Chapter 254: The Abbot Returns to the Capital
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
“I have wronged you.”
“But did Father ever wrong you? Back then, he valued you greatly and had high hopes for Yan Shu. He is his eldest grandson!”
“You may refuse to return, but Yan Shu must recognize his ancestry. He belongs to the Marquis Zhongyong Manor!” Lu Yuan Ze’s expression darkened, his intentions laid bare without pretense.
Madam Xu nearly laughed from sheer anger.
“Marquis Zhongyong Manor? You don’t even have the plaque anymore! What kind of marquis are you pretending to be? Stop flattering yourself!”
“The one who failed the Old Master wasn’t me—it was you!”
“Don’t use morality to manipulate me!” Madam Xu spat directly at Lu Yuan Ze’s face, her disdain evident.
It was fortunate she had severed ties back then. Otherwise, he would have taken advantage of her!
“With a son like you, the Old Master probably couldn’t rest in peace even in death!”
“If you wish to reclaim your son, try again in your next life!”
“Deng Zhi, see him out!” Madam Xu ordered sternly.
Lu Yuan Ze attempted to speak further, but Deng Zhi led the guards forward, shoving him away without giving him a chance to get close.
“Yan Shu is my son too!” Lu Yuan Ze’s veins bulged with fury as he shouted.
Lu Yan Shu, clad in a scholar’s robe, stood calmly beneath the corridor.
Lu Yuan Ze’s eyes lit up with hope. “Yan Shu, come home with Father. We shall hold an ancestral ceremony. Your grandfather cherished you most during his lifetime.”
“He suffered from lack of education and always lamented it. He dreamed that his descendants would follow the scholarly path. Among this generation, you have achieved the most success. He would be delighted.”
“Back then, you were his favorite.”
Lu Yan Shu held a book in his arms, his expression placid.
“You should leave. I will find time to offer incense at my grandfather’s grave.”
Lu Yuan Ze’s eyes gleamed momentarily.
“But recognizing my ancestry? Impossible.”
Acknowledging his lineage would be a betrayal to his mother. That was something he would never do.
“You—!”
“Lord Lu, do you have no shame? You personally wrote the severance letter back then! Even His Majesty has seen it!”
“You exchanged Lu Jing Huai for Yan Shu—who in the capital doesn’t know this?”
Rong Che entered the hall, holding Lu Chao Chao’s small hand.
Lu Yuan Ze’s gaze turned stormy. “What business is this of yours? I am speaking to my son!”
“Son? Funny, I haven’t heard him call you ‘Father’ even once.” Rong Che’s voice was relaxed, infuriating Lu Yuan Ze further.
Lu Yuan Ze turned to the little girl. “Chao Chao, come to Father.”
Lu Chao Chao pursed her lips and muttered disdainfully, “You? What kind of father are you?”
“Many people want to be my father. You’re not needed.”
Lu Yuan Ze suppressed his anger. “Chao Chao, you are still young. You don’t understand. A stepfather can never compare to a real father. Blood ties remain even if bones break! Family is forever!”
“Then just crush the bones and scatter the ashes.” Lu Chao Chao answered with serious eyes.
“No bones, no ties.”
“Unfilial child! You wretched girl! Aren’t you afraid of divine retribution?!” Lu Yuan Ze exploded with rage, pointing at Lu Chao Chao as he cursed.
Rong Che shielded the child behind him. “Lord Lu, she’s not even in your family registry. What ‘unfilial’ nonsense?”
“If lightning should strike, shouldn’t it strike you? When you and Madam Pei committed adultery, weren’t you the one struck? Your hair got burnt, and your behind was exposed to everyone.”
“Get lost!”
“Stop being an eyesore here.”
Lu Yuan Ze’s face burned with humiliation as he stormed away.
Meanwhile, Madam Xu celebrated Lu Yan Shu’s triple success in the imperial exams with a grand banquet.
The contrast between the two families could not have been more stark.
Lu Yuan Ze stormed home to find Madam Pei waiting, her tone cold. “You went to seek out Madam Xu again?”
“Madam Xu, Madam Xu—she’s all you care about! Where does that leave my dignity? I am your wife!”
“Lu Yuan Ze, what about my and my child’s honor? She is your ex-wife! You are slapping me in the face!” Madam Pei’s cheeks flushed, her eyes brimming with tears.
All of the capital was laughing at her.
“Honor? What honor do you want?!”
“You had no shame when you became my concubine. Why demand dignity now? You failed to raise our children well, failed to manage the household—what use are you?”
“A mere concubine dares speak of honor!”
The cruelest words always come from the closest person.
Madam Pei clutched her chest, trembling with fury, pointing at Lu Yuan Ze as if she would collapse any moment.
Lu Jing Yao cursed inwardly—useless fool.
“Father, don’t scold Mother.”
“The Abbot of the National Temple said that my fate is one of boundless fortune. When I grow up, I will bring honor to our family.” Lu Jing Yao wiped her tears as she attempted to mediate.
Lu Yuan Ze scoffed but refrained from further insults.
“I don’t understand. Ever since Chao Chao appeared, our family has fallen apart.”
“Before her, you and Mother were harmonious, Brother’s reputation was excellent, Grandmother was healthy, and our household bore the title of Marquis.”
“But since Chao Chao came along, everything changed. You and Mother fought, Brother’s name was ruined, Grandmother had a stroke, Aunt was publicly beaten to death, and even our hereditary title was revoked.”
“Could it be that Chao Chao is bringing misfortune upon us?”
“And now, she’s a princess.”
“It’s as if she stole our family’s luck.”
Lu Yuan Ze’s expression darkened, and Lu Jing Yao quickly covered her mouth. “Father, forgive my foolish words. It must be a coincidence.”
Lu Yuan Ze fell into deep thought.
“Indeed.”
“Everything went awry after she was born.”
“I was struck by lightning and demoted—it all started after her birth.” A chilling realization settled in his heart.
“Jing Yao, you truly are my blessed daughter.”
Lu Jing Yao sighed. “Chao Chao even brings misfortune to her own father. If His Majesty acknowledges her as a daughter, will she bring misfortune upon North Zhao?”
Lu Yuan Ze’s brows furrowed.
“Tomorrow is the third of March, the grand Buddhist assembly. The Abbot of the National Temple returns to deliver his sermon. I shall take you to see him.”
“When you were still in your mother’s womb, the Abbot prophesied that your fate would be unparalleled. He even gifted you his prayer beads, imbued with divine blessings. That alone proves how much he values you.”
Lu Yuan Ze looked at his daughter with newfound joy. “Jing Yao, you are truly my own flesh and blood.”
“That wretched Lu Chao Chao!”
Lu Jing Yao nestled into her father’s embrace, gazing at him with adoration.
“Chao Chao is too unfilial. But I will be good to you, Father, and never let you be sad.”
“Good, good! My Jing Yao is so obedient!”
The gloom in Lu Yuan Ze’s heart dissipated.
That night, he was in such a pleasant mood that he even dined with Madam Pei and Lu Jing Yao.
On the third day of the third month, the Buddhist assembly commenced.
Lu Yuan Ze dressed meticulously. It was his day off, and he required no leave to attend.
Holding Lu Jing Yao’s hand, he strode out confidently.
“Today marks the end of Lu Chao Chao’s good days!”
At the grand assembly, nobles and scholars gathered to listen to Buddhist teachings and seek blessings.
The Abbot of the National Temple was a revered monk and a figure of great status.
Yet at the grand dais, Lu Yuan Ze found himself stopped by a novice monk.