Chapter 186: Midnight Fright
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
Madam Xu was restless, pacing the floor of her elegant room.
“Unite the beggar clan? But she’s just a toddler!” exclaimed Madam Xu, her voice filled with incredulity.
“Yes, but even at two, she persuaded Grand Duke He Shu to organize a banquet for the beggars at his estate,” Deng Zhi murmured softly.
“When has a beggar ever dined as an honored guest in a royalty’s estate throughout North Zhao?”
“The local thugs seem quite taken with her,” Deng Zhi noted.
“The shadow guards have reported that if we don’t bring her back soon, she might just unite all the beggars under her command,” she added, her voice tinged with anxiety.
Madam Xu felt a ripple of unease. [It’s only been two days. How could things have escalated this quickly?]
As she pondered this, there was a sudden announcement from the front yard.
“Grand Duke He Shu has arrived.”
Madam Xu was well-acquainted with Grand Duke He Shu. Only a few years older than the king, he had always been a bit of a rogue, spoiled by the previous king. Even King Xuan Ping tread carefully around this troublesome royal uncle.
As a divorced woman, Madam Xu was always careful to avoid scandal, especially in interactions with men.
And now, the infamous little royal uncle was here.
Despite her family’s once lofty status, the little royal uncle had never shown any favor to the Xu family.
The hall was tense with anticipation as the usually haughty noble entered, his eyes unusually red.
Madam Xu, initially on edge, braced herself for a difficult encounter.
Surprisingly, he was remarkably subdued.
“Madam Xu…” He even nodded in greeting—a stark contrast to his usual demeanor.
The man who typically kept his distance from King Xuan Ping was now forcing a smile, extending an unexpected kindness towards Madam Xu.
[Even my father never treated me this kindly!] thought Madam Xu, taken aback.
“Madam Xu, I understand Princess Sunshine has been estranged from her family for two days?” Grand Duke He Shu inquired, his tone polite and uncharacteristically gentle.
“Chao Chao is young and naïve. She’s merely playing a trick on her family,” Madam Xu replied, steering the conversation away from family issues.
Grand Duke He Shu cleared his throat subtly.
“There’s a matter we need to discuss.”
“By seniority, the princess is my junior. We’re all family here,” he claimed, his sudden declaration of kinship leaving Madam Xu puzzled.
“The capital is in disarray. Princess Sunshine is clever and capable. If she falls in with the wrong crowd, she could be led astray.”
“I’m not implying the princess is wayward,” he quickly added, his survival instincts on display.
“She’s impressionable. The company she keeps now will shape her future…” His words were earnest and considered.
Madam Xu’s impression of the prince improved significantly.
[Who would have thought Grand Duke He Shu was such a considerate person?]
“You mustn’t let her roam freely,” he implored. [Please, bring her home. I can’t handle this anymore!]
Madam Xu paused before responding, “Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I will take the matter of Chao Chao seriously.” It seemed that Chao Chao’s dealings with the beggars had indeed unsettled the prince.
Grand Duke He Shu pressed his lips together. As a man, his prolonged presence in Madam Xu’s home was inappropriate. He departed with reluctance.
No sooner had Grand Duke He Shu left than the crown prince arrived, his forehead slick with sweat.
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
“Please, Madam Xu, bring Chao Chao home. I can’t bear it any longer,” he pleaded bluntly.
He and Madam Xu were close enough to forgo formalities.
The crown prince sighed deeply, clearly exhausted.
“Chao Chao told the beggars they’re so successful that they even invited me to join them.”
“Every day after court, little beggars await me at the palace gates.”
“Can you imagine how that feels? A crown prince, surrounded by beggars at his own gate?”
“I think she’s found her calling and might not want to come back…”
“Tomorrow, they’re inaugurating her as the leader of the beggar clan,” he groaned, his hand to his forehead. [She’s practically the unofficial queen of the capital’s beggars now.]
Fierce Bun’s reputation was quickly outshining that of Princess Sunshine!
Madam Xu’s cheek twitched involuntarily. [Is she recruiting friends and family now?]
Unable to remain idle any longer, Madam Xu commanded, “Deng Zhi, prepare the carriage,” and rushed out into the night.
“It will only be an hour before the shadow guards report back. Shouldn’t we wait?” Deng Zhi asked, uncertain of Chao Chao’s exact whereabouts.
But Madam Xu was too anxious to wait.
“Let’s start at the old temple by the bridge,” she suggested urgently.
[If we delay, the princess might truly become a notorious figure in the capital.]
Their search led them past an old couple arguing outside their home.
“Marrying you was the biggest mistake of my life! Thirty years together, and you’ve spent every day fishing. Now you’re a grandfather, and still, you fish all day!”
“You never help around the house. Why is my luck so terrible!”
“Always out fishing, you’ll never change!” Neighbors tried to calm her.
Ying Xue frowned. “Fishing is meant to cultivate the mind. Why is she berating him so?”
Deng Zhi shook her head. “Fishing is a luxury those who can afford to relax enjoy. Poor folks need to focus on survival.”
“He should be helping at home instead of escaping reality with his fishing,” Deng Zhi reasoned.
They continued their search without further pause.
Meanwhile, Lu Chao Chao was contentedly munching on snacks, her precious golden bowl in hand, with her dog Chasing Wind by her side, her belly full.
Eventually, she found a quiet spot.
[Hmm, a graveyard, so peaceful. I like it,] she thought with satisfaction.
In the distance, she heard the gentle splash of water, perhaps someone fishing.
After a contented burp, a fish tail splashing startled her.
Rubbing her eyes and with her hair tousled, she noticed an old man fishing.
Seated on a grave, her pale skin glowing in the moonlight, she appeared almost ghostlike.
The old man glanced back and froze, his hand trembling.
Yawning, Chao Chao held her dog’s leash and approached the old man.
The river was secluded, surrounded by woods—a perfect, peaceful fishing spot.
Chao Chao moved cautiously, aiming not to scare the fish or the fisherman.
Unaware of the old man’s trembling hands, she whispered, “Gwampa…”
The old man stiffened, his movements robotic.
“W-where did you come from?” he stammered.
Chao Chao pointed to the graveyard. “Dat’s my home.”
The old man’s trembling intensified.
“This is my fwiend…” she started, indicating the leash, introducing her dog.
The old man, summoning his courage, turned to face the pale child smiling at him, a chain in her hand.
“My fwiend isn’t a person…”
Before she could finish, the old man screamed, “Aaaah! Ghost!”
Dropping his fishing rod, he ran off shouting, “Ghost! Ghost!”
“I’ll never fish again!” he declared, disappearing into the night.
Chao Chao scratched her head, puzzled. “What ghost?”
“What happened, Chasing Wind?”
Turning around, she realized the leash was empty.
“Where’s my dog?!”
Bruh lmao