The whole family is insanely eavesdropping on my thoughts Chapter 611
Chapter 611: A Force Not to Be Provoked
Lu Chao Chao had yet to climb into the carriage when Yu Zhu, leading her mother by the hand, approached.
“Princess, who knows when we shall meet again after this parting? I will pray every day for your safety, that your path be smooth and your heart free of worries.” Yu Zhu knelt before Lu Chao Chao and solemnly kowtowed three times.
Yu Zhu understood well that the Princess’s righteousness benefited not just herself, but countless other women who had no control over their own destinies.
No one knew that from this moment on, Yu Zhu would become Lu Chao Chao’s most steadfast supporter.
Even in death, she would forever remember her Princess.
“I will not disappoint your expectations,” Yu Zhu’s eyes shone, as though filled with starlight.
Lu Chao Chao pressed her lips together, a faint smile appearing at the corners of her mouth. “I will wait for you in the Capital.” Entering the Capital meant success in her studies, meant stepping upon the heads of those arrogant scholars and entering the imperial examinations.
Yu Zhu nodded firmly.
Nearby, the wet nurse held little Shan Shan in her arms. Shan Shan tilted his head up, gazing at Yu Zhu.
Yu Zhu also turned to look at him.
She hesitated for a moment, feeling an inexplicable sense of closeness toward the Princess’s younger brother.
Taking the bamboo basket from her mother’s hands, she presented it with both hands. “Princess, these are teething snacks I made myself. Shan Shan is ten months old—just the right age for teething. They might be useful. I hope the Princess does not find them unworthy…” Her eyes were full of anticipation as she looked at Shan Shan.
Shan Shan stared at her for a moment before stretching out his chubby little hands.
Lu Chao Chao sighed helplessly. “Nanny, accept it.”
She knew well the connection between Shan Shan and Yu Zhu.
Seeing Lu Chao Chao accept the gift, Yu Zhu beamed with joy.
Personally escorting Lu Chao Chao to the carriage, she refused to turn away, following step by step behind it.
As they passed the threshing ground, a thick stench of blood filled the air.
Old Madam Wang lay on the ground after suffering thirty strikes of the rod, her mouth full of blood, her flesh mangled beyond recognition.
Upon seeing Yu Zhu, the old woman trembled and raised a weak hand. “Zhao… Zhao Di, aren’t… aren’t you going to help me?”
Her voice quivered, more breath going out than coming in, each word a struggle.
Yu Zhu paused, her gaze settling upon the wretched figure before her. The humility of the past was gone.
Her eyes were clear, unnervingly calm.
She stood silently, watching as the old woman gasped for air, watching as she pleaded.
All present had witnessed Yu Zhu take the blame for this old woman before, knowing her to be a filial child. Now, the officer waved her away. “Little girl, just leave. This old hag has taken the lives of many infants. She’s unworthy of being your grandmother.”
“Ptui! She disdained her granddaughter before, and now she begs for her help? Vile old crone! Let’s see if the spirits of those infants will let her go!”
Old Madam Wang’s eyes shrank in terror, a hoarse gasp escaping her lips. She could no longer speak.
Yu Zhu merely smiled, then turned away without hesitation.
The officer clicked his tongue. “Old woman, your fate is sealed.”
“Did you hear? Your Zhao Di—no, Princess Yu Zhu—has registered at the Women’s Academy today. Even the Great Scholar praised her. This child has a grand future ahead.”
“Your Wang family’s ancestors must be blessing you. Too bad… tsk tsk… your family has no fortune to enjoy it.”
“If she were my daughter, I would have raised her with utmost care, let her study well, and wait for her to bring honor to our family.”
The scorching sun beat down, making the earth so hot it could blister one’s feet.
Yet Old Madam Wang felt nothing but cold, as if trapped in an icy abyss, unable to feel the slightest warmth.
A woman… can bring honor to her family?
Her clouded eyes slowly closed. The last thing she saw was the fading figure of her granddaughter. As her eyes shut for the last time, it was as if she could hear the cries of the infants she had harmed.
She was surrounded by wailing voices, and though it was midsummer, she felt the bone-chilling cold seep into her soul.
Inside the carriage.
The wet nurse held Shan Shan close. “The young master rarely takes interest in others, yet he seems particularly fond of Yu Zhu. Whenever he hears her voice, his little ears perk up, and he lifts his head to look.”
“Look, he’s even lifting the curtain to peek outside.”
Lu Chao Chao remained silent, only smiling faintly.
She pondered over the monk’s words—Shan Shan was the reincarnation of an evil spirit, born with a violent and murderous nature.
Yet he had, by sheer chance, saved Yu Zhu’s life.
She thought, who’s to say what is truly righteous or wicked? Is destiny really set in stone?
A soft smile played on her lips as she reached into her pouch, pulling out a piece of candy and gently placing it into Shan Shan’s hand. “Eat up…”
Her voice was gentle and filled with warmth.
Shan Shan shivered upon hearing it, goosebumps rising along his arms.
He stared in horror at the candy.
Mustered all his strength, he pushed himself backward, shaking his hands frantically in refusal.
Lu Chao Chao’s face darkened. “Are you trying to die? Do you think I’m giving you poison?!”
Her eyes narrowed, her expression fierce.
Shan Shan blinked. The terror in his little body instantly vanished. He took the candy as if nothing had happened, even flashing a silly grin at her.
Yes, this was the sister he knew.
Reassured, truly reassured!
He shoved the candy into his mouth, his cheeks puffing up like a little squirrel, drool spilling from his lips.
Lu Chao Chao’s eye twitched. Was there something wrong with him?
The carriage rumbled forward, gradually leaving the village behind.
Yu Zhu stood at the village entrance, waving tirelessly until the carriage disappeared from sight.
The farther they traveled toward the Brahma Kingdom, the hotter the air became.
As they neared the border, everyone sighed in relief. Without the presence of the Nether Heart, the deities had grown weaker and weaker.
Lu Chao Chao had to channel her spiritual energy into them daily.
“Had we not nourished ourselves with the Nether Heart for some time, I fear our souls would have already dispersed,” Zhu Mo wiped the sweat from his forehead. Among them, High God Zong Bai was faring the worst.
Resting in a roadside temple, they found countless idols within, yet those representing Zong Bai and the others had grown dull and lifeless.
Cobwebs covered the shrine, the statues cracked and peeling.
When Lu Chao Chao gently touched the idol of the God of Judiciary, its surface crumbled away, collapsing entirely within moments.
“Since the Celestial Realm stripped them of their godhood, the Three Realms can no longer erect temples for them. Without believers, their souls lack the sustenance of devotion,” Windchaser sighed.
Inside the carriage, A-Man carefully crushed immortal peaches into juice, feeding it to the weakened gods drop by drop.
Xie Yu Zhou sat on edge, sneaking glances at Lu Chao Chao from time to time.
They were already near the border of the Brahma Kingdom. By tomorrow, they would cross the desert and reach the royal capital.
“If you’ve got something to say, spit it out. What are you squirming for?” Lu Chao Chao rolled her eyes.
Xie Yu Zhou chuckled sheepishly.
“We’ve been through life and death together, right?” He grinned obsequiously.
“You’re not planning to sell me to the Brahma Kingdom, are you?” he asked seriously.
Lu Chao Chao’s face darkened.
“Do I look like that kind of person?” she glared, eyes round with indignation.
Xie Yu Zhou gave her a glance, then nodded solemnly. “Yes.”
Lu Chao Chao: ?????
Shan Shan sat cross-legged on the ground, guzzling milk from his little bottle. Watching this exchange, he grinned wide, showing his few tiny teeth.
Mimicking Xie Yu Zhou, he babbled, “Ni shi, ni shi, ni shi…” making exaggerated faces as he wobbled with laughter.
Then—
Two pairs of eyes, sharp as blades, turned upon him.
The air grew tense.
Shan Shan’s laughter died instantly.
Moments later, the temple resounded with his earth-shattering wails.
Between sobs, he hiccupped, “No—no—won’t dare again…” never daring to mock his sister again. Waaaahhh…
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation