Chapter 267: The Pei Family’s Secret
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
“Chao Chao, hold on…”
The Crown Prince placed his hand over her chest, feeling the powerful heartbeat beneath his palm.
“I’m sorry, Chao Chao…” Xie Cheng Xi’s hands trembled as he formed a seal in the air above her heart.
A faint glow blossomed between them.
Thump, thump, thump…
The heart seemed unwilling to part.
“Hurts…” Lu Chao Chao suddenly furrowed her tiny brows, her small body curling into a ball. Cold sweat covered her forehead.
“Just a little longer, Chao Chao…” Xie Cheng Xi’s voice quivered with sorrow.
He shut his eyes and pressed harder.
A delicate light leapt from her chest.
Xie Cheng Xi caught it in his hands—a warmth still lingering within. It pulsed rhythmically.
The little one had already fallen into a deep, sweat-drenched sleep. The Crown Prince summoned a palace maid. “Wash and tend to the princess. Do not disturb her rest.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
With that, the Crown Prince took the Heart of North Zhao back to the Nine-Level Pagoda.
The Heart of North Zhao hovered before him but refused to return to its rightful place.
“Return…” Xie Cheng Xi murmured.
Reluctantly, the Heart of North Zhao drifted back into position. The moment it settled, the radiant Emperor Star vanished from the night sky once more.
Descending from the Nine-Level Pagoda, the Crown Prince lightly waved his hand, dispersing his spiritual energy. In mere moments, the Imperial Guards would awaken.
As he stepped beyond the palace gates, he saw Abbot Shi Kong standing there, staring into the sky.
Muttering to himself, the abbot whispered, “Why is it gone…? Where did it disappear to…?”
“Abbot, what are you searching for?” The Crown Prince asked, noticing the monk’s near-manic state.
The abbot regained a semblance of composure upon seeing him and pressed his palms together. “This humble monk observed the stars tonight. The Three Realms… are about to face great upheav—”
Before he could finish, blood gushed from his mouth.
“Master, please, do not speak further! You are already weak—you cannot afford to reveal the secrets of Heaven!” The little monk by his side paled and quickly supported him.
The abbot sighed.
The Crown Prince waved dismissively. “Abbot, your eyes have only just healed. Focus on your health. I have no interest in the affairs of fate.”
He had only one wish—
For Chao Chao to recover her heart.
To truly return to life.
The Crown Prince did not linger. Holding the sleeping Chao Chao, he sent her back to Madam Xu.
“Thank you, Your Highness, for caring for my daughter,” Madam Xu expressed her gratitude.
“There is no need for thanks. Chao Chao is more important to me than my own life.” The Crown Prince gently handed her over.
As their carriage moved farther away, Lu Yan Shu turned back. The Crown Prince remained at the door, watching them leave.
“Did you hear Chao Chao’s thoughts today…?” Madam Xu asked in a hushed voice.
Rong Che hesitated, then nodded. “Yes. And not just me. I fear the entire court and the royal family heard it too.”
Madam Xu inhaled sharply, worry clouding her face. “What now? Will they brand Chao Chao as a cursed being?”
“It is not that we do not trust you, but this is too bizarre… Since Chao Chao was born, we have been able to hear her thoughts.” Madam Xu admitted with some guilt—she had concealed this truth from Rong Che.
But Rong Che only smiled.
“No, you did the right thing.”
“Self-preservation is the most important thing. Never give your heart to others completely.” He had seen Shi Yun deceived for eighteen years. Caution was necessary.
“You need not worry about Chao Chao either. His Majesty values her greatly—no court official will dare spread rumors.” Knowing the Emperor’s nature, anyone who leaked this secret would face execution—along with their entire clan.
Who would dare risk that?
Madam Xu relaxed slightly.
Meanwhile, Li Zi Xi was curled up in the carriage, shivering from the cold, his usually handsome face turning slightly purple.
“Li Scholar, why didn’t you attend the palace banquet tonight?” Madam Xu asked.
Li Zi Xi looked at her in bewilderment. “Madam Xu, I was there.”
“I originally sat beside Yan Shu, but then the table collapsed, and wine drenched my robes. When I changed and returned, a roof tile fell and smashed my foot.”
“His Majesty wouldn’t let me back in, so I was left at the palace gates…” He exhaled, hugging himself. “The cold wind was merciless. The entrance was freezing.”
Madam Xu: “…”
Arriving at the Lu Manor, Rong Che escorted them inside before reluctantly departing.
Just as he was about to enter his own estate, he noticed a figure lurking in the shadows.
“Lord Lu, with that frail frame of yours, aren’t you afraid I’ll mistake you for a rat and crush you with one punch?” Rong Che sneered, his lips curving mockingly.
Lu Yuan Ze coughed lightly, his complexion deathly pale. Since vomiting blood at the Buddhist assembly, his health had worsened significantly.
“General Rong, Shi Yun and I were husband and wife for eighteen years. Whatever misunderstanding lies between us is our family matter. It is not for you to interfere. I advise you to mind your own business!” He had heard the rumors that Rong Che planned to marry Shi Yun. Despite his illness, he had rushed out.
His Chao Chao! His Yan Shu!
The news that Yan Shu would become the Crown Prince’s tutor filled him with bitter regret.
Rong Che looked down at him, arrogant and dismissive. “Lord Lu, you abandoned your wife and children for ‘true love.’ You should focus on cherishing it. Don’t concern yourself with Shi Yun and me.”
“Worry about yourself instead. If you hurry home, you might just catch a great show.” Rong Che smirked deviously.
Lu Yuan Ze’s heart pounded with unease.
“You’ll be in for a surprise,” Rong Che chuckled.
Lu Yuan Ze gritted his teeth and spun on his heels, striding home swiftly.
When he reached his manor, the gatekeeper was stunned. “My lord, why have you returned so early?”
Lu Yuan Ze scowled. “Do I need to inform you whenever I return? You dare question me?!” Frustrated from his earlier encounter, he kicked the gatekeeper hard in the chest, making him yelp in pain.
A nearby maid paled and hurriedly turned to flee.
“Stop!”
“Why are you running? Do you think I’ll eat you?!” Lu Yuan Ze snapped, finding her reaction suspicious.
The maid froze, trembling as she clutched her skirt.
“Why are you shaking?” Lu Yuan Ze demanded.
The maid dropped to her knees. “I—I am not shaking…!”
What should I do? she panicked internally. Why did the master return early? He wasn’t supposed to!
And now, he had caught her before she could send a warning.
“Where is Madam Pei?” Lu Yuan Ze pressed his fingers to his brow, feeling increasingly irritated.
“Madam… Madam Pei…” The maid’s forehead was drenched with cold sweat as she nervously darted her gaze around.
“Madam Pei is in the rear courtyard, putting Miss Jing Yao to sleep,” she finally answered, keeping her head low.
Lu Yuan Ze frowned.
He was already annoyed at the mere mention of Lu Jing Yao.
“I will go to Virtue and Kindness Hall to see my mother.” He stepped toward the back courtyard.
The maid’s eyes widened in horror.
“No! The Old Madam has already retired for the night. You must not disturb her!” She blocked his path.
Lu Yuan Ze’s expression darkened. “Move aside, wretched servant. What exactly are you trying to hide?!”
With one kick, he sent the maid sprawling, her body curling in pain.
Rong Che’s taunting smile flashed through his mind.
He had to see what Madam Pei was up to!