Chapter 114: The Marquis’s Other Daughter
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
The day after the mutual divorce.
Lu Yuan Ze’s petition to appoint the heir of the Marquis was rejected.
However, Lu Chao Chao received generous rewards from the Emperor!
This infuriated Lu Yuan Ze so much that his chest ached. As he left court, many officials cupped their hands to him in mock celebration.
“Congratulations, Marquis! Congratulations! Your daughter, at just one year old, has inadvertently saved countless citizens. Since the rewards won’t go directly to the little baby, it’s likely the Marquis’s manor will see an elevation in rank. Truly, your household is blessed with great fortune!”
The colleague’s words were barely finished when he smacked his forehead dramatically.
“Oh, how could I forget? The mutual divorce has already happened. This boundless fortune no longer belongs to the Marquis’s manor.” With a shake of his head, he walked away, feigning regret.
Lu Yuan Ze!!
It felt like a blade had been driven straight into his chest! The fury and humiliation churned within him, causing stars to dance before his eyes.
“Marquis, such vigor at your age! Truly, you remain robust,” others teased knowingly.
It was a thinly veiled mockery, suggesting his recent humiliation over his incapacity as a husband.
Lu Yuan Ze struggled to compose himself, taking deep breaths to calm his raging emotions.
Before he even returned home, a servant rushed up to him in great haste.
“Marquis, the Minister of Rites has arrived and has been waiting at the manor gates for quite some time.”
Lu Yuan Ze’s entire body tensed.
The Minister of Rites! A prominent figure in court—the head of the Ministry of Rites, a first-rank official!
Such a person was far beyond Lu Yuan Ze’s grasp as a mere fourth-rank official. For this esteemed minister to visit his humble manor? Unthinkable.
It was known that the minister had taken leave from court due to illness for three days. Why had he come to the Marquis’s manor now?
“What is the matter? Did the Minister explain his purpose?” Lu Yuan Ze’s heart raced. Could this be a sign of good fortune for the Marquis’s household?
He recalled the abbot’s words that Lu Jing Yao was a child of destiny, destined for unparalleled greatness. Could this be the manifestation of her fortune elevating the family?
“He didn’t specify, but he seems to have a favor to ask.”
Lu Yuan Ze was elated. He mentally sneered at Madam Xu. [You shall see the Marquis’s household rise like a phoenix!]
He promptly ordered a carriage and hurried back to the manor.
True enough, as soon as he alighted from the carriage, he saw Minister Fang standing at the gate.
This was no ordinary official but the esteemed head of the Ministry of Rites! Lu Yuan Ze’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
Quickly, he approached and saluted respectfully.
“No need for such formalities, dear nephew,” Minister Fang said with a sigh. “I came in haste today, so I hope you will forgive my abruptness. I have come to seek a favor from the Marquis’s household.”
The elder man’s tone was humble, an odd sight for one of his rank.
Lu Yuan Ze’s heart thudded wildly as he struggled to maintain his composure. “Minister Fang, please speak freely. I will do my utmost to assist.”
Minister Fang hesitated briefly before continuing, “This may sound presumptuous. My wife caught sight of Chao Chao last time and found her utterly endearing. She wishes to invite the young lady to visit our home.”
Minister Fang and his wife had shared a deep bond since childhood. Now, with his wife gravely ill, the minister hoped for a Longevity Talisman to extend her life.
Lu Yuan Ze was overjoyed. “It is our honor that you hold her in such regard. I will fetch her immediately!”
He turned to his servants. “Bring Jing Yao out at once!”
His heart brimmed with pride. [The abbot spoke true. Jing Yao’s immense fortune will indeed bring prosperity to the Marquis’s household!]
Lu Jing Yao was carefully dressed by Madam Pei before being brought out. She appeared lively, a cheerful smile gracing her features.
But Minister Fang’s face fell the moment he saw her.
“Not her!”
“This isn’t the one!” Minister Fang’s brows furrowed as he spoke with firm conviction.
Lu Yuan Ze was stunned. “Minister, this is my daughter, Lu Jing Yao. She is the only daughter of the Marquis’s household. Who else could it be?”
A young attendant at the minister’s side interjected, “This one’s complexion is sallow, and her gaze lacks purity. It’s not her. The one we seek is plump and radiant, always smiling, and… loves eating chicken legs!”
Lu Yuan Ze was dumbfounded. “Lu… Lu Chao Chao?” he muttered.
“Yes, Chao Chao!” Minister Fang’s face lit up with a broad smile.
“Hurry and bring Chao Chao out,” he urged. “Consider it a favor to the Minister’s household.”
The human connections of the Minister of Rites held immense weight, something that Lu Yuan Ze desired greatly.
But…
Just yesterday, he had driven those very people out of the Marquis Zhongyong’s Manor!
“Old Master, are you looking for Lu Chao Chao? The daughter of Madam Xu?”
“Madam Xu parted ways with the Marquis yesterday, and even her four children were cast out. If you’re searching for them, head to Yulin Alley; that’s where they are now,” a bystander called out from behind.
The Minister’s smile immediately faltered, and his attitude toward the Marquis Zhongyong turned icy.
“Parted ways?” The Minister’s tone grew cold as he glanced at Marquis Lu Zheng Yue.
Marquis Lu, unable to explain himself, hurriedly presented Lu Jing Yao in front of the Minister, saying, “Jing Yao is clever and endearing, even more so than Chao Chao. She’s just as talented.”
The Minister cast a fleeting glance at Lu Jing Yao. Such a young child, yet her gaze already brimmed with schemes. Was the Marquis blind? Mistaking a mere pebble for a pearl?
Did he not understand the remarkable abilities of Chao Chao?
Without a word, the Minister turned and marched straight toward Yulin Alley.
Lu Yuan Ze, enraged to the point of almost spitting blood, had no idea that the drama was just beginning.
Today, Lu Chao Chao was dressed in a bear-fur coat bestowed by the Emperor. Madam Xu had even crafted a hat with little bear ears from the fur, making her look like a lively cub. As she stepped out, riding atop a large dog, she resembled a bear riding a mount.
“Who? Grandpa Fang?”
Yu Qin’s memory served her well: “You borrowed five hundred taels of New Year money from his three-year-old grandson.”
The Old Minister had only spoken with Lu Yan Shu in the front yard, as it was improper for Madam Xu, now divorced, to meet men alone.
“Chao Chao, would you like to visit? Lady Fang wishes to see you.”
Lu Chao Chao recalled Old Madam Fang, a kind soul radiating the light of accumulated merits. When Chao Chao had “begged” New Year’s money from her, the elder had even handed her a red envelope.
“Yes, yes, yes.”
[Old Madam Fang… she’s surrounded by the glow of good deeds, a truly virtuous person,] Chao Chao mused.
Yan Shu’s brows curved in amusement. The old Madam had lost a daughter in her youth and had since been dedicated to acts of charity, hoping that one day such kindness would benefit her missing child. Though it was like searching for a needle in a haystack, it offered her some solace.
“The Minister of Rites is a strict man; avoid provoking him.” Known for his stern family discipline, even his children feared him.
Lu Chao Chao nodded her tiny head and rode out of the courtyard on the large dog.
When Minister Fang saw her, his eyelid twitched. This little one—could she really have drawn the Longevity Talisman? She was barely taller than a calligraphy brush!
“Grandpa Minister…” The sweet little voice brought a smile to his stern face, despite his effort to maintain composure.
“Carry me,” she demanded cheerfully.
The Minister, astonished by her fearlessness, picked her up and placed her in the carriage.
“Your dog?”
“Runs by itself,” Chao Chao replied with a glance at the dog, which obediently followed the carriage.
Minister Fang, watching the one-year-old child, couldn’t help but doubt whether she had truly drawn the talisman. “Chao Chao, where did your talismans come from?”
“Grandpa, could you grant me another Longevity Talisman?” The old Minister, with his white hair, lowered his voice.
“I drew them myself,” Chao Chao declared, patting her chest proudly.
Glancing at the Minister, she then shook her head. “Grandpa’s lifespan still has eighteen years left; there’s no need.”
Minister Fang’s heart nearly stopped as he clapped a hand over her mouth. Could she really calculate someone’s lifespan?
“Little one, never let others know about this ability,” he cautioned. “If malicious people find out, Madam Xu may not be able to protect you.”
Chao Chao grinned widely, revealing her gums. “Grandpa’s not a bad person.”
The Minister chuckled, moved by her trust.
“I’m not seeking a talisman for myself, but for my wife. If it could extend her life by a few years, the Fang family would pay any price.” Holding her, the Minister disembarked from the carriage.
“But a dying person’s life cannot be extended,” Chao Chao replied matter-of-factly.