Chapter 7: Trouble Comes Again
The novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
Lu Yuan Ze, taken aback momentarily, swiftly rallied everyone to warmly welcome the unexpected guests. Among them was the young crown prince, only six years old, yet displaying an intelligence and charm far beyond his years. He possessed a remarkable ability to endear himself to everyone, ranging from high-ranking officials to ordinary citizens. From his birth, the king had taken a personal interest in his education, a duty he had not entrusted to anyone else. The prince was named Xie Cheng Xi, a name that bore the weight of the king’s great expectations.
“Why have you come to visit us today, Your Highness?” inquired the grand princess, who often visited the palace and had developed a close bond with the crown prince during her stays.
Uncharacteristically involving himself in matters beyond state affairs, the crown prince had decided to visit the Lu family, a place where his esteemed presence commanded such reverence that it was difficult for onlookers to even meet his gaze.
At the prince’s subtle gesture, Lu Yuan Ze respectfully moved to stand behind him.
“I was on my way from the palace and learned my aunt was here celebrating. I thought it would be a fitting occasion to visit,” the crown prince remarked, his gaze drifting with apparent disinterest to a baby wrapped in a blanket.
Seeing an opportunity, Lu Yuan Ze felt a flicker of hope. Since the demise of the previous king, his family had struggled to maintain the royal favor they had once enjoyed, with the current king showing scant regard for them. But now, with the crown prince within their walls…
Stepping forward with respect, Madam Xu was met with a slight nod from the crown prince. “Madam Xu, please, dispense with the formalities. I saw there was a celebration, and I wished to partake.”
“Please, bring Chao Chao here,” Madam Xu gestured to Deng Zhi.
Little Chao Chao looked up with wide eyes, finding herself under the gaze of a very serious and handsome young boy. His stern demeanor lent him an air of aloofness.
After a brief pause, the crown prince turned away. To his astonishment, he then heard the soft murmur of a baby’s voice.
[Ah, the crown prince! Born under a rare star, wise beyond his years… Such a pity, doomed to bring luck to others at his own expense.] The baby whispered before letting out a yawn.
The crown prince was taken aback, his mind racing.
Had he truly heard a baby’s inner thoughts?
“What’s wrong with me?!” he wondered aloud, his gaze fixed on the now sleeping child.
He was tempted to wake her.
“Please, continue. What were you saying?”
“The little miss must be tired,” remarked Deng Zhi, smiling at the unfolding scene.
The crown prince’s puzzlement deepened as he reflected on this unexpected revelation. Impulsively, he removed his jade pendant and placed it beside the baby as a gift. “Since I didn’t bring a present, let this serve as my contribution to Chao Chao’s full-month celebration.”
Lu Yuan Ze was astonished; without any effort, little Chao Chao had enchanted the crown prince!
However, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of bitterness, wishing that this stroke of fortune had fallen on his other daughter, Jing Yao, instead.
“I want to thank Your Highness on behalf of my daughter,” Madam Xu said, bowing deeply, a look of relief washing over her face.
With the crown prince’s blessing, they were confident that Chao Chao would be shielded from any misfortune.
As the celebration progressed, Lu Yuan Ze tried repeatedly to curry favor with the crown prince. Regrettably, his efforts were in vain, as the prince soon departed after a brief stay.
The festivities for Lu Chao Chao’s first month were lavish, with Madam Xu distributing porridge to the locals for three days, seeking divine favor for her daughter.
As the event concluded and the final guests departed, Lu Yuan Ze’s expression betrayed his irritation.
“We might be overdoing it with such an elaborate celebration for Chao Chao’s full month. We shouldn’t risk jeopardizing her good fortune,” he commented, clearly annoyed.
Madam Xu, upset by his remark, retorted, “What are you suggesting? Chao Chao is the rightful successor to the Zhongyong House, our only granddaughter. She deserves a celebration befitting her status. She’s not a child from an affair that needs to be hidden.”
Lu Yuan Ze felt the sting of her words and his anger surged, but he managed to contain it.
As she said, the event had attracted prominent figures from the capital, giving him a level of attention he was unaccustomed to.
“I’m not blaming you. I’m merely concerned that being overly ostentatious might draw undesirable attention from the king,” Lu Yuan Ze reflected, thinking back to the much more subdued celebration they had for his other daughter, Lu Jing Yao, which had been almost non-existent.
Hiding her hurt behind a forced smile, Madam Xu countered, “The boys had their simple ceremonies. Chao Chao is a girl, and I refuse to let her be overlooked. It’s just a celebration, after all.”
She was bitter, realizing that the modest nature of her sons’ celebrations was likely influenced by that other woman.
Lu Yuan Ze lingered outside a bit longer before excusing himself to attend to work and heading to his study.
As night fell, Deng Zhi informed Madam Xu that her husband had left. She sat by the window, enveloped in a deep sense of loneliness, pondering the day’s events and suspecting her husband was with his other family.
“Did he ever truly love me?” she wondered, coming to realize that the affection in their marriage was merely for appearances.
Deng Zhi tried to comfort her, suggesting he might have had urgent work, but Madam Xu laughed bitterly, knowing better.
Suddenly, a disturbance shattered the night’s tranquility.
Deng Zhi hurried to investigate, only to return breathlessly soon after. “The Xu family is in trouble!” she exclaimed, panting heavily.
Madam Xu was shocked to discover that royal guards had surrounded the Xu family’s home, accusing them of treason and seizing their property.
This news plunged Madam Xu into despair and fear, confirming her darkest suspicions about the ominous fate looming over her family.