Chapter 68: The Paralyzed Man Stood Up
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
On the eve of the New Year, as she returned to the opulent Marquis’s Mansion, Madam Xu wasted no time immersing herself in the flurry of preparations. The entire mansion was ablaze with lights and adorned with decorations, every corner echoing with the joy and laughter of its inhabitants.
In a gesture of unprecedented generosity, Madam Xu proclaimed to the assembled household, “As we usher out the old year and welcome the new, I wish to acknowledge the hard work and dedication each of you has shown. In recognition of your efforts, I invite you all to accept a red envelope from me, a token containing double this month’s silver as a gift.”
Her announcement was met with deep bows and heartfelt expressions of gratitude from everyone present.
Amidst this scene of jubilation, Su Zhi Qing, clad in a long dress favored by the Marquis and looking as radiant as a blooming lotus, made her way forward to personally receive her monthly allowance.
“Madam, may you enjoy endless fortune and robust health,” she greeted Madam Xu, her voice tinged with a concern that belied the formality of their exchange. “I couldn’t help but notice the Marquis has not yet returned home. May I inquire as to his whereabouts?”
Madam Xu responded with a cool detachment, “The Marquis had left the palace quite early. His duties to the state are demanding, and it’s likely he will return much later tonight. Please, there’s no need to wait up for him. Retire to your quarters and rest. Should he not return in time for tomorrow’s ancestral worship ceremony, I will ensure your name is formally entered into the family register. Your act of saving Yue’er has not gone unnoticed; rest assured, we will honor our debt to you.”
A flash of anger briefly crossed Su Zhi Qing’s features, quickly hidden behind a mask of civility.
Pei Jiao Jiao! It must be her he’s gone to see!
Suppressing her frustration, Su Zhi Qing offered her thanks to Madam Xu and gracefully exited, her departure to Qingping Court marked by an exaggerated sway of her hips.
Madam Xu’s mouth twisted into a knowing smile, though her eyes remained cold and calculating.
Lu Yuan Ze, after all my years of service and dedication to this household, you dare to divide your affections, maintaining another family in secret. Can you truly bear the consequences of such deceit?
“Madam, the clan elders from the ancestral home in Clear Creek Village have arrived,” whispered Deng Zhi, breaking into her thoughts.
The Lu family had its roots in Clear Creek Village. It was there the old Marquis had rallied to the king’s side, earning his noble title and moving the family to the capital, while the clan elders remained to watch over their ancestral lands.
“Arrange for their accommodations in the adjoining property,” instructed Madam Xu, a tradition observed annually when the elders visited to celebrate the end of the year together.
Later, as the evening wore on and another matter pressed on her mind, she inquired, “And what of the old madam?”
Deng Zhi’s expression darkened slightly with displeasure, “She has chosen to spend the entire night in prayer at the small Buddhist hall, welcoming the New Year in solitude.”
It seemed the old lady’s devotion to her grandson, Lu Jing Huai, now in the prime of his youth, had only deepened, underscoring the intricate web of loyalties and tensions within the Marquis’s Mansion on this festive eve.
“It’s alright; we can still enjoy a peaceful New Year’s Eve dinner, just the family.” Madam Xu’s voice softened, revealing a rare warmth. It had been ages since she last enjoyed such simple, unguarded moments with her children, having been preoccupied with her life’s dramas and dedications, especially those involving Lu Yuan Ze, to which her heart had unwittingly surrendered.
“Our small kitchen has already prepared the meal, and we’ve even set up a barbecue grill in the courtyard to keep the plum wine warm,” Deng Zhi announced with a smile, her words painting a picture of a cozy, intimate gathering.
The air in Tingfeng Yard buzzed with a unique sense of anticipation and warmth.
“This year marks the first New Year’s celebration with Chao Chao among us,” Lu Zheng Yue mused, cradling Chao Chao tenderly. The presence of Chao Chao had brought an irreplaceable warmth and joy to their home, fortifying its very foundations.
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
Meanwhile, Lu Yan Shu was engrossed in a book by the window, his actions deliberate and gentle, yet filled with an underlying strength. After a moment, he closed the book and braced himself against the edge of the table, preparing to stand with a determination that belied his physical condition.
“Young master, may I assist you?” a servant offered, noticing his struggle.
“Step back,” Lu Yan Shu commanded, his voice a blend of strength and resolve. As he exerted himself to stand, his arms strained under his weight, a testament to his sheer willpower. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, yet his eyes sparkled with an unwavering resolve.
This was more than just an attempt to stand; it was a battle for something greater. After being paralyzed, feeling pain in his legs was a sign of hope—a signal that strength was returning.
As he finally stood, albeit shakily, the pain was intense yet oddly satisfying. It signified life and possibility.
The servant, overcome with emotion, stumbled out to alert the others, tears streaming down his face as he struggled to articulate the miracle he’d just witnessed.
In a flurry of concern and confusion, Madam Xu and the rest of the family rushed to Lu Yan Shu’s side.
“Yan Shu, are you alright?” they asked, their voices a mixture of worry and hope.
“Big Brother, what’s happening?” Lu Zheng Yue entered briskly.
Perched on her third brother’s shoulder, Lu Chao Chao was blissfully unaware as she sipped from her bottle, occasionally burping up milk in contentment. [Can’t burp, earned this hard wah.]
Amidst the commotion, Lu Yan Shu stood there, a soft smile gracing his features, his gaze gentle yet filled with an indomitable spirit.
Seeing this, Madam Xu couldn’t hold back her tears; they flowed freely as she exclaimed, “Yan Shu, Yan Shu has stood up!”
Lu Yuan Xiao’s reaction was one of fierce joy and protectiveness, “Big Brother isn’t paralyzed anymore! Anyone who dares say otherwise will have me to reckon with!”
Lu Yuan Xiao had become well-known within the academy for staunchly defending his brother. Any whispers or taunts suggesting that his brother was permanently paralyzed met with his fierce counteraction. This protective streak had led to numerous confrontations and subsequent punishments from their father, a testament to his unwavering loyalty.
Witnessing his family’s tears of joy and surprise, Lu Yan Shu felt a profound emotional stir within him. Emboldened by the moment, he took a tentative step forward, only to falter. As he almost stumbled, quick hands from his family steadied him, a vivid demonstration of their support and love.
“Don’t worry, my son,” Madam Xu sobbed, her emotions raw. “One step is just the beginning. You’ll take another, and then another, and soon, you’ll be walking just as you used to. To see you stand once again is a gift I never dared hope for.”
Her eldest son’s condition had been a constant source of heartache. Despite Chao Chao’s promise of healing, Madam Xu’s heart had been weighed down by years of disappointments, making it difficult for her to harbor hope.
Though visibly moved by the support, Lu Yan Shu regained his composure as he sat back in his wheelchair. “Mother, give me half a year,” he stated with a serene confidence, “and I will walk as I did before. At the autumn examinations, I will not only participate but will secure the title of top scholar.” His voice was steady, reflecting his inherent brilliance and ambition.
Madam Xu, understanding the delicate nature of their situation, instructed, “Let’s keep the news of Yan Shu’s recovery within our walls for now.” The room, secured by Deng Zhi and filled only with close family members, was a safe space for such intimate revelations.
“We’ll keep it under wraps,” Lu Yuan Xiao declared, his determination morphing into a playful challenge. “And when the time is right, we’ll surprise them all.”
The room, buoyed by this shared secret, erupted into laughter and light-hearted banter, a united front poised for a future filled with triumphs.
In the midst of this familial warmth, Lu Chao Chao, young yet observant, offered her New Year’s greetings with an adorable earnestness, her voice cheerful though slightly muffled by her inexperience with words.
“Mama, Happy Wah Year,” she beamed, her efforts at speech marking the tenderness of her age.
“Big Pot, Happy Wah Year,” she continued, her greetings extending to each family member with a heartfelt, if not entirely articulate, enthusiasm.
Her efforts were rewarded with a generous array of red envelopes, her eyes sparkling with the simple joy of the tradition.
“Hide money!” Declaring her intention to secure her newfound wealth, she scampered off, a child’s innocence blending seamlessly with the night’s earlier profound moments.
“She’s definitely going to hide it under the bed in that small box. That’s where she keeps all her treasures,” Head Maid Deng Zhi commented, the scene unfolding with lightheartedness contrasting the evening’s earlier emotional intensity.
With the solemnity only a child can muster for their prized possessions, Lu Chao Chao tucked away her red envelopes and snacks into her secret cache, casting a judgmental eye over her collection of jade pendants. “These broken things, not worth hiding!” she muttered to herself, her actions and decisions echoing the resilience and spirit of her family.
This New Year’s Eve, within the walls of the mansion, was a testament to the enduring strength and unity of the family, a harbinger of hope and recovery.
Immaculate translation