Chapter 129: The Struggle to Repay
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The crown prince hurried towards the Xiao estate, visibly anxious. He had heard that Chao Chao was there to collect debts and was worried about her safety.
Upon arrival, he immediately asked, “Chao Chao, are you hurt?” He knelt down, blowing gently on her forehead, his face a mix of worry and anger. “Who would dare harm you? Those scoundrels!”
Turning to Duke Xiao with a stern expression, he added, “She’s barely two years old, Duke. If she’s done something wrong, surely it can be overlooked. How can you justify holding a grudge against a child?” His voice hinted at barely contained fury.
Duke Xiao, flustered and angry, stammered, “Do you think I would hit her? She’s spared our family from ruin—that’s mercy enough!”
“It was Xiao Yu Hang who injured her!” he finally blurted out, trying to contain his anger.
“Xiao Yu Hang? Your grandson? Where is he now? He won’t escape this easily,” the crown prince said, his hands shaking slightly. [In another life, anyone who knew of her heroic sacrifices would treat her with the utmost reverence.]
“Just ask Lu Chao Chao,” Duke Xiao muttered, turning away irritably.
“Chao Chao, you okay?” the crown prince asked.
“Me okay!” Chao Chao said, her voice playful. “Bite his ear! He no hurt me now.”
“Didn’t I assign guards to accompany you?” the crown prince asked.
With a dismissive wave, Chao Chao said, “No need guards, more fun without!”
[How can I enjoy a good skirmish with guards around? I used to thrive in battle…]
The crown prince couldn’t help but smile wryly at her penchant for trouble.
Duke Xiao, looking desolate, conceded, “Paying debts is necessary. Bring the silver.”
The crown prince was puzzled by Duke Xiao’s sudden willingness to settle the debts.
“We still have fifteen families to visit…” Chao Chao noted, counting on her fingers.
“I’ll come with you,” the crown prince declared, his concern evident. He fetched a medicine chest and gently tended to a small scratch on her forehead. Remembering her sacrifice in a past life, he felt she deserved a peaceful and happy existence now.
“Chao Chao, remember, it’s not worth getting hurt for anyone,” he advised earnestly as he cleaned her wound.
Chao Chao tilted her head, absorbing his words. “All beings have their paths. We owe nothing to anyone. We should live as we wish…”
Resigned, the crown prince decided to accompany her on her debt-collecting rounds, hoping his presence would ensure the families cooperated.
When they arrived at the Li residence, no one answered despite their persistent knocking.
“Your Highness, the master has gone to the palace,” a servant informed them.
This scenario repeated at each house. “Your Highness, Lord Xia has also gone to the palace.”
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
Soon, a palace servant approached with urgent news. “Your Highness, all the indebted officials are currently at the palace.”
They immediately headed back to the brightly lit palace.
Inside, the Royal Study was chaotic with officials eager to settle their debts.
“Your Majesty, I’ve settled my debt. There’s no need for Chao Chao to visit my home.”
“Your Majesty, I managed to gather the funds overnight, including a donation. No need for her visit.”
As officials clamored over each other to pay, the study resembled a bustling marketplace.
The king looked on, puzzled by the sudden flurry. [What had Chao Chao done to incite such urgency?]
As the crown prince entered with Chao Chao, the noisy room fell silent. The officials, reminded of her formidable reputation, avoided her gaze as if she were a ghost.
The visits to various families had been marked by dramatic events and even deaths, reinforcing her fearsome reputation. If Duke Xiao was overwhelmed by her presence, who else could stand against her?
“Dismissed,” the king commanded, and the officials scattered as if relieved to escape her presence.
“Chao Chao, your efforts in collecting these debts have been outstanding. I’ll make sure you are handsomely rewarded,” the king announced, clearly pleased. “Eunuch Wang, let’s review the accounts. All credit goes to Chao Chao.”
Eunuch Wang, beaming, reported an impressive total of one point zero two million borrowed and one point three two million recovered.
“Your Majesty, this total seems incorrect,” he remarked, stunned.
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
“One point three two million?” The king was equally surprised.
“Donations,” Chao Chao nonchalantly added, cracking walnuts with the king’s jade seal as she lounged comfortably.
Pleased, the king ordered, “Quickly, offer thanks to our ancestors. And Chao Chao, you’ll receive a bonus—one hundred thirty thousand for your efforts.”
Uninterested in the financial details, Chao Chao merely asked, “When is dinner?” as her stomach growled loudly.
After her meal, the king, half-joking, proposed, “Chao Chao, how about I adopt you? With me as your father, who would dare to bully you? Tomorrow, I’ll personally approach the Xu family for you. You are a treasure indeed!”
Lu Chao Chao nodded in agreement.
Later that evening, as promised, Duke Xiao brought the money he owed to the palace while the little menace left for home.
“Mother, I’m back…” Chao Chao hugged her mother’s leg. “Did you miss me?”
[Ah, the comforting scent of Mama. That scummy father of mine doesn’t know what he’s missing. A day apart feels like forever…]
Madam Xu, smiling, gently pinched her cheek. “What treasures are in your pockets today?”
Protecting her pockets, Chao Chao giggled. “These are my treasures! No peeking, Mama!” With that, she hurried to stash her collection high up on a bookshelf, out of reach.
“No one can find my treasures here!” she declared proudly, her mischievous grin wide as Madam Xu entered, only to find the pile of snacks right at eye level.
Her: gonna put them high up?
Her mom: (immediately seeing them) when did theses get here?