Chapter 337: The Competition of Men
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
“A gift from some remote countryside, how valuable could it be?”
“Bringing it over would only be an embarrassment.”
Nan Mu Bai dismissed it without a second thought. Particularly, Xu Shi Yun showed no signs of affinity, making her even easier to look down upon.
Just like her peasant-born mother, completely unworthy of the spotlight.
Ming Lang couldn’t stand his arrogance and retorted, “Your Highness, wasn’t it embarrassing for you to sneak into the Lu family in the middle of the night just to steal a jar of wine?”
Nan Mu Bai’s breath hitched.
“How is that the same? That was spiritual wine! Wine that enhances affinity!” At the thought, his heart ached bitterly.
“Just one jug of that wine increased my affinity by one point! Do you even understand how important that is?” Affinity was a natural trait, neither replicable nor augmentable through ordinary means.
The Southern Kingdom had spent millennia searching for ways to increase it—to no avail.
Yet, a single jug of wine had raised his by one!
His talent was already considered exceptional within his clan, with an affinity score of seventy. Any improvement was an immense boon.
“Such a waste, that rare and precious wine ended up in the belly of mere mortals! A travesty! How could they be worthy of drinking spiritual wine?”
“Who would have thought that Lu Chao Chao would encounter a reclusive expert? Sigh, what a squandered opportunity.” Nan Mu Bai was equal parts envious and resentful.
Ming Lang scoffed, “Aren’t you worried that her brocade box contains another rare treasure?”
Nan Mu Bai nearly laughed.
“Did you see how many of those brocade boxes there were? They filled an entire corner of the carriage. I counted at least a dozen. What kind of treasure can be mass-produced and handed out like trinkets? The Southern Kingdom isn’t that short-sighted.”
Nan Mu Bai, riding alongside Xie Jing Xi, took the lead at the front of the procession.
Ming Lang, suppressing his irritation, turned to Lu Chao Chao, who was seated inside the carriage.
“Princess Zhao Yang, if there are any gifts left, would you mind giving me one? I wouldn’t be offended.”
He had always disdained Nan Mu Bai’s ways and would have refused to accompany him if not for a direct decree from the Emperor.
Now, seeing Nan Mu Bai disrespect the young princess, he feared she might cry, so he stepped in to smooth things over.
Lu Chao Chao’s bright eyes curved into a smile. “Okay! Okay!”
Ming Lang had no idea that this small act of kindness would lead him to an unimaginable fortune.
The elderly couple of the Stabilizing Duke stood by the roadside, wiping their tears. They were too old and frail to withstand the long journey and had chosen to remain in North Zhao.
The old madam held onto Shi Yun’s hand, reluctant to let go.
“Shi Yun, return home as soon as you can, alright?”
Inside the carriage, as the vehicle jolted along, Rong Shuang Shuang attempted to stick her head out for some fresh air.
But the old madam pressed her back in.
“Don’t block my view, you and that big face of yours! I might not see Shi Yun again for a long time, let me take a good look at her!”
Shi Yun, don’t forget, your parents are waiting for you back home.”
Rong Che, feeling bitter, suppressed a gag and muttered, “Mother, you also have a son, you know…”
The old madam shot him a withering glare, rolling her eyes so hard she nearly saw the back of her own head.
Hah! Because of him, the Rong family had nearly been left without an heir!
And he still expected kindness? In his dreams!
“Move out!” Xie Jing Xi commanded, and the procession began its grand departure.
“Is the Protectorate Duke’s carriage here?” Lu Chao Chao asked her mother.
Shi Yun nodded. “Young Master Li’s eyesight is poor. He’s in the carriage right behind us.”
Lu Chao Chao let out a tiny breath of relief.
Meanwhile, Rong Che was slumped against the side of the carriage, dry-heaving.
“This… this pregnancy nausea is the hardest battle I’ve ever fought!”
Lu Chao Chao scratched her bald head. After months, some fuzzy stubble had started to grow in, but she still looked very much bald.
“Daddy, eat some sour plums, it will help,” Lu Chao Chao said sweetly, feeding him a piece.
“Daddy, you’re the bestest daddy in the whole world, and also the bestest husband! Look, who else would experience morning sickness on behalf of their wife? You’re one of a kind!” she praised him enthusiastically.
“Mother is having such an easy pregnancy, all thanks to you!”
Shi Yun smiled slightly. “I had severe reactions with my previous pregnancies. But this time, I feel completely fine, eating and drinking as I please. Truly, I have to thank Che-ge for that.”
Which was also why she hadn’t even considered she might be pregnant.
Who could have guessed the symptoms had transferred to Rong Che instead!
“Really?” Rong Che sucked on the sour plum, his heart swelling with pride.
“Of course!”
“No one can compare to Daddy Rong! Later, you can even tell the baby, ‘I threw up for ten months just to bring you into this world!’”
“What man gets to say that? Even the Emperor can’t compete with you!” Lu Chao Chao continued to flatter.
Rong Che puffed out his chest. “That’s right! No one else gets this honor!”
“Chao Chao, don’t worry. Daddy won’t let you down. I can embroider and protect the nation! Who can match me?”
“I’m now training in culinary arts! One day, I will surpass all the men of North Zhao!”
“Since we’re traveling, I’ll learn everything I can. When I return to North Zhao, I will leave them all speechless!”
Xie Yu Zhou watched the exchange between Rong Che and Lu Chao Chao and muttered, “Something feels off here… but I can’t quite put my finger on it.”
Poor Xie Yu Zhou didn’t realize there was a term for this—‘competition of men.’
Rong Che had officially entered the fray!
Shi Yun glanced at Lu Chao Chao. The little one looked at her innocently.
After two or three hours of travel, the group paused for a rest.
Shi Yun poked Lu Chao Chao’s nose. “You little imp, playing mind games with your father? Look at him, he’s completely fooled, now training to be a master chef.”
Lu Chao Chao pouted. “That’s not playing mind games.”
“Since ancient times, women were expected to embroider, manage households, bear children, and serve their in-laws. Noble ladies might not need to cook, but they still had to learn.”
“Why shouldn’t men learn too?”
“And they take multiple wives, expecting their main wife to accept it without jealousy. If she protests, she’s branded as petty.”
“That’s unfair.” Lu Chao Chao shook her head.
Shi Yun was startled. She was only three and a half, how could she think about such things?
“Chao Chao, has your mother’s marriage to Lu Yuan Ze made you feel unhappy?” Shi Yun asked cautiously.
Lu Chao Chao shook her head. “Everyone is like this, it has nothing to do with Mother.”
“Chao Chao doesn’t want to marry when she grows up.”
“Men only slow down my sword-drawing speed!” she declared with disgust.
Shi Yun burst into laughter.
“Silly child, you’re still too young.”
“Besides, a good partner can ease half of life’s burdens. You’ll understand when you grow up.”
Lu Chao Chao blinked, considering it carefully.
“Mother, if a good partner reduces half of life’s burdens…”
“Can I find two? Then I won’t have any worries at all!”
Shi Yun: ???
“Uh…”
Something about that logic seemed a little off.