Chapter 135: The Wager Between Main Wife and Mistress
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
Lu Chao Chao clenched her teeth.
“Hah!”
Last night’s sinister entity was none other than her third disciple, Xing Hui, the War God himself?!
The soft and adorable little boy from her childhood had now grown into a God of War?
Lu Chao Chao found it hard to believe.
[He really won’t burst into tears mid-battle, will he?]
Xing Hui had always been a crybaby!
She scratched her head. “Then, what about this tomb?”
The Crown Prince chuckled lightly. “It’s said that the Seven Main Gods all hailed from the same master, and this is her cenotaph. Of course, it’s merely a legend.”
By now, he had already lit the incense, candles, and paper money, offering them with utmost reverence.
Lu Chao Chao’s expression turned peculiar.
“Would you like to offer a stick of incense?” the Crown Prince asked.
Lu Chao Chao shook her head so vigorously that she looked like a rattling drum. “No, no…”
Offering incense to herself? That seemed utterly bizarre.
She glanced at the cup of wine, fruits, and pastries arranged before the wordless stele and shook her head again.
“Next time, place some meat. She liked it,” Lu Chao Chao couldn’t resist adding.
[These offerings wouldn’t even tempt a dog.]
The Crown Prince smirked but nodded quietly.
“What about those gods?” Lu Chao Chao asked, her heart filled with worry.
[So, my sacrifice could restore my divine soul because of the soul-weaving efforts of my seven disciples?]
“You needn’t fret. They each have their methods of self-restraint. If they didn’t, chaos would have engulfed the Three Realms long ago.”
“You’re just a little one; grow up well, drink more milk, and get taller,” the Crown Prince said, holding her hand and leading her out of the forbidden land.
“Eat less meat and more vegetables. Stop sneaking chicken drumsticks.”
Too much meat wasn’t good for digestion in children.
As Lu Chao Chao left, she glanced back at the stone walls, her thoughts lingering.
“The National Temple is renowned for its spiritual efficacy. Shall I help you draw a lot for your elder brother?” The temple was bustling with devotees, far more than usual.
Lu Chao Chao was uninterested, but the Crown Prince added, “The vegetarian meals here are excellent.”
Her eyes sparkled. “Let’s go pray!”
A young monk guided them to the main hall, where the Crown Prince led her into the temple.
The National Temple followed the teachings of Western Buddhism, and this was the Hall of Guan Yin.
“Where are the Seven Main Gods?” Lu Chao Chao stood on her toes, peering around. But with her height, all she could see were the passing legs and waists of others.
The Crown Prince laughed secretly before picking her up.
“The Seven Main Gods rule the Divine Realm. This is a sacred Buddhist site.”
She seemed to understand but didn’t fully grasp it.
“You… don’t need to kneel,” the Crown Prince said softly, handing her the incense sticks himself.
Lu Chao Chao shook the divination cylinder lightly in her hands.
Clatter.
A single lot fell out.
The Crown Prince picked it up and took her to have it interpreted.
“Well, well, if it isn’t Lu Chao Chao. Praying for that crippled elder brother of yours, are you?” A sharp and sarcastic voice rang out.
The Crown Prince’s expression darkened slightly.
Lu Chao Chao turned her head and saw Madam Pei leading Lu Jing Yao in prayer.
Lu Jing Yao’s gaze lingered on the Crown Prince.
[The heroine’s eyes are practically glued to the Crown Prince…]
[Then again, if the Crown Prince is possessed, he’d be her destined male lead!]
The Crown Prince’s face twisted in distaste.
Lu Jing Yao, the heroine.
Ha!
“And who are you to utter slanderous words in the presence of Buddha?” The Crown Prince sneered coldly.
Madam Pei was about to retort when Lu Jing Yao tugged at her sleeve, forcing her to swallow her words and plaster on a smile.
Although the Crown Prince was still young, his imposing aura was undeniable, and Madam Pei dared not offend him.
“This young master, may I ask who you are?” she inquired, trying to maintain decorum.
Madam Pei, being of humble status, had never set foot in the palace and thus didn’t recognize the Crown Prince.
“Do you think someone of your ilk is worthy of knowing his identity?” a servant sneered dismissively. “Any stray cat or dog thinks they’re fit to meet the Crown Prince.”
Madam Pei’s face flushed crimson.
“Our Madam is the wife of Marquis Zhongyong and holds the title of Marchioness. How dare you speak so rudely?” one of her maids snapped indignantly.
“A mistress who climbed into her master’s bed and dares call herself Marchioness? Don’t sully this temple!” The Crown Prince’s tone dripped with disdain.
Madam Pei’s face turned ashen with fury.
Her anger redirected, she turned to Lu Chao Chao.
“Lu Chao Chao, praying won’t help you. Your elder brother has been crippled for ten years. Do you honestly believe he’ll pass the provincial exam?”
“Stop dreaming!”
“When my son achieves top honors, we’ll see who laughs last!” Madam Pei’s eyes burned with venom.
[Hmph, if Lu Jing Huai could plagiarize my elder brother’s essay and become the Top Scholar, what makes you think my brother can’t do better?]
“Then, how about we make a wager?” Lu Chao Chao suggested, her eyes glinting with mischief.
Madam Pei hesitated. “What kind of wager?”
“Let’s bet on who becomes the Top Scorer of the Provincial Exam,” Lu Chao Chao said in her childlike voice.
“It’s beneath my mother to bet with you. That would be bullying a child,” Lu Jing Yao interjected, her tone laced with jealousy.
“I’ll wager with you!” A firm voice cut through the air.
Lu Chao Chao looked up to see Madam Xu standing at the entrance of the Hall of Guan Yin, stepping into the temple with the sunlight framing her figure.
“I’ll wager with you—on who becomes the Top Scorer!” Madam Xu had come to the temple to pray, never expecting to find her daughter there.
Madam Pei smirked. [That cripple, Lu Yan Shu, hopes to achieve scholarly success? Absurd.]
“Everyone heard it—it’s Madam Xu who initiated the bet,” Madam Pei declared smugly.
“A bet it is. If my son wins, you’ll kneel and kowtow three times,” Madam Pei announced arrogantly. [This time, I’ll crush her underfoot forever.]
Madam Xu’s gaze turned icy, her voice calm yet sharp. “And if my son wins, you will kneel in the streets and declare thrice, ‘A mistress is always a mistress.’”
Madam Pei’s face twisted with fury, but she gritted her teeth and nodded.
“Fine, it’s a bet!” [As if my son could lose to a cripple!]
“We’ll see the results of the provincial exam next month!” Madam Pei stormed off with Lu Jing Yao and her entourage.
[Mother is so powerful, so awe-inspiring.]
[She’s no longer the naive little flower she once was.]
[Can she not focus all that cleverness on catching me, though?] Lu Chao Chao muttered internally.
To smooth things over, she handed over her lot. “I drew this for Elder Brother…”
The old monk who interpreted the lot smiled. “Dear patrons, this is an auspicious lot. ‘Soaring like a great roc, ascending to the heavens. Clouds part to reveal the moon, the light of hope at last shines bright.’ Truly a good omen.”
Madam Xu smiled faintly and left an offering in thanks.
“This young lady,” the monk said, addressing Lu Chao Chao. “Your face suggests a unique destiny. Would you like to draw a lot for yourself?”
Lu Chao Chao enthusiastically grabbed the divination cylinder.
She shook it vigorously, the rattle echoing loudly.
Crack.
Before she could finish, the cylinder shattered, scattering lots everywhere.
The old monk froze.
Lu Chao Chao raised her hands in panic. “It wasn’t me! I didn’t use much strength…”
The monk clasped his hands together and bowed. “It is not your fault, young lady.”
He glanced at her, his expression profound.
[Her fate is shrouded in mystery—unknowable, untouchable. The secrets of the heavens must not be revealed.]