Chapter 13: Offering a Stroke of Fate
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“Madam, it is evident that the third young master has wholeheartedly embraced his academic endeavors. Just yesterday, he hurried back to his room and delved deeply into his studies with notable zeal. Today, he made it a point to wake early to pay his respects to you in the courtyard before heading to school. His dedication should certainly bring you comfort,” remarked Deng Zhi.
Madam Xu, however, remained silent, her mind preoccupied with the distressing events of the previous night.
The family’s matriarch had witnessed a traumatic execution which left her in shock, leading to a fever later that evening. In a furious state, Lu Yuan Ze confronted Madam Xu, challenging her with a severe question: did she believe leading Yuan Xiao down a misguided path justified the loss of his grandmother’s dignity? Angered by what he perceived as her disrespect towards his mother, Lu Yuan Ze stripped Madam Xu of her household authority and sharply reprimanded her. He demanded that she reflect on her actions in isolation, effectively placing her under house arrest.
The next morning, Lu Wan Yi, tearfully insisted she had no desire for control over the household affairs and argued that the conflict was entirely caused by the eldest brother without any reasonable grounds. Madam Xu soothed her and dismissed her without delving further into the issue.
Yet, before Madam Xu could spend even half a day in her imposed solitude, a eunuch from the royal palace arrived with a message.
“My dear, there’s someone from the palace at our doorstep seeking an audience with you,” Lu Yuan Ze announced urgently, hastening to fetch her.
Deng Zhi, the head maid, couldn’t help but sneer at the irony that Madam Xu, after only half a day of isolation, was now urgently summoned by her husband.
Lu Yuan Ze appeared visibly irritated by Deng Zhi’s reaction, but his urgency was palpable. “My dear, what could possibly necessitate your presence at the palace?” he inquired, although he had already asked his father-in-law about it earlier, who merely gave him a sidelong glance and remained tight-lipped about the palace affairs.
Madam Xu simply responded, “I am still confined to my quarters. Please proceed to the palace without me, Husband.”
Lu Yuan Ze’s expression tightened at her words. Knowing his father-in-law was still waiting inside the palace, he found himself in a precarious position. He sighed, softening his tone. “My love, I did not mean to accuse you. My mother is aging and was deeply traumatized by the wrongful execution of the book boys she had sent, believing you were chastising her. This truly frightened her,” he explained.
“My father was a warrior in his youth, and my mother dedicated herself to raising us. After my father’s passing, she single-handedly kept our family together. Can’t you understand her perspective? My dear, you are known for your empathy and kindness. How could you disregard my mother’s feelings?”
“We are husband and wife, united in everything. I admit I was harsh yesterday, and I hope you can forgive me,” Lu Yuan Ze pleaded, his tone humble, making it appear as if addressing her concerns was his utmost priority.
Madam Xu had once found his manner quite persuasive. But today, her feelings were different.
[Ha! What does your mother’s hardship have to do with mine? Her struggles weren’t caused by my family. Such a convenient way to claim filial piety, truly ‘commendable’ by offloading the responsibility to others.] Little Chao Chao’s innocent mind chatter instantly snapped Madam Xu’s head out of the cloud.
Indeed, it’s quite the illustration of delegating filial duties. When the elderly matriarch fell gravely ill, it was Madam Xu who tirelessly attended to her day and night. Yet, all the praises seemed to be lavished on Lu Yuan Ze alone.
Faced with the demand to sever ties with her own family, who were now facing imprisonment, Madam Xu couldn’t hold back her frustration. “And what about my side of the family? My parents endured so much to raise me, and now, with all of them in chains, you expect me to abandon them. How does this align with the virtues of filial piety that you claim?” she challenged.
Lu Yuan Ze’s expression darkened as he scrutinized her, sensing a shift. To him, his wife seemed almost unrecognizable. However, he couldn’t fully accept that she was genuinely defying him; after all, she had been compliant and devoted for over a decade, always treating him with the utmost respect and never questioning his decisions. He assumed her current defiance was merely a reaction to feeling overlooked recently.
Feeling somewhat self-satisfied by this notion, Lu Yuan Ze believed he had effectively ‘trained’ his wife to be loyal and submissive over the years, so her sudden assertiveness must be a temporary lapse.
“I understand you’re upset. I’ll make arrangements to address it tomorrow,” he assured her, albeit dismissively.
Madam Xu, however, offered no reply. She simply prepared herself and proceeded to receive the royal summons.
Lu Yuan Ze intended to accompany her but was promptly stopped by the eunuch, who made it clear, “The Marquis may wait outside the royal palace. Entry is not permitted without a summon.” The eunuch then turned to Deng Zhi, who was holding the infant, adding, “Please bring the child along. The grand princess has eagerly awaited her visit.”
This remark soured Lu Yuan Ze’s demeanor, especially upon realizing that even his forty-day-old daughter, Chao Chao, had been granted an audience in the palace over him!
[Well, that’s just perfect for the neglectful father,] thought Little Chao Chao with glee, her inner voice filled with mockery.
As Madam Xu strode into the palace, she did so with an air of determination, convinced that her summons was connected to the secret blood letter she had left beneath the crooked tree.
“Then, I’ll leave Chao Chao in your care, Mr. Eunuch,” she said to her head maid, who stood by with the eunuch outside the royal study.
Upon entering, Madam Xu briefly saw her father and brother kneeling before quickly lowering herself in a show of respect.
“Your Majesty,” she greeted, with all due formality, before nervously rising to her feet again.
King Xuan Ping remained silent, merely signaling to a servant to prepare writing materials. The atmosphere was charged as the servant briskly set up the ink, brush, paper, and inkstone, then announced, “The Marquis Zhongyong’s wife is requested to pen a few characters for us.”
Despite the tension, Madam Xu maintained her composure. She gracefully picked up the brush, and though her writing was obscured from the majority of onlookers, a close-standing eunuch caught a glimpse and raised his eyebrows in surprise. After finishing, Madam Xu respectfully set down the brush and knelt once more.
The eunuch carefully handed the piece of paper with the carefully penned characters to King Xuan Ping. The king examined the eight characters written by Madam Xu, remaining silent for an extended period, his gaze fixed on the message she had conveyed.
Amidst this tension, Old Master Xu, his hair and beard a testament to his years, stood with an air of defiance despite his civilian status. His posture was straight, a symbol of his indomitable spirit, as he knelt on the ground, ready to face death if it meant proving the innocence of his family. The arrival of his daughter at the royal summons prompted a complex emotion to stir within him, and a tear, clouded with the weight of his situation, escaped his eyes.
“Your Majesty, I confess…” Old Master Xu began, his voice laden with the burden of his impending declaration.
However, he was cut short by King Xuan Ping, who, to everyone’s surprise, erupted into laughter. Clapping his hands in approval, he exclaimed, “Excellent! What a good ‘The seas are calm, the rivers clear, all under heaven is peaceful and prosperous!’ Excellent verse!”
The king then rose from his seat behind the desk, stepping down the white jade steps with a sense of purpose. He approached Old Master Xu and personally assisted him to stand, a gesture of respect and acknowledgment.
“Old Tutor, it seems I have wronged you. The Xu family has shown unwavering loyalty and integrity towards North Zhao through generations. Your family’s dedication, including the commendable contributions from the women in your household, to the prosperity of North Zhao is clear,” King Xuan Ping expressed, visibly moved by the realization. A flicker of anger crossed his features as he continued, “The person who dared to accuse the Xu family harbors malice that merits death!”
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
In the wake of his words, a eunuch stepped forward, presenting a blood letter that had been discovered within the grounds of the Xu estate.
As Old Master Xu rose, still shaking, to inspect the blood letter, he was taken aback. The letter was inscribed with Buddhist scriptures, penned in blood as a testament to devout faith and a prayer offering thirty years in exchange for the peace and prosperity of North Zhao, along with the king’s well-being and longevity. Notably, in a corner of the document, the names of all Xu family descendants were inscribed, each signature unique and accompanied by a stamp of blood.
“The entire Xu family are truly honorable people,” King Xuan Ping acknowledged with a nod, recognizing the depth of their loyalty and sacrifice.
At that moment, Old Master Xu’s heart was seized by a profound realization. Within his family, only one individual possessed the skill to flawlessly replicate the handwriting of every family member: his daughter, Madam Xu.
This revelation, however, remained a closely guarded secret, known only to those within the Xu family.
Madam Xu, with her hands slightly trembling from nervousness, humbly addressed the king, “Though I am merely a woman, my upbringing was such that from a young age, my parents instilled in me, as well as in all of Xu family’s children, a deep sense of duty towards serving our country. It is a core belief that runs through the heart of our family. Since my circumstances have confined me to the domestic sphere, my only contribution can be my prayers for your health and prosperity, Your Majesty. Thus, I am truly honored by your gracious words.” With a respectful bow, she concluded her address.
King Xuan Ping responded with a robust laughter, clearly delighted. “Tutor Xu, your efforts in nurturing such a daughter are commendable, indeed reflecting the noble virtues of your lineage. The Xu family is truly remarkable!”
He then turned his attention to Xu Yi Ting, Madam Xu’s elder brother, extending his hand to assist him to rise.
“You have suffered a great injustice, Tutor Xu,” the king remarked, his mood visibly uplifted. Initially, he had been cautious around the Xu family, given their significant influence, but any previous concerns seemed to have now been allayed. “The fidelity of the Xu family to our kingdom is beyond question. Let it be known, Xu Yi Ting is to be appointed the Minister of Labor, effective this very moment!”
Xu Yi Ting, known for his stoic and composed nature, responded with a firm and respectful kneel, declaring, “Your Majesty’s trust will not be misplaced.”
“Outstanding!” The king beamed, evidently pleased with the proceedings.
Turning his attention back to Madam Xu, he continued, “Despite Madam Xu’s primary role being within the confines of the inner chambers, her devotion to our nation is palpable. In recognition of her spirit and the sacrificial wish she made, I hereby confer upon her the title of Third Rank Ladyship. Let the decree be prepared.”
Meanwhile, Little Chao Chao, who had been sneakily listening in from outside, couldn’t contain her amusement. [Ahahaha, my so-called father has languished in a minor official’s role for thirty-six years, coasting on the achievements of our ancestors to hold onto a fourth-rank title. And now, my mother ascends to a third rank just like that. Oh, how this will rankle him!]
Back inside the royal study, Xu Yi Ting’s expression betrayed a moment of rare bewilderment.
Could he really be hearing this correctly?