Shen Yanchu was extremely worried.
“Husband, you know Hua’er’s temperament and thoughts even better than I do. Sooner or later, she’ll get into big trouble.”
“Madam, don’t worry. I’ve already requested a golden immunity plaque from His Majesty. Nothing should go wrong.”
“Even with an immunity plaque, I still feel uneasy.”
“His Majesty has issued the decree. What can we do? We can only pray she serves as a good-luck charm at court and doesn’t speak recklessly. I’ll give her thorough instructions.”
“With her current habits, getting her up every morning will be a struggle.”
“I know. I told His Majesty, but he’s right—it’s possible to cultivate new habits.”
“Do you really think our precious daughter will obediently attend court?”
“That’s why I’ve thought of a plan. First, don’t tell her about the immunity plaque. Second, you’ll have to help me perform a double act,” Yu Jinghong said slyly.
“How am I supposed to cooperate with you?”
He whispered a few instructions in her ear.
Shen Yanchu frowned slightly. “Will this really work?”
“Don’t worry. I know her well. As long as our acting is convincing, I guarantee she’ll comply.”
With that, he strode toward Yu Hua’s courtyard with exaggerated, deliberate steps.
Yu Hua was lying on a lounge chair under the peach tree, engrossed in her illustrated storybook.
She munched on snacks, completely content.
“Hua’er! Don’t blame your father. Your carefree days are over—for the sake of our whole household,” Yu Jinghong said as he approached.
He reached for a grape from the table, but Yu Hua stopped him without even looking up.
“Second Brother, you’re stealing my grapes again.”
“What second brother? I’m your father.”
Hearing this, Yu Hua immediately raised her head. “Father! You… you came? I thought it was Second Brother sneaking my grapes again!”
“I’ve come for something important.”
“Father, what’s the matter? Why are you so serious?”
“I’m here to tell you—how would you like to travel to Jiangnan for a visit?”
Yu Hua’s eyes lit up. “To Jiangnan? I’ve heard it’s picturesque, with many handsome men and beautiful ladies. Of course I want to go!”
“I thought you’d like that. Pack your things. We’ll leave the city first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Really? Father, am I going alone?”
“Of course not. You’ll go with your eldest and second brothers.”
“I don’t want to go with Second Brother! He always fights me for food. And isn’t Eldest Brother busy at the Jingzhao Office? How would he have time to come along?”
“You go, that’s enough. Stop questioning everything.”
“Wait, you’re hiding something. Tell the truth.”
“What could I be hiding? Once you’re in Jiangnan, live your life well. Never return to the capital.”
“Why? There’s so much delicious food and fun in the capital. I don’t want to leave!”
“Because, daughter, you’re going to Jiangnan to escape danger.”
“Danger? What danger?”
“His Majesty has decreed you must attend court as an official—to serve as a good-luck charm. I know your temperament isn’t suited for official duty, but I cannot refuse the emperor. So I have to send you away,” Yu Jinghong said seriously.
“Then why does the emperor want me at court? Isn’t the court full of old men constantly bickering? Since when does the Great An dynasty appoint girls as officials?”
“You are my lucky charm. The reason doesn’t matter. What matters is you pack immediately and leave tonight.”
“And if I go, what about you and Mother?”
“As long as you are safe, I, as Minister of Revenue, cannot simply run away. Your mother and I will go tomorrow to apologize to His Majesty.”
“What a foolish and tyrannical emperor—forcing someone to serve?”
“Don’t speak like that. If His Majesty hears, our whole family will suffer.”
Yu Jinghong gave Shen Yanchu a subtle look. She feigned panic and ran over.
“How is your father? I’ll help you pack.”
“You know about this?”
“Your father told me when he returned. Sending you to Jiangnan was a decision we made together. With your temperament, you couldn’t handle court. You’d anger all the old men, and if you offended the emperor, the whole family would be implicated.”
“Exactly. If Hua’er has to rise at midnight and reach the Golden Throne Hall by dawn, she’ll never wake on time with her habits.”
“I admit, I’m not suited for office. Mother, what should I bring?”
Yu Jinghong and Shen Yanchu exchanged a glance. Shen Yanchu said,
“Take two sets of clothing and some money. You’ll need to live on your own. This might be a final farewell.”
She pretended to wipe away nonexistent tears.
“Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll return after things settle down.”
“No. Never come back. Your mother and I will remove you from the family register to protect the clan.”
If I’m erased from the family register, I’ll become a homeless orphan again! Absolutely not. Precious family ties can’t just be lost! Yu Hua panicked.
“I haven’t done anything wrong! Why erase me from the register?”
“Think! If you ran off, the emperor would trouble our household. By removing you, the family remains safe.”
“Are you really my parents? To protect yourselves, you’d do this to me?”
Shen Yanchu dabbed her eyes. “Hua’er, we do this for your own good. Do you really want to serve as some chattering official?”
Finally, I get to be a rich second-generation child with no worries… How can I give that up? It’s just going to work for the first time. Previous nine lives were all grinding jobs—this one’s mine to enjoy.
Yu Hua fumed internally.
“Father, Mother, I thought about it. Being an official isn’t so bad. There’s salary. And I don’t know anything anyway, so I won’t have to work—just take the pay. Isn’t that great?”
Yu Jinghong’s eyes widened. He looked incredulous. “Hua’er, do you know what you’re saying? What if someone forces you to speak? What if a single word displeases His Majesty? You’re risking the whole family’s life!”
“I promise I won’t speak! I just can’t bear losing you two. If I became an orphan, how would I survive? I have no skills.”
“You little ingrate. I see—it’s not for us, but because you fear losing your comfortable life.”
Father has gotten clever? I can’t let him notice! I need to act convincingly.
“Father, what are you saying? You and Mother are so good to me. How could I only care about comfort?”
She tugged Shen Yanchu’s skirt, pouting, making herself appear innocent and sweet.