Chapter 218: The Fight
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
As Xie Yu Zhou walked through the palace halls, whispers followed him. “That’s Xie Yu Zhou,” someone said. “He’s just six years old and already a little tyrant. He had returned to the palace only yesterday, and already he had made the sixth prince cry. Even his father Lord Jingxi wouldn’t dare scold him. He’s the youngest of the dowager’s three children. His eldest sister is a princess, and the middle child is the king.”
Lord Jingxi, who had spent years in his own lands, once took a hit for King Xuan Ping when they were younger. This brave act won him the king’s lifelong favor.
“His return to the capital yesterday was quite the event,” added Xuan Jichuan, rolling his eyes at the memory.
At that moment, Lu Chao Chao pushed open the door and entered.
Xie Yu Zhou raised his chin arrogantly. He was the dowager’s favourite, unrivaled among his peers.
“So, you’re Lu Chao Chao?” he sneered. “I haven’t been to the capital in two years, and now you’re a princess. How odd…”
Chao Chao replied sharply, “My title doesn’t change whether you’re here or not.”
Xie Yu Zhou snorted, his fine clothes a testament to his pampered life.
“You’re a princess, yet you bully Jing Yao? My sister has no place to stay because of you!” he accused, his face mirroring his sister Lu Jing Yao’s sadness.
“Isn’t it because her mother is a concubine and can’t appear in public? That’s why she has nowhere to stay,” Chao Chao retorted smartly. “If you’re so concerned, why don’t you take her in yourself?”
“Besides, what relation does she have to me? Do you consider your father’s concubine’s children your siblings?” Chao Chao asked, her smile mischievous.
“You!” Xie Yu Zhou flushed with anger. “Sharp-tongued devil! You’re not nearly as kind as Jing Yao! No wonder your father disowned you and kicked you out! Clearly, your mother failed in teaching you manners!”
Chao Chao’s smile faded, her tone turning stern. “Say one more word about my mother, and I’ll hit you!”
Xie Yu Zhou scoffed, “You dare to strike me? Do you know who I am? My uncle, the king, values me above all others!”
“Even the princes don’t measure up to me! You’re just an adopted daughter. Who do you think you are? You’re nothing special!”
“I dare to insult your mother and I’ll dare to beat you too, and no one would dare stop me!”
Chao Chao leaned in, whispering something that made him even angrier.
“You… you, I won’t forgive this!” Xie Yu Zhou clenched his fist to strike.
Unfazed, Chao Chao charged like a bulldozer and toppled him to the ground. His head hit the corner of a table, leaving a mark.
“Ouch…” he moaned, clutching his forehead. His attendant, witnessing the young master’s humiliation, dashed out in alarm.
“You dare hit me! You’ll regret this!” Xie Yu Zhou, humiliated in front of others, fumed with anger.
“Kneel down and let me ride you like a horse, then I might forgive you!”
Chao Chao’s eyes sparkled defiantly. “Like a horse?”
Though small, her strength was formidable. She punched Xie Yu Zhou in the belly, causing him to double over in pain.
“Ugh…” he groaned, retching.
“Someone, beat her up, beat her to death. I’ll handle the king myself!” His servants, initially hesitant, were spurred into action by his command.
“What are you all waiting for? Do you think the king will scold me over an outsider?” With this, the servants hesitated but then advanced.
Yuhua, also incensed, shouted, “Think we’re pushovers?”
“Get them!”
The maids and servants rushed into the fray, chaos erupting.
Teacher Zhu, pale with shock, cried out, “Stop, everyone stop! Please, stop!” He had never seen such chaos.
Amidst the chaos, Chao Chao’s popularity was clear.
Prime Minister Yuan’s sole grandson, Yuan Man, intervened. “Young master, please, calm down,” he pleaded, seizing Xie Yu Zhou’s left hand.
The wealthiest man’s grandson, Lin Yanyang, grabbed the right. “Young master, stop this madness…”
Others tried to hold him back by grabbing his legs, but he managed to land several more blows.
“The dean is here!” someone shouted as the chaos continued.
As the dean and his staff arrived, both groups sported bruises. Xie Yu Zhou, his anger visible on his bruised face.
Seeing the tumult, the dean almost collapsed.
“Call their parents!” he exclaimed.
“Go ahead, call them. When my father arrives, you’ll all pay!” Xie Yu Zhou threatened, his face marked by scratches.
Chao Chao looked pitifully at the dean. “Do we really need to call our parents? I’ve only been here three days; my mom will be so upset!”
“Everyone’s parents,” the dean insisted, his gaze fixed on her.
Lu Yan Shu, his favorite student, was well-known to him, and by extension, so was Chao Chao.
“Scared now? Kneel and beg like a dog, and maybe I’ll forgive you,” Xie Yu Zhou boasted.
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
“Your grandfather may be the Royal Tutor, but he’s retired. Your mother, a divorced woman, shouldn’t shame herself further.”
At that moment, Madam Xu arrived, concerned.
“Chao Chao, are you hurt?” she asked.
Chao Chao, her hair messy and pigtails askew, looked scruffy but unharmed.
“Mommy, me okay,” she said.
Outside, an angry voice erupted.
“Who dared to hurt my son? A boy’s face is precious; who was so cruel to scratch it?” A richly dressed woman cried as she entered, seeing her son’s condition and filled with sorrow.
“Lady Jingxi…”
Everyone greeted her.
“Princess Sunshine, how dare you! What did my son do to deserve such cruelty? Even if the king favors you, I won’t forgive this today!” Lady Jingxi stroked her son’s face, her heart aching.
Madam Xu, aware of the political nuances, knew the king would not favor an adopted daughter over Xie Yu Zhou.
This story makes me think a lot about what an empire would be like if god-like beings were just, around.