Chapter 73: Chao Chao Fights
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
“Is my outfit really that… that remarkable?” Lu Zheng Yue inquired, his voice tinged with uncertainty as he questioned his own appearance.
He glanced down at his attire, noting how the golden threads sparkled with such intensity that it was almost blinding.
Initially overjoyed, Lu Yuan Xiao now stood in shock, his lips pressed tightly together in a silent vow to never again let his sister dictate his fashion choices.
“Goodwa… Second Pot,” Lu Chao Chao began, motioning subtly as he noticed that indeed, every gaze in the vicinity was fixed upon him.
Their faces bore smiles, a veneer of warmth barely concealing the awkwardness beneath.
Lu Chao Chao tapped his second brother’s leg, signaling him to make his move towards Wen Ning.
Feeling his pulse quicken, Lu Zheng Yue turned to see the youngest, fists clenched, brimming with enthusiastic support.
He nodded firmly, “I’m off!” and proceeded towards Wen Ning.
As he stepped forward, the entire street fell into a hushed awe. Beneath the streetlights, his golden garments shone brilliantly, casting him in the likeness of a prosperity deity.
Reaching the storefront where Wen Ning was, he struck a dramatic pose, unfurling his fan with a flourish. Inside, every pair of eyes swiveled to him. Lu Zheng Yue clenched his jaw, the weight of their stares unsettling him.
Wen Ning’s maid, caught off-guard, tugged at her mistress’s sleeve and whispered urgently, her voice trembling, “Miss… Miss, please look quickly.”
Wen Ning raised her head, her vast experience doing little to mask her momentary astonishment.
“Miss, from where did this peculiar gentleman emerge, fanning himself amidst the snow? Clad in all that gold, he hardly appears trustworthy…” The maid’s voice shook, laden with concern for the intense attention directed at her mistress.
Wen Ning’s eyes twinkled like stars, a subtle smile forming. Her composure momentarily wavered. She took a step back, then seeing Lu Zheng Yue’s troubled look, cautiously approached again, ultimately surrendering to laughter.
“Zheng… Brother Zheng Yue, is that really you?” she managed amidst her laughter, tears streaking down her cheeks.
She hesitated to accept the spectacle before her, fearful. Would others find it just as humorous?
Lu Zheng Yue cleared his throat, a sense of realization dawning in his eyes. At that moment, memories of Wen Ning flooded back to him.
He wasn’t fixated on Su Zhi Qing or lost in his usual confusion. Tears formed as he recognized his profound feelings for Su Zhi Qing, haunted by the thought that he might have betrayed Wen Ning.
Taken aback, Wen Ning responded anxiously, “Brother Zheng Yue, what’s the matter? Why are you crying? Don’t cry, Wen Ning isn’t laughing at you, Wen Ning…”
“I’m just happy to see you,” he could have said, though he looked more like a bewildered deer than anything else.
Wen Ning blushed, the girl who once pursued Lu Zheng Yue had matured. Confronted with the vision of their potential future together, Lu Zheng Yue’s heart ached. Tears welled up, and his lips quivered.
He longed to embrace Wen Ning but hesitated, fearing he might startle her, struggling to maintain his composure. “I also miss you, Wen Ning, I really do,” Lu Zheng Yue pondered if he had ever truly conveyed his longing for her.
Wen Ning’s lips trembled slightly, her eyes sparkling with restrained amusement.
From the doorway, Lu Chao Chao observed her brother and his sister-in-law engaging in joyful conversation, feeling a profound relief.
When Wen Ning noticed her, her expression softened into a warm smile directed at Lu Chao Chao.
[Ah, sister-in-law is too wonderful. So gentle, so kind…] Lu Chao Chao thought to herself.
Lu Zheng Yue quickly beckoned Chao Chao over: “This is my sister, Chao Chao.”
“Chao Chao, quickly call her Second Sister-in-law. Ah spit…” Lu Zheng Yue turned red, hastily correcting himself after echoing Chao Chao’s earlier blunder.
“No, call her Sister Wen Ning.”
Wen Ning’s face flushed further: “Sister Chao Chao,” she said, removing a turquoise bracelet from her wrist and handing it to Chao Chao. “I didn’t bring a proper gift for meeting Chao Chao, so I’ll make it up next time,” Wen Ning stated, her gaze fixed on Chao Chao, captivated by her endearing presence.
Lu Chao Chao clasped the bracelet, warmly addressing her, “Second Sister-in-law…”
The couple then blushed.
“Miss, we should return now, the master is waiting,” the maid urged, tugging at Wen Ning’s sleeve, reflecting on how the once charming young boy had evolved into a flamboyant figure of wealth.
Resolved, the maid decided she must convince her mistress to reconsider the marriage arrangement.
After Wen Ning departed, Lu Zheng Yue reluctantly withdrew his gaze.
“Chao Chao, it feels like everyone is staring at me strangely,” Lu Zheng Yue remarked, adjusting his clothes, puzzled by the fact that people glanced at him then quickly covered their mouths and walked away.
They would also occasionally look back at him as they moved away.
Curious about the situation, Lu Chao Chao explained enthusiastically: “Because, Second Pot’s handsome!” She gave a thumbs up without any reservations.
[Definitely handsome, Ah Sister Wen Ning laughed so much, she was so happy. She even laughed until tears came out, she must be quite pleased with Second Brother, right?]
As Lu Zheng Yue scanned the surroundings, he noticed Lu Yuan Xiao lagging behind: “Yuan Xiao, why are you walking so slowly? If you keep such a distance, people might think we don’t know each other.”
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Lu Yuan Xiao muttered resentfully, “Oh, I wish we didn’t know each other…”
This was turning out to be the most conspicuous day of the siblings’ lives. At this moment, all the local thieves had converged on this street, drawn by the spectacle.
Among the crowd, several eyes were fixed on the young man’s glittering gold chains. A few of them exchanged knowing glances, preparing to approach, when a smoothly-faced man with a comforting smile intervened.
The two youths, startled, quickly scooped up the little baby girl and followed the man away.
Chief Eunuch Wang, speaking with utmost respect; today, the king had savored a dish of eight-treasure duck and recalled the sweet-toothed Lu Chao Chao. He had decided to invite her to the palace discreetly, without causing any commotion.
As a prominent eunuch serving directly under the king, even high-ranking court officials were compelled to show him deference. Even Marquis Yuan Ze was obliged to bow and offer a forced smile in his presence. Now, facing his often-neglected daughter, he smiled obsequiously. Lu Yuan Ze was labeled as the fool.
At that moment… Inside the royal hall, the crown prince frowned, “Lu Jing Huai lacks principles; even if he tops the royal exams, I refuse to honor him as my teacher. Talented he may be, but his character is lacking, and I disdain him.”
The crown prince was aware of the rumors: if anyone were to top the royal exams this session, they might be appointed as the royal tutor. This appointment could significantly influence his future reign should he ascend to the throne. It was a substantial opportunity.
The king set aside his wolf-fur brush, incredulous: “He? Topped the royal exams? He, a young man who has never ventured beyond the capital nor faced any real hardships, comfortably living off the Xu family’s wealth like a fish in water. How could he have composed such vigorous and grand poetry?”
The king internally scoffed; if it had been Old Tutor Xu, he might have believed it. But from a novice like Lu Jing Huai? Only if one were utterly foolish would one believe such a claim.
“Did he plagiarize?” the crown prince rose to his feet, visibly alarmed; plagiarism was a grave scandal among scholars.
The king waved his hand dismissively: “Without evidence, we shall not address these accusations. Yet, it remains an unalterable fact that he is Lu Yuan Ze’s own son,” he sneered, reflecting on how well Lu Yuan Ze seemed to capitalize on the fortunes of others. “A son born out of wedlock, yet daring to overshadow and surpass a legitimate son.”
Being a legitimate son himself, the king naturally viewed such situations with disdain.
“Madame Xu seems inclined towards divorce, but…” the crown prince hesitated, considering that Madame Xu intended to take several of the children with her. “But historically, no woman who has divorced has been able to take her children with her. Especially not three sons and a daughter.”
The king remained noncommittal. “The world hustles and bustles, all for profit. If the benefit is substantial enough, Cheng Xi, one can forsake everything. For example, topping the royal exam and gaining the title of Top Scholar.”
Such honors were enough to cloud Lu Yuan Ze’s judgment. Which is more important—a disabled heir or a royal tutor?
At that moment, Chief Eunuch Wang rushed in, visibly agitated. He knelt suddenly with a thud at the front of the hall: “Your Majesty, Miss Chao Chao has started a fight!”
The king and the crown prince stood abruptly.
“Started a fight? With whom? Who dares to touch Chao Chao?” the crown prince demanded, his voice filled with irritation.
The king’s expression darkened considerably.
Chief Eunuch Wang delivered his miserable report.
“Miss Chao Chao has started a fight with Noblewoman Rong’s dog!”
A fight, with a dog, of all things!
Hol up