Chapter 5: Ten-Year-Old Trash (Part 1)

The Ten-Year-Old Loser (Part 1)

Upon returning to Wu Courtyard, Yi'er was tossed into her room. That mother, who was extremely gentle in front of others, drove everyone out and began smashing things alone in the room.

She was very clever; she only smashed things that wouldn't easily break, like quilts and pillows. Occasionally, she would strike the servants, but she would never strike her own daughter.

Ultimately, although women in certain parts of this world could stand on equal footing with men—sometimes even holding higher status—that was something that had to be proven through strength.

But clearly, Madam Wu lacked strength. She was merely at the third rank, as ordinary as one could possibly be. Therefore, she could only depend on the strong... It had to be said that her judgment was excellent; whether in terms of talent or strength, Zhu Tingxu was a first-rate figure. Unfortunately, this man was far too devoted. No matter how beautiful and glamorous she was, or how gentle and... she acted, she could never win this man's favor.

With a heart full of frustration, she could only vent it by locking herself in her room.

…………

Yi'er's room was very simple. Although the status of a concubine in the Zhu Estate was higher than in other households, that was only because the person Zhu Tingxu loved most also held the status of a concubine; others were merely basking in her reflected glory.

Thus, while Zhu Yuyan's quarters were equipped according to the standards of a young lady of the house—with two sixth-rank head maids, four junior maids, and two wet nurses—Yi'er, the daughter born of a true concubine, had only one junior maid. And this maid only played the part when they left Wu Courtyard; normally, she was summoned away by Madam Wu.

Clearly, Madam Wu did not treat this only daughter well. Naturally, Yi'er had known this for a long time. In fact, it was this very Madam Wu who, in an attempt to lure Zhu Tingxu to her courtyard, had pushed her then six-year-old daughter into the water to her death, which was how she had gained the chance to come to this world.

She had thought that a "near-death scare" for her daughter would draw the man's attention; even a shred of pity would be worth it. After all, in this world where the strong are respected, her daughter was far too weak.

Not only was she born with deficiencies, but she also spent her days soaking in medicinal vats. Even at ten years old, she was only at the first rank. Such a child would be unwelcome in any family.

As soon as Yi'er entered her room, she reached into her waist and pulled out two flat, round pieces of white jade. Holding one in each hand, she didn't even look at them, merely rolling them incessantly in her palms.

She had nurtured these two pieces of jade for a full half-year to reach her required standard, barely making them usable.