Chapter 218: A Fight
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
“His name is Xie Yu Zhou. He is six years old and a little tyrant.”
“Just yesterday, upon returning to the palace, he made the Sixth Prince cry. Even Prince Jing Xi didn’t dare to scold him.”
“The Empress Dowager has only two sons and one daughter. Her eldest daughter is the Eldest Princess, her eldest son is His Majesty, and her youngest son is Prince Jing Xi.”
“Prince Jing Xi has resided in his fief for years. In his youth, he took a blade for Emperor Xuan Ping, earning the emperor’s deep favor.”
“Yesterday, when he returned to the capital, it was a grand affair. You should have seen it…” Xuan Ji Chuan rolled his eyes dramatically.
Lu Chao Chao pushed open the door and entered.
Xie Yu Zhou lifted his chin arrogantly. In the palace, even the Empress Dowager called him her precious child. Not even the imperial princes could compare to him.
“So, you’re Lu Chao Chao?” His tone was haughty, and his expression held obvious disdain.
“This heir has not been to the capital for two years, and you became a princess? How peculiar…”
Lu Chao Chao kindly reminded him, “Even if you return, I am still a princess.”
Xie Yu Zhou snorted through his nose, his extravagant attire making it clear he had been spoiled.
“You’re already a princess, yet you still bully Jing Yao? My dear Jing Yao has nowhere to go!” His indignant expression bore an uncanny resemblance to Lu Jing Yao.
“Isn’t it because her mother was a mistress, unable to be seen in the light, that she has nowhere to stay?” Though young, Lu Chao Chao had a sharp tongue.
“If she has nowhere to go, why don’t you take her home?”
“How is she my sister?” Lu Chao Chao beamed as she countered. “If your father had an illegitimate child, would you call them your sibling?”
“You!” Xie Yu Zhou’s face turned red with fury.
“Such a sharp tongue!”
“Not even half as gentle as Jing Yao!” He glared at her, his anger flaring.
“No wonder your father abandoned you! No wonder he cast you out! It must be because you are too crude, and your mother didn’t raise you properly!”
Lu Chao Chao’s smile faded slightly, her tone growing heavier. “Say one more word about my mother, and I’ll hit you.”
Xie Yu Zhou sneered mockingly.
“You dare hit me? Do you even know who I am?” He looked down on her with an air of superiority.
“Imperial Uncle favors me the most!”
“Even the princes don’t dare to compare themselves to me! You’re just an adopted daughter. Do you really think you’re that special?”
“This heir can insult your mother as much as he pleases, and even if I beat you, no one would dare utter a word!”
Lu Chao Chao shot him a glance and took a step closer.
She leaned in and whispered something softly.
Just a single sentence, and Xie Yu Zhou’s face turned purple with rage. He lost control instantly.
“You—you—I will never forgive you!” Xie Yu Zhou raised his fist, ready to strike.
But Lu Chao Chao was unafraid. Like a little calf, she charged forward and knocked him off his feet.
Xie Yu Zhou crashed into the edge of a table, his forehead bruising instantly.
The little tyrant, despite his arrogance, still cared for his emperor father’s dignity.
“Ow…” Xie Yu Zhou clutched his head where he had struck the table. His little servant, witnessing his young master being beaten, panicked and bolted outside.
“You—you dare hit me! You must be tired of living!” Xie Yu Zhou, already robust for his age, was used to having his way. Now, humiliated in front of everyone, he flew into a rage.
“If you kneel and let me ride you like a horse, I might just forgive you!”
Lu Chao Chao’s eyes flashed with a cold glint. “A horse?”
She was small in stature, but her strength was immense.
With a single punch, Xie Yu Zhou took the hit straight to the stomach and let out a miserable cry.
“Urgh…” He doubled over, dry heaving from the impact.
“Guards! Strike her down! Beat her to death! My uncle, the Emperor, will have my back!” Yet, despite his command, none of his servants dared to make a move. After all, this was Princess Sunshine, and he was merely the Young Heir.
“What are you all waiting for?! Do you think my uncle will punish me over an outsider?” With those words, his servants hesitated no longer and rushed forward.
Lu Yan Shu flared up with anger. “You think I’m alone? Get them!”
In an instant, maids and servants threw themselves into the fray, and chaos erupted.
Instructor Zhu paled in horror. “Stop this! Stop this at once!” He had never witnessed such a disorderly brawl before.
But the most terrifying thing? Lu Chao Chao was well-liked.
The only grandson of Chief Minister Yuan, Yuan Man, hurried to intervene.
He grabbed Xie Yu Zhou’s left hand tightly. “Young Heir, calm yourself! Please, calm yourself!”
The grandson of the Wealthiest Man, Lin Yan Yang, seized his right arm. “Young Heir, stop! You mustn’t!”
Other young noblemen joined in, clinging to his legs.
And so, Xie Yu Zhou, restrained, was struck across the face several times.
“The Headmaster is coming! The Headmaster is here!” someone shouted in alarm.
By the time the Headmaster of the Imperial Academy arrived with his staff, both sides bore battle scars. Xie Yu Zhou clenched his teeth, his expression ferocious.
Seeing the utter wreckage of the hall, the Headmaster nearly blacked out.
“Summon the parents!” he roared.
“Summon them, then! When my father arrives, we’ll see who truly suffers!” Xie Yu Zhou bared his teeth, his face marred with deep nail scratches.
Lu Chao Chao looked at the Headmaster with a pitiful expression. “Do we really have to call for them? I just started school three days ago… Mother is going to be so mad!”
“Everyone’s parents will be summoned!” The Headmaster cast her a pointed glare.
He had a soft spot for Lu Yan Shu, one of his brightest students.
“Scared now? If you kneel and beg for mercy like a dog, I might just let this slide!” Xie Yu Zhou smirked triumphantly. “Your grandfather may have been the Grand Tutor, but he retired long ago. Your mother is merely a divorced woman—don’t humiliate yourself further!”
At that moment, Madam Xu was escorted into the Imperial Academy.
Upon hearing that Lu Chao Chao had been involved in a fight, she had rushed over in a panic.
“Chao Chao! Are you hurt?” The moment she stepped into the hall, she ran straight to her daughter.
Lu Chao Chao’s hair was a mess, her small hair ties loose and drooping. Though disheveled, she bore no injuries.
“Mama, I’m fine!”
No sooner had she spoken than a furious voice rang out from outside.
“Who dares harm my son?! A man’s honor is his pride! Who was so cruel as to scratch up his face?!”
A regal woman stormed in, dabbing her eyes with a silk handkerchief. When she saw Xie Yu Zhou’s battered appearance, her heart shattered.
“Princess Consort Jing Xi…” The gathered nobles bowed in greeting.
She turned to Lu Chao Chao, her eyes blazing with fury. “Princess Sunshine, how dare you! What did my son ever do to you for you to be so ruthless?! Even if the Emperor dotes on you, I will not let this slide!”
After all, Madam Xu was merely a divorced woman, and though Princess Sunshine was favored, could the Emperor truly trouble himself over an adopted daughter when faced with Xie Yu Zhou’s injuries?
This story makes me think a lot about what an empire would be like if god-like beings were just, around.