Chapter 116: For Pride, And Not To Be Crushed
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
As the Marquis Zhongyong’s residence hurried to secure a powerful ally, Lu Chao Chao became the focus of everyone’s attention.
“Little ancestor, please take the main seat,” Minister Fang warmly invited, gently lifting her to the seat of honor.
Fang Xuan, scratching his head in confusion, asked, “Oh, have I become the son-in-law instead of the adopted son?”
The old lady clung to her daughter’s hand, her eyes never leaving her beloved child. “I used to lament that Heaven was unfair to me. But Heaven sent you to my side long ago. Heaven has never been unjust to me.”
Equally tearful, the daughter sobbed as she spoke: “My foster mother sold me to a brothel to get food for my brother. I cried in despair back then. After narrowly escaping, it was Mother who rescued me. The Fang family didn’t despise my background, and I was able to marry into the household. After marriage, I was in harmony with Mother in every aspect, but I never imagined you were actually my biological mother.” She continued to wipe her tears, feeling at peace with her past.
The three-year-old grandson looked around at his father, mother, and grandmother. “So should I call her maternal grandmother or just grandmother?” The little boy clapped his hands in genuine happiness.
“Call her grandmother; it’s the same. We are one family united by blood and affection.” Fang Xuan was delighted, as no one would mock him for being an adopted son anymore.
“Old Gramps, this time you’ve truly done a good deed,” the old lady said to her husband, brimming with joy.
“Our little ancestor, do you have anything to say?” The old lady looked at her affectionately, her eyes filled with boundless kindness, as if gazing at the most precious treasure in the world. The whole family eagerly awaited the benefactor’s words.
Standing on the chair, her chubby little face serious, the benefactor asked, “Can I have a pot of milk?”
Pfft… The benefactor was only a little over a year old, so this didn’t turn out as they expected. Without hesitation, Fang Xuan personally went out to get her some milk. The little one ate until her belly was round at the Fang residence, only to hear the gatekeeper report, “Eldest Young Master Lu is here to pick up the little ancestor.”
Lu Yan Shu found the Minister’s residence extremely courteous. So courteous it was astonishing. A little scholar like him, who had been paralyzed for many years, managed to have the Minister himself come out to greet him? And the old lady? Even the eldest son and daughter-in-law of the Minister’s residence came out to greet him?! When did he have such a significant face? The group even escorted them to the door.
“Little ancestor, if you are wronged, come tell me. This old man here will get justice for you!” The Rite Minister rolled up his sleeves, looking very serious.
Lu Yan Shu was utterly stunned. What little ancestor?!
At this moment, the Rite Minister had no idea what fate awaited him for saying that vow. The reason? Once Chao Chao started her schooling at the Royal Academy, the old Prime Minister would summon him to a meeting daily when the girl did something wrong.
“Let’s go home…” Lu Chao Chao yawned.
[Hehe, good deeds are rewarded, the old lady’s daughter who had been missing for twenty years has been found.]
Lu Yan Shu’s eyes twitched; his sister’s abilities had once again exceeded his understanding. Sure enough, the next morning, the entire capital buzzed with the news that Minister Fang’s daughter, missing for twenty years, had been found. Shockingly, the young lady turned out to be the Fang family’s eldest daughter-in-law!! In addition, the Fang family’s adopted son had become a son-in-law, and the Fang family’s little grandson was a legitimate Fang bloodline. It caused quite a stir in the capital.
Even more surprising was the Fang family’s attitude. Early in the morning, the Fang family beat drums and gongs, and the elderly Minister Fang personally took his children to the Lu residence, bypassing the Marquis’s estate altogether at the doorway.
“I heard it was the Marquis Zhongyong’s little daughter who was found.”
“What Marquis Zhongyong? They’ve separated! It’s the little girl from the Lu family.”
“My goodness, that little girl is amazing. Just over a year old and she recognized the Fang family’s lost daughter at a glance.”
Everyone watched in awe as the old Minister led his family in a grand procession to bow at the Lu family’s door. They all knew, if it weren’t for Lu Chao Chao, the Fang family would have disbanded.
Lu Yuan Ze ground his teeth, his face ghastly. “Jing Huai, you’re taking the provincial examination tomorrow. You must achieve the top scholar’s rank and bring honor to your father!” Lu Yuan Ze’s face was dark and stern.
To add to the frustration, the grand princess had given birth last night to a son and a daughter, a set of twins. She openly declared that she conceived after holding Lu Chao Chao.
Shortly after, the wife of another minister, Madam Qin, said, “I also conceived after holding Chao Chao.”
Suddenly, a trend swept through the capital – holding Lu Chao Chao could lead to pregnancy.
Madam Xu looked at the pile of invitation cards on the table, her head aching. “Gather a few pieces of Chao Chao’s clothing she has worn and send them to each family. It will also spread some good fortune.” Madam Xu dared not let Chao Chao be held by others. “By the way, the provincial exam registration is imminent. Remind Yan Shu to register.”
Deng Zhi was visibly excited, “Yes Madam!” Since the separation, the eldest young master often walked around the mansion, supporting himself against the wall. The separation did not give the Marquis Zhongyong’s residence any advantage whatsoever. But there was still a sense of pent-up anger in their hearts.
“Tomorrow I will pray to Buddha daily, asking for Buddha’s blessing, wishing the eldest young master all the best.” Several maids were overjoyed.
[Praying to Buddha is not as good as praying to me.] Lu Chao Chao muttered in her heart.
Madam Xu smiled, “Tomorrow is the grand princess’s third-day ceremony after childbirth. She has repeatedly insisted on inviting you.”
“Little brother and sister… Mwa, I gave,” Lu Chao Chao proudly patted her chest.
“Yes, yes.” Madam Xu smiled at her some more, amused by her behavior.
Unlike what others in the public thought, where Madam Xu had no one to rely upon and must use her daughter as a pawn to gain favor from other households, the old Royal Tutor and her brothers had come to find her, hoping she would return to her maternal family. But Madam Xu refused. She had established her own household, and her four children were no less than Lu Jing Huai by making this arrangement!
She didn’t do this out of anything special, only for pride and not to be looked down by others.
The next day, Lu Chao Chao was dressed like a little bear cub, riding a dog to the grand princess’s residence.
“Let me hold her.”
“Let me hold her.”
As expected, the female guests at the grand princess’s residence all rushed to hold her, making Lu Chao Chao’s face turn green.
“Madam Xu, the Marquis household did not recognize value when they had it, it’s their loss. Have you considered remarrying?”
“In this world, it’s difficult for a woman; having a pillar to rely on is always good.”
Some even tried to matchmake for Madam Xu, which she politely declined with a smile. Madam Xu had never imagined that after separating, she would be more sought after than when she was a maiden! And the offers were only getting more outrageous as each day went by.
On the return journey, just as they were about to board the carriage, a woman arrived, inviting Madam Xu aside, leaving Lu Chao Chao to stand bored beside the dog.
Prince Xuan Jichuan, who happened to pass by the grand princess’s residence, was contemplating his sister Xuan Yin’s words. ‘Little Chao Chao is innocent and kind-hearted, the king treats her exceptionally well, far more than an average prince. If you can win her favor, it will be beneficial whether you are in North Zhao or return to Dongling.’
Xuan Jichuan didn’t take it seriously. To him, Lu Chao Chao was just a little over a year old! But he had to listen to his sister’s earnest advice. At this moment, he looked up to see Lu Chao Chao’s big dog squatting in the snow, and beside it was a bear cub eyeing it menacingly. Seeing the bear cub getting closer to the silly dog… Xuan Jichuan shuddered, the time to make a mark had arrived, the opportunity to gain favor was here!
He leaped forward, heroically stepping on the bear cub in the snow, and loudly asked, “Silly dog, where is your mistress?!”
Haha, after saving Lu Chao Chao’s silly dog, his sister would definitely praise him!
At this moment, he swore he saw shock and disbelief on the dog’s face. Suddenly, the bear cub under his foot wriggled.
Xuan Jichuan applied a bit of force with his foot, “Still not behaving underfoot?!”
The bear’s face was pressed into the snow, whimpering.
“This bear cries like
a human, hahaha.”
The silly dog howled, tugging at his trouser leg with all its might.
“Silly dog, I saved you, why are you pulling at me? Where is your mistress?”
Just as he finished speaking, the bear cub struggled to reveal a small face, eyes seemingly ablaze.
Damn! Xuan Jichuan’s spine went cold, and he stepped back.
He was doomed.
Bruh lmao