Chapter 17: The Ignorant Woman

“Second Brother, are we really letting that bastard walk away?” Xu Mao glared at Xu Yi’s retreating figure.

Xu Xing sighed. “Father’s been acting strange lately—suddenly favoring Xu Yi. If we hurt him now, Father might punish us. Besides, Eldest Brother has the palace exams tomorrow. We can’t risk causing trouble.”

Xu Mao nodded, stroking the cloak’s fur collar. “Where do you think the bastard got this? This lining… it’s fox fur. Rare and expensive.”

Xu Xing scoffed. “Stolen, no doubt. A street rat like him? Probably picked up thieving while begging.”

Meanwhile, Xu Yi escorted Old Chai to the estate gates.

He discreetly pressed four taels of silver into the old man’s hand, keeping only one for himself.

“Fourth Young Master, I—I can’t accept this.”

“Take it, or I’ll be angry.”

After several refusals, Old Chai finally relented, pocketing the money with trembling hands.

“Fourth Young Master, promise me you’ll be careful. Don’t provoke them—you can’t win.”

Xu Yi nodded. “I know. But once I leave this place, I’ll bring you back. You’ll have a home with me.”

Old Chai’s eyes glistened. “I’ll wait for that day.”

With one last look, the old servant walked away, leaving Xu Yi standing alone, his heart hollow.

At the same time, Xu Ziming emerged from the palace, his face ashen.

He had just endured a brutal reprimand from the Emperor. Though he escaped punishment, the terror still clung to him.

His steward, Wu, hurried over. “Master, are you alright?”

Xu Ziming didn’t answer. He climbed into the carriage, ordering a swift return home.

His legs were still weak, his body drenched in cold sweat.

Back at the Xu estate, Xu Mao was preening in front of his mother, Chang Ruyue.

“Look, Mother! Isn’t it magnificent?”

Chang Ruyue beamed. “My son grows more distinguished by the day!”

Then, lowering her voice, she added, “Your father said not to provoke Xu Yi openly. But that bastard cannot stay. The Xu family belongs to you and your brothers.”

“Remember—use your wits, not brute force. Today, you did well.”

Xu Mao smirked, stroking the cloak’s luxurious fur.

Just then, a servant rushed in. “Master has returned!”

Chang Ruyue hurried to the courtyard to greet her husband.

The moment she saw Xu Ziming’s pallid face, her smile faltered. “Husband, what’s wrong?”

She poured him tea, but his hands shook so violently the cup slipped, shattering on the floor.

“Is Xu Yi back?” he asked hoarsely.

Chang Ruyue’s eyes darkened, but her voice remained sweet. “Yes, he’s home. I even sent him chicken soup earlier.”

Xu Ziming nodded, momentarily soothed by her apparent kindness.

“Good. From tomorrow, assign Old Chai to serve him.”

Chang Ruyue and her sons stiffened.

“Husband… Old Chai is no longer with us,” she said carefully.

“What? Since when?”

“He left of his own will. He’s old, frail—we couldn’t keep him. I even gave him extra silver for his journey.”

Xu Ziming’s frown deepened. “You didn’t drive him out?”

Xu Mao quickly added, “Father, it’s true! Mother tried to stop him, but he insisted.”

Xu Ziming sighed, sipping his tea—then froze.

His eyes locked onto Xu Mao’s cloak.

Why does it look so familiar?

Then it hit him.

His face drained of all color.

The cloak—it was one he had seen before.

A gift from the Minister of War to the Emperor.

Made by a hundred seamstresses over a month.

The Emperor himself had worn it.

And now it was on his son.

Possessing imperial attire without permission was tantamount to treason.

Xu Ziming’s soul nearly left his body.

“Take. It. Off.” His voice was a strangled whisper.

He dismissed all servants, bolted the doors, and turned back to his family, his expression terrifying.

“Kneel.”

Xu Mao dropped to his knees, trembling.

Xu Ziming’s glare shifted to Xu Xing. “You too.”

Once both sons were on the ground, Xu Ziming lifted the cloak with shaking hands.

“Tell me. Where. Did. This. Come. From?”

Xu Mao and Xu Xing looked to their mother in panic.

Chang Ruyue forced a smile. “Husband, why the fuss? I had it made for—”

“SILENCE!” Xu Ziming’s roar was barely contained. “You foolish woman! Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”

Chang Ruyue’s eyes welled with practiced tears. “Husband, I don’t understand. Why are you—”

“This cloak,” Xu Ziming hissed, “belongs to the Emperor.”

The color fled Chang Ruyue’s face.

“If this is discovered, our entire family will be executed for treason.”

The teacup slipped from her fingers, shattering like the fragile illusion of her schemes.

Chapter 18: The Emperor's Decree Arrives

Xu Xing and Xu Mao were terrified, their souls nearly leaving their bodies.

Chang Ruyue was also pale with fright... but she grasped the gravity of the situation.

As the woman who shared Xu Ziming's bed, no one knew this man better than she did.

Xu Ziming possessed cultivated composure and rarely lost his temper... His current loss of control meant this cloak was no ordinary garment.

“Xing’er, Mao’er, tell me the truth,” she urged.

The cloak had been stolen from Xu Yi. If trouble arose, they could conveniently pin the blame on him.

Xu Mao stammered fearfully, “Father, please calm your anger. Xu Yi... gave me this cloak.”

Xu Ziming’s mind exploded!

Xu Yi had gone out today and returned with this cloak. Then he had been summoned and reprimanded by Emperor Jing.

It meant Xu Yi had met the Emperor today. Emperor Jing had personally gifted him this cloak.

Xu Ziming couldn’t fathom why the Emperor favored Xu Yi so much.

But the immediate crisis was that these two idiots had stolen an imperial gift and were wearing it.

‘Gave it to him’? Utter nonsense. It was robbery.

Didn’t he know his own sons’ characters? He’d just chosen to turn a blind eye before.

The more Xu Ziming thought, the angrier he became. He couldn’t contain himself. He kicked Xu Mao to the ground, then spun and kicked Xu Xing, sending him sprawling.

“How could I, Xu Ziming, wise and capable all my life, sire such fools?” he roared.

Xu Xing and Xu Mao trembled uncontrollably. They had never seen their father this enraged.

Chang Ruyue’s heart ached for her sons. She stepped between them and her husband. “My Lord, they are your flesh and blood! Doesn’t it pain you to strike them so?”

“Pain me?” Xu Ziming bellowed. “Do you realize these fools nearly got our entire family killed?”

Chang Ruyue froze. “My Lord… what do you mean?”

“Don’t ask,” Xu Ziming snapped, unable to voice the truth. “Just know this: never provoke Xu Yi again from now on.”

He was suffering in silence, too afraid to explain. Little did he know, his secrecy only fueled the hatred Chang Ruyue and her sons felt for Xu Yi.

Rubbing his temples in agitation, Xu Ziming’s mind raced frantically.

He had to return the cloak to Xu Yi before Emperor Jing learned of this. And he needed to ensure Xu Yi kept silent.

Just then, Steward Wu’s voice echoed from outside: “Master! Someone from the palace has arrived! You are summoned to receive a decree!”

Xu Ziming’s vision darkened. He swayed, nearly collapsing.

His first thought: The Emperor already knows.

Chang Ruyue rushed to support him. “My Lord! Are you alright?” she asked, her face etched with worry.

Xu Ziming, deathly pale, said nothing. Trembling, he shuffled towards the door.

Chang Ruyue, Xu Xing, and Xu Mao hurried after him. When an imperial decree arrived, all masters of the Xu household had to receive it.

The family gathered in the main hall.

A pale-faced eunuch stood there, flanked by four Imperial Guards.

“Minister Xu, receive the decree!” the eunuch’s shrill voice commanded.

The Xu family knelt immediately.

The eunuch unrolled the scroll and proclaimed: “By decree of His Imperial Majesty: Xu Ziming, Minister of Rites, has failed Our trust. He shall retain his post provisionally, his future contingent upon his conduct. He is fined one year’s salary. Respect this!”

Xu Ziming’s vision blackened again; he almost fainted.

The loss of a year’s salary stung, but that was insignificant.

‘Retain post provisionally’ meant the Emperor was furious. Xu Ziming was on the thinnest of ice; one more misstep, and he was finished.

“Minister Xu, will you not accept the decree and give thanks?” the eunuch prompted.

Xu Ziming’s hands shook violently as he took the scroll.

“This humble servant accepts the decree! I kowtow in gratitude for the Heavenly Grace!”

Such was the awe of imperial power. Even when punished—or executed—one had to say thank you.

The eunuch departed.

But Xu Ziming remained kneeling on the cold floor, eyes vacant, unable to move or comprehend.

He’d thought the Emperor’s earlier reprimand was the end of it, secretly relieved to have escaped worse... only for the imperial decree to follow so swiftly.

“My Lord…” Chang Ruyue ventured cautiously, terrified by his ghastly expression.

Suddenly, Xu Ziming lurched to his feet. Like a madman, he charged at Xu Xing and Xu Mao, lashing out with his feet again.

“Fools! Idiots! You’ll be the death of me yet!”

Chang Ruyue rushed forward to shield her sons.

...

The Imperial Palace, Emperor’s Study

Emperor Jing set down his brush. Before him lay the paper inscribed with Xu Yi’s three brilliant strategies.

The more the Emperor read, the more pleased he became.

“With these three ingenious plans, our border people will be safe this winter.”

Chief Eunuch Quan hurriedly flattered, “Your Majesty’s divine wisdom protects the realm. It is the people’s fortune.”

“Enough flattery. This is Xu Yi’s merit... To have a son like Xu Yi,” the Emperor mused. “Has the decree been delivered?”

“Just now, Your Majesty,” Quan replied.

Emperor Jing nodded, then frowned. “Xu Ziming is truly blind. Possessing a son with top scholar talent, yet he ignores him. Without a sharp lesson, he’d think We lack resolve.”

After Xu Ziming left, the Emperor’s anger had simmered, finally boiling over into the decree. A mere scolding wouldn’t have sufficed.

The Emperor pondered. “Nie Liang?”

Commander Nie Liang entered swiftly and knelt on one knee. “At Your Majesty’s command!”

“Nie Liang, dispatch some men. Investigate Xu Yi thoroughly. Find out why Xu Ziming treats him with such disdain.”

“Your servant obeys!”

Just then, a young eunuch appeared at the door. “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince and the Ninth Princess request an audience!”

The Emperor waved Nie Liang away.

“Admit them,” he ordered.

Shortly, the Crown Prince and Ninth Princess entered.

The Crown Prince, slender and in his mid-twenties, carried himself with mature steadiness, his features echoing the Emperor’s.

The Ninth Princess, Huai’an, was barely fourteen, still carrying the bloom of youth. She had a delicate chin, luminous eyes, and a cascade of dark hair. Though young, her figure hinted at future beauty. Her large eyes sparkled with lively charm.

(In this era, fourteen was marriageable age.)

“Your son pays respects to Imperial Father!”
“Daughter pays respects to Imperial Father!”

They bowed in unison.

Emperor Jing smiled. “Rise.”

“You come at a good time, Crown Prince. We were about to summon you. See this.” He handed the Crown Prince the paper with the three strategies.

The Crown Prince took it, his eyes lighting up as he read. “Marvelous! Truly marvelous strategies... With these, the people of our border regions are blessed.”

Princess Huai’an peeked over but quickly lost interest.

The Emperor asked, “Which strategy do you think We should implement?”

The Crown Prince’s expression became troubled. After a pause, he said, “Imperial Father’s wisdom shall decide!”

The Emperor’s brow furrowed, his smile vanishing. His son was capable but chronically indecisive.

Unaware of the shift, the Crown Prince inquired, “Imperial Father, who devised such brilliant plans?”

“Lan Xing,” the Emperor replied.

“Lan Xing?” The Crown Prince pondered. “The Lan Xing who composed that unparalleled poem?”

The Emperor nodded.

“Imperial Father, this man possesses extraordinary talent. I wish to meet him. May I have your permission?”

The Emperor’s smile returned. Though indecisive, his son recognized talent—a trait inherited from him. “Good. In a few days, accompany Us on an excursion outside the palace.”

“Yes!”

The Emperor turned to the Ninth Princess. “Huai’an, what brings you to Us?”

Princess Huai’an giggled, her smile bright and sweet. “Imperial Father, nothing... I just missed you!”

The Emperor was delighted. He had many children, but most treated him like mice avoiding a cat. Only Huai’an, with her cheerful, mischievous spirit, made him feel younger. Hence, she was his favorite.

“Imperial Father, I want to go out too! I want to meet this great scholar!” she chirped.

The Emperor laughed and granted her wish.

Meanwhile, the “great scholar” Huai’an spoke of—Xu Yi, known as Lan Xing—was staring dumbfounded at Xu Ziming and his family.

A group of his habitual tormentors had suddenly come to apologize. Anyone would be bewildered.