Chapter 61: Possessing the Crown Prince
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
“Miss Su is a daughter of an upright family. This situation stems from the Marquis’s recklessness. Making her a concubine would reflect poorly on the Marquis Manor, as it would seem ungrateful and dishonorable.”
“I intended to raise Qing Qing to the status of an equal wife, but with the Marquis’s recent promotion, he might not agree to it.”
“Within the manor, we shall treat her with the full respect of an equal wife, but for now, we won’t announce it publicly. What do you think?” Madam Xu’s tone was as if she genuinely considered Su Zhi Qing’s feelings.
“In the future, when the Marquis consents, you will enter the house with grandeur.”
Su Zhi Qing immediately knelt gracefully and bowed. “Qing Qing thanks Madam for her kindness. Qing Qing is willing to serve Madam as a servant or maid, eternally grateful for your benevolence.”
Her heart pounded wildly, a rhythm only she could hear. Indeed, Madam Xu was a fool.
“You saved Zheng Yue’s life, which is equivalent to saving me,” Madam Xu said with sincerity. “Your courtyard will henceforth be renamed Clear Peace Courtyard and be your residence. As for the maids, I’ll leave that to you. Take three hundred silver taels from the account room and select your own.” Madam Xu’s apparent generosity belied her true intent—Su Zhi Qing would need capable help to rival Pei Jiao Jiao in the future.
Su Zhi Qing shyly agreed, fully understanding the hidden meaning. If the Marquis had no objections, she would indeed be treated as his equal wife.
She knew everything about the Marquis inside out.
Once Su Zhi Qing left, Madam Xu’s smile slowly faded.
“Madam, she’s been singing your praises nonstop,” Deng Zhi said with a mischievous grin.
“For now, keep her identity a secret externally. Within the manor, treat her as an equal wife,” Madam Xu commanded coldly. Her intent was clear: deliver a decisive blow to Pei Jiao Jiao.
Using this as an excuse, Madam Xu shut herself away, claiming illness to avoid any public appearances.
…
Meanwhile, Lu Chao Chao sat cross-legged before a small box, stuffing the jade pendant gifted by the Emperor into it. She muttered to herself, “The Emperor is stingy. Not even a drumstick, just a broken jade pendant! What’s the use of this?”
Outside the palace, people would fight to the death for such an item.
[I wonder if the Little Crown Prince escaped this disaster.] She pouted.
Originally, the Little Crown Prince had stayed up all night caring for the Empress Dowager and subsequently fell into a high fever, leading to his possession. But now, with her mother identifying the outbreak as an epidemic and the Emperor’s immediate investigation, the disaster had seemingly been averted.
[He should have avoided it, right?]
Lu Chao Chao hugged her milk bottle and took a deep sip. She thought resignedly, [I’m just a clueless baby. Apart from drinking milk, nothing concerns me.]
…
That afternoon, Lu Zheng Yue visited Madam Xu. It was the La Ba Festival, and the outside world was lively with celebrations. Lu Chao Chao clung to her brother’s hand, eager to join the fun.
“Pleeease… Big Two!” she begged, her eyes wide and innocent.
Lu Zheng Yue smirked. “What will you offer in exchange?”
With a thud, the little one knelt and knocked her head on the floor.
[Chao Chao is bowing to you!]
“Thud, thud, thud,” the sound was as loud as it was earnest.
“Stop! Stop! You’ll shorten my life!” Lu Zheng Yue exclaimed, jumping back and hastily lifting her up. “Fine, fine. I’ll take you out. But you must behave, or I won’t bring you next time.”
He even gave himself a haggard appearance for the outing. Lu Chao Chao nodded enthusiastically.
Just as they were about to leave, they encountered Su Zhi Qing stepping out of the Marquis’s study. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips glistening, and her watery eyes seemed to contain an unspoken allure. The moment she saw Lu Zheng Yue, she froze.
Lu Zheng Yue’s gaze locked on her, his eyes turning bloodshot.
Then Lu Chao Chao blurted out loudly, “Little… Little Mother!” Her innocent, babyish voice startled both adults into stepping back.
Lu Zheng Yue opened his mouth. Yes. She was now their father’s woman and should be addressed as Little Mother.
His voice was hoarse as he forced out the words, “Little Mother!” Then, unable to bear it, he turned and fled, his eyes red.
Su Zhi Qing stood there, stunned. From that day, all the young masters in the house began addressing her as Little Mother, solidifying her status.
Lu Zheng Yue scoffed, carrying Lu Chao Chao as they wandered the streets. Her chubby face drew admiring glances from passersby.
[That’s Second Sister-in-law! That’s my Second Sister-in-law!]
Lu Chao Chao suddenly grew excited, pointing toward a distant carriage. “Quick! Look! Let me see!”
[That’s the second brother’s betrothed, Sister Wen Ning!]
Lu Zheng Yue glanced at the carriage and saw the Wen family’s emblem. The Wen family had returned to the capital?
He recalled Wen Ning as a chubby girl who trailed after him, calling him “Zheng Yue Brother.”
Now, delicate hands extended from the carriage, their porcelain-like elegance shimmering faintly. Then, a girl’s face appeared—eyes bright as stars, features refined yet modest, with a faint dimple peeking through her smile.
[That’s Second Sister-in-law!]
[Idiot Second Brother! Go up there! Sister-in-law’s back in the capital!]
[Second Brother’s such a fool. Sister Wen liked him from childhood, but he broke off the engagement for a mere flower. Later…]
[Later, she sacrificed everything. Her family was implicated, and she begged everywhere for help, only to…]
[She died miserably, dragged into an alley. Wuwuwu…]
Lu Zheng Yue’s face paled, his mind filled with memories. He could barely stand to imagine Wen Ning, who looked so radiant now, meeting such a tragic end.
[Second Brother, don’t run!]
But Lu Zheng Yue fled in panic. Guilt and sorrow weighed heavily on him.
“Second… Sister… in-law!” Lu Chao Chao pointed enthusiastically at the carriage.
“That isn’t your Second Sister-in-law,” Lu Zheng Yue murmured. “Second Brother… isn’t worthy.”
Chao Chao tilted her head, confused.
“Wen Ning is a wonderful girl. Second Brother doesn’t deserve her. She deserves better.”
…
Suddenly, a servant came rushing over, breathless. “Second Young Master, there you are! Hurry, the Eldest Young Master has gone to the Eastern Palace and asks for the young mistress.”
[What? Is the Little Crown Prince in trouble?]
Lu Chao Chao’s eyes widened. Although the Little Crown Prince avoided the plague, the plot still dragged him back in.
Panicking, Lu Zheng Yue sprinted to the Eastern Palace with Chao Chao in tow. The heavily guarded palace gates opened for them without hesitation.
The palace was already in turmoil.
“What happened?” Lu Zheng Yue demanded.
“The Crown Prince fell into the water. When he woke, he seemed… possessed,” a servant explained nervously.
Lu Yan Shu sat in his wheelchair, his expression grim as he took Chao Chao from Zheng Yue. The Crown Prince had been acting strangely, screaming for “Chao Chao” and clutching his head as though something fought to control him.
“Don’t be afraid, Chao Chao,” Lu Yan Shu reassured her. “The Crown Prince needs you.”
In the background, Chao Chao hugged her milk bottle and drank calmly, unaware of her brothers’ growing dread.
I like how this mc so detached like watching drama