The whole family is insanely eavesdropping on my thoughts Chapter 586
Chapter 586: Raiding Shan Shan’s Treasury
The Lu Manor was alight throughout the night, its inhabitants bustling about with urgency.
When Lu Chao Chao was pulled from the warmth of her blankets by her mother, Shi Yun, she found Lu Zheng Yue and A-Ning already dressed and waiting outside the door.
Shi Yun’s eyes were swollen from weeping as she whispered to her daughter, “Your second brother is departing for the borderlands. Come see him off.”
Chao Chao was deeply attached to her brothers. If Shi Yun hadn’t woken her, she might have cried upon waking to find him gone.
Despite having slept late the previous night, Chao Chao snapped awake at the news.
“Yu Shu, Yu Shu, hurry and dress me! Second Brother is leaving!” she called out, her voice still thick with sleep.
Shi Yun swiftly wrapped her in a thick cloak and carried her outside.
A crowd had already gathered at the Lu Manor’s entrance.
The elders of the Wen Family, the Duke of Stability and his wife, and their maternal family, the Xu Clan, had all come to bid farewell.
The elderly Wen couple held onto A-Ning’s hands, tears streaming down their faces. The borderlands were harsh, plagued by war and bitter cold. How could any parents not worry?
Though the Wen family’s status was not particularly high, their daughter had been raised in comfort, never knowing hardship.
“Mother, don’t worry. At the General’s Manor, I will be cared for by the soldiers and the maids. I’ll be living in comfort,” A-Ning consoled her parents with a forced smile, though her red-rimmed eyes betrayed her sorrow.
The Wen elders wiped their tears. Everyone knew how difficult life at the border could be.
“Daughter, I regret that I won’t be able to serve you and Father at your side. Please forgive me,” A-Ning knelt and bowed deeply to them.
“Father, Mother, I owe you both. When I return victorious, I will come to atone.” Lu Zheng Yue, clad in armor, also knelt before his in-laws.
“Get up, get up! You are defending our country. How could we blame you?” Elder Wen helped him up, utterly proud of his son-in-law. With soldiers like him standing guard, how could the common people not enjoy peace?
By the time Chao Chao arrived, the courtyard was already awash with tears.
The Duke of Stability, a lifelong warrior, had always given Lu Zheng Yue advice whenever he returned to the capital, calling him a natural-born general destined to defend the country.
At first, it was simply guidance for the sake of Rong Che’s stepson, to give him some standing. Now, however, the old marquis had grown truly fond of Zheng Yue.
“Che’er married well,” he often mused.
Shi Yun carried Chao Chao forward and handed her to Lu Zheng Yue.
“Second Brother, will you make a wish for me?” Chao Chao clung to his neck, her voice soft.
Lu Zheng Yue’s heart gave a little jolt. But he did not show hesitation. Even knowing the difficulty of this campaign, retreat was not an option.
Behind him stood thousands of people who relied on him.
Looking down, he saw his little sister’s pleading gaze. He plucked a flower from the ground and said solemnly, “I wish for mountains and rivers to stand firm, for peace under the heavens.”
If his sister had divine favor, let her bless the people so they might never know war again.
No matter the realm—immortal or mortal—it was always the common folk who suffered.
Chao Chao was momentarily stunned.
“Second Brother, the breathing techniques from the Southern Kingdom, the ones they use for cultivation—teach them to our soldiers. Even if they don’t become cultivators, the method can still strengthen their bodies.” She whispered into his ear.
Lu Zheng Yue nodded without hesitation. “Alright.” He always trusted Chao Chao’s words.
The little girl’s eyes grew warm. Zheng Yue handed her to Deng Zhi, helped A-Ning onto the carriage, and mounted his horse.
“Mother, your son departs.”
Tears slipped down Shi Yun’s face as she watched her son disappear into the distance, reluctant to look away.
A mother worries for her child traveling a thousand miles—how much more when that child rides into battle?
By the time everyone returned to the inner courtyard, the sky had brightened.
Shi Yun had already ordered breakfast to be served.
Chao Chao, looking around cautiously, tore off a drumstick and quickly hid it in her hidden storage space before anyone noticed.
She ate a few bites and then jumped off her chair. “Mother, I’m full!”
She scampered off towards Shan Shan’s courtyard.
Inside, Shan Shan was sitting cross-legged on the bed, chewing on his toes.
“Here, for you,” Chao Chao offered the drumstick to him.
Shan Shan’s big round eyes widened in shock. He blinked, making his eyes go slightly cross-eyed, then pointed at himself incredulously. “Me?”
When his sister nodded, the little boy let out a delighted squeal and grabbed the drumstick with both hands, taking a massive bite.
The drumstick suffered minor damage, but Shan Shan was deeply satisfied.
“Shan Shan, you’re amazing,” Chao Chao praised.
Shan Shan blinked in confusion. Had his sister gone mad?
He had no idea what had happened the previous night.
He had, after all, slept quite well. Though he wasn’t near his sister, the night had been unusually quiet. He had finally gotten a peaceful rest.
“Shan Shan, the drumstick is tasty, right?” Chao Chao grinned.
“You got a lot of gifts at your full moon and hundred-day celebrations, didn’t you?”
Rubbing her hands together, Chao Chao continued, “Sister’s a little short on money right now.” She held up five chubby fingers.
“Sister needs the money for something important. I’ll definitely pay you back. I’m not the kind to borrow and not return it…”
Suddenly, the drumstick in Shan Shan’s mouth tasted a little less delicious.
He wanted to give it back!
He should have known—his sister’s kindness always came with a price!
“You’re still little, so Sister will keep it safe for you. This will be your future wife’s dowry.”
“You don’t mind, do you, Shan Shan?” She tilted her head, watching him with eerie calm.
Chao Chao stepped onto a stool, grabbed Shan Shan’s little treasure chest, and stood by the bed, surveying the room.
Then she plucked the gold bracelet off his chubby wrist.
Shan Shan’s face turned bright red. His white, pudgy fingers clenched around the bracelet, his mouth still holding onto the drumstick. He used all his strength, his tiny body straining to resist.
Chao Chao thought for a moment, then leaned in…
And planted a firm kiss on his round, chubby cheek.
Smooch.
Shan Shan’s grip loosened. His eyes widened in shock as he clutched his face in disbelief.
Chao Chao swiftly pocketed the bracelet.
“Rest well, Shan Shan. Sister has important matters to attend to.” With that, she took off with his money box, heading for the main courtyard.
“Mother, Mother…” Even before she reached the door, Shi Yun heard her voice.
Deng Zhi, hearing her footsteps, ordered tea and snacks to be served.
Strangely, despite running in all sweaty, the little princess didn’t touch the refreshments. A rare occurrence indeed.
“Mother, I want to build a women’s academy!” Chao Chao declared loudly, startling Deng Zhi.
“A while ago, the officials donated a lot of money. I want to use part of it to build a women’s academy!”
Her eyes shone with determination.
“For common folk, education is already hard. For women, survival itself is a challenge.”
“I want to do something for them!”
“Human lives are treated as mere weeds. Women’s lives, even less.”
“I want to give them a chance.”
Shi Yun looked at the light in her daughter’s eyes and suddenly felt…
Chao Chao was growing up.
“Chao Chao, this is a good thing.”
“But using the donation money will definitely face opposition from the officials,” Shi Yun murmured as she wiped the sweat from her daughter’s brow with a silk handkerchief.
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation