Chapter 68: The Paralyzed Stands Once More
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
On the eve of the Lunar New Year.
Madam Xu returned to the manor and began overseeing the festivities. Marquis Zhongyong’s Manor was radiant with lanterns and decorations, every corner brimming with joy and celebration.
“To bid farewell to the old and welcome the new, I thank you all for your hard work this past year. Everyone, go to Deng Zhi to collect your red envelopes,” Madam Xu announced with a generous smile. This month, she even issued double the regular allowances.
The servants, delighted, knelt in gratitude.
Su Zhi Qing personally came to claim her monthly stipend. Dressed in the marquis’s favorite gown, her face glowed with a peach-like blush.
“May Madam have great fortune and health. Has the marquis not yet returned to the manor?” Su Zhi Qing asked after offering auspicious greetings, her eyes lingering on Lu Yuan Ze.
Madam Xu replied indifferently, “The marquis left the palace early.”
“He’s likely tied up with official matters and may return late tonight. You needn’t wait for him—rest in your chambers instead. Tomorrow is the first of the month, and we must honor the ancestral rites. If the marquis hasn’t returned by then, I will personally ensure your name is added to the family register. As Yue’er’s savior, we would never mistreat you.” Madam Xu spoke with the grace of a virtuous woman.
Su Zhi Qing’s lips twitched, her gaze flashing with sharp intent.
Pei Jiao Jiao!
He must have gone to see Pei Jiao Jiao!
Biting her lip in frustration, Su Zhi Qing thanked Madam Xu before sashaying back to the Clear Peace Courtyard.
Madam Xu’s lips curled ever so slightly.
But her smile never reached her eyes.
[Lu Yuan Ze, I have labored in this manor for half my life, yet you maintain another household outside these walls. Can you afford the price of serving two families?]
“Madam, the elders from the Lu family’s old manor in Clear Creek have arrived,” Deng Zhi reported quietly.
The Lu family hailed from Clear Creek. Back then, the Old Marquis had risen to prominence with military success and moved to the capital, leaving the elders to guard their ancestral roots in Clear Creek.
“Have them settled in the adjacent wing,” Madam Xu instructed. Every year-end, the family elders would gather at the Lu Manor.
After arranging the elders’ accommodations, it was already late.
“What about the Old Madam?”
Deng Zhi’s expression betrayed displeasure. “She said she would pray all night and went into the Little Buddha Hall. But I suspect she’s watching the New Year vigil over at that side.”
These days, with Lu Jing Huai’s rising influence, the Old Madam favored that precious grandson even more.
“It’s alright. This way, we can enjoy a quiet New Year’s dinner as a family.” Madam Xu’s face softened with warmth; it had been far too long since she’d truly accompanied her children.
She had lost herself over the years, living solely for Lu Yuan Ze.
She had become a woman consumed by love.
“The kitchen has already prepared the feast, and we’ve set up a barbecue in the courtyard, warming some green plum wine,” Deng Zhi said with a grin.
The Listening Wind Courtyard buzzed with life.
“This is Chao Chao’s first New Year,” Lu Zheng Yue said as he held little Lu Chao Chao in his arms. [How wonderful. Our family feels whole with Chao Chao here. Without her, this warmth might have splintered.]
Meanwhile, Lu Yan Shu sat by the window, a book clasped in his hands. He gently ran a hand over his legs, taking a deep breath.
Placing the book aside, he gripped the edge of the table, his pale, elegant hands tightening as he summoned strength.
“Master, shall I assist you?” the servant asked nervously upon seeing Lu Yan Shu’s intent to rise.
“Stand back!” Lu Yan Shu commanded, his tone firm and unyielding.
Veins bulged on his hands as he pushed himself upward, dragging his body inch by inch. Large droplets of sweat slid down his temples, yet his gaze was resolute.
[This is my family to protect. My purpose to fulfill.]
Pain lanced through his knees, but the sharper it grew, the greater his joy.
Since his paralysis, he hadn’t felt pain.
His legs were regaining strength.
Gripping the table tightly, Lu Yan Shu gradually stood. His knees trembled, his body wracked with pain that stole his breath.
Yet his eyes shone with brilliance, their intensity almost scorching.
The servant stammered in awe, unable to form coherent words. Overcome with emotion, he dashed outside, pointing back to the room with tear-filled eyes.
“Master… Master, he… he…” He could only weep, trembling as he gestured inside.
Madam Xu and the others rushed in, alarmed.
“Yan Shu, what happened?”
“Elder Brother, are you alright?” Lu Zheng Yue burst in with Lu Chao Chao perched atop his head, clutching a milk bottle and drinking contentedly. The sudden jolt made her hiccup, nearly spilling milk everywhere.
“No! Mustn’t waste it!” Chao Chao thought, hastily clamping her mouth shut.
Looking up, she saw a radiant youth standing like a bright moonlit breeze, smiling gently at them.
Madam Xu burst into tears.
“Yan Shu… Yan Shu is standing!” Covering her mouth, tears streamed down her face.
Lu Yuan Xiao jumped up, shouting, “Big Brother isn’t paralyzed! Big Brother isn’t paralyzed anymore! If anyone dares call my brother a cripple again, I’ll beat them to a pulp!”
He had fought countless times at the academy, defending his brother’s honor against such insults.
Lu Yan Shu’s eyes reddened as he watched his family cry. Taking a shaky step forward, his body wavered and he collapsed.
Everyone rushed forward to support him.
“No rush, no rush,” Madam Xu sobbed. “If you can take one step, you can take two, then three. You’ll recover completely.”
“To think I’d live to see you stand again,” she wept uncontrollably. Her eldest son had been her deepest pain.
Even though Chao Chao had insisted her big brother would heal, Madam Xu had dared not hope after so many disappointments.
Lu Yan Shu returned to his wheelchair, his earlier excitement giving way to calm composure.
“Mother, give me six months. By then, I’ll walk freely again,” he said, his tone steady yet brimming with pride. “By August, I’ll return with the title of Top Scholar for you.”
“Yan Shu’s recovery must remain a secret for now,” Madam Xu said gravely. With only their trusted family present, they all nodded in agreement.
“Not a word! We’ll smash their smug faces!” Lu Yuan Xiao declared, clenching his small fists.
Meanwhile, Chao Chao sipped her milk, laughing in confusion.
Later that night, as the family kept vigil, Chao Chao solemnly kowtowed to Madam Xu.
“Happy New Year, Mama!”
“Big Bwother, Happy New Year!”
“Second Bwother, Third Bwother, Happy New Year!” Her little head bumped the floor with a rhythmic thud, her small hand extending expectantly. “Red envelopes, pwease.”
Though not yet a year old, her speech was already clear—if a bit indistinct. With a stack of thick red envelopes in hand, Chao Chao beamed with delight.
“Gonna go hide my money!” she declared, toddling off with short, wobbly steps.
“She’ll stash it under her bed in her little box. All her treasures are there,” Deng Zhi remarked, amused.
Chao Chao giggled mischievously. Crawling under her bed, she tucked away the envelopes and snacks into her storage space, glancing disdainfully at the jade pendants. [These useless things aren’t worth keeping.]
Satisfied, she wriggled back out, grinning brightly.
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