Chapter 104: Catching Father in a Jar
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
At her first birthday celebration, Lu Chao Chao grabbed the king’s thumb ring, causing the old lady’s face to turn green with shock. Meanwhile, Lu Jing Yao scanned the grand estate, contrasting it with her own modest home in a cheaper part of the city.
“Poor Yao Yao, next year we will surely celebrate your birthday grandly,” she lamented, comparing her humble birthdays to Chao Chao’s extravagant celebration.
Pei Jiao Jiao, unlike Madam Xu, was not wealthy. The Marquis Zhongyong’s family had relied on Madam Xu’s dowry for years, and with the dowry now tightly controlled, times were tough. Supporting Pei Jiao Jiao was not feasible.
“Yao Yao is not envious,” Lu Jing Yao said, suppressing her jealousy with great effort. “Yao Yao only envies that she can call you grandmother.” Her soft, reliant tone broke the old lady’s heart.
Despite it being her first birthday party, Lu Chao Chao’s grandmother hadn’t even held her. This absence was noticed and surprised everyone.
“Why doesn’t the old lady hold her own granddaughter and instead holds an outsider?”
“Look at Chao Chao’s eager eyes, so pitiful…”
“Chao Chao is even more beautiful than Lu Jing Yao.”
The old lady pursed her lips, thinking, What do you all know? The abbot of National Temple had predicted that the Marquis’s unborn child would be extraordinarily noble, a prediction made with Pei Jiao Jiao by her side.
As the banquet began, a messenger reported an unexpected guest. “General Song is here, saying he’s come for a drink,” leaving Lu Yuan Ze momentarily stunned. Was it Song Yu, the elusive general the king had repeatedly tried to recruit? Recently, his men had kidnapped Chao Chao.
“Please invite him in quickly.”
Dressed in a blue robe, Song Yu entered, immediately focusing on Lu Chao Chao, who grinned innocently at him.
“Oh how auspicious for Master Song to come to my humble home. I heard the king is sending the General to the battlefield soon…” Marquis Zhongyong spoke warmly, recognizing Song Yu’s rising fame.
Yet, Song Yu, cold and distant, ignored Lu Yuan Ze and walked straight to Lu Chao Chao. “Chao Chao, happy birthday. Have you seen my…” His tone was intimate and familiar.
Lu Chao Chao hid her small hands behind her back, looking guilty. “I didn’t take it! I didn’t see it! I didn’t go to your treasure house!” she denied three times.
He chuckled softly. Not only had she burned down Fufeng Mountain, but she had also stolen from Song Yu’s treasure trove to resettle kidnapped women and children.
Song Yu raised an eyebrow, “Is that so? I didn’t mention anything about a missing treasure house.”
Lu Chao Chao quickly covered her mouth with both hands, angry at her quick tongue and guilty feelings.
“What’s wrong? Not calling me daddy anymore?” Song Yu teased.
Feeling guilty, Lu Chao Chao dared not look at him. Song Yu took a jade pendant from his waist and hung it on her dress, making Lu Yuan Ze turn green with envy.
“I owe you a promise.” Years ago, when the Song family was nearly exterminated, they were saved by Fufeng Village. Though aware of Fufeng Village’s deceitful activities, Song Yu never acted against them. Chao Chao had, in a way, made the decision for him.
After Song Yu left, Lu Yuan Ze approached Lu Chao Chao. “Chao Chao, give the jade pendant to daddy. Daddy will keep it for you.” Song Yu’s promise was valuable, especially as he was favored by the king. Lu Chao Chao snorted, turned her back, and produced a small box, stuffing the jade pendant inside. Lu Yuan Ze glimpsed six or seven jade pendants in the box, all looking strangely familiar yet unidentifiable.
Glancing once more at Madam Xu, Lu Yuan Ze noticed the banquet had started, with Madam Xu seated among the women and the newly married Lu Wan Yi pouring wine for her.
Lu Yuan Ze’s lips curved slightly. “Marquis, is that your eldest son? Standing with Young Master Lu Jing Huai, they look like brothers. It’s a pity their fates are so different, one high, one low,” someone remarked after a few drinks, causing Lu Yuan Ze to feel a pang of fear.
Meanwhile, at the women’s table, there was a sharp exchange. “Madam Pei, it was my mistake back then to falsely accuse someone of adultery, please don’t hold a grudge,” said Madam Qin with a smile, now pregnant and relying heavily on Chao Chao to embarrass Madam Pei.
“Your eldest son is so promising. When will he be recognized by his ancestors?”
Pei Jiao Jiao’s fingers dug into her flesh. “It’s such a waste for such an outstanding child to be left outside. Madam Pei, even being a concubine is better than having no status at all,” Madam Qin said slowly.
“My Jing Huai will not be a concubine’s son!” Pei Jiao Jiao forced out, “He is a legitimate eldest son.”
“An unloved one is an outsider,” Pei Jiao Jiao recalled her daughter’s words and immediately responded.
The official wives all showed disdainful expressions. Pei Jiao Jiao was merely relying on her son’s excellence and the old lady’s endorsement to barely sit with them. Otherwise, as an outsider, how could she deserve this?
Lu Chao Chao fiddled with her mother’s wine cup, unnoticed as she switched the cups. Frustrated, Pei Jiao Jiao drank her cup in one gulp, the spicy bitterness stinging her throat.
“Old Madam, Jiao Jiao would like to excuse myself to change clothes,” she said, panicked by Lu Yuan Ze’s recent coldness.
Once Madam Pei left, Deng Zhi said, “Madam, Su Zhi Qing refuses to attend the banquet.”
Madam Xu smiled, “Not coming? It’s better she doesn’t.” She knew Su Zhi Qing was avoiding Lu Jing Huai, but some things couldn’t be avoided by mere evasion.
Madam Pei, feeling bitter, walked through the plum grove after leaving the main courtyard. Madam Xu was elegant and noble, while she was just a hidden outsider, ridiculed wherever she went. Eighteen years, she had hidden in Madam Xu’s shadow, while Madam Xu remained extravagant and graceful. What about herself? Her clothes were last year’s style. Madam Pei, unwilling to accept this, felt emboldened by the alcohol and had a daring thought.
Wasn’t Madam Xu always so high and mighty, confident to the extreme? She wanted to shatter Madam Xu’s dreams personally! Entering Lu Yuan Ze’s study, she found him changing, his clothes accidentally soaked by a servant.
Before he could step out, a pair of smooth hands gently clasped his shoulders, a warm breath nearing. Pei Jiao Jiao, wearing a new inner garment given by her daughter today, blushed while dressing, feeling almost irresistible.
“Marquis…” she whispered, causing Lu Yuan Ze to shudder. Though he had drunk some wine, his remaining reason made him grasp Madam Pei’s hand, “Jiao Jiao, not today.”
Pei Jiao Jiao felt tingles all over, a flush spreading across her face, her eyes seeming to be made of silk. “Marquis, outside this door is the official wife. Inside, it’s Jiao Jiao. Marquis, isn’t this more interesting? More exciting?” Madam Pei wanted to humiliate Madam Xu. So what if she was high and mighty? Her beloved husband was with another woman just a wall away.
Outside the door, the guests were seated. Inside, it was wild.
Aiyaa, it’s gonna spicy
So spicy
Why are all his mistresses so slutty?
that’s the kind of women he attracts, so of course all of them would have at least one similar trait