Chapter 118: The Cripple Stands Up
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
Madam Xu was utterly shocked.
Her daughter? How could she possess such influence?
[Hehe, Little Man Man’s jade pendant truly works wonders! So these lousy pendants do have some use? I still have a whole chest of them!] Lu Chao Chao’s grin stretched wide with delight.
“It is an honor to have you, Little Noble, grace our humble abode. Apologies for the delayed welcome; I hope you can forgive us,” the Old Madam said with a kindly smile, looking warmly at Lu Chao Chao. After all, this child was the savior of the Yuan Family.
Do you understand what it means to have ten generations of single lineage?
Yuan Man beamed, calling out, “Big Sister.”
Madam Xu: ???
Madam Xu hurried forward, bowing deeply. “Old Madam, you overpraise us.” The Old Madam—a lady with a first-rank imperial title—was someone even Lu Yuan Ze had to bow before.
The Old Madam’s eyes crinkled as she gazed at Shi Yun. “Are you Shi Yun?”
“Such an upright and virtuous young woman, poised and dignified. You are truly blessed. A blessed daughter will not enter a door without blessings. The Marquis Zhongyong’s household simply lacked the fortune to match yours.”
Madam Xu: …
The Yuan and Xu families were known rivals, exchanging barbs even in court.
When Madam Xu was younger, the Old Madam had once called her stiff and boring. And now?
Madam Xu felt as though she were dreaming.
Lu Yuan Ze stood frozen, too stunned to react. How had Lu Chao Chao managed to knock on the Yuan family’s door and receive such a reception?
“Old Madam, this humble official is Marquis Zhongyong, Lu Yuan Ze. Today, I’ve brought her elder brother to pay respects to the Chief Minister,” Lu Yuan Ze instinctively introduced himself, stepping forward.
Madam Xu’s eyes narrowed sharply, but Lu Chao Chao interjected, “He took me—off his register! He’s not my papa.”
“Hate him!”
The words had barely fallen when a wave of mocking laughter surrounded them. In no time, someone ushered Marquis Lu off to the side.
Lu Yuan Ze’s face twisted in frustration.
The Old Madam took Lu Chao Chao’s left hand and Yuan Man’s right, leading them through the main gate. Along the way, they received the highest level of hospitality.
Madam Xu: Such treatment? Never in her life! Even her father would get spit on at the Yuan household!
[Father, I’ve made something of myself!]
“Why hasn’t anyone sent word for the Old Master to return? We have honored guests, yet he’s loitering outside like he has nowhere to be?” The Old Madam barked orders, and a servant rushed off.
“There’s no rush, no rush,” Madam Xu quickly reassured.
Lu Yan Shu smiled faintly at his sister. His little sister always managed to bring surprises.
“Grandma, you’ve got to… stand up for Chao Chao,” Lu Chao Chao whimpered, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked pitifully at the Old Madam.
“He said I wasn’t serious about school and smashed my hand…” She wasted no time complaining to the Chief Minister.
“That old codger—he’s out of his mind, isn’t he?!”
“He dared to hit you? Does he not value his life? Did he even stop to think if the ancestors of the Yuan Family would agree to this?!”
“Oh, my precious darling, don’t you worry. If he hits you, just come back and tell me. I’ll cane him myself,” the Old Madam fumed. This child was the lifeline of the Yuan Family.
The only one!
“Good, good, good!” Lu Chao Chao chanted gleefully.
School wouldn’t be so scary now. Hehe…
Lu Yan Shu raised a hand to cover his forehead. He couldn’t bear to look.
By the time Chief Minister Yuan returned home, Lu Chao Chao had already become the darling of the Yuan Family.
Although the Chief Minister had initially been reluctant to take on a disciple, Lu Chao Chao’s assignment to him had come by imperial decree.
Her identity wasn’t even officially announced yet.
After a brief assessment, however, the Chief Minister found himself impressed with Lu Yan Shu.
“You surpass Lu Jing Huai in genuine talent and learning,” the Chief Minister remarked to the young man in the wheelchair.
This youth was no ordinary fish in the pond.
“I have accepted your younger sister as my final disciple. While I will not take you as a disciple, I am willing to instruct you. Do you agree?” The Chief Minister stroked his beard, looking pleased.
Lu Yan Shu responded in a deep voice, “I am willing.”
The Chief Minister laughed heartily. “Good! Excellent!” Teaching Lu Yan Shu was more than enough compensation for the trouble caused by Lu Chao Chao.
The Chief Minister had once lamented Lu Yan Shu’s lofty ambitions hindered by his disability. But now?
What of being crippled? The world couldn’t match even a fraction of his brilliance.
Moved by both his talent and misfortune, the Chief Minister allowed him to stay at the Yuan residence for a few days.
[Oh dear, Big Brother is a fool, Lu Chao Chao thought. He’s happy to be locked up by the old man to study.]
Meanwhile, she packed her small bag and scurried off with her little legs.
Lu Yan Shu could only sigh helplessly. His sister’s education would be an arduous journey.
That night.
Xuan Ji Chuan sat on the ground in despair. “This is a curse, truly a curse. Someone take me to the National Temple for a few days.”
Upon returning home, a bird had promptly relieved itself on his head.
Later, as he prepared for bed, the sturdy roof beam suddenly collapsed!
Collapsed, just like that!
It was Lu Chao Chao who had stepped on that unlucky plank. Startled out of his wits, Xuan Ji Chuan rolled up his bedding and moved into the National Temple for blessings and peace. Meanwhile, the true culprit had long since forgotten the casual curse she had thrown.
Spring arrived, and the weather grew warm swiftly. Lu Chao Chao donned a light spring garment. At only a year and a half old, the toddler’s steps were remarkably steady.
“Quick, quick, quick! Place your bets! Place your bets!” shouted the crowd.
“The provincial exam is just a month away! Place your bets on who will be this year’s top scorer!”
“I’m betting on Lu Jing Huai!”
“Me too! The Marquis Zhongyong’s household has truly struck gold with him.”
The chatter grew louder as people discussed. Lu Jing Huai’s fame had reached great heights, with some speculating he might achieve the triple crown of excellence.
“By the way, I heard that cripple from the Lu family is also planning to take the provincial exam.”
“How is that possible?”
“A paralyzed person can’t participate in the imperial exams,” someone said, shaking their head in disbelief.
From among the crowd, a small head popped up on tiptoes. It was Lu Chao Chao, carrying a little schoolbag.
“Woah wan bet!” the child announced.
The crowd paused and looked at her in astonishment. “Shoo, shoo! Whose child is this, wandering around here?”
Lu Chao Chao stubbornly stared at them before fishing out a handful of gold melon seeds from her pocket. “Woah wan bet! Lu Yan Shu!”
“Put it all on him,” she declared.
The bookmaker chuckled and waved her off. “Little one, there’s no such name as Lu Yan Shu on the list. You’ve made a mistake.” He paused as a thought struck him. The cripple was indeed named Lu Yan Shu. Noticing her noble attire and the servants accompanying her, the bookmaker’s grin widened.
“Alright then, but remember, no refunds. Don’t cry later,” he teased.
“Chao Chao dun cry!” she declared boldly and emptied all her pocket money onto the counter.
The bookmaker signaled his assistant. “Go, put Lu Yan Shu’s name up there.” He turned back to tally the child’s gold melon seeds, which amounted to a total of 180 taels of silver.
The updated tally read:
Lu Yan Shu: 180 taels
Lu Jing Huai: 43,000 taels
Satisfied, Lu Chao Chao marched away with her head held high.
…
The Marquis Zhongyong’s manor was bustling with activity today. The Old Madam’s 60th birthday banquet was in full swing, with thirty tables set up for the celebration. Lu Jing Huai, now a renowned talent in the capital, drew many guests eager to meet him, adding to the lively atmosphere.
Madam Pei forced a smile despite her worries. The household’s treasury was empty, and even monthly expenses were barely managed. She had sold off several pieces of her jewelry just to maintain appearances. Adding to her frustration, Su Zhi Qing competed with her daily for favor, stirring a deep and bitter hatred within her.
At this moment, Lu Yan Shu entered the gates of the manor, pushing his wheelchair forward. “I’ve come to retrieve some of my old books,” he announced.
The gatekeeper hesitated at the sight of the former young master. Unable to stop him, he reluctantly allowed him inside.
…
“Brother Jing Huai, is it true that your elder brother is also taking the provincial exam?” someone asked Lu Jing Huai.
Lu Jing Huai raised an eyebrow. “My elder brother has been paralyzed for ten years. Surely, it’s just a baseless rumor.”
The room fell silent as everyone noticed Lu Yan Shu seated in his wheelchair with a stack of books on his lap. His gaze was indifferent, yet it carried a hint of contempt as it landed on Lu Jing Huai.
Lu Jing Huai’s heart skipped a beat. Standing beside him, Jiang Yun Jin glared at Lu Yan Shu with open disdain.
“Lu Yan Shu, you’re just a cripple. What’s the point of taking the imperial exams?” Jiang Yun Jin mocked.
“A cripple dreaming of becoming the top scholar? Hilarious! You can’t even leave your wheelchair!”
Jiang Yun Mo joined in, his tone dripping with malice. “Stand up if you have the guts! If you can stand, I’ll eat my words… no, I’ll do a headstand and eat dung!”
The surrounding Jiang family members remained silent, as did Lu Jing Huai, who watched the humiliation unfold with amusement.
Lu Yan Shu’s expression remained calm as his hands pressed against his knees. His refined, aloof features betrayed a trace of arrogance.
“Come on, stand up! Stand…” Jiang Yun Mo’s mocking voice abruptly choked off. His eyes widened, and his face paled as he stared ahead.
Like a pine tree reaching for the skies, the once-crippled youth stood tall before the crowd. He was thin but stood with unwavering steadiness. The room erupted in gasps.
“The cripple…”
“He stood up! The cripple stood up!!”
Lu Yan Shu’s clear eyes and poised demeanor silenced the room. Lu Jing Huai’s smile froze, and terror flickered in his gaze. Memories of being overshadowed by Lu Yan Shu resurfaced, rekindling his deepest fears.
“Now,” Lu Yan Shu said coldly, locking eyes with Jiang Yun Mo, “you’d better get started on that headstand.”
Why is it asking me to pledge again if I already pledged 5 dollars.