Chapter 228: A Targeted Proposal
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
The crowd whispered in awe, “Paralyzed for ten years and still able to achieve top scores. If he hadn’t been paralyzed back then…” Their voices trailed off with a shared sentiment, “He would have been a remarkable figure…”
Speculation buzzed around, “I wonder if he can top the exam this time?”
Countless eyes shifted towards Lu Yan Shu, whose past and present were topics of quiet admiration and heated gossip alike.
A voice muttered through the murmur, “Such a genius, and yet Lu Yuan Ze expelled him from the family, even striking his name from the family register.”
Another added, “The illegitimate son that Lu Yuan Ze favors didn’t even make it into the examination hall. I heard he got involved with three men and ended up injured in the private area.”
Amidst the shifting sentiments and changing times, Lu Yan Shu maintained his composure. He stepped forward, his arms open wide. “Chao Chao, come to big brother.”
Chao Chao, with the innocent exuberance of a child, leaped into his arms. “Big bwoder, you’re amazing!” She embraced him tightly, planting a big kiss on his cheek.
His smile was a gentle balm, his demeanor serene amidst the swirling rumors. [Big brother achieved the highest honors, while Lu Jing Huai spends nights with three men. Everyone has a bright future.]
Pressing his lips together, Lu Yan Shu wondered, [Who taught her to speak like this?]
Madam Xu, observing her son, voiced her concern. “Go home and get some rest. Look at you, you’re so thin…”
“Mother, I’m not tired,” Lu Yan Shu reassured her, his thoughts reflecting on his past struggles. [Compared to ten years in a wheelchair, this is nothing. I felt like a living corpse, dependent for every little thing.]
As evening came, Lu Yan Shu returned home, exhausted yet content. Waking up the next morning to the bright sun, he was greeted by Chao Chao’s playful commentary.
“Big bwoder, the sun is shining on your butt…” She lay next to the bed, her cheeks cupped in her hands, her smile wide.
Puzzled, he asked, “Why didn’t you go to school?”
Chao Chao’s face turned into a pout. “I don’t wanna go. The teacher bullies me!”
“He’s targeting me!” Her eyes, wide and innocent, resembled copper bells.
A shadow of worry crossed Lu Yan Shu’s face. As the youngest student at the Royal Academy, Chao Chao’s vulnerability was always a concern. “What did he do to target you?” His voice was laced with protective urgency.
“He called me a dog…” Tears welled up in her eyes as she recounted the slight. “During class, he said whoever talked would be a little dog. I talked,” she explained, her voice quivering with hurt feelings.
Lu Yan Shu’s stern expression softened into confusion.
“And he’s a liar, he doesn’t keep his promise!” Chao Chao continued indignantly. “He said anyone who talked again would be expelled from the academy! I packed my bag to leave, but he stopped me!! I don’t like him!” Her tiny teeth bared in frustration.
“Big bwoder, why aren’t you saying anything? Why are you so quiet?” she pressed, her small hands gesturing wildly.
He sighed deeply, pondering his next steps. “How about I personally take you to the academy?” He considered apologizing to the teacher, fearing the repercussions of his sister’s temper.
Chao Chao’s expression fell. “I… I don’t wanna go.”
Despite his attempts to persuade her, she remained adamant. Lu Yan Shu finally agreed to let her skip a day.
After breakfast, he sought out Yuhua for a clearer picture of what had happened at the academy. Yuhua chuckled, revealing, “She drank too much milk yesterday morning and wet her pants. She felt embarrassed…”
Lu Yan Shu massaged his forehead in resignation. As he was about to clear the table, Chao Chao burst in with news. “Big bwoder, the matchmaker went to Uncle Rong’s house…”
Her tone was accusatory. “Is someone trying to set him up?” She put her hands on her hips, her demeanor fierce. [No way, I chose him to be my stepfather!]
Lu Yan Shu raised an eyebrow at her possessiveness. Chao Chao grabbed his hand, leading him to the neighboring house. “I have a key. Big bwoder, open the door…” Her voice trailed off as she ranted, “Hmph, he’s always cozying up to Mother… And now he’s secretly seeing a matchmaker! I’ll break his neck!”
“Kids shouldn’t be so violent…” Lu Yan Shu cautioned.
She paused, then amended, “Then I’ll gently break his neck!” She handed him the key with a mischievous grin.
After opening the small door in the wall, they eavesdropped outside the main hall.
Inside, the matchmaker’s voice could be heard clearly. “General Rong, I’m an official matchmaker. I can find you any kind of bride you want—well-matched in status, beautiful, educated, we can find them all.”
“You’re the only son of the Protectorate Duke, the queen’s younger brother, the sole heir of the Rong family. You can’t let the Rong family line die out…”
“I’m not some random matchmaker from the east of the city, pairing people up just for the matchmaking fee. I have standards,” Matchmaker Song asserted proudly. She had been trying to find a match for Rong Che for over a decade, making him her biggest challenge yet.
“What are your requirements? Tell me, and I’ll find someone for you. There’s no girl in the capital I can’t approach on your behalf…” she said, her eyes hopeful.
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
Rong Che, typically dismissive of such encounters, surprised her by engaging. “Ahem… preferably over thirty…” he began, his tone serious. After a pause, he added, “Better if she’s thirty-four. No, after the new year, she should be thirty-five! Ahem, I heard from a fortune-teller that a wife born in June is best,” he mused aloud, calculating.
“I calculated the astrological signs, and a divorced woman would bring me good luck. So, she should be divorced…”
“I have weak luck with children. If she could bring children from her previous marriage, that would be even better…”
“Oh, ideally, she should bring three sons and a daughter…” he continued, his requests becoming increasingly specific.
Matchmaker Song’s smile gradually faded into a stunned expression. “Are you making a request?”
“This sounds like targeted matchmaking. Thirty-five years old, with three sons and a daughter, divorced, born in June, and preferably with the surname Xu?” She rolled her eyes, bewildered.
Madam Xu’s situation was well-known throughout the capital.
“No wonder you’ve been single for so many years. You already have someone in mind…” the matchmaker concluded, amazed.
Outside the door, Chao Chao’s mouth hung open in shock. [Wow, a targeted proposal! All that’s left is to mention mother’s name…]