Chapter 118: The Paralyzed Man Stands Up
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
Madam Xu was taken aback, unable to believe her daughter wielded such influence.
Meanwhile, Lu Chao Chao reveled in a private thought using her wide grin, *Hehe, the jade pendant Man Man gave me really works. So these trinkets actually have power. I have a whole box of them.*
As Lu Chao Chao entered, the elderly matriarch of the household greeted her with exceptional warmth. “Honored guest, I apologize for the delayed welcome. I hope you can forgive us,” she said, recognizing Lu Chao Chao as a significant benefactor for saving their beloved Man Man, the family’s tenth-generation heir.
“Big Boss Sister,” Yuan Man greeted her enthusiastically.
Madam Xu, still in a state of disbelief, quickly interjected with deference, “Old Madam is too kind.” The matriarch, who once held the prestigious title of a first-rank imperial consort, commanded respect effortlessly, even from figures like Lu Yuan Ze.
Turning to Madam Xu, the old lady warmly said, “You must be Shi Yun? You, young lady, are dignified, virtuous, and graceful. Truly blessed. It is the Marquis of Zhongyong who lacks fortune,” her words sharp yet sincere.
Madam Xu, speechless, was reminded of the longstanding rivalry between the Yuan and Xu families within the court circles. The memories of being deemed dull and uninteresting by the old lady during her childhood now seemed surreal and distant.
Equally stunned by the warmth of the reception, Lu Yuan Ze attempted to forge a connection. “Madam, I am Lu Yuan Ze, the Marquis of Zhongyong, and father of Chao Chao. I’m here today to introduce her brother to the esteemed Prime Minister,” he announced with a hint of pride.
However, his introduction was abruptly cut short by Lu Chao Chao, who interjected sharply, “Moved from fam’wy wecords. Not my dada. I dis’ike him.” Her blunt declaration drew laughter from some quarters, and the Marquis was quickly escorted away, his face a mask of suppressed anger.
The old lady, unfazed, warmly took Lu Chao Chao’s and Yuan Man’s hands, leading them through the main entrance with an unprecedented welcome. “Hurry and fetch the old master back home! Is he dead outside?! We have honored guests!” she scolded, sending a servant rushing out.
Still trying to grasp the situation, Madam Xu interjected, “No need to hurry.”
Observing his sister’s impact, Lu Yan Shu mused, *My sister always brings surprises.*
“Gwamma, you must seek justice for me…” Lu Chao Chao said tearfully to the old lady. “Gwampa said if I wasn’t serious ’bout school, he would break my hand.”
“The old fool, he dares to hit you? Is he tired of living? He didn’t ask my family ancestry if they agreed?” The old lady was furious. “Don’t be afraid, my dear. If he hits you again, come and tell me. I will punish him myself.”
“Okie, okie, okie,” Lu Chao Chao cheerfully replied, visibly relieved from the fear of school punishment.
Lu Yan Shu covered his forehead, overwhelmed by his sister’s antics.
When the Prime Minister finally returned home, Lu Chao Chao had already charmed the entire Yuan family. Eventually, he too was impressed by Lu Yan Shu after a brief evaluation, “You have more genuine talent than Lu Jing Huai. I have accepted your sister as my last disciple. I can guide you, but I will not take you as a formal student. Do you agree?” he asked, looking satisfied.
“Yan Shu is willing,” Lu Yan Shu replied solemnly, committing to the path laid before him.
Laughing heartily, the Prime Minister said, “Good, good! You will do well to offset the grief caused by your sister.”
Lu Chao Chao, thinking to herself with amusement, *Oh, Brother is so naive. Being confined and forced to study, yet he’s happy,* scampered off with her short legs, carrying a small bag.
Lu Yan Shu sighed helplessly, recognizing the long road ahead for his sister’s education after that last comment.
In another part of the city, Hostage Prince Xuan Jichuan sat in despair as night fell. “I must be cursed. Take me to the National Temple.”
He had barely returned home when bird droppings fell on his head, and as he prepared for bed, the beam collapsed and broke the leg that kicked Chao Chao, barely escaping with his life. Terrified, he swiftly moved into the temple for safety, having long forgotten the casual curse he had received.
With the arrival of spring, the weather warmed significantly. Only a year and a half old, Lu Chao Chao donned thin spring clothes and walked with remarkable steadiness.
“Place your bets, place your bets. With only a month left until the provincial exam, place your bets on the top scholar!” the crowd buzzed with anticipation.
“Did you hear that Lu family’s paralyzed son is also taking the exam?” “Impossible.” “Paralyzed people can’t take the royal exams,” they scoffed.
Unfazed, Lu Chao Chao peeked out, “I want to bet!”
Everyone paused, “Shoo, shoo, whose child is this?”
Unfazed, Lu Chao Chao faced them boldly and pulled out a handful of gold nuggets. “I want to bet on Lu Yan Shu. All on him.”
“Little one, there’s no Lu Yan Shu listed. You must be mistaken,” the bookmaker waved her off, but then hesitated, remembering that the paralyzed one was indeed named Lu Yan Shu. Noticing her wealthy attire and entourage, he smiled, “Once you bet, you can’t get your money back. No crying if you lose.”
“Chao Chao doesn’t cry!” Lu Chao Chao declared, pouring out her pocket money. The bookmaker signaled to add Lu Yan Shu’s name. Counting Lu Chao Chao’s gold nuggets, they totaled 180 taels of silver, while Lu Jing Huai had 43,000 taels placed on his name. Lu Chao Chao glanced at the board then strutted off proudly.
Today, the Marquis of Zhongyong’s residence was buzzing with activity. It was the old lady’s sixtieth birthday, celebrated with thirty tables of guests. Lu Jing Huai, now a celebrated scholar in the capital, attracted many admirers. Despite the banquet being lively, Pei Jiao Jiao could only force a smile, knowing the estate’s treasury was empty, barely managing the monthly expenses by selling her jewelry. Her bitterness was deepened by Su Zhi Qing’s constant competition for favor. She despised her deeply.
Lu Yan Shu wheeled himself through the gates. “I’m here to retrieve my old books,” he announced. The gatekeeper, recognizing the once esteemed young master, reluctantly let him in.
“Jing Huai, I hear your brother is also taking the royal exams?” someone inquired. Lu Jing Huai raised an eyebrow, “My brother has been paralyzed for ten years. That must be a rumor.”
Suddenly, the room fell silent. They all turned to see Lu Yan Shu in his wheelchair, a stack of books on his lap, his gaze cold and steady. Lu Jing Huai’s heart raced.
Jiang Yun Jin, standing beside Lu Jing Huai, scoffed. “Lu Yan Shu, a paralyzed man, aiming for the royal exams? A cripple dreaming of becoming a top scholar, what a joke! You can’t even leave your wheelchair, hahaha.”
“Hahaha, stand up if you dare. Stand up from your wheelchair, and I’ll eat dirt upside down!” Jiang Yun Jin taunted, his eyes gleaming with malice.
“Stand up if you dare… stand up…” Jiang Yun Jin’s mocking voice trailed off as his expression shifted to one of shock.
Against all odds, Lu Yan Shu rose from his wheelchair, standing tall and unwavering like a pine tree, causing the room to erupt in astonishment.
“The cripple… stood up! The cripple stood up!!”
Lu Jing Huai’s smile froze, his eyes wide with terror. “How… how is this possible?” The fear Lu Yan Shu once instilled in him resurfaced.
“You should start eating dirt upside down now!”
Why is it asking me to pledge again if I already pledged 5 dollars.