.”
Eunuch Fang waved his sleeves forward with a fawning expression.
Zhao Jiao, unnoticed in the crowd, watched quietly, thinking who it might be—it was her archrival, Song Lanzhi, the legitimate eldest daughter of the Marquis of Ruyang’s household.
Since childhood, she had always been like this, unchanged at all.
“Why is it so lively today?”
Suddenly, a carriage arrived, and Yin Su lightly pushed open the side window, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.