Chapter 55: The Plague
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
“Did anyone visit our home while I was away?” Lu Yuan Ze asked, his voice warm and mature, setting him apart from his younger son. His tone had a magnetic allure that was hard to ignore.
As he spoke, a tall, well-built man entered the room. His broad shoulders tapered to a slim waist, and a delicate snowflake rested on one of his shoulders.
Su Zhi Qing’s eyes flickered with a mix of awe and apprehension. She quickly averted her gaze, feeling overwhelmed by the intensity of his look. Even a fleeting glance seemed to ignite a fire within her.
The Marquis approached to greet his elderly mother and announced, “It’s time for dinner.”
“You should sit beside me. Your actions saved Zheng Yue; it’s only fitting that you occupy this place of honor,” he declared, indicating a seat previously reserved for Madam Xu.
With poised grace, Madam Xu encouraged, “Miss Su, please take your seat without hesitation. The heir to the Marquis holds a revered position; it is entirely appropriate.” The wardrobe Su Zhi Qing wore had been selected by Madam Xu herself, knowing it to be a favorite style of Lu Yuan Ze.
Indeed, Su Zhi Qing resembled the youthful Pei Jiao Jiao, yet she surpassed her in grace.
Su Zhi Qing’s beauty was exceptional, and Pei Jiao Jiao had gone to great lengths to find such an extraordinary individual.
Lu Yuan Ze cast a brief glance towards Su Zhi Qing but remained silent.
Su Zhi Qing took her seat next to the elderly lady, her cheeks tinged with a blush, radiating thoughtfulness.
Lu Chao Chao, clutching her small bowl, looked noticeably disgruntled.
“Little bowl,” she muttered, sounding aggrieved.
Madam Xu offered consolation, “Small bowls for little ones, and large bowls for adults.”
Undeterred, Lu Chao Chao climbed onto a stool. “Big bowl!” she insisted.
Now at equal height with Madam Xu, who was seated, she proclaimed, “The same, big bowl!” The young child earnestly sought recognition, insisting on a larger bowl for herself.
Lu Zheng Yue, ever the silent observer, quietly exchanged the small bowl for a larger one and handed it to her.
Lu Chao Chao’s brow furrowed in confusion. She tapped her temple, puzzled by her own thoughts.
Following her rebirth, she found her mind struggling to keep up. Frequently, she grappled with conflicting thoughts, despite having unique perspectives. She couldn’t seem to control her actions, words, or impulses.
Deciding to abandon these troubling thoughts, Lu Chao Chao, with a bowl now larger than her head, began to slurp her meal enthusiastically, her face obscured by the bowl.
Lu Yuan Ze’s expression soured slightly at the scene, but he refrained from commenting.
After the meal, Lu Yuan Ze departed from the estate.
As Lu Zheng Yue strolled through the estate grounds with Su Zhi Qing, he sought to alleviate her concerns with a blend of reassurance and candidness. “Qing Qing, there’s no need to worry. With your intelligence and charm, I’m certain my parents will adore you. Once we’re married, I’ll receive sixty taels of pocket money every month to provide for us. I just wish my academic achievements could rival those of Jing Huai; if I had been the top scholar, I could have brought you even more honor. Unfortunately, this estate and the title of Marquis are destined for my brother. Though he is the rightful heir, his disabilities mean that our father still leads as the head of the family. But don’t fret, my love for you is priceless, far exceeding the value of gold. Our love is genuine, and material wealth is inconsequential. I trust that you aren’t swayed by superficiality, Qing Qing. Together, we will surely embody the essence of a loving couple.”
These words, carefully crafted and advised by his brother, navigated through the complex terrain of potential sensitivities concerning women with meticulous care.
Su Zhi Qing managed a smile, though it lacked its usual ease, her expression betraying a hint of discomfort.
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
Her initial strategy had been to gently persuade Lu Zheng Yue towards marriage, yet the unexpected depth of his declaration left her speechless, prompting her to retreat under the guise of needing rest in her own quarters.
Lu Zheng Yue, with a somewhat strained smile, clutched the essay prepared by his brother and made his way to the royal academy. This esteemed institution welcomed only the sons of the royal family and high-ranking officials, those who possessed at least a scholar’s title. A significant number of its students commenced their academic journeys at Tianhong Academy.
Meanwhile, Lu Chao Chao was engrossed in her own world, playing with two jade pendants given to her by esteemed figures.
“This pendant was a gift from Madam Qin, and this one from Minister of Rites Mr. Chen. Would you like me to store them in the small box for you?” Madam Xu inquired, her voice carrying a gentle warmth as she addressed her daughter.
Lu Chao Chao, with an air of indifference, pushed the jade pendants aside without much thought.
Madam Xu couldn’t help but sigh at her daughter’s casual dismissal. “You little rascal, you still fail to grasp the importance of these gifts.”
Each pendant symbolized a binding promise: one from the grand princess, another from the distinguished Madam Qin of a military lineage, and one from the Minister of Rites. These tokens were highly coveted by Lu Yuan Ze, each representing a personal commitment to Chao Chao.
Holding a roasted sweet potato, Lu Chao Chao pondered aloud, “Not… sweet potato?”
Madam Xu’s laughter echoed softly. In her daughter’s eyes, the allure of the significant promises held by the pendants paled in comparison to the simple joy brought by a roasted sweet potato.
With the New Year festivities on the horizon, every household was abuzz with preparations for banquets. Madam Xu, holding an invitation, couldn’t help but laugh softly. In times past, such invitations were addressed to her. Now, they bore Lu Chao Chao’s name, with hers merely included as an afterthought.
The household buzzed with a piece of particularly scandalous gossip: “I heard Mr. Chen publicly slapped the Marquis, severing ties between their families,” shared Headmaid Deng Zhi, barely concealing her delight. “Mr. Chen even went as far as to spit on him.”
Madam Xu, with a gentle touch to Chao Chao’s face, understood that her actions were all in Chao Chao’s best interests.
“That’s what he deserves,” Maid Ying Xue commented with a disdainful roll of her eyes.
Meanwhile, Lu Chao Chao, engrossed in the simple pleasure of her sweet potato, remained blissfully unaware of the discussions swirling around her.
“Ensure the box remains hidden; we cannot let the Marquis find it.” They all harbored secrets, united by the fear of potential repercussions for Chao Chao.
In the midst of this conversation, an urgent voice pierced the calm.
“Madam, there’s been an emergency,” Jue Xia announced, entering the room with a visibly pale complexion. “You are needed at the palace without delay. The dowager is critically ill, and all notable families have been summoned. This time, her condition appears grave.” A message from the palace had already arrived, prompting their immediate departure.
Madam Xu stood quickly, her expression one of disbelief. “How can this be? She seemed in good health just days ago…”
“I don’t have further details,” Jue Xia admitted with a shake of her head.
Without wasting a moment, Madam Xu prepared for her hurried departure to the palace.
“Madam, the grand princess has requested… Would you bring the young miss with you?” the maid inquired, her voice tinged with hesitation.
Madam Xu paused, contemplating the request. Chao Chao was only ten months old, and bringing her into the palace amidst the current circumstances could potentially offend the nobility.
[The plague! It’s contagious!] Lu Chao Chao’s alarming thoughts nearly sent Madam Xu into a state of panic.
A plague within the palace walls? The thought sent shivers down Madam Xu’s spine.
[I want to go, I want to go! I’m immune to all poisons, hehe, the plague doesn’t scare me.] Lu Chao Chao exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with an adventurous gleam.
This declaration was not merely about her youthful bravado; she was eager to witness the unfolding drama involving the male lead of the story from her memories.
[If I don’t go, the crown prince’s fate is sealed!] In the narrative she knew, today marked a critical juncture for the young crown prince.
The gravity of Chao Chao’s words left Madam Xu frozen, her eyes wide in shock and her hands trembling. The crown prince’s peril, the plague at the palace – these revelations set her heart racing.
Clasping her mother’s fingers tightly, Lu Chao Chao showed her determination not to be left behind.
Faced with the daunting news of the plague, Madam Xu hesitated to bring Chao Chao to such a place.
[Bringing me could save lives; without me, the outcome will be far more dire…]
[Mama, you too will fall gravely ill without my presence.]
“Please, Mama…” Chao Chao implored, her plea loaded with urgency and a deeper understanding of the situation. She felt compelled to join her mother in facing whatever awaited at the palace.
Torn between concern and the cryptic implications of her daughter’s words, Madam Xu had no choice but to relent.
“Very well, to the palace we go.” The presence of the plague raised numerous questions – was the palace even aware?
In preparation, she discreetly packed several face veils, a small but potentially lifesaving measure.
Pausing momentarily, she issued another command: “Bring along the two maids my brother sent.”
Her brother, Xu Yi Ting, had provided her with two young maids, both ten years of age. Despite their youth, they had been rigorously trained in martial arts from the tender age of three, their capabilities rivaling those of fully grown adults.
“Ensure you remain by the young miss’s side at all times. She must not be left unattended,” Madam Xu instructed with a tone of unwavering seriousness.
“Yes. But, madam, could you please bestow upon us names?” requested the twin maids, who were identical in appearance, making it difficult to tell them apart.
“The elder of you two shall be known as Yuqin, and the younger, Yuhua,” Madam Xu decided, giving them names that not only distinguished them but also bestowed upon them a sense of identity.
With that, Madam Xu, accompanied by her newly named maids and her daughter, proceeded towards the palace, ready to face whatever awaited them with a sense of preparedness and unity.
Huh another plot occuring