The whole family is insanely eavesdropping on my thoughts Chapter 560
Chapter 560: Returning Home
Lu Chao Chao had just stepped through the doorway when she saw her mother, Shi Yun, stumbling out in haste, her eyes red with tears. Behind her, Deng Zhi followed closely, similarly choked with emotion. Shi Yun rushed forward, throwing herself into Chao Chao’s arms, holding her in an unrelenting embrace.
“My Chao Chao…” her voice broke before she could finish, sobs overtaking her.
“You’re home!” The words, filled with overwhelming grief and relief, tore from her throat.
During the days of Chao Chao’s absence, Shi Yun had suffered from endless nightmares. In her dreams, Chao Chao was covered in blood, crying desperately for her mother. Helpless and trembling from pain, Shi Yun could only wake up in tears each morning. She had spent every day of Chao Chao’s absence drowning in sorrow.
Rumors outside spread wildly, many speculating about Chao Chao’s fate. Some even claimed she was dead. Each passing day was torment for Shi Yun.
“My daughter, my daughter has finally come home. Promise me, never leave me again, alright?” Shi Yun’s body shook as she held onto Chao Chao, cursing her own weakness, hating that she had been unable to protect her daughter. If anything had happened to Chao Chao, she wouldn’t have been able to go on.
Even when she had slain gods, Chao Chao had not shed a single tear. Even when she was wounded, she had remained steadfast. But now, wrapped in her mother’s embrace, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
“Mother, I’m back. Chao Chao is home now, don’t be afraid…” Her voice trembled, her eyes swollen with emotion.
To everyone else, she was the Sword Sovereign Sunshine, but to her mother, she would always be just a daughter. No matter how high she climbed, how far she ventured, her mother’s worries remained the same—had she eaten well? Was she dressed warmly? Had she suffered any grievances?
Behind them, Deng Zhi wiped her tears away, both crying and laughing. “It’s good you’re home, Little Miss, it’s good you’re home. Madam, stop crying. You’ve been preparing food for Little Miss every day, now’s the time to let her taste it.”
Deng Zhi had watched Shi Yun’s health decline from endless crying these past months. Even her vision had grown blurry from the strain.
Shi Yun quickly wiped her tears away and smiled. “Look at me, making Chao Chao cry as soon as she gets home.” She lifted Chao Chao into her arms and carried her inside.
“You’ve lost weight, my treasure,” Shi Yun said as she gently jostled her daughter in her arms.
News of Chao Chao’s return spread swiftly. Rong Che had already left the palace early to rush home. Even before entering the estate, he noticed the servants’ bright smiles and knew the news was true. The past half-year had cast a heavy gloom over the residence. Not a single smile had been seen among the servants, and everyone had carried a heavy heart.
But now, joy filled the air.
“Have the elders been informed? Have Yan Shu and the others returned?” Rong Che asked as soon as he entered.
“They have been notified. The three young masters are rushing back as we speak. Messengers have also been sent to the Rong and Xu families. They should be receiving the news about now.”
Just as Rong Che stepped inside, Xie Yu Zhou arrived, breathless from travel. He had rushed over in a hurry, arriving just in time.
Inside, the table was already set. Shi Yun sat beside Chao Chao, watching her with motherly affection.
Having been away from home for so long, Chao Chao missed the familiar flavors of home. She felt a bit self-conscious as everyone in the room watched her with unblinking eyes. She picked up a small bowl and slowly sipped her porridge.
Every so often, her gaze drifted to the roasted pigeon on the table. She secretly swallowed her saliva, resisting the temptation.
“Chao Chao, eat some meat,” Shi Yun said, picking up a piece with her chopsticks and placing it in her bowl.
The young girl hesitated, feeling awkward. “Mother, Chao Chao doesn’t really like greasy foods.”
[How am I supposed to bite into a pigeon when you’re all watching me?!]
The entire room continued to stare at her with eager eyes, making it impossible for her to ignore their anticipation.
Xie Yu Zhou’s expression suddenly darkened. The joy in his face twisted into something sharp and alert. Without warning, he slammed his hand onto the table, his usually soft and cheerful demeanor turning serious in an instant.
“I don’t care who you are—get out of Chao Chao’s body at once!” he declared with a fierce glare.
Chao Chao froze mid-bite, staring at him in disbelief.
[What…?]
Before she could react, Xie Yu Zhou pulled out a wooden fish from his robe and began striking it around her head.
“Demon! How dare you impersonate Chao Chao! Reveal yourself immediately!” he shouted while continuing his ritual.
Everyone was stunned into silence, unable to process what they were witnessing.
Chao Chao put her bowl down, climbed onto the bench, and twisted his ear viciously. “Knock, knock, knock! Your head is more like a wooden fish than this thing!”
“Half a year apart, and you’ve decided you want to die?” Her face contorted with anger. [How dare you think I was possessed?!]
“Ow, ow, ow…” Xie Yu Zhou howled.
Between yelps, he admitted, “Yes, yes! That’s the right reaction! You are Lu Chao Chao! You’re really Lu Chao Chao!”
Chao Chao glared at him.
[Sometimes, I really want to kill him.]
Shi Yun wiped away her laughing tears, turning to see Rong Che enter. She pulled him down to sit beside her.
Chao Chao resigned herself to her fate, grabbed the roasted pigeon, and took a large bite. The rich oil and tender meat filled her mouth.
[Forget it, there’s no escaping this.]
Meanwhile, Xie Yu Zhou nursed his sore ear, grumbling softly, “That’s more like it… I really thought she was a ghost borrowing a corpse.”
To Xie Yu Zhou, Lu Chao Chao was only real when she was gnawing on roasted pigeon. A Lu Chao Chao who voluntarily sipped porridge? Impossible. A fake. A complete fraud.
Chao Chao: [You know me too well… I don’t know whether to be touched or terrified.]
Shi Yun smiled warmly. “Yu Zhou, sit and rest. You’ve worked hard these past months.”
Xie Yu Zhou’s eyes reddened slightly as he obediently sat beside Chao Chao, his lips curling into a silly grin.
Rong Che ladled soup into a bowl for Shi Yun, sitting quietly by her side as they shared their meal. Though a hardened general, streaks of white had already begun appearing at his temples, remnants of the long months of stress. Yet, his gaze toward Shi Yun remained gentle, overflowing with devotion. His love for her was no secret to anyone.
Shi Yun sighed softly. “Your third brother has passed the provincial exams and will be taking the palace exams next month.” She still found it hard to believe how much he had matured.
Her once naive son had grown into a serious scholar, one with a high chance of becoming the youngest top scholar in history.
“Your second brother and Miss Wen have been engaged for a long time, waiting for your return to hold the wedding.”
“Your eldest brother, however, still has no prospects. Many young ladies in the capital have their eyes on him.” She sighed again. “But let’s not worry about these things today. Chao Chao just got home.”
Chao Chao, stomach full, rubbed her belly and asked, “Where’s my little brother, Mother?”
Shi Yun’s smile faltered.
Her fingers tightened slightly around Rong Che’s hand, her face paling, her gaze filled with unease.
Rong Che exchanged a glance with Deng Zhi, who quickly ushered the servants out and shut the door.
“Your little brother… there may be some problems.”
Chao Chao had left when he was just a month old. Now, at eight months, he should be able to sit, crawl, and understand simple instructions.
But he didn’t react at all.
Shi Yun had spent months worrying, unable to sleep at night. Just last night, she and Rong Che had agreed to summon the imperial physician today, keeping the matter secret for now.
As they spoke, a voice called from outside.
“Madam, Master, the imperial physician has arrived.”
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