Chapter 137: The Sole Honorary Title
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
When Emperor Xuan Ping announced the adoption of Lu Chao Chao as his foster daughter and conferred upon her the title of Princess Sunshine, the court erupted in disbelief.
“Sunshine? The sun of Northern Zhao?”
The implications of the name caused many ministers to pale. The character “Sunshine” bore not only the connotation of brightness and warmth but also symbolized central importance. Combined with the homonym for “Chao,” it revealed the Emperor’s deliberate intent. The sun of Northern Zhao? The very heart of the empire? The Emperor’s favoritism seemed boundless.
The elderly ministers exchanged uneasy glances. Adopting a foster daughter and granting her a princess’s title was already extraordinary, but to name her Princess Sunshine placed her status above that of the Emperor’s own sons and daughters, none of whom possessed honorary titles.
The consorts in the harem were infuriated, their eyes reddened with envy. Consort Xiao clenched her teeth and cast a venomous glance at her father, Imperial Uncle Xiao, who remained indifferent, his face calm and unaffected.
Consort Xiao’s anger burned brighter. Ever since Lu Chao Chao’s arrival at the Xiao residence, tragedy had struck her family: her mother, brother, and nephew had all perished suddenly. Her mother’s dying words had cursed Lu Chao Chao to certain death. Resentment surged within her. How could Lu Chao Chao, a mere outsider, dare usurp such an honor?
Her own daughter, Xie Yi Ning, was the Emperor’s sole legitimate princess, yet she had never received a title. What right did Lu Chao Chao have?
“Your Majesty,” Consort Xiao spoke softly, pressing her lips together. “As an honorary princess, surely there’s no need for a title? To recognize her as your foster daughter is already a monumental honor.”
“Even your royal offspring have yet to receive titles. Would bestowing such an honor upon an adopted daughter not diminish the dignity of the royal family?” She lowered her gaze, masking the malice in her eyes. [Are you blind, Your Majesty? Xie Yi Ning is your only daughter, yet you lavish attention on this outsider? She doesn’t deserve such glory.]
The Emperor’s face darkened. “Who I grant titles to requires no approval from you. Perhaps I’ve indulged you too much.”
The court fell silent as the Emperor’s voice turned icy. “If the royal children are seen as lacking without titles, then they must be truly incompetent. Why fear being looked down upon if one possesses genuine merit?”
Consort Xiao refused to yield. “But why does Lu Chao Chao need—?”
“Because I worry she might be looked down upon,” the Emperor interrupted bluntly, his partiality unmistakable.
Lu Chao Chao, meanwhile, was oblivious to the storm her title had caused. She tugged on the Emperor’s dragon robe, her small voice brimming with urgency. “Still no title? If no title, Chao Chao go home?”
[Big Brother Crown Prince said there’d be a feast after the title was granted. When will the feast start? How many dishes? Can I eat as much as I want? I have twelve teeth now!]
She grew increasingly anxious. [Mother always says babies can’t overeat or eat too much oily food. Babies need milk and vegetables. But I don’t want vegetables. If I liked vegetables, wouldn’t I have been born a cow?]
The Crown Prince struggled to suppress his laughter, his face turning red from the effort.
The Emperor glanced at Lu Chao Chao, who was staring hungrily at the tribute offerings on the table. Relieved, he quickly declared, “Fine, fine, the title is granted.”
Consort Xiao was left standing alone, her daughter Xie Yi Ning glaring daggers at Lu Chao Chao. Blame her, blame her.
But Lu Chao Chao paid no mind. Her only concern was the banquet. When would it begin? How many dishes would there be?
As the formalities concluded, Lu Chao Chao’s stomach growled audibly. The Crown Prince discreetly wiped the drool from her mouth, whispering, “Patience. The feast is about to start.”
When her name was inscribed in the royal genealogy, an extraordinary phenomenon unfolded. Countless magpies soared into the palace from all directions, each carrying vibrant blossoms. The birds circled above, scattering the flowers over the palace grounds.
“Look! What’s happening in the sky?” The palace staff craned their necks in awe.
Petals rained down like blessings from the heavens.
The Emperor, momentarily stunned, looked down at Lu Chao Chao. She was reaching for a roast chicken on the altar, cheekily plucking the tail and stuffing it into her mouth. Her cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk’s.
“Auspicious! This is an auspicious omen!” Minister Fang of the Ministry of Rites exclaimed. “With this heavenly sign, Princess Sunshine is surely a blessing to Northern Zhao! Long live Princess Sunshine!”
“An auspicious sign for Northern Zhao! Truly, the empire is blessed.”
The courtiers knelt in unison, paying homage to the newly minted Princess Sunshine.
The Emperor’s face lit up with pride. He lifted Lu Chao Chao in his arms, gazing toward the ancestral tablets. [Father, I’ve officially made her a princess of Northern Zhao.]
His expression radiated joy.
…
At the Banquet
The court buzzed with talk of the Emperor’s new Princess Sunshine. Only Lu Yuan Ze and Minister Jiang found themselves excluded from the conversation, cast out of the imperial favor.
Meanwhile, Lu Chao Chao was engrossed in the banquet, her eyes scanning for the best dishes.
In a quiet corner, Xuan Ji Chuan, the hostage prince from Eastern Ling, sat unnoticed. With tensions rising between Eastern Ling and Northern Zhao, his situation had grown dire. The Emperor’s disdain for Eastern Ling meant Xuan Ji Chuan endured great hardship.
Princess Xuan Yin, already betrothed to the eldest prince, cast a worried glance at her younger brother. His damp robes and pale complexion betrayed his suffering, bringing tears to her eyes.
[Why is Princess Xuan Yin crying? Is she sad for her brother?]
[In the original story, Xuan Ji Chuan endured humiliation in Northern Zhao but rose to power upon returning to Eastern Ling, becoming its king and a formidable ruler. He brought chaos to Lu Jing Yao later on.]
[The enemy of my enemy is my friend.]
Determined, Lu Chao Chao toddled toward Xuan Ji Chuan. Though only twelve, his eyes shone with a wolf-like resilience. Hidden beneath his robes were countless injuries. His broken ribs made even breathing an excruciating ordeal.
Lu Chao Chao reached out to him. “Big Brother, you bleeding?”
Xuan Ji Chuan stiffened. Despite once treating her harshly, he had later gifted her a sweet pea cake. She had long since forgiven him.
“Big Brother, who hurt you?” she asked, puffing out her cheeks in mock ferocity. “Chao Chao fight for you! Chao Chao tell Daddy Emperor!”
She tugged at his hand, her warmth cutting through the icy despair surrounding him. Xuan Ji Chuan shook his head weakly. What help could the Emperor offer? Eastern Ling’s transgressions had already strained their fragile ties. His life, he believed, was forfeit in Northern Zhao.