Chapter 193: A Lover’s Heart is a Man’s Best Dowry
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
Rong Che was visibly distressed, his voice quivering as he comforted Madam Xu. “W-why are you crying? Please, don’t cry. I… I…”
He reached out hesitantly, his fingers lightly wiping away her tears. Each tear seemed to scorch his heart, fueling his growing anxiety.
“It’s not real. It was just a dream. See, we’re all okay… nothing will happen. I promise, nothing will happen!” Rong Che’s voice steadied as he reassured her. Madam Xu pressed his hand against her cheek, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, gently sobbing.
She had accidentally overheard Chao Chao’s thoughts and knew the dire fate awaiting Rong Che. This revelation compelled her to keep him near, finding comfort in his presence. As she felt the warmth of his touch, a serene intimacy wrapped around them under the moonlight.
“I promise, nothing will happen. Don’t be afraid. I’m here,” Rong Che vowed, his gaze intense, his cheeks and ears flushing a deep red.
“You… you said you’re scared of men. Don’t be afraid of me. Think of me as a sister,” he offered earnestly. “I’ve even picked a name. How about Rong Shuang Shuang?”
Madam Xu chuckled through her tears, her smile soothing Rong Che’s anxious heart. He silently rejoiced, content to stay by her side, regardless of her marital choices, as long as she felt safe and happy.
The distress from the dream lingered, its ache almost palpable.
“Aren’t you worried about the Protectorate Duke getting angry with you for being with me so much?” Madam Xu asked playfully, her smile teasing.
Rong Che brushed off her concern with a gesture. “My father disowned me. He even said that a lover’s heart is the best dowry a man can offer.”
He glanced at her warily, remembering how Madam Xu too once harbored deep feelings. Thankfully, she had come to her senses.
Madam Xu covered her mouth, her eyes dancing with amusement. Suddenly, their moment was shattered by urgent knocking.
Rong Che’s face tensed as he pulled back the carriage curtain. “Marquis Yuan Ze, what is this about?” He had noticed Lu Yuan Ze following them and had intentionally joined Madam Xu in her carriage.
Lu Yuan Ze, struggling to maintain his dignity after seeing Madam Xu warmly smiling at Rong Che, his irritation mounted.
“General Rong, Madam Xu has been my wife for eighteen years, mother to my three sons and a daughter. She can’t just take the children and join your family! The Protectorate Duke’s household won’t consent, and neither will I!” Lu Yuan Ze protested vehemently.
Madam Xu had once loved him unconditionally, and he still regarded her as his. He could leave her, but she wasn’t free to remarry. Rong Che faced him with a cool demeanor. “What does your consent matter? At most, we’ll invite you to the wedding for a drink.”
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
“As for the children, Lu Yuan Ze, you don’t wish to be their father. Someone else does!” Rong Che declared boldly, lifting his chin. “And if she doesn’t marry, I’ll simply move in and marry into her lineage.”
Lu Yuan Ze exploded, “You are the queen’s brother, a son of North Zhao, and the heir of the Protectorate Duke! How can you change your name so easily?!” His outrage echoed traditional values.
Rong Che smirked. “Why not? When you discover a treasure, you cling to it. I’m not as foolish as you, Marquis Yuan Ze.”
Just then, Chao Chao woke up, rubbing her eyes with plump hands, her gaze sleepy and bewildered.
“My child won’t recognize you!” Lu Yuan Ze taunted, reaching toward her.
Chao Chao looked up, visibly annoyed by the commotion.
Rong Che watched, his heart in his throat. Although Lu Yuan Ze was her biological father, the bond of love wasn’t easily dismissed.
Chao Chao reached out. “Daddy, hug hug…”
Lu Yuan Ze froze, as did Rong Che.
Chao Chao then turned to Rong Che. “Daddy, hug hug!” Her voice was tender and sweet. Rong Che’s eyes welled with tears as he scooped her up. “Alright, alright, Chao Chao!”
Lu Yuan Ze watched, a bitter realization settling in as he observed them—a seemingly perfect family.
“Madam Xu, you can’t take my children and remarry…” Lu Yuan Ze murmured weakly, but Rong Che just chuckled and steered the carriage away.
[Feeling hurt? There’s more to come.] Chao Chao inwardly schemed.
Rong Che, elated, returned Madam Xu and Chao Chao to their home. “Are you visiting the Beast Garden tomorrow?” he asked casually.
The aristocracy prized their exotic animals, displaying them in annual beast-fighting events to affirm their status. Although Madam Xu’s family didn’t participate, they had been invited.
She nodded softly, and Rong Che’s eyes sparkled. “Then I’ll come to pick you up tomorrow.”
Madam Xu consented, and after watching them enter the house, Rong Che lingered at the gate before heading back to the Protectorate Duke’s Mansion. Upon arrival, the Protectorate Duke, still awake, greeted him with a scowl.
“Home, home, home, every day you come home! Coming home won’t find you a wife! Are you still a baby, needing to come home every day!” The Duke admonished as Rong Che approached.
Rong Che looked downcast. “I’ll stay one night, one night and then leave.” He sought a brief respite.
“Get out, get out, you’re an eyesore. At your age, being single, it’s painful to see. Hurry up and leave! I cried, begged, and threw a fit in the royal study to get you some vacation. Do something useful. Son, remember, being a crybaby and having a lover’s heart are the best dowries for a man. With those, no one can compete with you!” The Protectorate Duke berated him, then slammed the door mercilessly.
Rong Che sighed deeply, grasped the little statue, and departed. As he approached the Lu residence, the aroma of barbecue filled the air.
Before he could enter, a servant called out, “Oh, General Rong is finally here! Come, come, today the old madam had a stroke, and the family wants to celebrate.
Rong Che was surprised by such good fortune!
Instead of accepting though, he politely declined and instead climbed the wall to enter the courtyard secretly—entering through the front gate at night could start rumors, especially since Madam Xu had just separated.
Inside, the courtyard buzzed with the enticing smell of barbecue. “Come quickly, we’ve been waiting for you,” Madam Xu greeted with a warm smile.
In the snowy night, they enjoyed their meal, careful to keep their voices low to not awaken Chao Chao. Lu Yan Shu offered Rong Che a jug of wine, and together, they savored the peaceful moment.
Suddenly, a sleepy voice murmured, “Smells so good… I smell barbecue.”
Chao Chao stood at the door, barefoot and tousled, her eyes half-closed in drowsiness.
The courtyard fell silent, silent enough to hear a pin drop.
Madam Xu blinked and then chuckled, “You’re dreaming, Chao Chao. This is a dream…”
Chao Chao blinked slowly, then climbed back into bed.
The next morning, Chao Chao bubbled with excitement.
“Mom, last night I dreamed I ate barbecue! It was so good, so good. The dream even smelled good…” Chao Chao recounted her dream to Madam Xu, her enthusiasm unmistakable. She felt like she could still smell the tantalizing aroma.
Her dream felt so vivid!
Madam Xu touched her throat guiltily… Ah, perhaps too much barbecue last night, now she was feeling a sore throat coming on.