Chapter 175: The Death of Lu Wan Yi
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
“Chao Chao and Lu Jing Yao were born on the same day?” the old lady suddenly asked.
Madam Xu paused. “Yes.”
“Chao Chao greeted the world with her first cry with the morning sun, while Lu Jing Yao arrived in the afternoon. The same year, month, and day, yet their destinies seem so divided,” Madam Xu remarked with a hint of irony.
“The old lady of Marquis Zhongyong’s household often speaks of Lu Jing Yao’s destined greatness. But if Chao Chao shares her birthday, shouldn’t she also have a noble fate?” the old lady inquired earnestly.
Madam Xu’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.
“Ever since Chao Chao’s birth, your fortunes have soared,” the old lady continued.
“You finally saw Lu Yuan Ze’s true colors and divorced him, taking your three sons and daughter with you. Yan Shu, once paralyzed, regained his strength and excelled in the provincial examinations.”
“Yuan Xiao transformed from a wayward youth into a diligent student.”
“Zheng Yue left Su Zhi Qing behind, finding new clarity and motivation in his life.”
“And Chao Chao? She was honored as Princess Sunshine by the king—a title unique to North Zhao. She even oversees the upbringing of the hostage prince and the fourth prince.”
“Who, then, truly possesses the noble destiny?” The old lady’s conviction in her theory grew stronger.
“Think about it—Madam Pei was pregnant alongside you. She was with you at that time, right? Could she have made a mistake then?” the old lady speculated.
Madam Xu looked as if struck by lightning, absorbing the implications.
“That… does make a lot of sense,” Madam Xu murmured, though she kept to herself their ability to hear Chao Chao’s thoughts and her extraordinary capabilities.
The old lady beamed triumphantly.
“So, the Marquis Zhongyong’s household thought to outmaneuver us but ended up with nothing. The true noble isn’t even in their family records.”
She clapped her hands, chuckling heartily.
Madam Xu joined in the laughter, imagining Lu Yuan Ze’s fury when he discovered the truth.
The children he valued were not his, and the noble fate he coveted belonged to someone else!
She looked forward to the day he would face this reality.
Lunchtime
“Chao Chao, you had a tummy ache last night, so no meat for you today. Try some vegetables,” Madam Xu suggested, cradling Chao Chao gently.
Sitting at a table laden with delicious dishes, Lu Chao Chao wiped her mouth, her eyes filled with longing.
[This probably tastes awful,] she thought, eyeing the dishes warily.
[Yucky…]
[But it looks so good…]
[Maybe just a little bite?]
[Actually, I eat this all the time…]
[Waaaah, I’m so good at pretending—can I please have a bit?]
Tears of frustration welled up in her eyes.
“Look at the poor child, she’s drooling with hunger!” the old lady exclaimed, handing her a piece of honey-glazed quail.
Lu Chao Chao swallowed eagerly. “Tank yoo, Gwama.”
“May Grandma live long and be happy.”
Madam Xu was taken aback. Her daughter had picked up such phrases just to get more food?
Chao Chao savored the quail, her little hands gently rubbing her rounded belly, now snug in her clothes.
After lunch, Lu Chao Chao settled down for a short nap.
Madam Xu spent the afternoon exchanging parenting tips with Madam Cen, enjoying their time together.
The Incident
As the evening approached and Madam Xu was about to enter her carriage, Deng Zhi hurried over with urgent news.
“Madam, something terrible has happened to Lu Wan Yi!”
“Lu Wan Yi was found at the gate of Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion, covered in injuries, barely clinging to life.”
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
The old lady burst into tears and caused a commotion.
Madam Xu’s brow furrowed. “Let’s go see.”
Her emotions were complex and hard to articulate.
Lu Wan Yi, whom she had raised like a daughter, had betrayed her trust.
She had known about Lu Yuan Ze’s infidelities early on.
She had even overseen Madam Pei’s childbirth herself.
She had once mocked her own naivety, yet relished the attention she received.
When Chao Chao was born and a servant attempted to drown her, it was all orchestrated by Lu Wan Yi.
Madam Xu now wanted nothing more than to see Lu Wan Yi face the consequences of her deceit.
At Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion
Arriving at the mansion, their carriage was blocked by a crowd.
Lu Wan Yi lay on the ground, her clothes drenched in blood, her face aged and haunted, scars visible on her wrists.
The old lady held her, wailing, “Wan Yi, stay with us!”
“The doctor is coming, my dear Wan Yi. That monster Gu Ling, how could he torture my daughter so!”
Tears streamed down the old lady’s face as she lifted her collar, revealing both new and old scars.
“Where is the doctor?”
“Pei Jiao Jiao, find a doctor!” she screamed in despair.
Lu Wan Yi’s body was covered in wounds, rendered immobile.
This year had brought many challenges, and the old lady had forgotten her daughter hadn’t been home for a long time.
“You chose that scholar’s hand. How could he treat you this way?” she suddenly remembered Madam Xu’s earlier objections.
A wave of regret washed over her.
When the doctor finally arrived, Lu Wan Yi’s face was swollen beyond recognition.
After a quick examination, he shook his head somberly. “Her injuries are grave, with old wounds compounding the damage. Her internal organs are severely affected, and there’s no cure. She barely made it back here, but her vital signs are failing.”
As he spoke, Lu Wan Yi coughed up blood violently.
Blood streamed from her mouth, horrifying everyone present. “Quick, fetch the Marquis!” the old lady shrieked.
Her wails were agonizing.
Lu Wan Yi struggled to speak, “I… I… was wrong.”
“Sis… sister-in-law, I… I… realize… my… mistake… please, save me.”
Her tearful eyes sought Madam Xu, filled with regret.
She recalled her childhood—when others mocked her mother, she would hide away, too ashamed to face the world or call the old lady ‘mother.’
Only Madam Xu had stayed by her side, coaxing her gently, offering her comfort and a maternal affection she’d longed for.
“Why was I so blind?”
Why did she conspire with Madam Pei against Madam Xu? Why did she assist in her schemes, even against her newborn daughter?
Lu Wan Yi’s eyes slowly closed, her hands falling limp in the old lady’s grasp.
The old lady cried uncontrollably. By the time Lu Yuan Ze arrived, Lu Wan Yi had passed away.
Struck to the core, Lu Yuan Ze declared coldly, “I’m going to the palace immediately! Gu Ling must answer for this!”
The crowd murmured in shock.
No one had expected the dignified daughter of a Marquis to be tormented and beaten to death.
Nor had they imagined the gentle Gu Ling capable of such cruelty.
Madam Xu lowered the carriage curtain, her heart cold.
Did she feel pity for Lu Wan Yi?
No.
If not for their secret ability to hear Chao Chao’s thoughts, she and her children might have faced a fate even grimmer than Lu Wan Yi’s.
Lu Yuan Ze, your retribution has arrived, albeit belatedly!