Chapter 124: Chao Chao’s Fury
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
“Chao Chao, you smell so nice.”
“Sniff, sniff…” The little one stood on her tiptoes, holding up her tiny hand toward Madam Zheng.
Madam Zheng immediately stepped back, her expression filled with disdain.
“How impudent!” Her maidservant stepped forward to shield her.
“What kind of stray dog dares to approach Madam? Don’t you know your place?” The maid sneered, looking down on the small child.
In her past life, Lu Chao Chao had been a powerful figure, but in this life, she was merely a one-and-a-half-year-old, deeply influenced by her young age. This was the first time she had been so blatantly rejected.
The little one pulled her hand back as though hurt. Her large eyes brimmed with tears that stubbornly refused to fall. Lowering her head, she whispered softly, “W… w… I not smelly.”
Madam Zheng glanced at her coldly. “Whether you’re smelly or not, what does that matter to me?”
Turning to her maidservant, she asked, “Have the items prepared for Yun’er been sent to the palace?”
The maidservant curtsied. “Yes, Madam. Her Majesty’s matters are always handled promptly. We wouldn’t dare delay.”
Madam Zheng cast another disdainful look at Lu Chao Chao. Her eldest daughter had entered the palace as a consort and given birth to a six-year-old princess, Xie Yi Ning. Before Lu Chao Chao appeared, the young princess had been quite beloved.
Now… the Emperor’s favor had shifted entirely to Lu Chao Chao.
“How could Lu Chao Chao compare to my Ning’er?” Malice flickered in Madam Zheng’s eyes. Her daughter had sent several letters complaining about the Emperor’s favoritism.
“Madam, Princess Yi Ning is intelligent, graceful, and charming. How could anyone else compare?” the maidservant flattered.
Neither of them paid any mind to the small child’s feelings.
“Indeed. The daughter even the Marquis Zhongyong didn’t want… how good could she be?” Madam Zheng chuckled mockingly.
Behind them, Lu Chao Chao’s tears began to flow as she silently followed. The little one was petty and vindictive. Madam Zheng had no idea what kind of trouble she was inviting upon herself.
“A little beggar, daring to come to the Xiao family for scraps. You’ve got some nerve!”
A young man, Xiao Ming Yao, appeared, his sharp brows and eyes giving him an imposing presence. He was clad in fine silks and sneered down at the child.
“So, you’re the one stealing my Ning’er’s favor?”
Lu Chao Chao pouted. The Emperor and Crown Prince had wanted to send guards, but she had refused. Taking others along would make collecting her dues difficult. Children getting into scraps and throwing tantrums were normal. If things escalated, would the adults intervene? Too much face would be at stake.
“Mother, you even came to greet her in person. You’ve given her too much respect,” Xiao Ming Yao mocked, approaching Madam Zheng.
“One must always give His Majesty some face, presenting appearances for outsiders,” Madam Zheng replied, irritated by her son’s indolent demeanor.
“Mother, give me another ten thousand silver taels. I’ve got something big to accomplish,” Xiao Ming Yao said, affectionately holding onto her arm.
“Money, money, money! How much have you spent this month? If your father finds out, he’ll be furious. Can you not strive for some success? Your sister in the palace still needs your support!” Madam Zheng scolded angrily.
At fifty-two years old, Imperial Uncle Xiao had taken Madam Zheng, who was in her thirties, as his second wife after his first wife passed. Madam Zheng bore him a son and daughter. The son from his first marriage had been sent out to govern a distant region after Madam Zheng sowed discord between him and Imperial Uncle Xiao. But her own son turned out to be useless.
“Mother, you know I’m not cut out for scholarly pursuits. Father dotes on me too much to get angry. Besides, I’m his favorite,” Xiao Ming Yao said smugly, coaxing ten thousand taels from her hands. He waved the silver notes in front of Lu Chao Chao.
“Kneel and kowtow to me, and I’ll give you two notes. How about that?”
Lu Chao Chao crossed her arms, her little face darkening. “W… w… I no kneel! I no want!”
Before she could react further, a sudden force shoved her from behind. The little one stumbled and fell forward, her side colliding with the sharp edge of a table. Though she managed to avoid hitting her head, the table’s corner grazed her side, leaving a bloody mark.
“Ah!” she cried out softly, clutching her injury. Blood seeped through her tiny fingers.
A sturdy, chubby boy, Xiao Yu Hang, stood nearby, his face full of malice. “You’re just a weakling! My grandson is so strong!” Madam Zheng clapped her hands in mock admiration.
“What? A mere push, and you’re on the ground? A scheming little brat, already trying to frame Yu Hang!” she accused loudly.
Lu Chao Chao staggered to her feet, her deep gaze filled with fury. With her little fists clenched, she muttered, “I fight you now!!”
No one expected the small child to suddenly charge at the robust Xiao Yu Hang like a cannonball, knocking him to the ground. She then latched onto his head, pulling and biting ferociously. Xiao Yu Hang struggled but couldn’t shake her off.
“Ow! Ow! It hurts! Save me, Grandpa!” His ear began to bleed profusely as Lu Chao Chao bit down harder. His screams filled the air.
Madam Zheng’s face turned pale. “Quick! Separate them! Save Yu Hang!”
Servants rushed forward to pull Lu Chao Chao off, but the more they tugged, the tighter she clung.
“Kill her! Get her off me!” Xiao Yu Hang shrieked, tears and snot streaming down his face.
Imperial Uncle Xiao arrived just in time to witness the chaos. His heart nearly stopped at the sight of his beloved grandson being brutalized.
“You insolent brat! Stop this at once!” he roared, trembling with rage.
Lu Chao Chao, her small face stained with blood, looked up with a feral glint in her eyes. “He push me. I… I bite him!”
Her sharp little teeth had already torn part of Xiao Yu Hang’s ear. His pitiful wails echoed as blood dripped onto the ground.
Madam Zheng clutched her chest, trembling in fear and fury. “Please! Let him go! He’s only four years old, just a child! Let’s talk this out!”
But Lu Chao Chao showed no mercy. Her nine tiny teeth gripped tightly, sending shivers down everyone’s spines. The cries of pain grew louder, piercing through the Xiao family courtyard.
Just signed their death warrants..