Chapter 75: No Rumors, No Spreading Rumors
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
“Wuwuwu…”
“There’s no need to cry. Servants, quickly bring the royal feast,” the king commanded upon observing her tear-stained, reddened eyes. Concerned that the spirits of his ancestors might disturb his sleep with nightmares, he ordered the royal kitchen to prepare a lavish meal. “The crown prince mentioned you’d relish the sweet Eight Treasure Duck, so we especially invited you to enjoy it at the palace.”
The crown prince, noticing the restrained demeanor of the Lu brothers, opted to invite them to dine in a separate room instead of joining the main gathering. Lu Yuan Xiao, the youngest of the brothers, suspected that their reassignment was due to his second brother’s overly ornate attire, which could be seen as embarrassing.
During the meal, under the watchful eyes of Eunuch Wang, the crown prince personally attended to Chao Chao, serving her dishes. Being close to her, he was attuned to her emotions and feelings.
While adults might overlook small details, such details can hold significant importance for children. Chao Chao missed the familiar flavors of her usual meals.
“Eating while crying can lead to choking. Please, try to enjoy the royal feast,” the crown prince encouraged her softly, displaying a tenderness that starkly contrasted with the stern image that rumors often portrayed of him.
The king, witnessing this interaction, remained unbothered. What was there to criticize? After all, Chao Chao had played a pivotal role in the miraculous recovery of the dowager, a recovery so remarkable that the Royal Physician had declared it a wonder.
The dowager herself had informed the king that she could now consume three bowls of rice at a meal and felt rejuvenated.
Between her tears, Lu Chao Chao managed to eat, exclaiming, “So good…” as she pointed at the duck.
Unconcerned, the king instructed, “Ensure that when she leaves, servants pack some of this duck for Chao Chao to take home.” He paused, then added, “And reward the chef who prepared the Eight Treasure Duck.”
Eunuch Wang, with a knowing smile, nodded in agreement.
This chef, a master of sweet dishes from the king’s own village, had often been overlooked in the royal kitchen, his creations typically kept away from the king’s reach. Now, it seemed his culinary skills were finally being recognized and appreciated.
“Go to Chentian Palace and check if the divine flower has bloomed,” the king ordered with a serious tone and a hint of urgency after reviewing some reports.
Eunuch Wang quickly responded, “This servant will check personally.”
Lu Chao Chao, curious, tilted her head and inquired, “Blossom?”
“It’s a divine flower, revered in North Zhao,” the crown prince explained, gently touching her hair. “Its bloom is believed to bring blessings from countless deities across the three realms, protecting North Zhao from evil spirits, ensuring favorable weather, and securing prosperity and happiness for our people. Last year, without its bloom, we suffered earthquakes and floods, displacing many. Its bloom is seen as a sign of divine protection.”
Seeing her puzzled expression, he added, “Above us in stature is the Southern Kingdom, a kingdom dedicated to worshipping deities. They visit every three years to pray for our prosperity and protection. North Zhao holds them in high regard for this very reason.”
Lu Chao Chao responded simply with an “Oh,” still not fully understanding.
The crown prince decided not to elaborate further. “You’re not even a year old; too much greasy food can upset your stomach,” he remarked as he had the Eight Treasure Duck removed from in front of her, leaving her visibly disappointed, her little mouth forming a pout.
She huffed in frustration and, using her hands and feet, crawled toward the king’s table.
The king was absorbed in reviewing official documents when he noticed Lu Chao Chao stealthily pulling a bright red, eye-catching bottle of rouge from her clothes.
“Children shouldn’t use rouge. You often put your hands in your mouth, and rouge contains poisons,” the king stated, taking the rouge away from her.
Lu Chao Chao became upset and pleaded, “Give, give it back!”
The king shook his head, knowing that the rouge, made from flower paste and alum, was dangerous if ingested, especially for a child prone to eating her hands.
“Want… Want to play…” Lu Chao Chao hugged his leg, her voice soft and pleading. “Uncle… Uncle king… Look, play, open…” her eyes sparkled with eagerness.
The king was momentarily speechless.
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
[If you let me play and paint my nail, I’ll open the flower for you!] Chao Chao inwardly stated.
The crown prince suddenly interjected. “Father, what Chao Chao means is, she has a way to make the divine flower blossom.”
The king’s expression sharpened: “Is that so?”
The little one confidently lifted her chin: “Carry, seewa.”
The king personally bent down to pick her up, and together with the crown prince, they headed to the grand temple.
Inside, numerous palace servants stood guard, and both the Minister of Rites and the Minister of the Royal Tributes Department were present, appearing utterly exhausted.
As the king approached with authority, they greeted him, “Your Majesty.”
“The divine flower has not yet blossomed,” they reported.
“We’ve tried everything—ritual dances, tributes, even slaughtering pigs and sheep—but nothing has worked.”
The absence of the divine flower’s bloom indicated that North Zhao’s prayers to the deity had gone unanswered.
“Could it be that we must really resort to sacrificing boys and girls as tributes?” asked the Minister of the Royal Tribute Department.
The king furrowed his brows: “Impossible!”
“The deity worshipped by North Zhao is a righteous god, not a malevolent one. We cannot use boys and girls,” the crown prince firmly rejected the idea.
“But if the deity does not wish to respond, what should we do?” the old minister expressed his worry. Had he known the situation would come to this, he would have followed Minister Xu’s example and retired to avoid this crisis.
Meanwhile, Lu Chao Chao looked around curiously at the temple of North Zhao. In front of the temple was an altar, laden with offerings of chickens, ducks, cattle, and sheep. A green flower branch, devoid of roots or leaves, stood upright in a glass vase, its buds tightly wrapped and colors unclear. Despite having no roots or water, it stood remarkably upright—a true wonder.
The king waved dismissively: “We, father and son, will personally pray. My ministers, you may leave.”
With a gesture from the king, everyone began to exit, leaving only the three of them inside the temple.
The crown prince explained, “The deity worshipped by North Zhao is the Judicial Heavenly God, Zong Bai. He governs the laws of the three realms, adhering strictly to the rules, stern and fair. A single ray of his brilliance can ensure North Zhao’s national prosperity and the smooth handling of affairs.” He sighed, adding, “But he is also the most difficult to please. Many people worship him, yet North Zhao rarely receives his response or protection.”
[Zong Bai?]
That name sounded so familiar to Chao Chao.
[Why is there no statue of him?]
“The statues of all deities reside in the Southern Kingdom. The Southern Kingdom is closest to the divine, acting as the deity’s servants. Ordinary people are deemed unworthy,” the crown prince explained, gently rubbing her head.
Lu Chao Chao mulled over the name Zong Bai, her eyes blinking. Adhering to the law? Stern and fair? Enforcer of the three realms? It all sounded very solemn and authoritative.
“Tribute wrong…” Lu Chao Chao said assertively.
“Impossible! It’s widely believed that the Heavenly God Zong Bai values strict adherence to rules, and his preferences are well known among the people. The tributes we offer always strictly follow these rules,” the crown prince immediately objected, shaking his head.
The king smiled wryly, sensing his own desperation by believing a child could appease the gods.
Lu Chao Chao slowly pulled out a piece of milk candy from her clothing. After a moment’s thought, she took out another, then hesitated briefly before extracting a third piece. Clutching the candy in her palm, she then produced a half-eaten sugar-coated haw with a bite mark on it.
“Loves eat…” she said, tiptoeing in an attempt to place the items on the altar. However, she couldn’t reach.
“You can’t! Every year’s tribute is meticulously selected from treasures sent from all around. Offering this… it could anger the deity, potentially bringing punishment,” the crown prince exclaimed, visibly terrified.
Some simple candy.
A half-eaten sugar-coated haw.
What kind of tribute were these?
Doubt flickered in the king’s eyes.
[Trust me, trust me, He loves to eat it.] Lu Chao Chao’s eyes sparkled with conviction.
Zong Bai?
The Zong Bai she knew loved these treats!
The crown prince pursed his lips, glanced at the king, took a deep breath, and placed the unconventional offerings on the altar.
“Righteous Judicial God, if there is any sin, let it fall upon your believer I,” the crown prince said, bowing deeply with respect.
Before he even finished his bow, he noticed the flower bud in the glass vase beginning to bloom…
The king…
The crown prince…
Had the deity responded?
Wait, a deity who upholds heavenly laws enjoys simple snacks?
For millennia, nothing like this was mentioned in the divine texts!
Everyone had followed these texts in their offerings!
Lu Chao Chao spoke firmly, “No rumors, no spreading rumors.”
You believe in rumors, but what I offer is the truth!
Sigh….
I like the premise of the story but it seems like the “capable , strong, intelligent ” FML isn’t really that much..
I mean yeah your body is an infant but must your actions be really like that ?
Very stupid