Chapter 174: Sincerity is the Ultimate Weapon
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
“Why is Chao Chao’s face so red?” Third Uncle asked in surprise as the carriage halted in front of the Xu family residence.
Lu Chao Chao puffed out her chest proudly. “It’s the mark of victory!”
Third Uncle looked puzzled, but Rong Che had already helped Chao Chao down from the carriage before he could inquire further.
“Thank you, General Rong, for escorting my sister. Would you care to come in for a bit?” he asked.
Rong Che nodded silently.
“Then, please, come inside.” He ushered everyone into the house. It was the end of the year, and the Xu family home buzzed with festive excitement.
Rong Che, the Protectorate General, was known for his integrity and rectitude. As the queen’s brother and a prominent figure, his presence at the Xu family was quite unexpected.
“General Rong…” The Xu family members were all taken aback upon seeing him step into the main hall.
Rong Che glanced at Madam Xu nervously, then wished everyone New Year blessings.
“General Rong just happened to be nearby, so he brought Chao Chao and me over,” Madam Xu explained with a smile.
Grandmother Xu beckoned Chao Chao over. “Oh, our little potato is back! Come, let Grandmother hold you…” She embraced the soft, fragrant Lu Chao Chao tightly.
“Gamma, Chao Chao missed you so much, couldn’t eat…” Lu Chao Chao clung to her grandmother’s neck, her voice sweet and soft.
Madam Xu’s eyelids twitched. [Couldn’t eat? Are you serious? You just snuck some leftover dinner last night and ate until you were sick!]
Madam Xu had already decided to watch Chao Chao’s diet once they returned home to prevent any stomach issues.
Grandmother Xu’s heart ached. “My dear, if you miss home, just come back. The Xu family is your home. It’s your mother who insists on living outside,” she said, glaring at Madam Xu.
Madam Xu smiled tightly.
Old Master Xu, upon hearing that General Rong was visiting, invited him to the study for tea.
Rong Che glanced nervously at Madam Xu. “Shi Yun, may I?”
Madam Xu glared playfully. “If you want to go, just go. Why ask me? Your legs belong to you…” She teased him with a smile, but her eyes sparkled with amusement. [What’s with General Rong today? He’s usually so aloof, but now he seems so timid.]
Once Rong Che had left, Grandmother Xu asked softly, “What’s going on between you and General Rong?”
“We’re just friends,” Madam Xu replied, masking the truth since their relationship wasn’t public yet.
“He wants to be my daddy!” Chao Chao blurted out suddenly.
“Pfft…” This statement caught everyone off guard and challenged Madam Xu’s previous statement.
Madam Xu’s face reddened, and she quickly corrected, “Mother, Chao Chao is just talking nonsense. I have no plans to remarry…”
Chao Chao continued innocently, “He said he wants to join our family registry.”
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
Grandmother Xu’s eyes widened. [The Protectorate General only has one son!!]
Madam Xu was flustered, and she shot a look at her daughter. “When did you two get so close?”
Chao Chao clammed up, not saying another word. [He said he’s not here to break up this family. He’s here to join it… He said if he becomes my daddy, he’ll take me to eat all over the world… Hehe… If Mom won’t give me meat, he’ll sneak it to me. If Mom scolds me, he’ll protect me. When I go to school, he can help me with my homework…] Chao Chao’s eyes twinkled with mischief.
Madam Xu’s eyelids twitched again.
Grandmother Xu patted Madam Xu’s hand. “You’re still young. You were deceived by Lu Yuan Ze, and I’m truly sorry for you. You never suffered in your maiden home, but you’ve endured so much at your husband’s home. You’ve taken the children and lived separately, refusing to give them up. If General Rong is willing to join the family; it could be perfect. The Rong family has a stellar reputation, and Madam Rong is kind-hearted. But…” Grandmother Xu hesitated, “General Rong is in his thirties and still unmarried. Could there be a hidden ailment?” Her expression showed concern.
Lu Chao Chao slowly produced a piece of paper from her pocket. “This is from Uncle Rong.”
Grandmother Xu took the document, her expression turning to shock. “A… a health check?” And it was a full-body examination!
Grandmother Xu had seen many surprises in her life, but this was unexpected.
“There are three royal physician signatures on it,” Aunt Cen, the third uncle’s wife, peeked at the document and chuckled.
“Such sincerity. Little sister, this one is a better match than Lu Yuan Ze! And he’s willing to join the family…”
Madam Xu was stunned. “He even shared his health report?”
Chao Chao yawned and nodded.
Grandmother Xu couldn’t help but smile, and Madam Xu’s cheeks flushed.
“Let’s not rush things. We’ll observe for a bit longer,” Grandmother Xu suggested, her smile indicating her approval of the potential match. Laughter and teasing ensued, but seeing Madam Xu’s bashful expression, it eventually ceased.
Grandmother Xu felt more comfortable about Madam Xu’s future. She glanced at Aunt Cen and gently nudged Chao Chao towards her. “Cen, why don’t you hold Chao Chao? They say that when the long princess and Madam Qin held Chao Chao, they both became pregnant.”
Grandmother Xu was genuinely concerned for Aunt Cen and her husband. Years ago, Miss Cen had fallen for the third uncle at first sight. Their relationship had been rocky for over a decade, and the third uncle had treated her coldly. However, in the past two years, the third uncle had suddenly become very affectionate towards Aunt Cen, almost inseparable.
[In a past life, Aunt Cen died alongside Third Uncle. He can’t let her down again.] Madam Xu smiled, reflecting on the third uncle’s changed demeanor, undoubtedly influenced by hearing Chao Chao’s thoughts.
“I can’t hold her,” Chao Chao said, shaking her head seriously. “Pregnant women shouldn’t hold Chao Chao…”
“What did you say?” Aunt Cen asked in surprise.
Grandmother Xu straightened up.
“Aunt Cen is pregnant, and there’s a baby in her tummy…” Chao Chao clapped her hands.
Aunt Cen burst into tears of joy, and Grandmother Xu immediately summoned the family doctor.
Everyone waited anxiously as the doctor examined Aunt Cen and inquired about her monthly cycle.
“I fell into the water as a child, so my cycle is irregular. It is indeed three or four days late this month,” Aunt Cen explained.
The doctor stood and congratulated her, “Congratulations, madam, you are over a month pregnant. Your body is a bit cold; I’ll prescribe some medicine to stabilize the pregnancy.”
Aunt Cen was overwhelmed with joy and tears.
When Xu San Ye heard the news, he hurried over, just in time to hear it.
“Wife…”
“Husband…”
The two embraced, Aunt Cen’s eyes brimming with tears. She had adored Xu San Ye since her youth and had waited for him for many years. Recently, Xu San Ye had become noticeably more attentive to her.
“Be careful, sit down, don’t move too much. I’ve wronged you all these years. I wasn’t a good husband. From now on, I’ll make it up to you for the rest of our lives. Don’t cry…” Xu San Ye, his face flushed with emotion, declared his feelings.
Grandmother Xu was overjoyed. Chao Chao was truly a lucky charm for the family.
Since Chao Chao’s arrival, the Xu family had witnessed numerous joyous occasions. The Marquis Zhongyong’s household had gravely misjudged things. They treasured Lu Jing Yao like a gem and dismissed Chao Chao like a weed.
Even the abbot at the National Temple had foolishly claimed that Lu Jing Yao’s destiny was unparalleled.
Grandmother Xu suddenly paused. [Could the Marquis Zhongyong’s family have misunderstood the prophecy?]