Chapter 15: Bestowing Children Daily
This novel is translated and hosted on BCATranslation.
The dowager, a woman of considerable status and experience, found herself staring with a mix of wonder and confusion at her daughter, the grand princess. Their conversation flowed effortlessly, which was astonishing given that the grand princess was interacting with a baby barely two months old. This was a curious sight, especially since the grand princess’s usual demeanor of pride and arrogance seemed softened, almost humbled in the presence of the child. Witnessing this change, the dowager found herself acquiescing to her daughter’s requests despite the unusual circumstances.
“As you wish. But I will hear no more excuses after three months,” the dowager declared firmly.
With tears drying on her cheeks, the grand princess rose from the ground, her eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and affection as she gazed at the baby. “Chao Chao, you truly are my treasure. Shi Yun, you’ve blessed us with your remarkable baby girl’s presence,” she said, her voice tinged with reluctant admiration as if she was beholding the child she had longed for in her dreams.
In a display of youthful exuberance, the baby, Chao Chao, waved her little hands energetically as if to say, “I’ll bless you with many children, ten or even more!”
Madam Xu, taken aback by her daughter’s bold inner thoughts, quickly interjected, “Your Highness, please, Chao Chao is but a child, unaware of her actions. We cannot take her seriously.” It was well known that the grand princess had been married for many years without the joy of motherhood despite countless consultations with royal physicians.
What would happen if the grand princess remained childless after three months?
Smiling, yet with a hint of resolve, the grand princess replied, “Don’t worry, I understand.”
Madam Xu’s love for her daughter was evident, and although it was unusual, she found herself believing in Chao Chao’s innocent promise this time.
“Let’s have the meal served,” the dowager suggested, wanting to extend Madam Xu’s visit to spend more time with her eldest daughter. Despite the intricate etiquette and numerous rules surrounding palace banquets, the allure of the royal kitchen’s exquisite dishes was undeniable.
Held by the nanny, Lu Chao Chao’s eyes sparkled with excitement at the aroma of the dishes being served.
“Meat! I crave meat; let me taste it just a bit!” Chao Chao’s baby garbled cries pleaded eagerly, “I’d even be happy just to lick the plate.”
This unexpected request nearly overwhelmed Madam Xu, who continued to eavesdrop on her daughter’s mind.
“Bring her here,” the grand princess commanded, instructing the nanny to hand over the child.
“You’re craving meat already? But you haven’t even grown teeth to eat it with. Wait until your hundredth-day celebration, and I’ll let you taste a little,” the grand princess cooed, her affection for the child growing by the moment. She mused on the unfairness of not being able to choose such a delightful child.
Breaking with protocol, the grand princess held Chao Chao in one arm while attempting to eat with the other, a rare disregard for royal etiquette on her part.
As the princess brought her chopsticks to her mouth, a sudden movement caught her off guard. With a surprising burst of agility for her age, Chao Chao reached out and grabbed the chopsticks, managing to snag a piece of soft meat.
Shocked, Madam Xu sprang into action, calling for assistance, her protective instincts fully awakened by the boldness of her daughter’s act.
At such a tender age and without any teeth, the possibility of choking was a real concern.
The dowager watched in disbelief, utterly taken aback by the baby’s swift action.
“Wow, this little one is incredibly fast! It took me by surprise,” exclaimed the grand princess, who found herself astonished despite never having been a mother herself.
Both of them were cautious, not wanting to harm the baby as they gently tried to open her small hand to take the piece of meat away.
Feeling the loss of her prized meat, Lu Chao Chao became so upset that she started crying, lamenting in her mind, “My meat~!”
Her cries echoed in Madam Xu’s mind, leaving her both amused by her daughter’s antics and slightly frustrated by the situation.
This novel is translated and hosted on BCATranslation.
“Wait until you grow some teeth, and then I’ll prepare meat for you every day. Let it go now; you can’t eat this meat,” Madam Xu soothed her, finally managing to take the meat away from her grasp.
However, the little one was not ready to completely let go of her culinary adventure, refusing to wash her hand. She kept holding onto the greasy spot, occasionally sucking on her fingers, her face a picture of blissful satisfaction.
Lu Chao Chao, in her heart, sighed deeply. Having been reborn, she found herself retaining her magical powers but noticed her personality and thoughts gradually becoming more childlike, a transformation dictated by the whims of the heavens.
Contentedly, she licked the bit of grease from her fingers, savoring the taste.
“The quickest things in the world must indeed be a baby’s hands,” remarked the grand princess, still in disbelief at the baby’s dexterity.
To prevent any more attempts at grabbing food, they decided to keep Lu Chao Chao at a distance, only bringing her back after Madam Xu had finished her meal, and then they prepared to leave the palace.
“This child is truly endearing, and since it’s her first visit to the palace, she deserves a reward,” the dowager declared, making a grand gesture and presenting the baby with numerous jewels and headpieces. Among them, a gold apple symbolizing peace and health became the little one’s favorite, and she refused to let it go.
Furthermore, the grand princess, with a motive to subtly humble the Marquis of Zhongyong, also presented the baby with a valuable night pearl.
“Shi Yun, I’ve heard… the Marquis originally had eighteen night pearls,” she began, hinting the possibility of an affair to her friend. “But now, only one pearl has ended up in Chao Chao’s hands.” She left her statement hanging, aware of her friend’s sensitivity towards any negativity about the Marquis and chose not to press further.
Madam Xu stayed quiet, her gaze lowered, absorbing the weight of her friend’s words.
The grand princess sighed, recognizing that her friend was already well aware of the situation.
As they left the palace, the baby’s thoughts turned to her new treasures.
“We’re rich, we’re rich, is this gold apple real?” Fascinated by the gold apple, Little Chao Chao drooled over her new possession.
Madam Xu sighed deeply, marveling at how her daughter seemed to have a knack for valuing wealth.
Unbeknownst to many, the realm of cultivation considered the sword cultivators among its most impoverished practitioners. Lu Chao Chao, astonishingly, hailed from the lineage of the very founders of sword cultivation. Throughout her lifetime, she had suffered a life devoid of financial wealth.
“Let’s pay a visit to my maternal home tomorrow to check on my mother’s well-being,” Madam Xu instructed, prompting someone to immediately set out to gather information.
By the time Madam Xu made her way back to the residence of the Marquis of Zhongyong, night had already fallen. Upon her arrival, Lu Yuan Ze hurried out to greet her, his appearance marked by sweat and a distinct look of worry.
“Wife, can you explain how my father-in-law and his family were released from prison?” He began, his voice tinged with anxiety, then quickly tried to soften his approach. “This afternoon, I was among several officials who petitioned for my father-in-law’s release. The petition hasn’t even been submitted yet. How is it that my father-in-law is already home?” He clutched the petition in his hands, visibly perturbed.
A look of mild annoyance crossed Madam Xu’s face, revealing her fatigue.
“His Majesty has rectified his misunderstanding towards the Xu family and has elevated my brother to a higher position,” she explained, managing a smile. However, Lu Yuan Ze couldn’t help but notice a flicker of disdain in her eyes as she continued. “There were rumors about witchcraft items hidden under the crooked willow tree of the Xu family’s estate. But in truth, there was no witchcraft; only the unwavering loyalty of the Xu family was buried there,” Madam Xu said, her words carrying a hint of mockery.
Lu Yuan Ze’s anxiety heightened, prompting him to ask coldly, “What was buried?”
“The Xu family’s unwavering loyalty, their readiness to sacrifice everything for the court,” Madam Xu concluded, with a maid chiming in to emphasize the point.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to the person who reported us. Without them, how could the Xu family have received such favor? Lord Xi Ting has been promoted to a second-rank official, surpassing the speed of the old master’s rise back in his day. The Xu family is set to reach new heights of prominence,” Jue Xia remarked, casting a disdainful glance at the Marquis of Zhongyong.
The Marquis’s complexion turned ashen, his hands clenched in an effort to compose himself amidst the shock. “Indeed, what a stroke of luck,” he commented, taking a deep breath to steady himself.
“And there’s more good news. Our madam has been honored by His Majesty the King with a third-rank ladyship. The royal decree is expected to arrive tomorrow morning,” Ying Xue added, her posture radiating pride in her mistress’s achievement.
Once celebrated for her dignity and esteemed status, Madam Xu had seen her spirit dampened under Lu Yuan Ze’s oppressive demeanor. Now, however, his eyes welled with tears, a raw emotion he could no longer conceal.
With a light chuckle at the unfolding scene, Madam Xu seized the opportunity to gently tease her husband further, “Given that Husband is so occupied with your duties at court, it’s only natural that I, as your wife, strive not to fall behind in my own contributions.”
In the privacy of her own mind, Lu Chao Chao found the situation immensely amusing, her thoughts bubbling with glee. “He’s green with envy, absolutely seething! First, his father-in-law attains a higher position, and now his wife surpasses him in rank. Oh, the look of jealousy in his eyes is priceless! Hahaha,” she thought, finding humor in her father’s discomfort.
“To think, a man who depends on a woman’s achievements yet offers little himself, it’s only fitting he faces this moment. It serves him right!” Her internal commentary was sharp, sparing no sympathy for the man’s wounded pride.
“Lu Chao Chao, in her heart, sighed deeply. Having been reborn, she found herself retaining her magical powers but noticed her personality and thoughts gradually becoming more childlike, a transformation dictated by the whims of the heavens.”
Gradually? Tbh I thought most of MC’s adult brain went offline immediately? Because the way she thinks and “talks” is completely different from the other characters. Like a cross between someone pretending to be the voice of an baby/animal and an oracle.