Xiao Jingduo’s status as the legitimate eldest son was finally openly acknowledged, and he felt relieved inwardly. However, his face showed no sign of joy. He had exposed the truth that Xiao Ying and the Dingyong Marquis’s household had always wanted to conceal. How could they possibly let him off easily? Xiao Jingduo could already anticipate what awaited him upon returning to the mansion.
Sure enough, when they left the Duke Zhao’s mansion and Madam Wu’s carriage stopped in front of the Dingyong Marquis’s residence, Wu Junru, seeing that there were no outsiders around, shed her mask of hypocrisy without hesitation and sneered at him: “Well, well, it turns out you’re an ungrateful wolf cub. I misjudged you. You might be able to use the princess’s influence to pressure me now, but can you do that for a lifetime? Just you wait and see.”
After delivering her threats, Wu Junru stormed into the mansion, forcefully swinging her sleeves.
Xiao Jingduo calmly entered the mansion. The main hall was already filled with people. Xiao Ying’s face was ashen, and the old Madam Xiao was listening to a servant reporting about the events at the Duke Zhao’s mansion. Upon seeing Xiao Jingduo enter, the old madam angrily slapped the armrest: “How foolish!”
Xiao Ying was even more furious. He never imagined Xiao Jingduo would dare to do such a thing, not only spreading the matter of Zhao Xiulan outside the family but also using the princess’s words to secure his status as the legitimate eldest son. Looking at his nine-year-old son, Xiao Ying realized for the first time that he might have underestimated Xiao Jingduo.
“You have the nerve to come back!” Xiao Ying shouted angrily. “I thought your defiance of your elders was just a moment of confusion, but I never imagined you’d be stupid enough to tell outsiders about the Xiao family’s private matters, and even tell a royal princess! Your reckless behavior will eventually bring down the entire Xiao family!”
Xiao Jingduo laughed coldly. Bring down the entire Xiao family? If he ever had his own power, the first thing he’d do would be to destroy the Dingyong Marquis’s household. Did Xiao Ying really think he would serve the Dingyong Marquis’s household in the future? How absurd.
Xiao Ying was furious, and Wu Junru put on a wronged expression, hanging her head without speaking. The others lowered their heads in fearful silence, not daring to breathe a word. Seeing Xiao Jingduo standing coldly in the hall, showing neither fear nor regret, Xiao Ying became increasingly angry and roared: “Go kneel in the ancestral hall and reflect! Don’t get up without my order.”
Without a word, Xiao Jingduo turned to leave. The old madam watched, extremely upset: “Duo’er, what kind of behavior is this? Quickly apologize to your father. If your father calms down, you might receive less punishment. Do you really want to go kneel in the ancestral hall?”
“That won’t be necessary,” Xiao Jingduo replied.
“Oh, you…” The old madam was so angry her chest hurt. She had intended to let Xiao Jingduo stew for a while, thinking that a nine-year-old child wouldn’t have much courage and would be scared after being yelled at by his father. She had planned to then step in and plead for leniency. But she never expected Xiao Jingduo to remain silent, preferring punishment to submission. The old madam’s own anger flared up, and she said furiously: “Fine, if you insist on disobeying, then go kneel in the ancestral hall. You’ll regret this sooner or later!”
After Xiao Jingduo left, the old madam was still so angry that her chest heaved. She rubbed her temples forcefully and asked Xiao Ying with difficulty: “Eldest son, what should we do about today’s events? Noble people like the princess often forget things. Perhaps in a few days, she’ll forget about Duo’er, and then we can announce that Duo’er is the eldest son of a concubine?”
Wu Junru immediately sneered: “Even if Princess Pingwei forgets this matter, will all those officials’ wives who were present today also forget? I knew this child wasn’t simple, full of schemes. Now we have no choice but to give him the position of the legitimate eldest son of the Marquis’s household.”
“Is it that serious?” the old madam asked in confusion. “Isn’t this kind of thing settled just by the family elders saying so? This is our Xiao family’s business, why should outsiders have any say in it?”
Wu Junru was too angry to speak to the old madam. Xiao Ying also shook his head: “It’s not that simple. Once many things are exposed, we can only grit our teeth and acknowledge them to the end. He was so stubborn before, I thought he still harbored resentment. I didn’t expect him to have so many thoughts of his own.”
“Isn’t it all for the Marquis title?” Wu Junru said, her stomach full of fire at the memory of what had just happened. “I underestimated the ancients. I didn’t expect a nine-year-old child to have so many thoughts already, not only knowing how to secure his future at such a young age but also playing innocent and harmless, catching me off guard. Xiao Jingduo did all this just to become the legitimate eldest son and inherit Xiao Ying’s title in the future. If I let him have his way, wouldn’t it be a waste of all my years living in two time periods?” So she immediately put on a wronged expression and said: “This child is really something. If he wanted the title, he could have just said so. Could I have stopped him? He previously acted like he didn’t care, and I thought he truly didn’t need these empty titles. That’s why I brought this up with his father and brothers. I didn’t expect him to be two-faced, doing such self-destructive things that hurt his family and please his enemies. He has truly disappointed me!”
Hearing Wu Junru’s words, the old madam finally realized the gravity of the situation. What she had considered an insignificant issue of legitimate heir status was actually tied to the inheritance of the title. She exclaimed, “Oh my! How can this be allowed!”
The old madam was both angry and helpless, but the most pressing matter now was to comfort her daughter-in-law of noble birth. She softened her tone and said: “Junru, don’t be angry. How could we let anyone bully you while we’re here? Duo’er has really gone too far, setting his sights on the Marquis title. To think I used to trust him so much. Junru, don’t worry. Duo’er’s mother is of low status after all. In the end, this Marquis household will still belong to your son.”
The old Madam Xiao openly declared her stance, hardly appropriate words for an elder. Yet Xiao Ying remained silent, seemingly acquiescing. Xiao Jingduo had no support, while Wu Junru’s son had the entire Wu family behind him. Naturally, Xiao Ying could calculate which choice was more beneficial.
With both the old madam and Xiao Ying taking her side, Wu Junru felt somewhat comforted. However, not wanting to appear overly ambitious, she demurred: “Mother-in-law, how can you say such things? I’ve never cared about the Marquis title. As long as I can be filial to you, I’m content.”
The old madam felt greatly pleased. She immediately took Wu Junru’s hand, and the two began a performance of harmony between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. Xiao Ying, preoccupied with his thoughts, naturally had no patience to listen to their exchange and left after sitting for a short while.
After Xiao Ying left, Wu Junru also grew tired of the act and soon took her leave. When everyone had gone, old Madam Xiao called over her precious grandson, Xiao Jinghu, holding him in her arms and murmuring: “Hu’er, you see how your eldest brother didn’t listen and now he’s been sent to kneel in the ancestral hall? You must not be like that. You must always listen to grandmother, understand?”
Xiao Jinghu obediently nodded. The old madam was so pleased she kissed him and continued muttering: “It’s a pity the Marquis title belongs to your uncle. If only your grandfather were still here, he could have made our Hu’er the Marquis…”
Xiao Jingduo could never have imagined that all his careful planning to secure his rightful status would be interpreted by others as coveting Xiao Ying’s title. If he had a choice, he would rather not have this father at all, let alone inherit Xiao Ying’s title. Xiao Jingduo’s goal, from beginning to end, was to rise to the same level as Xiao Ying, or even higher, and then mercilessly defeat his callous, power-hungry birth father.
This goal had always been rooted in Xiao Jingduo’s heart. However, today, as he knelt before the sparse ancestral tablets in the hall, he suddenly felt lost.
He was clearly fighting for what should have been rightfully his, yet he was punished by his elders to kneel in the ancestral hall. He was too weak now; merely asserting Zhao Xiulan’s identity not only required the princess’s help to succeed but also meant enduring the wrath of Xiao Ying and Madam Wu afterwards. Xiao Jingduo once again questioned himself: Could he really defeat Xiao Ying? Xiao Ying was a founding contributor to the country, a second-rank Marquis of Dingyong, and still held a military position. He himself was only nine years old, with no family support or allies. How could someone as vulnerable as him contend with Xiao Ying, let alone the powerful Wu family?
Xiao Jingduo used to think that passing the imperial examinations and becoming an official would be enough. But the more he learned about officialdom, the more uneasy he became. His tutor told him that aside from the extreme difficulty of the examinations, even if he were lucky enough to pass, a commoner without connections would have to start from the lowest ranks. The rest would depend on luck. With good fortune, one might work their way up to a fourth or fifth-rank official in the capital after ten or twenty years. If luck wasn’t on their side, it wouldn’t be surprising to spend a lifetime stuck in a minor clerk position. In contrast, sons of noble families or descendants of meritorious officials could enter officialdom directly under their family’s protection, without needing to take exams, and could rise quickly under their elders’ patronage. In comparison, for a commoner without background to develop a career in officialdom was extremely difficult.
Naturally, Xiao Jingduo didn’t expect to rely on family connections in the future. He had no support and could only depend on himself. But alone, how long would it take for him to grow strong enough to defeat his birth father, Xiao Ying?
Xiao Jingduo spent three consecutive days in the ancestral hall pondering this issue.
He couldn’t neglect his studies in the study room. Every day after finishing lessons with Teacher Chu, Xiao Jingduo would automatically come to the ancestral hall to receive his punishment. Everyone in the mansion looked at him with schadenfreude, but Xiao Jingduo ignored it. Even while kneeling in the hall, he took the opportunity to recite the day’s lessons.
However, on the third day, what he feared most finally happened.
Xiao Jingduo was silently reciting “The Classic of Filial Piety” to the ancestral tablets when suddenly there was a commotion outside. Qiuju struggled free from the servants guarding the hall and threw herself in front of Xiao Jingduo, her face tear-stained: “Young Master, please go back quickly to check on the Madam. The Marchioness has gone to Qingze Courtyard to find the Madam!”
Madam Wu went to find his mother? Xiao Jingduo immediately became serious. Disregarding his ongoing punishment, he stood up and walked out.
Xiao Jingduo strode quickly towards Qingze Courtyard. On the way, he found time to ask Qiuju: “What happened? When did she come, and what did she say to Mother?”
Qiuju shook her head: “I don’t know. As soon as the Marchioness arrived, I hurried out to find you, Young Master.”
Xiao Jingduo didn’t ask further and rushed towards Qingze Courtyard.
Inside Qingze Courtyard, Wu Junru walked around the main room, frowning with disdain: “How shabby.”
Zhao Xiulan, looking ill, leaned against the couch, still trying to maintain her composure as she said to Wu Junru: “What are you here for?”
“The Marquis said he divorced someone eight years ago. I’ve come to see what this discarded wife from eight years ago looks like.”
Eight years ago? Zhao Xiulan smiled bitterly. How absurd. Eight years ago, she had just given birth to Duo’er and was diligently managing household affairs to please her in-laws on Xiao Ying’s behalf. She never imagined that in Xiao Ying’s words, it would become this version of events.
Maid Wei, supporting Wu Junru, chimed in: “In all my years, I’ve never seen such impropriety. If you were divorced by your husband’s family eight years ago, why are you still living in their house, and even manipulating your son to fight for the title? It’s truly… I don’t know what to say.”
Xiao Jingduo had intentionally kept the news of his punishment from Zhao Xiulan, so she didn’t understand what had happened. She lowered her head and coughed for a while. When she finally settled down, she struggled to speak up for her son: “Nonsense. I have never manipulated Duo’er, and he’s not that kind of person.”
Wu Junru sneered and said: “You’ve certainly said all the right things. Even if you don’t want to admit it, it doesn’t matter. I’ll tell you frankly, I am the legitimate wife of the Dingyong Marquis’s household, and I am also the real mother of your precious son. No matter how hard you try, you won’t get anything.”
Wu Junru leaned down, staring into Zhao Xiulan’s eyes, and said slowly and deliberately: “The Marquis and the old madam have already said that the position of heir can only belong to my son in the future. You say Xiao Jingduo will have nothing in the future, yet he’ll have to call me mother for his entire life and be under my control. Do you think I’ll let him have an easy time?”
Zhao Xiulan, overcome with anger, trembled as she began, “You…” But she couldn’t continue. Zhao Xiulan felt a surge of blood rushing up, a sweetness in her throat, followed by a bout of heart-wrenching coughing. She could no longer speak.
Wu Junru wanted to say more to provoke Zhao Xiulan, but before she could open her mouth, they heard the courtyard door being pushed open with a bang. Wu Junru pursed her lips in disappointment.
Xiao Jingduo rushed back to Qingze Court from the ancestral hall. As soon as he entered, he saw Wu Junru and looked at her warily: “What are you doing here?”
“How boring,” Wu Junru sighed and said, “This madam still has to return to handle affairs of the Marquis’s household. I don’t have time to waste with you. Maid Wei…”
Maid Wei quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying: “This old servant is here, Madam.”
“Let’s go. I don’t want to share a room with these country bumpkins anymore.”
“Yes, Madam.”
As Wu Junru was being escorted out by Nanny Wei, she suddenly stopped at the door, turned sideways and smiled: “I advise you not to waste your efforts. The position of Marquis’s wife is mine, and the future title of Dingyong Marquis can only belong to my son. You’d better give up on this idea early.”
“Indeed,” Nanny Wei added, “to have been divorced by the husband’s family and still have the nerve to live in their house. If it were me, I would have died of shame long ago.”
“Shut up!” Xiao Jingduo shouted, then quickly went to attend to Zhao Xiulan. “Mother, don’t mind them. They came here just to anger you. Don’t fall into their trap!”
“Oh, young master, please mind your words,” Nanny Wei pretended to advise Xiao Jingduo. “Young Master, you’re not little anymore. You should understand basic etiquette. Only our Miss Wu can be your mother. No one else has that qualification.”
As expected, Zhao Xiulan became even more furious hearing this. Xiao Jingduo had no time to retort and hurriedly patted Zhao Xiulan’s back. Qiuju had finally caught up and just as she ran into the courtyard, she heard Zhao Xiulan’s coughing. Qiuju anxiously called out: “Madam!”
“How dare you!” Wu Junru suddenly shouted. “Only I can be called Madam in the Marquis’s household. You, a mere maid, dare to be insolent. By my order, demote this lowly maid to a menial servant and send her to the laundry. Take her away right now!”
Several sturdy female servants immediately came to grab Qiuju. Qiuju was both angry and scared, screaming and crying: “Let me go, I don’t want to leave…”
The servants ignored Qiuju’s struggles, sneering as they restrained her. The whole courtyard was filled with Qiuju’s cries. Wu Junru stood in the courtyard with her people, deliberately ignoring this. Today, she was determined to clip Xiao Jingduo’s wings. Did he really think she, Wu Junru, couldn’t deal with him?
Just as the commotion was at its peak, a voice came from behind. Though not particularly loud, it strangely overpowered Qiuju’s cries and the servants’ scolding, clearly reaching everyone’s ears.
“Stop.”
Xiao Jingduo stood at the doorway, coldly looking at them.
“I’d like to see who dares!”
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