Chapter 99: Divorce
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
Nightfall.
The Crown Prince was trapped in a nightmare.
Since birth, he had dreamt the same painful scene over and over.
In the dream, a girl with an ethereal, celestial aura floated amidst the heavens. Flames engulfed her entire being as she offered herself as a sacrifice to uphold the heavenly laws and protect the balance of the three realms.
He looked up at the sky, watching her figure, as insignificant as a grain of sand in the vast cosmos, yet fearless as she charged toward the heavens. The flames consumed her, her mortal body shattered, and she disappeared from the mortal world.
Heaven and earth mourned. Darkness fell upon the three realms, and all wept for her. Tears fell involuntarily from everyone’s eyes.
He saw himself pick up her broken hairpin and build a cenotaph in her honor. People came in endless streams to pay their respects at her cenotaph every day.
The Crown Prince woke abruptly from his dream.
The familiar pang of heartbreak overwhelmed him once again. He raised a hand to wipe his tears, finding his face already soaked. The palace attendants promptly brought him a damp towel to clean his cheeks.
The Crown Prince sat on the edge of the bed, unable to regain his calm for a long while.
“Your Highness, was it the same dream again? It’s been quite some time since you last had that dream,” said an attendant familiar with his affliction.
When he was younger, he would wake from these dreams crying, pleading to save her, to rescue her. As he grew older, he learned to control his emotions. Indeed, it had been a long time since the dreams last tormented him. Ever since he met Lu Chao Chao, the dreams had ceased.
He had never understood why he felt so much joy upon meeting her or why he was drawn to her, feeling an overwhelming urge to protect her happiness, even to the point of tears.
Now, he understood. Their divine maiden had descended to the mortal world. His ability to hear her thoughts must stem from his act of honoring her memory with a cenotaph.
“Your Highness, will you be heading out?” an attendant asked cautiously as the Crown Prince prepared to leave. He waved them off, forbidding anyone from following him.
He walked alone to Marquis Zhongyong’s Manor. Only upon seeing the warm lights from the manor did the fear in his heart finally dissipate. This time, the faithful would protect their little divine maiden.
…
Inside the Marquis’s Manor:
“The little miss has overcome calamities and is bound to enjoy blessings in the future,” someone remarked.
“It’s a pity that Miss Chao Chao’s first birthday celebration has to be postponed,” Deng Zhi sighed.
“That vile woman must be thrilled,” Ying Xue sneered as she glanced toward the main courtyard.
Today also happened to be Lu Jing Yao’s first birthday celebration. While Lu Chao Chao had been abducted, the Old Madam and Lu Yuan Ze attended Lu Jing Yao’s party with joy, showing no concern for their kidnapped granddaughter. Their blatant favoritism was boundless.
“Postponing the celebration is fine. Sharing the same day would only disgust Chao Chao,” Madam Xu remarked dismissively. “As long as Chao Chao returns home safely, that’s all that matters.”
She had already sent a letter to her family to inform them of Chao Chao’s safety.
“Have we chosen a new date for the birthday banquet?” she asked.
“Yes, it’s set for three days from now,” Deng Zhi replied.
“And that Song Yu, it seems he’s been recruited by the court. I heard he wants to meet Miss Chao Chao,” Deng Zhi added quietly.
Madam Xu frowned lightly. “Decline it. I don’t wish for Chao Chao to associate with a bandit leader.”
Meanwhile, Lu Chao Chao lay in her familiar bed, her dreams sweet.
Saviors? Sacrifice?
No, no, no…
Drumsticks, meatballs, braised eel, shrimp balls, cherry pork…
Her mouth watered in her sleep.
…
The next morning, before the sky brightened, the Old Madam and Marquis Zhongyong summoned Chao Chao to the Virtue and Kindness Hall.
Dressed in fresh new clothes, Chao Chao was carried over by Madam Xu herself. Before they entered the hall, the sound of a child’s voice came from within.
Madam Xu’s expression immediately darkened, frost edging her features.
A maid lifted the curtain, announcing, “Madam has arrived.”
The laughter inside abruptly stopped. Madam Xu entered just in time to see a little girl lying in the Old Madam’s arms, who looked indulgently amused.
[The female lead, the little female lead!]
[Why is she here in the Marquis’s Manor? According to the original trajectory, she should be plagiarizing famous literary works from her past life to bolster Lu Jing Huai’s reputation.]
Madam Xu sneered inwardly. The female lead?
How could such a despicable person be worthy of that title?
“Aren’t you going to greet anyone? Have you gone mute?” The Old Madam’s anger flared as she noticed Lu Chao Chao.
“At such a young age, you’re already so unruly. You deserved to be taken by kidnappers! Look at Jing Yao. If you could be half as good as her, it’d be a blessing from our ancestors!” The more she compared them, the more she appreciated Lu Jing Yao’s affectionate demeanor. Unlike Chao Chao, who always treated her coldly, Jing Yao clung to her like a precious treasure.
Lu Chao Chao cast her a sideways glance. [The Old Madam’s complexion looks dark, her aura heavy with illness, and she still insists on spewing vile words.]
“An old woman behaving disgracefully,” she muttered while blinking innocently.
[This old hag doesn’t know how to speak like a human. Let her throat rot, silencing that venomous tongue!]
The Old Madam choked, coughing as her throat tickled uncomfortably.
“How dare you speak to your grandmother like that! Where are your manners? Cough, cough…” the Old Madam sputtered in anger.
Madam Xu intervened gently, “Mother, Chao Chao is only a year old. Don’t hold it against her; she doesn’t understand…”
The Old Madam’s rage only grew.
Lu Jing Yao tottered over to bring water. “Drink water, Old Madam, drink water…”
“Look at this clever child,” the Old Madam cooed, her mood brightening slightly as she glanced at Lu Jing Yao, but then threw a scornful look at Lu Chao Chao.
“So young, yet already so jealous and competitive. Can’t even call her grandmother properly!”
“This is Jing Yao. Yesterday was her first birthday, and Young Master Lu sent an invitation to our manor. Seeing fate’s hand at work, I brought her here,” the Old Madam explained with an air of nonchalance. “The Marquis values Jing Huai and hopes he can support the manor.”
Lu Jing Yao looked at Madam Xu with wide, expectant eyes and gave a solemn bow.
Madam Xu coolly nodded, saying no more. “My Chao Chao is pure-hearted, unlike others who master the art of flattery from a young age.”
Lu Jing Yao’s expression faltered, tears welling up as she looked at the Old Madam.
“Chao Chao was kidnapped and suffered greatly. Yet the Old Madam shows no concern, showering outsiders with praise instead. If I didn’t know better, I’d think Lu Jing Yao was your own granddaughter,” Madam Xu remarked with a light laugh.
The Old Madam stiffened, hastily retorting, “What nonsense are you spouting? This manor is under your control, and Yuan Ze doesn’t even have a bed maid! Don’t make baseless accusations!”
Madam Xu laughed and waved dismissively. “Mother, I didn’t say he had one. Why are you so defensive? Just a casual comment.”
The Old Madam was left speechless.
“Chao Chao’s birthday banquet is in three days. I came to inform you,” Madam Xu said, her tone turning formal.
A flash of jealousy crossed Lu Jing Yao’s eyes. This was supposed to be hers! Her own first birthday banquet had only been attended by her brother’s classmates. Yet Lu Chao Chao…
Fortunately, soon enough, everything would change.
After the banquet, everything would belong to her. Her mother, hidden in the shadows for eighteen years, would finally stand in the light.
She would watch Madam Xu’s downfall, see her reputation destroyed, and her disgraceful expulsion from the manor. A ruined woman wouldn’t even find refuge with her own family.
It would all be her doing.
Lu Chao Chao, your eldest brother is a cripple, your second brother a wastrel, and your third brother unmotivated.
Who will protect you?
Lu Jing Yao eagerly awaited the day of the banquet, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
I love the story I wish Chao chaos parents get divorced
??? Why did they said that the scum dad has no concubines? I thought the young girl 2nd brother brought was an official concubine?
In name… She’s not a concubine but like a main wife.. I don’t understand the logic behind that tho