Chapter 178: A Mix of Joy and Sorrow
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
Madam Xu, her face flushed with annoyance, clenched her teeth. “Did you eat the dog food again?”
Lu Chao Chao shifted her gaze around nervously, her chubby little hands tucked behind her back. “It’s our doggie’s food. How could it be stealing?” she squeaked.
A long, tense moment passed as Madam Xu stared at her, wordless. [So frustrating!]
“Can I still have my chicken leg?” Chao Chao’s voice was tiny, laced with hope.
Madam Xu’s frustration deepened. If she had known how much the little one would eat, she wouldn’t have promised her the chicken leg in the first place!
[If Mom doesn’t give it to me, I’ll ask Uncle Rong!] Chao Chao planned resolutely.
Exhaling deeply, Madam Xu commanded, “Take her to the courtyard to burn off some of that energy. Give her the smallest chicken leg.”
[When I grow up, I’m gonna have chickens all over the world!] Chao Chao thought, her expression one of profound injustice, as she trudged away.
At bedtime, Lu Chao Chao finally received her chicken leg. “Here, Chase, you can have the bones,” she told the dog, patting his head. “I’m nice to you, right? Next time, you gotta share your meat with me.”
Chasing Wind rolled his eyes.
After Chao Chao fell asleep, Deng Zhi slipped Chase some extra food. “Being her pet is tough, huh?” she sympathized.
The life of a pet whose food was pilfered by its owner was indeed a challenging one.
The next morning, the loud sounds of knocking and hammering jolted Lu Chao Chao awake. Her hair a messy tangle, she rubbed her sleepy eyes. “What’s all that noise outside?” she inquired.
“The Marquis’s residence is abuzz with wedding preparations. Oh, but it’s not called the Marquis’s residence anymore,” Yuhua explained with a smirk. “The hereditary title of the Marquis of Zhongyong was revoked. The old lady used your birthday to borrow luck, which infuriated His Majesty, leading him to strip the title. She was so upset, she fainted from crying yesterday.”
“Gu Ling is in jail, and Lu Wan Yi’s body was returned to her family, still lying in their house. And today, Jiang Yun Jin and Lu Jing Huai are tying the knot. What terrible timing.”
“Should we hang red silk or white banners for this?” Yuqin pondered.
“Who knows,” Yuhua shrugged.
“Hurry, let’s get ready. I wanna see everything!” Chao Chao exclaimed, eager not to miss any of the unfolding drama.
After a quick breakfast, Chao Chao grabbed Chase’s leash and announced, “Let’s go for a walk,” her face bright with a grin.
Somehow, the leash slipped off, and Chasing Wind ended up carrying it in his mouth, fearful of losing sight of his owner.
The hammering grew louder, and red paper scraps littered the air. The wedding procession made its way around the city, drawing a crowd. As Lu Jing Huai rode at the front, he looked distinctly uncomfortable, sweat beading on his brow despite his heavy makeup.
“Look at the groom, sitting like there’s needles in his pants,” a bystander joked.
He appeared to be in genuine discomfort, squirming atop his horse. Inside the bridal sedan, Jiang Yun Jin felt her anxiety mount.
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
Relations between the Jiang family and the Marquis Zhongyong’s house had soured significantly. The Jiangs had lost a substantial bet because of Lu Jing Huai. Moreover, since Lu Yan Shu had become the top scholar, the Jiang family regretted their decisions.
Suddenly, a gentle breeze teased the curtain of the sedan, revealing a glimpse of a man as tall as bamboo outside. His face was smooth, his demeanor serene, and he was surrounded by a crowd, yet he answered questions with a humble smile.
Jiang Yun Jin was captivated by what she saw.
“Isn’t that the Jiang family’s girl? Your former fiancée?” a companion asked Lu Yan Shu, who was clad in white and looked exemplary today.
“Leaving you for Lu Jing Huai, who’s just an illegitimate son, after you saved her life. Heartless, truly,” another commented.
“It’s poetic justice. She chose him for his supposed talents, but you topped the scholar’s list.”
“Lu Jing Huai fought to oust you from the Marquis’s house, and now look—no more title. It’s karma,” they chuckled, satisfied.
Lu Yan Shu remained calm. “Maybe it was true love.”
“If it’s true love, they deserve to be together,” his friend remarked, a twinkle of resolve in his eyes.
“Once you clinch the top honors, I bet both Master Lu and Miss Jiang will rue their choices,” they agreed, exchanging knowing glances.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yun Jin was filled with unease. As their eyes met, she instinctively looked away, unable to hold his gaze.
She remembered.
In her childhood, Lu Yan Shu was always the exemplary one, mature beyond his years. Her father had always praised him. He had once whispered to her, “Since we’re engaged, I’ll always treat you well. Don’t be scared.”
His sincerity was palpable. The boy had saved her life and suffered a decade in a wheelchair, which filled her with guilt. Now, standing tall and more brilliant than ever, having secured the top scholar title and possibly future honors, he was a figure of admiration.
Regret washed over Jiang Yun Jin.
“Lower the sedan,” called the cheerful woman, bringing the procession to a halt.
Jiang Yun Jin waited, but Lu Jing Huai did not come to lift the curtain.
“Why isn’t the groom dismounting?” her maid fretted.
Lu Jing Huai, pale and breathless, seemed in agony.
“Please, groom, dismount,” the cheerful woman urged.
After three calls, he finally moved, his face contorted with pain as he dismounted. Noticing red stains on the horse’s back, his servant whispered urgently, “Master, you’re bleeding.”
Flustered, Lu Jing Huai glanced down at his red wedding robe and breathed a sigh of relief. “Take the horse away, make sure no one notices,” he instructed quietly.
He gently lifted the curtain and assisted Jiang Yun Jin out.
“Step over the fire basin,” the cheerful woman instructed, smiling. “Crossing the fire brings wealth and children.”
Blessings were chanting around her as Jiang Yun Jin stepped over the fire basin. The Marquis’s household forced smiles while maids scattered candies at the door.
Hand in hand, she and Lu Jing Huai walked towards the house.
Suddenly, her maid gasped, her face draining of color. “What’s wrong?” Jiang Yun Jin’s heart raced.
“I just saw… they’ve placed Lu Wan Yi’s coffin in the next room.”
“A dead sister-in-law’s body here on your wedding day!”
“What was the groom thinking? Keeping a corpse here today.” The maid had glimpsed the coffin when a door was briefly opened, her expression turning pale with shock.
A wedding in one room, a body in the next—it was utterly surreal.
Jiang Yun Jin’s heart sank. [Did I make a mistake leaving Lu Yan Shu for Lu Jing Huai?]