Chapter 85: Let It All Be Destroyed
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
The Emperor gazed lovingly at Lu Chao Chao.
[Why can’t this child be my daughter?]
“Chao Chao, do you want a new father?” he asked gently, crouching down to meet her eye level.
The Crown Prince shivered violently. He had never seen his father wear such an expression, resembling a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Lu Chao Chao, who had just finished drinking water from her milk bottle to quench her thirst after eating too much roast chicken, jingled the little bell on her head as she looked up.
“Ni… play wid me?” Chao Chao asked curiously. Her father never played with her.
“Of course, I can! I can hunt, play chess, fight wars, practice martial arts, play cuju, and much more. I’m also quite talented in literature,” the Emperor said, enthusiastically advertising his qualities. “I’m definitely better than your current father.”
Lu Chao Chao waved her little hand dismissively, her face full of disdain.
“Ni do braids?” she pointed to her hair.
“Uh…” The Emperor was taken aback.
“I can learn,” he eventually muttered, somewhat reluctantly.
“Cheng Xi, summon the younger princes. Let them accompany Chao Chao and show her around the palace. Inform Madam Xu that Chao Chao will be staying in the palace tonight,” he instructed.
“Would you like to stay in the palace tonight?” the Emperor asked Chao Chao.
“There are new dishes in the palace kitchens – sweet and sour, just perfect for a child’s palate.” The Emperor had recently recruited new royal chefs to create snacks for children.
Chao Chao’s eyes lit up. “Yes! Yes! Yes!”
The Emperor’s eyes curved with satisfaction.
The Crown Prince’s eyelid twitched uncontrollably.
[If Madam Xu marries into the palace, bringing her three sons and one daughter, those old, rigid officials might throw themselves against the court pillars.]
Before long, four or five young princes entered the study. They knelt obediently by the Emperor’s side.
Although the Empress was the principal wife, she had given birth late, making the Crown Prince the third prince. The eldest prince, born of Consort Hui, was already fifteen and had moved out of the palace. The second prince, born of Noble Lady Qin, was twelve and studying at the Imperial Academy. The Crown Prince, third in line, was eight. The fourth prince, Xie Jun An, was six, born of Imperial Consort Xian, but he was absent today as he was preparing to leave the palace. The fifth and sixth princes were five, the seventh prince was four, and the youngest, the eighth prince, was three.
Each child had inherited exceptional looks, carefully selected by the Emperor.
“You must take good care of your sister Chao Chao. If any of you make her cry, watch out for your behinds,” the Emperor warned. Each prince had their nannies and palace servants, so there was little cause for concern.
“Father Emperor, I will take excellent care of Sister Chao Chao!” the sixth prince declared firmly. The young princes had all been coached by their mothers not to upset their new sister.
The group of children took Chao Chao’s hand and led her out of the study. Once they were outside, the fifth prince clutched his chest dramatically, trying to steady his breath.
“Father Emperor smiled at me! I was terrified!” he exclaimed.
“I felt my legs shaking. Father Emperor is so scary,” the sixth prince added, shrinking his shoulders.
“Sister Chao Chao, aren’t you afraid of Father Emperor?” the seventh prince asked curiously.
Chao Chao looked puzzled. “Uncle not scary. Nice Uncle…”
[How could an uncle who gives me Eight Treasures Duck and praises me for asking the gods for roast chicken be scary? He’s excellent at blowing rainbow flattery.]
“You’re not afraid of Father Emperor…” The princes stared at her in awe.
“Sister Chao Chao, you’re amazing!”
“Stay in the palace! Be our little sister!” the fifth prince begged.
Chao Chao nodded eagerly. “Yes! Yes!”
“I’ll climb a tree and fetch bird eggs for Sister Chao Chao. But don’t tell my mother. She’d get mad,” the fifth prince whispered.
“I can climb too! I’ll compete with you!” the sixth prince declared.
“Me too!” others chimed in.
Before leaving, their mothers had instructed them not to lose to one another.
The children engaged in fierce competitions: climbing trees, reciting poetry, racing, playing cuju, and even arm wrestling. Laughter erupted as they argued and played together. The nannies exchanged knowing looks and quietly stepped back, allowing the children space to enjoy themselves.
Back in the study, the Crown Prince glanced at the Emperor. “Father Emperor, do you wish for them to grow up together?”
The Emperor nodded. “Chao Chao is a treasure bestowed by the heavens. She must not remain an outsider. If I can’t marry Madam Xu, then I’ll make other arrangements.
“These princes have good looks and will grow up as childhood companions, forming bonds naturally. If fate allows it, such connections will be their blessing.”
The Crown Prince’s face darkened as he clenched his fists. He wanted to say something but only let out a heavy sigh. He felt a vague, inexplicable connection to Chao Chao.
Sitting on a couch with a book in hand, he found himself unable to focus.
[Are they having fun now?]
“What are they up to?” the Emperor asked casually.
Eunuch Wang chuckled. “The young masters are by the pond, making clay figurines. They’ve crafted one of Miss Chao Chao and a few of themselves.”
As he spoke, laughter echoed from outside.
“Father Emperor, we’re back!” the fifth prince shouted, carrying a pair of clay figurines.
“We took great care of Sister Chao Chao. She had lots of fun with us!”
“Father Emperor, this is Sister Chao Chao’s clay figurine,” Chao Chao presented an adorably crafted figure. Aside from the tiny pigtail on its head, it was hard to tell it represented a person.
Seeing their joy, the Emperor couldn’t help but feel a flicker of hope.
“Do you like the palace, Chao Chao?”
“Like! Mud play, contests!” Chao Chao’s eyes sparkled.
“Hehe, we even beat Sister Chao Chao!” the princes puffed their chests with pride.
“We didn’t embarrass Father Emperor at all!” they exclaimed gleefully.
“What did you compete in?” the Emperor asked, intrigued.
“We competed to see who could pee the highest and furthest!” the fifth prince announced with excitement.
“Father Emperor, I won! I peed the furthest!”
The Emperor froze, his expression slowly turning to stone.
[Compete? Peeing?]
He stared, wide-eyed in disbelief.
“We even used our pee to mix mud for the clay figurines! Whatever was left, we made Beggar’s Chicken and sent it to the royal kitchen!”
The Emperor glanced at the steaming Beggar’s Chicken Eunuch Wang had just delivered. Pieces were already missing.
The ever-greedy Lu Chao Chao sniffed the clay figurine in her hand, then leaned over to sniff the chicken. She took a cautious step back without stealing a bite, her face a picture of innocence.
The Emperor felt faint, his vision swimming.
[What excellent sons I have!]
All he wanted was childhood sweethearts, bonds forged in innocence.
Not a competition over who could pee the furthest!
[Ugh, useless fools.]
He sighed, utterly drained.
[Please, just destroy it all!]
Bruh. That’s what happened when child playing unsupervised.
Lmao the kids are so real though