Chapter 98: Drama Queen Chao Chao
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
Three days after the daring act of abducting a child and fleeing up Fufeng Mountain, disrupting the peace of the region, Song Yu found himself arrested and confined in a dimly lit prison cart. His expression somber, Song Yu’s gaze was fixed intently on Lu Chao Chao, who was seated in another nearby chariot.
From the shadowy corner of the cart, his mother spoke, her voice carrying the faint scent of singed hair, “Indeed, the prophecies of the old blind man were shockingly precise.”
Feeling a deep sense of responsibility, Song Yu replied with a heavy heart, “Mother, the blame is mine alone. My failures have led to your imprisonment during these twilight years of your life.”
His mother sighed deeply and inquired, “Has the old blind man passed on? With such accurate foresight, he truly deserves our reverence. He could even predict what happened with the grave. Don’t worry about me, my son. What haven’t I endured in my lifetime? I’ve faced adversity before—when your father was exiled, and now as I sit here beside you in this prison cart. It’s all part of life,” she reassured him, her voice steady and resolute.
Song Yu’s guilt deepened at her words.
“Every day, I offer prayers and chant to the Buddha for your safety, yet it appears you have not lived up to the expectations,” she said, the hint of a smile barely noticeable on her face.
Turning away from him, she faced the wall of the cart silently. Her prayers in the village were not just for peace; she had hoped that the royal court would apprehend her son and set him back on the right path. Given Song Yu’s ongoing involvement with bandits, she feared for his future. Despite his talents, which the royal court had recognized by offering him pardons, his capture was meant to be a step towards amnesty…
Years ago, her husband had served as a general under the previous dynasty. Corrupt practices by the then-ruling king led to his family’s exile. Bandits rescued them during their exile, setting them on a path of banditry. Even after the rise of a new dynasty and multiple offers of amnesty from the new king, Song Yu remained defiant.
Elsewhere, in another carriage, Lu Chao Chao sensed someone watching her and felt uneasy, but she dismissed it, attributing it to her own endearing and clever personality.
As dawn broke, the group finally reached the capital.
Upon their arrival at the residence of Marquis Zhongyong, Lu Chao Chao, hands on hips, exclaimed with glee, “Haha, I, Lu Chao Chao, return wealthier once more!” Her exuberant declaration caused the local dogs to scatter in terror.
At the entrance, her brother Lu Yan Shu, confined to a wheelchair, was absorbed in a book, while her other two brothers managed forced smiles.
“Chao Chao, you’ve been gone for three days. Are you alright? Could you cope? Did you have milk during your journey?” Lu Yan Shu asked, his voice laced with concern, having wheeled himself out to greet her.
Touched by her brother’s concern, Lu Chao Chao assured him, “Brother, Chao Chao had some milk. Chao Chao can handle it. Chao Chao isn’t tired.”
Her eldest brother then signaled, “Spank her. She can handle it.”
Her cheeks puffed up in outrage!
Her second brother lifted her out of the carriage with a soft bamboo strip in hand.
As he walked, he scolded her, “Your boldness to leave your maid behind, to ascend the bandit’s mountain and set it aflame! What would have happened if you hadn’t escaped with those tiny limbs?”
He began to spank her gently with the strip. Although the bamboo did not cause pain, she felt wronged and tears started to well up in her eyes.
“Whimper, whimper…” The formidable little tyrant who had wreaked havoc on Fufeng Mountain was now reduced to a sobbing crybaby.
“Do you understand your error? I’m asking you, do you realize your mistake?” Lu Zheng Yue hesitated as he spoke, accidentally striking his own hand in the process.
“Wooh, wooh, I understand. I know my mistake…” Chao Chao sobbed.
Lu Yan Shu tightened his grip on his book, his stern gaze falling on Lu Zheng Yue, filled with silent fury.
Lu Zheng Yue, with tears mixing with his plea, protested, “Big Brother, it was you who told me to do this!”
Lu Yuan Xiao knelt, overwhelmed by his emotions.
Madame Xu, heartbroken yet composed, knew that Chao Chao, extraordinary from birth, needed firm guidance to prevent future escapades.
After a few gentle hits, Lu Zheng Yue’s cries grew louder than Chao Chao’s.
When the crown prince arrived, he was greeted by a scene of tears and commotion.
Lu Chao Chao, her face streaked more with saliva than tears, felt sheer embarrassment.
Madame Xu quickly composed herself, her eyes still red, and greeted the crown prince respectfully, “Are you here to visit the Marquis?” She bowed.
With a warm smile, the crown prince replied, “I came to see Chao Chao.”
He wasn’t truly worried; perhaps their close bond allowed him to sense her underlying joy.
Inside, Lu Yan Shu discreetly dried his tears, relieved that they were among family and could drop the pretense.
Once Madame Xu escorted Chao Chao away to freshen up, the boys began to converse.
“Why did you hit her so hard? Chao Chao cried,” Lu Yan Shu admonished Lu Zheng Yue, who was still tearful.
“It was your instruction!” Lu Zheng Yue defended himself, his voice breaking. “And I didn’t hit her hard at all.”
Lu Yuan Xiao lamented, “You guys are so cruel to our little sister…”
Wrapped in Madame Xu’s embrace, Chao Chao thought, [It didn’t hurt at all, just giving brother a sense of participation… I can’t just laugh out loud, can I? Hmm, I really worried the family this time. Chao Chao will never run off again.]
Her three brothers, upon hearing her internal acknowledgment, finally felt a sense of relief.
They led the crown prince to the main hall, while Madame Xu assisted Chao Chao in freshening up.
“Did the young miss suffer outside? Look how thin she’s become…”
“Don’t delay the simmered chicken soup; look how skinny the young miss has gotten,” Deng Zhi and the maids rushed to prepare her nourishment.
However, when it came time to dress, there was a snag.
“These clothes… they’re a bit small… They must have shrunk,” Deng Zhi concluded after some thought.
After all, how could the young miss have gained weight while kidnapped by bandits? Impossible.
Deng Zhi found some loose garments for her and instructed, “Let the embroideress hurry and make some spring clothes, the young miss can’t wear these old ones.”
Yuhua and Yuqin approached with teary eyes, overwhelmed by relief and admiration.
“Next time, miss, don’t dare to leave us behind again,” they implored, still amazed that a young miss of merely a year old had managed to elude them, despite their martial skills.
Lu Chao Chao, grinning broadly, proclaimed, “You followed the path of mortals. I opened the path of cultivation, haha. I won’t run, Chao Chao won’t run.” She raised her little fingers in a vow.
“The maids will have to keep a closer eye on you in the future,” Yuhua advised softly.
The grand princess, the dowager, the crown prince, and even the king had all inquired about her during her absence. Only her father, the Marquis, hadn’t asked at all.