Chapter 135: The Wager Between the Wife and the Concubine
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
Lu Chao Chao was fuming.
“Ugh!” she muttered.
The ghost from last night, her third disciple, Xing Hui? The same kid who used to cry all the time, now a war god? Lu Chao Chao couldn’t believe it.
“Is he gonna cry in the middle of a fight?” she thought, remembering Xing Hui’s frequent tears.
Scratching her head, she asked the crown prince, “What’s this tomb for?”
The crown prince smiled. “It’s said that all seven main gods were disciples of the same master. This is her memorial. Though it’s just a myth.”
After lighting incense and offering paper money, the crown prince turned to her. “Wanna offer some incense?” he asked.
“No, no…” Lu Chao Chao shook her head vigorously, making a face.
“Offer incense to myself? That’d be super weird!” she thought, eyeing the wine, fruits, and snacks before the unnamed stele. She shook her head again.
“Next time, bring some meat. She liked meat,” she blurted out.
“These snacks wouldn’t even tempt a dog,” she thought.
The crown prince just smiled knowingly and nodded.
“And the gods… what’s gonna happen with them?” Lu Chao Chao asked, feeling a bit worried.
“So, will my divine soul come back because of what the seven disciples are doing?” she wondered.
“Don’t worry. They know how to behave. Otherwise, the three realms would be in chaos,” he reassured her.
“You’re still a little squirt. Drink more milk, grow taller,” the crown prince advised, taking her hand to lead her away. “Eat less meat, more veggies. And no sneaking chicken legs! Too much meat isn’t good for little bellies.”
Glancing back at the stone walls, Lu Chao Chao pondered.
“The National Temple’s really special. Should we get a fortune slip for your big brother?” The National Temple was busier than usual with many worshippers.
Lu Chao Chao wasn’t thrilled, but perked up when the crown prince mentioned, “They make yummy vegetarian food here.”
“Pway, pway, pway!” she exclaimed with excitement.
A young monk led them into the main hall, the crown prince holding her hand. The National Temple focused on Western Buddhism, notably the Guanyin Hall.
“Where are the seven gods?” Lu Chao Chao peered around on tiptoes, seeing only people’s backs.
The crown prince laughed and lifted her up.
“The seven gods rule the divine realm. This place is for Buddha.”
Lu Chao Chao seemed to understand a bit.
“You don’t need to kneel,” the crown prince said softly, handing her the incense himself.
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
Lu Chao Chao took the bamboo cylinder, giving it a gentle shake.
Clink.
A slip fell out.
The crown prince picked it up, still holding her hand as they went for an interpretation.
“Well, well, isn’t this Lu Chao Chao? Praying for your brother, the cripple?” a harsh voice rang out.
The crown prince’s face darkened.
Turning, Lu Chao Chao saw Madam Pei with Lu Jing Yao, paying their respects. Lu Jing Yao was obviously eyeing the crown prince.
“She’s totally smitten… If the crown prince likes her, she’ll think he’s her knight in shining armor!” Chao Chao thought.
Disgust crossed the crown prince’s face. “Who are you to be so rude in front of Buddha?” he scoffed.
Madam Pei started to snap back, but Lu Jing Yao subtly pulled her back, forcing a smile instead.
Despite his youth, the crown prince’s presence was commanding, and Madam Pei didn’t dare to offend.
“And who might you be, young sir?” Madam Pei asked, forcing a smile despite her low status preventing her from meeting the crown prince in the palace.
“The master’s identity is none of your business,” a servant retorted, looking down at her.
Madam Pei’s face reddened.
“Our lady is the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage’s wife, how dare you insult her?” a maid defended sharply.
“An illegitimate wife acting so proud? Please, you’re disrespecting this holy place!” The crown prince was clearly not impressed.
Madam Pei turned pale, her anger shifting towards Lu Chao Chao.
“Prayers won’t help. Your brother’s been crippled for ten years. Think he can pass the royal exams? Dream on! When my son tops the exam, I’ll rub it in!” Madam Pei glared venomously.
She had been a concubine for eighteen years, always aspiring to outdo Madam Xu. What did Madam Xu’s noble birth matter if her husband didn’t love her and her children weren’t as accomplished?
“Shall we make a bet?” Lu Chao Chao’s eyes sparkled mischievously.
“Haha, Lu Jing Huai copied my brother’s essay to top the exams. If my brother actually tries, how can he not win?” she thought.
Caught off guard, Madam Pei asked, “What bet?”
“A bet on who will be the top scholar,” Lu Chao Chao chirped.
“It wouldn’t be fair for my mother to bet with you, would it?” Lu Jing Yao interjected, glaring at Lu Chao Chao jealously.
“I’ll take that bet!” Madam Xu’s voice echoed as she entered the Guanyin Hall.
Lu Chao Chao looked up to see Madam Xu stepping forward.
“I bet my son will be the top scholar!” Madam Xu declared, having come to pray but finding herself in a challenge instead.
Madam Pei smirked. “That cripple, Lu Yan Shu, top scholar?”
Everyone heard Madam Xu’s confident declaration.
“If my son wins, you’ll kneel and bow three times in the street,” Madam Pei stated arrogantly, ready to crush her rival.
Madam Xu’s face lit up subtly. Since her divorce, she appeared more vibrant, standing with dignity before Madam Pei.
“If my son wins, you will kneel and shout three times, ‘A concubine will always be a concubine,’” Madam Xu shot back sharply, infuriating Madam Pei.
Madam Pei clenched her teeth.
“It’s a bet!” Lu Jing Huai had to win. The thought of losing to a cripple was inconceivable!
“We’ll see at next month’s county exam!” Madam Pei, gripping Lu Jing Yao, led her group away.
“Mom’s so smart and bold. Why can’t she use that cleverness to not catch me?” Lu Chao Chao mused, anxious as she handed the fortune slip over to the reader, “Got this for my big brother…”
The old monk took the slip. “This is a splendid fortune. ‘Soaring like a Kunpeng, reaching the heavens, clouds part to reveal the bright moon… a good omen indeed.’”
Madam Xu smiled slightly, donating more incense money.
“Young lady, you have a unique look. Why not try for yourself?” The old monk, intrigued by her mysterious face, suggested.
Lu Chao Chao scurried over, grabbing the bamboo cylinder and shaking it vigorously.
Crack…
The cylinder broke after a few shakes, scattering slips everywhere, startling the old monk.
Lu Chao Chao waved her hands frantically. “I didn’t mean to…”
“It wasn’t my fault,” she thought.
The monk clasped his hands together. “No worries, young benefactor. It’s not your fault.”
He gave Lu Chao Chao a deep look, her destiny too complex for easy interpretation.