Chapter 212: Chao Chao Goes to School
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
The Protectorate Duke stood resolute, hands clasped behind him, embodying a serene patience.
“Like a tree stripped of its bark, a man devoid of shame is invincible. I have shed all shame; what of it?” With life’s twilight encroaching, worldly concerns like reputation seemed trivial to him.
Rong Che dashed out, his brow furrowing at the sight of his father’s self-satisfied grin.
“Father, what have you done now?” he asked, perplexed.
“I presented Lu Yuan Ze with a plaque commending his virtue, in thanks for granting that divorce. Without it, how could we have seized our opportunity? Watch his household now; it’s in disarray. Just wait—once Madam Xu’s children rise to prominence, his regret will only deepen.”
“Son, you must strive harder.”
“At your age—thirty-five, no, nearing thirty-seven—you’ll soon hit forty. An old man of forty…” The Protectorate Duke cast a dismissive look his way.
Rong Che nearly lost his balance, stumbling toward a snowbank. “Father, you’ve just aged me by five years! Are you living my life for me?”
“I’m thirty-five! Since when am I nearly forty?!”
“Regardless, how is Shi Yun faring?”
“Will the Rong family secure a marriage this year?”
“Has Shi Yun made any demands? Should your mother and I move in with her?” The Protectorate Duke’s eyes twinkled with anticipation.
Rong Che was at a loss for words.
“You speak so little, yet you’ve turned out such a fool!” The Protectorate Duke chided, thumping him lightly on the head.
“Will you visit the mansion?” Rong Che queried as his father turned to leave.
“No wife, no grandson—what’s there for me to see? It’s not like your face can sprout flowers!” The Protectorate Duke scoffed and rolled his eyes.
“Be kinder, work harder, pay more attention. Don’t fall for that nonsense about gentlemen shunning the kitchen.”
With a dismissive wave, the Protectorate Duke departed without a backward glance.
Rong Che exhaled deeply.
Early February—
Overnight, Rong Che had orchestrated a remodeling of the Lu family residence. He relocated Madam Xu’s former bedroom—where a death had occurred—next to his own quarters.
A secret delight of his.
Separated by merely a wall, two courtyards connected by a modest door.
Rong Che couldn’t help but smile broadly. Technically, didn’t this arrangement imply he and Shi Yun were almost cohabiting? Merely a wall apart…
“Shi Yun, this is the key to the door in the wall…” Rong Che said, his cheeks flushing as he fumbled awkwardly.
“Thank you, Brother Che. Once Yan Shu completes the royal examination, I shall host a banquet in your honor,” Shi Yun responded. The royal examination was imminent, and Madam Xu was preoccupied with preparations.
“No need for thanks,” Rong Che replied, his heart swelling with joy.
Shi Yun’s gesture of trust signaled that she no longer regarded him as an outsider.
Meanwhile, Madam Xu returned to her ancestral home as Lu Yan Shu readied himself for the examination.
Yet, for Madam Xu, a more pressing concern loomed in February: Lu Chao Chao’s impending school start.
February 1st—
Madam Xu coaxed a sleepy Lu Chao Chao from her bed.
Chao Chao’s cheeks were rosy from slumber, her long eyelashes fluttering shut as she clung stubbornly to her quilt. “Don’ wanna go to school… don’ wanna…”
“Sweetie, it’s just for half a day. You’ll have snacks, and you’ll be back home after lunch.”
“The king has established a special class at the Royal Academy just for you.”
“You’ll have other little ones for company.”
“And I’ve heard the chef makes delightful treats…”
Chao Chao’s eyes fluttered open, a spark of curiosity in her gaze.
“I’ll twy it for fwee days?”
“Alright, sweetheart,” Madam Xu agreed, relieved. The duration didn’t matter; the important thing was getting her enrolled.
Chao Chao dressed quickly, and Madam Xu packed her a small bag adorned with a chubby baby, mirroring Chao Chao’s likeness.
With her tiny backpack, Chao Chao set off on her academic adventure, accompanied by her caretakers, Yuhua and Yuqin.
Before departing, Chao Chao nudged Chasing Wind, the family dog, awake with a gentle kick. “Chasing Wind, no more lazy mornings! Up you get!”
If she had to attend school, then so did everyone else.
The king’s special arrangements meant her class consisted solely of children from the capital’s noble families—the eldest being only five, with two-year-old Chao Chao as the youngest.
At the Royal Academy gates, the scene was chaotic with many teary-eyed youngsters.
“The king has certainly outdone himself for Princess Sunshine…”
“Undoubtedly, she’s his darling,” the onlookers whispered among themselves.
As someone announced, “Princess Sunshine’s sedan has arrived,” curiosity peaked; many had heard of her but never seen her.
“With the king doting on her so, she must be quite the spoiled child. Prime Minister Yuan himself has been appointed her tutor!” Envy tinged the murmurs.
The sedan halted, and all eyes fixed on it as chubby little hands parted the curtain, revealing a beaming face framed by two ponytails.
Dressed in a light green frock, her eyes sparkled, her smile a crescent of innocence.
“So adorable…” someone breathed out.
Despite continuous shoveling, a thick blanket of snow still covered the pavements.
Before the sedan fully stopped, Princess Sunshine leapt out.
Splat…
She landed headfirst in the snow, her small legs flailing, stuck.
The crowd fell silent, then erupted in laughter.
“Hahaha, she’s less a pampered princess, more a charming little scamp!”
Xuan Jichuan hastened to her aid, asserting, “I didn’t laugh this time!”
Snow-dusted, Chao Chao stood defiantly, hands akimbo, demanding, “Who laughed? Who’s laughing?!”
As the bystanders struggled to stifle their giggles, turning away to hide their amusement, Chao Chao stomped into the academy, her tiny form a blend of indignation and resolve.
Inside the academy, amidst the children of royalty and dignitaries, the serene courtyard echoed with scholarly pursuits.
“Looks like a nice spot for a nap…” Chao Chao mused aloud.
She was led inside by a schoolboy, passing a classroom where soft cries lingered.
A young teacher, brow beaded with sweat, struggled to soothe the children.
As Chao Chao arrived, Tutor Zhu, witnessing her composure, discreetly wiped his brow. “Princess Sunshine, you’ll sit in the front row,” he announced, though his decision was more a strategic necessity.
This class was tailor-made for her.
“From today, I am your Tutor Zhu. I’ll teach you daily, and even Prime Minister Yuan will sometimes instruct you—a rare privilege.”
Tutor Zhu smiled warmly, aware that these children were benefiting from their association with Princess Sunshine.
In all of North Zhao, who wouldn’t crave guidance from the Prime Minister?
Chao Chao raised her hand eagerly.
“Princess Sunshine, do you have a question?” Tutor Zhu inquired, intrigued by her enthusiasm.
Chao Chao glanced at her tearful peers and declared loudly, “Your parents don’t want you all anymore…”
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
“From now on, you’ll wake earlier than chickens, sleep later than dogs, and if you misbehave, Tutor will smack your hands…”
“Disobedience means your hands will be slapped till they bloom!”
“So pitiful…”
At her words, the classroom dissolved into wails once more.
Tutor Zhu stood dumbfounded.
Perhaps, sharing a classroom with Princess Sunshine was a mixed blessing after all.