Chapter 174: Sincerity Is the Ultimate Weapon
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
“Why is Chao Chao’s face so red?”
As the carriage stopped at the Xu Manor, Third Uncle Xu looked at Lu Chao Chao with astonishment.
Lu Chao Chao puffed out her chest and replied proudly, “It’s the mark of victory!”
Third Uncle Xu stared at her, baffled.
Third Master Xu helped her down from the carriage and personally expressed his gratitude to Rong Che. “Thank you, General Rong, for escorting my little sister back home. Why don’t you come in and rest for a while?”
Rong Che gave a silent nod. “Very well.”
[Third Master Xu?]
Rong Che’s ears flushed red as he added awkwardly, “Then I shall impose on you.”
Third Master Xu quickly welcomed everyone inside. With the New Year approaching, the Xu family’s residence was bustling with joy and festivity.
Rong Che, the Stabilizing General, was known for his upright and incorruptible nature. As the Empress’s younger brother and a man of great authority, he rarely interacted with his colleagues socially. For him to step into the Xu Manor left Third Master Xu genuinely surprised.
“General Rong…”
When the Xu family members in the main hall saw Rong Che, they froze in shock.
Rong Che discreetly glanced at Shi Yun, trying to appear composed as he extended New Year’s greetings to the family.
“General Rong happened to be passing by, so he kindly escorted me and Chao Chao home,” Shi Yun explained with a smile.
The Old Madam waved at Chao Chao. “Ah, my little sweet potato has returned! Come, let your grandmother hold you…” She scooped up the soft and fragrant Lu Chao Chao, reluctant to let her go.
“Grandmother, Chao Chao missed you so much I couldn’t even eat…” Lu Chao Chao said sweetly, hugging her grandmother’s neck.
Shi Yun’s eyelid twitched. [Couldn’t eat? Are you serious?]
[Just last night, you snuck into Windchaser’s food and ate so much you threw up from being stuffed!]
Shi Yun had already resolved to restrict Chao Chao’s diet once they returned, to avoid upsetting her delicate stomach.
The Old Madam’s heart ached. “Oh, my precious darling! If you miss home, just come back. The Xu Manor is your home too—your mother insists on staying outside.” She shot Shi Yun a glare.
Shi Yun pursed her lips, trying to suppress a smile.
Hearing that General Rong had come to visit, the Old Master invited him to the study for tea.
Rong Che hesitated and glanced at Shi Yun nervously. “Shi Yun, may I…may I go?”
Shi Yun glared at him. “Go if you want! Why ask me? Your legs are your own…” Though she scolded him with a smile, her eyes sparkled with amusement.
[What’s this?]
Normally, General Rong, who dominated court debates, was behaving timidly?
[This is off…way off!]
Even stranger was the fact that the usually stoic Rong Che, who kept everyone at arm’s length, now looked…flattering?
After Rong Che left, the Old Madam turned her gaze to Shi Yun. “You and General Rong?”
“We’re just ordinary friends,” Shi Yun replied quickly, not wanting to reveal the truth prematurely.
Lu Chao Chao tilted her head. “He wants to be my daddy!”
“Pfft—”
The declaration pierced through Shi Yun’s pretense like a sharp needle. Everyone was stunned.
Shi Yun’s face turned crimson as she hastily waved her hands. “Mother, Mother, don’t listen to Chao Chao’s nonsense! I’ve never thought about remarrying…”
Lu Chao Chao muttered slowly, “But he said he’s coming to propose.”
The Old Madam’s eyes widened.
The Stabilizing Duke had only one son!
Shi Yun was startled. “When did you two become so close?”
Chao Chao pressed her lips shut, refusing to say another word.
[He said he wasn’t here to break this family apart—he wants to join it.]
[He said if he became my daddy, he’d take me to eat all the delicious foods in the world…hehe.]
[If Mommy won’t give me meat, he’ll sneak me some.]
[If Mommy scolds me, he’ll defend me. And when I go to school, he can do my homework…]
Shi Yun’s temples throbbed.
The Old Madam patted Shi Yun’s hand. “You’re still young, and Lu Yuan Ze deceived you terribly. As your mother, my heart aches for the hardships you’ve endured.”
“At home, you were cherished and protected, but in your marriage, you suffered every injustice.”
“Now you’re raising your children alone, unwilling to part with them. If General Rong is willing to marry into our family, why not?”
“Besides, the Rong family has an honorable reputation. Even the Old Madam Rong is said to be gentle and kind. However…”
“General Rong is already in his thirties and has never married. Could there be…some hidden ailment?” The Old Madam’s brows furrowed in concern.
Lu Chao Chao reached into her pocket and pulled out a piece of paper.
“This is from Uncle Rong,” she said.
The Old Madam took it, and even with all her years of experience, she froze in stunned silence.
“A…a medical report?” It was a full-body examination!
Even the seasoned Old Madam Xu was left speechless.
“It has signatures from three imperial physicians,” Third Aunt Cen added with a grin after sneaking a peek. “Such sincerity! Little Sister, this is leagues better than Lu Yuan Ze! And he’s willing to marry into the family…”
Shi Yun stared in disbelief. “He gave you a medical report?”
Lu Chao Chao yawned and nodded.
The Old Madam laughed heartily, while Shi Yun’s face burned red with embarrassment.
“No rush. Let’s observe him more first,” the Old Madam said with a smile. She was thoroughly pleased with the Stabilizing Duke’s Manor.
The teasing finally subsided, but the family’s mood remained light and jubilant.
The Old Madam glanced at Madam Cen, nudging Lu Chao Chao towards her.
“Madam Cen, hold Chao Chao for a moment. When Chao Chao was born, I heard that both the Eldest Princess and Madam Qin got pregnant after holding her.”
The Old Madam had always been troubled by the third couple’s situation.
Years ago, Madam Cen had fallen for Third Master Xu at first sight, enduring years of his indifference. Only in the past two years had Third Master Xu suddenly begun treating her with great care and affection, even becoming overly clingy.
[In the previous life, Third Aunt died with Third Uncle. This time, he must not fail her.]
Shi Yun smiled faintly, recalling the changes in Third Master Xu’s behavior. He must have overheard Chao Chao’s thoughts and been moved.
“No, no!” Lu Chao Chao waved her hands furiously. “Pregnant women can’t hold me!” she declared solemnly.
“What did you say?” Madam Cen asked, her voice trembling with joy.
The Old Madam sat up straight.
“Third Aunt is having a baby!” Lu Chao Chao clapped her hands.
Madam Cen burst into tears of happiness, and the Old Madam immediately summoned the family physician.
After a tense wait, the physician confirmed the joyous news. Madam Cen was one month pregnant.
Third Master Xu rushed in, arriving just in time to hear the announcement.
“Third Brother!”
“My wife!”
The couple embraced tearfully. Madam Cen’s eyes were red as she recalled her years of waiting for this moment.
“Be careful. Sit down and don’t move around too much,” Third Master Xu said, his tone full of tenderness as he helped her to a seat. “I’ve wronged you all these years. I’ll make it up to you for the rest of my life. Don’t cry anymore…”
The Old Madam’s joy knew no bounds.
Chao Chao was truly their little lucky star!
From the moment she joined the Xu family, she had brought nothing but blessings.
The Marquis Zhongyong Manor must have been blind to treasure Lu Jing Yao and treat Chao Chao like nothing.
Even that foolish abbot from the National Temple insisted that Lu Jing Yao was destined for greatness.
The Old Madam froze, her smile fading as a sudden thought struck her.
Could the Marquis Zhongyong Manor have misunderstood something entirely?