Chapter 265: A Crime Not Worth Death
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
“Did you hear something just now?”
“You heard it too?” A court official asked in a hushed voice, his heart pounding with shock.
The emperor cleared his throat, bringing everyone back to their senses.
All eyes turned to Lu Chao Chao… or rather, to her mouth, their expressions a mix of disbelief and suspicion.
“Where is that sound coming fr—” Official Wang was about to speak but was abruptly silenced by Official Fang, who covered his mouth.
[That scoundrel father of mine used my mother’s dowry to keep a mistress, whose son then plotted against my eldest brother, crippling him and confining him to a wheelchair for ten years. And now someone actually dares to speak in his defense?] Lu Chao Chao was very displeased.
[Oh, it’s Official Wang. That makes sense now…]
Official Wang’s eyes widened slightly. What did she mean by that?
[Official Wang is indeed very filial…]
Puffing out his chest, Official Wang revealed a trace of pride between his brows. Of course! He was known far and wide as a model of filial piety.
Princess Sunshine, despite her young age, had quite the keen eye.
[It’s just a pity… Official Wang is incapable of fathering children…] The little one sighed wistfully.
Official Wang: ???!!!
The entire court turned to stare at him in unison!
Infertile? Impossible! Official Wang’s legal wife had borne him two sons and a daughter!
Face turning an alarming shade of blue, Official Wang was about to protest but found his mouth firmly covered by Official Fang.
[Poor Official Wang… he alone remains unaware of his own condition. His father and wife have long known…]
Official Wang’s mother had passed away a few years prior due to illness.
[To ensure the Wang bloodline continued, the old master devised a most unscrupulous plan, hehehe…]
[The old master himself took action, impregnating his daughter-in-law, Madam Wu. She successfully bore a child. Official Wang has been raising his own siblings as his children. So amusing. Even today, his wife didn’t enter the palace—she was sleeping in the old master’s bed. Tsk tsk…]
[Truly filial indeed…]
[But since Official Wang is so devoted, he’ll surely forgive his father, right? The grace of parenthood surpasses all. What fault could his father possibly have? He only wanted an heir, after all.]
Official Wang stood frozen as if struck by lightning.
His father… and his…
Wife??
No! Impossible! Absolutely impossible!
And yet… recalling how his father, usually indifferent, had always shown excessive concern for “his” children—far more than he himself did as their supposed father…
Even punishing him with family discipline for scolding Madam Wu…
Gritting his teeth, Official Wang felt the weight of the entire court’s gaze upon him. He immediately spoke up, “Your Majesty, this humble official must take leave from the palace.”
The emperor gave a slight nod.
Official Wang spun around and bolted. His official hat fell to the ground, and in his haste, he barely had time to retrieve it before fleeing from the palace.
Lu Chao Chao blinked, resting her chin on the crown prince’s shoulder, her gaze landing on Official Zhou.
[You know… Official Zhou looks far prettier in women’s clothing than in men’s attire…]
[And he’s got quite the bold streak…]
[Not only does he enjoy dressing as a woman, hehehe, but years ago, he even ventured out at night in full makeup, veiled, and… flirted with his fellow officials. He became their untouchable “white moonlight.”]
Official Zhou: !!!!!
His legs gave way, and with a thud, he collapsed onto the ground, trembling as he stared at Lu Chao Chao in terror.
The entire court gasped in horror. Official Zhou! In women’s attire!
And some fellow official actually took him for an ethereal, unattainable beauty!
His reputation was ruined! Utterly ruined!
Official Zhou opened his mouth, wanting to beg Lu Chao Chao to stop. But Lu Chao Chao hadn’t even moved her lips.
He was finished.
Completely and utterly finished.
[Official Zhou is quite the character. He and Official Li fight like cats and dogs in court every day, yet in private, he dresses up and seduces Official Li…]
[Poor Official Li. He spent decades longing for his “white moonlight,” believing his love had vanished without a trace…]
Lu Chao Chao grinned foolishly, lost in thought, her laughter echoing through the hall.
“SLAP!” Official Li struck Official Zhou across the face.
Official Zhou nearly wept. Back then, he had been young and impetuous! They had argued constantly, and in a fit of defiance, he had—
The two men immediately fell into a brawl, completely ignoring Lu Yan Shu.
The emperor felt a headache coming on. “Drag them out! Cover their mouths!”
The noblewomen in attendance, puzzled, whispered among themselves, “What’s going on? Why are all the officials silent?”
Lu Chao Chao’s gaze swept the hall.
[Oh, who’s that arguing with my big brother? Looks like Official Zheng…]
[Ah, he’s from the previous dynasty. Still dreaming of restoring it, huh? He even keeps an imperial robe from the old court hidden in his study’s secret chamber.]
The emperor’s eyes turned cold.
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty! Prin—” Before he could finish speaking, Official Zheng was seized by the imperial guards and dragged away.
With a mere glance from the emperor, soldiers were dispatched to search his residence.
[Huh? He got taken away just like that?]
Watching him disappear, Lu Chao Chao yawned.
Who knew…
The officials who had been adamantly opposing Lu Yan Shu just moments ago now took a step back, horror-struck as they looked at her.
Lu Chao Chao blinked. As she glanced around, some officials shrank behind their colleagues, hoping to disappear.
She patted the crown prince’s shoulder. “Why is my big brother standing alone? Is someone bullying him?”
The crown prince: Uh…
A moment ago, yes.
But now…
“Put me down.” Lu Chao Chao wriggled, trying to jump down, forcing the crown prince to hastily set her down.
She wobbled toward Lu Yan Shu, who quickly crouched and caught her.
“Big brother, are you unhappy? Who bullied you?” Lu Chao Chao placed her hands on her hips—but unsteady, she nearly toppled over.
“Chao Chao will get back at them for you. Who was it?” Lu Yan Shu hurriedly lifted her up.
The little one turned her gaze toward the court officials, puffing her cheeks. “Did you bully my big brother?” she asked, her tiny face scrunched up in fierce indignation.
“No, not me!” The official closest to her took a hasty step back.
“Young Master Lu is of excellent character and learning. This humble official did not bully him!” Even those who had opposed him the loudest moments ago changed their tune instantly.
Lu Chao Chao made a sound of acknowledgment.
“Then… was it you? Or you?” She pointed randomly, causing the officials to pale.
“This humble official swears—never!”
Meanwhile, Lu Yan Shu frowned, sniffing lightly.
“Chao Chao, did you drink alcohol?!” The ever-composed young man, who had not flinched even in court debates, now showed a rare trace of panic.
Who was the fool that gave alcohol to a two-year-old?!
Lu Chao Chao giggled, lifting her tiny hand to point at Xie Yu Zhou and the sixth prince.
She betrayed them without hesitation.
“It was Brother Yu Zhou and Brother Sixth Prince who gave me…”
The entire court turned to glare at them.