Chapter 123: Even the Little Ones Take Kickbacks
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
Grand Duke He Shu wept loudly, his face marred by slap marks, all traces of his previous arrogance gone. He limped as he carried Lu Chao Chao to the door, saying, “Leave. I don’t want to see you again.”
Clutching the doorframe, Lu Chao Chao pleaded in a babyish voice, “Chao Chao no go…”
Inside, Grand Duke He Shu seethed, [Wan Wan wants a divorce, is contemplating an abortion, and it’s tearing me apart emotionally. You might as well just kill me!]
“I’ll return the hundred thousand taels I owe the national treasury tomorrow. Now, leave!” He needed to appease his wife soon. [Damn Lu Chao Chao.] His resentment grew as he observed her indifferent expression. [All because of that old geezer’s teachings, she’s learned to take kickbacks even at her young age!]
Frustrated, he added, “I’ll give you fifteen hundred thousand as compensation for making this trip yourself. I’ll even throw in some gold nuggets!”
A servant presented a plate of shiny gold nuggets. Lu Chao Chao, a light cough escaping her as she released the doorframe, blushed. “Dis… dis too kind.”
“No, it’s too embarrassing…” she said politely, her cuteness undeniable. Despite her refusal, she opened her bag. “No need, weally. I weally don’t need it.”
Grand Duke He Shu thought, [What did she learn from the Zhou family!!]
While insisting she didn’t need it, Lu Chao Chao nevertheless allowed Grand Duke He Shu to place the gold nuggets inside her bag. After taking two handfuls, she protested, “No, no need to fill it up.”
Confused, Grand Duke He Shu emptied the entire tray into her bag. The little girl sighed, “I didn’t ask for it, you insisted on giving it to me.” She managed to appear humble even as she benefited, which nearly drove Grand Duke He Shu to faint from frustration.
As it grew late, Grand Duke He Shu ordered, “Secretly send her to the Protectorate Duke’s residence,” his teeth gritted. [Let them deal with her too!]
Late at night, he carried Lu Chao Chao to the Protectorate Duke’s door, his dinner still uneaten. Fortunately, the Protectorate Duke did not trouble Lu Chao Chao. His legitimate daughter, Consort Xian, had already arranged for her only son, the Fourth Prince, to be placed under Lu Chao Chao’s care, ensuring she was treated with utmost respect.
“Chao Chao, can you walk now? Last time your brother sneaked you into the academy, I even carried you. You probably don’t remember me,” remarked Li Siqi, who had just turned nine and was newly enrolled at the Royal Academy.
The Royal Academy, primarily for royal and official sons, contrasted with Tianhong Academy, known for admitting sons of lesser officials to network with talented but impoverished students.
Flushing, Chao Chao savored an ice bowl handed to her by Li Siqi, who thought, “Why didn’t my mother have a sister for me? No, with my father’s burly appearance, I can’t imagine a sister being anything but unsightly!”
“What kind of satchel do you like?” Li Siqi asked with a grin, causing Chao Chao to look up in bewilderment.
The Protectorate Duke, rubbing his forehead, interjected, “Chao Chao, remember the Protectorate Duke House borrowed fifty thousand taels from the national treasury. Bring someone to count it tomorrow.”
His thoughts turned to his daughter, Consort Xian, and her son, the Fourth Prince, who had been born under an unlucky star and swiftly hidden away in the remote National Temple. Consort Xian wept daily, and it pained the Protectorate Duke to have his grandson so far from home.
“Chao Chao, with the festival approaching, can you really ward off evil spirits?” he asked skeptically. [What was Consort Xian thinking?]
“Did you know? One year, the Fourth Prince sneaked back to the palace during the Ghost Festival, attracting malevolent spirits that wreaked havoc, injuring many. The next day, officials demanded his execution to appease the gods. It took three days of kneeling outside the throne hall by our household to save his life.”
Lu Chao Chao, her small spoon leaving a ring of milk around her mouth from the ice bowl, confidently declared, “Chao Chao can definitely do it.”
After spending the night at the Duke’s residence, Lu Chao Chao’s personal maids, Yuhua and Yuqin, returned to report her safety.
The next morning, the Protectorate Duke personally took her to Duke Xiao’s residence. “Duke Xiao has a fierce temper, and even the king avoids provoking him. Please do the same,” he advised earnestly.
Lu Chao Chao nodded, although it was unclear if she grasped the gravity of the situation. After a prolonged wait at the door, the Protectorate Duke, feeling dizzy from the heat, was assisted by Yuhua with an umbrella.
The door finally opened to reveal the stunning Madam Zheng, Duke Xiao’s wife, dressed in an elaborate robe, her smile courteous yet distant.
“So this is the little girl His Majesty sent to collect debts? Such responsibility for a young age. His Majesty must hold her in high regard,” Madam Zheng remarked, eyeing Lu Chao Chao with a light chuckle.
Setting Chao Chao down, the Protectorate Duke stated, “Chao Chao is not even two years old. If she offends Duke Xiao, please be understanding.”
Surprised by his advocacy for such a young child, Madam Zheng mused, [Is this because of the Xu family? Or is there another reason?]
“Rest assured, Your Lordship. The Xiao family wouldn’t bully a two-year-old child,” Madam Zheng reassured him, leading Lu Chao Chao inside.
As they entered, the Protectorate Duke looked back worriedly. [Such a small child… she could be devoured by the Xiao family. What is His Majesty thinking?]
Inside, as soon as the gate shut, Madam Zheng released Lu Chao Chao’s hand and gestured for a maid to bring a hot towel to clean her hand, the disdain clear on her face.
Lu Chao Chao protested, “Chao Chao is not dirty. I bathe every day. I’m not dirty,” her voice filled with childish fear of rejection.
LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE!