Chapter 126: Infuriating the Duke
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
“You’re slandering us! Talking nonsense and spreading rumors at such a young age—are you not afraid of losing your tongue?” Madam Zheng’s sharp accusation carried a hint of murderous intent. [This wretched girl must not survive this.]
Madam Zheng, still stunning at just over thirty, meticulously preserved her beauty, radiating grace and elegance. Adorned with jade and gold, dressed in luxurious silks, her flawless complexion and breathtaking appearance seemed almost sculpted from perfection. Standing next to the gray-haired Duke Xiao, she looked more like his daughter than his wife.
“Father, Mother has been with you since she was sixteen. How can you doubt her? Consider how heartbroken she must be. What could a child not even two years old possibly understand? Someone must be trying to drive a wedge between us,” Xiao Ming Yao pleaded, trying to bridge the growing rift.
Duke Xiao responded with a forceful slap across Xiao Ming Yao’s face, almost knocking him to the ground.
“Why hit him? What are you doing?” Madam Zheng rushed to support her son, tears of heartache filling her eyes.
Duke Xiao, his eyes bloodshot and breath heavy, stared menacingly at Madam Zheng. Despite her enviable beauty, he harbored deep insecurities about their age difference and his diminishing virility.
“Summon the maids who have served him,” Duke Xiao ordered, disregarding Madam Zheng’s protests.
Duke Xiao was well aware of Madam Zheng’s cousin, Chu An Min, a young and eloquent man who frequently visited and was always well cared for by Duke Xiao himself.
When the maids were brought in, their fearful glances towards Madam Zheng did not go unnoticed.
“Why are you looking at her?” Duke Xiao demanded sternly. “Tell me, does Chu An Min have any birthmarks? Speak the truth, or face death!”
A maid collapsed to her knees, revealing, “He does… Master Chu has a red birthmark on his right shoulder.”
“Nonsense! How would a maid know if my cousin has a birthmark?” Madam Zheng retorted, barely maintaining her composure.
The maid, blushing with shame, hesitantly added, “He… he seduced me! I know about the birthmark on his shoulder and the three moles on his right buttock. He boasted they brought good fortune, a trait of all Chu descendants.”
Madam Zheng paled, swaying where she stood. Duke Xiao, trembling with rage, could barely speak.
“Men, strip Xiao Ming Yao and Xiao Yu Hang!” he commanded, his voice shaking as he recalled that both his son and grandson bore those same distinctive marks.
“Father, you cannot doubt me. I am your legitimate son, and Yu Hang is a bright scholar, just like you. We are the true Xiao lineage,” Xiao Ming Yao implored, tears streaming down his face.
Duke Xiao ignored him, ordering again, “Strip them.”
“Gwampa, pwease, no! It huwts,” Xiao Yu Hang cried, terrified of losing his grandfather’s love.
“Father, if you doubt us, it will tear our family apart. How can you believe outsiders over your own blood?” Xiao Ming Yao pleaded as he watched his father.
Duke Xiao hesitated, his gaze catching Lu Chao Chao’s, who was snacking amidst the chaos. Caught, she quickly hid her food.
[Perhaps I should leave?]
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
“I pwomise not to spweak of your… situwation,” Lu Chao Chao offered, securing his doubts.
But Duke Xiao was beyond caring about her knowledge. His heart ached as he realized the potential betrayal.
“Strip!” he shouted. “If you are truly of Xiao blood, the truth will out!”
The servants complied, restraining Xiao Ming Yao and Xiao Yu Hang and stripping them to reveal three red moles.
“Yes, those are the same moles,” the maid confirmed.
Madam Zheng and Duke Xiao stood, overwhelmed by the revelation.
“Zheng Rong Lan, you’ve tainted the Xiao lineage, you wretched woman!” Duke Xiao spat, blood flecking his lips as he collapsed in fury.
Madam Zheng fell, terrified. “Father, I knew nothing of this. You raised me…”
Xiao Yu Hang and Xiao Ming Yao cried bitterly, pleading for their father’s acceptance.
Duke Xiao, torn by emotion, struck his son. “Get out!”
“You old scoundwel, don’t hit my daddy!” Xiao Yu Hang screamed defiantly.
Shocked, Duke Xiao demanded, “What did you call me?”
Lu Chao Chao, noticing Duke Xiao’s strained hearing, chimed in helpfully. [Ah, I’m so kind-hearted.] “He called you an old scoundrel. Are you deaf?”
Are you deaf???? so ruthless.