The Rebirth of an Ill-Fated Consort (Chapters 1- 203)

Chapter 80 : One's Flesh and Blood

Translated by : Moondancer

Edited by : Anks & Ely

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The Zhao family's father and sons sat silently.

All three generations of the Zhao family were commanders in the military. Zhao furen, Su-shi[1], had three sons and one daughter. Zhao Mei was the third child, and being the only daughter, the entire Zhao family doted on her without end. Although Zhao Guang was a military commander and his mannerisms were rough, he was extremely patient towards Zhao Mei. From a babbling baby to a delicate little girl to a slender and elegant young woman, she had always been raised like the pearl in his hands. When Zhao Mei liked horse riding, he spent a good sum to find a string of superb ponies; when Zhao Mei wanted to learn archery, he personally taught her. Zhao Yuan Jia and his two brothers were scolded until they were black and blue every day, but when it came to Zhao Mei, no one reprimanded her even a tiny bit.

[1] Shi ( 氏 ) – clan name / maiden name.

The Zhao family only had this one daughter and Zhao Guang loved her to bits. Su-shiand Old Zhao Madame even more so, while the brothers protected Zhao Mei every day, to the point that not one child in the capital's circle of aristocracy dared to bully Zhao Mei.

Growing up under such circumstances, as if she was blessed by the heavens, Zhao Mei naturally had a naive and unassuming temperament, so it was a pity she met someone like Jiang Quan.

At that time, Jiang Quan was the upstart of the court. Young, handsome and coming from a literary family, he had a kind of elegant scholarly air. For Zhao Mei who was used to casual, offhand military men, it was truly too attractive. She was very daring and thought of ways to get close to him, but was seen through by Zhao Guang.

Zhao Guang disliked Jiang Quan; although he was a military officer, it was not like he was all brawn with no brains. After weathering through the bureaucracy for so long, he could see this upstart's wild ambitions at a glance.

It was fine to have wild ambitions, but after the Emperor was prevented from changing the Crown Prince by Xiao Shao, the court was constantly filled with covert maneuvers and open fights. Many courtiers had secretly chosen a faction to back. At the time, the Zhao family belonged to the neutral faction, insisting on not being involved with those vying for succession in these muddy waters. But Jiang Quan, on the other hand, faintly revealed his intentions to support Eighth Prince.

Even if one day they had to join the fight, the Zhao family definitely would not choose Eighth Prince. After all, Xuan Li was an unfathomable person, dealing with him was like dealing with a tiger. And so, Zhao Guang disliked Jiang Quan even more.

Although Su-shi doted on her daughter dearly, on this matter she agreed with Zhao Guang. Moreover, as a married woman, she could instinctively see that Jiang Quan did not look at Zhao Mei as a man would at a woman. Rather, it was when he faced the captial's most talented woman, Xia Yan, that his expression would become affectionate. Su-shi was only a married woman, if Jiang Quan really liked Zhao Mei then she could accept it, but he proposed marriage when he obviously disliked Zhao Mei – it was clear that he definitely had a plan brewing in his heart.

At that time, Zhao Mei insisted on marrying Jiang Quan and refused to listen to anyone.

One was a rebellious daughter, the other was a stubborn father.

It was the first time Zhao Guang fought with Zhao Mei and it ended with Zhao Mei being put under house arrest. Who knew Zhao Mei would escape from a window and meet Jiang Quan.

Thus Zhao Guang flew into a rage, threatening to disown Zhao Mei.

Although Zhao Mei was sad, she knew that in the end they were related by blood. With Zhao Guang this angry, naturally he would say as much. After she and Jiang Quan married and Zhao Guang calmed down, she could go to their door and apologise. After all, they were still a family in the end. The Jiang family also thought this way; the Zhao family was, after all, a meritorious and influential aristocratic family. Moreover, they also had a respected status in the capital. So, Old Jiang Madame did not continue to object, and took care of the marriage privately.