Chapter 29: Unleashing Power

The bitch, how dare she humiliate her in public?

Feng Yu'er was trapped; to answer would be wrong, and to remain silent would be worse. Zhao Jiao waited with a look of feigned innocence. The onlookers, unaware of the situation, watched with curious eyes.

"...I have come on my mother's orders to deliver these items to Miss Xu. Miss Xu, you had better keep them safe!" Zhao Jiao gritted her teeth and signaled for the servant to present the ten thousand written characters of "Zhao."

Zhao Jiao glanced at them, then feigned surprise, her voice thin and weak. "I thought... this wouldn't be necessary? Her Highness the Grand Princess is truly a woman of her word, a paragon of virtue. It is truly too much to ask of you, Princess. How could I ever deserve this? Princess, you actually wrote ten thousand characters? Is your hand alright..."

As she spoke, she broke into a bout of coughing, her frail, helpless persona perfectly rendered.

Every time she addressed her as "Zhao Jiao," Feng Yu'er felt a lump in her throat, yet under the public gaze, she dared not lash out. Swallowing her rage and forcing a composure she did not feel, she leaned in close to Zhao Jiao’s ear and whispered, "Xu Jiaojiao, let us see if Prince Su can truly protect you... We shall see each other again soon."

After saying this, Feng Yu'er stepped back, flicked her sleeves, turned, and climbed into her carriage with her head held high.

"Send off... the Princess!" Xu Guodong snapped out of his daze and instinctively bowed. The Old Madam and Concubine Qiu followed suit.

Zhao Jiao glanced at Xu Guodong with indifference. What a disgrace; he was a fifth-rank court official, yet he possessed not a shred of backbone. As soon as the Princess’s retinue began to move, Zhao Jiao turned and headed inside the manor.

"Fifth girl, what on earth is going on? What exactly happened in the palace?" Xu Guodong rushed after her, followed by the Old Madam and the others.

"You wretched girl, stop! Didn't you hear your father speaking to you? Just because you’ve flown up a branch, you think you’re a phoenix? Putting on airs in front of your elders! Tell me, did you offend some noble in the palace? Heaven help us..." The Old Madam pointed a finger at Zhao Jiao as she scolded her.

"Everyone, leave. Do not spread idle gossip. Husband, Mother, the fifth girl is still ill. If there is anything to discuss, let us go to the hall and talk properly!" Concubine Qiu remained relatively calm; she dismissed the servants and invited everyone to the main hall.

Zhao Jiao, having things she wanted to say herself, followed them inside. Concubine Meng supported Zhao Jiao, looking nervous and worried. "Don't worry, Concubine Mother, I am fine!" Zhao Jiao reassured her, mostly because her grip was too tight and her arm was starting to ache.

"Hurry up and explain what is going on! What did Princess Nianzhao send over?" As soon as they reached the hall, Xu Guodong demanded an answer.

Zhao Jiao took the paper filled with "Zhao" characters from Yunxiang, unfolded it, and examined it. She said nonchalantly, "Princess Nianzhao abused her power and attacked me for no reason... Fortunately, the Empress Dowager and the Grand Princess were discerning. This... is a punishment imposed by the Grand Princess on the Princess, a formal apology to me..."

As she spoke, her expression shifted. She gripped the paper tightly, scanning it over and over. This handwriting...

"She made the Princess apologize to you! Good heavens, has this wretched girl lost her mind? It's over... I told you she shouldn't have gone to the palace. She has brought a catastrophe upon our Xu family!" The Old Madam shrieked once she understood.

"Fifth sister, how could you accept this... Father, did fifth sister offend someone important? Just now, I noticed that the Princess’s expression was off..." Xu Qianyin looked fearful and anxious, though there was a hint of gloating in her eyes.

Xu Guodong was terrified. He clutched his head, groaned, and then slammed his hand on the table, pointing at Zhao Jiao as he trembled. "You wicked girl! Who do you think you are, making a Princess come to our door to apologize? A dignified Princess, attacking you for no reason? Tell the truth—how did you offend her? You are going to implicate our entire family..."

Zhao Jiao’s face was dark. Her gaze, directed at Xu Guodong, made him shrink back, his voice trailing off.

"Are you finished? If so, may I speak?"

"Jiao..." Concubine Meng tugged gently at her sleeve, but she could not stop her. The others were so intimidated by her current demeanor that they fell silent. Her gaze was like that of a predator.

"Xu Guodong, you have served as an official for many years. Do you have any accomplishments on record? Do you have any brilliant strategies that have benefited the country or the people? Are you worthy of the salary you receive? You are obsessed with your career and climbing the ranks, yet you resort to underhanded tactics. You have not a shred of a scholar's integrity, and your character as an official is non-existent. You groveled and trembled before a mere princess from the Grand Princess's manor. Do you know how shameful that is? As a father, you are even less worthy. Have you ever shown a shred of concern, care, or protection? A child's faults are the father's failure. Since you have never been a kind father nor offered any guidance, how do you have the gall to lecture me? From this day forward, you... and you, have no right to interfere with or dictate my affairs!"

Zhao Jiao’s eyes swept over Xu Guodong and the Old Madam, sending a chill through them. The hall fell deathly silent.

Xu Guodong snapped out of his shock, his face contorted with rage as he lunged at Zhao Jiao to strike her. Zhao Jiao stepped back, and Liuxu appeared instantly, grabbing Xu Guodong’s hand.

"Heaven help us! She’s rebelling! Insulting her elders and ordering people to strike her own father... Heavens, how did my Xu family produce such a beast..." The Old Madam finally erupted into wails.

"I will not repeat what I have said. If you don't believe me, feel free to try me! Concubine Mother, Mother, come with me!" Zhao Jiao turned away, her presence commanding, still clutching the paper.

"Someone, seize this wicked girl! Beat her!" Xu Guodong roared, his eyes bloodshot. Every word of Zhao Jiao’s had been like a sharp blade piercing his heart.

Before the words had even left his mouth, Liuxu had dislocated his arm!

"Ah...!!" The scream was so piercing that the birds on the roof were startled into flight.

"Husband!"
"Father!"
"Dong'er..."

Everyone stared, mouths agape, unable to believe Liuxu would actually dare to strike him. Zhao Jiao did not even look back.

"Master Xu, you would do well to remember the young lady’s words!" Liuxu said, scanning the servants who were about to rush forward. "Let anyone who dares to touch the young lady try!"

Who would dare? This person had even struck the master of the house, let alone them... Was the fifth young lady a vengeful spirit brought back from hell? It was terrifying! Even Xu Guodong was too cowed to make a sound, sweat beading on his forehead from the pain. As Liuxu released her grip, Xu Guodong collapsed to the floor.

"Madam, Concubine, let's go! The young lady is waiting!"

Liuxu’s words finally brought Concubine Qiu and Concubine Meng back to their senses.

"Oh... yes..."
"Yes..."

Supported by the servants, they followed, their hearts pounding in fear. *The fifth girl... she hasn't lost her mind, has she?!*

Zhao Jiao wanted this identity, but she didn't have the time to play-act with them every day. Besides, Xu Guodong... there was something wrong with him. She had to take precautions; she didn't want to be implicated before she could take her revenge. Thus, she had used this opportunity to assert herself.

Concubine Qiu and Concubine Meng remained silent along the way, both still in a daze, mostly from shock.

Back in her room, Zhao Jiao invited them to sit. She hadn't meant to frighten them. "Mother, Concubine, please sit."

"...Right, sit..." Concubine Qiu stammered. *She is more than just a changed person,* she thought.

"Mother, here is five thousand taels to return to you. Also, I have a question: have you ever considered divorcing Xu Guodong?"

*Five thousand taels... "Divorce?!?"*

Concubine Qiu was completely stunned.