Chapter 168: Chao Chao Has No Heartbeat
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
The ancestral tomb of the Xue family had exploded, sending shockwaves through the capital. Outraged and desperate for answers, the Xue family stormed the gates of Marquis Zhongyong’s residence, demanding justice.
Crowds gathered, murmuring among themselves.
“Did you hear? The previous dynasty’s ancestral tomb was struck by lightning!”
“Yes, divine retribution for their sins, no doubt.”
“Our current king is far better, a true blessing for us common folk.”
Their words stung the pride of the Xue family. The gate to the Marquis’s residence opened a crack before the Xue family pushed their way in aggressively.
“What are you doing? How dare you barge into the Marquis’s home!” The gatekeeper’s face turned pale as he shouted.
The woman at the forefront of the group kicked the gatekeeper aside. “Silence, fool! You’ve deceived the Xue family!”
“Come out, you old witch!” she yelled. “How dare you cheat us! Show yourself!”
Inside, the residence erupted into chaos. Madam Pei emerged, confronted by the livid faces of the Xue family.
“How could you, Madam Pei! You tricked us with Lu Chao Chao’s birthdate!”
“The old lady even took 50,000 taels from us! Our tomb was struck by lightning because of it!” A woman from the Xue family wiped her tears angrily.
Madam Pei was taken aback. “I did no such thing. That is indeed Lu Chao Chao’s birthdate.”
“You lie! Her birthdate caused our ancestral tomb to explode after it was thrown into the fire. You meant to harm us!”
“Despicable scoundrels!”
The elderly lady of the house came out amidst the uproar.
Madam Xue pointed at her and shrieked, “You vile woman, trading your granddaughter’s lifespan for gold! You’re a monster!”
Onlookers gasped outside the gate.
“How could a grandmother sell her own granddaughter’s birthdate for longevity?”
“Repulsive! They’re all villains!”
The elderly lady was furious. “You… We were supposed to keep this secret!”
“Secret? What secret? Our ancestral tomb is destroyed, and Huang is critically ill! All because of your cursed ritual!” Madam Xue bellowed, her understanding murky but her blame certain.
“Compensate us! Smash everything! Destroy it all,” commanded Madam Xue, despair tingeing her voice. Her followers began to devastate the Marquis Zhongyong’s property. Madam Pei attempted to intervene but was harshly slapped twice.
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
“The most vile hearts belong to those who’d sell a child’s birthdate for longevity!” Madam Xue was frantic, her dreams of becoming the dowager shattered.
“Enough! Is there no law left?” The elderly lady banged her cane, powerless to stop the destruction.
“We gave you Lu Chao Chao’s birthdate. What more do you want? We’ve not deceived you!” she yelled but to no avail. The Xue family’s rage needed an outlet, and they left the residence in ruins. It was only when the Marquis returned with reinforcements that they departed with their demanded payment.
The residence, already struggling, was left devastated. That evening, the last descendant of the former dynasty passed away. Xue Huang’s death marked the end of his bloodline, a relief to the king.
In his study, the king couldn’t suppress a smile.
“We shall celebrate Princess Sunshine’s second birthday early tonight with fireworks. Let the kingdom rejoice,” he declared. His joy was evident, even as the legacy of the former dynasty crumbled.
Lu Chao Chao looked up at him, puzzled. [My birthday is still two months away.]
The king hummed contentedly. The crown prince took Chao Chao out of the palace, heading towards the Nine-Story Pagoda.
“Your Highness, please halt. Without royal permission, you cannot proceed,” a guard stopped them. The crown prince nodded, his eyes fixated on the pagoda’s summit.
“What’s up there?” Chao Chao inquired, mirroring his gaze.
The crown prince patted her head. “Something very important,” he said, his expression darkening momentarily before softening as he looked at Chao Chao.
He escorted her back to the Lu residence. Madam Xu invited the crown prince to stay for dinner, which he accepted with a warm smile.
At dinner, Chao Chao clung to her bowl of rice joyously. As she reached for her water, she noticed the crown prince’s meticulous eating habits—alternating between rice and vegetables. She paused, thoughtful.
[Someone I knew had this habit too.]
A disciple of hers, Chong Yue, had followed the same pattern—one bite of vegetables, one bite of rice, followed by soup. As she mused, she watched the crown prince finish his meal similarly.
Chao Chao tilted her head, puzzled. [Chong Yue was a god of time and space. How could he be the crown prince? This prince’s body had been taken over.]
[My disciple was a god.]
After dinner, the crown prince inquired, “Has Chao Chao ever had her health checked by feeling her pulse?”
Madam Xu hesitated, then responded, “We used to check regularly, but we stopped after our fallout with Lu Yuan Ze.”
“Since then, I never thought to have it checked again,” she admitted, suddenly anxious. “Is there something wrong?”
Chao Chao was typically healthy, save for an occasional stomachache.
The crown prince’s expression grew serious. “Do not have her pulse checked. Her body is… unusual.” Noticing Madam Xu’s alarmed look, he quickly reassured, “But it’s nothing life-threatening. Be cautious.”
“If she feels unwell, seek me at the Eastern Palace. Do not consult a doctor,” he advised solemnly.
Madam Xu was left worried, but dared not seek a physician. Chao Chao, observing her mother’s distress, quietly pocketed a drumstick from the table.
That night, after the servants were dismissed, Madam Xu bathed Chao Chao, examining her closely for any signs of anomaly but found none.
After Chao Chao drifted to sleep, Madam Xu remained seated by her bed, pondering. [Unusual? What could that mean?]
She casually checked Chao Chao’s breathing, relieved to find it normal.
Laughing at her own paranoia, she then rested her hand on Chao Chao’s chest, expecting the comforting rhythm of a heartbeat.
Her smile vanished. Silence—a terrifying, profound silence met her ear as she pressed closer.
Madam Xu stifled a scream, tears streaming down as she rechecked, only to find the same eerie silence.
[How can Chao Chao not have a heartbeat?] The realization sent chills down her spine, the implications horrifying and inexplicable.