Chapter 150: The Late-Blooming Bachelor
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
The moment Rong Che crossed the threshold, the old lady, her face alight with excitement, called out, “Shuang Shuang, come here and greet your auntie.”
Stumbling nearly into the doorway, Rong Che sputtered, “Shu… Shuang Shuang? Auntie?” When did he start being called Shuang Shuang?
Grinning widely and holding onto Madam Xu’s arm, the old lady explained, “Dear, your name ‘Che’ is too fluid, like water, and it’s causing you to drift along without settling. Perhaps it’s even keeping you from finding a wife.”
“So, I’ve renamed you Shuang Shuang. That will be your new nickname.”
“Come over here. I’ve found you a new little sister. Are you happy? Surprised?” she beckoned, her tone playful yet insistent.
As the old lady finished, she suddenly grimaced, covering her nose. “What is that smell? It’s quite strong.”
Only then noticing something off, she eyed Rong Che suspiciously. “Have you put on makeup? Why so flamboyant today?” she teased mercilessly.
Rong Che broke out in a cold sweat. [Mother, truly, you are something else.]
[This is priceless! The old lady just made his sweetheart his sister! His sweetheart is now his aunt. Happy? Surprised? Showing off like a peacock, the thousand-year-old iron tree is finally blooming!] Lu Chao Chao thought with internal laughter.
Madam Xu, struggling to contain her laughter, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably, bit her lip.
“Mother, there’s no makeup. Remember you complained I was unkempt? So I just tidied up a bit…” Rong Che said, sneaking a glance at Madam Xu, whose eyes twinkled with barely concealed amusement.
Relieved, he added quickly, “Mother, I’ll open the door if you’re not comfortable.”
“This is my newly recognized sister…” the old lady started to say.
Rong Che immediately turned. “Mother, at your age, why recognize a new sister? Sister Yun is still young. She can visit the mansion often,” he said quickly, attempting to change the subject.
[Aunt? Not while I’m alive! If she becomes my aunt, the Duke’s household might see no heirs!]
The old lady, looking a bit put out but affectionate, patted Madam Xu’s hand, “Yes, that was a bit impulsive of me.”
“You’re a good child. If Marquis Zhongyong missed out on you, it’s his loss,” she said warmly, truly admiring Madam Xu for her noble demeanor and grace. “There are plenty of good men in the capital.”
Rong Che’s eyes widened. [Mother, you have an old bachelor right here in the family!]
As he fumed and sweated, Madam Xu couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
Rong Che and Madam Xu shared a look, Rong Che’s face turning a deep red. He fumbled awkwardly, downing cup after cup of tea in his nervousness.
“Stay for lunch. Let the family properly thank you,” the old lady said. “Little princess, our mansion’s food for children is top-notch. You must stay and try it.” Her tone then turned sour. “We have experts in postpartum meals, baby food, and banquet dishes, but… my son is disappointing.” She rolled her eyes at Rong Che, leaving him exposed.
“Eighteen years ago, he brought back two clay dolls, giggling stupidly while eating and reading… Treasuring them so much he wouldn’t let me touch them.”
“I thought it was time to prepare for a wedding.”
“Who knew this good-for-nothing would still be unprepared after eighteen years.”
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
Madam Xu, puzzled, thought, clay dolls?
Rong Che’s ears turned bright red. “Mother, please stop…” [Leave me some dignity.]
The old lady, sneering slightly, led Madam Xu towards the main hall. The Protectorate Duke’s household was simple since the Duke had no concubines, only a few children, the eldest daughter married into the royal family as the queen, and the legitimate son, still unmarried.
“Ah, the mansion is so quiet and empty, there’s not even a person around. Shi Yun, you must come often to keep this old woman company,” the old lady lamented.
“Mother, I’m also here to keep you company,” Rong Che said softly.
The old lady glanced at him. “Single dog, doesn’t count.”
Rong Che swallowed, feeling a lump in his throat.
At mealtime, Rong Che sat directly across from Madam Xu, as meals in the mansion weren’t divided by gender.
“Why you peeking at my mommy?” Lu Chao Chao, barely able to see over the table, sat on a high chair.
Only about a year and a half old, she refused to be held or fed, gripping a spoon and eating diligently without dropping a single grain of rice. She behaved incredibly well.
Rong Che blushed deeply. “I wasn’t peeking. I… I…”
He was sweating profusely, aware of his parents’ gaze, terrified of what Lu Chao Chao might say next. He quickly placed a roasted pigeon leg in Lu Chao Chao’s bowl.
“Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. Kids love it. Princess Sunshine, have some more…” He looked at Lu Chao Chao with pleading eyes.
With the pigeon leg now in her bowl, Lu Chao Chao smiled more genuinely.
“Chao Chao must have seen wrong…”
Rong Che secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
After dinner, the old lady, feeling her age, was a bit tired.
“Che’er, escort Shi Yun back home. It’s getting late, and you should see her safely back to the Lu residence…” The old lady smiled warmly at Madam Xu and handed Lu Chao Chao a generous gift, a customary gesture for first meetings with children.
“I had some snacks made that children like, using yam which is easy to digest and can also be used for teething.” Rong Che carried a box of food.
“Take them back for Princess Sunshine to try. If she likes them, bring her mother over to play often,” he said, glancing at Lu Chao Chao.
[Uncle Rong is such a nice person…]
Madam Xu gave him a reproachful look, while Rong Che pursed his lips, his eyes smiling, unwilling to blink as he looked at her.
As they walked out of the mansion, Rong Che gently helped Madam Xu into the carriage. She paused, and as the carriage creaked forward, she turned back through the curtain to see Rong Che staring at her, not even blinking, afraid that if he did, she might disappear.
The carriage passed by Marquis Zhongyong’s residence. Lu Yuan Ze, who was dismounting, noticed General Rong Che from a distance and approached with a smile.
Rong Che, a war hero and the queen’s younger brother, held a high rank and status.
“General Rong.”
Rong Che’s smile disappeared, and he looked at Lu Yuan Ze coldly. “Marquis Lu? I heard you had some health issues. I know some excellent doctors for men’s ailments. Would you like a referral?”
Lu Yuan Ze’s smile froze.
“Don’t be afraid to treat your illnesses, Marquis. You must seek treatment if you’re sick,” Rong Che said coolly.
“But it’s just rumors. I’m perfectly healthy!” Lu Yuan Ze replied, his expression darkening. His colleagues had been looking oddly at him all day!
“No illness? Then why does your son take care of your woman?” Rong Che retorted and then rode away.
Lu Yuan Ze felt the hostility plainly; it was unmasked and direct. He couldn’t argue back. After all, catching his mistress in bed had sparked a city-wide scandal!
This morning, onlookers still gathered at Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion to watch the unfolding drama. As the carriage passed, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure.
“Madam Xu?” Lu Yuan Ze shook his head. Impossible.
Who was General Rong? Countless noblewomen vied for his hand. Madam Xu, already a mother of three sons and a daughter, was his discarded wife. Surely she couldn’t be involved with General Rong.
She could marry anyone. But not General Rong. Even at its peak, the Xu family could barely compare to the Duke’s household. Now, Madam Xu would only be beneath his notice.