Chapter 14: Clutching a Golden Thigh
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
The Xu Family members exited the Imperial Study in silence.
Xu Shi Yun bit her lip hard, suppressing the tears threatening to escape. Her voice trembled as she turned to her father and elder brother, red-eyed and guilt-ridden.
“Father… Brother… You’ve suffered so much.”
For eighteen long years, she had severed ties with her maiden family. Eighteen years of estrangement, and now she barely had the courage to meet their eyes.
Xu Yi Ting, who had endured false accusations without shedding a tear and imprisonment without complaint, nearly broke down when his little sister bowed her head and called him. His roughened hand trembled as he lifted it, his voice hoarse.
“Don’t cry. You’ve just finished your confinement period. Crying will hurt your eyes.”
They found a secluded spot and avoided speaking of the Xu family’s unjust treatment.
“This must be Chao Chao?” Xu Yi Ting asked, sneaking glances at the baby. He had secretly scaled walls to catch glimpses of her before. She was just as beautiful as he imagined his daughter would be.
Madam Xu quickly wiped her tears and confirmed, “Yes, Father, Brother, this is Chao Chao.”
“She’s forty days old—still a little milk baby.”
[Grandfather… Eldest Uncle…]
A childish, milky voice suddenly resonated in their ears, startling both men so much that Old Master Xu stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.
He must be hearing things! Old Master Xu, a former Grand Tutor to the emperor and now retired, shook his head. Could age finally be catching up with him?
Xu Yi Ting was no less stunned. This man, now a highly coveted second-rank official in the capital, had prepared to sacrifice his life to save the Xu Family. Never had he imagined they’d rise higher instead of being destroyed.
Yet now, both men were staring intently at the baby swaddled in Madam Xu’s arms. Little Lu Chao Chao, ever cooperative, grinned widely, showing off her toothless gums.
[The destined ending… Grandfather was supposed to die in the Imperial Study, and Eldest Uncle would bear the family’s crimes alone, executed in public.]
[How wonderful! Grandfather is alive, Eldest Uncle is alive, and Eldest Uncle has even been promoted!]
Both men’s eyelids twitched furiously.
Old Master Xu had resolved to die for the family and told no one. Xu Yi Ting had silently decided to shoulder all blame himself. Neither had shared their plans, yet now, their gazes converged on the infant.
[Only… it’s a pity. Grandmother is dying. Aged and tormented by imprisonment, always on edge, she won’t hold on much longer.]
Madam Xu’s heart jumped, but before she could respond, her father and brother spoke urgently.
“Your mother and the elders remain in the prison. We’ll bring them out first. Little Sister…”
“Tomorrow, I’ll visit as well. Today, the Eldest Princess wants to see Chao Chao, so I won’t accompany you,” Madam Xu said, wiping her tears, bitterly regretting her decision to sever ties for Lu Yuan Ze’s sake. “I brought a doctor before coming. Take him with you.”
Xu Yi Ting gave her a profound look, feeling she had come well-prepared. There was no time to delve deeper into her change, so after a glance at the baby, he left with Old Master Xu.
Madam Xu found a young eunuch, gave him some silver, and freshened up before heading to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility with her nanny.
Back in her maiden days, she had a slight connection with the Eldest Princess, having visited the palace often enough to leave a familiar impression.
“Madam Xu, please persuade Her Highness. She’s been married to the Prince Consort for over a decade and remains childless. If she lets the Prince Consort take a concubine or even a maid to bear a child, it would give her peace of mind.”
Despite her lofty status, childlessness tormented the Eldest Princess deeply.
Little Chao Chao recalled the gentle woman who had blessed her during her first-month ceremony. Her palace of children dimmed; the woman’s destiny truly held no offspring.
Madam Xu remained silent, knowing how much the Eldest Princess longed for a child.
Inside the palace hall, the Eldest Princess’s muffled sobs slowly subsided. The Empress Dowager turned her gaze to the infant in Madam Xu’s arms.
“Hurry and bring the child over! She has been on my mind these past three days. Let me see this beautiful baby,” the Empress Dowager commanded, granting Madam Xu a seat after her bow.
The moment Lu Chao Chao was brought forward, the Empress Dowager froze.
“This red mark on her brow… Is it painted on?” She touched the faint red mark between the baby’s brows.
Madam Xu responded with a light laugh. “Your Majesty, how could a one-month-old baby have her brows painted? She was born with it. I was astonished myself.”
“This mark gives her a tragic and compassionate air. What a beautiful child,” the Empress Dowager murmured, extending her hand toward the baby.
Little Chao Chao, plump and cheerful, waved her chubby hands before lunging forward.
“Careful, Your Majesty!” Madam Xu exclaimed in alarm.
With the baby’s weight, the Empress Dowager nearly stumbled, but then came a soft, gummy kiss on her cheek.
[Muah! I kissed the most noble woman in the world!]
Madam Xu’s knees gave way as she knelt in panic. Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager laughed, delighted beyond measure. “It’s fine, it’s fine! The child is wonderful!”
Rumors among the common folk claimed that a child’s tears foretold disaster for an elder, while their smiles signified blessings. Normally feared for her stern presence, the Empress Dowager found herself grinning uncontrollably.
The Eldest Princess, momentarily forgetting her sorrow, gazed at the child with swollen eyes.
“She’s exactly the daughter I’ve always dreamed of.”
How could she bring herself to share the Prince Consort with a concubine? To raise another woman’s child? It was like carving her heart out.
Her voice quavered as she pleaded, “Three more months, Mother. If I’m still childless, I’ll let him take a concubine. Everything will be as you decide.”
Clapping, Lu Chao Chao beamed, her tiny fists cheering her on.