Chapter 220: Kicked an Iron Plate
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
The dean swiftly covered little Lu Chao Chao’s mouth with his hand, his eyes wide with alarm. “You’re stirring up trouble, aren’t you? You almost convinced Lord Jingxi to beat his own son to death!”
Xie Yu Zhou, the princess consort, clutched her son close, sobbing uncontrollably. Lord Jingxi, on the other hand, turned a shade of deep purple, his breaths short and filled with fury.
Managing to wiggle free from the dean’s grasp, Chao Chao spoke up in her tiny, innocent voice, “Actuawy, it’s not Yu Zhou brover’s fault,” her words tumbled out earnestly. “He’s only six. Maybe he heard it from someone else…” Her gaze drifted towards the princess consort, known for her deep affection towards her son.
The prince clenched his jaw tightly. His plain features stood in stark contrast to those of his stunning wife.
[Does she think I’m ugly?]
Suddenly, the princess consort collapsed, her face ashen. “No, I didn’t! I didn’t!”
“Princess Sunshine is trying to sow discord between us,” she wailed, her eyes brimming with fear. After years together, she knew just how to trigger her husband’s insecurities.
Chao Chao waved her small hand dismissively, “Pwinsess consort, you said it youwself. I’m just a child. Kids say the siwwiest things, just joking around…”
[Hmph, your son insulted my mom and it’s okay because he’s a kid? Let’s see how you like it!]
The princess consort’s expression darkened further. The dean, in a panic, quickly covered Chao Chao’s mouth again. “Please, for the love of all that’s holy, be quiet.”
The prince had only just returned to the capital, and his marriage was already in turmoil.
[Hmph, who isn’t a brat sometimes? Just because you’re a kid doesn’t mean you can hurt others. When it comes back to you, it hurts just the same.]
The prince shot a furious look at the princess consort, who was too frightened to defend their son. Xie Yu Zhou, still in his mother’s arms, was bewildered. How had his insult to Lu Chao Chao escalated into his parents’ squabble? His father stormed out, the princess consort trailing after him desperately.
“My lord, please listen to me! I’ve never despised you. I’m innocent!”
The room fell into a stunned silence.
Pointing at Lu Chao Chao through his tears, Xie Yu Zhou cried out, “I’m going to tell the king and grandma! They’ll punish you!”
“Go ahead, go ahead! Let’s see who gets punished!”
[If the king punishes me, I’ll just stop being his daughter. Hmph!]
Xie Yu Zhou dashed out, weeping, to arrange a carriage to the palace.
The dean, with a gentle touch, tapped Chao Chao’s nose. “Last night, Yu Zhou returned to the capital desiring the sixth prince’s sword. When the prince refused, Yu Zhou struck him with an inkstone. He’s a spoiled child.”
“I don’t care if he’s spoiled. He can’t insult my mom,” Chao Chao declared firmly.
The dean smiled warmly at her. “You’re a good child.”
Madam Xu, grateful, thanked the dean and escorted Chao Chao home. The morning’s lessons had been thoroughly disrupted by the commotion.
“Thank you for standing up for me, Chao Chao. I’m very fortunate to have you,” Madam Xu expressed sincerely.
Since her divorce, Madam Xu had been the subject of much gossip, but she never imagined her child would defend her in such a unique way.
“Chao Chao is also vewy happy to have Mom.”
“Hmph, he tattles, and Chao Chao can’t tattle?” Chao Chao asserted. “Mom, I want to go to the palace too!”
“Do you need Mom to help you?” Madam Xu inquired gently.
Chao Chao shook her head. “Kids shouwd solve their own pwoblems. I have helpers…” She patted a pouch brimming with jade tokens. If necessary, she could call for backup, capable of summoning half the court.
Riding her trusty dog, Chasing Wind, Chao Chao hurried to the palace. She arrived just in time to catch Xie Yu Zhou’s tearful complaints to the dowager.
“Granny, I just returned to the capital and someone bullied me. You have to help me…”
“All I did was say a few words, and they scratched my face. Waaaah…”
“Uncle, am I still your favorite nephew? Waaaah… Just because I grew up outside the capital, does that mean no one here recognizes me?” Xie Yu Zhou showed off the scratches on his face, which outraged the dowager.
“Outrageous! Who dared to scratch your face?”
“My dear grandson, you’ve only been back one day and someone has already hurt you. My heart aches. Summon the doctor at once!” The king’s expression darkened. He and Lord Jingxi were brothers, and the prince had once saved his life. The king adored his nephew.
“I want to see who dared to harm you!” the king demanded.
Xie Yu Zhou hesitated, knowing his uncle adored him the most. Lu Chao Chao was just an adopted daughter. “It was Princess Sunshine!” he declared.
The king broke into a cold sweat.
“Who did you say?” The dowager’s grip on his hand loosened, her eyes widening in shock.
Xie Yu Zhou, displaying the scratches on his arm, attempted to portray Lu Chao Chao in a negative light. Yesterday, he had injured the sixth prince. Whenever he appeared pitiful, the dowager always sympathized with him. This tactic always worked with the adults.
“Princess Sunshine, the king’s new adopted daughter,” he repeated. “She’s arrogant because of the king’s favor. She even dared to hit me. Grandma, don’t you love me the most?” he asked, looking up at the dowager with big, teary eyes.
[Why didn’t she look sympathetic anymore? She had been wiping away tears just a moment ago. Why was the king’s face so twisted now?]
After a tense silence, the king asked seriously, “Did you fight back? Did you hit her?”
Xie Yu Zhou’s lip quivered, and tears threatened to spill again. “I couldn’t. She’s very strong. She pinned me down and hit me. Waaaah…”
“Good! Good!” the king exclaimed, relieved. “Mother, it’s a good thing Princess Sunshine wasn’t hurt. What did you do to provoke her? Your thick skin might hurt her hands.”
Xie Yu Zhou was stunned, tears freezing on his face.
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
“Princess Sunshine must have had a reason. She’s not the type to cause trouble,” the king stated.
“The king is right. Princess Sunshine is a well-behaved child, raised well by Madam Xu,” the dowager agreed, nodding.
Lu Chao Chao had a kind heart. Every winter, she used her allowance to provide food and shelter for the poor outside the city. The king didn’t believe she would bully anyone.
“Did you provoke Princess Sunshine?” the king asked.
Xie Yu Zhou shrank back, not daring to speak. The king understood immediately. He had twisted the truth.
“Send him back to Lord Jingxi’s residence to be disciplined!” the dowager commanded.
The little tyrant cried his heart out, but it was too late.
The sixth prince, with his head wrapped in bandages, laughed gleefully. “You deserved it! You kicked an iron plate this time!”