Chapter 347: Lu Chao Chao’s Sharp Tongue
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
Bright Light Hall
“This is Bright Light Hall, the place where Imperial Grandfather holds court. Now that Grandfather is old, my mother co-governs with him,” Nan Mu Bai said, his gaze subtly shifting toward Xu Shi Yun.
“The civil and military officials are already waiting outside the hall. Let us first greet Imperial Grandfather.”
Outside Bright Light Hall, Xie Jing Xi and Rong Che left their swords behind.
No one could enter the hall armed.
“Princess Zhao Yang of Northern Zhao, requesting an audience.”
“Stabilizing General of Northern Zhao, requesting an audience.”
“Prince Jing Xi of Northern Zhao, requesting an audience.”
“Grand Tutor Lu of Northern Zhao, requesting an audience.”
A long string of names echoed through the hall, causing the officials to exchange surprised glances.
Nan Mu Bai had only sent a message back to the Southern Kingdom about finding the princess but had not disclosed any details to the officials.
“Imperial Grandfather, Mu Bai has successfully found Aunt, allowing her to reunite with our family,” Nan Mu Bai stepped forward and bowed deeply.
The elderly emperor, seated high on the dragon throne, had graying hair but sharp eyes. Even in his old age, the handsomeness of his youth was still evident in his features.
The officials paid their respects one by one. Lu Chao Chao, however, only glanced at the old emperor and remained standing still.
She was small, and at this moment, no one paid her any attention.
“Good! Good!” The old emperor clapped his hands in praise.
He stood up, supported by Nan Feng Yu.
“Father, allow me to assist you,” Nan Feng Yu said softly.
She helped the old emperor step down the platform. His movements were shaky as he looked at Xu Shi Yun and nodded repeatedly.
“So similar… too similar…”
“You look just like your mother.”
“Good child, have you ever met your mother? She searched for you for many years, dedicating her life to finding you,” the old emperor sighed, his tone filled with fatherly love.
“We have already met,” Xu Shi Yun replied softly, her head slightly lowered.
She dared not lift her gaze, fearing she could not conceal her hatred.
A life-saving grace, yet in return, her entire family was slaughtered. Such cruelty!
The old emperor personally helped her up. “You have been my greatest sorrow all these years. The longing has tormented me. Now that you are found, I can finally rest in peace, even in death.”
“Losing you was my greatest mistake,” his voice trembled with unspoken regret.
Nan Feng Yu knelt at his feet. “Father, it was not your fault. You have prayed for their safety every day for the past thirty-six years. You have done enough.”
Lu Chao Chao rolled her eyes.
“Of course, it was your fault! Your wife was crippled, your daughter lost, and an entire village was massacred! What kind of emperor are you?” Her childish voice rang through the hall, questioning him openly before the court.
The officials collectively held their breath, kneeling to the ground in fear.
They stole glances and finally noticed the tiny figure standing beside Xu Shi Yun.
A three-year-old, round and chubby, her short hair sprouting like a little sprig.
Her big round eyes darted about with curiosity.
Nan Feng Yu’s heart leaped in alarm. “Insolence! How dare you speak to His Majesty in such a manner? You have no respect for your elders or the hierarchy! Such ill-bred behavior from a countryside brat!”
“He’s the emperor, yet he couldn’t protect his wife and daughter. Isn’t that laughable?”
“Thirty-six years have passed. Have you found the people who hunted my maternal grandmother? Have you caught the ones who set fire to the village? You’re the emperor—how can you be so incompetent?”
“Even my Emperor Daddy of Northern Zhao is better than you!”
“And who are you? Oh, you must be Princess Nan Feng Yu! You’re a princess, and so am I. What right do you have to yell at me?”
“Unless… were you the one behind it? Makes sense! Only close family would be shielded by Imperial Grandfather,” the little girl mused, rubbing the back of her head innocently.
As if oblivious to the heavy atmosphere.
As if unaware of the emperor’s growing fury.
“Oh no, Imperial Grandfather, Aunt Feng Yu, you’re not angry, are you?”
“Chao Chao is only three. She doesn’t know how to talk properly. You wouldn’t hold it against me, would you?” She blinked, eyes brimming with unshed tears.
The Bright Light Hall echoed with the soft sobs of the little princess.
Everyone sucked in a sharp breath.
Hiss… Did she just say that?!
In just one encounter, she had torn apart the emperor’s excuses with mere ‘childish innocence.’
What was worse—when they looked at the group from Northern Zhao, they too seemed utterly dumbfounded.
As if she had truly acted on a whim.
The old emperor clenched his teeth, forcing each word out. “No, no blame. Zhao Yang has returned home, and I am overjoyed. How could I bear to blame her?”
“Feng Yu, isn’t that right?”
Nan Feng Yu swallowed her anger, fists clenching, and muttered, “Yes, Chao Chao is too young to understand. Aunt will not hold it against her.”
The emperor sighed. “I have wronged you and your mother.”
“Back then, I was saved by Madam Ning, and Peach Source Village aided me greatly.”
“But when I returned to the palace, I fell into a coma, giving those villains an opportunity to strike.”
Lu Chao Chao’s gaze bore into him. “And who were those villains?”
Xu Shi Yun and the others thought: Chao Chao, you are truly our voice!
The adults could not ask, but she could say everything they wished to!
The old emperor sighed. “They were the enemies I left behind. I had made many foes in my youth, and Peach Source Village and the Ning family bore the brunt of my misfortune.”
“They were evil cultivators. In my arrogance, I sought to destroy them all and made countless enemies.”
“When Feng Yu brought me back, my return leaked information, leading the cultists to seek vengeance, implicating Peach Source Village.”
“Those who leaked the information were all executed. But the evil sect has yet to be eradicated.”
“Father, you have been hunting them all these years. That alone is some solace for them,” Nan Feng Yu murmured.
“What I owe your mother and you, I can never repay,” the old emperor shook his head.
He turned to Rong Che. “You must be Rong Che. Dignified indeed… I have long heard of your name.”
The War God of Northern Zhao—who hadn’t heard of him?
Even the emperor was astounded.
His lost daughter had remarkable fortune. Though her first marriage in the marquis’ household had been cruel, she had left behind three outstanding sons and a talented daughter.
And even her second husband was the Stabilizing General.
Unfortunately… he was still just a mortal.
At the same time, the emperor felt relief.
Nan Feng Yu was the one he had raised with care. His eldest daughter, his pride.
As for Xu Shi Yun?
She had been lost since birth, had no attachment to the Southern Kingdom, and had no closeness with him. Her maternal clan was gone, and she had married a mortal.
With her bloodline severed, she was no threat.
The massacre of Peach Source Village had left a chasm of resentment.
Only a madman would pass the throne to her.
But bringing her back gave the appearance of fairness.
She would undergo the Summoning God ritual with Nan Feng Yu.
Lu Chao Chao eyed the emperor, her tiny mouth opening. The emperor’s eyelid twitched violently.
He truly disliked this granddaughter.
“And what about Grandmother? You were properly wed, weren’t you? If so, why is she not honored?”
“Did you abandon her?”
The emperor felt irritation creeping in but did not let it show. “I wanted to bring her into the palace as a consort, but she refused.”
“Of course she refused! She saved you and married you properly, yet you wanted to make her a concubine? That’s not repaying kindness—it’s betrayal!”
“Shouldn’t she have been empress?” The little girl smiled innocently.
“Imperial Grandfather, don’t be angry. Chao Chao was just asking casually.”
The emperor and Nan Feng Yu struggled to maintain their composure.
Just asking casually?!
Xu Shi Yun, meanwhile, ignored the emperor’s silent pleas for help, gazing elsewhere with indifference.