"As the only scholar in our family, you are destined to pursue an official career. The example of Miss Su's brother is a precedent set before you, and you need to understand that the path you walk is not just walked by you alone, but by the entire family alongside you. If you're slightly careless, Taohua, Man Er, and both your sisters-in-law will be affected. You and your two brothers losing your heads is just a bowl-sized scar, but for us women left behind, it's a life where death is not an option and life is unbearable."
Tong Huaqiong looked steadily at Jingzhe.
She recalled how, when she first came here, Jingzhe was as selfish as Ruinian, only boldly taking from his family, dangling the promise of a successful future that would supposedly protect them all, keeping Tong Dajiao under his thumb.
Back then, he never considered that the success and glory of passing the imperial exams were his own, while the risks were shared by all.
