Chapter 293: Chao Chao’s Treasure
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
The Lu Manor.
Lu Chao Chao pouted, kneeling in the Buddhist hall, and beside her knelt a dog.
Windchaser bent his front legs, mimicking Lu Chao Chao’s posture, his mouth stretched in a goofy grin.
“Do you understand your mistake?” Madam Xu raised her chin slightly.
Lu Chao Chao pulled a pitiful face. “I know my mistake, Mother. I won’t dare do it again next time. Please, Mother, forgive Chao Chao…” The delicate little child gazed at Madam Xu with teary eyes, twin droplets of tears clinging to her lashes.
“And what was your mistake?” Madam Xu asked, her expression stern.
The little one tilted her head, remaining silent for a long time before hesitantly answering, “Not aligning my story with Windchaser?”
Madam Xu had asked Windchaser, “Did you pee?”
Windchaser had shaken his head!!
Madam Xu nearly collapsed in frustration. “I will give you one more chance to organize your words!”
Lu Chao Chao scratched her head anxiously, nearly unraveling her little twin buns. After a moment’s hesitation, she murmured, “Not finding a hidden spot?”
Madam Xu…
Madam Xu pressed her forehead and sighed deeply. “You… I have already sent someone to the Imperial Academy to fetch two sets of test papers. As punishment, you shall complete both!”
Lu Chao Chao’s expression cracked instantly.
“Mother!!!” Her round eyes widened in horror.
“Would you rather I give you a beating instead? Child, do you want to drive me to the grave…” Lu Chao Chao’s heart chilled to the core.
Heavens!!
Only one day of break left, and she had to finish two sets of test papers??
Save me!!
Madam Xu flicked her forehead. “Next time, do not let Windchaser take the blame! Look at him, carrying the burden for you all the time—he’s becoming a fool!”
Madam Xu couldn’t help but feel sorry for Chief Minister Yuan.
Having such a troublesome student—how truly tragic.
Only after Madam Xu left did Yu Shu quietly help the little mistress up. Lu Chao Chao got up, limping, and poked Windchaser’s forehead.
“Windchaser, you’re so dumb! You should have nodded!! I’ve given you so many chicken bones for nothing!” Lu Chao Chao fumed.
She hobbled toward the door.
Windchaser glanced at her, then mimicked her limp, following closely behind. The resemblance was uncanny, making Yu Shu and Yu Qin stifle their laughter.
Lu Chao Chao turned, even more annoyed. “You’re copying me!!”
“Stupid Windchaser! Bad Windchaser!!!” The little one growled in frustration.
“Tonight is the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival. Do you want to go watch?” Lu Yuan Xiao poked his head in.
“There will be a dragon dance too.”
“And the food street in the capital is bustling today, filled with delicacies from all over. I heard the Thousand-Strands Beef Pastry from the northern district is incredible. One bite and it crumbles in your mouth, with juicy, tender beef inside—absolutely delicious…”
Before he could finish speaking, Lu Chao Chao was already swallowing her saliva.
“Let’s go, let’s go!”
Her eyes sparkled like gold. “Third Brother, hurry! Is the beef pastry really that good?”
“Of course! But you have to wait in line for half an hour.”
Sure enough, before nightfall, lanterns had already been lit throughout the city.
From afar, they formed a winding dragon of light.
The food street was packed, a sea of people. Lu Yuan Xiao found a secluded spot to park the carriage.
The maids went to queue for the beef pastries.
Lu Chao Chao anxiously stomped her feet, stretching her neck in anticipation. She waited half an hour before they finally returned with the pastries.
Before the maid could even speak, Lu Chao Chao took a fierce bite. Juices burst out, scalding her so badly that she yelped, yet she refused to spit it out.
“Spit it out, quick!” Yu Shu panicked, her face flushed red.
“No! Good… hic… good food, ssssss…” Lu Chao Chao’s cheeks bulged, tears welling in her eyes from the heat, but she forced herself to swallow.
Lu Yuan Xiao glared at her in exasperation.
“Wow, it’s so hot but so good…” Lu Chao Chao sucked in a breath, nearly burning her mouth off.
“You’re really reckless. We bought two. Eat slowly, there’s no rush!” Lu Yuan Xiao’s heart ached at the sight.
Lu Chao Chao grinned widely.
Understanding his concern, she refrained from eating the second one, instead tucking it into the small pouch Madam Xu had made for her.
Raising her head, she spotted the Protectorate Duke’s carriage passing by.
“It’s Brother Si Qi! Brother Si Qi! Do you want to join us for the lantern festival?” Chao Chao stood on tiptoes, waving excitedly.
The sky had yet to darken, but Li Si Qi was already rushing home.
Terrified of losing his sight outside.
But lifting the curtain, faced with Lu Chao Chao’s enthusiastic invitation…
He hesitated.
“Brother Si Qi, tonight’s lantern festival is going to be super lively! There’s also a food street. Will you come play with Chao Chao?” The little one looked at him with bright anticipation.
The servant tugged gently at Li Si Qi’s sleeve.
But under that twinkling gaze, he found himself unable to refuse.
“Alright.”
Ignoring his servant’s protests, he stepped forward and scooped up Chao Chao. “Since Chao Chao invites me so sincerely, how could Brother Si Qi refuse?” He gently brushed her teary eyes.
Chao Chao’s eyes were truly beautiful.
Seeing her smile, he too felt genuine joy.
Behind him, his servant paled with anxiety. The sun was about to set, and the young master still hadn’t returned home!
The Protectorate Duke’s eldest grandson was blind—what would people say if word got out?
But Li Si Qi carried Chao Chao, joining Lu Yuan Xiao in guessing lantern riddles and eating candied hawthorn, giving his servant no chance to interrupt.
Lu Chao Chao tugged him along through the crowd.
Her hair came undone in the jostling, but her eyes shone like the stars.
Suddenly—
Lu Chao Chao’s expression changed drastically, her face turning pale with panic, her voice trembling. “Thief! A thief!! My things have been stolen!!” She cried out sharply, her voice tinged with distress.
No one had ever seen Lu Chao Chao so frantic.
“The pouch! Where is the pouch?” Yu Shu exclaimed in shock.
Chao Chao’s small bag had been cut away at some point.
Their servants and hidden guards were stationed all around. Yet, a thief had succeeded?
Yu Qin’s face paled. “The jade pendant! Was it inside?”
“Oh no, report this to the authorities!” Yu Shu cried out in alarm.
With the Mid-Autumn Festival underway, security in the capital was already strict.
Official Zhong, responsible for city security, rushed to the scene upon hearing that the Emperor’s most beloved Princess Sunshine had lost something.
“Princess Sunshine lost a precious item?” Official Zhong, drenched in sweat, asked.
“Extremely precious. Truly invaluable… That was my life!” Lu Chao Chao’s eyes brimmed with tears, on the verge of sobbing.
Official Zhong trembled at her reaction.
In a panic, he ordered a citywide lockdown. The gates were sealed—no one could enter or leave!
Official Zhong’s face darkened. “I heard the items stolen include an imperial jade pendant, the Empress Dowager’s personal token, and the keepsakes of multiple high-ranking officials, correct?”
Lu Chao Chao wiped her tears. “No, my beef pastries. Juicy and fresh, just baked—I hadn’t even eaten them yet!”
“Princess, rest assured! I will catch the thief and recover your jade pendants!” Official Zhong wiped his brow. The items stolen could shake half the imperial court!
“Forget the jade! My beef pastries! You must get them back!!”
“How many pendants were stolen?” Official Zhong’s voice trembled.
Lu Chao Chao wept. “Two—two beef pastries! That scoundrel! I waited in line for half an hour and only got one bite!!”
As she spoke, she burst into wailing sobs.
Crying while wiping her drool.
That wretched thief deserved a thousand cuts!