Chapter 74: Fighting Over Dog Food
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
When Lu Chao Chao was brought into the hall, her little topknot drooped listlessly on her head, matching her dejected expression. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, large droplets threatening to fall as she stubbornly held them back. Meanwhile, her tiny mouth repeatedly spat out dog fur.
“Puh-puh-puh…” she muttered, looking utterly pitiful.
At that moment, Consort Xian rushed into the hall, her face filled with panic. She froze at the sight of the Emperor’s thunderous expression and immediately knelt before him.
She had seen with her own eyes the Emperor allowing Lu Chao Chao to ride on his shoulders during the sacrificial rites—an honor even the Crown Prince had never received. Daring to provoke this favored little one? That would be courting death. Lu Chao Chao was but a baby; Consort Xian knew better than to risk offending the Emperor’s cherished treasure.
“Your Majesty! This concubine is innocent! I swear, I did nothing! I didn’t let the dog attack her. I truly didn’t!” she protested, tears streaming down her face, utterly aggrieved.
The Emperor remained silent, his face unreadable. Nearby, the Crown Prince also felt his heart tremble with unease. He stepped forward, carefully taking Lu Chao Chao from Lu Zheng Yue’s arms.
“Are you hurt?” the Crown Prince asked in a gentle voice, full of concern.
At his question, the tears that Lu Chao Chao had held back began to fall uncontrollably.
“Waaaaa…” she cried, nodding her head emphatically. She was hurt—oh, so hurt.
The Emperor’s face tightened with alarm. “Where is she injured? Quickly, summon the Imperial Physician! Damn those wretched creatures!”
Consort Xian shivered in fear. As the birth mother of the Fourth Prince, a frail boy sent to the National Temple to recuperate, her position was precarious. Any misstep could jeopardize not only her but also her son’s future.
Lu Chao Chao continued sobbing, her tiny hands patting her chest as though indicating the pain.
“Did the dog bite her chest? Where does it hurt? Tell your Emperor Uncle,” the Emperor urged, his voice filled with concern.
[It hurts… it hurts in my heart! How could this happen to me?]
[My pride! My heart is broken! Do I not deserve some dignity?]
Hearing her inner thoughts, the Crown Prince suddenly coughed, barely able to contain his reaction. Meanwhile, Lu Zheng Yue, who had been berating himself for failing to protect his sister from a fight with a dog, felt a flicker of relief upon realizing she wasn’t seriously injured.
When the Imperial Physician arrived and thoroughly examined her, he confirmed that Lu Chao Chao had no injuries whatsoever. This left everyone baffled. She had been crying so dramatically that they had assumed the worst.
Consort Xian timidly raised her hand. “May I ask if the Imperial Physician could also examine my dog?” she asked tearfully, almost at her wit’s end.
The dog was brought out, revealing patches of bald fur where it had been torn out. The once-shiny, well-groomed animal cowered at the sight of Lu Chao Chao, yelping in terror as it tried to burrow into Consort Xian’s arms.
“There, there, don’t be afraid! She won’t pull your fur anymore,” Consort Xian said awkwardly, trying to calm the dog.
The Emperor rubbed his temple. “What exactly happened here?” he demanded. “Lu Zheng Yue, explain.”
For Lu Zheng Yue and Lu Yuan Xiao, this was their first private audience with the Emperor. Initially, they were filled with fear and respect, but upon seeing their sister wiping her nose on the Emperor’s dragon robe, much of their reverence evaporated.
With a mix of embarrassment and exasperation, Lu Zheng Yue recounted the events. “As we passed by Consort Xian’s palace, her attendants were feeding the dog. They… they had prepared special food for it, with chicken sausages and minced fish. It smelled quite fragrant. My sister… she…” He covered his face, unwilling to continue.
Consort Xian quickly interjected, “It’s true! The food is specially made for the dog. It even smells pleasant to humans. But… who could have guessed that…”
“She grabbed a handful of the dog food and stuffed it into her mouth before anyone could stop her,” Lu Zheng Yue continued, his voice muffled. “She seemed to enjoy it so much that she began fighting the dog for more. The dog growled at her, trying to scare her off, but didn’t actually harm her. Instead… she… she grabbed the dog and tore out its fur!”
The Emperor’s mouth twitched. “And she’s crying because she lost the fight?” he asked incredulously.
Consort Xian, her expression full of grievance, clarified, “No, Your Majesty. She won. But in their scuffle, they knocked over the food. She didn’t get to eat it, and that’s why she’s upset.”
Lu Chao Chao sniffled harder, her face red with anger. She raised her tiny hand, wiped away her tears, and muttered, “Doggy… scold… scolded me…”
The Emperor chuckled. “You know the dog was scolding you?”
Her small face scrunched in fury. “It did! It did! It scolded me so meanly!” she insisted.
As if on cue, the dog in Consort Xian’s arms barked twice. Lu Chao Chao instantly became enraged, jumping to her feet with tears streaming down her cheeks.
“It’s scolding me again! Again!” she cried, her fists clenched.
No one could hold her back as she lunged toward the dog, her tiny mouth opening wide as she mimicked barking sounds. “Woof woof woof! Woof woof woof!” she barked ferociously, baring her teeth.
The terrified dog howled in response, and soon, the two were locked in a bizarre shouting match in the hall. One baby and one dog, neither willing to back down.
The Emperor’s face darkened. He could not believe this was happening. Resolving disputes among his officials was one thing, but now he was expected to mediate between a baby and a dog?
Eunuch Wang quickly stepped in, barking orders. “Why are you still standing around? Remove the dog at once!” Two palace maids came forward and hurriedly carried the dog away, though it continued to yelp and struggle.
Lu Chao Chao’s cheeks puffed with indignation as she glared at the retreating dog. “It scolded me! Hmph!” she huffed. [Calling me toothless! Calling me shameless for stealing its food! How dare it!]
Everyone thought she was babbling nonsense, unaware that she truly understood the dog’s words.
The Emperor sighed heavily. “Consort Xian, have the recipe for that dog food sent to the Imperial Study. Let’s see if it can be adapted into a suitable supplement for infants.”
He then added, “Since today is the first day of the new year, send word to the National Temple. Have the Fourth Prince return to the palace and stay for a time.”
Overwhelmed with joy, Consort Xian immediately knelt, her heart filled with gratitude. “Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Your Majesty!” she cried, her eyes shining as she glanced at Lu Chao Chao, who now seemed like a precious golden treasure.
[This fight over dog food… it was worth it!]
The Consort’s joy stemmed not only from gratitude but also from longing for her child. Though others viewed the Fourth Prince as a harbinger of bad fortune, she knew the truth. His birth had coincided with calamities, forcing him to be sent away. Yet now, even a temporary reunion was a blessing she dared not hope for.