Chapter 4: Altering the Fate of the Uncle
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
“This is the daughter our Lu Family has longed for, born in the morning hours. Let’s name her Lu Chao Chao. ‘Chao’ means morning, a symbol of hope,” said Lu Yuan Ze.
Madam Xu’s head lowered slightly, her eyes red and brimming with tears. Her grip tightened on the embroidered quilt, her knuckles turning pale. It felt as though her heart was clamped in an unyielding grasp.
She had been to Lu Yuan Ze’s study once. Within it sat a thick stack of pristine white papers, each bearing meticulously written names.
Lu Jing Yao, evoking lofty mountains and beautiful trees, a name that exuded elegance and intelligence, destined to be adored by all.
Lu Zhi Yuan, carrying the meaning of scholarly grace and soaring ambition.
Every name was carefully chosen, filled with expectations and blessings.
But her daughter… was given a simple ‘Morning.’
When names for their three older children were chosen, she had already felt dissatisfied. Now, she refused to let her daughter suffer the same.
“Perhaps we can consider another…” Before she could finish her thought, a joyous, babbling voice interrupted her.
[Ya ya ya! I want to be called Chao Chao! I like being Chao Chao! Mommy, Mommy, I want to be Lu Chao Chao!] The tiny bundle used all her strength, stretching out her little hands and babbling enthusiastically.
Madam Xu let out a light sigh, drawing a faint curve on her lips. “Look how happy she is. Chao Chao it is,” she said, playfully tapping her daughter’s tiny nose. The little one reached out and tightly grasped Madam Xu’s finger, her tiny hand barely able to wrap around it. Holding onto her mother’s finger, she pressed it against her soft cheek.
[Mommy, don’t cry. Don’t be afraid. Chao Chao will protect you!]
[Chao Chao is super-duper strong! Super amazing!] The baby gurgled proudly.
Madam Xu’s eyes remained misty, but hearing her daughter’s inner thoughts brought a warm smile to her face.
“Shi Yun, it’s been hard on you lately. Affairs at court have been demanding, and I’ll likely be busier this month,” said Lu Yuan Ze, his expression carrying a rare hint of guilt. Whenever he showed such remorse, Madam Xu would encourage him to focus on the bigger picture and not get caught up in personal matters.
Who would have guessed that his ‘time’ was spent on his mistress?
Her accommodating nature had become a blade, piercing her own heart.
“As husband and wife, we’re of one body. How could I blame you? It’s only poor Chao Chao who is slighted,” Madam Xu said, her gaze softening as she looked at her daughter. Yet, a trace of melancholy lingered in her expression.
Lu Yuan Ze glanced at the swaddled Lu Chao Chao. Unintentionally, he compared her to Lu Jing Yao, both born yesterday.
When Jing Yao was born, her entire body was reddish, her skin wrinkled, and her cries faint like a kitten. By contrast, Chao Chao was born plump and fair, her skin snowy, even her brows and lashes long and lush. Her eyes were bright and unafraid, radiating an icy charm that resembled the celestial maiden by Guan Yin’s side.
But Lu Yuan Ze’s gaze soon moved away. His Jing Yao was different.
A fervent warmth rose in his heart as he thought of Jing Yao.
“Poor Chao Chao, let me make amends. How about I gift you the Hot Springs Manor as an apology?” he said, beaming as he lifted the baby in his arms.
“Quickly thank your father. That manor includes over a hundred acres of land. This is no small gesture,” Madam Xu added.
Lu Yuan Ze’s brows furrowed slightly. He had intended only to gift the manor itself. But seeing Madam Xu’s words, he refrained from objecting. Still, the Hot Springs Manor, originally intended for Jing Yao, would need a replacement gift.
[Wow wow! This stingy daddy is so rich!] Chao Chao bubbled in her thoughts.
Before Lu Yuan Ze could dwell on his thoughts, a sudden warmth spread across his chest. His face stiffened, and his eyes widened as he looked at the grinning, toothless baby in his arms. She giggled gleefully, her drool shimmering.
“Ah, ah, she’s peeing! The little miss has wet herself!” Ying Xue rushed forward to take the child.
Lu Yuan Ze’s face darkened, suppressing his irritation. It wasn’t worth holding a grudge against a newborn.
Madam Xu stifled her laughter, covering her mouth as her shoulders trembled.
“My lord, go change your clothes,” she said gently.
Once Lu Yuan Ze departed to freshen up, Madam Xu gently patted Chao Chao’s bottom. “You naughty one.”
[Serves him right! How dare he mistreat my beautiful mommy? He deserves it!]
When Lu Yuan Ze returned, he lingered briefly before leaving again. Madam Xu’s gaze drooped.
“Go see where the marquis is heading,” she ordered.
Ying Xue was straightforward, but Jue Xia was sharper. The latter set down the baby and quickly followed after the marquis. She soon returned with her report: “The marquis has gone to Virtue and Kindness Hall, to the old madam’s quarters.”
“I saw him take the old madam’s prayer beads when he left. The old madam seemed in high spirits and rewarded him with something,” Jue Xia continued.
Madam Xu’s heart felt heavy.
“Those prayer beads must be for the eldest young master,” Jue Xia tried to console her.
In Marquis Zhongyong’s Manor, one topic was taboo.
Madam Xu had borne three sons and one daughter. The eldest, Lu Yan Shu, had been a brilliant child. During those years, Lu Yuan Ze had shown genuine affection. But at nine years old, Yan Shu fell into the water and became mentally impaired. Now confined within the manor, he was unable to care for himself, a shame and sore spot for the family.
When Madam Xu once knelt before the old madam to request those prayer beads for Yan Shu, she had been denied. She knelt for three days and nights but was refused.
The old madam’s prayer beads were a gift from the abbot of the National Temple, said to contain 1,808 beads of unparalleled value. The temple, being a royal sanctuary, was revered across the capital. Gaining such an item was beyond Marquis Zhongyong’s reach.
One year, however, the old abbot glanced at Madam Xu and declared that Marquis Zhongyong’s descendants were destined for immense fortune and noble opportunities. He then bestowed the prayer beads.
The old madam treasured them deeply. Yet, today, they had been given away.
That night, Deng Zhi returned, her face pale with terror, her trembling hands hesitant as they pushed open the door.
“Madam…” Deng Zhi fell to her knees with a thud, unable to speak further. She shakily presented a wooden carving wrapped in white cloth.
[Oh, oh! Isn’t this that cursed idol that harmed Eldest Uncle?] Little Chao Chao puffed bubbles, refusing to sleep.
Madam Xu’s hands trembled, nearly dropping the carving.
“The door is guarded, Madam, rest assured,” Deng Zhi said, barely containing her fear. Discovering the object had left her legs weak.
If exposed, the Xu Family would face ruin.
The Xu Family held significant power, but even a hint of suspicion could provoke the emperor’s mistrust. When her father retired as Grand Tutor, it eased the emperor’s wariness. Any fresh controversy would require blood to prove their innocence.
Her elder brother, now a third-rank official, commanded respect due to their family’s legacy. It was also why Marquis Zhongyong sought to marry her.
Madam Xu examined the carving closely. It had been soaked in blood and emanated a sinister aura, its surface marred with deep, savage cuts. On its back was engraved the emperor’s birth date.
“This handwriting…” Madam Xu bit her lip tightly, her jaw clenched, blood seeping from the corners of her mouth.
“It’s the handwriting of the elder master,” Deng Zhi whispered. She had grown up in the Xu Family and recognized the script.
Madam Xu’s tears fell silently. “No, it’s mine.”
Her body broke out in goosebumps. Terror, dread, and above all… relief coursed through her.
She had been the youngest daughter, raised and taught by her elder brother. Her handwriting mirrored his. Even Lu Yuan Ze had praised her penmanship, often asking her to teach him to write.
And after marrying into Marquis Zhongyong’s household, she severed ties with her natal family because Lu Yuan Ze disapproved.