The whole family is insanely eavesdropping on my thoughts Chapter 447

Chapter 447: Arrival of the Monarchs

This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation

Zhu Mo clutched his chest, his heartbeat in turmoil.

Before he could speak, the girl at his feet suddenly transformed into a withered little flower.

“Ah! A flower demon!” Xie Yu Zhou immediately hid behind Lu Chao Chao.

“Though she is a demon, her aura is pure, without a trace of murderous intent.”

Zhu Mo hastily explained, sneaking a glance at Lu Chao Chao.

“She seems gravely injured. May I take her back? I… I know your status is different now, and you cannot shelter those with unknown origins. I can watch over her myself!”

“For a plant to take human form is an arduous process. It takes a lifetime of good deeds, never harming another, to achieve it.”

Lu Chao Chao pursed her lips. “Then take care of her. The monarchs of various nations will soon arrive in the city. I have no time to look after her.”

With that, she cast Zhu Mo a teasing glance.

But Zhu Mo, gently cradling the tiny flower, failed to notice her gaze.

When they returned to Ning Manor, the event stirred no waves.

Xie Yu Zhou yawned. “Why do I feel like he’s fallen in love? I heard he has a fiancée back home!”

Lu Chao Chao looked surprised. “You understand love?”

Xie Yu Zhou puffed up his chest. “Why wouldn’t I? I’m even saving up to marry a good wife!”

He lifted his chin, beaming with pride.

“Uh…” Lu Chao Chao paused before waving him off dismissively. “Go ahead and marry, then…”

With that, she swiftly returned to her room.

Xie Yu Zhou scratched his head, sensing something suspicious in her reaction.

Yawning again, his mind groggy, he slipped into his small courtyard and collapsed into bed.

In his dreams, he kept hearing the faint sound of a wooden fish tapping, along with indistinct chanting…

It was as if someone were reciting sutras right beside him.

Half-asleep, half-awake, Xie Yu Zhou groaned in frustration, pulling his blanket over his head to muffle the sound.

In his dream, he saw a golden radiance.

Countless compassionate Buddhas sat within the light, gazing at him solemnly.

“Ah!!”

He jolted awake, sitting upright.

Just then, a maid entered. “Young Lord, did you have a nightmare? You must wake and wash. Today, the new emperor ascends the throne, and the monarchs of various nations have arrived in the Southern Capital. You should enter the palace early for the ceremony.”

“The Emperor of Northern Zhao arrived last night.”

“My imperial uncle is here? What about my father?” Xie Yu Zhou scrambled up.

The maid smiled. “The prince went to personally welcome and settle him upon his arrival and has not yet returned home.”

Xie Yu Zhou hurriedly dressed. Still full from last night’s feast, he merely sipped some porridge before heading out.

“Later, have someone search around the manor for any monks. Some fool was chanting sutras all night, keeping me from sleeping!” he grumbled, rubbing his ears as he stormed out the door.

The maid blinked. “A monk? But the Ning family estate is heavily guarded. How could a monk have gotten in?”

“Besides, I didn’t hear any chanting last night… perhaps it was just a dream?” she murmured. She had been sleeping in the adjacent room and heard nothing at all.

Lu Chao Chao had barely closed her eyes before palace attendants pulled her from bed.

Without even opening them, she was washed and dressed.

Fortunately, being so young meant she did not require elaborate makeup, making the process simpler.

The dragon robe on her was exquisitely small, perfectly tailored.

She nibbled on a few pastries when the deep toll of bells echoed from outside.

“Nine chimes signify the highest number, symbolizing the new emperor’s ascension,” an elderly nanny whispered, sighing inwardly.

Such a cute, naive child, yet she must bear the weight of a nation.

Today’s coronation alone would be a daunting challenge.

The Third Prince, being older, held the dominant position among the imperial heirs.

His mother was from Eastern Ling and was the full-blooded sister of Eastern Ling’s emperor’s mother.

It was rumored that the Third Prince had personally gone to the city gates last night, waiting until late to escort the Eastern Ling King to his manor.

Today, the young new emperor would undoubtedly face hostility.

Many in court worried she might cry publicly under the pressure.

The imperial procession arrived at the gates of Ning Manor, ready to escort her back to the palace.

Xie Yu Zhou followed behind her, dark circles under his eyes.

“Escort Her Majesty to the palace!”

The eunuch called thrice, and the citizens along the road immediately knelt, filling the streets with their bows.

“Long live Her Majesty!”

Countless heads lowered before her.

“Today, you will first offer sacrifices to the heavens, then return to the Bright Light Hall for your enthronement,” the elderly nanny murmured beside her.

Lu Chao Chao hummed in response.

The nanny was surprised. A three-and-a-half-year-old child, yet not a trace of fear? If anything, she seemed… overly relaxed.

[I’ve seen grander spectacles than this!]

Outside the altar, the crowd swelled. Everywhere she went, people knelt, welcoming their new emperor.

“Over there is the Emperor of Western Yue.” The nanny gestured toward a luxuriously dressed man lounging lazily in his chair, his gaze resting idly on the Saintess of Western Yue.

“That is the Emperor of Eastern Ling. He was once a hostage prince before returning to claim his throne. He is said to have a volatile temper and is the Third Prince’s cousin.” At that moment, the Third Prince stood respectfully at his side.

Lu Chao Chao frowned, the distance obscuring her view.

“You must beware of Eastern Ling. The Third Prince has likely already offered them something in exchange for their support.”

She continued, “The monk in robes over there is a Brahma Kingdom chanter. Their monarch is a Buddha’s Child, though he has yet to ascend.”

“The Brahma Kingdom does not involve itself in worldly affairs, so you need not worry.”

“That one, you must be familiar with—that is Emperor Xuan Ping of Northern Zhao.”

“Northern Zhao and the Southern Kingdom… as Grand Tutor Xu has surely told you, share a delicate relationship. The Southern Kingdom holds the highest seat among mortal nations, while Northern Zhao is second. Though they have never warred, they remain wary of one another.”

“You hail from Northern Zhao and may feel attached to it. But now, you are a ruler yourself—and only three and a half years old…”

“Northern Zhao might seek to claim supremacy over the five nations.”

“I say this not to sow discord but for you to remain vigilant.”

The court and Grand Tutor Xu had repeated such warnings countless times.

But Lu Chao Chao never paid them much heed. Once she saw her Emperor Daddy, all would be resolved.

The moment she appeared, the cold and forbidding Emperor Xuan Ping immediately turned to her.

As soon as his eyes met hers, his icy demeanor melted away.

His entire presence softened.

He stood abruptly, striding towards her, lips curling into a smile as the weight in his heart lifted.

“Godfather hug!” Lu Chao Chao spread her arms and leaped toward him.

The nanny paled. The dignity of a monarch was absolute. If she asked the Emperor of Northern Zhao to hold her now, would that not signify his submission to her?

If Xuan Ping Emperor took offense, what then?

But…

Xuan Ping Emperor eagerly caught her mid-air. “Yes, yes, yes! Daddy will hold you! Daddy will hold you! My poor Chao Chao…”

“So small, yet burdened so much!”

“That wretched Nan Shi An! Even in death, he remains a scourge! That damned old thing should be dug up and flogged!”

“How did he get so lucky to have such an amazing descendant like Chao Chao?”

My daughter! The shining sun of Northern Zhao!

How did she become the Empress of the Southern Kingdom?!

The feared Emperor of Northern Zhao, holding his little Empress in full public view, wailed uncontrollably.

Damn it!

I am her godfather! Nan Shi An was her grandfather!

That makes me a generation younger than him?!