Chapter 59: Reencountering the Scumbag Father

The Emperor of Yue narrowed his fierce eyes, scrutinizing the petite figure of Zhao Erdong. The girl appeared to be merely fourteen or fifteen years of age, yet she had not only passed the appraiser selection but had also claimed the top spot. Was it mere luck, or did she truly possess such prowess?

"Audacious! Upon seeing His Majesty the Emperor, you fail to offer a grand bow. Do you hold any regard for the imperial laws and palace regulations?" Standing beside Zhao Tianjiang, a white-bearded elder pointed angrily at Zhao Erdong.

Zhao Erdong turned her head to look at the elder. She recognized him; fragments of memory in her mind painted a picture of this man—Yu Chenmo, a Minister of the First Rank. He was a frequent visitor to the Prime Minister's estate, maintaining a close relationship with Zhao Tianjiang. The two would often seclude themselves in the study for secret discussions lasting hours, sometimes even conversing throughout the entire night. Though she never knew the nature of their whispered talks, she always sensed nothing good could come of them.

"Lord Yu, holding the esteemed position of a First-Rank Minister, you must undoubtedly be well-versed in the statutory laws of the Great Yue Kingdom?" Unflustered and calm, Zhao Erdong met Yu Chenmo's gaze with a faint smile, her every word clear and distinct.

Seeing that the other party was merely a young girl of fourteen or fifteen, yet remained unfazed by his stern reprimand and instead turned the tables to question him, Yu Chenmo found it rather bizarre. Looking closer at the girl's features and recalling the name she had just announced, he could not help casting a glance at Zhao Tianjiang. He noticed Zhao's grim expression and tightly clenched fists, as if the man were struggling to suppress a surge of rage.

"That is naturally the case. As a minister, I am well-versed in the codes of the Great Yue Kingdom. What is it that Young Lady Zhao wishes to say?" Sensing something amiss from Zhao Tianjiang's reaction, Yu Chenmo softened his tone considerably.

Zhao Erdong offered a gentle, radiant smile, her teeth pearly white, lips rosy, and phoenix-like eyes brilliant, momentarily captivating those around her and making it impossible for them to look away.

"Then the Honorable Minister must surely know that our Great Yue Kingdom has an explicit decree: anyone who has attained the third rank or higher in martial cultivation is exempt from all kneeling courtesies."

Within the imperial court, no one was ranked below the third tier. Therefore, upon entering the court to face the sovereign, no one performed the kneeling ritual; all substituted it with a respectful bow from the waist.

However, this was Zhao Erdong's first time attending court, and she appeared in the capacity of a treasure appraiser. Everyone knew that only those barred from martial cultivation would choose to study the art of appraisal. Regardless of her rank as an appraiser, she should have been required to perform the full kowtow before her superiors.

Yet who could possibly have known that this seemingly insignificant young lass had already achieved the rank of a fourth-tier martial general?

As soon as Zhao Erdong spoke, it instantly provoked an uproar within the imperial court. In the eyes of the gathered officials, even if she were capable of practicing martial arts, she was merely fourteen or fifteen years old. How could she possibly have cultivated past the third rank? Furthermore, she was simultaneously a treasure appraiser; how could anyone divide their focus and achieve such a feat?

"Young Lady Zhao, are you implying that your martial cultivation is above the third rank?" Yu Chenmo looked at Zhao Erdong, his wrinkled old face wearing a smile that did not quite reach his eyes. This girl was unmistakably the daughter of Zhao Tianjiang and Yuan Bairong. While some might remain ignorant of Zhao Erdong's background, he, Yu Chenmo, knew it inside and out.

Zhao Erdong had been raised in the Zhao estate since childhood and was known throughout the realm as a cripple—not only utterly incapable of learning martial arts, but entirely untaught in the arts of appraisal. Although he could not fathom how she had climbed to the position of a First-Rank Imperial Appraiser, under no circumstances could she have transformed within a mere few months from a frail invalid into a martial powerhouse above the third rank. It was utterly impossible.

He and Zhao Tianjiang were intimately acquainted, and in front of him, Zhao Tianjiang had never bothered to conceal his deep aversion toward Zhao Erdong. One had to ask: if one's own daughter possessed genuine talent and capability, would she ever be met with such profound contempt and rejection from her own father?