The whole family is insanely eavesdropping on my thoughts Chapter 425
Chapter 425: She Excels at Striking the Heart
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
The historian’s brush had already fallen to the ground.
The painter, a refined scholar, sat pale-faced, drenched in sweat, utterly paralyzed by the horror of the scene before him.
Lu Chao Chao picked up the brush from the floor.
“Did you write it down?”
“Did you capture the moment?” She stuffed the brush back into his hand.
“Today marks a monumental event in the Southern Kingdom. It shall be recounted for a thousand years…” The little one’s tone was so earnest that the onlookers couldn’t tell whether she was mocking or genuinely naïve.
Standing behind her, Rong Che chuckled. “Indeed.”
“The ascension of the so-called divine was meant to be a spectacle of glory, yet it became an execution for all to witness.”
“The revered goddess—an imposter.”
“The so-called embodiment of compassion turned out to be the hand that wrought misery.”
“Nan Feng Yu, the esteemed Eldest Princess, met her downfall and was torn apart by the very people she ruled. What a truly spectacular show!” Rong Che clapped his hands in amusement.
Xie Jing Xi shook his head. “No wonder you people of the Southern Kingdom always act so high and mighty. With theatrics like these, we of Northern Zhao could never have conjured such a scene. We concede to your superior dramatics.”
The court ministers winced. Their faces burned with shame—he was mocking them.
And yet, they had no retort. They couldn’t even lift their heads.
Furious and humiliated, the ministers snapped, “Why are you still standing there?! Go down at once!”
Only after rallying General Lou, along with Official Ming and Official Sang—those few who bore divine power—did the ministers dare follow.
“Eldest Princess…”
“Eldest Princess…” Some murmured her title as they descended.
But the moment they stepped down, one of them trod upon something soft. A severed piece of flesh. The elderly official nearly leapt into the air in terror. “Ah!!”
Blood covered the ground, each step leaving crimson imprints.
Nan Mu Bai had already descended into madness. He…
He had wanted to save his mother. He had reached out for her.
But all he managed to grasp was an arm.
Heaven knew the terror that gripped him at that moment—it was as if his very skull had been split open.
“Ah, ah! Ahhh—!” Nan Mu Bai’s screams were shrill, his mind shattered by fear.
His sister had been struck down in public.
His mother torn apart by an enraged crowd.
But the furious commoners surrounded him, refusing to let him leave. It wasn’t until the court officials intervened, sensing the gravity of the situation, that he was barely dragged away.
Yet he was no longer the same—his mind seemed broken, his spirit unhinged.
The officials huddled together in dread. Today, the very heart of the Southern Kingdom had splintered into a million pieces.
General Lou stood at the forefront, the commoners facing him in opposition.
“General Lou, you once led the Lou Clan to protect this nation. You are a good man. If you wish to punish us, do as you will! But Nan Feng Yu—she deserved death!”
“Yes! She deserved it!”
General Lou shut his eyes briefly. “Leave.”
The commoners exchanged glances. Nan Feng Yu had been the Eldest Princess, acting as the Regent of the Southern Kingdom, wielding unparalleled power.
They had steeled themselves for certain death.
“What are you waiting for? Go!” Official Ming scowled. The blood-stained commoners, on the verge of tears, hesitated no longer and fled toward the palace gates.
Lu Chao Chao raised her hand, summoning the Black Dragon. “Guard the city gates. If anyone dares to obstruct them—kill.”
In an instant, the Black Dragon transformed into a streak of light and vanished.
The scene was gruesome and chilling.
A minister, pale-faced, pointed a trembling finger at General Lou and Official Ming. “How dare you let the murderers of the Eldest Princess go?!”
“Those lowly peasants committed regicide! They should all be put to death!”
General Lou cast him a sidelong glance. “Oh? So you mean to slaughter the entire capital? Execute every person who took part today?”
Nan Feng Yu’s atrocities had long festered, igniting a storm of hatred.
Those who struck her down were not just vengeful villagers with personal grievances.
They were countless citizens of the Southern Capital, bound together by the sheer weight of their suffering.
The ministers fell silent.
The overwhelming stench of blood filled the air. Several officials clutched their mouths, gagging, before bolting from the scene.
“Mother, Chao Chao lends you a fragrant handkerchief. Cover your nose, and it won’t be so bad…” Descending the steps, Lu Chao Chao fretted over Shi Yun, fearful of her mother’s pregnancy making her nauseous.
The moment she spoke—
Rong Che clutched his mouth, turning visibly ill.
Shi Yun patted Chao Chao’s head. “Thank you, Chao Chao, but Mother is fine. I believe your father needs it more.”
“After all, he’s the one experiencing morning sickness.”
By the time they returned to the Ning Manor, Old Madam Ning had fallen to her knees, weeping and laughing at once.
“Peach Source Village… has finally been avenged.”
Lu Chao Chao blinked, then lightly ran a finger over Old Madam Ning’s eyes. A cool sensation spread across the elderly woman’s forehead.
Lu Chao Chao took her grandmother’s hand and led her outside.
“Come, come, come! There’s still more to see! Grandmother, follow Chao Chao to enjoy the show.”
Old Madam Ning, once draped in white hair, now had strands darkening at the roots. The wrinkles that once marred her aged skin had begun to fade, regaining a healthy glow.
“Why are they all staring at me?” The old woman had rushed out without her veil, only now realizing the looks directed her way.
“Did I frighten them?” She instinctively reached for her face.
Lu Chao Chao squeezed her grandmother’s hand and shook her head. “Not at all. Grandmother looks lovely.” Then, after a thoughtful pause, she added:
“The most beautiful person Chao Chao has ever seen.”
It was then that Old Madam Ning recalled—the scars that once marked her face, the grotesque burns that had terrified children, had all vanished.
“We must thank Chao Chao. If not for her miracle medicine, I would still be a hideous old wretch.” Once, she had accidentally removed her veil, and a baby had wailed in terror at the sight of her face.
Lu Chao Chao shook her head.
“It has nothing to do with Chao Chao.”
“The same remedy would not work for just anyone. Only Grandmother could achieve such a transformation.”
She led the old woman to the base of the grand platform.
Palace servants were dousing the bloodstains with water, while monks gathered the remnants of Nan Feng Yu’s corpse.
Old Madam Ning frowned slightly.
“Grandmother, keep your eyes wide open and look carefully…” Lu Chao Chao watched her expectantly.
A silent youth trailed behind them. He was so quiet, one could almost forget he was there.
Old Madam Ning did as instructed, yet at first, saw nothing amiss.
But then—
Her steps faltered.
In the shadowed corner of the Ascension Platform, veiled by tree shade, a curled-up figure trembled in fear.
No…
Not a figure.
She took a step forward.
There, Nan Feng Yu clutched her knees, shivering in terror, her eyes darting wildly.
Old Madam Ning stared in stunned silence before breaking into soft, chilling laughter. “Good. Very good. Retribution has finally come. Hahaha…”
Upon hearing that voice, Nan Feng Yu froze.
She looked up, her expression one of disbelief.
Though the woman bore traces of age, her face was delicate and eerily familiar…
Nan Feng Yu’s gaze snapped to Old Madam Ning.
“You… You… You’re Ning Shi? No! No, you’re dead!”
“Why do you have a shadow? And why is your face—”
“No, I saw them pour scalding oil over you! I saw your face melt! How could you—?!”
She lunged forward, but as a newly departed soul, she passed right through Old Madam Ning’s body.
“Didn’t Nan Mu Bai tell you?” Lu Chao Chao chirped.
“On his way back to the Southern Kingdom, he saved an old woman.”
“Surely, he reported every detail to you.”
“But I doubt he mentioned much—after all, what was she but a buried old hag?”
“Oh, and he personally dug her out.” Lu Chao Chao beamed, delivering the final blow.