Chapter 219: Chao Chao, the Little Green Tea
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
Prince Jing Xi had numerous wives and concubines, and thus, his manor was filled with many children, both sons and daughters of lower status.
However, the Princess Consort of Prince Jing Xi gave birth to three daughters in succession before finally having a son, the only legitimate heir.
She doted on him immensely. In their fiefdom, he was like a little emperor, pampered beyond measure. How could he have ever suffered such humiliation?
The Princess Consort tenderly stroked her son’s face, her heart aching.
“How could she strike your face? If this leaves a scar and affects your marriage in the future, what shall we do?”
“Madam Xu, how are you raising your child? She’s already so unruly at such a young age. Will she end up just like you, abandoned and divorced by her husband?” The Princess Consort of Prince Jing Xi had grown used to her unchecked authority in their fiefdom and could not conceal her anger now.
Madam Xu’s expression darkened.
On the way here, the maidservants had informed her of the incident. She felt an overwhelming sense of guilt and heartache for her daughter.
“My divorce has nothing to do with my daughter.” Madam Xu feared not the consequences of divorce, but she could not bear to see her daughter suffer any grievance.
“Princess Consort, your words reek. Speaking in such a foul manner!” Madam Xu’s face darkened further.
She even waved her hand in disdain and took a step back in disgust.
The Princess Consort of Prince Jing Xi was so enraged that her expression twisted.
“How dare you!” she shouted angrily.
Madam Xu sneered. “How have I been disrespectful? They say a son takes after his mother, and indeed, that is true.”
“The heir speaks such foul words at such a young age. He certainly takes after his mother.”
“Princess Consort, you do not distinguish right from wrong. Without even asking what happened, you immediately speak such venomous words. Is this the kind of upbringing you received?” Madam Xu shielded Lu Chao Chao behind her, unafraid of the Princess Consort.
“He was the one who started it. He was the one who insulted my mother first!” Lu Chao Chao peeked her little head out.
“The heir is still young. He is merely a child speaking without malice. How can you count that as an insult?” The Princess Consort was fiercely protective, to the point of blind indulgence.
“Oh? He is six years old and still young, but I am already an adult at two?” Lu Chao Chao pointed at herself with her tiny fingers.
The Princess Consort’s face turned black with rage.
“Yu Zhou must have struck first because you provoked him! Yu Zhou, tell Mother, did she insult you?” The Princess Consort looked at her son.
Xie Yu Zhou pressed his lips together and said nothing.
At that moment, a servant behind Xie Yu Zhou stepped forward. “The heir did not initially hit anyone. It was Princess Zhao Yang who said something first, and only then did he act!”
Lu Chao Chao made a funny face at him. “Then say it! Say it! Did I insult you? What did I say?”
“Why don’t you dare to speak?”
Xie Yu Zhou’s face was full of inner conflict. He glanced at his mother but remained silent.
“Is she threatening you? My dear son, have you been wronged? Speak up!” The Princess Consort had never seen her son looking so aggrieved and unable to voice his thoughts.
“His Lordship has arrived.” Outside the door, a servant had already summoned Prince Jing Xi.
Prince Jing Xi was a few years younger than the Emperor, but he was far less handsome.
Emperor Xuan Ping had inherited the best features of their parents, standing tall and possessing a striking appearance. Even if one disregarded his status, he was still a fine-looking man.
In contrast, Prince Jing Xi had been ordinary since childhood.
Prince Jing Xi furrowed his brows slightly and cast an annoyed glance at Lu Chao Chao.
“You are the adopted daughter my royal brother has taken in. That makes me your elder in name. Apologize to Yu Zhou, and this matter will be settled. Zhao Yang, what do you think?”
“Your Highness, look at her! Just look at what she has done to Yu Zhou’s face!” The Princess Consort shot a resentful glare at Lu Chao Chao.
“But I did nothing wrong! Why should I apologize?”
Lu Chao Chao crossed her little arms. She had done nothing wrong! Xie Yu Zhou was the one who insulted her mother first!
“So stubborn!”
Prince Jing Xi flung his sleeve with frustration.
“Yu Zhou, tell me, did she insult you first? Is that why you struck her?!” Xie Jing Xi’s expression was severe, and Xie Yu Zhou shrank back.
“She… she…”
“She probably did insult me…” Xie Yu Zhou was on the verge of tears.
Princess Consort Jing Xi arched her brows. “Madam Xu, do you still refuse to admit it?!”
“Son, tell her, what exactly did Princess Sunshine say to you?”
Xie Yu Zhou’s face turned deathly pale, a trace of hesitation forming. “Mother, just let it go… mother…”
“Speak!” Xie Jing Xi’s patience was wearing thin.
Xie Yu Zhou sobbed, “She… she said I…”
He hesitated, unwilling to continue, sneaking glances at his father.
“Speak! Your father is here; he will stand up for you!” The Princess Consort looked at him earnestly.
Xie Yu Zhou squeezed his eyes shut. “She said I look exactly like Father!”
At those words, the entire hall fell into stunned silence.
Lu Chao Chao giggled. “Yes, you and your father do look exactly the same. Do you think that’s an insult?”
Prince Jing Xi’s face darkened, his chest heaving with rage. Even the Princess Consort’s expression changed.
Xie Jing Xi felt humiliated—nothing more than a fool, mocked by two children!
Without hesitation, Prince Jing Xi turned and struck his son.
The slap sent Xie Yu Zhou stumbling backward, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth before he fell to the ground.
He dared not cry aloud, only covering his face as silent tears fell.
“What are you doing?!” The Princess Consort screamed, rushing forward to shield her son.
“My son, are you hurt anywhere?” She anxiously cupped his face, checking for injuries.
“What am I doing?! This ungrateful child! Did you hear what he said?! Do you call that human speech?!” Prince Jing Xi seethed with fury.
He had always resented comparisons to his siblings, and now, even his own son scorned him!
“Looking like his father is an insult?!”
“Ingrate! Ingrate! How did you raise this child?! He doesn’t even know respect and dares to despise his own parents!” Xie Jing Xi felt as though he had been slapped in public, humiliated beyond measure.
“He is still young, he’s only six years old, he doesn’t understand…” The Princess Consort pleaded, tears brimming in her eyes.
Others in the room hurried to mediate. “Yes, the heir is only six, he is still naive. Please, Your Highness, do not be angry…”
“He has only just begun his studies, he has much to learn. There is no need for such anger, Your Highness,” even the headmaster intervened.
Lu Chao Chao blinked her big eyes. “Mama, the heir said bad things about you.”
“I’m only two, and I already know how to stand up for my mama.”
“Yu Zhou gege is six, how can he still dislike Father for being ugly?”
Prince Jing Xi’s temper had barely settled when, with this sudden comparison, it reignited in an instant.
“Xie Yu Zhou, get over here!”
“Father! Father! I was wrong! I was truly wrong!” Xie Yu Zhou shivered in fear, hiding behind his mother as he ran in circles to evade his father’s wrath.
Lu Chao Chao spoke carefully.
“Uncle Wang, don’t be mad. Three years old is a glimpse into one’s future. If Yu Zhou gege is so disobedient, why not have another child instead?”
“Have one that cherishes and loves you.”
“Dogs do not despise their homes for being poor, children should not despise their fathers for being ugly. Yu Zhou gege is so disobedient…”
“Unlike Chao Chao, who feels sad when someone talks badly about mama.” Lu Chao Chao muttered.
[Quick, quick, hit him! Hit this foul-mouthed brat!]
Madam Xu pursed her lips tightly, barely holding back a smile.
Lu Chao Chao’s obedient demeanor stood in stark contrast to Xie Yu Zhou’s behavior.
“Look at Princess Sunshine! She’s only two years old! And you?! You’re already six and still so ignorant!”
“You foolish woman! Look what you’ve done to our child!” Prince Jing Xi erupted with rage.
The headmaster silently covered Lu Chao Chao’s mouth.
Heavens, the more she spoke, the worse it got. He feared Lu Chao Chao might end up angering Prince Jing Xi to death.
How could this little tyrant’s mouth be so formidable?!
I thought this was gonna be another cuckolding situation but apparently this dude is ugly and knows it lol