Chapter 147: You’ve Done Well

Xiang Tianao’s eyes were bloodshot. “Deceiving the emperor? Hah! The late emperor’s been gone for years. As long as the Xiang family keeps quiet, who would ever know that Qingqing is my daughter?

It’s all your fault! If you had agreed to adopt her, Prince Xian would have proposed by now. You’ve ruined Qingqing’s future, keeping her out of the royal family!”

Xiang Tianyang laughed, a laugh filled with bitter despair—the kind that comes when anger reaches its peak.

“You say I ruined Qingqing’s future? And what about my Yao’er? You’ve harmed her so deeply, and yet, do you feel even a shred of remorse? She was only three when you tore her from her parents, condemning her to a life of hardship. You ruined my Yao’er’s life, and now you expect me to treat your daughter as my own and let her take my daughter’s place? I ruined Qingqing? Why don’t you tell me how I did that? Isn’t the person who truly harmed her you?”

Xiang Tianao shouted back, “If you had just agreed to adopt Qingqing, she’d have a chance to marry into the royal family! How can you blame me for ruining her future? Qingqing is my daughter. How could I harm her?”

Xiang Tianyang’s eyes were fixed on Xiang Tianao. “Did our parents not send you to school when you were young? Did they not encourage you to pursue success? If you had applied yourself, would you really need to rely on your daughter to secure wealth and status? You say Qingqing is your daughter, that you’d never harm her. Yet, while you spoiled your son, you were strict and harsh with your daughters. If I hadn’t helped your four daughters from behind the scenes, would they have grown up safely? You’re a fine father indeed!”

Xiang Tianao snapped back stubbornly, “So what? Girls are just a burden. They grow up only to marry into other families. Did I ever beg you to look after them? Yes, you’re the pride of the Xiang family. You have power, you care for the people—but did you ever help us? If you had, I wouldn’t have had to get rid of that worthless girl of yours!”

Smack!

Xiang Tianyang delivered another hard slap across Xiang Tianao’s face.

“You think I never helped you? Then how do you think you’ve managed such a comfortable life? Go ask our third brother if I’ve helped you behind the scenes! And Yao’er is my daughter, the treasure I hold dear. I can’t bear to say a harsh word to her, and you dare call her a worthless girl!”

Xiang Tianlei spoke up angrily. “Elder brother, ever since our second brother entered the court, he may not have given us much support openly, but his help behind the scenes has been immense. Do you really think you have a knack for business? If not for second brother’s help, you’d be out on the streets begging. You think he didn’t help you? Nearly every manager in your shop was arranged by him! I never imagined you’d go after Yao’er, your own niece—how could you do such a thing?”

Finally, after a long silence, Xiang Xinyao spoke up. “If he doesn’t even care for his own daughter, why would he care about his niece?

Uncle, have you thought about what would happen if you really succeeded in marrying your daughter to Prince Xian and the royal family found out? What kind of fate would await your daughter then? Do you think entering the royal family is easy? And even if she marries Prince Xian, do you think he’ll make your family prosper? If you’re so set on it, why not just send your daughter directly into the palace?”

Xiang Tianao’s eyes widened—he hadn’t even considered that shortcut, nor did he have the means to send his daughter to the palace.

Besides, as a merchant’s daughter, she lacked the status required to enter. In Lingxiao Kingdom, merchants held the lowest status—far below that of scholars, farmers, and artisans.

Xiang Xinyao asked in a low voice, “Mother, what kind of person is Uncle’s youngest daughter?”

Bai Jing replied impatiently, “Just as selfish, jealous, and petty as her parents, always scheming to marry into a powerful family.”

Seeing the flicker of hope in Xiang Tianao’s eyes, Xiang Xinyao asked, “Uncle, would you really be willing to send your daughter into the palace?”

Without hesitation, Xiang Tianao replied, “Why wouldn’t I? As long as Qingqing enters the palace, she’ll surely be the most favored consort. Who knows, maybe someday she could even become…”

“Enough,” Xiang Xinyao cut him off. “I can help get your daughter into the palace, but you’d better not regret it.”

“I won’t regret it. Never,” Xiang Tianao affirmed.

“Then have her come see me tomorrow. And remember, once your daughter enters the palace, there will be no more ties between our families. Don’t come to my parents for help with anything from then on.”

Xiang Tianao agreed without hesitation, “Fine. As long as you can get my daughter into the palace, consider me a stranger from now on.”

Xiang Xinyao’s voice was icy as she uttered a single word: “Leave.”

Xiang Tianao sneered, flicked his sleeves, and left, his wife and son hurrying to follow.

As they left the Xiang residence, Xiang Tianao spat on the ground. “Hmph, so what? Once Qingqing enters the palace and becomes the emperor’s consort, what’s Xiang Tianyang to me? Even if he invited me, I wouldn’t come.”

Yao raised her nose haughtily. “Exactly! Just a Imperial Tutor—what’s so special about that? Once Qingqing became the emperor’s consort, he’ll have to bow to her. And once Qingqing secures her place in the harem, it’ll be easy for our son to become an official. Xiang Tianyang would be lucky if we even acknowledged him then!”

Their son, spoiled into a fool, chimed in, “Father, Mother, when I become a high-ranking official, I’ll make sure to honor you both.”

Yao face lit up, as if her daughter were already an Imperial Noble Consort. “Yes, yes! Son, you’ll achieve everything you wish for. Let’s hurry home and prepare for Qingqing—buy her some new dresses and jewelry for tomorrow.”

The three walked away, immersed in their dreams of grandeur.

Back at the Xiang residence, Xiang Tianyang and Xiang Tianlei exchanged glances with Xiang Xinyao.

Xiang Xinyao smiled softly, “To me, the three greatest joys in life are earning money, counting money, and steering clear of troublesome people.”

Xiang Tianlei patted her shoulder, saying, “Let’s keep our distance from your uncle’s family and live our own lives well. Yao’er, you’ve been through so much all these years.”

“Third Uncle, it’s all in the past now. I’m here, aren’t I?”

“That’s right, it’s good that you’re back. Yao’er, come to our house tomorrow for a meal and to meet your cousins.”

“Alright.”

Her two maternal uncles also approached, their eyes filled with concern.

Before dinner, Xiang Xinyao pulled her father aside and asked in a low voice, “Father, are you planning to have Third Uncle’s family and my uncles stay in Bianjing?”

Xiang Tianyang shook his head. “I actually called them here to discuss our plan to leave Bianjing together. If we leave, your third uncle and your uncles would likely be affected as well. I never imagined that your uncle was behind your disappearance back then. Since he’s acted so heartlessly, we won’t hold back either.”

Xiang Xinyao nodded. “Father, I believe in repaying kindness with kindness and settling debts where they’re due. Since Uncle’s family is so eager to tie themselves to the royal family, I’ll be sure to fulfill that wish.”

“Mm, you’ve done well.”