Chapter 316: The Filial Son
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
“Who is that?” Lu Chao Chao’s eyes widened in surprise.
Her scoundrel of a father always carried himself with an air of refinement, looking every bit the charming and debonair nobleman. But the man in front of her, unkempt and disheveled, with a scraggly beard, bore no resemblance to him.
“The Old Madam has passed, and he is required to observe a three-year mourning period. Now he drowns himself in wine at home every day…”
“With Lu Yuan Xi and Lu Jing Huai managing the household, how could he possibly be living well?”
“Childless, destitute, and utterly ruined—once the mourning period ends, he may not even be able to retain his official position. The grand marquisate has been completely squandered by his hands,” Madam Xu remarked with a tinge of mockery in her eyes.
Even the servants in the manor no longer held him in any regard. Without her unwavering support, the household had crumbled into decline with astonishing speed.
Upon returning home, the servants helped Lu Chao Chao freshen up. Once clean, she sprawled comfortably on the soft couch.
“Home is the best…” The tiny child spoke with the tone of an elder, causing everyone to chuckle.
After dinner, she snuggled into the large bed she had missed dearly, sleeping soundly until the next morning.
“Next month is Madam’s wedding day. The manor is busy preparing for the grand event.”
“I’ll grab a wedding pastry for you later,” Yu Shu said, sighing as she attempted to braid Lu Chao Chao’s hair, only to be reminded of her bald head.
After breakfast, an unexpected guest arrived at the manor.
“Chief Minister Yuan, please, take the honored seat. What brings you here personally today?” With the approaching New Year and the wedding preparations keeping her on her toes, Madam Xu hurriedly welcomed him inside.
Leaning on his cane, Chief Minister Yuan cast a solemn gaze toward Lu Chao Chao, who was peeking out from behind Madam Xu.
“Did someone else do your homework for you?” he questioned, raising a brow.
“No! Chao Chao did it all by self!” she protested, raising her hand in a vow.
The young book boy behind him unfurled the homework scroll.
“The handwriting is different—that alone could be overlooked. But could you not have chosen someone more competent to do it for you?” Chief Minister Yuan spoke with cool detachment.
“Do you realize? Every single answer is wrong!”
Lu Chao Chao’s eyes bulged in disbelief.
Madam Xu snatched the scroll, flipping through just two pages before her teeth clenched in rage. “Rong Shuang Shuang! You must have a death wish!”
“Chief Minister Yuan, Shi Yun will give you a satisfactory explanation for this matter.”
“I will not allow anyone to corrupt Chao Chao’s education!”
Seeing Madam Xu’s firm resolve, Chief Minister Yuan nodded approvingly before leaving with his book boy.
“Summon Rong Shuang Shuang!” Madam Xu ordered, her expression dark.
…
Rong Che and Lu Chao Chao knelt side by side in the Buddhist hall, repenting for their mistakes.
Frustrated and anxious, Lu Chao Chao snapped, “How can you be so dumb? Even a three-year-old could get those right!”
“That was meant for a three-year-old?!” Rong Che looked aghast. He hadn’t expected that his intellect couldn’t even surpass a toddler’s.
“I can lead armies into battle, but doing homework is beyond me…”
“If I had a knack for this, I would’ve gone the civil official route. The Rong family ancestors would be celebrating in their graves.”
“Hmph, truly hopeless. I won’t ask you next time!” The two continued their bickering while kneeling.
After half an hour, both limped out of the hall, their legs stiff from kneeling. With a huff, they each turned in opposite directions and left without a word.
Their brief alliance had crumbled instantly.
Meanwhile, the Sixth Prince waved from his carriage. “Sister, come quickly!”
“Father is hosting a banquet tonight to welcome you back. But first, let’s find Yu Zhou!”
“Yu Zhou says he found a glowing mushroom. Let’s go see it!”
As the carriage passed by the Protectorate Duke’s Manor, Lu Chao Chao curiously inquired, “Why are there so many carriages parked outside?”
The Sixth Prince sighed. “Ah, Brother Si Qi is ill. He was born with an eye condition—his vision is fine during the day, but he goes blind at night. This only became widely known recently.”
“He’s always struggled with his eyesight, but a few days ago, while at the Imperial Academy, he suddenly collapsed.”
“His breathing was weak, and he remained unresponsive.”
“After an entire day and night, he finally woke up, but no physician could determine the cause.”
“The Protectorate Duke’s Manor has given up hiding the truth and is now seeking miracle doctors from across the land to cure both his eye disease and the mysterious illness.”
The Sixth Prince looked around, then whispered in her ear.
“Even the monks from the National Temple came. One of them said his soul is incomplete, that he was born with a destined mission, and that he may not be able to stay in this world for long. He advised Madam Li to conceive another child while she still can. She fainted from grief. Consort Xian has left the palace several times just to comfort her.”
Lu Chao Chao felt an inexplicable hollowness in her chest after hearing this.
The carriage moved forward, but she remained at the window, gazing back at the manor.
…
The carriage stopped by a lake. The breeze rustled the bare willow branches, and the water shimmered with gentle ripples.
Xie Yu Zhou was crouched beneath a leafless tree, peering intently at the roots.
“Come quick, look! This willow tree has mushrooms growing at its base. And they glow at night!”
“Luckily, I had someone guard them early, or the townsfolk would’ve picked them clean.”
Lu Chao Chao sniffed the air—the mushrooms had a peculiar scent.
Xie Yu Zhou shooed away the servants and discreetly tucked the mushrooms into his robe.
He carefully harvested them all, grinning. “Let’s go test their taste at the manor.”
The children dashed to the small kitchen, barring servants from following.
They emptied the mushrooms onto the counter.
Xie Yu Zhou, being the oldest, took charge. Lu Chao Chao washed them, the Sixth Prince tended the fire, and Xie Yu Zhou personally cooked a pot of soup.
It turned a milky white, sprinkled with scallions, emitting a rich and unfamiliar aroma.
“I don’t dare eat it. What if it’s poisonous?” Lu Chao Chao hesitated.
The Sixth Prince also waved his hands in refusal.
Xie Yu Zhou frowned in thought before smirking. “I have an idea!”
He ladled some into a delicate bowl and placed it in a food container.
“I’ll send it to my father. If he drinks it and lives, it’s safe. If he dies, we won’t eat it. Smart, right?”
The Sixth Prince and Lu Chao Chao eagerly nodded.
“Yu Zhou, you do have some brains!”
The two children flattered him, making him beam with pride.
…
In Prince Jing Xi’s study, the brazier was burning, but he still felt a chill. He contemplated fetching some hot tea when a knock sounded.
“Enter.”
Xie Yu Zhou carefully carried in the bowl, his eyes wide with innocence as he stepped over the threshold.
“Father, you’ve worked hard. I personally picked these mushrooms and made this soup for you.”
“Please drink it while it’s hot,” he said expectantly.
Prince Jing Xi noticed his son’s reddened hands and immediately asked, “Are you hurt? Someone fetch burn ointment!”
“It doesn’t hurt. Making soup for Father isn’t painful at all.”
“Father, you work so hard,” Xie Yu Zhou said sincerely.
Prince Jing Xi, who had always scolded him for his mischief, suddenly felt his heart melt.
“Silly child, you don’t need to do this yourself. Father understands your care.”
“You will always be my most beloved child…”
Recalling how Xie Yu Zhou had been bedridden for half a month, guilt overwhelmed Prince Jing Xi.
“From now on, I will control my temper and never punish you again.”
“Have you tried it?” he asked.
Xie Yu Zhou shook his head. “If Father doesn’t drink, I won’t either.”
Look at that—his son wouldn’t eat unless he did first. How filial!
Despite his usual antics, the boy still held his father close to his heart.
Prince Jing Xi’s eyes welled up with emotion.