Chapter 145: Secret Meeting with a Lover
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
Lu Chao Chao awoke from a night filled with delightful dreams about various egg dishes, each more tempting than the last. She could almost taste them. But as she opened her eyes, “Chirp chirp chirp…” she realized, her dreams had manifested into reality, but not as eggs—instead, as little chicks hopping around her room.
“Wahhh, wahhh, eggy-weggies gone…” she wailed, her cries echoing loudly through the room.
Alarmed, Yuhua and Yuqin rushed in, their faces etched with concern. “What’s wrong, Miss? What’s wrong?”
Chao Chao, with tears streaming down her face, pointed at the chicks, sobbing between hiccups, “Wahhh, my eggies, my eggies…”
Yuhua, spotting the chicks huddled at the bed’s corner, appeared confused. Chao Chao managed between sobs, “The kitchen… I snuck them… now chickies… wahhh.”
Yuqin chuckled, trying to comfort her, “Don’t cry, don’t cry. We have chicken noodle soup this morning. How about I sneak you a chicken wing?”
Chao Chao paused her tears, sniffled, and asked, “Two wingies?”
Yuqin shook her head, causing Chao Chao’s spirits to drop along with her pigtails, a picture of dejection.
Yuhua, taking the chicks back to the kitchen, attempted to divert her attention, “Today, the Saintess of West Yue arrives at the capital. A beauty, indeed!”
“Is she pretty?” Chao Chao inquired.
“You’ll see. She’s famed as the foremost beauty across the Four Seas,” Yuqin responded, helping Chao Chao get ready for the day.
[See the beauty, see the beauty…]
[Slurp slurp…]
Lu Yuan Xiao looked on, bemused. Why did his little sister seem so oddly enthusiastic?
“Where’s Big Brother?” Chao Chao asked, eyes wide with curiosity.
“He went out with his classmates to post the list.”
“And Second Brother?”
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
“Second Brother is off on his secretive quest for a future, and he told us not to tell Mother. Today, Third Brother will take you out!”
[Yay, see the beauty, see the beauty…] Chao Chao beamed.
“Third Brother is the best! I loves Third Brother lots… stick close…” She hugged her third brother’s face and planted a big kiss on his cheek.
Given Chao Chao’s status as a princess, to avoid any untoward incidents, Lu Yuan Xiao ensured she was guarded by four bodyguards and several secret protectors.
Today, the capital was especially vigilant. Every three years, the kingdoms of North Zhao, Southern Kingdom, Dongling, and West Yue convened for a council. The Southern Kingdom, with its divine allegiance, always seemed haughty. Dongling, having suffered a recent defeat, likely sought peace. West Yue had sent their beloved Saintess Jing Li.
As the Saintess’s carriage passed, the crowd surged, trying to catch a glimpse of her famed beauty. Her appearance prompted a gasp from the crowd; she had cloud-like hair, exquisite features, and an ethereal presence that left onlookers in awe.
Lu Yuan Xiao whispered in astonishment, “Wow, such a beautiful lady…”
Chao Chao giggled as the Saintess’s gaze landed on her plump, cherubic face, causing Jing Li to smile.
A green-clad maid assisted Jing Li down from the carriage, “Jing Li greets Princess Sunshine.”
Her voice was like a melody, captivating all who heard it. Jing Li was a figure of such renown that her influence rivaled even that of the king of West Yue.
Lu Yuan Xiao nudged Chao Chao, “Weren’t you excited to see the Saintess?”
“Sister?” Chao Chao frowned, unconvinced and slightly confused.
“Sister Jing Li,” the Saintess corrected gently, smiling.
“Sister? She’s not not…” Chao Chao burrowed into her brother’s arms, peeking out, both curious and perplexed.
Then, a brash voice cut through, “Move aside! Good dogs don’t block the road!” A young boy, around seven or eight, scorned as he stepped out from a carriage. His eyes then landed on Xuan Jichuan. “Isn’t that my worthless brother? A royal prince playing servant?”
Jing Li laughed lightly, “Isn’t it more embarrassing that your father, the king of Dongling, begged North Zhao for mercy?”
The prince’s uncle hastily covered his mouth, “He’s young. We will teach him better.”
As the procession entered the palace, Lu Yuan Xiao queried Chao Chao’s unusual behavior, “You don’t like the Saintess?”
“Not a sister,” she mumbled, unclear.
Confused, Lu Yuan Xiao stopped pressing her. Nearby, talk turned to the absent envoy from the Southern Kingdom and upcoming scholar results.
Meanwhile, Chao Chao, munching on candied hawthorn, noticed a sneaky figure. “Third Brother, follow her.”
[Oh, it’s the little mother! What is she sneaking around for? Let’s go see!]
They trailed the woman, discovering her meeting secretly with someone—Lu Jing Huai.
[Oh my, how bold! Still daring to meet secretly!]
Chao Chao thrilled at the prospect of drama. Lu Yuan Xiao, eye twinkling, decided to alert Marquis Yuan Ze of Madam Su’s indiscretion.
[Big Brother, well done, well done!]
As they leaned against the wall, eavesdropping, Chao Chao’s excitement was palpable.
[Last time, we only planted seeds of doubt in that scum father’s mind, this time, heh heh…]
Lu Yuan Xiao entered the adjacent room, and the big and little ones leaned against the wall, eavesdropping.