Chapter 65: The Sacrificial Ceremony and Roasting Chestnuts
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
The Emperor froze in place, stunned.
The Crown Prince, who had been reciting the ceremonial invocation, lowered his head briefly and caught sight of Lu Chao Chao’s tiny face.
The young prince stumbled over a word but quickly regained his composure. With a discreet step forward, he shifted to block Lu Chao Chao from view. [How in the world did she climb up here?!]
Lu Chao Chao cupped her small hands around her mouth and blew into them to warm up. Then she pointed to the base of the sacrificial platform.
[It’s cold down there. It’s warm up here.] She gestured toward the enormous bronze cauldron used for the ceremony.
The Emperor opened his mouth, knowing he should erupt in fury and immediately demand her execution. Yet, recalling the dream he had the night before, he silently closed it again. Instead, his gaze flicked to the astonished Minister of Rites standing nearby, silently daring the old official to say a word.
The elderly minister, his hair as white as snow, was completely at a loss. He stared at the chubby little toddler sitting by the bronze cauldron, her cheeks glowing red, but dared not utter a sound. [By the heavens, which family’s child climbed onto the sacrificial platform?! And His Majesty is shielding her!]
Had this been one of the Emperor’s own sons, they would have been beaten half to death on the spot. Their mother might even have been cast into the Cold Palace. Yet now…
The Emperor, however, had reasons of his own. The dream from last night had shaken him deeply.
In his dream, he saw the downfall of Northern Zhao. It wasn’t brought about by war or invasion but by sheer foolishness.
In the dream, the Crown Prince succumbed to an illness and passed quietly. Some wandering spirit then took over his identity, wearing the Crown Prince’s face to indulge in a frivolous romance, ultimately destroying the empire’s foundation. The ancestral legacy painstakingly built over generations was handed over to a woman, who rose to claim the title of Empress.
The Emperor had almost choked on his own breath upon waking.
Even more, he had dreamt of the late emperor, his father, who appeared to him in vivid detail. The old emperor clasped his hand, spittle flying in excitement. “Salvation! My dear boy, our ancestral spirits must be smiling upon us. Little Chao Chao is a gift! You must raise her well, or I will come back and thrash you myself!”
The Emperor had rubbed his face upon waking, half convinced he had narrowly avoided a spiritual slap.
Thus, his gaze toward Lu Chao Chao now was uncharacteristically gentle.
As light snow began to fall, collecting on everyone’s shoulders, the attendees shivered from the biting cold. None had eaten, making their hunger gnaw even more fiercely.
Lu Chao Chao, after downing two gulps of milk, felt her stomach still empty. Her bright eyes suddenly lit up. Sitting cross-legged on the ground, she dragged a nearby brazier used for burning ceremonial papers toward her.
The Emperor could only watch as she reached into her pocket, pulled out a handful of chestnuts, and tossed them into the flames.
He opened his mouth but found himself at a loss for words.
Soon, amidst the icy winds and falling snow, the fragrant scent of roasted chestnuts filled the air.
The aroma was intoxicating.
The officials, already starving, found themselves assaulted by the rich, sweet smell. The roasted chestnuts popped open in the fire, releasing waves of tempting warmth.
Lu Chao Chao, with her three tiny teeth, cracked one open and took a bite, pairing it with a sip of milk. Her eyes sparkled with bliss. [Mmm! So soft, sweet, and creamy!]
The Crown Prince, still reciting the invocation, gulped audibly. He felt this was the greatest trial of his life. Even the sacred words of the ritual blurred in his vision, replaced by images of steaming chestnuts.
When the chestnuts were gone, the invocation wasn’t yet finished. Lu Chao Chao dug into her pocket again and pulled out peanuts. The robust aroma spread even further, evoking thoughts of warm wine and a fireside feast.
Sitting by the brazier, her face red from the heat, she eventually threw in a small sweet potato as well. Moments later, the unmistakable scent of roasted sweet potato wafted through the air.
With her cheeks smudged black from the charred snack, Lu Chao Chao contentedly alternated bites of sweet potato and gulps of milk. The Emperor’s eye twitched. [Old Ancestor, you demanded I indulge her. Please forgive me!]
The hungry court officials were on the verge of fainting. [Who could be so audacious as to bring snacks to a solemn sacrificial rite?!]
After finishing her food, Lu Chao Chao patted her round little belly and waved cheerfully at the Emperor and Crown Prince before sneaking down the steps of the platform.
The eunuchs, pale with terror, didn’t know whether to cry or collapse. [When did she climb up there?!] Yet seeing the Emperor and Crown Prince’s unbothered expressions, they were dumbfounded.
Eunuch Wang, in particular, made a mental note to elevate Lu Chao Chao’s status further. [That Zhongyong Marquis Manor is about to soar to unimaginable wealth and glory.]
At the moment, Lu Yuan Ze, the Marquis, was plotting to oust Madam Xu from his household. Little did he know this impending fortune would have nothing to do with him.
Meanwhile, Madam Xu, kneeling at the base of the platform, turned her head. Seeing Lu Chao Chao’s absence, her face paled. “Chao Chao?!”
Lu Chao Chao tugged at her sleeve, her head tilted adorably. “M’ama…”
Relieved, Madam Xu warned her in a hushed voice. “Don’t wander off again. A mistake during the sacrificial ceremony could lead to severe punishment.”
Chao Chao furrowed her tiny brows in confusion. [Punishment? Emperor Uncle and Crown Prince Brother were so kind and gentle.]
Madam Xu wiped the soot from Chao Chao’s lips. “What did you eat to make your mouth so black?”
Chao Chao sheepishly scratched her head. [The sweet potato got a little burnt.]
Unaware of the truth, Madam Xu sighed. She knew Chao Chao often hid snacks in her pouch.
As snowflakes settled on her daughter’s shoulder, Chao Chao sneezed. Overhearing this, the Crown Prince hastened his recitation. Soon, the ceremony concluded.
“This year’s ceremony ended unusually fast,” Madam Xu remarked. Normally, it lasted half a day, yet today it was completed within an hour.
Rubbing her empty stomach, she lamented, “Who could have been so bold as to roast chestnuts and sweet potatoes during the ceremony? Their recklessness is beyond words.”
Chao Chao’s round eyes darted back and forth, her lips tightly sealed. [Not me!]
Patting her plump belly, she declared with an innocent air, “It’s… not Chao Chao!”
“Oh, Chao Chao, you’re Mama’s little angel,” Madam Xu cooed, stroking her head. “My Chao Chao is obedient and well-behaved. She’d never do something so outrageous.”
Madam Xu had always seen her daughter through the thickest of rose-colored glasses, unaware that her darling was the very culprit of the sacrificial snack escapade.