Chapter 33: The Prince Returns
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The separation between Xu Guodong and Lady Qiu went more smoothly than Zhaojiao had expected.
Within just a day, the news had spread like wildfire.
Xu Guodong claimed he couldn’t find a place to live temporarily and stubbornly stayed at the residence. Considering her son’s reputation, Lady Qiu couldn’t be too harsh—after all, Xu Guodong was still her son’s biological father. She gave them ten days to move out, but Xu Guodong demanded a month, and unwilling to argue, Lady Qiu finally agreed.
From the outside, everything in the mansion seemed unchanged, but in truth, the atmosphere had shifted dramatically.
“You all just stay here comfortably. The place is big enough, and there won’t be any Lady Meng anymore. If you’re willing, you can call me sister, and continue to call me mother as well.”
Lady Qiu showed no signs of despair or dejection after the separation.
“Thank you… sister. From now on, I’ll do any chores in the house. When the children succeed in the future, we will surely repay you well!”
Lady Meng expressed her gratitude sincerely. She was an orphan sold to the madam’s household by her family. Without the Xu family, she wouldn’t know where to go, especially with two children to care for.
“Get up quickly. What’s the use of being like this? We’ll live however we must from now on. No matter what, the children are still siblings. We are one family. If you leave too, the mansion will become so empty…”
As Lady Qiu spoke, a sudden heaviness weighed on her chest, and she struggled to catch her breath.
“Madam!” The wet nurse hurried to help ease her breathing.
Zhaojiao stepped forward quickly. “Mother, please take brother Jun back first. I’ll speak with madam for a moment and then come.”
Lady Meng nodded hurriedly, not daring to disturb further.
“Madam, you should see a doctor if you don’t feel well.”
Seeing Lady Qiu’s state, Zhaojiao thought she might be ill.
Lady Qiu waved her hand. “It’s nothing, just shortness of breath. Probably a lack of qi and blood. Rest will make it better. Fifth Miss, speak freely.”
“Mother, is brother going to take the spring examination after the New Year?”
“Yes. That’s why I haven’t told him yet—so he can focus on his studies at the academy. We’ll talk after the festival. Why?”
“Mother, if you trust me, I’d like to recommend a tutor for brother. This tutor was originally recommended to brother Jun by the Duke of Su. He’s said to be knowledgeable in ancient and modern lore, with vast scholarship.”
She did not exaggerate. Old Master Duan was reputable; having him guide Xu Yunting would also be a way to repay Lady Qiu.
“Really? What’s this tutor’s name?”
Lady Qiu’s spirits lifted.
“He once topped the imperial examinations, but I cannot reveal his name. If you agree, I will ask the prince to help invite him to the mansion. Brother is grown now, he should know the family affairs. I believe he will understand you, Mother.”
“A top scholar… surely a man of great talent. The Duke of Su’s recommendation must be trustworthy. Very well, Fifth Miss, thank you. Rest assured, your brother will not forget you, his sister, when he attends the exams. Wet nurse, send someone to invite Brother Ting back to the mansion!”
“Mother, I will go to invite him tomorrow. Please rest first.”
Zhaojiao finished and withdrew.
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Inside the room, once Zhaojiao had left, the wet nurse quietly expressed her concern, “Madam, is this really reliable?”
“Don’t underestimate this Fifth Miss! She’s right about one thing: Brother Ting is no longer a child. He’ll eventually learn about the family affairs, so better he knows early. I have long wanted to find a good tutor for him, but never managed… maybe Fifth Miss can really find a good one. If he truly was a top scorer, he must be outstanding!”
“Madam seems to hold Fifth Miss in high regard.”
The wet nurse was puzzled.
“Wait and see, wet nurse. This Fifth Miss will surely prove herself. Lady Meng is honest, and Brother Jun is clever and sensible. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have kept them. It’s also a pity—if I didn’t keep them, a single mother and her children would have nowhere to go…”
“Madam is kind-hearted. I will have someone summon the eldest son home immediately.”
Lady Qiu nodded, feeling somewhat fatigued, then went to rest.
“Miss, you want to bring Old Master Duan into the mansion? Why don’t we just move out? Wouldn’t that be easier?” Liu Xu didn’t understand.
“A concubine sold into the household, leaving with two children and still managing well would invite gossip. Besides, Lady Qiu was once the daughter of an official family. In some circumstances, she can still bring Lu Lu out with her. It benefits me and does no harm. Let’s keep things as they are for now; we can reconsider later.”
Zhaojiao had her reasons.
“You think ahead, Miss.”
“Arrange a meeting with Old Master Duan tomorrow.”
“Yes!”
After Liu Xu left, Yun Xiang entered with a cup of hot tea.
“Miss, I’ve made some hot tea for you.”
Zhaojiao nodded and sat at the desk. Seeing her start grinding ink, Yun Xiang immediately took over.
“Miss, do you want to write something?”
“Mm, just scribbling a little.”
Xu Jiaojiao could recognize some characters, but only a few. The room hadn’t been stocked with writing supplies before; these were added at Zhaojiao’s request. Yun Xiang was puzzled but didn’t say anything.
“Go check on the concubine’s side. Tell me immediately if anything happens.”
“Yes!”
Yun Xiang put down the ink stick and obediently left.
As the room quieted, Zhaojiao lifted the brush with a poised wrist and wrote four large characters on the paper:
Fang, Zhang, Chen, Wang.
She looked at each carefully and finally crossed out the character Zhang. These four families were the pillars of Yin Ling’s power at court, forces she had painstakingly cultivated. To seize the power Yin Ling valued most, she had to gradually dismantle these factions.
“Starting with… the Zhang family,” Zhaojiao whispered to herself, setting down the brush and carrying the paper to the brazier, where she tossed it into the flames.
The flames leapt up, and Zhaojiao’s eyes reddened. The severing of the marriage alliance between the Princess Dowager’s household and the Prince of Separation was mere coincidence; the Zhang family was truly the beginning of her vengeance.
The red glow of the fire caused cold sweat to break out on her forehead. When she was at the Duke of Su’s residence, she had almost faltered upon seeing the flames. She must overcome this—only by being unbreakable could she continue on this path.
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She tried hard not to think about it, but vivid scenes surged through her mind.
Unable to control herself, she reached out and knocked over the brazier.
“Miss…”
Liu Xu, who had been standing outside, rushed in, shocked to see Zhaojiao crouching on the floor, her right hand burning red.
“I’m fine…”
The sharp pain gradually brought Zhaojiao back to clarity.
So as long as it hurts, she can overcome it… that’s simple!
“Get some medicine!”
Liu Xu looked on with sympathy.
Zhaojiao nodded silently, stood up, and sat down again to let Liu Xu apply the medicine.
“Miss, please endure this. The blister is quite big. We’ll pop it before applying the ointment.”
Zhaojiao remained silent, nodding blankly.
News of the Xu family’s affairs reached Yin Sumo as soon as he returned to the capital.
“Separation?”
“Yes, it happened just yesterday. They say Lord Xu covered his face all through court today. By the way, Fifth Miss and her brother have also cut ties with Xu Guodong… They follow Lady Meng and Lady Qiu now. Lady Qiu is rather benevolent. Xu Guodong, however, brought his mother and a concubine and still refuses to leave. Living under the same roof, this Xu residence is… wrong, it’s no longer the Xu residence. Lady Qiu had the signboard changed to the Qiu residence right away!”
Lingdang reported in vivid detail, as if he had witnessed it himself.
Yin Sumo sipped his tea and laughed while watching Lingdang, teasing, “If you don’t become my guard, you could make a living as a storyteller.”
“Prince… please don’t give me up…”
“Any more juicy news these days?”
Lingdang pouted but said no more.
“Prince, don’t be hard on him. He’s only been with you a few days. Most of what he said was probably overheard. If you want, I can tell you. The Prince of Separation’s bride seems to have been changed to a Miss from the Luo family, and the Princess Dowager’s daughter—the grand princess—is intended to be matched with you, Prince…”
Eating the gossip himself, Yin Sumo nearly choked on his tea.