Chapter 130: Lu Yuan Ze Catches an Adulterer
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
The next day, Lu Chao Chao had just woken up when she heard the news that her second brother, who had been away on business, had returned to the manor.
With her short legs, Lu Chao Chao dashed outside, shouting, “Second Brother, Second Brother…”
Deng Zhi chuckled teasingly, “The second young master hasn’t been seen in half a year, and it seems Chao Chao has missed him dearly.” Madam Xu’s brows curved in amusement.
“Second Brother, Chao Chao missed you!” The little one ran straight into Lu Zheng Yue’s arms.
Lu Zheng Yue looked travel-worn, and though only half a year had passed, he had shed his youthful immaturity and appeared much more mature.
“Second Brother, did you make lots of money?” Lu Chao Chao planted an affectionate kiss on her brother’s cheek.
Lu Zheng Yue nodded. “Yes, I did. Providing for my little Chao Chao will never be a problem. Whatever you want, just tell me, and Second Brother will get it for you!”
Lu Chao Chao grinned slyly. “Chao Chao also made money collecting debts for Emperor Uncle…”
Lu Zheng Yue gestured for a small chest to be brought over. “Mother, after six months away, your son has not failed and has earned eight thousand taels.”
Then, he looked down at Lu Chao Chao. “Chao Chao, how much did you earn?”
“You really collected debts for His Majesty?” Lu Zheng Yue’s face was full of astonishment.
Madam Xu sighed, thinking, [This little one is not like ordinary children.]
[It’s getting harder to hide her abilities. I can only hope His Majesty will provide some protection.]
Lu Chao Chao extended her tiny fingers, first showing one, then three.
“Thirteen taels?”
Lu Chao Chao shook her head.
“One hundred and thirty taels?”
Lu Chao Chao shook her head again.
Lu Zheng Yue’s eyes widened. Could it be thirteen hundred taels?
Madam Xu covered her face in exasperation. Her second son, disheveled and weary, had managed to earn eight thousand taels in half a year, a remarkable feat.
But…
Chao Chao’s skills were off the charts.
“Thirteen hundred thousand taels,” the little one said in her soft, innocent voice, the words cutting like ice.
“How much?” Lu Zheng Yue’s voice cracked, his eyes nearly popping out.
“Thirteen hundred thousand, Second Brother!”
Lu Zheng Yue stared at her in disbelief. “So, you’re saying my hard work for half a year doesn’t even compare to a fraction of what you’ve earned?”
“She managed to recover debts owed to His Majesty, and this was her reward,” Madam Xu explained, recalling the Emperor’s personal visit with some concern.
Lu Zheng Yue felt a wave of defeat wash over him. [Is my sister too capable?]
Once Lu Zheng Yue had washed up and returned to his courtyard, Lu Chao Chao followed closely behind.
“Second Brother, you’re upset,” she said, studying him.
“Is it because Chao Chao made more money than you?”
Lu Zheng Yue sighed lightly. “Chao Chao, don’t overthink it. Second Brother just feels… maybe he isn’t suited for business.” Six months away had brought him no joy from commerce.
“Mother divorced him, and the Marquis’s manor looks down on us. I have to support this family.”
He couldn’t confide in their eldest brother, who was preparing for the provincial exam, fearing it might add pressure.
“Second Brother, you’re amazing,” Lu Chao Chao said encouragingly.
[Should I tell Second Brother that he’s destined to be a star general?]
[But joining the army is so grueling.] Lu Chao Chao frowned, her small face scrunching up.
“The army?”
Lu Zheng Yue’s eyes lit up.
“Chao Chao, thank you. Second Brother understands now!” He planted a hearty kiss on her cheek.
“Understands what?” Lu Chao Chao looked puzzled.
“Having you as my sister is my greatest blessing!” Lu Zheng Yue smiled warmly, cupping her face in his hands.
Just hearing the word “army” stirred something within him, igniting a fiery determination.
“Chao Chao, I want to visit Wen Ning. Could you help me figure out how to express my feelings to her?”
“How can I let Wen Ning know what’s in my heart?” Lu Zheng Yue had resolved to join the army once their elder brother’s provincial exams were over.
“Chao Chao, will you be my strategist?”
Last time, Chao Chao’s advice had caught Wen Ning’s attention.
“Express your feelings?” Lu Chao Chao’s bright eyes darted around before lighting up with an idea.
“I know, I know!” She leapt up, pulling her brother toward the lake.
Pointing to a pair of ducks in the lake’s center, she said, “Give her these!”
“What’s this?” Lu Zheng Yue asked, bewildered.
“Mandarin ducks! To show your feelings, you have to give mandarin ducks!”
“Mother says so. These are mandarin ducks!”
Lu Chao Chao looked at him expectantly.
Lu Zheng Yue thought for a moment and found the idea somewhat plausible. Last time, he had shown his strength. This time, he needed to convey his emotions.
“Alright, I’ll go prepare. Chao Chao, you truly are my real sister. Having you is my good fortune!”
Lu Chao Chao puffed up with pride, her head held high.
Once Lu Zheng Yue left, she quietly thought to herself, [I may not have tasted pork, but I’ve certainly seen pigs run.]
[Though I never married in my thousands of past lives, my theoretical knowledge isn’t lacking!]
[I really am a genius!]
Meanwhile, Madam Xu was in her room, dressing with care. Receiving the Emperor was no trivial matter.
“Madam, should we release the pair of ducks in the rear lake?” the servant asked. The wild ducks had flown in from who knows where.
“Let them go. That way, Chao Chao won’t keep pestering me about roasting duck.” To prevent Chao Chao from sneaking off to catch and eat the ducks, Madam Xu had tricked her into thinking they were mandarin ducks.
Her mind was elsewhere, her brows furrowed.
At the Marquis Zhongyong’s manor, the atmosphere was also tense.
“What? A blind date?” Lu Yuan Ze stood up abruptly, his face darkening.
“Shi Yun is going on a blind date? Where did you hear that? She must be dreaming!”
“I’d like to see who dares to pursue a woman divorced from the Zhongyong Marquis’s household!” Lu Yuan Ze’s expression turned grim.
The servant replied, “I’m not sure, but Madam Xu left discreetly in a sedan chair. The man she’s meeting seems rather secretive—likely someone unworthy.”
“No one compares to you, Marquis,” the servant added.
Though Lu Yuan Ze had divorced Shi Yun, he still felt possessive. [If I don’t want her, no one else should dare.]
Moreover, Shi Yun had taken Lu family children with her.
“Shi Yun, I want to see who has the audacity to court you!”
“How dare the woman I discarded even think of remarrying?”
“Harlot! No wonder you had the courage to divorce me. You must’ve had a lover lined up!” Lu Yuan Ze’s face darkened as he led a group of menacing guards out.
Shi Yun, wearing modest yet elegant attire that made her look older, maintained a respectful distance from the Emperor, who had arrived with only Eunuch Wang Yuan Lu.
“Your Majesty, this humble woman has three sons and one daughter and is old enough to be a grandmother. I am not fit for the palace.”
“I wish to guide my children in serving the country. I hope Your Majesty will reconsider.”
Shi Yun knelt.
The Emperor was silent. Chao Chao’s extraordinary abilities could not be left unguarded. If someone exploited her talents, it could spell disaster for Northern Zhao.
Binding a one-and-a-half-year-old child with a marriage contract seemed cruel. He had tried to find a suitable match among the princes, but none were promising—whether in height, wit, or bearing.
He mourned inwardly, [Why is there no match?]
After a long pause, Shi Yun’s anxiety grew. [Could the Emperor really be so depraved as to use force?]
She touched her face nervously. [Surely not?]
“I wish to adopt Chao Chao as my goddaughter and grant her the title of Princess of Northern Zhao. You—”
Before he could finish, the door was kicked open violently.
“Harlot! How dare you meet a man in private?”
“The woman I cast off, I’d like to see who dares to take her!” Lu Yuan Ze stormed in, his voice thundering.
This man is the definition of an idiot.
I know right