Chen Zhanshan stared blankly at Old Madam Chen, unable to believe that such words had come from his own mother’s mouth.
She… actually agreed for him to become a eunuch?
Did she even know what that meant?
He must have misheard her—he had to have misheard her…
Old Man Chen was also stunned. He looked at his wife in disbelief and asked, “Old woman, what did you just say?”
Old Madam Chen squinted her eyes and cleared her throat.
“Old man, since the eldest can’t bear to part with Qing girl and insists on taking responsibility himself—well, someone has to make a sacrifice anyway. I think this might not be such a bad thing. Working in the palace is actually quite a good job. You eat well, dress warmly, and there’s a monthly salary. Better than slaving away at home.”
“Old woman, stop that nonsense! Do you even know what working in the palace means? He’d have to cut off his manhood! Without that thing, how will our Chen family continue its bloodline?”
“Our Chen family isn’t short of sons. The eldest already has two boys, the second family also has two, and the third’s still young—he’ll have plenty of chances to have children later. The eldest already has heirs. If he enters the palace, he can earn silver to arrange a marriage for his son Chen Feng, and he won’t have to toil as an apprentice at that restaurant in town.”
Old Man Chen hesitated—her reasoning made sense—but when he thought about cutting off that part, a chill ran through his bones.
Even if the old woman had a point, he still shook his head again and again.
“No, no, just the thought of it makes my neck go cold. Cutting that thing off must hurt like hell! Ordinary men couldn’t stand such torture.”
“Look at you, what a coward. It’s not you getting cut, so what are you yelping for? Since Qing girl won’t marry the butcher Li, then her father should go serve in the palace.” Old Madam Chen’s tone was final.
Old Man Chen sighed and nodded. “If Qing girl won’t marry, then that’s the only way.”
Chen Zhanshan’s younger brother, Chen Zhanshan, shook his head so hard it looked like a rattle-drum. “Father, Mother, you can’t make my big brother go down that road! So what if our third brother fails the scholar’s exam? I think as long as our family stays together, that’s what really matters.”
Old Madam Chen glared at her talkative second son. “Shut your mouth! If you feel so sorry for your big brother, you can go to the palace instead!”
Chen Zhanshan shivered violently and clamped his legs together, terrified they’d take his manhood next.
Chen Qingqing smirked.
The old couple’s fox tails were showing.
For silver, they’d stop at nothing—not even sacrificing their own son. How shameless.
Chen Zhancai’s eyes lit up. If his eldest brother went to serve in the palace, there’d be money every year—not only enough for his own schooling but maybe even enough to redeem Ruhua from Spring Breeze House.
Then he could be with her openly—wouldn’t that be bliss?
Suppressing his glee, he put on a fake look of concern. “Big brother, don’t worry about home. As long as I’m here, I won’t let sister-in-law suffer any wrongs.”
“The third is right,” Old Madam Chen said, softening her tone toward her eldest. “Eldest, pack up tomorrow and head to Qingshui Town to register. The sooner you enter the palace, the sooner your third brother can start at the academy.”
Liu Fengjiao’s heart pounded with excitement, barely hiding her smile.
They were going to get rich—so long as the eldest entered the palace, that Qing girl wouldn’t be able to resist whatever they decided.
When the time came, a bit of knockout powder, and she could marry her off to whoever she pleased.
She forced her grin into a sympathetic face. “Big brother, we’ll take good care of sister-in-law and the children. You can go without worry.”
Chen Zhanshan’s face went blank.
Hearing his own family push him into the abyss made his heart ache like it was being sliced open.
He’d only meant to scare his parents, to make them realize how hard he worked and how much he’d sacrificed for them.
He’d thought they cared about him—never imagined they could be so heartless.
Madam Lin’s face went pale. Her whole body trembled as sorrow filled her eyes.
Her legs gave out, and she knelt beside him, hugging him tightly despite her shame.
“Dear, even if we have to beg for food, our family must stay together. No matter how glorious the palace is, no matter how much silver you earn, the children and I don’t care for it. You must not leave us to walk that path!”
Chen Qingqing added, “Father, I agree with Mother. Even if we have to beg, as long as the five of us are together, there’s no hardship we can’t get through.”
Her words brought him back to his senses.
Seeing the urgency in his wife and daughter’s eyes, he forced a faint smile.
“Xiumei, if I go serve in the palace, our lives will be better. Qing girl won’t have to marry the butcher.”
Chen Qingqing almost laughed in exasperation.
Did he really think sacrificing himself would protect them?
How foolish!
Taking a deep breath, she said slowly, “Father, if Grandfather and Grandmother truly cared about you, they’d let Third Uncle take the exam next year instead of trying to sell me off or forcing you into the palace to be mutilated—living out the rest of your life in humiliation. You can’t let yourself become a victim of their selfishness.”
Her words struck something deep in him.
“Qing girl, I don’t want to—but if I don’t go, where will your grandparents get the money for your third uncle’s studies?”
Chen Qingqing was speechless.
Her father had always believed it was his duty as the eldest to support Chen Zhancai’s education.
For years, he’d allowed himself to be exploited by his parents, thinking it was right and proper.
Now they were ready to send him off to be castrated, and the fool was still worrying about others!
“Father, where they find the money for Third Uncle’s studies is their problem—it has nothing to do with you. And think about it—you’re their own son, and they’re still willing to make you a eunuch! If you leave, Mother, my little brother, and I won’t live better lives—we’ll live worse ones. Not only will I be sold to the butcher, but Mother and my brother will be left helpless, suffering miserably in this family. If you truly care for us, if you want to protect us, then you cannot go to the palace.”
“Zhanshan,” Madam Lin added tearfully, “Qing’er is right. If you’re gone, who will care for us?”
Her husband finally came to his senses.
Fear and regret washed over him, but also relief—thank the heavens he hadn’t left yet. If he had, what would have become of his wife and children?
He took a shaky breath. “Xiumei, Qing girl… I won’t go. I’ll stay and protect you always.”
Madam Lin’s tense body relaxed; she felt drenched in sweat. With deep emotion, she whispered, “Zhanshan, thank heaven you’ve come to your senses.”
Chen Qingqing smiled too. “Father, as long as our family stays together, no hardship will last forever.”
Chen Zhanshan gently wiped the blood from his daughter’s forehead. “Does it hurt?”
“With you here, Father, it doesn’t hurt at all.”