Chapter 170: The Scandal of the Saintess
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
“Yuan Ze hasn’t been home much lately. It’s been tough on you. I’ll talk to him…” The elderly lady nodded sympathetically. “Don’t overwork yourself. Tomorrow is the Protectorate Duke’s birthday banquet. We mustn’t be late.”
Madam Pei smiled and agreed. After bidding the old lady farewell, she slipped into the prayer room, and a maid shut the door, plunging the room into dimness.
“Jiao Jiao, your plan is ingenious. Finally, our family can live together.” A monk quietly took Madam Pei’s hand.
The rough touch of the man caressed Madam Pei’s cheek, causing her skin to tingle. She despised Lu Yuan Ze, who treated her with chilling indifference after their marriage. Now, he would be absent for days, leaving her the subject of ridicule. In defiance, she had brought this man into their home. They indulged in forbidden pleasures right under the same roof as the elderly lady.
As dawn approached, every part of Madam Pei ached. She struggled to her feet. “Quickly, clean this up. We mustn’t let anyone suspect anything.”
After dismissing the maid, she returned to the main courtyard where Lu Jing Huai awaited her.
“Mother, where have you been?” His piercing gaze seemed to see right through her.
Madam Pei’s heart raced, but she maintained her composure. “Your grandmother wanted me to pray at the Deshan Hall. I’ve been there all night and just returned.” She ceased rubbing her aching waist.
She knew Lu Jing Huai loathed that monk and had carefully kept them apart, ensuring her son had never seen the man’s face.
Lu Jing Huai’s suspicion seemed to linger, but he shifted the topic.
“Huai’er, have you been ignoring Yun Jin lately?” Madam Pei’s voice was soft but insistent.
“Her father is a high-ranking official. It would benefit your career to keep Yun Jin happy. She likes you, just play along. Don’t spend all your time with the Saintess of West Yue… The Jiang family isn’t pleased.”
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
Having been bested by Lu Yan Shu in the provincial exams, Lu Jing Huai frowned. “Has Yun Jin complained to you?”
Inside, he scoffed at the thought of her regretting choosing Lu Yan Shu.
“Don’t worry, Mother. Yun Jin is mine. She’ll marry me, like it or not.” His tone was dismissive.
“Look after yourself. You can’t afford to fall ill before the palace exams. I expect to see you place in the top three. If not, explaining to your father will be difficult.” Madam Pei’s tone was earnest. She felt her position was precarious, especially compared to Madam Xu.
Lu Jing Huai nodded gently. “I’ll go with you to the Protectorate Duke’s banquet today.”
The Protectorate Duke’s family held high status, and the Saintess of West Yue would also attend.
Madam Pei readied herself and then departed with Lu Jing Huai and Lu Jing Yao. Upon arrival, the mansion’s entrance was bustling with carriages.
Lu Chao Chao, perched atop a dog, asked the gatekeeper, “Where should my dog go?”
The gatekeeper blinked in confusion. “Is your dog a pet or a mount?”
Lu Chao Chao scratched her head while Yuhua laughed uncontrollably, eventually returning the dog to the carriage and teased: “This dog is so big and strong. Be careful, or some little glutton may eat it someday.”
Lu Chao Chao patted her belly. [I think Yuhua is teasing me.]
Madam Xu nearly laughed aloud.
As Madam Xu alighted from the carriage, Rong Che approached to greet her, causing her cheeks to flush.
“There are many young ladies here today…” Madam Xu teased him lightly.
Rong Che glanced at her. “My heart is already taken. It doesn’t matter.”
Inside, the crowd was instantly drawn to Madam Xu.
“Greetings, Princess Sunshine.” The room bowed to Lu Chao Chao. When they rose, they noticed Rong Che’s attentiveness toward Madam Xu.
The Protectorate General was known for his indifference toward women, making his behavior towards Madam Xu puzzling.
The elderly Rong matriarch held Madam Xu’s hand warmly. “Shi Yun has been a benefactor to our family. Please treat her kindly.”
This immediately elevated Madam Xu’s status in the room as she took a seat among the circle of noblewomen.
“Madam Xu is fortunate. Your eldest son excelled in the provincial exams. He may even take the top spot at the palace exam,” someone commented.
“It’s too early to say. I wonder if Miss Jiang regrets her choice now,” Another adds.
Madam Xu calmly responded, “My son and Miss Jiang simply weren’t meant to be.”
Lu Chao Chao piped up in her childish voice, “She just wasn’t lucky enough…” The room was charmed by the princess’s frankness.
“Children say the darndest things.” The elderly lady chuckled, enjoying Lu Chao Chao’s candor.
Madam Jiang, mother of Jiang Yun Jin, managed a strained smile after the topic shifted to her own daughter. The lady resented Lu Jing Huai for not outshining Lu Yan Shu, the one person he needed to beat. While she kept up appearances, inwardly she seethed. Madam Xu’s smile grated on her, and Madam Pei’s dowdy appearance only added insult to injury.
The Jiang family had gambled on Lu Jing Huai, only to see their hopes dashed.
Lu Chao Chao sat beside her mother, keenly observing Madam Jiang’s barely concealed disdain for Madam Pei.
[The two families are already clashing, and they aren’t even married yet.]
[There’s sure to be plenty of drama after the wedding.]
[Ha, Jiang Yun Jin gave up my big brother to marry a top scholar. Little does she know, Lu Jing Huai plagiarized his work…]
[She’ll be livid when my brother surpasses him…]
“Madam Pei, you can’t sit here. Your background doesn’t allow it. You must understand, seating is by rank.” With her baby by her side, the grand princess suddenly directed Madam Pei with a smile.
“Madam Xu’s children have brought her honor, thus she deserves a seat at the main table. You should sit near the entrance.”
Madam Pei’s face flushed with humiliation after being called out. Lu Chao Chao noticed Lu Jing Huai leaving the table and quietly followed him, with Yuhua close behind.
“Shh… Let’s go see a big scandal.” Lu Chao Chao’s eyes twinkled with mischief. Yuhua nodded, instantly silent.
They tiptoed behind Lu Jing Huai, who moved with a grace that belied his intentions. He slipped past servants and headed toward the mansion’s secluded back courtyard.
“I heard the Saintess of West Yue overindulged and is resting back here,” a maid whispered.
“Is he really going to approach her?” Yuhua whispered back, eyes wide with shock.
Lu Jing Huai had recently grown close to the Saintess. With the token she had given him, he dismissed the maid and cautiously entered her room.
Yuhua’s heart raced.
Lu Chao Chao, too short to see fully, peeked through the crack in the door. Inside, the Saintess lay on the bed, her cheeks flushed from drink.
“Saintess, I’m here…”
Oh my, another drama is brewing