Chapter 207: Protecting Mother
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
The Old Madam led Shi Yun back to their chambers.
Meanwhile, the Grand Tutor took Rong Che to the study for tea.
A maid entered the room, retrieving a small wooden box from the cabinet. The key was in the Old Madam’s safekeeping. Once the maid had left, she handed the key to Shi Yun.
“Go on, open it,” the Old Madam said kindly.
“In my lifetime, my greatest fortune was finding you. I’ve always believed it was fate that brought you to me,” she said, her eyes filled with warmth and a gentle smile on her lips.
With a soft click, the lock opened. Xu Shi lifted the lid of the sandalwood box.
The swaddling cloth inside had aged, its fabric slightly yellowed from time and exposure to the harsh blizzard that night. Shi Yun gently caressed the cloth, her expression darkened by the memories.
“That night, I couldn’t sleep no matter how I turned. Even with my eyes closed, my heart was uneasy, and in my dreams, I heard the cries of a baby.”
“For some reason, I felt an overwhelming urge to step outside.”
“Who would have thought I would find you?”
“You had nothing but this swaddling cloth. Inside, there was a hidden pocket where the jade pendant was sewn in. Fearing you might lose it, I told you that in the Xu family, jade pendants were passed to daughters, not sons,” the Old Madam chuckled.
“When I found you, the nanny by your side had already frozen to death. Even her money pouch had been ransacked, likely by some thief.”
“The only proof of your identity was that jade pendant and the swaddling cloth.”
“I am giving them to you now, in case your birth mother ever comes looking for you…”
“Whether she comes or not, I am still a daughter of the Xu family,” Xu Shi interrupted, kneeling before the Old Madam and resting her head on her lap, her expression filled with devotion.
“The girl I was back then died in that snowy night. It was you and Father who gave me a second life. Shi Yun will always be part of the Xu family. Even if you chase me away, I won’t leave,” Xu Shi said, slightly pouting in defiance.
Hearing this, the Old Madam finally felt at ease.
She stroked Xu Shi’s hair. It had not been easy, raising that frail infant into the woman she was today.
“The other side… they are from the Southern Kingdom’s royal family,” Xu Shi said in a hushed voice.
The Old Madam’s hand paused mid-stroke.
“The Southern Kingdom’s royal family is complicated. I only hope they do not bring harm upon you. Your children must strive harder, climb higher in power, so they can protect you,” the Old Madam sighed, pitying her for the misfortunes she had suffered, yet thankful that her four children were exceptional talents.
After their midday meal, Xu Yi Ting summoned Lu Yan Shu and his two brothers to the study.
The sudden call made the boys feel an unexpected urgency.
They desperately wanted to climb higher, work harder, and become indispensable to Northern Zhao.
So they could protect their mother.
Outside the study, Lu Chao Chao clung to the doorframe, pointing inside with an indignant expression. “Why can’t I listen?”
Third Aunt, resting a hand on her slightly swollen belly, smiled. “You’re too young, it’s not for children.”
“Then, my dog can listen?” Lu Chao Chao attempted to push Windchaser into the room.
Third Aunt shook her head. “Neither you nor your dog can go in.”
“Hmph!” Lu Chao Chao stomped her feet in frustration.
By the time evening arrived, her older brothers emerged from the study with solemn expressions.
Lu Chao Chao was still too young, her emotions too unpredictable. The others feared that revealing too much would provoke her into an outburst.
“Living in General Rong’s manor is improper. For now, return home to stay with your mother. It has been years since you two have lived together,” the Old Madam said with a smile.
Rong Che understood the reasoning but could not help feeling sour at heart.
Xu Shi glanced at him before laughing. “Alright, Shi Yun also misses Mother.”
Thus, Rong Che left the Xu residence alone, his heart heavy with loneliness.
Before he departed, Xu Shi turned to him and said, “Open a door in the wall. Stop climbing over like some rogue.” Then, she covered her face, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
Rong Che’s eyes sparkled. “Alright, alright, alright!”
With a grin so wide it seemed foolish, he walked away, laughing to himself like an elated landlord.
The next day dawned.
Before the first light of dawn, the Emperor summoned Lu Chao Chao to the palace.
Yesterday, Lu Chao Chao had been startled. Not daring to take Chao Chao away from Madam Xu’s side, he endured until the following day before sending someone to escort the child. He deeply feared that Northern Zhao’s little treasure might encounter any danger.
“What scoundrels! How dare they lay hands on My Princess Sunshine!”
Fortunately, Princess Sunshine possessed remarkable abilities, allowing her to escape harm.
Rong Che had not concealed the events from the Emperor. He had noticed that the Emperor held an inexplicable admiration for Lu Chao Chao. No matter how absurd the situation, the Emperor always accepted it with remarkable ease.
Only after confirming that Lu Chao Chao showed no signs of distress did the Emperor finally relax.
“Tonight, accompany me to persuade the Empress.”
“Wan Er is still upset with me. Most likely, it’s about Consort Hui again. For some reason, she has an extremely poor impression of Consort Hui and holds deep prejudice against her.” The Emperor sighed lightly.
Though he was the Son of Heaven, he was still a man with personal desires. He granted the Empress her esteemed status and showered Consort Hui with favor.
He personally raised the Eldest Prince, giving him all the warmth and care.
He personally guided the Crown Prince, bestowing upon him the honor he deserved and entrusting him with Northern Zhao’s future.
One held his affection, the other his reason.
“Consort Hui is truly a wonderful person. If you spent more time with her, you would come to like her as well.”
“She simply has a cold demeanor that makes her seem distant, but in truth, she has a soft heart.”
[Or maybe she’s just keeping her distance from you?]
“The Empress, however, is deeply prejudiced against her.”
[That’s because Consort Hui keeps getting entangled with the Empress, and it’s driving her mad.]
“Last night, after the reunion banquet, Consort Hui went to pay her respects to the Empress, but she was shut out of the palace doors, thoroughly humiliated. When I tried to mediate, the Empress wouldn’t even listen.” The Emperor was convinced that the Empress harbored a grudge against Consort Hui.
[Her husband’s beloved keeps clinging to her—how could she not be wary?]
The Emperor held Lu Chao Chao’s tiny hand as they walked, speaking as he reminisced.
Discussing the past, he became increasingly talkative, even somewhat nostalgic.
“Consort Hui’s temperament has remained unchanged for the past ten years.”
“Back then, she was the same with me—never pretending to be affectionate or trying to please me. Even now, she remains just as indifferent.” While the rest of the harem showered the Emperor with flattery, only Consort Hui remained cool and distant.
The Emperor found this sincerity refreshing.
The Crown Prince, scratching his head in frustration, felt like he was sitting on needles. Hearing Chao Chao’s inner thoughts made him incredibly anxious.
As the group arrived outside the Empress’s palace, they coincidentally encountered Consort Hui’s palanquin stationed by the entrance.
“Hui Er, if the Empress does not welcome you, then let it be. Why must you continue subjecting yourself to this?”
“You wretched servants, why have you not invited Consort Hui inside yet? This is freezing weather! If she falls ill from standing in the snow, you will all be held accountable!” The Emperor’s heart ached as he saw Consort Hui covered in a thin layer of snow, unsure how long she had been waiting.
“Your Majesty, please do not scold Her Majesty the Empress!” Consort Hui’s gaze was filled with sincerity.
The Emperor sighed. “Fine, fine. You still defend her. But she is the mistress of the palace, and each time you come to pay your respects, you can’t even step through the door. What kind of propriety is this?”
The Emperor truly didn’t understand.
The Empress was known for her wisdom and fairness, treating the entire harem with remarkable tolerance. Yet, whenever she saw Consort Hui, she reacted as if confronted by a venomous snake.
“Come, I will personally bring you inside today!” The Emperor glanced at the nanny.
The nanny, who had initially intended to stop them, could only step aside.
[My goodness, a battlefield of emotions! I’ve heard of men being cuckolded, but I’ve never seen someone do it to themselves!]
“What are you holding in your hands?” the Emperor asked casually.
Consort Hui carried a small food box.
She smiled. “I personally prepared some pastries for Her Majesty—the chestnut cakes she loves most, along with eight-treasure cake.”
“How thoughtful of you.”
“You never send such things to me, yet you often bring them to her. And she doesn’t even appreciate it.”
The Crown Prince covered his face, unable to bear watching any longer.