Chapter 61: Seizing the Crown Prince
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
Madam Xu seemed to be deeply thinking, weighing the situation carefully. Her presence radiated kindness as she spoke to Miss Su, “Considering the respectable background of your family, Miss Su, I find it unnecessary to treat you harshly. It’s clear that my husband’s rash decisions have brought us to this point. However, what has happened cannot be changed. We must now consider how to move forward. To merely make you a concubine would reflect poorly on the Marquis Mansion, showing a lack of gratitude. Thus, I offer to elevate you to the position of a legitimate wife, on par with myself.” After a short pause, with a look of concern, Madam Xu added, “But, as you know, the lord is currently establishing his influence within the palace court. It would be unwise to cause any scandal at this time. I understand my husband, and I am certain he would not agree to this. For the time being, let’s keep this arrangement within the estate. You will be treated as if you are a legitimate wife. Once the lord has secured his position, I assure you, your official inclusion into the family will be celebrated grandly.”
Su Zhi Qing responded with a deep bow, full of gratitude, “Thank you, Madam, for your magnanimity. I am willing to serve in any capacity, even as a slave or maid, to show my appreciation for your kindness.”
She was inwardly taken aback by the turn of events, finding Madam Xu’s proposal somewhat naive.
Madam Xu replied, “There is no need for you to become a slave or maid. After all, you saved Zheng Yue’s life, which is as precious to me as my own.” She then called out to the maids, “Please assist Miss Su in collecting her things and moving them to the vacant courtyard. From now on, her residence will be known as Qingping Courtyard.” Turning back to Su Zhi Qing, she said, “You won’t need any maids assigned to you. Go to the accounting office and take out three hundred taels of silver to decorate your new quarters and hire servants as you see fit.”
Su Zhi Qing, a bit shyly, acknowledged Madam Xu’s instructions, understanding the significant promise made to her. She would soon be recognized as the legitimate wife of the Marquis Mansion, pending Lord Yuan Ze’s approval. She was intimately familiar with Lord Yuan Ze’s tastes and preferences.
Once Su Zhi Qing had left, the warmth in Madam Xu’s smile slowly dissipated.
“Madam, she continuously thanked you for your kindness as she left,” commented Deng Zhi with a light laugh.
“For now, let’s maintain her true identity as a secret. Within the mansion, she should be accorded the respect due to a legitimate wife, as I have said,” Madam Xu determined, planning to use this situation to her advantage in her rivalry with Pei Jiao Jiao.
Subsequently, Madam Xu retreated into seclusion, citing illness as her reason.
Elsewhere, Lu Chao Chao sat contemplatively before a small box, placing inside it the jade pendant that had been gifted by the king. He mused with a touch of irony, “The king is quite stingy. What good is a jade pendant to me when it cannot be savored like a chicken leg?”
Unbeknownst to her, the pendant she possessed was more than just an ornament; it was a symbol of the king’s authority, a coveted emblem sought after by many for its power and prestige.
As she wrapped up her chores for the day, she found herself musing about the well-being of the young crown prince. “I wonder how the little crown prince is faring…” she thought, her mind wandering to the royal child.
In the original story, the young prince had fallen ill after dedicating a whole night to care for the dowager, leaving him weak and susceptible to being taken over by a stray spirit. However, the course of events took a turn when the dowager was found to be afflicted with the plague, a diagnosis that came about due to her intervention.
“Could it be that he has avoided calamity?” pondered Lu Chao Chao, taking leisurely sips from her milk bottle, blissfully unaware of the gravity of events unfolding around her.
That same afternoon, Lu Zheng Yue made a visit to Madam Xu’s quarters.
Outside, the city buzzed with the joy and excitement of the Laba Festival, its celebrations in full swing.
Lu Chao Chao, clasping her brother’s hand tightly, voiced her eagerness to partake in the festival activities. “Please, Second Pot, go?” she implored with wide, hopeful eyes.
In a playful tone, Lu Zheng Yue challenged, “And what would you give me in return if I were to take you there?”
Without hesitation, the little girl knelt before him in a dramatic gesture of bargaining.
[Chao Chao bows deeply before you…]
The sound of her fervent bowing echoed in the room, “Thud, thud, thud…”
Lu Zheng Yue couldn’t help but laugh, touched by her earnestness. “Your cuteness is truly shortening my lifespan…” he jested, lifting her from the ground. “Very well, I’ll take you with me, but you must promise to behave. If you don’t, this will be the last outing we have.”
Lu Chao Chao nodded her agreement, excitement lighting up her features.
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
As they were about to head out, they bumped into Su Zhi Qing leaving Lord Yuan Ze’s study.
Su Zhi Qing appeared radiant, carrying herself with a poised and elegant demeanor. However, upon locking eyes with Lu Zheng Yue, she seemed momentarily frozen, caught off guard by his intense and scrutinizing gaze.
It was then that Lu Chao Chao exclaimed with innocent clarity, “Little… little mother!” her words catching both Lu Zheng Yue and Su Zhi Qing by surprise.
Realizing the truth in his sister’s words—that Su Zhi Qing was indeed his father’s consort and thus deserved the title “little mother”—Lu Zheng Yue addressed her as such with a voice rough with emotion before quickly leaving with eyes that had turned red.
Su Zhi Qing remained in place, visibly stunned. From that moment on, she was referred to as “Little Mother” by the sons of the mansion, a title that affirmed her position within the household.
Once out of immediate view, Lu Zheng Yue commented somberly to his sister, “Chao Chao, the real drama has yet to begin.”
With Lu Chao Chao in tow, Lu Zheng Yue navigated through the bustling streets, her charming innocence drawing many admiring glances.
[That’s my second sister-in-law, my second sister-in-law!] Chao Chao thought with a burst of excitement.
“Quick, see, see!” She cried
[That’s my brother’s officially betrothed, Sister Wen Ning!] Chao Chao mentally exclaimed.
His eyes traced the direction of her pointing finger, landing on a carriage adorned with the Wen family’s crest.
“The Wen family has returned to the capital?” he pondered aloud, curiosity piqued by the sight.
He had fond memories of Wen Ning, who was once a bit chubby, affectionately calling him “Brother Zheng Yue.” Now, as he observed, a pair of slim, graceful hands appeared from within the carriage. The young woman’s lips curved into a delicate smile, and her eyes, sparkling like stars, lit up her face.
[Ah, that’s my future sister-in-law!]
[Oh, foolish Second Brother, why don’t you approach her? My sister-in-law has returned to the capital!]
[Second Brother, you’re such a fool, a complete fool! Sister-in-law has harbored affection for you since you were both children, and yet you threatened to use your own life as leverage to end your engagement with Sister Wen Ning! And after that…]
[After that, the story took a tragic turn when the heroine betrayed our mother, leading to our family being arrested and sentenced to death. Sister Wen Ning tried desperately to find someone to save us but ended up dragging her own family into the mess…]
[She was ambushed in an alley and… oh, how terrible…]
[Sister Wen Ning was found lifeless and exposed naked in that alley…] Lu Chao Chao’s eyes brimmed with tears, her narration leaving Lu Zheng Yue visibly shaken.
A wave of sadness washed over Lu Zheng Yue.
“Wen Ning, Wen Ning she…”
Witnessing Wen Ning looking so vibrant and yet knowing the cruel fate she would suffer, Lu Zheng Yue was overwhelmed with emotion.
[Ah, ah, ah, why are you running away, Second Brother?] Lu Chao Chao was puzzled and distressed as she watched her brother move away and hide out of sight.
“Sec… second sister-in-law!” her voice filled with innocence as she protested.
Lu Zheng Yue corrected her softly, “Chao Chao, that’s not your second sister-in-law. I don’t deserve her,” he uttered quietly, gently patting Chao Chao’s head. Despite her youth, Chao Chao had recognized Wen Ning from her portraits.
Chao Chao looked puzzled, not quite understanding his words.
“Wen Ning is a kind-hearted girl. I don’t deserve her; she deserves someone far better,” Lu Zheng Yue said, his voice laden with regret as he watched Wen Ning from a distance.
Lu Chao Chao, beginning to grasp the situation, blinked.
As they were talking, a servant hurried towards them, out of breath. “Second Young Master, I’ve been searching everywhere for you. Please hurry; the eldest young master has gone to the Eastern Palace and has requested Ms. Chao Chao’s presence immediately,” the servant explained, his face red from running.
[Ah, is the little crown prince in trouble again?] Lu Chao Chao wondered internally. Despite earlier events, it seemed their destinies were intertwined with the crown prince’s fate.
Lu Zheng Yue felt uneasy hearing this.
Without fully understanding what awaited them, they quickly made their way to the Eastern Palace, where it was unusually chaotic and unguarded.
“What’s going on?” Lu Zheng Yue asked a servant anxiously.
“The crown prince… he fell into the water. Upon awakening, it seemed as though his soul was missing…” The servant recounted, his voice shaking with fear.
Upon their arrival, they found Lu Yan Shu in a wheelchair, his expression somber. He immediately took Chao Chao into his care.
Having been close to the crown prince recently, Lu Yan Shu had a firsthand account of the incident. The crown prince, after recovering consciousness, appeared to be battling an internal struggle as if his body were a battleground for two souls.
“Don’t worry, Chao Chao. The crown prince has asked specifically for you,” Lu Yan Shu reassured her, his concern evident amidst the tense situation.
For reasons unknown, the crown prince had urgently requested Chao Chao’s presence, leaving Lu Yan Shu no option but to bring her.
[Oh dear, the crown prince is struggling. If he loses this battle, it could mean his end…] Lu Chao Chao thought, sipping her milk, unaware of the worry etched on her brothers’ faces.
I like how this mc so detached like watching drama