Chapter 348: Speaking with Your Ancestors
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
“Royal Grandfather, did Chao Chao say something wrong?” The little child clasped her hands behind her back, her timid gaze flickering between the old emperor and Nan Feng Yu.
The expressions of both darkened, their smiles turning rigid.
“Chao Chao, the matter of the Empress is a grave one. It is not something that can be settled with just a few words.”
“The Empress comes from the Su family, a lineage of divine attendants with pure bloodlines. She has given birth to highly talented children for Nan Country. Though I owe a debt to Ning Lady, I have no reason to depose the Empress.” The emperor had no intention of deposing her.
The heir he favored was precisely the one born of Empress Su.
“Royal Grandfather is right.”
“Royal Grandmother has done great deeds and cannot be deposed. But Ning Grandmother has also done great deeds—she saved the emperor’s life! And she bore you a child as well…”
“Doesn’t Nan Country allow for two Empresses?” Years ago, an emperor had decreed the existence of an Eastern and a Western Empress.
The old emperor’s gaze turned cold.
“Becoming an Empress is no simple matter. Ning Lady, a woman of no noble birth, a mere peasant girl, wishes to become an Empress? A ridiculous notion! Such an act would disgrace Nan Country!” Nan Feng Yu could no longer contain herself, lashing out in anger.
Her eyes darted toward the officials of North Zhao, filled with suspicion.
How audacious!
Lu Chao Chao pouted. [I am not audacious, you are simply too small-minded!]
Ning Grandmother had been back in Nan Capital for a year, yet the old emperor had suppressed her, refusing to grant her a proper title, keeping her under soft confinement outside the palace.
Wasn’t this merely a precaution against Ning Grandmother?
The old emperor had married Ning Grandmother in a formal ceremony, a legitimate wedding under the law.
According to the laws of Nan Country, children born to both the Empress and the consorts had equal rights to inheritance.
Ning Grandmother sought no conflict, only to be reunited with her daughter. And yet, they wanted her dead!
How could Lu Chao Chao not fight for her?
She would fight—for Ning Grandmother, for her mother’s honor!
“Auntie, don’t say that. Ning Grandmother is Royal Grandfather’s lawfully wedded wife. If you say she is unworthy, that she disgraces Nan Country, aren’t you insulting Royal Grandfather too?” The little girl’s voice trembled with feigned fear.
The old emperor shot Nan Feng Yu a sharp glare before forcing a smile. “Chao Chao, do you think I do not wish to grant her a proper title?”
“But having two Empresses is not for me to decide.”
“It requires the approval of the entire court.”
“Ask them if they agree.”
The emperor shifted the burden onto the court officials. The court overwhelmingly supported the union of the Su and Nan bloodlines; naturally, they would not approve.
Lu Chao Chao turned to the elderly official at the front. “Grandfather, do you agree?”
Minister Su chuckled, his expression filled with disdain.
“Princess Zhao Yang, this is not North Zhao, where you can act willfully.”
“Though Her Majesty is my aunt, I speak fairly. The Empress is virtuous, intelligent, and has birthed exceptionally gifted heirs. Why should Ning Lady stand on equal footing with her?”
“Even if she was lawfully wedded outside the palace, her status remains unfit for the court.”
Minister Su smirked inwardly. Equal footing?
She had already been lucky to escape the fire years ago.
And yet, what of it? She would still meet her demise!
A mere arm cannot wrestle against the leg!
“I do not agree. The elder of the Xuan Turtle lineage in my household would not agree either.”
Lu Chao Chao turned to another elder.
“The Yue family does not agree. Our ancestors would not agree.”
“The Lou family does not agree. Our ancestors would not agree.”
“The Ming family does not agree. Our ancestors would not agree.”
“The Shen family does not agree. Our ancestors would not agree.”
“The Sang family does not agree. Our ancestors would not agree.” One by one, the noble families rejected the notion in unison.
Nan Feng Yu was their chosen heir. Moreover, she had a daughter of extraordinary talent who might one day successfully summon a deity.
These days, the gods no longer accepted divine descents.
Their only hope was the royal family.
The imperial family worshiped the High God Zong Bai, the most exalted of deities. If a successful summoning were to occur, it might change everything.
Everyone assumed Lu Chao Chao would throw a tantrum and cry.
Unexpectedly, she beamed with an unbothered smile. “Then… Can Chao Chao visit each of your homes and have a chat with your ancestors?”
“What if they agree?”
Laughter spread through the court as everyone shook their heads. Minister Su smirked down at her. “Very well, we welcome Princess Zhao Yang to visit our humble abode.”
“But be warned, the Su family’s ancestor enjoys scaring little children. Do be careful not to cry.”
Lu Chao Chao gave him a deep look.
“I won’t. You’d best not be the one crying instead.”
She turned back to the old emperor. “Royal Grandfather, if Chao Chao convinces enough of the uncles and elders, can Ning Grandmother become the Western Empress?”
The old emperor’s gaze twitched. Did this little one understand what she was up against?
She faced the mightiest forces of Nan Country.
Even the emperor himself could not sway them.
He was entirely indifferent. “Very well, I promise you. If more than half of the court agrees, then it shall be so.”
Lu Chao Chao’s face lit up with a brilliant smile.
“Thank you, Royal Grandfather!” Her crisp voice made it seem as though she had already won.
The officials chuckled softly at her innocence.
At this moment, Madam Xu finally spoke, leisurely. “Your Majesty, why entertain her? She is but a three-year-old child, speaking on whims, acting like a child should.” She shot a slight glare at Lu Chao Chao before pulling her behind her, silencing her.
The old emperor cast Madam Xu a knowing glance. Letting Lu Chao Chao speak before stepping in—she was not so simple herself.
He pinched the space between his brows. “Take them to rest at the rear hall.”
Lu Chao Chao shook her head. “Royal Grandfather, Chao Chao brought gifts for everyone… They are very precious… very precious indeed…”
The emperor nodded. “Present them.”
At her signal, Yu Shu and Yu Qin carried brocade boxes into the hall.
“Chao Chao didn’t expect so many uncles and elders to be here, I hope there is enough for everyone…”
“These are small tokens from Chao Chao. I hope uncles and elders will like them…” The little one gazed at them expectantly.
She even picked one up, her tiny legs toddling towards Nan Feng Yu. “Auntie, this is Chao Chao’s gift for you…”
She tiptoed, eyes brimming with anticipation.
Nan Feng Yu frowned. “What is this?”
Nan Mu Bai chuckled. “Mother, it is a little stone Princess Zhao Yang picked up. She says each one was carefully chosen.”
Lu Chao Chao nodded earnestly. “Yes, yes! Shiny stones, very pretty!”
“Chao Chao picked the biggest, brightest one.”
“Auntie, it’s for you!” Though she disliked Nan Feng Yu, etiquette demanded a gift upon their first meeting.
This was a matter of courtesy.
Nan Feng Yu glanced at the brocade box and the little girl tiptoeing with unsteady hands.
Before the entire court, she declined with a polite smile.
“No need. How could I accept a junior’s gift? You may give it to someone else…” Her smile betrayed not a single flaw.
Lu Chao Chao’s little face fell.
Did no one want them?