Sent to Military Academy as Punishment (?)

The heavy wooden door swung open slowly, and the floor of the Xu Mansion gleamed like a custom-polished mirror, shimmering as if one were walking on the surface of a lake.

Xu Lingqu looked up to see a blonde woman in a water-green qipao that hugged her figure perfectly, standing beside an obsidian desk. The woman had Western features, but her brows and eyes resembled those of a classical Eastern beauty.

This was Catherine, the wife of General Xu Chengbi.

Xu Lingqu bowed slightly. "Greetings, Madam."

Catherine glanced at her. "Hello, come closer."

The girl before her was simply dressed in a brown dress and shawl, her face pale as if she'd just recovered from a serious illness. Her jet-black hair and dark, deep-set eyes looked as if drawn with fine charcoal.

A frail, sickly little flower, Catherine sneered inwardly.

Remembering how Xu Chengbi had informed her of adopting a daughter with that condescending tone, Catherine felt anger flare.

Their marriage had been political, with little emotional foundation. He was often away with the troops, and though they had a son and a daughter, real communication was rare.

In recent years, they'd maintained a façade for appearances, letting outsiders believe they were a harmonious couple.

But that veneer had shattered with the arrival of this adopted daughter. The rumors outside were driving Catherine mad, and Xu Chengbi had been slow to respond. She was a pampered noble lady; since marrying Xu Chengbi, she hadn't endured much grievance.

Now, this affair had infuriated her, and it was hard not to take it out on the adopted daughter before her.

Xu Lingqu could sense the vague anger radiating from Catherine, seemingly directed at her.

Having an adopted daughter appear out of nowhere would naturally upset Catherine, since it was likely Xu Chengbi's unilateral decision.

However, from the memories she'd inherited, Xu Lingqu's only impression of Xu Chengbi was that he'd sent her money monthly since she was young for living expenses. She felt that she, who had somehow transmigrated here, and the original owner, who had grown up essentially neglected, had little to do with Xu Chengbi.

Catherine studied the young girl, hatching a plan that would rid herself of this adopted daughter—without having to see her—and give her a proper ordeal.

As for Xu Chengbi, when he returned, she'd have a grand fight and make him pay.

"You might as well meet your brother, Xu Youwen," Catherine said.

As she spoke, a tall, straight-backed young man walked out from the other side of the hall. He wore frameless glasses, bore a strong resemblance to Catherine, and was dressed in the Military Department's uniform. He gave Xu Lingqu a perfunctory nod. "Xu Youwen."

Then he looked at his mother. "Xiqin is out. I arranged for her to have special training with the Military Department at this hour."

Enrollment for the military academies was about to close, and the critical trial period was approaching. Time to tighten up.

Catherine seemed to recall something and nodded. "She's definitely applying to Moye Military Academy, right?"

Xu Youwen nodded with a slightly helpless expression. "I've told her several times that Moye isn't what it used to be. In recent academy league competitions, it's been Dolanston and the Federation lot fighting it out... She just won't listen." His tone held mostly fondness for his younger sister.

The mother and son chatted as if no one else were there, then only seemed to notice someone else standing nearby. Catherine looked at Xu Lingqu, tilting her head, and suddenly asked, "Do you want to attend a military academy?"

Before Xu Lingqu could answer, Catherine continued, "In recent years, nearly all of the younger generation in the Xu family have entered the six major military academies. Since you've just come back, you should do your part for the family. Youwen, has Moye Military Academy filled its new student quota? Add your sister Lingqu."

At these words, both Xu Lingqu and Xu Youwen were stunned.

"Mother..." Xu Youwen frowned slightly. He probably understood his mother's intention. This so-called sister looked physically weak, and sending her to a military academy would likely force her to suffer. His mother could also rid herself of her without having to see her—killing two birds with one stone.

But enrollment at Moye was nearly closed, and adding Xu Lingqu now would be quite troublesome. In Xu Youwen's eyes, Xu Lingqu was hardly worth his effort, especially given the family's reputation and his father's status as a general.

Moreover, having Xu Lingqu at the same school as his sister Xu Xiqin, given Xiqin's personality, could lead to...

He coughed lightly, trying to hint that his mother should reconsider.

But Madam Catherine remained unmoved, a smile on her face, determined to throw Xu Lingqu into a military academy.

Xu Youwen had no choice but to say, "I'll contact their admissions office teacher."

For the six major military academies, if one wanted a combat path, one needed a cadet identity registered at a local military academy on the planet. Xu Lingqu definitely didn't qualify, so they could only arrange her through the non-combat path, leaning toward command and analysis. But even for non-combat analysis, most people came from military academies, and those who didn't had at least education from other schools or family self-training. In Xu Lingqu's case, it would be purely through connections.

Seeing Catherine and her son Xu Youwen scheming on the spot to get her enrolled, Xu Lingqu breathed a sigh of relief.

For her, attending a military academy was far better than staying home as a quiet young lady. Her apocalypse experience would let her adapt quickly to military academy life. This could be said to be her best path in this interstellar era.

Although Madam Catherine likely saw her as sickly and weak, disliked her, and wanted to throw her into a military academy as torture.

Her actions stemmed from malice toward the original owner, but a blind cat catching a dead mouse—it was a good thing for Xu Lingqu who had transmigrated.

The girl before her did not show the reaction Catherine had anticipated. She didn't break down, didn't plead, didn't fly into a rage and demand Xu Chengbi seek justice.

She just stood there, calmly agreeing to Catherine's arrangement, as if she had no idea what enrolling in a military academy meant or what military academy life would be like.

"I've already prepared a gathering to welcome you. You must come," Catherine said, her tone direct and unrefusable. "Since you're new to the Capital Star, it's also a chance to make some friends."

Xu Lingqu didn't really need friends, but seeing how resolute Catherine was, arguing would likely be a waste of breath. Going to a meet-and-greet wouldn't hurt.

Fine, Xu Lingqu didn't care, as long as it didn't affect her going to the military academy; everything else was negotiable.