Chapter 11:

The Zhuang family received a decree from the Empress, summoning Zhuang Xiaoyu to the palace alone. Everyone knew that this was like a weasel wishing the chicken a happy new year—it was clearly a bad omen.

Since that banquet, the Empress had been ill. After recovering, she began plotting how to get rid of Zhuang Xiaoyu. It was because there were too many people present that day that her plans failed, but now, she was determined to summon Zhuang Xiaoyu into the palace to deal with her and see who would come to her rescue.

“Sister, you can’t go. The Empress will definitely harm you,” Zhuang Xiaowan clutched her hand.

“I’ll go with Xiaoyu. If the Empress tries to make things difficult, I won’t let her succeed, even if it means using my title to confront her,” Zhang Shi said, preparing to don her official robes to accompany Zhuang Xiaoyu to the palace.

Even if you hold a first-class title, can it really overpower the Empress? However, Zhuang Xiaoyu felt a warm sensation in her heart.

“The Empress has specifically ordered that she go alone. If you accompany her, it will be seen as defying the decree,” Zhuang Xian stopped them.

“Then what should we do? We know this is a fire pit, should we just let Xiaoyu jump in?” Zhang Shi cried out.

“Sigh, the Empress and Crown Prince are narrow-minded. They are not fit for such a big responsibility. It looks like I have no choice but to walk down that path,” Zhuang Xian sighed.

“Why are you saying this now? What should we do now? What will Xiaoyu do?”

Zhuang Xiaoyu found herself strangely enjoying watching Old Zhuang’s frantic actions. Your own daughter is about to go to her death, let’s see what you can do!

“Xiaoyu, you go for now. Try not to anger the Empress, and your father will try his best to find someone to save you.”

“Father, the Empress will be angry even if I don’t provoke her. Who will you beg for help?”

“King Xuan. I’ll try my best.”

“Will he really offend the Empress for my sake?”

“He will. He already offended the Crown Prince that day, so one more enemy, the Empress, won’t make a difference. After all, he doesn’t care about offending anyone, and the Emperor’s attitude toward him won’t change.”

“By the way, father, why does the Emperor dislike King Xuan? I think he’s pretty good—handsome, righteous. Why doesn’t the Emperor like him?”

“The Emperor suspects that King Xuan is not his biological son.”

“Suspects but has no proof?”

“It’s all royal secrets. The truth can only be known by the person who’s in the know.”

“If they suspect he’s not his son, why still make him a prince? The other sons didn’t get that title.”

“The third prince achieved military merits. The title of prince was something he asked for.”

“Alright, I’ll wait for father to save me. Hurry though, or I might just go down to join my real mother.”

Zhuang Xiaoyu was only joking to scare Old Zhuang, but it was actually Zhang Shi who got frightened first.

“Sister, you won’t die. Wuwuwu…”

“Sis, you’re crying like I’m already dead.”

“You can’t die, wuwu…”

Zhuang Xiaoyu looked up, thinking, Oh my god!

“Stop crying. I’m not dead yet. It’s too early to cry. No one’s going to kill me. There aren’t many people who can kill me in this place.”

This was what her master had told her. With her skills, she could pretty much live freely in the Great Zhou Dynasty. If she didn’t want to be too bold, that was fine too. But she was like a crab, wanting to let Old Zhuang support her, live comfortably, and let him take care of her. Then when Old Zhuang got older, she’d let Little Zhuang take care of her. Life is short, after all. She couldn’t eat that much, so what was wrong with being supported?

“Mm, sister, you must be careful.”

“Sigh, some people want to seek death, but you can’t stop them.”

“Xiaoyu…”

Zhang Shi’s eyes reddened. She had hoped to have a peaceful and happy family, but some people just couldn’t bear to see them well.

“Mother, thank you for always being kind to me. Actually, all of this is because of me. You’ve never blamed me. Let me show you something. My master is not an ordinary person. The Empress and Emperor can’t do anything to me.”

“…………”

Zhang Shi looked at Zhuang Xiaoyu’s confident expression, as if she radiated a bright light from head to toe. In her heart, turbulent waves were rising. The fortune-teller had once said that Zhuang Xiaoyu had too much killing intent. Her master took her in to teach her to be kind, but it seemed like fate was at work here.

“Alright, mother will wait for you to come back for dinner.”

Zhuang Xiaoyu yawned as she boarded the carriage to the palace, while Zhuang Xian went to seek help from King Xuan.

Zhuang Xiaowan tugged at her mother’s sleeve and asked, “Mother, what did sister mean by that?”

“She’s not afraid of the Empress, don’t worry.”

“Ah?”

“Your cousin is sick. Let’s go visit her.”

“Ah?”

Mother wasn’t worried about her sister at all, and even had time to visit her maiden family.

Since Zhang Xue was tricked by Zhuang Xiaoyu twice, she had become mentally unstable.

She tried hard to forget those humiliating moments, but she couldn’t, and they became clearer and clearer in her mind. She worried every day that someone would find out about her lost virginity, living in constant fear and anxiety, unable to eat or sleep well. In just half a month, she had become noticeably thinner.

She was afraid to see a doctor, fearing that the doctor would discover she was no longer a virgin. If others found out, her life would be ruined.

Zhang Shi’s sister-in-law came to visit her, and Mrs. Zhang was very polite to her, accompanying her to see Zhang Xue.

Zhang Xue was curled up in bed, her eyes lifeless. When she saw them enter, she suddenly became more animated.

“What are you here for? Are you here to watch me make a fool of myself?” she snapped.

“Xue’er, how can you speak like this to your aunt? Your aunt and Xiaowan came to see you out of kindness,” Mrs. Zhang said, pulling Zhang Xue closer, both distressed and helpless.

“Kindness? Bah! Ever since Zhuang Xiaoyu showed up, you’ve all changed. Xiaowan used to be close to me, but now she doesn’t want anything to do with me. All this aunt and cousin talk—it’s all fake!”

“What are you talking about? Zhuang Xiaoyu is the daughter of a high-ranking official. Your aunt’s position is not an easy one, and if she doesn’t treat her well, it’ll bring gossip,” Mrs. Zhang chided, always trying to understand the complexities of the situation.

“You don’t understand! They are a family now. They’re united. They…”

“Child, you’ve completely lost your mind. Please, don’t make your sister laugh at you.”

Mrs. Zhang said nothing more. Zhuang Xiaowan had wanted to scold Zhang Xue about the matter involving the Crown Prince, but when she saw her state, she couldn’t bring herself to speak. The two of them only sat for a while before leaving.

In the family’s carriage.

“Cousin only points out other people’s faults. Doesn’t she ever reflect on her own mistakes?”

“Xiaowan, do you know why Zhang Xue suddenly became like this?”

“Suddenly? Didn’t Aunt say she was just sick?”

“Yes, but her illness came in a strange way. Do you know why?”

“I don’t know. Since sister came, I haven’t seen her much. After she tried to frame us in the palace, I haven’t seen her again.”

Could it be that I’m overthinking this? It wasn’t Xiaoyu who did it.

“Aunt, actually, there’s something I’ve been keeping from you.”

The child couldn’t hold it in for long.

“What is it? Does it have to do with your sister?”

“How did you know?”

“What’s wrong with your sister?”

“Last time we went to Huicui Building to look at jewelry, the shopkeeper insulted us as poor beggars, and sister knocked him out.”

“And then? Why didn’t you tell us?”

“Then, a young nobleman came out and apologized to sister. He even gave her a golden hairpin. This is it.”

Zhuang Xiaowan took off the hairpin from her head and showed it to her aunt. In fact, Mrs. Zhang had already seen it and praised Zhuang Xiaoyu for her good taste.

“Didn’t you say your sister bought it for you?”

“Mm, sister didn’t want me to tell anyone. She said it was all in the past and it doesn’t matter now.”

“From now on, no matter what happens, you must tell Aunt, understand?”

“I understand.”

Zhuang Xiaoyu was slowly swaying in the carriage as she entered the palace. When they passed through the streets, she even got out to buy two apples. By the time she arrived at the Empress’s Renxi Palace, she had finished them. When she got out of the carriage, she even burped loudly.

The little eunuch who came to greet her gave her a sympathetic look. He couldn’t tell if this young lady was really foolish or pretending to be. Her appetite was truly impressive.

“Full now? Time to get to work. Go ahead, lead the way.”

“Work? What work?!” The little eunuch was confused.

“Lead what way? The Empress must have been waiting for me to come.”

Zhuang Xiaoyu stepped forward confidently and was led into the hall. Sure enough, the Empress sat on the main seat, with two familiar women by her side—the same ones who had tried to hit her last time.

“We’re all people who get revenge when wronged, right? Let’s get on with it. What’s the program you’ve prepared? I’m happy to perform along with you.”

Everyone was stunned. This woman was truly crazy! How dare she act so out of line in front of the Empress? Who gave her the courage?

“Are you all deaf? No program? Fine, I’m leaving.”

“You really are audacious, Zhuang Xiaoyu! Who do you think you are, to not take the palace seriously?”

The Empress’s voice trembled as she spoke. She had lived for half her life and had never been so enraged. This was the sixth time it had happened, and it was always because of Zhuang Xiaoyu.