The eunuch delivering the decree was completely unaware of the father and daughter’s unease. He loudly proclaimed on his own:
“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Empress Dowager decrees: Jiang Zhe, daughter of Deputy Minister Jiang Dun, is dignified, graceful, and gifted in the arts. She is hereby appointed to the Sixth Rank as an Assistant Musician. She is to enter the palace tomorrow and serve in Qing Shou Palace. Thus is the decree—”
The sharp, elongated voice echoed through the courtyard, yet Jiang Zhe remained momentarily stunned.
“What does the Empress Dowager mean by this?” Jiang Dun rose first, indignation surging. “Though the Jiang family is not some lofty, noble clan, my daughter need not enter the palace to play music and entertain!”
“Is Deputy Minister Jiang implying he intends to refuse the decree?” The eunuch’s arrogance swelled now that he had finished reading, his sharp voice turning accusatory.
“I would not dare refuse even an imperial edict from the Emperor himself—let alone a decree from the Empress Dowager. But as long as I, Jiang Dun, stand here today, no one will take my daughter from me!”
Everyone knelt. Only Jiang Dun remained standing in the courtyard—straight as bamboo, firm as pine—embodying the integrity of a true scholar-official.
Looking at her father’s upright back, Jiang Zhe’s nose stung with emotion.
In her past life, when she was wrongly accused of stealing food, when servants withheld her rations, when concubines humiliated her, she had wished countless times for a man to descend like a savior, to speak for her, to defend her.
But in both lives, she never imagined that the only man she could truly rely on was her father.
“Impudent Jiang Dun, how dare you defy the Empress Dowager’s decree? Men! Seize him—”
“Your servant-daughter Jiang Zhe accepts the decree and thanks the Empress Dowager for her grace.”
Just as the argument was about to erupt, Jiang Zhe stood and received the decree herself, bowing to express gratitude.
“It seems Deputy Minister Jiang lacks the perceptiveness of his own daughter.” The eunuch sneered triumphantly and added, “The Empress Dowager said herself—this decree fulfills Miss Jiang’s long-held wish. The grace of the imperial household must be accepted whether one desires it or not. As a court official, Deputy Minister, you should remember that well.”
With that, he ignored Jiang Dun’s darkened expression and swept away with his attendants.
“You—!” Jiang Dun pointed at Jiang Zhe in exasperation, furious. “Why did you accept the decree without authorization? If you had refused, I could still appeal to His Majesty—there might have been a chance to reverse this! Do you realize that by accepting it, you’ve made your entry into the palace a certainty?”
“Do you understand that a female official’s prestige is all superficial? If you spend your days surrounded by performers, exposed in public for others’ amusement, what dignity will you have? And once you leave the palace, what respectable man would take you as his proper wife?”
“Serving close to the ruler is like walking beside a tiger! How can a sheltered girl imagine the dangers within the palace? One careless misstep could bring ruin upon you!”
“The court is unstable now. If I retire and return to my hometown—if I am no longer in the capital to protect you—how will you survive alone in the palace? If disaster strikes, who will you turn to?”
Jiang Dun, always quick-tempered, unleashed question after question the moment the eunuch left. The servants trembled, too frightened to rise.
“Father…” Jiang Zhe lifted her head, her expression sorrowful. “Even if you marry your daughter high into some noble family, I would still need to please my husband daily, manage concubines, and maintain the household. And if you took me home to marry a man into our family, would I not still need to guard against him coveting our fortune? Since both high and low marriages carry risks, it may be better to remain single and serve as a female official in peace.”
“You know nothing of the ruthlessness within the palace,” Jiang Dun nearly shook with anger. “And even less of how difficult it is for a woman to stand on her own!”
Still kneeling, Jiang Zhe let out a bitter smile.
How could she not understand the hardships of being born a woman?
Without a powerful family or wealth, a woman with only beauty was nothing but a plaything—cherished when loved, discarded when not.
“But Father… no one is cared for all their life. If I cannot rely on myself, then who can I rely on?”
“Fine. Fine!” Suddenly, Jiang Dun fell silent, as if struck by a realization. He stepped back several paces and closed his eyes. “You’ve grown up now. You dare make decisions for yourself. Then I will let you. I will let you make your mistakes.”
“Father?”
Jiang Zhe couldn’t understand the sudden shift, but unease swiftly spread through her heart.
“From this day forward, you, Jiang Zhe, are no longer my daughter. Our bond as father and daughter ends here. Let it be known that I failed as a father, raising you for fifteen years in vain. Whatever trouble you encounter from now on, do not come seeking me.”
He turned and walked away.
“Father! Do you not want your daughter anymore?”
Even in her previous life, Jiang Zhe had never quarreled with her father like this—let alone heard such cruel words about severing ties. Panicked, she rose to chase after him, but Jiang Dun flicked his sleeve and sent her tumbling to the ground.
“You defied me. Do not call me Father anymore—I have no such daughter!”
Without looking back, he strode into his study.
If even her own flesh and blood could not understand her… was there any point in holding on?
The despair she had felt in her past life when she stood alone, helpless—rushed back all at once.
Jiang Zhe’s eyes stung as large tears fell to the ground.
The sudden turmoil silenced the entire household. No servant dared speak; they scattered, pretending to busy themselves.
“Miss… the master is merely angry. You shouldn’t…” Tonghua whispered, helping her up.
Yes—surely that was it.
Though quick-tempered, her father had always treated her best.
And besides—she was his only child. How could he truly sever ties?
She had accepted the decree; now she needed to prepare.
Hope flickered again. Jiang Zhe wiped her tears, pressed down the ache in her heart, and returned to her room with Tonghua’s support to pack for entering the palace the next day.
But by early morning, she still had not seen Jiang Dun.
Two gatekeepers now stood guard before the study she used to enter freely.
No matter how she pleaded and cried outside the door, there was no sound from within.
The matron sent to escort her urged her again and again.
“Miss, the master must have his own reasons. Please stop forcing it.”
Tonghua, permitted to accompany Jiang Zhe into the palace, softly dissuaded her.
Facing an unavoidable parting, Jiang Zhe knelt and bowed toward the study.
“Unfilial daughter Jiang Zhe bids farewell to Father today. I only wish that Father’s path be smooth, blessed with health and longevity. Though I cannot serve at your side, I will pray for your well-being from within the palace each year.”
In a daze, Jiang Zhe thought she heard a sigh from within—it was like an autumn leaf sinking into a deep pond, disappearing instantly.
The door did not open.
But strangely, Jiang Zhe’s heart settled somewhat.
In her past life, she had been passed from one household to another, with no power over her own fate. Now, though fortune or misfortune awaited her, she was at least taking a step she had chosen herself.
She bowed again.
This time, her back was straight and unwavering.
“My lady, it is time. We must go.”
The matron helped her to her feet.
Before boarding the carriage, Jiang Zhe turned back for one last look at the home where she had grown up.
Then, without the slightest hesitation, she stepped forward and departed.