Chapter 315: Why Call Her Here
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
Rong Che came to a realization far too late in life.
A person should never be too concerned with dignity.
Back then, he was too timid, too afraid to speak his heart. He could only watch helplessly as Shi Yun married another. He had spent the past eighteen years in torment, burning in the flames of regret.
Throughout these years, he had turned in his bed countless times, losing sleep night after night.
Now, he understood a simple truth: dignity was worthless.
Only by discarding it could one win back the woman he loved.
At this moment, as Shi Yun stood before him, gripping a feather duster, Rong Che dropped to his knees in one smooth motion, sliding forward and clutching her leg as he pleaded for forgiveness.
Shi Yun’s face flushed red. The streets were packed with onlookers—civilians and soldiers alike.
Behind her stood the two elders of the Stabilizing Duke’s Manor.
Flustered, she stammered, “I-I was going to hit Chao Chao! Not you!”
Why was he kneeling so fast?!
Madam Xu, watching in horror, thought to herself: I never intended to become a domineering wife!
She almost raised her hands to cover her face in embarrassment.
Rong Che froze. “So… you weren’t going to hit me?”
The court officials, having arrived to welcome him back per the emperor’s decree, saw Rong Che’s dramatic kneel and seized the chance to mock the Stabilizing Duke.
“Stabilizing Duke, your only son certainly has backbone…”
“A man of unwavering integrity kneels only to heaven and his sovereign. Where did this new tradition of kneeling to a woman come from?”
“This truly shames the sons of Northern Zhao!” one minister scoffed.
The old Stabilizing Duke barely lifted an eyelid. “A household is not governed by logic.”
Then, with a snort, he added, “Kneeling to one’s wife is a proud tradition of the Rong family! What’s it to you?! I kneel too! What of it?!”
“As for Shi Yun’s divorce, what of it? She is virtuous and kind, her children are all exceptional. Lu Yuan Ze was blind to let her go—why shouldn’t my son have the fortune to gain her?” He shot a glare at the minister. “You’re just jealous!”
“Rong Che, this boy, he’s just a big, rough brute who barely recognizes a few characters. Shi Yun, on the other hand, comes from a refined literary family. If anything, it is my son who is the one reaching above his station!”
Rolling up his sleeves, the old duke prepared to argue to the death. “Your children are useless, and that’s why you’re jealous! Admit it!”
The minister’s face turned red with anger, finger trembling in frustration. “Who’s jealous?! Who?!”
“You! You’re jealous!”
At that moment, Lu Chao Chao peeked out from the carriage, hopped down, and piped up, “You kneel to your wife too!”
The minister stiffened, his expression turning defensive. “Who kneels?!”
Chao Chao pouted, “Last night.”
“Last night, you knelt to your wife too! And you weren’t even wearing clothes. So embarrassing! You knelt—mmph mmph mmph—”
Before she could finish, the minister lunged forward in terror, clamping a hand over her mouth.
“Please, I beg you! It was my fault! General Rong did nothing wrong! It was all my fault! Princess Zhao Yang, have mercy!” His hands and feet trembled as the gathered crowd erupted into murmurs and exclamations.
“What’s so secret? Tell us!”
The onlookers leaned in eagerly, eyes shining with curiosity. Some even bounced on their toes in excitement.
“Wow, Your Excellency, you’re quite bold in your private affairs.”
“Go on, tell us more!”
The entire court was listening, ears pricked up like hounds scenting prey.
The minister, blushing furiously, stammered, “Nothing! Nothing happened! You all misheard!”
Inside, he wept bitterly. Why did I provoke her? Am I a fool?
The last time Princess Zhao Yang had revealed her thoughts, it had been shocking enough.
“Princess Zhao Yang, I recently acquired some fine treasures. I will send them to you shortly. Please, spare me,” the minister pleaded desperately, fearing her unfiltered words.
Chao Chao hesitated before nodding. She wasn’t sure why she couldn’t say it, but… oh well, not important.
Like a little missile, she darted into Madam Xu’s embrace. “Mother! I missed you so much! I thought about you day and night, I couldn’t eat, I’ve gotten so thin…”
She clung to Madam Xu’s leg.
“Hiss…” Madam Xu gasped sharply.
“Who is this little monk?” she asked in shock.
Chao Chao tilted her head up, cheeks puffed. “Mother, it’s me! Your most beloved treasure, Chao Chao!”
Madam Xu nearly fainted.
“Heavens! Who—who shaved your head?!”
Chao Chao had only ever had her head shaved at her full moon ceremony. It had taken three years for her hair to grow long enough for tiny pigtails.
And now—even the pigtails were gone!
A tragedy!
All those beautiful hair ornaments she had prepared for her daughter…
Wen Ning chuckled. “Princess Zhao Yang got into a fight and burned her hair off. She had no choice but to shave it and let it regrow.”
Madam Xu’s shock deepened. “Someone actually won against Chao Chao?” She knew well how fierce her daughter could be.
“No winner, no loser. He cried for three days.” Chao Chao held up three fingers solemnly.
Madam Xu sighed but noted the affectionate tone in her daughter’s voice, sensing a close friendship.
“Next time, invite the child over. I’d like to meet your friend.”
Chao Chao hesitated. That might be difficult.
Lu Zheng Yue barely had time to greet his mother before he was swept away by the civil and military officials to report back at the palace.
Meanwhile, in a corner, Xie Yu Zhou made a face at Chao Chao. “Nyeh! Baldy! Haha, Baldy Princess! I can’t stop laughing!”
Chao Chao fumed.
“I should’ve finished you off last time!” She planted her hands on her hips.
“Hmph! My father wouldn’t let you! I’m his only son!” Xie Yu Zhou still shuddered at the memory of his last punishment. He had been bedridden for half a month!
Just thinking about it made him afraid.
Chao Chao snorted.
“The teacher told you to bring back your assignments,” Xie Yu Zhou said gleefully.
“I finished them! I’m not scared!” Chao Chao handed her assignments to a servant to be delivered to the academy.
“Miss, are you abandoning Yu Shu? Even if you want to leave, take me with you!” Yu Shu and Yu Qin burst into tears upon seeing her.
“Without our care, you’ve become so thin…” Yu Shu sniffled as she hugged Chao Chao.
She hugged her… but failed to lift her.
Yu Shu’s sobs abruptly stopped. Wait… did she gain weight?!
Madam Xu chuckled. “We’ve prepared a feast to welcome you home. All your favorite dishes. Eat to your heart’s content today.”
“Yay! Chao Chao loves Mother the most!” Chao Chao beamed, her bald head making Madam Xu avert her gaze in distress.
Her soft, delicate daughter… had become a little monk!
Ah…
As they passed by the foreign emissary residence, Madam Xu’s smile faltered slightly, a heavy feeling pressing on her heart.
In recent days, the Southern Kingdom had begun gathering clues.
It wouldn’t be long before they traced them back to her.
“Mother, look! That drunk beggar over there is so funny. He looks just like Father!” Chao Chao pointed to the corner, where a bearded, ragged man clung to a wine jug.
Madam Xu’s eyelid twitched.
“That is your father.”
Chao Chao: …