Chapter 194: The Unwanted
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
“Mommy, what wrong?” Little Chao Chao asked, her big eyes wide with innocent curiosity.
Madam Xu quickly dabbed at the corner of her mouth with some powder. “Just a mosquito bite from last night, darling.”
Climbing onto her mother’s lap, Chao Chao declared, “Bad mosquito! Naughty mosquito! Chao Chao make it all better…” She puffed up her cheeks and blew gently on the spot.
A pang of guilt washed over Madam Xu. [Oh, my sweet Chao Chao…]
“Mommy, you smell yummy…” Chao Chao sniffed her mother’s hair and clothes. “Like the barbecue in my dreamies.” Her gaze turned distant, eliciting a facepalm from Deng Zhi.
Despite her efforts to wash her hair and change her clothes, the scent seemed to linger.
“When you start school, we’ll eat as much barbecue as you want to celebrate your first day,” Madam Xu promised with a soothing tone.
Chao Chao’s tiny face twisted with both delight and apprehension.
As breakfast started, Deng Zhi, feeling a bit guilty, finally prepared some meat strips for the little girl. Meanwhile, the end of the year had the household busy making rice cakes.
Young servants were hard at work pounding glutinous rice in a stone mortar, transforming it into a stretchy mass. The rice cakes were fried until crispy on the outside but soft inside, then dusted with bean flour and brown sugar, filling the air with their tempting aroma.
Chao Chao reached eagerly for a second piece with her chopsticks, but Madam Xu halted her with a firm look. “Chao Chao, sticky rice is tough on your little tummy. Too much can make it hurt.”
Longing filled Chao Chao’s face as she looked at the rice cakes. Seizing the teaching moment, Madam Xu explained, “Eating too much can be bad. Did you know, I heard about someone who ate thirty rice cakes at once, and it blocked up his insides? Can you imagine how awful that was?”
Chao Chao’s eyes widened in shock. “Thirty?”
Madam Xu nodded solemnly. “Yes, and he was rolling on the ground in pain.”
Chao Chao thought it over and then asked very seriously, “Where did they buy those rice cakes? Mommy, we should find out.”
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
Stunned by her daughter’s response, Madam Xu just stared.
Clutching her chest, Chao Chao feigned a broken heart. “Such yummy rice cakes, and Chao Chao never tasted them! Thirty must be really tasty…” She even swallowed audibly, emphasizing her point.
Overwhelmed by irritation and amusement, Madam Xu picked Chao Chao up and headed outside.
Rong Che was waiting at the main gate. “Be careful, the roads are slippery,” he warned, lending Madam Xu a supporting hand while winking at Chao Chao, signaling his playful alliance.
[If Rong Che were my dad, he’d help me with my homework and keep Mom from scolding me… That sounds pretty good…]
Chao Chao, naive to the complexities of adult relationships, didn’t realize that having both parents involved often meant double the trouble.
Madam Xu sneaked a glance at Rong Che, understanding why Chao Chao always stood up for him.
Their carriage headed to the animal park created by Duke Xiao, who typically hosted winter events there. However, recent floods and an empty treasury had forced him to cut back on his grand celebrations, fearing the king might demand more funds.
The park was bustling with carriages. Just as Madam Xu lifted the curtain, she saw Consort Xiao and Princess Yi Ning alighting from their sedan.
Princess Yi Ning’s face fell instantly. “I hate Grandfather. Why invite someone I despise?” She had spotted Chao Chao.
“Enough, Yi Ning,” Consort Xiao soothed, patting her hand. “Remember, Grandfather loves you the most.” She led her daughter away with a dignified air.
Reluctant to confront Chao Chao, who held a noble title requiring a bow, Consort Xiao kept her distance.
The park was vast, encircling a deep, safely fenced pit that housed various ferocious beasts. The recent heavy snowfall and the beasts’ hunger, coupled with the noise of the crowd, made them restless.
Xuan Jichuan scanned the crowd for his sister, Xuan Yin, consort to the first prince, who appeared pale and anxious as she acknowledged her brother.
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
“Today, I’ve brought a great black bear, certain to impress,” the first prince declared, pointing to a massive, agitated bear at the center.
“This bear has been starved for seven days. Let’s see who can tame it,” he announced, his voice carrying a hint of challenge as murmurs of approval rose around him.
The first prince, a son of Consort Hui, had once been considered for the crown prince title due to his intelligence. It was only after the queen gave birth to Prince Xie Cheng Xi that the title was secured.
As Chao Chao entered, Duke Xiao hurried over and bowed deeply. “Princess Sunshine, please take the seat of honor.”
The crowd murmured, puzzled by Duke Xiao’s display of respect. Known for his arrogance as the queen dowager’s brother, his deference to Princess Sunshine was unexpected.
[You have no idea!] Duke Xiao thought to himself.
“Grandfather!” Princess Yi Ning stomped her foot in frustration.
Duke Xiao led Chao Chao to the central seat, causing Yi Ning’s eyes to redden with jealousy.
“Why, why, why?! The king likes her, Grandfather too. Why?!” seethed Princess Yi Ning.
Consort Xiao’s expression turned icy. Since her mother’s sudden death and her brother’s mysterious demise, her father had grown increasingly distant, complicating her life at the palace.
Princess Yi Ning, the only princess by blood in the royal family, was known for her arrogance. As she eyed the restless beasts, a dangerous idea flashed through her mind…
“Mother, I want to go to Grandfather,” she said, tugging at Consort Xiao’s sleeve.
“Go on and cheer him up. He always adores you,” her mother encouraged.
Princess Yi Ning ran to the platform, throwing herself into Duke Xiao’s arms and shoving Chao Chao aside.
“Grandfather, I missed you so much…” She failed to notice Duke Xiao’s stiff posture.
“Grandfather, I dream about you. Why don’t you visit anymore?” she pouted, expecting her usual coddling. “Why don’t you love me anymore?”
Taking a deep breath, Duke Xiao’s heart felt heavy.
“Of course I love you…” His voice was pained. His lineage was unclear, and now, he wondered if his affection for his daughter was misplaced.
Princess Yi Ning lifted her chin triumphantly at Chao Chao. “Grandfather loves me the most, and so does Father.”
“You don’t have a dad, so you try to steal mine?” Yi Ning knew exactly how to wound. Her words made Chao Chao’s face fall.
“You’re unwanted!” Yi Ning declared smugly.
The tension between the two princesses, one a true princess by blood and the other the king’s adopted daughter, filled the air with palpable tension, leaving no one daring to intervene.