Chapter 12: Is the Prince Angry?

No matter how much the matriarch fussed, it was useless—Xu Guodong was powerless to change the name back.

Qiu Shi made a grand show of providing Zhaojiao with the attire she would need for entering the palace, using her personal funds.

Aunt Qiu and her daughter were so upset they lost their appetite.

Yin Sumo was likely aware of most of what had happened at the Xu residence. He had instructed Lingdang to keep an eye on Zhaojiao, never expecting to witness such drama.

“She’s going to enter the palace?”

Spinning a chess piece thoughtfully, Yin Sumo asked with interest.

Lingdang hurriedly replied, “Yes, sir. I specifically inquired. Xu Guodong struggled to secure a spot for the Xu family. Originally, the third young lady was registered, but when the roster came out, it was switched to the fifth young lady. Before the roster was finalized, Madam Xu seemed to have arranged something... I didn’t investigate the details, but I suspect it was a contest between the couple, and the fifth young lady ended up benefiting.”

“Prince, do you know why Xu Guodong married off the fifth young lady to the Lu family?”

Lingdang added with a gossiping expression.

Yin Sumo gave her a sharp look, and Lingdang dared not continue. “For five thousand taels of silver. To put it bluntly, he sold his daughter! For a fifth-rank official, it’s disgraceful to do such a thing.”

Yin Sumo’s face darkened immediately. Tossing the chess piece into the container, he sneered coldly, “Five thousand taels? That’s all it’s worth?”

“Exactly. Just for that spot. How biased.” Lingdang pouted.

“Good for Xu Guodong. Investigate who took the silver from him!”

No wonder she tried to hang herself—her own father sold her out. How could she not be disheartened? Her daring to use him was probably out of desperation.

“I’ll look into it right away. Poor fifth young lady, ended up with such a father…”

Lingdang sighed. Strange—when did her master start caring about other people’s business?

Soon, the day arrived for Zhaojiao to enter the palace.

Early in the morning, Qiu Shi personally supervised Zhaojiao’s dressing.

Seeing Zhaojiao all dressed up, Qiu Shi nodded with satisfaction. “Truly, clothes make the person. Aunt Meng, look how radiant our fifth young lady is. Who wouldn’t be pleased to see her?”

“It’s only because madam does not disdain her. I hope to borrow madam’s auspicious words.”

Aunt Meng had long expressed her endless gratitude. Upon learning that Qiu Shi had secretly saved her son years ago and now paid to break off her daughter’s engagement, she regarded Qiu Shi as a benefactor.

“Our fifth young lady is extraordinary. You, Aunt Meng, can look forward to a comfortable life.”

“Far from it, madam. You are Zhaojiao’s mother; her future success is thanks to you.”

As a concubine’s daughter, Zhaojiao’s status was unsuitable for palace entry. Thus, Qiu Shi took the initiative to register Zhaojiao under her own name, making her a legitimate daughter of the Xu residence.

Xu Guodong had already intended this, calculating that once the palace roster was issued, Qiu Shi would have no choice but to acknowledge Xu Qianying as a legitimate daughter.

Qiu Shi would not willingly be outmaneuvered by her spouse.

Zhaojiao smiled and stood, taking one by the hand. “You are both my mothers. In the future… we will share blessings. When hardships come, I will distance myself as soon as possible to avoid dragging you down.”

“Good child!”

Both mothers were somewhat moved. Qiu Shi had originally used Zhaojiao to spite Xu Guodong, but now she genuinely thought the fifth young lady was quite remarkable.

“Mother, Aunt Meng, I’ve been through death’s door and back. I’ve seen much. I’ve changed my name to Zhaojiao, hoping to be bright like the sun and beautiful like the moon in the days to come.”

Both mothers were momentarily stunned; Qiu Shi was the first to react.

Patting Baili Xi’s hand, she said warmly, “Good, Zhaojiao, good! Our fifth young lady will surely succeed.” The transformation was truly remarkable—not an exaggeration to say she was reborn.

Aunt Meng didn’t understand much but felt that no matter what her daughter’s name was, she was still her beloved Jiaojiao.

“Mother, there is something I must trouble you with.”

“You’re still so polite with me? Speak.” Qiu Shi responded briskly.

“When I’m away, please look after Aunt Meng and brother Jun… These past days, I found a fine martial arts instructor. I’d like to ask you to bring him to the residence—to teach Jun some self-defense and strengthen his body, and also to guard the house. I hope you’ll agree.”

Zhaojiao bowed.

Qiu Shi’s eyes flickered, immediately understanding Zhaojiao’s meaning: she feared her brother and birth mother might be bullied at home.

“Whatever it is, since you asked, of course I agree. Aunt Meng, you are truly fortunate.”

Qiu Shi envied Aunt Meng a little.

“Thank you, mother. He’s not very handsome, so please don’t mind him. You’ll get used to him.”

Seizing the opportunity, Zhaojiao arranged for Liu Xu to enter the Xu residence, making future actions more convenient.

“Good. You chose well. Tell me where he is; I’ll send someone to fetch him today. It’s getting late. Even if you’re reluctant, you must go to fulfill your duties. You don’t want rumors spreading—reputation is everything for a lady.”

“Yes, madam. We will go immediately.”

Aunt Meng wholeheartedly agreed with Qiu Shi.

According to Zhaojiao’s wishes, she had no intention of going, but not wanting to worry them, she agreed—just to make a courtesy call.

“I… I’ll go too.”

Xu Yunjun, who had been quietly standing aside, cautiously tugged at Zhaojiao’s sleeve.

Zhaojiao noticed that this brother possessed an unusual maturity and restraint for his age.

She had been quietly observing him these days.

This boy deliberately hid his talents—though he had memorized things, he stumbled reciting them in front of others; though he secretly read advanced texts, he only reread a few simple books publicly.

A concubine’s son, born to a weak and unloved mother, his behavior was truly the best form of self-preservation.

“All right, we’ll go together. Aunt Meng, mother, I want to speak to Jun alone first.”

After speaking, she took Xu Yunjun by the hand and walked out.

“Sister…”

Xu Yunjun looked anxious and lowered his head, avoiding her gaze.

In these days, he had noticed how much his sister had changed. Sometimes, he felt as if she saw right through everything.

“Jun, Aunt Meng has always pinned her hopes on you. She believes only if you succeed will both of us truly have support… I know you’re sensible and smarter than anyone thinks. You’re no longer a child. This Xu household is too small—don’t let these walls confine you. You’re ten now; it’s time to spread your wings. Soon, you’ll go to Wuyai Academy. Use all your talents and don’t worry about anything else. They… can’t harm us anymore. Mother has a broad heart. As for father… just pretend he doesn’t exist. He never cared about you as a son; you don’t need to care about him.”

It was the first time she had lectured someone younger as an elder, and it felt not so bad.

She had been an only child before and sometimes envied the closeness of others’ siblings—hence she treated Feng Yu, who clung to her, like a younger sister…

Enough!

What she was doing now was all for Xu Jiaojiao.

And Zhaojiao needed to stand alone.

“Si… sister…”

Xu Yunjun looked stunned.

Zhaojiao said no more, just smiled at him.

Xu Yunjun’s lips twitched, unsure how to respond—his sister had seen through everything after all.

“Let’s go! Remember what I said.”

“...Okay!”

“Look at how close these siblings are…”

Qiu Shi and Aunt Meng watched from behind, feeling touched.