Chapter 163: Borrowing Lu Chao Chao’s Life
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
The Xu clan was wealthy, foolish, and generous.
Over the years, the Old Madam managed to save over fifty thousand silver taels. However, when Madam Pei ventured out one day, she was publicly confronted by Madam Xu. To replenish her dowry, the Marquis’s Manor repaid thirty thousand in one go.
The remaining twenty thousand were spent when Madam Xu, after her divorce, left the household in shambles. She used them to renovate the manor.
Even so, the mansion still exuded an undeniable…
Well, a pauper’s aura.
After all, Madam Xu once spent twenty thousand taels on a single screen. Yet now, the entirety of the Marquis’s estate had only cost two thousand to restore. Truly, it was bare bones.
In terms of earning ability, Madam Xu was a rare talent. If she were a man, she might have rivaled imperial merchants. Yet, she never cared for such status.
The Old Madam, accustomed to extravagance, now found herself falling from abundance into austerity. In her glory days, abalone and bird’s nest were overflowing. Now… she could only afford vermicelli.
“Mother, I fear three hundred taels may not be enough…” Madam Pei pinched the silver note in her hand, glancing at the Old Madam.
The Old Madam flared with anger. “I must’ve owed you in my past life!”
Her remaining six thousand taels were her funeral savings! After living a luxurious life under Madam Xu for eighteen years, she had never endured such destitution.
In the year since Madam Pei had entered the household, she repeatedly cut the estate’s living expenses. The maids grumbled endlessly, and she too was suffering.
Madam Xu had always emphasized fine living. Seasonal wardrobes were tailored by shopkeepers who personally took her measurements. Her jewelry purchases were as extravagant as her lifestyle.
And Madam Pei? Not worth mentioning.
“Add another two hundred!” the Old Madam snapped furiously.
Madam Pei accepted the five hundred tael note. Seeing the disdain in the Old Madam’s eyes, she lightly bit her lip.
“Mother, the family has truly been facing misfortune lately. Jiao Jiao wishes to offer prayers…”
“Since the Marquis divorced Madam Xu, he was demoted by His Majesty.”
“Jing Huai failed his provincial exam, was assigned a terrible spot, then fell gravely ill. The title of provincial champion slipped to Lu Yan Shu.”
“These incidents—one after another—don’t you think something’s amiss?” Madam Pei spoke softly, her reasoning impeccable, gradually calming the Old Madam’s rage.
The Old Madam’s expression shifted.
Suddenly, Lu Jing Yao murmured, “It seems all the family’s fortune has been transferred to Lu Chao Chao.”
“She collected national debt, became Princess Sunshine…”
“And we’re growing increasingly unlucky.” Lu Jing Yao’s muttered words caught the Old Madam’s attention.
The Old Madam’s eyes darkened.
Madam Pei observed the Old Madam closely, then noticed her daughter shaking her head gently. Taking the cue, Madam Pei stayed silent.
“I’ve heard some people can absorb others’ fortune…” Lu Jing Yao suggested cautiously.
“No wonder this year has been so cursed!”
“That wretched girl should’ve been drowned at birth!” the Old Madam hissed, a flash of malice in her eyes.
“She’s protected by Madam Xu now. What can we do?” The Old Madam’s regret was palpable.
“Grandmother, I heard that one’s birth characters can be used to borrow a life. If we could lend hers away…” Lu Jing Yao said nonchalantly.
The Old Madam’s brows twitched.
She kept the matter in mind but said no more.
After the Old Madam left, Madam Pei hugged her daughter tightly, full of sorrow.
In their chamber, the faint aroma of incense couldn’t mask the underlying stench.
“Mother, Jing Yao is so unwilling!”
“My poor girl. Don’t worry. Mother will avenge you. As for her wretched life, let’s see how long it lasts!” Madam Pei clenched the five hundred tael note.
“Mother, visit Vermilion Bird Street.”
Madam Pei froze. “Vermilion Bird Street? That’s where the remnants of the previous dynasty reside.”
Even the Xue royal clan, deposed by the late emperor, resided there.
The previous emperor had spared the royal family to display magnanimity. This act had won the loyalty of many former officials, who continued to serve the Northern Zhao court.
But the current emperor maintained a close watch over Vermilion Bird Street. After all, no one could predict how many officials still harbored allegiance to the past.
“The Xue clan still dreams of restoring their dynasty.”
“But their last royal descendant is on the brink of death…”
Madam Pei’s eyes gleamed.
Lu Chao Chao, as Princess Sunshine, was deeply trusted by the Emperor.
The Xue clan must loathe her to the core.
If they could borrow Lu Chao Chao’s life to extend the Xue bloodline, the Xue clan would undoubtedly act without restraint!
At dawn, Madam Pei secretly sent her paramour out of the city.
Ten miles outside the gates, she instructed him, “Shave your head and become a monk. In three days, I’ll bring you back to the manor as a revered monk.”
The man left in high spirits.
Madam Pei returned to the city and lingered near Vermilion Bird Street. She avoided direct contact with the Xue clan, unwilling to risk her life.
Instead, she subtly spread rumors about Princess Sunshine’s robust fortune and fate. These hints sparked the Xue clan’s interest.
“Under no circumstances should Lu Chao Chao’s birth characters be lost. If someone uses them to borrow fortune or life, it will bring disaster,” Madam Pei warned her maid.
The maid carefully stored the birth details in a pouch.
After wandering the city for a while, the pair finally returned to the manor.
The moment they entered the gates, Madam Pei asked, “Do you still have the paper with her birth characters?”
The maid checked the pouch, finding it empty.
Madam Pei grinned, rewarded the maid with a small silver piece, and left her beaming with gratitude.
Meanwhile, the Emperor was fretting over the Xue clan.
“A sacrificial rite? What right does the Xue clan have to request this?”
“If not for the late emperor’s leniency, their graves would’ve been desecrated!” Emperor Xuan Ping angrily discarded a memorial.
“They’ve been allowed to live as proof of imperial grace. Now, this mess falls to me!”
“The court officials pledge loyalty outwardly but watch the Xue clan secretly. It’s inconvenient to act openly!” His Majesty’s fury simmered.
The Crown Prince reviewed the memorials. “Many officials support the Xue clan’s request for a sacrificial rite?”
“Their last royal descendant is dying. They likely want to perform the rite to preserve the bloodline,” Emperor Xuan Ping said coldly, rage flashing in his eyes.
“If severing the Xue bloodline ensures stability, it must be done,” the Emperor said, drumming his fingers on the table.
“Father, news just arrived from the spies. The Xue clan intends to borrow a life… to save Xue Huang.”
Yes, Xue Huang, homophonous with “Xue Emperor.”
Their ambitions were as clear as day.
“Borrowing a life?” The Emperor was momentarily taken aback.
“They seek someone with extraordinary fortune and blessings, claiming success could even restore their dynasty,” the chief eunuch reported fearfully.
“Whose life do they dare to borrow?!” The Emperor’s laughter was filled with fury.
“Princess Sunshine.”
The Emperor’s smile froze.
“Who?! Whose life?!”
They wanted to borrow his chosen daughter’s life?
The Crown Prince burst into laughter.
“This is perfect! Father, you’ve truly hugged a thick golden thigh.”
“Your worries are as good as gone!”
Lu Chao Chao’s life wasn’t one mere mortals could touch!