Chapter 140: The Culprit Who Harmed Eldest Brother
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
By the city moat.
Numerous carriages lined up near the city gate. Groups of ladies knelt by the river, offering prayers. Behind them, their maids held basins, water occasionally splashing out from within.
[What are they doing?]
“With Mid-Autumn approaching and coinciding with the provincial examinations, they’re performing animal releases for blessing, a tradition to pray for good fortune,” explained Lu Zheng Yue, pointing to the corner of the wall.
In the corner, many beggars huddled together.
Normally shooed away, the beggars had become recipients of charity from the ladies during these auspicious days. Nearby, stalls were set up, most selling flower lanterns or aquatic creatures.
“The poor sell to the rich. The rich, to showcase their sincerity, release loaches, small fish, and shrimp into the water.”
“For merchants, passing the provincial exams means a leap in social class. For the noble ladies of the capital, their children’s success ensures the family’s continued prosperity,” he continued. “Studying changes one’s fate, Chao Chao.”
“Let’s release animals for Eldest Brother too, shall we?” said Lu Yuan Xiao, eyes gleaming with excitement.
[Does Eldest Brother even need blessings? He already has the strongest support!]
[I am his support!] thought Lu Chao Chao, pouting in defiance.
Lu Zheng Yue patted her tiny head. He had, on occasion, caught glimpses of Chao Chao’s thoughts, piecing together that this little one might once have been an awe-inspiring figure. But her claims that all the gods and celestial beings were her disciples were… too far-fetched.
A year-and-a-half-old child claiming the gods were her disciples? Would anyone believe that?
“Third Brother wants to play? Chao Chao will join you,” she offered, pulling out two gold melon seeds from her pocket. Although she loved money, she only swindled officials and never exploited the poor, who struggled just to survive.
Lu Yuan Xiao bought an old turtle and a bucket of small loaches and fish. Chao Chao, uninterested in prayers, played with flower lanterns by the riverbank.
“The Mid-Autumn lanterns are always the most fun. Once Eldest Brother finishes his exams, we can celebrate properly,” said Lu Zheng Yue with a smile.
“Bless Eldest Brother with success in the imperial exams. May he achieve the Triple Crown of Excellence…” Lu Yuan Xiao muttered devoutly while releasing the fish and pushing the turtle into the river. However, the old turtle kept crawling back.
After several attempts, a servant marveled, “This turtle must be grateful, unwilling to leave Young Master. Encountering someone kind-hearted today, it wishes to remember your face.”
Chao Chao turned her head, her round eyes nearly popping out in disbelief.
“Third Brother, do you know what it’s saying?” she asked, looking up.
Embarrassed, Lu Yuan Xiao guessed, “Thanking me for my kindness? Not wanting to leave?”
Expressionless, Chao Chao corrected, “It’s saying: ‘I am a land turtle! I am a land turtle!’”
“It’s not coming back to thank you. It’s escaping.”
Lu Yuan Xiao was stunned.
Looking at the vendor, he saw the man grimacing. “Young Master, that’s a land turtle I caught in the mountains.”
Lu Zheng Yue discreetly covered his mouth, suppressing laughter.
Releasing a land turtle into the river… well done, brother.
…
Nearby, beggars knelt at the city gate, pleading, “Kind master, spare some food…”
“Please, kind master, grant me a bun…”
The city was abuzz with people serving porridge, attracting beggars from all around. Among them were young children, barely a few years old, their large eyes filled with longing as they gazed at Chao Chao.
She secretly pulled out a gold melon seed. “Buy food for all the uncles and grandfathers.”
Yu Shu quickly dispatched people to clear out nearby shops, purchasing steamed buns and white rice. Within moments, steaming food filled over a dozen baskets, accompanied by sacks of grain.
“This is from our Miss Chao Chao,” Yu Shu announced. “Everyone, please line up. Each person gets three steamed buns, three meat buns, and two bowls of rice. No pushing or fighting.”
Countless beggars swarmed in, kneeling to express their gratitude. While others served watery porridge, Chao Chao’s offering of solid food ensured they wouldn’t go hungry for a week.
Suddenly, chaos erupted among the beggars.
“What are you pushing for? Get lost!”
“Out of the way, blind old man!”
An elderly beggar with matted hair and hollow eye sockets was shoved to the ground. His eyes had been cruelly gouged out.
“Old man, get up. I’ll get you some buns,” Lu Zheng Yue said compassionately.
“Such a good child, yet the Marquis Zhongyong drove them out. Truly heartless,” another beggar muttered.
The blind man suddenly looked up, his empty gaze wild. “Ah! Ah!!” he cried, clutching Lu Zheng Yue’s hand in a frenzy.
“Let go of my young master!”
“Release him!”
Despite the servants’ efforts, the old man clung tightly, his guttural screams filled with anguish. Then, as if mad, he cradled his head, laughing and weeping.
Lu Yuan Xiao immediately picked up Chao Chao and moved her away. “Don’t go near. That blind beggar’s gone mad. Stay safe.”
Chao Chao’s face turned pale. “Gouged eyes? Severed tongue?!”
[Quick! Catch him! Catch him!]
Her thoughts screamed so loudly that Lu Yuan Xiao winced, nearly dropping her.
“Catch him! Catch him!” she cried, tears streaming down her reddened cheeks. “Eldest Brother! Eldest Brother…”
She wailed uncontrollably. “He’s the one! He’s the one!”
The old man was the culprit!
In the original timeline, Eldest Brother had nearly escaped drowning but was forcibly held underwater until he stopped moving. He later forgot the incident due to a head injury. The mastermind behind it all was their grandmother’s brother, Lu Jing Huai, who had bribed the old man to commit the deed.
Afterward, Lu Jing Huai cruelly gouged out his eyes and severed his tongue to silence him. During a flood, the beggar perished in a ruined temple. This time, however, her intervention had kept the disaster from unfolding.
“He’s Uncle Grandfather! He harmed Eldest Brother!”
[Lu Jing Huai ordered him to kill Eldest Brother. Capture him now!]
Lu Zheng Yue and Lu Yuan Xiao’s faces turned grim.
“Seize him!” they commanded.
All the mistress’ kids are evil. Screw it the whole family is fuqd up.