Chapter 73: Chao Chao Fights
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
“Is my outfit really that… that remarkable?” Lu Zheng Yue asked with a hint of doubt regarding his own appearance.
He looked down at his clothes; the gold threads shimmered so intensely that he struggled to keep his eyes open.
Initially thrilled, Lu Yuan Xiao was now utterly shocked. He pressed his lips together, choosing to remain silent. From that moment on, he silently vowed never to let his sister choose his outfits again!
“Goodwa… Second Pot,” Lu Chao Chao gestured, observing that everyone around was indeed staring at him.
Their faces were alight with smiles, their warmth masking an underlying awkwardness.
Lu Chao Chao tapped his second brother’s leg, signaling for him to approach Wen Ning.
Lu Zheng Yue felt his heart beat faster; turning, he saw the youngest one with fists clenched, energetically cheering him on.
He nodded determinedly: “I’m off!” He then made his way towards Wen Ning.
As he stepped out, the entire street fell silent. Beneath the street lights, his golden clothes sparkled brilliantly, making him resemble a deity of prosperity.
Upon reaching the storefront where Wen Ning was, he struck a pose with his fan and opened it with a flourish. All eyes inside turned towards him. Lu Zheng Yue clenched his jaw, unsettled by their intense stares.
Wen Ning’s maid, wide-eyed and startled, tugged at her mistress’s sleeve and whispered urgently, her voice shaking: “Miss… Miss, please look quickly.”
Wen Ning looked up, momentarily stunned despite her vast experience.
“Miss, where did this bizarre figure come from, fanning himself in the snow? Wearing all that gold, he hardly seems reliable…” The maid’s voice quivered, anxious about the intense gaze directed at her mistress.
Wen Ning’s eyes twinkled like stars, forming a subtle smile. Her usually composed demeanor faltered. She took a step back, then seeing Lu Zheng Yue’s troubled expression, she cautiously moved closer again and couldn’t restrain a burst of laughter.
“Zheng… Brother Zheng Yue, is that really you?” Wen Ning managed to say between her laughter, tears rolling down her cheeks.
She hesitated to accept the reality. Indeed, she was afraid. Would everyone else find it just as amusing?
Lu Zheng Yue cleared his throat subtly, aware that something was amiss. “Sister Wen Ning,” he stated, his eyes clear with realization. At that moment, all his memories with Wen Ning surged back to him.
He wasn’t obsessing over Su Zhi Qing or wrapped in his usual confusion. Tears welled up in his eyes as he realized his deep feelings for Su Zhi Qing. He feared he might have betrayed Wen Ning.
Wen Ning, taken aback, responded anxiously, “Brother Zheng Yue, what’s wrong? Why are you crying? Don’t cry. Wen Ning isn’t laughing at you, Wen Ning…”
“I’m just happy to see you,” he might say, yet he appeared more like a bewildered deer than anything.
Wen Ning blushed; the girl who once chased after Lu Zheng Yue had grown up. Struck by the vision of their potential future, Lu Zheng Yue’s heart ached. Tears brimmed in his eyes, and his lips trembled.
He longed to embrace Wen Ning but hesitated, fearing he might startle her, struggling to hold himself together. “I also miss you, Wen Ning, I really miss you,” Lu Zheng Yue wondered if he had ever truly expressed his longing for her.
Wen Ning’s lips quivered slightly, her eyes sparkling with restrained amusement.
From the doorway, Lu Chao Chao watched her brother and his sister-in-law talking joyfully, feeling deeply relieved.
When Wen Ning saw her, her expression softened into a warm smile directed at Lu Chao Chao.
[Ah, sister-in-law is too wonderful. So gentle, so kind…] Lu Chao Chao thought to herself.
Lu Zheng Yue quickly called Chao Chao over: “This is my sister, Chao Chao.”
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
“Chao Chao, quickly call her Second Sister-in-law. Ah spit…” Lu Zheng Yue turned red, correcting himself after echoing Chao Chao’s slip-up.
“No, call her Sister Wen Ning.”
Wen Ning’s face flushed even more: “Sister Chao Chao.” She removed a turquoise bracelet from her wrist and handed it to Chao Chao. “I didn’t bring a proper gift for meeting Chao Chao, so I’ll make it up next time,” Wen Ning said, her eyes fixed on Chao Chao, captivated by her endearing nature.
Lu Chao Chao clasped the bracelet, affectionately calling out, “Second Sister-in-law…”
The couple blushed then.
“Miss, we should return now, the master is waiting,” the maid urged, tugging at Wen Ning’s sleeve, reflecting on how the once charming young boy had evolved into a flamboyant figure of wealth.
The maid decided she must persuade her lady to rethink the marriage arrangement.
After Wen Ning departed, Lu Zheng Yue reluctantly withdrew his gaze.
“Chao Chao, it feels like everyone is staring at me strangely,” Lu Zheng Yue remarked, adjusting his clothes, puzzled by the fact that people glanced at him then quickly covered their mouths and walked away.
They would also occasionally look back at him as they moved away.
Curious about the situation, Lu Chao Chao explained enthusiastically: “Because, Second Pot’s handsome!” She gave a thumbs up without any reservations.
[Definitely handsome, Ah Sister Wen Ning laughed so much, she was so happy. She even laughed until tears came out, she must be quite pleased with Second Brother, right?]
As Lu Zheng Yue scanned the surroundings, he noticed Lu Yuan Xiao lagging behind: “Yuan Xiao, why are you walking so slowly? If you keep such a distance, people might think we don’t know each other.”
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Lu Yuan Xiao muttered resentfully, “Oh, I wish we didn’t know each other…”
This was turning out to be the most conspicuous day of the siblings’ lives. At this moment, all the local thieves had converged on this street, attracted by the spectacle.
Among the crowd, several eyes were fixed on the young man’s glittering gold chains. A few of them exchanged knowing glances, preparing to approach, when a smoothly-faced man with a comforting smile interrupted them.
The two youths, taken aback, quickly picked up the little baby girl and followed the man away.
Chief Eunuch Wang, speaking with utmost respect; today, the king had enjoyed a dish of eight-treasure duck and remembered the sweet-toothed Lu Chao Chao. He had decided to personally invite her to the palace discreetly, without causing any commotion.
As a prominent eunuch serving directly under the king, even high-ranking court officials had to show him deference. Even Marquis Yuan Ze was compelled to bow and offer a forced smile in his presence. Now, facing his often-neglected daughter, he smiled obsequiously. Lu Yuan Ze was labeled as the fool.
At that moment… Inside the royal hall, the crown prince frowned, “Lu Jing Huai lacks principles; even if he tops the royal exams, I refuse to honor him as my teacher. Talented he may be, but his character is lacking, and I disdain him.”
The crown prince was aware of the rumors: if anyone were to top the royal exams this session, they might be appointed as the royal tutor. This appointment could significantly influence his future reign should he ascend to the throne. It was a substantial opportunity.
The king set aside his wolf-fur brush, incredulous: “He? Topped the royal exams? He, a young man who has never ventured beyond the capital nor faced any real hardships, comfortably living off the Xu family’s wealth like a fish in water. How could he have composed such vigorous and grand poetry?”
The king internally scoffed; if it had been Old Tutor Xu, he might have believed it. But from a novice like Lu Jing Huai? Only if one were utterly foolish would one believe such a claim.
“Did he plagiarize?” the crown prince rose to his feet, visibly alarmed; plagiarism was a grave scandal among scholars.
The king waved his hand dismissively: “Without evidence, we shall not address these accusations. Yet, it remains an unalterable fact that he is Lu Yuan Ze’s own son,” he sneered, reflecting on how well Lu Yuan Ze seemed to capitalize on the fortunes of others. “A son born out of wedlock, yet daring to overshadow and surpass a legitimate son.”
Being a legitimate son himself, the king naturally viewed such situations with disdain.
“Madame Xu seems inclined towards divorce, but…” the crown prince hesitated, considering that Madame Xu intended to take several of the children with her. “But historically, no woman who has divorced has been able to take her children with her. Especially not three sons and a daughter.”
The king remained noncommittal. “The world hustles and bustles, all for profit. If the benefit is substantial enough, Cheng Xi, one can forsake everything. For example, topping the royal exam and gaining the title of Top Scholar.”
Such honors were enough to cloud Lu Yuan Ze’s judgment. Which is more important—a disabled heir or a royal tutor?
At that moment, Chief Eunuch Wang rushed in, visibly agitated. He knelt suddenly with a thud at the front of the hall: “Your Majesty, Miss Chao Chao has started a fight!”
The king and the crown prince stood abruptly.
“Started a fight? With whom? Who dares to touch Chao Chao?” the crown prince demanded, his voice filled with irritation.
The king’s expression darkened considerably.
Chief Eunuch Wang delivered his miserable report.
“Miss Chao Chao has started a fight with Noblewoman Rong’s dog!”
A fight, with a dog, of all things!
Hol up