Chapter 9 – The Admission Ticket to Yu Palace

Sheng Qiye halted his steps and motioned for Leng Xiao to take out the checkbook.
“Name your price. How much do you want?”

Su Rong took a deep breath.
“I’m not here for money. Thank you for the medicine you gave me last night—it worked very well.”

Sheng Qiye waited for her to continue.

Su Rong carefully voiced her request.
“I hope Mr. Sheng will make an exception and allow me to join the Royal Palace’s Hall of Famous Ladies.”

He looked at her stubborn little face, tinged with a faint blush under the light. She was already a beauty—though three years in prison had darkened her complexion and thinned her frame, her unique aura still held up her charm.

Sheng Qiye frowned slightly.
“That’s your condition for exchange?”

He disliked calculating, scheming women.

Su Rong spoke calmly.
“Entering the Ladies’ Hall has always been my wish. Helping you obtain the gemstone was an accident. I didn’t know you’d be here tonight.”

Liu Xu quickly chimed in,
“I was the one who dragged Su Rong here to play. We only discovered you were here after entering the hall.”

After a moment of silence, Sheng Qiye finally said,
“Report tomorrow.”

Su Rong hadn’t expected him to agree so readily.
“Thank you, Mr. Sheng.”

He strode off, glancing at Leng Xiao as he left.
“Tell President Zhang of Yu Palace that Su Rong is my recommendation. Let her join directly.”

Leng Xiao frowned.
“Master, that’s against the rules. Su Rong has a criminal record.”

Sheng Qiye shot back,
“Do you think her ability is worse than those women in the Ladies’ Hall? Or that their character is better than hers?”

Having witnessed her skills earlier, Leng Xiao relented.
“…Alright.”

It was still early, so Sheng Qiye and Leng Xiao returned to the company.

Madam Su had already arrived and had been waiting in the reception room. Leng Xiao escorted her into Sheng Qiye’s office.

She placed a file folder on his desk.
“Mr. Sheng, I’m sorry to bother you again. These are my granddaughter Su Rong’s documents. I hope she can enter Yu Palace’s Ladies’ Hall to study.”

So, it was for Su Rong.

Sheng Qiye didn’t want to embarrass the old lady.
“Since you’ve personally asked… Leave the documents here. I’ll have them sent over. Whether she stays will depend on whether she passes the assessment.”

In other words, her record could be overlooked.

“Thank you, thank you, Mr. Sheng. Rongrong has always been outstanding. I believe she will definitely pass. I’ll transfer her tuition and membership fees right away.”

Being able to help Su Rong, Madam Su was overjoyed.
“I won’t disturb you further, I know you’re busy.”

She hadn’t expected her own influence to be this strong—Sheng Qiye had agreed without hesitation. It seemed the Su family’s standing was rising. Cooperation with Shengshi Group was within reach!

“See Madam Su out,” Sheng Qiye instructed Leng Xiao.

Once they left, he opened the folder. The materials were meticulously prepared—certificates of awards Su Rong had won since childhood, as well as academic papers published in renowned domestic and international journals.

There was also her prison ID photo. Taken with no filters, her long black hair framed delicate features, her eyes and brows fine like brushstrokes, her nose straight and sculpted. She looked like a carefully crafted work of art…

Leng Xiao returned and noticed him leafing through the file, surprised.
“Master, don’t tell me you’re…interested in Su Rong?”

Sheng Qiye shot him a cold glare.
“Shut up! Have the documents delivered to Yu Palace. It’s my special approval—no further discussion.”

Su Rong and Liu Xu returned to the Su residence after dinner.

Just as Qin Chufeng was dropping Su Xue’er home, he spotted Su Rong carrying shopping bags into the courtyard. He looked at her a few times before greeting her awkwardly.
“Been shopping?”

Su Rong walked past him without a word.

She had once dreamed countless times of a future with him. She had believed his promise—that he would love her for life. But reality had slapped her hard.

“Rongrong…” Qin Chufeng called softly.

Her heart trembled, and her steps faltered.

He walked up to her.
“I’m sorry. About me and Su Xue’er… things are complicated. It’s not what it looks like…”

He looked like a pitiable woman forced into prostitution.

Su Rong’s eyes reddened. Whatever his excuses, the fact was—he had betrayed her.
“What are you trying to say?”

Qin Chufeng hesitated, struggling to find words.
“I…”

“Brother Chufeng, you forgot your phone!”

Su Xue’er ran out holding his phone. Seeing them together, jealousy flared in her chest.
“What are you two doing?”

Su Rong ignored her and went inside.

Su Xue’er shoved the phone into his hand and demanded,
“What do you mean by this? Why were you standing so close to her?”

Qin Chufeng didn’t want to explain. He replied flatly,
“Just happened to run into her.”

She disliked his attitude—acting righteous despite being in the wrong.
“You still haven’t forgotten her, have you?”

“Don’t overthink. Nothing of the sort. I should go. Rest early.”

He turned to leave.

“You haven’t explained clearly!” Su Xue’er grabbed his arm, looking pitiful.
“She’s your first love—your white moonlight. How am I supposed to feel secure?”

Qin Chufeng took a deep breath.
“We were just kids back then. It was no different from being friends. What’s there to worry about?”

He was right. He and Su Rong had at most held hands—never even kissed. Unlike Su Xue’er, who had thrown herself at him from the very start, even giving herself to him.

Su Xue’er hadn’t been worried before—she’d trampled Su Rong into the mud and held leverage over Qin Chufeng. Yet reality was, Su Rong hadn’t been crushed. She was still struggling upward.

“Then promise me—stay away from her from now on. Don’t get so close again!”

Qin Chufeng weighed the pros and cons. For now, he had no choice.
“Fine, fine, I promise. Happy?”

“That’s better. Be careful on your way.”

She kissed him goodbye, watching him leave before returning inside.

Su Rong sat chatting with Madam Su in the living room. When Su Xue’er returned, she rose and said goodnight before heading upstairs.

Madam Su had already told her she had spoken to Sheng Qiye, and that Su Rong should report to Yu Palace tomorrow.

Su Rong had wanted to mention her own encounter with Sheng Qiye that day, but swallowed the words. Her grandmother had done so much for her—she was deeply grateful.

Back in her room, she noticed several shopping bags placed on the floor. Inside were clothes—coats, tops, pants—several complete outfits.

There were even two pairs of shoes. She tried them on; they fit perfectly. The clothes were her favorite style, with the tags still attached, all from the brands she used to wear.

Tears welled up in her eyes. She rushed downstairs and hugged Madam Su tightly.
“Grandma, thank you!”

“Silly girl, what’s all this?” The old lady gently patted her back.

Su Rong’s voice choked with emotion.
“You’ve thought of everything for me—even bought me clothes.”

“Clothes?” Madam Su looked puzzled. She hadn’t bought Su Rong any clothes at all.