Chapter 114: The Marquis’s Other Daughter
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
The day after his divorce, Lu Yuan Ze faced rejection in his attempt to change the heir to his title. Meanwhile, Lu Chao Chao received significant rewards from the king. Furious and deeply hurt, Lu Yuan Ze left the court, encountering a group of bowing officials.
“Congratulations, Marquis! Your one-year-old daughter has, by chance, saved countless commoners. Since the king cannot reward an infant directly, your household will likely receive additional honors. You are indeed fortunate.”
A colleague suddenly slapped his forehead and exclaimed, “Oh dear, I forgot, he’s divorced now. This immense fortune no longer belongs to the Marquis.” Shaking his head in regret, he walked away.
Lu Yuan Ze felt as though a knife had been stabbed into his chest, with a mouthful of old blood trapped in his heart, and his vision blurred.
“Marquis, you’re still as healthy as ever!” The crowd’s sly amusement was a reference to the rumor of him having bed problems.
Struggling to maintain his composure, Lu Yuan Ze was interrupted by a servant who rushed to find him. “Marquis, the Minister of Rites is here and has been waiting outside the manor for quite a while.”
Lu Yuan Ze stiffened. The Minister of Rites, a high-ranking official, had not attended court, claiming illness and taking a three-day leave. Why was he now at the Marquis’ residence?
“What’s going on? Did the Minister say why he’s here?” Lu Yuan Ze’s heart raced. Could this be the opportunity the old abbot spoke of? Jing Yao was said to be a girl of destiny, of immense nobility.
“He did not, but the Minister seems to have a request.”
Elated, Lu Yuan Ze ordered a carriage and hurried home. Before he even got off, he saw the Minister standing outside. As a fourth-rank official, Lu Yuan Ze quickly stepped forward to salute.
“No need for formalities, dear nephew. I came in haste today, so do not take offense. I have a request for the Marquis’ residence,” Minister Fang sighed, aware of his age and unexpected circumstances that brought him here seeking help.
Lu Yuan Ze’s heart raced, but he forced himself to stay calm. “Minister, please speak your mind. Yuan Ze will do his utmost to assist.”
Minister Fang said, “This may seem abrupt, but my old wife took a liking to Chao Chao when she saw her last time. She wishes to invite your daughter to our residence to play.”
Minister Fang and his wife, childhood sweethearts with decades of affection, were now facing her serious illness. He sought a longevity charm from Chao Chao to safeguard his wife’s well-being.
Overjoyed, Lu Yuan Ze said, “To earn the Minister’s favor is her good fortune. I will bring her out immediately.” He turned and said, “Bring Jing Yao out.”
He sighed internally, recalling the old abbot’s words that Jing Yao indeed had great fortune. Lu Jing Yao, smiling and specially dressed up by Madam Pei, was brought out, which stunned Minister Fang.
“It’s not her! Not this one!” Minister Fang’s brows furrowed.
“Minister, this is my daughter Lu Jing Yao. The Marquis’ residence only has this one daughter; how could it not be her?” Lu Yuan Ze was anxious.
The little boy beside the Minister spoke, “This girl looks sallow and thin, her gaze impure. It’s not her; it’s the other one! The one who looks fair and chubby, very fortunate, loves to laugh, oh yes, and loves to eat chicken legs!”
Lu Yuan Ze stammered, “Lu… Lu Chao Chao?”
“Yes, she is called Chao Chao.” Minister Fang’s face lit up with a smile.
“Quickly, bring Chao Chao out. Consider it a favor owed by my household.”
A favor from the Minister of Rites’ household was incredibly valuable. Lu Yuan Ze desired it immensely. However, just yesterday, he had driven her out of the Marquis’ residence.
“Old gramps, you’re looking for Lu Chao Chao? She’s Madam Xu’s daughter, right? Madam Xu divorced the Marquis yesterday, and all four children were driven out with her. You’ll find them in Yulin Alley,” a commoner shouted.
The Minister’s smile vanished, and his attitude toward the Marquis turned icy. “Divorced?”
The Marquis couldn’t explain. Holding Lu Jing Yao, he approached the Minister, “Jing Yao is intelligent and clever, more endearing than Chao Chao. Jing Yao is just as good.”
The Minister glanced at Lu Jing Yao, noting her calculating eyes. Was the Marquis blind, mistaking fish eyes for pearls? Did he know the extent of Chao Chao’s abilities?
Annoyed at wasting his entire day, the Minister of Rites turned and left, heading straight for Yulin Alley.
Lu Yuan Ze was so angry he could vomit blood, unaware the real drama was just beginning.
Lu Chao Chao, wearing the bear fur jacket awarded by the king, with a hat that was also shaped like a bear’s ear, came out resembling a teddy bear riding a big dog.
“Who? Gwampa Fang?” Chao Chao asked her maid after overhearing they had a guest.
Maid Yuqin explained, “You borrowed five hundred taels of New Year’s money from his three-year-old grandson.”
Old Minister Fang only spoke with Lu Yan Shu in the front courtyard; Madam Xu, now divorced, should not meet him alone.
“Chao Chao, do you want to go see? Old Madam Fang wants to see you.”
Lu Chao Chao remembered Old Madam Fang, a kind-hearted lady with the golden light of merit, who even gave her a red envelope when she went to ask for New Year’s money.
“Go, go, go,” Chao Chao eagerly responded, thinking, [Old Madam Fang, right? She has the golden light of merit; she’s a great person.]
Yan Shu smiled, knowing the old lady had lost a daughter when she was young and had been doing good deeds ever since, hoping it would benefit her lost daughter. In the vast sea of people, she was just giving herself a bit of solace. “Remember Chao Chao, the Minister of Rites is a stern person, don’t do anything naughty to provoke him.”
The Minister of Rites, strict in family discipline, had children who were extremely afraid of him.
Lu Chao Chao nodded to her brother, riding the dog out of the residence. Minister Fang, seeing her, couldn’t help but have his eyelids twitch.
This little one drew the longevity charm? She was just a bit taller than a brush?
“Gwampa Minister …” The little one’s sweet grin made the stern old man force a smile, trying to appear kind but not really succeeding. “Gwampa, cawwy…”
The old man was surprised; this little one wasn’t afraid of him? So, he lifted her onto the carriage.
“Your dog?” The old gramps asked.
“Follow.” Lu Chao Chao glanced at the dog, which followed behind the carriage.
Minister Fang, seeing she was just over a year old, doubted if she really drew that charm. “Chao Chao, where did you get the charm?”
“Can gwampa here ask for another longevity charm?” Minister Fang, with his white hair, asked softly.
“I drew.” Chao Chao patted herself. Lu Chao Chao looked at Grandpa Fang and shook her head, “Gwampa still eighteen years, no need…”
Minister Fang quickly covered her mouth. Old Minister Fang’s heart was in his throat. Eighteen years? Could she even calculate someone’s lifespan?
“Little girl, never reveal others’ lifespan.” If noticed by those with ill intentions, Madam Xu might not be able to protect Chao Chao.
Lu Chao Chao grinned, “Gwampa not a bad person.”
Old Minister Fang chuckled, this little one truly trusted him. His heart felt light.
“Grandpa isn’t asking for the charm for himself; it’s for my wife. If I could get a few more years of life for her, the Fang family would be willing to pay any price,” the Minister said, carrying her off the carriage.
“But can’t save someone that’s dying.”