Chapter 344: House Arrest
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
“Why are you crying again?”
Shi Yun gently wiped away the hot tears from the Old Madam’s face with a handkerchief.
“Your face has burns, and you’ve just applied medicine. It must not get wet.”
“Don’t worry. With me here, those who seek to harm you will not dare approach!”
“I may not be particularly skilled, but protecting someone as small as you is within my power. My birth mother is in the Southern Kingdom, and I came back to search for my family. I won’t be staying long. If you don’t mind, once everything is settled, come back with me to Northern Zhao.”
“Though I am not a princess in Northern Zhao, my life there is more than decent.”
“My adoptive parents are harmonious and treat me as their own—no, even more dearly than their own children.” Shi Yun’s eyes glowed with happiness, her gaze overflowing with warmth.
Deng Zhi chuckled. “Your life in the Southern Kingdom is hardly just ‘decent.’ You’re too modest.”
“The elders of the Xu family treat you better than their own son. When you married, they gave you half of their estate as dowry.”
“Now, your eldest son has achieved the highest rank in all three levels of the imperial examination system and serves as the Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince.”
“Your second son is a great general guarding the borders, and your third son is incredibly diligent and well-studied.”
“Your youngest daughter is the most beloved princess of Northern Zhao. His Majesty treasures her like his very life.”
“And your husband, the Stabilizing General, wields immense power and only has eyes for you. Even your in-laws are rare gems in this world.”
“If you so much as stomp your foot, all of Northern Zhao would tremble. How can such a life be merely ‘decent’?”
“Even the emperor cannot compare to you.” Deng Zhi covered her mouth, laughing softly.
Shi Yun, ever humble, gave her a playful glare.
The Old Madam’s face was streaked with tears. Her trembling hands clasped Shi Yun’s tightly. Huge, murky tears fell from her eyes. This was her child…
Her child was living well…
For thirty-six years, Madam Ning had suffered sleepless nights, trapped in endless nightmares every time she closed her eyes.
Her daughter, still swaddled as an infant—she had only caught a single glimpse before she was taken away.
Yet that single glimpse had haunted her for a lifetime.
Now, hearing that Shi Yun had lived such a wonderful life, she finally felt some relief.
Though she was not her birth mother, her adoptive parents had raised her with utmost care.
Her trembling hands lifted to cup Shi Yun’s face. Her lips moved, but not a single word could come forth.
“Ah…” Her red-rimmed eyes brimmed with sorrow.
Shi Yun didn’t understand why, but seeing those tearful eyes made her heart ache unbearably.
Suddenly, the Old Madam shook her head violently.
No—she must not meet the emperor of the Southern Kingdom.
The imperial family was ruthless. She must not go.
Her daughter had been raised with such love and care. She had lived a near-perfect life. She must not be ruined in the Southern Kingdom.
“Ah! Ah! Ah!!” She wanted to push Shi Yun away but feared using too much strength might harm the unborn child in her womb.
She carefully nudged her toward the carriage door, pointing toward the distance, tears streaming down her face—Go. Go!
Never return!
Her wails were heartbreaking, her throat growing raw until she coughed up traces of blood.
Shi Yun, startled by her sudden desperation, quickly asked, “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
Madam Ning shook her head through her tears—Just leave!
Once inside this man-eating city, one could never leave again.
Madam Ning sobbed loudly, her eyes filled with terror.
Nan Mu Bai had not yet entered the city gates. Seated high upon his horse, he gazed down at her with condescension.
“Why are you still keeping her around? You are a princess of the Southern Kingdom—how could you associate with such people? You’re only disgracing yourself.” Nan Mu Bai’s expression was one of disdain.
The Old Madam shuddered upon hearing his voice.
Yet she still gently pushed Shi Yun away, urging her to leave.
“A useless old woman picked up off the roadside is already fortunate enough to have received your kindness. If she refuses to leave now, it’s likely because she’s reluctant to part with the riches soon to be within her grasp…” Nan Mu Bai sneered.
The Old Madam trembled violently but still stood firmly in front of Shi Yun, barring Nan Mu Bai’s approach.
Nan Mu Bai frowned at her actions.
As if he intended to harm Xu Shi Yun.
“Get rid of her. Get rid of her.” Nan Mu Bai waved dismissively.
Lu Chao Chao instantly understood—her grandmother knew her mother’s true identity.
The little one hurried over on her tiny legs and clung to her grandmother’s hand. “Come with us, okay?”
“Chao Chao ish very stwong! Chao Chao can pwotect you!” She pounded her small chest with pride.
Lu Yan Shu dismounted, taking the Old Madam’s other hand. “When we’re finished here, come back to Northern Zhao with us.”
“Do not be afraid. We will protect you.” His voice carried a calming strength, gradually soothing the Old Madam’s distress.
Her eyes pleaded silently.
“You are utterly unreasonable, old woman. They have come to the Southern Kingdom to gain immense wealth, yet you act like some crazed hag.” Nan Mu Bai’s tone carried an underlying threat as he smirked coldly.
“Aunt was lost for thirty-six years. Imperial Grandfather has been sick with longing for her. How could he possibly allow her to leave now?” His eyes flashed with an irrepressible ambition.
Lu Chao Chao, however, simply beamed. “We see Grandma first.”
“Grandpa has many concubines and countless children. Grandma only has Mommy. Of course, we see Grandma first!”
Shi Yun lifted the carriage curtain. “We see…” She hesitated momentarily.
“We see Mother first.”
Nan Mu Bai was irritated, but Ming Lang shook his head slightly. “Your Highness, let’s allow them to visit Madam Ning first.”
Nan Mu Bai had no choice but to comply.
“Send someone to request Imperial Grandfather’s permission for them to see Madam Ning,” Nan Mu Bai ordered.
“Your words sound weird! Seeing Grandma needs permission? Is Grandma here to enjoy her life, or is she a prisoner?” Chao Chao pouted. “I am thwee and a half yeaws old. I speak twuth! Dun be mad at me, okay?”
Nan Mu Bai’s face twitched in irritation.
Outsiders were unaware, but he knew the truth.
Madam Ning had been placed under house arrest since her return.
Imperial Grandfather had forbidden anyone from visiting her—not even he had been allowed.
Yet Lu Chao Chao’s innocent words made the situation deeply awkward.
“Princess Sunshine must be joking. Madam Ning saved Imperial Grandfather’s life and gave birth to a princess. How could she be imprisoned? She is an honored guest of the Southern Kingdom.”
“Proceed directly to the Ning Manor,” he commanded, sending a servant to report to the palace.
Shi Yun sat inside the carriage, her face tinged with anticipation.
The Old Madam could not take her eyes off Shi Yun, unwilling to look away even for a second.
“Old Madam, I find it strange—you resemble the mother I have always imagined.” Shi Yun chuckled softly.
“It’s odd. We’ve only known each other for a few days…” Yet she couldn’t help but feel a deep connection.
Madam Ning gazed at her daughter, her heart aching.
Yes, it was the bond between mother and child.
For she was truly her daughter.
The daughter she had yearned for over thirty-six years.
This foolish girl always said she would protect her.
But she still did not understand the power of the Southern Kingdom.
Madam Ning resolved herself—if she had to sacrifice her life, she would ensure her children remained safe!
I’m sorta curious about Nan Mu Bai’s status.
Like he’s definitely not one of the good guys but he also doesn’t actively target Chao Chao that much and he’s the butt of a lot of jokes.
Feel like he’s kind of in a gray area where he MIGHT be able to escape total doom by being a comic relief character.