Chapter 232: A Surprise Turned Fright
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
“Chao Chao wants to know~?”
Lu Chao Chao clung to Madam Xu’s hand, shaking it gently.
The little one’s voice was soft and sweet, her eyes filled with plea. Madam Xu, unable to resist her daughter’s charms, sighed with emotion.
“That man… the only good thing he has ever done in this life was probably… saving my life.”
“Back then, I had just reached my coming-of-age ceremony and went to the temple to offer incense for blessings.”
“On the way back… I encountered mountain bandits.”
“It was Lu Yuan Ze who saved me, blocking a blade for me.” She sighed, her gaze distant as if seeing that moment again.
Lu Yuan Ze had rushed forward, shielding her as the bandit’s knife sliced into his shoulder, cutting to the bone. His blood dyed his robe red—and at the same time, it shook her heart.
For the first time, someone had risked their life to protect her.
How profound must that moment have been for a young girl just coming of age?
“The Xu family never put much stock in lineage. But my father only took one look at him and declared he was not a good man.”
“But back then, I was blinded by foolish love and insisted on marrying him.”
“He knelt outside the Xu household for three days, injured. I couldn’t bear it and fasted alongside him for three days.” Madam Xu’s expression was full of self-mockery.
[Ah… how do I tell Mother that the whole ‘blocking the blade’ was just a trick?]
[From the moment he first laid eyes on her, it was all lies…]
Madam Xu paused.
Blocking the blade… was a trick?
“Mother, do you remember the bandit’s face?” Lu Chao Chao held onto a jade bottle, her fingers curling around it.
Madam Xu hesitated before nodding. “I do. The leader of the bandits showed his face for a brief moment…”
[Ah, that scoundrel father of mine orchestrated the entire thing! He hired the bandits to kidnap Mother, then played the hero saving the beauty, even taking a stab for added effect!]
[Afterwards, he silenced the bandits to ensure no loose ends. What a scheme…]
[Poor Mother… from beginning to end, she was nothing but a pawn.]
Lu Chao Chao’s little face twisted. How was she supposed to break this news to her mother?
Madam Xu clutched her chest, her heart wrenching in pain.
“Mother, I caught a drowned ghost… don’t be scared, okay?” Lu Chao Chao opened the jade bottle, and from within, a shadowy figure drifted out.
Madam Xu’s gaze landed on the dark specter.
On his face.
The evil spirit writhed in agony, its soul feeling as though it was being burned alive. It had lost its human shape.
With a thud, it dropped to its knees. “Madam Xu, please spare me!”
“It was Lu Yuan Ze! Lu Yuan Ze ordered me to kidnap you! He wanted to stage a heroic rescue so you would be devoted to him! Please, forgive me!” The ghost rolled on the ground, howling in pain.
Madam Xu stood frozen in place.
With just one look, she recognized him—the bandit who had kidnapped her.
A man under Lu Yuan Ze!
“Mother, are you alright?” Lu Chao Chao gazed at her anxiously.
Madam Xu gripped the edge of the table, her eyes closing. A single tear slipped from the corner of her eye.
It was all a lie.
Every bit of it was a lie.
Her fingers trembled, lips pressing together as she struggled to suppress the storm of hatred in her heart.
Her entire past… was nothing more than a cruel joke.
“Mother, may I disperse the drowned ghost? It has done much evil in the mortal realm, harming innocent souls…” The little one looked worriedly at her mother. But she knew—Mother needed some quiet time to herself.
Madam Xu gave a slight nod.
Before the ghost’s terrified eyes, Lu Chao Chao struck out with her palm, obliterating its soul.
The spirit dissipated into nothingness, vanishing from the Three Realms.
Lu Chao Chao stepped out of the room, her expression glum.
[Ah… that scoundrel father of mine deserves death.]
[Serves him right to die without an heir to send him off!]
[Not happy… not happy at all…]
[Need to find some fun to cheer myself up!]
Madam Xu faintly caught the thoughts but didn’t pay them much mind.
The little one was just looking for some amusement—surely she wouldn’t cause any trouble.
Madam Xu needed time to gather herself, so she let Lu Chao Chao be. The last thing she heard was Deng Zhi saying the child had entered the palace.
At that moment, in the Imperial Study, the Emperor suddenly shivered.
“How is Noble Lady Qin’s cold?” the Emperor asked Eunuch Wang.
For the past few days, Noble Lady Qin had refused to receive him, claiming illness.
Remembering how she had been diligently making soup for him days prior, the Emperor decided to check on her.
“I heard it’s quite severe. She hasn’t left her chambers these past few days.”
Before the Emperor could even step out of the Imperial Study, a young eunuch rushed in to report.
“Your Majesty, Princess Sunshine has entered the palace. She looks rather grumpy, pouting all the way—seems like she’s not in the best mood.”
The little girl, barely past two, was plump and round, her cheeks soft and chubby.
Perhaps because of the heavy winter clothing, she waddled like a tiny penguin.
In one hand, she clutched a handful of melon seeds; in the other, a bottle of milk.
“Emperor Daddy… where you goin’?” The little one’s voice was sweet as honey.
The Emperor chuckled and lifted her up. “I’m going to check on Noble Lady Qin. I heard she’s fallen ill.”
“My, my, Chao Chao has gotten heavier.”
“Sunshine, why did you come to the palace today?”
Lu Chao Chao puffed up her cheeks. “Chao Chao is unhappy. Came to palace for fun. To be happy.”
The Emperor narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
Come to the palace… for fun?
Why did he suddenly feel a chill down his spine?
“The Empress Dowager has been wanting to see you. Let’s have a meal together later.”
Lu Chao Chao’s eyes sparkled. “I wanna see Noble Lady Qin too… can I?”
The Emperor raised a brow. “Of course. It would be her honor to receive a visit from Princess Sunshine.”
“I’m in a good mood today. No need for a formal procession. Let’s go right away.”
With that, the Emperor waved his hand and carried Lu Chao Chao himself.
Luckily, Noble Lady Qin resided in Eternal Peace Palace.
That was Consort Hui’s domain. Noble Lady Qin occupied one of the side halls, and it wasn’t far.
“This is Consort Hui’s main hall. I’ll take you to meet her later.”
“You’ll definitely like Consort Hui.”
“When she first entered the palace, the other concubines all targeted her. Consort Shu was particularly arrogant—on the very first day, she even slapped Hui’er.” At the time, Hui had just entered the palace, and he had only recently ascended the throne, preoccupied with stabilizing his rule.
By the time he had turned his attention back, Hui and Consort Shu had already become the best of friends.
“For Consort Hui, Emperor Daddy worked very hard, right?”
The Emperor flicked her little nose. “You little imp.” A smile crept across his face.
Outside the side hall, a maid spotted the Emperor and paled. She turned to hurry inside, but the Emperor raised a hand.
“Don’t disturb Consort Hui or Noble Lady Qin. I want to give them a surprise.” He grinned, motioning her to stand down.
The maid hesitated, her face uneasy.
[Wow…]
[Emperor Daddy, this ‘surprise’ might just turn into a fright.]
[Can you handle this scandal?]
Lu Chao Chao’s eyes gleamed with excitement.
The irritation from before? Gone.
Oh my, need to prepare seeds XD