Chapter 356: Stealing the Ancestor
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
Lu Chao Chao slept deeply through the night.
When she finally awoke, the sun had already risen high in the sky. Her small, round face, soft and fair, bore the traces of sleep, with slightly puffy eyes making her look all the more delicate.
Over the past half-year, a fresh layer of short hair had grown atop her head. The Ming Family’s maids had racked their brains trying to style it, eventually tying it into a tiny tuft.
Ming Lang and Ming Zhu waited by her door. Seeing her wake, they bowed slightly and said, “The dining hall has prepared breakfast, with both Northern Zhao and Southern Kingdom flavors for you to choose from.”
Ming Lang helped her wash her face, while Ming Zhu wiped her hands.
After breakfast, Ming Lang hesitated before speaking, looking somewhat embarrassed. “There is something we must trouble you with.”
“The Seed of Life bestowed upon us by the deity last night… The Ming Family does not know how to plant it. We would be most grateful if you could assist us.”
The elders of the Ming Family had spent the entire night examining it but dared not take action.
Lu Chao Chao’s eyes brightened. “Go to the Northern Zhao Embassy and invite Young Master Li Si Qi.”
“He can make anything grow.”
She recalled what Xian Ting had said the previous night—by today, he would be able to see the morning sun. That meant Li Si Qi’s eyes must have been healed by now.
Li Si Qi was a mere mortal; his eyes could still be saved.
But Xian Ting was a deity… What about him?
Lu Chao Chao shook her head, pushing the thought aside.
She needed to grow up strong, eat well, and support her seven disciples.
“Ming Zhu, go in person and invite Young Master Li to the house.”
“Yes,” Ming Zhu answered with a gentle smile.
The night before, the entire city had been watching the Ming Family, expecting its downfall.
Yet, when the sun rose, it brought not destruction but rebirth.
All the great families were trying to gather information, but the Ming Family remained tight-lipped, revealing nothing.
After all, last night, these very families had surrounded their manor, waiting for their demise.
The Ming Family did not forget grudges so easily.
It was only right to let their Little Ancestor have some fun dealing with them.
“Where is Uncle Ming?” Lu Chao Chao asked.
Ming Lang smirked. “Father has gone to the palace. He must ensure our Little Ancestor’s future.”
At this moment, inside the imperial palace—
“Present your matters or withdraw,” the eunuch’s voice echoed through the grand hall.
Ming Xian immediately stepped forward and knelt before the emperor. “Your Majesty, this humble minister has something to report.”
The old emperor’s gaze was sharp with curiosity. No one knew what had transpired within the Ming Manor the previous night.
This old fox was tight-lipped and eccentric. He had rushed across the city before dawn, collecting an assortment of treats as if possessed.
“Your Majesty,” Ming Xian began, “yesterday, Princess Sunshine personally visited me, reasoning with heartfelt emotion and unyielding logic, advocating for the establishment of the Western Palace Empress. I have given this matter much thought.”
The old emperor sat up straighter, while the regent, Nan Feng Yu, showed a trace of disdain between her brows.
The old emperor shook his head slightly. “How could the Ming Family ever agree to a Western Palace Empress?”
Xu Shi Yun had no backing in the Southern Kingdom—no power, no foundation. The Ming Family would never support her.
“Zhao Yang is but three and a half years old, overly indulged by her mother. She must have troubled you,” the emperor waved a hand dismissively, believing Lu Chao Chao to be merely playing around.
“A child may not understand, but could she not have been guided by someone with intent?” Nan Feng Yu said, implying hidden manipulation.
Ming Xian knocked his forehead against the ground, his voice firm. “Your Majesty, this is a misunderstanding, a great misunderstanding.”
“I wholeheartedly support establishing the Western Palace Empress!”
“Lady Ning is of noble character, with unparalleled virtue, and has even saved Your Majesty’s life. She is the true choice for the Western Palace Empress, a role model for all women in the realm!”
“I implore Your Majesty to bestow this honor upon Lady Ning, as she is most deserving.”
A stunned silence filled the hall.
The assembled officials twitched, barely restraining their shock.
Had he been possessed?!
Lu Chao Chao had only been in the manor for a single day, and already she had brainwashed him?
What kind of sorcery had she used?
Ming Xian’s flushed face and unwavering determination to give everything for Lu Chao Chao was simply unnerving.
With the grand ceremony of succession approaching, the emperor had no desire for unnecessary disruptions.
Glancing at Ming Xian, he said in a low voice, “Establishing two empresses is a major affair for the Southern Kingdom. The entire court must be consulted. We shall discuss this further at another time.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Ming Xian responded, rising to stand calmly by the side.
After court was dismissed—
“Ming Minister, did you truly summon High God Xian Ting last night?”
“Ming Minister, do you have a secret method? If so, I beg you to share it. My Lou Family would be willing to lay down our lives for you!” Lord Lou hurried after Ming Xian. His family worshipped War God Xing Hui, but Xing Hui had long ceased responding to summons.
As a result, the Lou Family had been subtly excluded from the ranks of the great clans.
If not for their formidable strength, they would have lost their divine attendant status long ago.
Ming Xian cast him a glance. The Lou Family revered war and looked down on the schemes of the Su Family.
“In the coming days, Princess Sunshine may visit your house to discuss matters. You would do well to receive her properly…” Ming Xian advised, his tone deliberate. He had some fondness for this old comrade.
Lord Lou was taken aback.
“I asked you about summoning a deity, and you’re talking to me about a three-year-old child?”
“Wait—Ming Minister—”
“I have no time for idle chatter. I must return to care for our Little Ancestor!” Ming Xian strode off swiftly.
Lord Lou was utterly baffled.
Little Ancestor? What Little Ancestor?
Back at the Ming Manor, Ming Xian’s solemn face melted into a smile as he stepped inside.
“Has the Divine Tree Seed been planted yet?” he asked urgently.
“We are preparing the soil now,” came the reply.
Ming Xian rushed to the forbidden grounds, where the elders had spent the night deliberating. They had finally decided to plant the Divine Tree within the restricted area.
When he arrived, he found Ming Zhu and Ming Lang digging a small hole.
Lu Chao Chao casually pulled two top-grade spirit stones from her pocket, causing the others’ eyes to twitch.
“Bury these in the soil. It’ll help the Divine Tree absorb energy.”
Li Si Qi cradled the Seed of Life in his hands, feeling it pulsate like a living thing with its own thoughts and desires.
For a fleeting moment, he felt as though he had become the Divine Tree Seed itself.
He placed it into the soil, covered it gently, and sprinkled it with spiritual water.
Before their very eyes, a tender green sprout burst through the earth, swaying in the breeze.
“It’s alive!”
“The Divine Tree has taken root!”
The Ming Family disciples cheered, while Li Si Qi smiled quietly, touching his once-blind eyes.
His gaze was clear as he looked up, saying nothing.
“Princess Sunshine, you are truly the Ming Family’s greatest benefactor.”
“Many thanks, Young Master Li.”
The entire Ming Family knelt and bowed deeply to Lu Chao Chao.
Later, Lu Chao Chao inquired, “Have the spirit pheasants in the enclosure been eaten?”
“There are two left.”
“Once I finish them, I’ll visit the Lou Family for a chat.”
After lunch, she slung her small satchel onto her back.
Ming Xian, reluctant to part with her, was on the verge of tears—
But then, from inside her bag, a faint chirping sound emerged.
Something was wriggling inside.
Lu Chao Chao froze, turned sharply to look at him, clutched her satchel tightly—and bolted!
Ming Xian’s eyelid twitched violently.
“Quick! Check the forbidden grounds! See if the Mystic Bird Ancestor is still there!”
A tearful Ming Zhu dashed out, wailing, “The Little Ancestor has stolen the Old Ancestor!!”