Chapter 191: The Troublemaker
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
Jiang Yun Jin’s smile wavered as she stood, pale and tense, clutching her handkerchief tightly. Each thought felt like a dagger piercing her heart.
Lu Yan Shu had always been a prodigy, a beacon of brilliance in his youth, admired by all. As his fiancée, Jiang Yun Jin had once taken pride in his accomplishments. But since his disabling accident, her admiration had turned into pity and disdain.
“Princess Sunshine, you must be joking…” Jiang Yun Jin attempted a weak smile, her voice trembling.
“Why would I joke? My brother risked his life for you,” Lu Chao Chao replied, her large eyes filled with innocent confusion.
“Did Lu Jing Huai save you too? Did he love you with his life like my brother did?” Lu Chao Chao stepped closer, her gaze piercing.
Jiang Yun Jin stumbled backwards, words failing her as she gaped in shock.
“Lu Jing Huai must love you more, right? Otherwise, why would you choose him over my brother?” Lu Chao Chao sighed, her tiny voice tinged with sincere bewilderment.
Jiang Yun Jin bit her lip, the thoughts painful to entertain. Did Lu Jing Huai really love her more? Would he risk his life as Lu Yan Shu had?
She remembered Lu Yan Shu at eight years old, freshly declared a scholar, his face flushed with excitement as he ran to her, promising, “Don’t worry, I will never wrong you. When I achieve the highest honors, I will secure a life of peace and prosperity for us both.”
His eyes had always shone with a fierce sincerity. In public, he maintained a respectful distance, his face coloring even when addressing her, asserting, “The world is harsh on women. By following the rules and respecting you, I truly protect you.”
And Lu Jing Huai? He had coerced her into intimacy before they were even married. On their wedding night, he had abandoned her, leaving her to face ridicule from the entire capital as they gossiped about their unconsummated marriage.
[Ha, regretting it now? Oh, too many regrets to count…] Chao Chao gleed with joy at the idea.
As Jiang Yun Jin wrestled with her own thoughts, Lu Jing Huai returned, his arm draping around her shoulders. “How is Grandmother?” he inquired, noting her pale demeanor and red-rimmed eyes.
“Is Grandmother unwell?” His voice laced with urgency, fearing the implications of her possible passing.
“I’m sorry, I made her cry…” Lu Chao Chao admitted guiltily, her head bowed.
Upon seeing Lu Chao Chao, Lu Jing Huai’s expression darkened, his disdain palpable. Everything had changed since she was born!
“Princess Sunshine, you are too young to be so spoiled by His Majesty’s favor!” he snapped, his gaze icy.
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
Lu Chao Chao’s lips quivered, tears welling up instantly.
[Mama, mama, look at me…] she turned to Madam Xu.
Madam Xu, sensing her daughter’s distress, quickly intervened, “Chao Chao, what’s wrong?”
[Yay, mama and I really… have a connection!]
Tears streamed down Lu Chao Chao’s cheeks as she flung herself into her mother’s arms. “It’s all Chao Chao’s fault, all Chao Chao’s fault… Chao Chao accidentally made her cry,” she sobbed, pointing at Jiang Yun Jin.
Jiang Yun Jin’s heart skipped a beat as she clung to Lu Jing Huai. “Husband, it has nothing to do with Princess Sunshine. It’s just sand in my eyes,” she stammered, her plea only fueling his anger.
“You still side with her! Princess Sunshine is already so vicious at such a young age. Is there no law?” Lu Jing Huai fumed.
“It really has nothing to do with the Princess. It’s just sand in my eyes,” Jiang Yun Jin insisted, tugging at his sleeve desperately.
“I knew it. You came today to stir up trouble and make our lives difficult,” Madam Pei accused, glaring at Madam Xu.
Madam Xu did not scold Chao Chao. Instead, she knelt down, meeting her daughter’s eyes. “Chao Chao, tell mother what happened.”
“I don’t know, Mama. I was just talking to her about Brother Yan Shu, and she started crying. I don’t understand,” Chao Chao sniffled.
“It’s all Chao Chao’s fault. Waaaa…” She buried her face in her mother’s embrace, her voice muffled by sobs.
The room fell silent, all eyes on Jiang Yun Jin, who now looked utterly defeated.
Jiang Yun Jin met Lu Jing Huai’s furious gaze, his hand shaking her off roughly, nearly throwing her to the ground.
“Jiang Yun Jin, you’ve done well!” he growled, his rage barely contained.
Madam Xu scooped up Chao Chao, shaking her head resignedly. “Forget it. My intentions were misunderstood. I shouldn’t have come today.”
“Take good care of the old lady. Have the monks recite more prayers for her; she always liked that,” she advised Lu Yuan Ze as he offered to escort her out.
Madam Pei, still fuming, shouted, “You’re up to no good. You came here just to cause trouble. You’re a troublemaker, a real troublemaker. Husband, she’s doing it on purpose! She’s stirring up trouble on purpose!” she cried hysterically.
Madam Xu remained composed, not dignifying Madam Pei with a response.
Lu Yuan Ze, dismissive of the accusations, scolded, “Nonsense. I know Madam Xu’s character. We’ve been together for eighteen years. Do you think I need you to tell me what kind of person she is?” He shook off the hysterical Madam Pei and escorted Madam Xu out.
Madam Xu glanced down at Chao Chao, her tears already dried, reflecting on her daughter’s surprising cleverness for such a young age.
Walking beside Madam Xu, Lu Yuan Ze seemed to relish the rare moment of peace. Ever since the divorce, the house had been engulfed in ceaseless arguments. Once focused solely on his duties, he now found himself ensnared by domestic disputes.
“Shi Yun, you always managed the household so well. She can’t compare to you,” he remarked, glancing back.
Madam Xu chuckled softly. “Is that so? Lu Yuan Ze, remember, it was you who begged to remove us from the family registry.”
Lu Yuan Ze’s gaze fell. Did Madam Xu, who had loved him for eighteen years, still harbor any feelings? Did she still care at all?
She had given him three sons and a daughter; no other man would have her now. It was best for the children to have their biological father.
A flicker of joy passed through Lu Yuan Ze as they reached the gate, only to have the peace shattered once more.