Chapter 57: The Emperor Trusts Chao Chao
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
Plague!
It was truly a plague!
The Emperor took a deep breath.
“You knew it was a plague and still entered the palace. Madam Xu, you are admirable.” The Emperor’s words made Madam Xu instantly relax her tense shoulders.
Protectorate Duke’s eyelids twitched.
Plague?
Recalling the peculiarities in the Southern Kingdom, hearing the word “plague” chilled the Duke to his core.
“Your Majesty?” The Duke’s heart sank further.
“No one who has interacted with the Southern Kingdom may enter the capital. Seal off the borders and forbid travel between the Southern Kingdom and us.”
“All must wear masks, remain indoors, and minimize contact.”
“Anyone showing symptoms such as coughing or fever must receive unified treatment.”
“Summon the Imperial Medical Office.” The Emperor waved his hand, and Madam Xu stepped aside.
“Your Majesty, what about your health?” The Duke was filled with fear. If the Emperor fell, chaos would ensue in Northern Zhao.
The Emperor nodded. He wouldn’t gamble with the fate of the nation. As reluctant as he was, he stepped out of the palace hall.
The revelation of the plague sent ripples of panic through the palace.
No one was allowed to leave; they were temporarily housed within the palace walls.
The Imperial Medical Office quietly sighed in relief. Though the plague was daunting, having a direction brought hope.
The Emperor gazed deeply at Madam Xu, recalling the Eldest Princess’ words, and then looked toward Lu Chao Chao.
Recently, Chao Chao was teething, and her gums itched fiercely. At the moment, she was gnawing on a small biscuit.
Sensing the Emperor’s gaze, she grinned at him, her toothless smile broad and gleeful.
The maid by her side shivered.
The Eldest Princess had said, “Madam Xu is blessed, and her daughter possesses extraordinary traits. If my brother faces unsolvable troubles, perhaps she can bring you miracles.”
Could it truly be her?
After leaving the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, the Emperor quickly sealed off the capital.
Inside the palace, Madam Xu and the other women were relocated to a hall once occupied by the unmarried Eldest Princess.
“This is a plague, a plague that’s contagious and deadly.”
“Madam Xu, were you the one to bring up the plague?” Some came to inquire, believing that if Madam Xu had indeed suggested it, it would be a monumental contribution, bringing immense glory to Marquis Zhongyong’s Manor.
But then they dismissed the thought. Madam Xu was a reclusive housewife. How could she know about such matters?
The conclusion was clear: it must have been the Protectorate Duke. His station at the Southern Kingdom’s border must have provided insight.
Madam Xu smiled and replied, “How could I possess such capabilities? Shi Yun often accompanied the Eldest Princess to the palace when she was younger and is grateful for the Empress Dowager’s kindness. I specifically requested to stay by the Empress Dowager’s side to personally care for her as a gesture of gratitude.”
Madam Xu would not allow Marquis Zhongyong’s Manor to take any credit.
After all, this was Chao Chao’s doing.
The palace was in disarray, but with no source of infection found, the situation soon came under control.
However, the Empress Dowager remained feverish and unresponsive.
It appeared they had discovered her illness too late. Her condition was exceptionally dire.
[Take me there, take me there…]
Lu Chao Chao tugged at Madam Xu’s sleeve as she prepared to visit the Empress Dowager while wearing a mask. Initially planning to leave her behind, Madam Xu heard Chao Chao’s internal voice: [If you don’t bring me, they’re all doomed.]
Madam Xu sighed deeply.
When they returned to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, the Empress Dowager was a shadow of her former self.
Everyone attending to her wore thick masks to prevent infection. Even Lu Chao Chao wore one.
The Emperor’s eyes were bloodshot. Over the past days, the Empress Dowager had wasted away, her vitality visibly fading.
Lying on the bed, her breathing was imperceptible.
The Emperor raised his head and looked at Madam Xu. Once again, she had brought Lu Chao Chao.
She knew there was a plague in the palace, yet she brought Lu Chao Chao, who was only ten months old and treasured like a gem by Madam Xu. Yet, she was willing to take this risk.
The Emperor wondered: Could the key lie with Lu Chao Chao?
He thought of the Eldest Princess, who had reverently worshipped every deity but eventually lost faith in them, yet held great respect for Lu Chao Chao.
His sister was never one to act without reason.
“Chao Chao, come here,” the haggard Emperor called, beckoning to her.
He thought he must be losing his mind. The Imperial Physicians had declared the Empress Dowager beyond saving, yet he chose to believe in a ten-month-old baby.
Lu Chao Chao, wearing a furry hat, was initially in Deng Zhi’s arms. With a kick, she slid down to the ground, crawled swiftly toward the Emperor, and stretched out her hands.
The two locked eyes.
Madam Xu’s heart raced in panic. This was the Emperor—even the Crown Prince had never been held by him!
And this little girl…
Just as she steeled herself to intervene, the Emperor bent down and scooped Chao Chao into his arms.
Chao Chao beamed, wrapping her tiny arms around his neck in a show of unparalleled affection.
Even the Emperor was taken aback.
His commanding presence had always instilled fear in the princes. They couldn’t bear his gaze, let alone his touch. Yet this little girl showed no fear.
“Chao Chao, would you like to keep the Empress Dowager company? Look, she’s unwell.” By now, the Imperial Physicians had crafted a cure for mild cases, but the Empress Dowager, elderly and long-infected, was beyond their help.
The Emperor’s eyes reddened.
Chao Chao nodded, allowing the Emperor to place her on the soft couch by the bed.
The Emperor dismissed everyone. Madam Xu hesitated, her steps faltering as worry consumed her.
“Your Majesty, my daughter is still young. Please, be cautious not to offend the Empress Dowager…” Madam Xu regretted it deeply. Would her Chao Chao be alright?
“The Empress Dowager is fond of Chao Chao. Let her stay for a while. You can take her out of the palace in half an hour.” The Emperor treated the situation as a desperate gamble.
Madam Xu sighed in relief.
Lu Chao Chao crawled to the Empress Dowager’s bedside. Feeling the oppressive aura of death surrounding her, Chao Chao waved her small hand.
Within her jade pendant space lay countless spiritual medicines. But with the Emperor nearby…
The little one hesitated.
Seeing her obvious disdain, the Emperor asked, “Are you asking me to leave?”
The little one’s eyes curved into crescents, her tiny head nodding vigorously.
The Emperor chuckled softly. This child was precocious and understood more than her age suggested.
Without delay, he stepped outside the curtain.
Only then did Lu Chao Chao open her palm, revealing a small, jade-like spiritual medicine exuding a grassy fragrance. No sooner had it appeared than the room filled with its potent aroma.
The Emperor, standing outside, took several deep breaths, his fatigue vanishing instantly.
His eyelid twitched uncontrollably.
Indeed, his sister was right!
Lu Chao Chao placed the spiritual medicine at the Empress Dowager’s lips. It transformed into a soft green glow and seeped into her body.
The fragrance dissipated as Chao Chao patted her round belly. “Gululu…” she muttered.
Turning, the Emperor saw Chao Chao pointing at her plump stomach. “Gululu…”
“It… gululu…” she repeated.
The Emperor’s face twitched. Her stomach was round, and she claimed it was hungry?
He lifted her and glanced at the Empress Dowager. Her once pallid lips had regained a healthy redness.
Emotion surged within the Emperor, but he restrained himself.
“Chao Chao, you are a treasure bestowed upon Northern Zhao by the heavens.” He removed his mask and gently pressed his cheek against hers.
“What do you desire? Tell me.”
“Would you like to be the Divine Maiden of Northern Zhao, second only to one?”
“Would you like to become a princess, exalted above all?”
“Would you like…”