Chapter 190: Chao Chao’s Sharp Tongue
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
Madam Xu had enjoyed a carefree youth, filled with innocence and naivety, always wearing her heart on her sleeve. Many years ago, a single sentence had caused her to distance herself from her family for eighteen years. She had loved with fierce, unguarded passion.
Back then, he had harbored feelings for her as well for it. However, following the tragic incident with Yan Shu, she became hysterical, and over the years, the sparkle in her eyes dimmed to an indescribable sadness that eventually drove the man away. But now, she had transformed. She radiated joy and lightness, free from any shadows of the past and even more beautiful than in her youth.
Madam Xu caught Lu Yuan Ze staring at her and felt a wave of nausea. [How disgusting.]
In those difficult days, caring for a paralyzed Yan Shu and a gravely ill elder had worn her down. The lack of sleep and deliberate torment from the elder had aged her prematurely. Those were the hardest years of her life.
As Madam Pei tended to the elder, Madam Xu remarked offhandedly, “I heard a high monk is in residence?”
Madam Pei paused, her grip tightening on the handkerchief.
“Yes, Yao Yao discovered him. She’s been visiting the Buddhist hall to transcribe scriptures,” Lu Yuan Ze replied, his gaze still fixed on Madam Xu, igniting Madam Pei’s ire.
The mention of the high monk stirred the elder, who began thrashing about wildly, screaming and falling off the bed in her frenzy.
“What’s wrong, Mother?” Lu Yuan Ze rushed over, pale with concern.
The elder clutched his sleeve, muttering incoherently, “Ste… stea…”
“I’ve been with the elder for eighteen years; I think she might want to see the high monk,” suggested Madam Xu with a serene smile, ignoring Madam Pei’s panicked state.
At this suggestion, the elder grew even more agitated.
“Bring the high monk in,” commanded Lu Yuan Ze.
Clutching her son, the elder sobbed bitterly, troubled by recent restlessness and concerns over the family’s noble title.
One moonlit night, driven by a mysterious force, she ventured alone to the small Buddhist hall. There, she witnessed her favorite daughter-in-law with the so-called high monk, compromised before the Buddha.
“Will Jing Huai ever call me father?” Hearing his son refer to another man as ‘father’ pained the monk immensely.
This single revelation changed everything for the old lady. She recalled how she had expelled Madam Xu and disowned her grandsons. Attempting to flee, she was spotted. In the ensuing chase, she tripped and fell, severely injuring herself. Her life was only spared by the timely arrival of the household staff.
Since then, under Madam Pei’s menacing watch, the elder feared for her life, especially before the doctor could confirm her stroke.
“Marquis Yuan Ze, you summoned me; is there an issue?” asked the monk, his demeanor calm and composed.
The elder trembled violently, fear evident as she collapsed into her son’s arms.
“Ah, ah, ah!!” Her screams filled the room.
“Mother, it’s okay,” Lu Yuan Ze soothed, but her terror only intensified until she lost consciousness.
Madam Pei stayed close, wiping away tears. “After the stroke, the physician mentioned she might exhibit personality changes.”
“Didn’t the eldest young master change drastically after his paralysis?” Madam Pei added cautiously, hinting at the elder’s altered behavior.
Lu Yuan Ze’s suspicions subsided; indeed, Yan Shu had transformed from a cherished youth to a dependent, isolated figure.
Relieved, Madam Pei exhaled softly, but Madam Xu smiled slyly. [It’s too early to relax.]
“Where is this high monk from?” Chao Chao piped up, her voice tinged with the curiosity of a child as she munched on sunflower seeds.
“He’s from the National Temple,” Madam Pei answered casually. “A disciple of the abbot, he travels often and is seldom seen,” she elaborated.
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
Madam Xu nodded. “Perhaps we should have him pray for the elder daily. It might help.”
[How thrilling. To keep the perpetrator close, ensuring her continual torment. This is all Madam Pei’s doing.] Chao Chao gave her mother a secretive thumbs-up.
Madam Xu raised an eyebrow in response, amused and vindictive. Life was indeed more interesting with the old lady alive, tormenting Madam Pei with despair and fear.
“Who are you to decide?” Madam Pei retorted, clearly displeased.
“Why so stingy? Let’s follow Shi Yun’s suggestion,” the man orders.
Reluctantly, Madam Pei acquiesced, wary of further upsetting her husband.
Outside the door, Jiang Yun Jin, the family’s new daughter-in-law, stood with a grim expression. She had been ecstatic to receive household management rights from Madam Pei just three days after her wedding, even gifting Madam Pei a set of headpieces in gratitude. But her first task was a shock—paying three months of overdue wages!
“What respectable family owes their servants?” she thought, dismayed. Since taking charge, Madam Pei had insisted on expensive nourishments like bird’s nest soup, using her like another Madam Xu—a source to be drained. Fortunately, her husband, Jing Huai, was devoted to his studies, though their marriage had yet to be consummated.
“Are you Madam Jiang?” Chao Chao asked, tilting her head curiously.
“Yes, Princess Sunshine,” Jiang Yun Jin bowed respectfully.
“Were you my former sister-in-law?”
“Yes, me and Young Master Yan Shu were not meant to be,” she nodded.
“I heard you don’t like my brother…” Chao Chao remarked innocently, pouting. “But many people admire him. Everyone wants to marry the top scholar.”
Jiang Yun Jin’s grip tightened on her handkerchief, her breath quickening at the mention of Lu Yan Shu. His status as a top scholar was significant, especially since he hadn’t studied for ten years due to his paralysis.
“Why don’t you like my big brother? He’s handsome and once was the top scholar. He will be again. Why didn’t Jing Huai achieve that? Is it because you don’t like him?” Chao Chao’s innocent questioning continued, pressing for answers.
Unable to contain herself any longer, Jiang Yun Jin was at a breaking point!