Chapter 43: Chao Chao Behind the Scenes
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
“You?! You!!” The Old Madam gasped, nearly fainting from the surge of anger.
“How could you be so cruel as to say such things? Look at the injuries on Wan Yi! How could you be so venomous? Are you trying to torment her to death? Is this how a sister-in-law should act?” The Old Madam’s eyes blazed with fury, her heart full of condemnation for Madam Xu.
But Madam Xu merely responded calmly, “Mother, didn’t Wan Yi say this herself?”
“When a man hits a woman, it’s never for no reason. It must be because the woman did something wrong and deserved it. Mother, Wan Yi told me this herself. Or are you saying that when I was beaten, I deserved it, but Wan Yi doesn’t?” Madam Xu’s tone carried a faint bitterness.
“So it’s true, isn’t it? There’s always a difference when one isn’t your real child.”
“When I first entered this family, you told me you’d treat me like your own daughter. Turns out that was a lie.” Madam Xu wiped her eyes, her expression one of hurt. Covering her face, she dashed out of the room.
The front doors slammed open, and the maidservants standing outside instinctively glanced inward.
They caught sight of Lu Wan Yi, her clothing disheveled and her body covered in bruises.
Lu Wan Yi let out a shriek and hastily grabbed her clothing to cover herself.
“You useless fool! Turn around!” she cried in alarm.
Deng Zhi had already been suppressing her amusement for ages and now had to bite her lips to keep from laughing out loud. Oh, but she couldn’t resist reaching over to pinch Lu Chao Chao’s little mouth shut.
Lu Chao Chao was laughing so hard her grin nearly reached the back of her head.
Deng Zhi rushed after Madam Xu as she ran out.
Once they returned to their courtyard, Lu Chao Chao heard her mother muttering.
“Young couples today are just not up to par. How could she come running back to her maiden home after a quarrel? Newlyweds should be careful not to make their husbands worry.”
“Send someone to invite her husband over. Tell him Wan Yi has returned to her family home and ask him to take her back.”
“The Old Madam has been sick several times this year. Let’s not agitate her any further.” Madam Xu’s maneuver made Lu Chao Chao widen her eyes in admiration.
[Mother is truly amazing.]
Lu Wan Yi had escaped home after putting up a desperate fight, only to have her own family personally send her back.
“Chao Chao, do you think your mother is too ruthless?” Madam Xu asked, sighing as she noticed Chao Chao nearby.
Chao Chao blinked her big, innocent eyes. [My mother is the kindest person in the world, so kind!]
[They’re just taking advantage of her kindness. Hmph… it’s their fault for being so unreasonable.] Lu Chao Chao earnestly praised her mother, feeling proud.
Madam Xu felt warmth bloom in her heart. “I’m going to visit the Eldest Princess. Do you want to come along?”
Chao Chao stretched out her little arms and launched herself into Madam Xu’s embrace. She remembered the Eldest Princess, especially the baby in her belly, whom she had blessed herself.
“I wonder when Zheng Yue will return?” Madam Xu sighed, her mind drifting to her long-absent second son.
“It’s almost the year’s end. Second Young Master is probably on his way home already. He should be back soon,” Deng Zhi reassured her.
Lu Chao Chao was born in the second month, and now, she was eight months old.
[Second Brother? My idiot, love-obsessed Second Brother…] Lu Chao Chao grumbled silently, but her expression gave nothing away, sparing Madam Xu from further worry.
The weather was icy, and Deng Zhi had prepared an array of adorable little accessories for Chao Chao. At the moment, the little one was dressed to look impossibly cute.
“I’ve never seen a child more beautiful than Little Miss Chao Chao,” the servants exclaimed as they competed for a chance to dote on her. Chao Chao was well-behaved, never crying or fussing, and her good nature endeared her to everyone.
They boarded the carriage with Chao Chao in tow, and soon arrived at the Princess’s Manor.
“Madam, please come inside. The Eldest Princess has been waiting for you. This year’s cold is truly bitter,” Nanny Lin greeted them at the gates, ushering Madam Xu into the estate.
[This year will bring heavy snowstorms… a natural disaster… ah, so unfortunate.] The little one’s inner thoughts turned somber.
The Madam Xu made a careful note of the situation. Inside the room, the soft glow of silver-thread charcoal warmed the air in an instant.
“Shi Yun, no need for formalities.” Before a single bow could be made, Nanny Lin stepped forward to stop her.
A plush woolen rug spread across the ground, and Lu Chao Chao was placed gently upon it.
Since becoming pregnant, the Eldest Princess had softened in demeanor, her current smile full of maternal warmth as her gaze settled on Lu Chao Chao. At five months pregnant, her belly was notably large.
“Chao Chao, do you remember your Aunt?” the Princess asked, extending a hand. By now, Chao Chao was over eight months old. Though she could walk a few steps with support, she crawled with remarkable speed.
At this moment, she scurried eagerly to the Princess’s side, pointed to her belly, and nodded. In a soft, childlike voice, she whispered, “Two.” Bobbing her head, she held up three fingers. A moment later, as though reconsidering, she extended two instead.
“Chao Chao… Chao Chao… give!” The little one declared in a sweet, lisping tone, slapping her tiny chest as though making a grand proclamation.
The Princess nodded eagerly. “Aunt knows.”
“This is our little secret, isn’t it?” Since the dream where Chao Chao had gifted her children, the Princess had discovered her pregnancy. Three months later, the diagnosis of twins confirmed her belief beyond doubt. If Chao Chao said two, then there were two!
“What are you two whispering about?” Madam Xu eyed them suspiciously.
Chao Chao only giggled, her smile impish, giving away nothing.
The Princess sighed. “After being childless for over a decade of marriage, having these children has attracted attention from certain friends.”
“One lady, Madam Qin, bore a frail daughter years ago and has had no children since. She’s now forty-two and begged me for any remedies. She only wishes to leave her daughter with some form of companionship.”
Madam Xu’s brows knit tightly, and the Princess quickly reassured her.
“I haven’t given her any answers. Without your agreement, I would never share anything.”
Madam Xu knew that Chao Chao possessed an extraordinary gift. However, she was reluctant to let her daughter take risks or be drawn into matters that might harm her.
Seeing Madam Xu’s firm resistance, the Princess didn’t press further. “Madam Qin is a good woman but unfortunate in life. Years ago, her husband, Official Chen, was attacked and nearly killed. She shielded him from the blow but was gravely injured. Now, though he’s risen to Vice Minister, he continues to treat her with the utmost respect.”
Madam Xu straightened slightly. “The wife of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites?”
The Princess looked surprised. “You know her?”
Madam Xu nodded faintly.
Meanwhile, Chao Chao, holding onto a chair, slowly stood, her inner thoughts whirling: [That kind-hearted lady… help her, help her! Chao Chao wants to help her!]
Madam Xu shot her a warning look, but Chao Chao only gazed back with the utmost innocence.
After a long pause, Madam Xu finally relented. “Whatever happens, this matter must remain strictly confidential. It wouldn’t be good for Chao Chao’s reputation.”
The Princess nodded. “Do you think I don’t know that?” Noting Madam Xu’s slight wavering, she surmised there might be some underlying reason. However, she refrained from asking further and sent for a servant to deliver an invitation to Madam Qin.
Madam Qin arrived swiftly. After a formal greeting, her gaze fell upon the Princess, then on a young girl with two tiny pigtails sitting at her feet.
The infant, under a year old, had an angelic face that naturally endeared people to her.
“Here you go,” the Princess gestured toward the child on the ground. “The secret to bearing children.”
Madam Qin’s eyes widened in disbelief. Her expression seemed to scream: I’ve read few books, but surely you jest!