Chapter 212: Chao Chao Goes to School
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
The Stabilizing Duke stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression calm and composed, as if he bore the wisdom of the ages.
“A tree without bark will surely die; a man without shame is invincible. I have abandoned all shame—so what?” The Stabilizing Duke had already stepped one foot into his grave; what use did he have for dignity?
Rong Che rushed out in a hurry, only to see his father’s smug demeanor.
“Father, what did you do?” Rong Che was utterly baffled.
“I sent Lu Yuan Ze a plaque declaring him a good man, thanking him for the grace of divorce. If he hadn’t divorced, would we have had a chance? Look at his household, chickens flying, dogs jumping—it’s a mess. Just wait until Madam Xu’s children grow up; he’ll regret it even more.”
“Son, you need to work harder.”
“You’re thirty-five by actual years, thirty-six by traditional count, rounding up, thirty-seven—blink, and you’ll be forty. A man in his forties…” The Stabilizing Duke gave him a disdainful glance.
Rong Che staggered, nearly tripping into the snow. “Father, you just fast-forwarded my life by five years! Did you live those years for me?!”
I’m thirty-five! How did I suddenly become forty?!
“Forget about the numbers—how is Shi Yun?”
“Will the Rong Family finally have a bride this year?”
“Does Shi Yun have any requirements? If I have to, should your mother and I move in as part of the dowry?” The Stabilizing Duke looked on eagerly.
Rong Che was at a loss for words.
“You blockhead! How did I end up with such a dense son?!” The Stabilizing Duke smacked him over the head.
So dumb.
“Father, won’t you come to the manor for a visit?” Rong Che asked hurriedly as he saw his father about to leave.
The Stabilizing Duke rolled his eyes. “No wife, no grandson—what would I come to see? You? You’re just a mouth and two eyes. What, are you going to grow flowers on your face?”
“Be sweet-tongued, work hard, be diligent, and don’t believe those nonsense sayings about gentlemen staying away from the kitchen.”
With a wave of his hand, the Stabilizing Duke left, not even taking a speck of dust with him.
Rong Che sighed deeply.
On the first day of the second month, Rong Che completed the renovation of the Lu Family estate overnight. The original sleeping quarters of Madam Xu had seen death, so he moved her residence to a new courtyard—right next to his own.
Ah, his little schemes.
Two courtyards, separated by just one wall.
And on that wall, a small door.
Rong Che grinned ear to ear. If you rounded it up, wasn’t this the same as sharing a room with Shi Yun? There was only one wall in between…
“Shi Yun, this is the key to the small door in the wall…” Rong Che blushed, unsure where to place his excited hands and feet.
“Thank you, Brother Che. Once Yan Shu finishes the Capital Exam, I will personally host a banquet in your honor.” In just a few days, the Capital Exam would begin, and Madam Xu had been preoccupied with this matter.
“No need to thank me.” Rong Che was overjoyed.
For Shi Yun to entrust him with things meant she didn’t see him as an outsider.
With Madam Xu moving back into her home, Lu Yan Shu was focused on his studies.
But what troubled her the most—
In the second month, Lu Chao Chao was supposed to start school.
On the first day of the second month, Madam Xu dragged Lu Chao Chao out from under the blankets.
The little girl’s cheeks were flushed from sleep, her long lashes tightly shut as she clung stubbornly to the brocade quilt. “No school, wuwuwu, no school…”
“Mother, Chao Chao doesn’t want to go to school.”
“My precious, it’s only half a day each day. There will even be snacks, and after lunch, you can come home.”
“His Majesty specially set up a Little Scholars Class in the Imperial Academy just for you.”
“There will be other little children accompanying you.”
“I heard the cook is very good at making delicious food…”
Lu Chao Chao’s eyes slowly opened, temptation flickering in her gaze.
“Chao Chao try three days first?”
“Alright, alright!” Madam Xu didn’t care how long—so long as she could coax her into the academy.
Dressed in her little school robes, Lu Chao Chao carried a tiny bag that Madam Xu had embroidered for her. On it was a chubby, pink-cheeked baby—an exact miniature of Lu Chao Chao herself.
The little girl, now properly attired, set off for school.
Yu Shu and Yu Qin remained by her side as study companions.
Before leaving, Lu Chao Chao kicked awake Windchaser. “Windchaser! No lazy sleep! Time to get up!”
If she had to go to school, even the dog couldn’t slack off.
To help her integrate into the Little Scholars Class, Emperor Xuan Ping had arranged for children from noble families across the Capital to join. The eldest was no more than five years old, while the youngest was Lu Chao Chao, only two.
At the gates of the Imperial Academy, the scene was chaotic.
Because of the newly established Little Scholars Class, the entrance was filled with wailing children.
The scholars of the Imperial Academy were left in shock upon witnessing this scene. Their minds buzzed with disbelief.
“To accommodate Princess Sunshine, His Majesty truly spares no effort…”
“Hush! That is His Majesty’s cherished treasure,” someone quickly warned.
Just as these words were spoken, another voice rang out.
“The princess’s palanquin has arrived!”
Many had only heard of Princess Sunshine’s reputation but had never seen her in person.
“His Majesty dotes on her so much. She must be quite the spoiled one. Even Chief Minister Yuan is personally tutoring her!”
Jealousy spread among them. Having Chief Minister Yuan’s guidance was a fortune beyond imagination. Those who had received his teachings considered it a blessing from their ancestors.
The palanquin came to a halt, and all eyes fixated on it eagerly.
A pair of small, chubby hands lifted the curtain, revealing a round, plump face, rosy and full of baby fat. Two tiny hair buns sat atop her head, and she wore a pale green dress.
Her large, round eyes gleamed with mischief, and when she smiled, they curved into crescent moons.
“Adorable…” someone muttered under their breath.
Snow had been falling heavily over the past few days, and though the servants tirelessly cleared it, a thick layer still covered the stone path.
Before the palanquin had even settled, Lu Chao Chao—unable to wait—leapt down enthusiastically.
Thud—
She plunged headfirst into the snow, her little legs kicking in the air as she struggled to free herself.
Silence fell.
Then, a roar of laughter erupted.
“Hahaha! What spoiled princess? More like a comedic little dumpling!”
Xuan Ji Chuan hurriedly pulled her out and quickly explained, “This time, I did not laugh!”
With her face and hair covered in snow, Lu Chao Chao placed her hands on her hips and huffed, “Who laughed?! Who was it?!”
Everyone turned away, their expressions innocent, though their faces were flushed from suppressing laughter.
With her little fists clenched, she stomped off toward the Imperial Academy, her fury undeniable.
Inside the academy, the students were all either of royal lineage or offspring of high-ranking officials. The Lin family, being esteemed Imperial Merchants, had also gained entry due to their significant donations toward disaster relief.
The courtyard was elegant, filled with the clear voices of students reciting texts in unison.
“Seems like a nice place to sleep…” Lu Chao Chao mused.
A young page led her forward, and before they even reached the main hall, the sound of sobbing could be heard.
Inside, a young instructor, drenched in sweat, was desperately attempting to console a group of crying children.
Just as they had finally calmed down—tears still clinging to their faces—Lu Chao Chao arrived.
Instructor Zhu, upon seeing her settle in without issue, discreetly wiped his brow. “Since Princess Sunshine is the youngest, she shall sit in the front row…”
Of course, the real reason—
Everyone here was essentially her study companion.
After all, this little class had been created entirely for her.
A tailor-made program, accepting only one student.
“From now on, I shall be your instructor. You may address me as Instructor Zhu. I will oversee your daily studies, and Chief Minister Yuan will occasionally conduct lectures. This is an opportunity beyond measure. Treasure it well!”
His gaze swept over the children, who had all found themselves catapulted into a golden opportunity thanks to Princess Sunshine.
Throughout Northern Zhao, what scholar wouldn’t dream of learning under Chief Minister Yuan?
The students of the Imperial Academy were nearly red-eyed with envy.
At this moment, Lu Chao Chao eagerly raised her small hand.
“Does Princess Sunshine have a question?” Instructor Zhu asked, intrigued by her enthusiasm.
Lu Chao Chao glanced at her now-sniffling classmates, then loudly declared—
“Your parents don’t want you anymore!”
“From now on, you’ll wake up earlier than the roosters and sleep later than the dogs! The instructor will smack your hands, too!”
“If you don’t behave, your little hands will bloom like flowers!”
“How pitiful, so pitiful…”
The moment she finished speaking—
A wail of despair erupted throughout the room, shaking the heavens.
Instructor Zhu: “???”
No, perhaps becoming Princess Sunshine’s classmates wasn’t a blessing.
It was their calamity.