Abandoning Wife and Selling Daughter? Turning Around to Marry a Powerful Minister and Wiping Out Your Entire Clan! - Chapter 10

Tao Shi seemed to understand a bit, while Tao Yi Ming’s face turned cold.

“Madam Zhou, what an honor to have you here. I apologize for not welcoming you properly.”

A voice came from behind. Zhang Xiaolan and the others turned around.

The old man ignored them and walked straight to Shen Ting, leading her toward the VIP area.

“Sister Zhang, let’s go together.” Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she covered her mouth. “Oh, I forgot. You’re no longer in the Zhou household.”

Her face showed a hint of regret, but Zhang Xiaolan ignored her and continued talking to Tao Shi.

“Sister Zhang, do you want to come to the VIP area with me?”

Shen Ting was in no hurry. She waited patiently for Zhang Xiaolan and Tao Shi to finish their conversation before speaking again.

“No need. One should enjoy privileges according to one’s abilities. I know my place and won’t intrude,” Zhang Xiaolan replied calmly.

Hmph! Was she implying that Shen Ting wasn’t capable enough? Right now, she was the rightful Madam Zhou.

Shen Ting’s eyes gleamed with hidden venom, but Zhang Xiaolan lowered her head, refusing to meet her gaze.

“Oh dear, Sister Zhang, you act like we are strangers.” Shen Ting laughed, covering her mouth with a silk fan, but her eyes sparkled with mockery.

Zhang Xiaolan remained silent, rubbing the wooden box on her lap as if she hadn’t heard.

Shen Ting clenched her teeth in anger. Her expression changed, and she walked proudly into the VIP area.

“Forget it. Since Sister Zhang refuses to acknowledge me, we won’t waste our kindness. Cuiliu, let’s go.”

The shopkeeper didn’t react but gave a look to a nearby attendant, who then followed Shen Ting into the VIP section.

After a short while, the attendant returned and, under the excuse of introducing embroidery pieces, skillfully led Zhang Xiaolan and the others into the backyard.

“Please wait here. The shopkeeper will be with you shortly.” The attendant served them tea and quietly left the room.

The room fell silent.

Tao Shi and Tao Yi Ming didn’t seem bothered and calmly found seats.

Zhang Xiaolan, however, felt surprised. Even though her nanny often sold embroidery here, the shop had never provided such high-standard hospitality.

Besides, her nanny and Tao Yi Ming acted as if they were already used to this treatment.

Zhang Xiaolan had many questions, but since she was still injured, she could only stay patient and observe.

“Miss Zhang, sorry to keep you waiting.” The embroidery shopkeeper entered the room, followed by an attendant carrying a box.

Zhang Xiaolan didn’t speak, waiting for the shopkeeper to continue.

The shopkeeper looked into her eyes as if seeing someone else. He felt a wave of emotions but quickly hid his reaction by adjusting the box in his hands.

A moment of silence passed. Zhang Xiaolan was the first to speak. “I would like to ask about the embroidery screen I sent yesterday. How much is the repair cost?”

The shopkeeper responded, “I’ve known Madam Tao for a long time. Of course, I won’t overcharge her.”

“Even family should settle accounts clearly. Please, name the price,” Zhang Xiaolan insisted.

The embroidery screen was difficult to repair. She had already asked her nanny and learned that they had never sent in damaged embroidery before. Why this time?

She didn’t want to be overly suspicious, but given the circumstances, she had to be cautious.

Especially after running into Shen Ting just now.

“Miss Zhang, you are indeed careful, haha.” The shopkeeper looked surprised, then burst into laughter.

Zhang Xiaolan remained patient, waiting for him to continue.

The shopkeeper stopped laughing and picked up the box. “Please, take a look at this.”

Tao Shi set her own box aside. Tao Yi Ming took the shopkeeper’s box and opened it for Zhang Xiaolan.

Inside was a roll of yellow silk fabric, alongside a scroll of handwritten Buddhist scriptures.

Zhang Xiaolan didn’t touch the silk. She unrolled the scripture and read part of it.

When she saw the signature and seal, her heart pounded.

“Is this…?” She hesitated. She thought she had seen the imperial seal.

“It is genuine,” the shopkeeper confirmed without hesitation. “This embroidery shop belongs to His Majesty. Otherwise, Madam Tao wouldn’t have the opportunity to work here.”

“Why me?” Zhang Xiaolan was puzzled. She had some skill in managing household affairs, but her embroidery was not outstanding.

“Miss Zhang, you are too modest,” the shopkeeper stroked his beard. “Aren’t you skilled in Yunxiu embroidery? I have seen several Buddhist scriptures you embroidered. The characters are elegant and strong, preserving the original style, and the accompanying paintings are refined and graceful.”

He had seen her embroidery?

Zhang Xiaolan vaguely remembered that when she was young, she had embroidered a few Buddhist scriptures in her sister’s handwriting to please her mother. But even though her mother had been happy for a while, she had soon married her off to that dreadful family…

Forcing herself to stop thinking about the past, Zhang Xiaolan focused.

“I am honored by His Majesty’s favor and am willing to accept. However, my legs are injured. Completing even one scroll may take a long time. I fear it may delay His Majesty’s important matters.”

Her heart trembled as she realized something—if she accepted this task, could she use it to find her daughter? Or even remove Zhou Quan from his position?

The possibility made her heart race.

But then she thought about how she had only just arrived at Tao’s home. After surviving the fire and losing her ability to walk, the emperor’s people had still managed to find her. That realization made her uneasy.

Should she accept? Should she refuse? Zhang Xiaolan knew this was not a choice she could make lightly.

So, she decided to test the waters.

“It’s not a problem,” the shopkeeper said. “I have already looked into your situation. Working for His Majesty brings more than just money.”

He paused and glanced at her legs, his eyes hinting at something.

“For example, your injuries. Or stopping the Zhang family from searching for you. And even…” the shopkeeper smiled, “finding your daughter.”

Zhang Xiaolan had her answer.

She now understood why she had been able to stay safely in Tao’s home.

The shopkeeper had not mentioned the Zhou household at all. Removing an official was a government matter—His Majesty wouldn’t interfere without cause.

Healing her injuries and finding her daughter, however, were personal matters, and the emperor would not hesitate to help.

Being able to stay safe and reunite with her child was already a blessing.

As for revenge—she didn’t need to rely on anyone else’s power. She would plan it herself and watch as her enemy fell into her trap.

The hatred in Zhang Xiaolan’s eyes flickered but quickly faded.

She closed the box and asked about the deadline.

The shopkeeper replied, “The scripture isn’t long, but it’s tedious work. Can you finish it in two months?”

Zhang Xiaolan saw the challenge. She knew this was a test.

“I will do my best to ensure His Majesty’s ritual is successful.” She hesitated for a moment. “But please, regarding what you promised, I hope you will do everything you can. Right now, I ask for nothing else.”

The shopkeeper smiled and made a reassuring gesture.

Zhang Xiaolan didn’t know if he would keep his word. She only knew that the more help she had, the more hope she had.

Was there anyone more powerful than the emperor?

No. There wasn’t.

As Zhang Xiaolan and the others prepared to leave, she remembered the box they had brought and turned to ask about it.

The shopkeeper seemed to anticipate her question and smiled. “There’s no need for that anymore. It was just a way to lure you here.”

Zhang Xiaolan hesitated before taking out a design she had drawn the night before and handing it to the shopkeeper.

“That embroidery screen is a masterpiece. It would be a shame if it remained damaged. This is my design. If you think it is acceptable, you can find someone to restore it.”

With that, she called for Tao Shi, and the three of them left.

The shopkeeper unrolled the design and praised it.

“A perfect blend of scripture and painting. Truly elegant.”