The whole family is insanely eavesdropping on my thoughts Chapter 609
Chapter 609: The Midnight Trial
“Yu Zhu.”
“Do you like being called Yu Zhu?” Lu Chao Chao tilted her head, a bright smile on her face as she looked at the girl.
The thin and frail girl’s eyes lit up, shimmering with unshed tears. “Yes! My sister is Yu Zhen, and I am Yu Zhu.”
It sounded like the name of a girl embraced by happiness.
She had never liked her birth name.
Zhao Di—Zhao Di. A name that screamed of misfortune, of a child born unwanted, unwelcome.
That night, the county bailiffs summoned Magistrate Zhou in haste.
Lu Chao Chao had already retired to her room. The magistrate bowed outside her door, knocked his head on the ground in respect, and then led his men up the mountain.
The entire village was under strict watch.
In these times, men held higher status than women. Women relied on men for survival—this was an unshakable reality.
However, even in Northern Zhao, laws existed. While parents could choose whether to keep an unborn child, once born, a baby was a life of its own.
Even parents had no right to take that life away.
Magistrate Zhou climbed the mountain, drenched in sweat, wiping his brow anxiously. Hatred simmered in his heart.
He had no powerful backers, no wealth to pave his way, which was why he had ended up in this remote town.
Now that the Women’s Academy had been established, all he needed to do was handle things diligently, and he would have a chance to leave this backwater. Yet, at this critical juncture, such a scandal had erupted!
“My lord, we’ve reached the Infant Ditch.”
As soon as they reached the mountaintop, eerie green eyes flickered in the darkness. The bailiffs immediately drew their blades, shielding Magistrate Zhou.
“My lord, abandoned infants have been discarded here for years. Over time, packs of wolves have gathered…”
The scene was beyond cruel—babies torn apart, devoured alive.
Fortunately, the large group quickly drove the wolves away.
Magistrate Zhou had been briefed, but standing before the ditch itself, seeing countless tiny skeletons illuminated by torchlight, sent a shudder down his spine.
His face turned deathly cold.
Whether it was for the sake of these innocent lives or his own career, this was an enormous blow.
Under his jurisdiction, so many had died unjustly—and he had been caught red-handed by Princess Sunshine herself.
Gritting his teeth, he growled, “A full investigation! We will interrogate the villagers tonight! I must have answers before Her Highness leaves!”
His eyes burned red with fury.
Though he cared about his career, he still had a conscience. That such a horrific crime had occurred under his watch was a failure on his part.
“What about these remains?” A bailiff struggled to look, his voice trembling. The bones were so small—too small. The sight made grown men cry.
All around, some had already begun wiping away their tears in silence.
“Even tigers do not eat their own cubs. How could any parents be so heartless…” If word spread, the entire reputation of Pingguan Town would be ruined.
“Gather them all. We must lay these poor children to rest.”
“Find an opportunity to bury them properly.”
Bailiff Lin nodded but sighed, “I fear we won’t be able to collect them all.” The children had been devoured—many would never be found whole.
Magistrate Zhou knew this but had no better solution.
“Have the scribe oversee the lower area. Old Lin, you gather the remains. I will begin the interrogations!” His face darkened like a brewing storm.
Deep into the night, the village was in turmoil, ablaze with lantern light.
Wails and pleas for mercy rang out endlessly.
Lu Chao Chao, half-asleep, found the noise unbearable. Pulling the quilt over her head, she curled up, blocking out the ruckus. Soon, the sound of soft snoring filled the room.
A ripple of energy stirred the air as a young man flicked his fingers, casting a barrier over the chamber.
Instantly, Lu Chao Chao’s breathing evened, her sleep undisturbed.
The youth sighed in quiet exasperation, his long fingers reaching into the quilt to pull the little girl out. Her cheeks were flushed from being buried too long under the covers, yet she hadn’t even stirred.
He couldn’t help but chuckle.
Two heavy chests of gold and silver were placed by her bedside before he vanished into wisps of smoke.
At dawn, a knock came at the courtyard gate.
Yu Zhu stood with a wooden tray, steam rising from a plate of simple farmer’s snacks.
Her clothes were old but clean, carrying the warmth of sun-dried fabric.
She had not slept all night, busy packing and tidying her home with her mother.
As soon as they finished, she had rushed to prepare breakfast for her benefactor.
Before cooking, she had hurriedly washed up.
She knew nobles from the capital valued cleanliness.
Yu Zhu knew the princess did not mind, but she wanted to make her happy. Seeing the fierce Zhu Mo answer the door, Yu Zhu’s hands trembled. “Is… is Her Highness awake? This is a local specialty…”
It had been made with meat her mother had secretly bought with hidden savings.
Zhu Mo softened slightly upon seeing her. “Come in. Her Highness is just waking.”
Yu Zhu nodded, glancing at the maids inside, all dressed more finely than the wealthiest women in town.
She had not worn the fine garments the princess had gifted her the night before.
She was afraid her rough skin would damage them. She wanted to save them for when she entered the academy.
Lu Chao Chao awoke to a rich, mouthwatering aroma.
Opening her eyes, she was nearly blinded.
Piles of gold and silver sparkled at her bedside.
She jumped out of bed barefoot. “Wow… it melted so fast?” Hugging a gold ingot, she bit into it hard. Only when her teeth ached did she finally set it down, satisfied.
“With this, the Women’s Academy is secured for five years!” By then, the women would have risen, and the academy could sustain itself.
However…
Even as someone who did as she pleased, Lu Chao Chao knew she owed a debt for the desecrated graves of the court ministers.
Looking up at the sky, she called out, “Why won’t you come out and face me? Hiding won’t work.”
“I still have to apologize.”
“I know you can hear me.”
A muffled voice drifted from the heavens. “Oh.”
Lu Chao Chao summoned Windchaser. “Take these two chests of gold back to the capital. Have Mother distribute the wealth among the Women’s Academies to ensure they can run properly.”
At the Women’s Academy, ink, paper, and brushes were all provided—students only had to work to earn their meals.
As for cultivation resources, she had plenty of beginner-level treasures in her spatial storage.
Windchaser obeyed, hoisting the chests onto his shoulders before departing.
At that moment, Yu Zhu entered with the tray.
Lu Chao Chao disliked being served, so she simply pulled Yu Zhu to sit and eat with her. Though nervous at first, Yu Zhu gradually relaxed when she saw how carefree the princess was, acting more like an ordinary child than a noble.
“How old are you?” Lu Chao Chao asked.
Yu Zhu held up eight fingers.
Lu Chao Chao’s eyes widened. “Eight?! You’re older than me?”
At a glance, they seemed to be the same height. But Lu Chao Chao…
Was round and chubby.
Yu Zhu nodded shyly. In her home, she had never had enough to eat—not once. She had stood on stools to cook since she was barely taller than the stove. If she didn’t do it, her mother would have to.
Naturally, she was smaller than most her age. Next to five-year-old Lu Chao Chao, she barely looked any bigger.
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation