Chapter 46: A Divine Omen
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
“Where is Chao Chao?” Madam Xu glanced at the empty bed and asked in surprise.
“Didn’t she say she wanted to see the divine omen this afternoon?”
Indeed, rumors had been spreading that Lu Jing Yao’s actions were being hailed as a divine omen, a spectacle that had even drawn the attention of the imperial palace and stirred many court officials into action.
“The little one insisted on seeing it earlier. Now, she’s sitting by the lake with a big plate of leftover rice, feeding the birds. I’ve asked Ying Xue to keep her company. Let’s go,” said Deng Zhi.
“The square will be crowded; it won’t be good if Chao Chao gets jostled around,” Madam Xu said thoughtfully.
Without delay, Deng Zhi helped Madam Xu into a thick cloak and handed her an umbrella. Madam Xu chuckled, “It’s rare to have the sun out today. Why bring an umbrella?” The cold weather made sunny days a rarity.
Deng Zhi teased with a sly smile, “It’s all because of our little miss. She clumsily hugged it over to you. If you don’t bring it, she’ll probably pout.”
Madam Xu shook her head with a smile. Chao Chao wouldn’t sulk; she would throw a tantrum instead. When angry, she’d puff out her cheeks, fill her mouth with water, and angrily spit it out with gurgling sounds. Her babyish antics often involved clutching a small bamboo tube, drinking water, and ranting unintelligibly—her expression hinting at curses that were undoubtedly colorful.
Not wanting to provoke Chao Chao’s wrath, Madam Xu brought the oil-paper umbrella along.
…
On their way out, they spotted Lu Chao Chao sitting cross-legged by the lake. She was scattering rice all over the ground while muttering, “Eat… eat…” Her chubby voice, soft and milky, struggled to form clear words as her steps remained wobbly.
A flock of pigeons and various birds surrounded her. Whenever she waved her little hand, the birds would eagerly land on her, vying for her attention. Madam Xu was momentarily taken aback by the scene. However, Chao Chao quickly shooed the pigeons away.
“Go… go…” The little one’s face was filled with disdain. She even instructed Ying Xue to hold an umbrella over her to keep the pigeons from coming too close. Birds came and went, eating and leaving, only for new ones to replace them.
The sky now teemed with countless birds, their presence drawing no particular notice amidst the flurry of excitement. Yet, Chao Chao’s rice bowl seemed to replenish endlessly, with more rice being added again and again.
“Our little Chao Chao is so kind-hearted,” Deng Zhi commented with a smile.
Madam Xu turned to glance at her daughter. Under the sunlight, Chao Chao wore a small green jacket, her hair tied up in little tufts adorned with tiny red bells. The girl’s smile was dazzling and carefree.
[Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain…]
[Let Mother be happy.]
Seated inside the carriage, Madam Xu glanced at the sky. Could it really rain today?
…
The carriage approached the square but soon found itself stuck in a growing crowd. The streets were clogged with people eager to witness the so-called divine omen. The people of Northern Zhao had a special reverence for such occurrences, and many had gathered to join in the spectacle.
“Madam, we own two shops nearby. Let’s watch from the upper floor,” Deng Zhi suggested, leading Madam Xu through the dense crowd. After twisting and turning through several alleyways, they reached a grain store.
“Madam, this way, please.” The location offered the best vantage point.
A servant had already prepared tea and snacks. Madam Xu settled by the window, which provided a clear view of the grand platform a hundred meters away. The murmurs of the crowd could faintly be heard:
“There are so many birds in the sky. I’ve never seen such a variety before…”
Previously scorned and shunned, Pei Jiao Jiao now stood proudly on the platform, holding her daughter. Her expression was one of immense pride.
“Madam, you truly gave birth to remarkable children. Your eldest son is extraordinarily talented, and now your daughter possesses such unique abilities. I dare say, she might even become Northern Zhao’s lucky charm and bring prosperity to our nation,” someone nearby flattered her.
Pei Jiao Jiao no longer displayed the humiliation from the slap she had received that day. Instead, her brows carried a faint smile as she said, “If it can bring prosperity to Bei Zhao, then it is Jing Yao’s honor.”
Lu Jing Yao leaned close to her ear, her youthful voice laced with an inexplicable bitterness. “Yao’er… help you!” Though nine months old, her underdeveloped vocal cords made her words slightly stuttered.
Pei Jiao Jiao’s ambitious heart calmed immediately upon hearing Lu Jing Yao. With such a clever son and a daughter bestowed by the heavens, what did she have to fear?
Lu Jing Yao glanced at the heavens and sneered inwardly. [If the heavens sent me through time, then I am the destined protagonist.] At this moment, she sat cross-legged in the center, taking a deep breath.
The surrounding crowd grew larger by the second. She knew among them were commoners, court officials, and even members of the royal family. Her mother and father shared true love—only the unloved one was the intruder. Madam Xu, that venomous legal wife, clung to her position without fulfilling her duties.
Above, more pigeons circled the skies, joined by rare and mythical beasts. Gasps of astonishment rippled through the crowd as they flocked to the streets, heads tilted upwards to witness the extraordinary scene.
Madam Xu’s heart sank further and further. [Why? If Pei Jiao Jiao and Lu Yuan Ze truly love each other, he could have brought her in openly! Why deceive me, marry another woman in secret, and even… even plan to kill me and my child to make way for hers? Are my life and my child’s worth nothing?] Shaking with rage, Madam Xu felt her resolve falter as she saw the spectacle. [Even the heavens seem to favor her.]
“Let’s go down and have a look,” Madam Xu murmured. She stepped toward the door, but Deng Zhi tugged at her sleeve with a hesitant expression. “Little Miss has repeatedly warned against leaving the building. Most likely, she fears the crowd may harm you. Madam…” Deng Zhi’s gaze brimmed with worry.
Meanwhile, the streets overflowed with people, all marveling at the birds gathering from every direction. A group of youths clad in blue clustered around Lu Jing Huai, their leader. “Jing Huai, your little sister may have caught someone’s eye. Looks like your family is about to rise to the top!” one joked, gesturing subtly toward the imperial palace.
Lu Jing Huai’s expression was solemn as he lightly shook his head. “I wish only to be my sister’s support, not to ride her coattails.”
The crowd quickly chimed in with praise. “Brother Jing Huai, you have great talent and naturally disdain such shallow fame.”
“Next year’s provincial exam is yours to top, Brother Jing Huai. A champion in the making!”
Lu Jing Huai shook his head modestly, though their admiration didn’t wane.
Above, the sky grew darker, as if foreshadowing an impending storm. In a distant pavilion, Lu Chao Chao sat with a stalk of foxtail grass in her mouth, discreetly covering her nose.
In the city’s center, countless citizens surged forward. Some began shouting fervently, proclaiming the event as a divine sign.
Pei Jiao Jiao smiled faintly, her eyes gleaming. Jing Yao was truly brilliant—manipulating people’s hearts at such a tender age. Even the chant, “Divine sign! Divine sign!” was her idea. The cries echoed louder and louder, and soon the entire city resounded with fervent cries of “Divine sign!”
Mouths agape, faces wild with fanaticism, they stared at the sky.
Plop. Plop, plop.
A few drops began to fall from the heavens. The crowd smacked their lips, touching their cheeks in confusion. “Is it raining?” murmurs arose, the fervor dimming slightly.
Someone touched a droplet on their face, rubbing it between their fingers. “Why is the rain white?”
Another sniffed suspiciously. “There’s a strange smell to it.” Taking a bold taste, their face twisted. “This doesn’t seem like rain.”
As more and more white droplets fell, the realization struck. The crowd collectively froze, staring in horrified disbelief as they watched the white “rain” descend—not from the clouds, but from the birds’ backsides.