Chapter 264: The Entire Court Eavesdrops
(This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation.)
“Heartbeat?” Lu Chao Chao murmured softly, tilting her head with a puzzled expression as she looked at Xie Cheng Xi. “Huh, it really is beating. It’s in my heart now…”
Her eyes sparkled with wonder. “This is so much fun…” she whispered, her tiny voice filled with amazement.
Xie Cheng Xi nodded solemnly. “It was always yours.”
“It’s… returned to its rightful owner. But only for a short time.”
“Before dawn, we have to return it. The world can’t go without the Heart of North Zhao for long.”
The crown prince carried her out of the nine-story tower. Lu Chao Chao patted her chest in awe, feeling the rhythmic thumping. “Boom, boom, boom… it feels like thunder in my heart.”
“Crown Prince Brother, it feels like thunder…” she said drowsily, her eyelids growing heavy. She yawned, her eyes red and droopy.
Her head grew heavy, and she rested weakly on Xie Cheng Xi’s shoulder. “Mama… I miss Mama…” she mumbled, her eyes half-closed, nearly asleep.
“I’ll take you to her,” Xie Cheng Xi promised.
When they reached the hall, the sixth prince and Xie Yu Zhou stood outside, too nervous to enter.
“Crown Prince Brother…” the sixth prince began, looking at Lu Chao Chao with concern.
He glanced into the hall, where the ministers were in a heated debate, and Lu Yan Shu stood alone, facing them all.
“Although Lu Yan Shu topped the royal exams, he is still young. He is not yet fit to be the crown prince’s tutor…” one minister argued.
“Your Majesty, please reconsider,” another added.
“Filial piety is paramount. Lu Yan Shu is the eldest legitimate son of Marquis Zhongyong’s household. Now, he follows his mother in leaving his father, neglecting the Marquis. Talent without virtue is useless. How can he be the crown prince’s tutor?” Minister Wang declared.
The princess, unable to contain her anger, was about to speak, but Lord Cheng, her husband, stopped her. “You must not interfere in politics. If you speak, it will only make them more suspicious.”
The Protectorate Duke’s face turned purple with rage. “How dare you! The marquis’s concubine-born son is the same age as the legitimate son, and the marquis disowned his children and cut ties. What fault has Lu Yan Shu committed? How is this unfilial? Lu Yuan Ze deserves everything he gets. It’s his karma!”
The Protectorate Duke was livid. He had long wished for his daughter-in-law’s recognition, and now they wanted to challenge her position!
He wished he could strike them all down.
Minister Wang’s face turned serious. “A father is still a father, even if he makes mistakes. He is still his father by blood.”
“Madam Xu can leave, but Lu Yan Shu cannot ignore his father. His father gave him life, and that cannot be erased by a piece of paper.”
“This is unfilial!”
“He cannot be the crown prince’s tutor!”
“You dog! Don’t think I don’t know your true intentions!!” The Protectorate Duke exploded with fury.
“You just fear the glory of the Rong family and Lu Yan Shu’s top ranking. If he becomes the crown prince’s tutor, he’ll block your path in the future!”
“Don’t blame Lu Yan Shu. He’s a good boy!” The Protectorate Duke’s eyes were red with anger. The old man, with white hair, had long retired from politics but was now filled with rage.
Rong Che took a deep breath and stood up.
He strode to the front of the hall and knelt deeply.
“Your Majesty, my marriage is a private matter, unrelated to the court or North Zhao.” He glanced at the ministers, who all averted their eyes.
“If you fear the Rong family, I…” Rong Che took a deep breath. “I am willing to resign. I beg Your Majesty to allow it.”
Rong Che’s words stunned everyone, leaving them speechless.
Madam Xu dropped her teacup.
Tears streamed down her face.
She clenched her fists tightly, staring at Rong Che, shaking her head.
The old matriarch of the Rong family held her hand gently, noticing the blood from her clenched fists, and frowned with concern.
She took out a clean handkerchief and wrapped her hand.
“It’s not worth it, not worth it,” Madam Xu murmured. She never expected Rong Che to give up his military career.
His rank was earned through years of battle, risking his life.
She had been married to Lu Yuan Ze for years, and he never showed her such love.
“It is worth it. How is it not worth it? As long as my son is willing, everything is worth it. Be at ease…” The old matriarch patted her hand, her expression kind.
“Absurd!” The king was furious.
A perfectly good birthday banquet had turned into this mess.
“The Southern Kingdom eyes us greedily, and Dongling’s borders are unstable. You are North Zhao’s war god. You cannot resign!” The king rejected him without a thought.
“Lord Rong, personal feelings are minor. The country is major.” Minister Wang tried to persuade him.
“Don’t talk to me about family being unimportant. Why don’t you go without heirs?!” The Protectorate Duke shouted angrily.
Minister Wang’s face darkened.
Rong Che knelt upright, his gaze firm. He was serious.
“I have lived my life for North Zhao, always where there was war. But now, I want to live for myself. I beg Your Majesty to allow it…” If he hadn’t rushed to the battlefield, Shi Yun wouldn’t have married Lu Yuan Ze!
He had already missed her once. He couldn’t miss her again.
Madam Xu was already crying, tears streaming down.
“Don’t cry. A man who can’t protect the woman he loves is no man! He might as well be a eunuch. If he lacks the courage, I would look down on him.” The old matriarch was optimistic, comforting Madam Xu.
“But you mustn’t blame him for being just a Duke’s heir in the future.” The heir had a title but no real power, unlike a general.
Madam Xu kept crying, and Rong Che’s heart ached.
Lu Chao Chao felt the noise around her was unbearable, making her extremely uncomfortable.
She covered her ears with her small hands, her face scrunched up.
[Stop shouting! Stop shouting! I can’t sleep!] Lu Chao Chao’s mind screamed.
Suddenly, the hall fell silent.
Rong Che widened his eyes, confused, and touched his ears.
Was he hearing things?
The king’s eyes narrowed, frowning. What was this? He seemed to hear Chao Chao’s babyish roar.
But Chao Chao… She was lying lazily on the crown prince’s shoulder, not even opening her mouth!
The king opened his mouth, feeling… A sense of foreboding hitting his heart.
“Did you hear something?” the dowager asked the queen quietly.
[Noisy, noisy, what’s there to argue about! So annoying, so annoying…]
The civil and military officials swallowed nervously. Why did they hear Princess Sunshine’s voice?
The crown prince noticed their expressions and was slightly stunned.
Then his face changed dramatically!!
He had long realized that this time, Chao Chao’s reincarnation had a flaw!!
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
Those with blood ties or deep bonds with her could hear her thoughts.
Fortunately, it was only her family and some of the Xu family who could hear her.
Now, she was Princess Sunshine, officially recognized by the king. In addition, her heart had returned to its rightful place inside her body…
The crown prince glanced at his father, then at the bewildered officials, and his vision darkened…
Could it be…
They all heard her thoughts???