The fallout between Zhao Qingning and Chen Jinbao quickly spread throughout the entire academy.
However, given both parties’ notoriously bad tempers, no one dared to gossip openly about it.
Everyone whispered among themselves, wondering just what methods this Little Wild Seed had used to earn Zhao Qingning’s such high regard.
In the rear courtyard, the supervising eunuch could barely stand, yet he forced himself to tend to Lu Jinghan.
Because Zhao Qingning had told him: “If Xiao Jiu dies, you need not live either.”
Just those casually spoken words were enough to seal his fate.
When Lu Jinghan developed a fever that night, the eunuch nearly died of fright. He frantically wiped the boy down with strong liquor and applied cool cloths to his forehead, finally managing to reduce the temperature.
Wiping sweat from his brow, the eunuch swore to himself:
From this day forward, this Little Wild Seed would be his ancestor. Anyone who dared lay a hand on the boy would have to step over his dead body.
Despite such careful attention, Lu Jinghan still hadn’t regained consciousness.
After returning to the academy, Zhao Qingning would visit the rear courtyard daily after classes ended.
Though other academy members pointed and whispered, she paid them no mind.
In the main hall, Jiang Zhiyi sat surrounded by girls. One complained: “The servants in the academy have become increasingly scarce lately. The eunuch who was supposed to catch butterflies for me today never showed up. When I asked, I learned he was busy with other tasks.”
Jiang Zhiyi pondered: “There do seem to be fewer servants around the academy these past couple days.”
A girl to her left said indignantly: “It’s all because of Zhao Qingning. She had servants caned over that Little Wild Seed – several young eunuchs couldn’t withstand the punishment and died.”
Jiang Zhiyi frowned: “What a sin.”
The girl nodded in agreement: “Exactly. That Little Wild Seed’s life isn’t worth anything anyway. What does it matter if he dies?”
“Is that so?”
A leisurely voice sounded by her ear. The girl nodded instinctively: “Of course. It’s just a worthless life anyway, not even worth as much as my family’s guard dog.”
Only after speaking did she notice Jiang Zhiyi and the others had abruptly changed expressions. Turning her head, she met Zhao Qingning’s gaze.
“Ah!”
She started violently, nearly stumbling.
Zhao Qingning smiled faintly: “Didn’t I say just the other day that I didn’t want to hear any disparaging remarks about Xiao Jiu? Otherwise, I wouldn’t be polite.”
Intimidated yet furious, the girl retorted: “Zhao Qingning, who do you think you’re scaring? My father is the Right Chancellor. Just try hitting me.”
Zhao Qingning recognized her.
Liu Yiyi, daughter of the Right Chancellor, had long been at odds with the original host.
Upon learning the original host disliked Jiang Zhiyi, Liu Yiyi had deliberately lowered herself to befriend Jiang Zhiyi, becoming one of her main defenders who had opposed the original host multiple times.
Meanwhile, the Right Chancellor had repeatedly impeached Yongjia in court – their enmity ran deep. He had been the first to accuse Yongjia of rebellion.
Clearly, Liu Yiyi was an enemy rather than a friend.
Since she was an enemy…
A sharp slap rang out.
The main hall fell silent instantly.
Liu Yiyi stared at her in disbelief, her cheek burning: “Zhao Qingning, how dare you strike me!”
Zhao Qingning spread her hands: “You told me to try.”
She was merely following instructions.
Enraged, Liu Yiyi raised her hand to retaliate, but Zhao Qingning caught her wrist and ruthlessly shoved her to the ground.
“Yiyi!” Jiang Zhiyi hurried to help her up, somewhat angry. “Miss Zhao, Yiyi was only…”
“Miss Jiang.” Zhao Qingning interrupted her. “This is a personal matter between her and me. I advise you not to involve yourself.”
Her earlier apology and peace offering had been to avoid entanglement, but that didn’t mean she was afraid of them.
She could tell that Jiang Zhiyi had no intention of befriending her. Since that was the case, she saw no need to give her a friendly face either.
Moreover, Lu Jinghan’s fate had already changed. Perhaps he could become an enlightened ruler in the future, and she could place her hopes in him.
Since she couldn’t stay at the academy all the time, she needed to intimidate them thoroughly at once to prevent the tragedy of Lu Jinghan being beaten from happening again.
Jiang Zhiyi grew angry: “You assault your classmates and have caused the deaths of so many eunuchs. Aren’t they human too? The Buddha teaches that all living beings are equal. I’ve long heard that the Grand Princess is fond of Buddhist practice—did she not teach you this?”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Qingning frowned and for the first time seriously examined this transmigrated female lead.
Speaking with such conviction and showing compassion for all living beings—truly, she was incredibly virtuous.
Zhao Qingning took two steps back and spoke earnestly: “Miss Jiang, I’d better keep my distance from you. I have a fiery temper, and I wouldn’t want to accidentally scorch your sarira out.”
Realizing the implication of her words, Jiang Zhiyi’s expression changed.
Zhao Qingning’s voice turned cool: “Since Miss Jiang is so noble, why not dismiss all the servants in your household and gift them real gold and silver so they can live good lives? That would be an immeasurable virtuous deed.”
This was ancient times, where people were born unequal.
As a villainous female supporting character with a tragic ending, she had to follow local customs and couldn’t afford to do good deeds.
She would only protect those she cared about.
Jiang Zhiyi’s face twisted.
If she dismissed all the servants, who would serve her?
“I’ll say this one last time: anyone who targets Xiao Jiu again, or lets me hear them call him ‘Little Wild Seed,’ will face my wrath.”
No one dared to speak.
Qiuhua hurried into the hall: “Miss, His Majesty has sent someone.”
As she spoke, a eunuch entered and bowed: “This old servant pays respects to the young miss.”
Zhao Qingning recognized him as the chief eunuch serving the emperor.
The chief eunuch smiled: “His Majesty heard that the servants at the academy haven’t been serving well and have caused you grievance. He specifically ordered this old servant to replace them with new staff. If any fool dares to offend you, you may punish them as you see fit.”
Then he turned: “Li Dezhong, you’ve only kept your life because the young miss showed leniency. Thank her properly.”
Li Dezhong promptly bowed, overflowing with gratitude.
Compared to others who had been beaten to death, being allowed to remain as managing eunuch was truly a great mercy.
Zhao Qingning felt surprised. She knew the incident at the academy wouldn’t escape the emperor’s notice, but her uncle was spoiling her excessively.
This treatment was even better than what some princesses received.
She smiled sweetly: “Thank you, grandfather.” Please convey my gratitude to uncle. Aning will visit the palace to accompany him when she has time.”
“This old servant will definitely deliver your message.”
The chief eunuch chuckled cheerfully before taking his leave.
Watching Zhao Qingning’s retreating figure, Jiang Zhiyi felt bitterness churning in her heart.
Why hadn’t she transmigrated as Zhao Qingning?
Then she would have the emperor as her backing, could act recklessly without worrying about offending people everywhere.
Her father being merely a fifth-rank official was truly embarrassing.
Others also didn’t dare criticize Zhao Qingning anymore, since even the emperor protected her so openly.
Virtue and Abundance Academy soon had all its servants replaced.
One day after class, she saw Li Dezhong running over breathlessly: “Miss, he’s awake! He’s awake!”
Zhao Qingning’s eyelids twitched: “Who?”
“Xiao Jiu! He’s awakened!” Li Dezhong was nearly in tears—his life was finally secure.
Before he finished speaking, Zhao Qingning hurried to the backyard.
Pushing the door open, she saw the person on the bed seemed to have closed his eyes again.
She grew anxious. “Lu Jinghan, how are you feeling?”
Lu Jinghan felt excruciating pain throughout his body. Though his eyes were open, he couldn’t clearly see the people around him. A wave of drowsiness washed over him, and just as he was about to sink into deep sleep, he seemed to hear someone calling his name in his ear.
Was it the nanny from the Cold Palace?
No, it couldn’t be her—she only ever called him “little bastard,” and her voice was never this gentle.
Then who could it be?
Struggling to open his eyes, he vaguely saw a figure before him and instinctively spoke.
Zhao Qingning was beside herself with worry, fearing he might never wake again.
Fortunately, he parted his lips slightly, as if trying to say something.
She instinctively leaned closer. “Xiao Jiu?”
“Mother… mother…”
The fragmented words escaped his lips.
He clutched Zhao Qingning’s sleeve, calling for the mother he had never met—the very person who had caused him a lifetime of suffering.
He hated her to the bone, yet yearned for her all the same.
If he, too, had a mother to protect him, would he have been so pitiful?
Zhao Qingning’s expression turned complicated.
Well, she had just gained an unearned son.