Chapter 38: Stirring the Reverse Scale
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
Lu Chao Chao was held tightly in Madam Xu’s arms. The little one awkwardly raised her tiny hands, gently patting her mother’s hair.
“No… bu scared… cold cold, no… scared.”
Madam Xu’s tears flowed even harder.
“Madam, the Marquis is outside,” Deng Zhi whispered softly.
Madam Xu’s voice turned venomous. “Tell him to get out! Get out of here!”
A trace of murderous intent flashed in her eyes. How deeply she had once loved, and now, how fiercely she hated. He dared—dared to harm Chao Chao!
Outside, Lu Yuan Ze heard Madam Xu’s words, and a flicker of displeasure crossed his face. Madam Xu had truly lost her sense of propriety lately. Perhaps he had spoiled her too much, letting her forget her place.
Pei Jiao Jiao was always gentle and considerate; Lu Jing Yao, ever so clever and understanding.
Suppressing his anger, Lu Yuan Ze said, “Shi Yun, the fire was not my intention. I will move back to the Marquis’ manor for a time to properly care for you and Chao Chao.”
How strange. The plan was to burn down the Listening Wind Courtyard; how did Bright Virtue Courtyard catch fire?
After speaking, he left the small courtyard.
The arsonist had already been captured the previous night. It was a kitchen servant from the inner courtyard, who claimed Madam Xu had punished him, and he bore a grudge.
[Hmph. That servant’s wife’s second uncle’s son happened to be Lu Jing Huai’s study servant.]
[Burning the elder brother to death would leave no evidence of the plagiarism.]
Madam Xu’s eyes glimmered faintly.
“Chao Chao, did your elder brother protect you last night?” she asked.
Lu Chao Chao grinned, her head nodding enthusiastically.
“Big… bwother… go… go!” She pointed in the direction where her elder brother resided.
Bright Virtue Courtyard had been burned, and he had moved to Listening Wind Courtyard last night. Lu Chao Chao’s face was full of heartache. She had seen her elder brother, leaning against the wall, walking a few steps. His hands were covered in blistered burns.
“Yan Shu, he… he was willing to protect you,” Madam Xu’s emotions were a mix of joy and pain for her son’s suffering.
Her eldest son had become indifferent and irritable after the incident, refusing to let anyone near him. Holding Chao Chao, she headed next door.
The room next door was filled with items salvaged from Bright Virtue Courtyard. Scattered about were small wooden horses and other children’s toys.
“Are these all from Bright Virtue Courtyard?” Madam Xu asked, astonished.
The maid nodded. “Most of them belong to the young miss.”
Madam Xu was taken aback. “Chao Chao, have you been visiting your elder brother often?”
Chao Chao nodded her little head.
When they arrived at Lu Yan Shu’s room, Madam Xu was even more shocked. The once frail and emaciated eldest son had gained some weight. If not for still sitting in a wheelchair, he scarcely resembled an invalid.
“Big… bwother… bwother, hug…” Before Madam Xu could steady herself, Lu Chao Chao leapt forward.
“Ah!” Madam Xu gasped in alarm. Her son’s body was paralyzed and unable to move. How could Yan Shu catch her?
What she saw next left her utterly stunned.
The son diagnosed as paralyzed by countless imperial physicians lifted both arms and caught the little girl.
The younger sister nestled comfortably in her elder brother’s embrace. Madam Xu… stood there, speechless with shock.
“How… how… is this possible? Yan Shu, have you recovered?” Tears streamed down Madam Xu’s face as she tremblingly approached her son.
It had been years since she had dared to come near him. Since his paralysis, Lu Yan Shu had rejected all visits, unwilling to see the despair and pity in his family’s eyes.
And now, she had never seen her eldest son so serene.
“Mother, you’ve endured much,” Lu Yan Shu’s gentle voice carried warmth as he gazed at Madam Xu, his eyes moistening slightly. He had once believed his parents lived in harmony, but now…
[To think Mother lived under such deception. How could I let her face this alone?]
He raised his hand, the bandages from the burn he sustained the previous night still wrapped around it. Testing his leg gingerly, he felt strength returning, though full recovery would likely take another half a year.
Meanwhile, Lu Yuan Xiao, who had secretly sipped rice wine the previous night, stumbled forward groggily, his head drooping as he scooped up little Chao Chao to give Madam Xu and Lu Yan Shu space to talk.
“Never drinking again… Boohoo! Little sister almost got burned to death because of me!”
Madam Xu and Lu Yan Shu shut the door behind them. Faint sobs, muffled and restrained, drifted out from within.
“Mmph, mmph…” Little Chao Chao pointed at the door.
[Let’s eavesdrop!]
Lu Yuan Xiao shook his head firmly. “A real man doesn’t stoop to such acts!”
Yet before long, he was crouched by the door, ear pressed against it, Chao Chao still nestled in his arms.
Inside, the elder brother’s voice emerged faintly.
“Mother, the more he values something, the more we must destroy it!”
“It’s not enough to strike back. We need to retreat unscathed,” Lu Yan Shu’s tone was icy.
“Please keep the news of my recovery a secret from him. A cripple holds no value in his schemes. Only then can we extricate ourselves.” His face darkened.
“The unforgivable sin was targeting Chao Chao! They tried to burn her alive, shattering your spirit so they could conveniently raise Lu Jing Yao as their own!”
Madam Xu’s tears streamed silently, her face pale.
“We must protect her and remain silent about everything we’ve learned,” Lu Yan Shu said solemnly. [I can hear Chao Chao’s thoughts. And Mother… she can too!]
From outside the door, Chao Chao’s inner musings hummed faintly.
[Wow, how did Big Brother and Mother figure out Father has a mistress?]
[Big Brother is so clever and cool! He’s amazing… Ouch!]
The door swung open suddenly. Madam Xu’s glare was sharp as she stared down at the two guilty faces, sprawled on the ground in a heap after falling forward.
[Oh no, caught red-handed…]
Chao Chao blinked innocently, pointing at Lu Yuan Xiao. [He made me do it!]
Lu Yuan Xiao bared his teeth in exasperation. [Way to sell me out, little traitor!]
[But what did they mean by protecting her? What’s the full story? I need the whole melon!]
Madam Xu and Lu Yan Shu exchanged a look, then glanced at Lu Yuan Xiao. Both began to suspect he might also possess the ability to hear thoughts.
Sure enough, later that evening, Lu Yan Shu summoned Lu Yuan Xiao to his room and sternly forbade him from revealing Chao Chao’s secret. Only then did the family breathe a collective sigh of relief.
The next day, Madam Xu chose not to alert Marquis Zhongyong’s Manor but went straight to the authorities to file a report. Her status as a third-rank titled lady ensured the Magistrate took the case seriously, granting her a personal audience.
By noon, in full view of the students from Soaring Elegance Academy, Lu Jing Huai’s book boy was apprehended. The elegant young scholar’s brows furrowed slightly as he asked, “Sir, may I ask what crime my servant has committed?”
Now a qualified Aspiring Scholar, Lu Jing Huai no longer had to bow before officials. As a well-known prodigy in the capital, he was given considerable respect.
With people bustling about during the midday meal, the constable’s voice rang out clearly, “The Marquis Zhongyong’s household has filed a case. Your book boy stands accused of arson, attempting to burn the eldest young master. We’re taking him for questioning.”
The constable paused briefly. “Should the need arise, we may summon you as well. Please cooperate, Scholar Lu.”
Lu Jing Huai’s fist clenched imperceptibly. “Such a grave matter? Then I will certainly cooperate.”
His expression betrayed nothing, but his classmates wasted no time chiming in.
“The eldest young master of Marquis Zhongyong’s household? Isn’t he the legendary genius of the Lu family from eight years ago?”
“You know, you’re both named Lu, and your writing styles are uncannily similar. Back then, people even called you ‘Little Young Master Lu.’ You might be related somehow!” A fellow student quipped playfully.
But Lu Jing Huai’s face darkened instantly. Without a word, he turned on his heel and left.