He Ziming glared, his brows drawn tight. “What are you laughing at? What’s so funny?”
This unfilial, defiant daughter—when had she ever regarded him with respect?
Madam Lu, fearing father and daughter might quarrel and ruin matters, quickly interjected: “Princess, marrying a brother’s widow is a matter of clan importance. As an outsider, you have no right to interfere. Take my advice—do not be stubborn. If this estranges you from your husband and offends the entire Jiang family, would that not be a grave loss? For Yu’er and Ying’er’s sake, you should let go.”
He Ziming restrained his temper and added, “You are a mother of two now. Do not think only of romance. Consider Yu’er and Ying’er in all things.”
Madam Lu continued earnestly, “I can see that your husband is determined to marry her. Why make yourself the villain? Better to go along, help them celebrate the marriage. I have not seen this Miss Xie, but surely she cannot compare to you. Your husband is only chasing novelty. Once it fades, you will still hold sway.”
He Fangting laughed again.
Madam Lu felt like a clown on stage, trying to amuse this noble princess. The veins on her forehead throbbed, but she pressed on: “These days, Yu’er and Ying’er must feel uneasy. To side with you is unfilial, to side with your husband is also unfilial. Princess, as mothers, how can we make things so hard for our children? Even if wronged, for their sake, we must swallow it.”
He Ziming frowned. “You know well the Emperor bears resentment toward you. Zhixiu’s career cannot advance. If he marries another, it may ease the Emperor’s displeasure. Should he enter the Grand Secretariat, the ones who benefit most will be you and your children. Fangting, you are a daughter of the He family—you must see the bigger picture!”
Zhixiu and he, in truth, shared the same plight.
But He Fangting only laughed harder. Her father, once famed as a handsome man, still carried elegance and charm in old age, surpassing his peers. Yet she had always thought his fine looks were bought at the cost of true intelligence.
The couple spoke in turns, their words flowing like silk, sounding persuasive at first hearing.
A weaker mind might have been swayed.
But not He Fangting. She patiently let them finish, then smiled: “Let me guess. Jiang Zhixiu must have promised Father a real post and pledged to support him in his career. Is that not so?”
He Ziming flushed red. “…Nonsense! No such thing!”
How had she learned this? Infuriating!
He Fangting smiled lightly. “If Father says no, then no it is.”
People without self-awareness were the most pitiable. And unfortunately, her father was one of them—convinced of his great talent, yet because he had married a princess, he was left with empty titles, unable to fulfill his ambitions, and forever resentful. In time, he even grew bitter toward his wife and daughter, blaming them for ruining his prospects.
But was it not possible that he was simply mediocre, lofty in ambition but lacking in ability? That even without marrying a princess, his career would have faltered?
He Fangting thought this silently. She could not bear to say it aloud—after all, he was her father.
He Fangting turned to Madam Lu and said, “Jiang Zhixiu must have promised you that he would recommend fine tutors for Liwen and Lizhang—perhaps even secure their admission to Yunshan Academy?”
He Liwen and He Lizhang were Madam Lu’s sons, He Fangting’s younger half-brothers.
The two studied diligently enough, but lacked talent. After several years, they had still failed to pass even the licentiate exam.
In earlier years, He Fangting had cared about their studies and wished to guide them. But the mother and sons kept everything hidden, as if afraid she might harm them. Her father forbade her involvement as well. So she gave up.
Madam Lu, however, had no shame in admitting it. She twisted her handkerchief and pleaded, “Princess, you cannot think only of yourself. Spare a thought for your brothers! If they enter Yunshan Academy, they will have hope!”
Yunshan Academy was the finest in Great Zhao, admitting only the most gifted. She and her husband had tried countless ways to get the boys in, but failed. So when Jiang Zhixiu offered, she agreed at once.
If Liwen and Lizhang could enter Yunshan Academy, then even if Jiang Zhixiu wanted to marry another wife—or even divorce He Fangting—she would support him wholeheartedly.
Besides, toward He Fangting, her stepdaughter, she felt only dislike and fear, never affection. Seeing He Fangting suffer would delight her.
He Fangting looked at them both. “And you are not afraid he will go back on his word?”
Madam Lu replied smugly, “He cannot. Your father made him write a pledge and press his seal!”
He Fangting recalled how she herself had once demanded written pledges and seals when handing over accounts. She almost laughed. Truly, father and daughter were alike in this—thinking the same way. She wondered what Jiang Zhixiu had felt at that moment.
He Ziming sipped his tea, then said sternly, “We have spoken both kindly and harshly. Will you agree or not?”
He Fangting’s eyes glimmered with amusement. “I will not.”
He Ziming’s anger flared. He exchanged a glance with Madam Lu. She immediately hurled her teacup to the floor—the signal.
At once, a crowd of burly servant women surged in, followed by guards.
He Fangting was astonished. “You mean to imprison me?”
Her father and stepmother had suddenly grown bold—something she had not expected.
It seemed her father’s obsession with official rank had worsened yet again.