The whole family is insanely eavesdropping on my thoughts Chapter 435
Chapter 435: Tearful Whimpers
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
Inside the carriage.
Shi Yun was over three months pregnant now, and a slight bulge had begun to show in her abdomen. However, due to her naturally slender frame, it was not very noticeable.
This pregnancy was progressing exceptionally well—she could eat, drink, and move with ease, even walking swiftly without issue.
At this moment, the carriage was moving smoothly and swiftly toward Southern Capital.
At midday, she curled up on the soft cushions, drowsy from the warmth, and dozed off for a short nap.
Deng Zhi was stitching the soles of Lu Chao Chao’s shoes when she noticed her lady’s eyelids drooping. Smiling, she remarked, “Winter days rarely see the sun. With its warmth shining down, it’s the perfect time to sleep. My lady, you should rest. We will likely only reach Southern Capital by nightfall.”
His Majesty was in a rush to marry his new empress, so they had to return immediately.
Shi Yun nodded gently and closed her eyes.
As soon as she drifted off, a faint yet persistent crying sound echoed in her ears.
She rubbed her eyes, finding her vision shrouded in white mist, unable to see anything clearly.
A youthful, aggrieved voice sobbed, “Wuu wuu wuu wuu… Last time, the turtle soup wasn’t for me. This time, it’s also not for me…”
“Everyone else gets some, but I don’t…”
Shi Yun’s head buzzed, filled entirely with the sounds of weeping.
What had been a bright and sunny day suddenly turned ominous—thick storm clouds gathered, and lightning crackled through the sky. The sun disappeared behind the dense clouds, and soon, large raindrops began to fall.
“This wretched weather! It was clear and sunny just moments ago, and now there’s a downpour!” Xie Jing Xi cursed in frustration.
From inside the carriage, Xie Yu Zhou poked his head out. “The heavens must be feeling wronged and are shedding tears.”
Deng Zhi noticed Shi Yun frowning deeply, as if trapped in a nightmare. She gently shook her shoulder. “My lady, my lady, wake up…”
Shi Yun slowly opened her eyes, seeing the dim glow of lanterns inside the carriage. She blinked in mild confusion.
“My lady, were you having a nightmare? I heard you muttering in your sleep, saying, ‘Don’t cry, don’t cry…’”
Shi Yun was usually calm and composed, but now her face carried the pained expression of someone barely enduring a migraine. She raised a hand to cover her ears, as if still hearing an illusion.
“Perhaps… it was just a dream?”
The voice in her dream sounded eerily familiar.
“How long did I sleep? Are we near Southern Capital?” she asked upon noticing the darkened skies.
Deng Zhi chuckled, “You only slept for about half an hour. Shortly after you dozed off, thunder rumbled and the rain poured down. It came suddenly, without warning.”
“Ah, it seems we’ll have to brave the storm on our way back.”
A hint of confusion flickered through Shi Yun’s eyes.
The last time she dreamed of the crying youth, it rained for three days straight.
This time, she dreamt of him again… and another downpour began?
Was this merely coincidence?
In the carriage behind, Lu Chao Chao listened to the rhythmic patter of rain outside. Grinding her teeth, she snapped, “Are you a walking disaster? Get down here!”
“Are you coming down or not?”
“I’m counting to three. If you don’t come down, you’ll never be allowed down!”
“One…”
Before she even finished speaking, a young boy in green appeared inside the carriage, sitting cross-legged with his back to her.
Lu Chao Chao nearly jumped in fright.
“Why are you crying again?” she poked his arm lightly.
“I want to taste it too!” The boy’s voice was muffled with grievance.
Lu Chao Chao sighed deeply.
“You think I did it on purpose, not letting you have some?” she asked carefully.
Scratching her head, her tiny hair tufts flopped weakly to the sides.
“You are Heavenly Dao itself. The desires of the Three Realms already influence you, nearly causing your collapse. If you also indulge in mortal delicacies…”
“It wouldn’t be good for you.”
She cupped her face in her hands, resting her elbows on the small table before her.
“It’s my fault for troubling you. I never even properly thanked you for saving me.” Her voice was soft and sweet.
The boy turned abruptly.
“You did not trouble me!” His tone was firm, allowing no argument.
Lu Chao Chao shook her head slightly. “After I sacrificed myself, it was you who split your divine power to preserve my remnant soul, giving them the chance to weave it back together.”
The boy was unconcerned. “If not for you, Heavenly Dao would have collapsed, and the Three Realms would have perished. It is I who should thank you.”
Hearing her gratitude, his grievance instantly dissipated.
Outside, the torrential rain gradually ceased.
Xie Jing Xi scowled at the sky. “I just found a place to take shelter from the rain, and now it stops?”
Lu Chao Chao noticed the boy’s reddened eyes and quietly took out a white lotus root from her sleeve.
“You really can’t drink lotus root soup, but this fresh lotus root is crisp and sweet. It tastes great. Want to try?”
The boy’s eyes lit up.
Outside, Xie Jing Xi muttered curses again. “What nonsense is this? Just a moment ago, it was a heavy downpour, and now the sun’s blazing hot again!” He removed his cloak in irritation.
The boy held the lotus root in both hands, took a small bite, and spiritual energy surged into his body.
Sweet.
“This green robe doesn’t suit you,” Lu Chao Chao mused, resting her chin on her hands. “Once we return to Southern Capital, I’ll ask my mother to make you a new one.”
The boy’s grin was as wild as the wind.
After he left, the smile on Lu Chao Chao’s face faded slightly.
She knew that after Heavenly Dao saved her, something must have changed.
Ever since she sacrificed herself, she had existed as a mere flicker of consciousness. She could sense her presence, yet she did not truly exist.
Sometimes she became the wind, sometimes the rain, sometimes the earth itself.
Then, Heavenly Dao divided a portion of its power to sustain her soul.
From that moment on, she could perceive its consciousness.
She could also sense all things within the Three Realms.
Most notably, Heavenly Dao had changed.
The supreme, impartial, all-governing law that stood above worldly affairs… was no longer the same.
A deity’s power was immense, and once desire took root, its impact was profound.
Lu Chao Chao sighed softly. “Sword cultivators have it easy. No need to think about anything—just cut down whatever they don’t like with a single stroke.”
By evening, the convoy finally reached Southern Capital.
Before even entering the city, red double-happiness lanterns could be seen adorning the walls.
At the gates, palace attendants distributed porridge to the people.
Crowds gathered near the city walls, murmuring amongst themselves. “His Majesty is marrying again, and there’s a general pardon across the land…”
Upon entering the city, a festive atmosphere enveloped everything. The streets were plastered with red banners, and lanterns lined both sides.
“I heard the new empress is from the Elf Race…”
“She entered the city a few days ago. Oh my, I’ve never seen such a beautiful woman before…”
A young girl innocently remarked, “But our emperor is so old…” Before she could finish, the woman beside her hurriedly covered her mouth.
Old was an understatement—His Majesty’s lifespan was nearing its end, his entire being shrouded in deathly aura.
Madam Ning let out a cold laugh. “Tricking the pure and naive Elf Race? As shameless as ever.”
“Tearing up the marriage contract, deposing the empress—so this was his plan all along.”
Outside the Ning Manor, palace attendants were already waiting. “Tomorrow is the imperial wedding. His Majesty invites Old Madam Ning and her family to the palace.”
Madam Ning stood at the entrance, her expression grim.
“Bring me my veil and hat,” she instructed softly.
Moments later, the carriage made its way directly to the palace gates.
The once lifeless imperial palace now exuded a superficial joy, all for the sake of the emperor’s new marriage.