Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Cui Shao had incredible stamina. After all, he was at that age, and having finally had a taste of intimacy, he sought me out every single night.

It was exhausting.

I truly wished he would be a bit busier so I could catch my breath.

The New Emperor began by reforming the civil service, and with Cui Shao’s assistance, the Noble Families were soon dismantled. From then on, success would no longer be determined by one’s birth; instead, the Imperial Examination was implemented, allowing scholars across the land to realize their ambitions.

The Chen Family was the first to be targeted. Master Chen was thrown into the Great Prison, but while incarcerated, he shouted at the top of his lungs that he was the father-in-law of the Chief Grand Secretary and a hero of the state.

The jailers didn’t dare make a decision on their own, so they informed Cui Shao.

I knew Master Chen’s motive. With death staring him in the face, he finally remembered that I was his daughter.

When I arrived at the dungeon, Master Chen was clutching the iron bars, his eyes flashing with a bizarre excitement. “Chen Yu! Look, everyone, this is my daughter! I am the father-in-law of the Chief Grand Secretary! I am a hero! You cannot lock me up!”

The officials present looked at one another. If this were true, the situation would be difficult to handle.

I pulled out my deed of indenture. “Who has ever seen a daughter of a noble family with a deed of indenture? My mother was a dancer for the Chen Family, a member of the slave class. I do not know who my father is, but I was born into slavery. I imagine my father was merely some servant as well. Master Chen, you are a high and mighty lord. How could I, the daughter of a mere dancer, ever dare to claim a connection to you?”

When I was born, Master Chen’s intention had been to drown me in a chamber pot. It was only because my mother pleaded for so long and allowed me to be registered as a slave that my life was spared.

Not long after, Master Chen died in prison, failing to even last until the day of his trial.

Although Miss Chen was not directly implicated in the crimes, she had no one left to rely on. Her life became one of hardship, and she gradually lost her mind. She spent her days shouting that she was the legitimate daughter of the Chen Clan, a member of a prestigious family, and the matriarch of the Cui Clan, but no one paid her any mind.

Fortunately, her poor son was taken in and raised by a branch of the Zhang Clan. However, he would have to live his life as an ordinary commoner. For him, perhaps that wasn’t a bad thing.

On the anniversary of my mother’s death, I burned paper offerings for her while murmuring about recent events.

“Mother, that heartless man is finally dead. Miss Chen has gone mad as well. She once injured my younger brother; now, justice has been served.”

After finishing the ritual, I stood up and turned around to find Cui Shao standing behind me.

I brushed the paper ash from my skirt. “Did you hear all that? Yes, I deliberately used you as my instrument.”

Cui Shao’s gaze was burning. “I am more than willing to be used by you. But we are husband and wife, one entity; you could have just told me directly.”

I scratched my head. “I don’t know how to say sentimental things, and I’m not the type to complain or cry piteously just to make you feel sorry for me so you’ll take revenge on my behalf…”

Perhaps this was due to how I grew up. To me, tears and complaints were never as fast as coming up with an effective plan.

“I am not perfect, nor am I particularly noble-minded.”

Cui Shao pulled me into a tight embrace. “Neither am I. I pride myself on being a disciplined, upright gentleman, yet the things I have done are hardly fit for the light of day-usurping a throne, settling private grudges…”

“Since you don’t despise me for who I am, it only proves that you and I were born to be husband and wife.”