Chapter 197: Actions Have Consequences
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The beast garden was a gruesome sight, soaked in blood after Consort Xiao was injured. The ground was splattered with crimson, creating a horrifying scene. What made it even more chilling was Xie Yi Ning’s actions. Despite being cherished by Consort Xiao, Xie Yi Ning had mercilessly pushed her own mother into the jaws of the beast.
The guests, now unable to muster any enthusiasm, began to make their excuses to leave. Duke Xiao stood among them, his expression vacant and disinterested. He seemed suddenly aged, his usual vigor drained.
“Close the beast garden,” he commanded with a dismissive wave. “Release all the animals back to the mountains.”
Everyone was stunned. Duke Xiao, known for his obsession with these fights, showed no response to Consort Xiao’s ordeal.
Lu Chao Chao blinked her eyes, masking her satisfaction.
[One shouldn’t intend harm, but if someone harms me, I’ll respond. Poor Duke Xiao, he is truly pitiable. I wonder if his only son will make it.]
She wriggled out of Madam Xu’s arms and toddled over to the ground. As she neared Duke Xiao, he instinctively recoiled, the prince, a lifetime schemer, looking as though he wanted to cover his ears.
“I don’t want to hear you speak,” he blurted out, dreading that her innocent babble might reveal more unsettling truths. He felt utterly broken.
“Do you not want to hear about your eldest son?” Chao Chao asked with a grin, chilling Duke Xiao to the core.
He reluctantly led her to a secluded corner and asked anxiously, “What about him? He’s the last of the Xiao bloodline!”
His eldest son had been sent away when Lady Zheng joined the family and hadn’t returned to the capital in years.
“On the eighth day of the first lunar month, a sudden snowstorm will cause an avalanche. His entire family of four will perish,” Chao Chao recounted his fate with eerie accuracy.
Duke Xiao turned ashen, his knees buckling, collapsing to the ground. He opened his mouth but no words came; his eyes wide with terror. It took him a long while to gather himself and stand.
“Thank you, Princess Sunshine. Your kindness will never be forgotten,” he stammered.
Realizing the urgency, Duke Xiao abandoned his usual hesitations. “Hurry, prepare the carriage!” he ordered, rushing off to inform the dowager and hurriedly packing for the journey to save his true son.
[Finally, a commendable man emerges from the Xiao family. His eldest son is still a man of integrity.]
Guilt flickered in Chao Chao’s eyes as she glanced at Madam Xu.
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
Madam Xu, teeth clenched, demanded, “Did you know Xie Yi Ning was planning to harm you? Could you have avoided it?”
Chao Chao shook her head. “I didn’t know. I couldn’t avoid it.” [I knew. I could have avoided it. But she couldn’t really harm me…]
Madam Xu tapped her little forehead, “You’re trying to trick me!” [My mom sees everything; I can’t fool her.] Chao Chao felt defeated.
Madam Xu was furious. She’d always sensed that Chao Chao seemed to regard mortals differently—not with disdain, but as if they were beneath her notice. Even as a toddler kidnapped to Fufeng Mountain, she had shown no fear.
Chao Chao lowered her head, not feeling remorseful, but admitted her mistake to soothe her mother. “Mom, I was wrong.”
Madam Xu knew it was just to appease her. She sternly took her home and ordered that Chao Chao’s snacks be confiscated.
Lu Yan Shu arrived home early, having heard of the day’s dangers. He nudged his brother, “Our sister upset Mom. Go comfort her.”
Entering the room, he found Madam Xu drying her tears. “I know Chao Chao is extraordinary, but she’s always in danger. How can I be at peace? When she was pushed down, it felt like my world was collapsing. If something happened to her, I couldn’t go on.”
“Mom, remember Chao Chao is different. She follows her own rules, drawn from her past life where she stood above others. Would a giant notice the ants beneath her? If provoked, she might amuse herself with them; if annoyed, she’d simply squash them.”
“Mom, Chao Chao’s nature is extraordinary; she can’t be restrained by normal standards. She’s wise and capable of protecting herself. Let her be.”
Madam Xu was silent, torn but understanding. Her nightmares often revolved around losing Chao Chao.
“I’ll ensure she doesn’t risk herself again. Don’t worry, Mom.”
Madam Xu felt somewhat reassured. Lu Yan Shu then went out to find his sister.
Chao Chao sat by the lake on a large rock, watching the fish dart under the ice.
“Big Brother, did you calm mom down?” she asked in her child-like voice.
“She’s fine now. Don’t worry. Mom’s just concerned for you. She was terrified seeing that bear charge at you. Don’t sit on the ground; it’s cold.” Lu Yan Shu lifted her up, his heart still racing from the day’s events.
“Thank you, big brother. You’re the best!” Chao Chao pecked his cheek.
“Chao Chao, you know we all love you, right?”
She nodded.
“We can’t bear to lose you. Everything would be pointless without you. You are our world. Mom’s just scared of losing you.” And so am I.
Chao Chao wrapped her arms around his neck, promising in her baby voice, “Big Brother, Chao Chao will be careful. Chao Chao promises!”
“Promise with a chicken leg.”
“Three chicken legs!”
That was her ultimate promise.
Lu Yan Shu chuckled, pinching her cheek, “I believe you.”
That evening, Chao Chao happily massaged Madam Xu’s shoulders, earning her smiles.
The next day, New Year’s Eve, they joined the royal feast at the palace. At Chao Chao’s request, the king moved the feast to noon. Later, Madam Xu arranged for fruits and a barbecue in the pavilion, and Chao Chao’s mouth watered in anticipation.
So much had changed this year for the Lu family. No longer nobility, they had carved out their own path.
Leaning against a wall, Lu Yuan Xiao asked, “General Rong, aren’t you going home?”
“My father said those without wives don’t deserve to come home. Can I spend New Year’s with your family?”
Playing the sympathy card, Rong Che secured his place to stay up late with the Lus.