Chapter 164: Magic Defeats Magic

This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.

After the provincial exam, Lu Yan Shu became noticeably busier. His days were filled with sparring with peers and preparing for the capital exam in February.

As the year-end approached, the weather grew colder. The Fourth Prince, having absorbed some of Lu Chao Chao’s spiritual energy, gradually returned to normal life and had even begun attending the Imperial Academy. Meanwhile, the hostage prince, Xuan Ji Chuan, continued his diligent task of staying by Lu Chao Chao’s side.

“Chao Chao… Chao Chao,” whispered Rong Che, perched on the wall, calling softly for Lu Chao Chao.

“Chao Chao, could you help me place this hairpin on your mother’s bedside table?” Rong Che handed over the carefully crafted hairpin, handling it with great care.

Lu Chao Chao crossed her arms behind her back. “Uncle Rong!” she protested. “That’s my dearest mother! Do you think I would betray her?”

Nearly two years old, Lu Chao Chao’s speech had grown increasingly articulate.

Rong Che looked at her with a complicated expression. Then, he pulled a paper-wrapped bundle from his pocket. “This is a roast lamb bun I bought just for you. It’s fresh out of the oven, sizzling with flavor.”

Lu Chao Chao swallowed hard. “Th-This isn’t about food,” she said, her gaze fixated on the fragrant parcel. “I can’t betray my mother…” But the aroma was irresistible.

Rong Che produced another bundle, the scent even more enticing than before.

Lu Chao Chao inhaled deeply. It smelled divine.

“This one is roast lamb leg, juicy and tender, fresh out of the oven.”

Drool streamed from Lu Chao Chao’s lips. After clearing her throat, she reached out for both offerings.

“This is the last time,” she muttered. “I’m not betraying my mother; I’m simply giving her more choices.” She nodded decisively. “Don’t worry, Uncle Rong.” She waved him off confidently as she walked away.

Rong Che watched her leave with hopeful eyes.

The moment Lu Chao Chao stepped inside, holding the hairpin, Deng Zhi entered to report.

“Madam, news from the Zhongyong Marquis’ Manor: The Old Madam is said to be on her deathbed. She’s clinging to her last breath and wishes to see her grandchildren.” Deng Zhi relayed that Madam Pei had personally come to deliver the message.

Madam Xu frowned. “Is that true? Did they call for an imperial physician?” she asked skeptically.

Although the children had been removed from the family registry and ties had been severed, if the Old Madam was truly dying, they might need to visit her one last time. Failing to do so would bring societal scorn.

“An imperial physician was summoned, according to Madam Pei. She suggested that if the young masters couldn’t return in time, Chao Chao could go in their place,” Deng Zhi explained carefully.

Madam Xu’s brows knitted tighter. She was unwilling to let the children return to the Marquis’ Manor.

“Chao Chao? Absolutely not!” she rejected immediately. But if the Old Madam truly passed, refusing a final farewell as her grandchildren would invite endless gossip. Society was unfair like that. Being born into the Marquis’ Manor, even with ties severed, meant they could not escape this obligation.

“Even in death, she’s not at peace,” Madam Xu muttered angrily.

Hearing whispers about her grandmother’s dire state, Lu Chao Chao handed the hairpin to Yu Qin and slipped away with Yu Shu.

“Mother is too busy. Chao Chao has to help her handle this,” she said, carefully counting her silver as she made her way to a coffin shop.

“Uncle, I need to buy a coffin. My grandmother has passed away,” she announced earnestly. “I want the biggest and best one.” She handed over her silver.

Yu Shu opened her mouth to intervene, but the shopkeeper had already taken the money.

“The finest coffin costs 360 taels. Where shall we deliver it?” he asked.

“To the Zhongyong Marquis’ Manor,” Lu Chao Chao replied with reddened eyes. “My grandmother passed suddenly, and the household wasn’t prepared.”

The shopkeeper called four men to carry the hefty coffin, following behind Lu Chao Chao as she led the way.

“Little girl, where are you headed?” passersby asked along the way.

“To my grandmother’s. She’s dead,” Chao Chao replied seriously.

“Princess Sunshine, where are you going?” A court official, passing by, bowed and inquired.

“Grandmother’s gone. I’m delivering her off,” she answered in her childish voice.

The official was taken aback. “Is this true?”

“It is! Madam Pei herself brought the message,” Chao Chao affirmed. She had heard it with her own ears.

Yu Shu, standing a distance away, hadn’t heard the full story but knew Madam Pei had been at the door.

“Indeed, Madam Pei was waiting outside the Lu residence,” Yu Shu confirmed.

“How sudden,” the official murmured, alarmed. The Zhongyong Marquis, Lu Yuan Ze, was unremarkable in court, but the Old Marquis had been a founding hero of the empire. Despite disdain for Lu Yuan Ze, respect for the Old Marquis demanded that officials pay their respects.

The news quickly spread, and soon, mourners prepared to visit the Zhongyong Marquis’ Manor.

Lu Yuan Ze, just leaving the palace, was met by colleagues offering their condolences.

“Marquis Lu, our sympathies,” they said solemnly.

Lu Yuan Ze was baffled. “What?”

Seeing his confusion, one colleague explained, “The Old Madam has passed. Everyone is heading to the manor to pay their respects.”

Lu Yuan Ze’s face changed drastically. Trembling, he would have collapsed if not for his servant’s support.

“Mother… gone?” he whispered, his eyes reddening. Thanking his colleagues, he rushed back to the manor.

Meanwhile, the coffin Chao Chao had bought arrived at the manor gates, coinciding with the arrival of mourners and a tearful Lu Yuan Ze.

“Mother! You’ve never known peace in this life. How could you leave so soon?” he wailed before even stepping inside.

The gatekeeper, startled by the commotion and the crowd outside, paled.

“Marquis… Marquis, but…” he stammered, recalling the situation within the manor and shivering.

Oblivious to the gatekeeper’s alarm, Lu Yuan Ze stumbled into the courtyard, followed by mourners who bowed to Princess Sunshine before entering.

As they opened the doors to the Virtue and Kindness Hall, Lu Yuan Ze cried out, “Mother, you’ve…” His wail was abruptly cut off.

He froze in shock at the scene before him.

“Make way for the coffin,” the carriers announced, barging in with the heavy box.

“Where’s the Old Madam? She should be placed inside as soon as possible,” one carrier said, wiping his sweat.

The Old Madam trembled, unable to utter a word. Servants stood frozen, staring at the absurd tableau.

“Mother, you’re not dead?” Lu Yuan Ze’s voice rose sharply. Given the current scene, she might as well have been.

The Old Madam’s eyes flickered toward the large gathering, many holding mourning gifts. She gasped for breath, nearly expiring on the spot.

“This morning, Madam Pei came to our house, saying you had passed and that I should come,” Chao Chao explained innocently. “I used my New Year money to buy Grandmother a grand coffin.”

“Aren’t I the most filial child?” she added proudly, patting herself.

The Old Madam’s hands shook as she pointed at Chao Chao, too furious to speak.

The crowd exchanged uneasy glances upon realizing the Old Madam was alive and well.

“Madam Pei reported your death, yet you’re clearly fine!” Lu Yuan Ze exclaimed in frustration.

The Old Madam pursed her lips, her expression dark. She had feigned severe illness to lure Chao Chao over and acquire something personal to perform a lifespan-stealing ritual for the Xue family. But how could she admit to such a scheme?

“Grandmother, do you want to lie inside and see if it’s a good fit?” Chao Chao asked earnestly, pointing at the coffin.

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