Ning Kun's carriage emerged from the narrow alley onto the main street.
The streets were sparsely populated with vehicles and pedestrians today, so the coachman picked up speed. But as they crossed an intersection, a child of about ten years old dashed out.
The coachman yanked the reins in panic, but the child had already rolled under the carriage.
"What happened?" Ning Kun leaped directly from the carriage, immediately scanning his surroundings.
If the Heir Apparent's people caused trouble here, it might not end well!
Was someone deliberately framing them?
Who was making a move? The Crown Prince? The Third Prince? Or the Emperor?
Countless thoughts flashed through Ning Kun's mind in an instant. Guards hidden nearby converged toward them, but at the same time, the child under the carriage suddenly scrambled out and dashed across the street—
As agile as a rabbit.
Clearly completely unharmed.
Ning Kun stood frozen in place, while the coachman recovered first.
"Whose child is this!" he shouted, brandishing his whip. "How can you run wild in the streets!"
No one answered him. The child even turned back to stick out his tongue at him before disappearing into an alley.
Ning Kun looked around. The converging guards shook their heads at him, indicating nothing unusual in the vicinity.
Just an accident then.
It all happened very quickly. Few bystanders had witnessed it, and those who did barely had time to be shocked before being startled again by the fleeing child. Now they joined the coachman in complaining.
"Whose child is that!" "Outrageous!" "Don't the adults care at all!"
Ning Kun sighed in relief and shook his head: "As long as no one's hurt."
With that, he got back in the carriage and signaled the coachman to continue. Still, he couldn't help glancing toward that alley.
That child was really too agile.
He had definitely felt the carriage hit something with a thud, yet the child emerged completely unscathed.
As the carriage creaked away, the child peeked out from the alley, sticking out his tongue: "Lucky for you, otherwise I'd—"
His words were cut short as someone grabbed his ear from behind: "Xiao Tu, why are you running around?"
The boy Xiao Tu turned around with an ingratiating smile: "Sister Xiao-Man, I'm not just running around. I'm helping everyone scout the terrain and familiarize ourselves with the environment."
The girl behind him wore beautiful clothes and jewelry, just like wealthy young ladies in the capital, though her tone was fierce: "This place is full of soldiers everywhere. If your sneaking around causes trouble for everyone, I won't let you off easily.Xiao Tu protested somewhat: "I'm very capable. Even that carriage couldn't hit me."
That only made Xiao-Man flick his forehead again: "How could a normal child not get hit?!"
Really? Xiao Tu blinked: "Even Ah Bao who just learned to walk in our family wouldn't get hit, right?"
Xiao-Man couldn't be bothered to argue, dragging him into the alley: "No need to scout. We only need to watch one person. We've already rented a house right across from the Chu residence. No need to go anywhere else."
Xiao Tu's expression turned excited again: "Sister Xiao-Man, has Chu Zhao already gone to that garden place to fight? Can we go watch?"
Xiao-Man rolled her eyes: "No, there are even more soldiers there, completely surrounded. Don't go causing trouble."
Xiao Tu was very disappointed: "I wonder when we'll get to see Chu Zhao fight."
......
......
Ning Kun put the street incident behind him and returned to the post station to see Xiao Xun.
Xiao Xun was reviewing various documents about the Spring Gazing Garden Literary Gathering that Tie Ying had brought him, focusing only on those related to Chu Zhao.
Unfortunately, there were very few about the girl—almost none at all."The Heir Apparent should go see for himself," Tie Ying said, then sneered. "See how Miss Chu is like a completely different person at Spring Gazing Garden—docile and well-behaved like a little lamb. You wouldn't even recognize her if you saw her."
Xiao Xun laughed. "No, she turns fierce the moment she sees me. I'm avoiding the scene precisely to prevent conflicts with her. Not that I'm afraid of her, but to avoid being used by others."
Such as the Third Prince, such as Xie Yanfang.
Especially Xie Yanfang, who specifically went to Chu Garden, was waiting for him there too.
Ning Kun entered and nodded upon hearing this. "The Heir Apparent is right. If Xie Yanfang clashes with you, it would confirm that you're allied with the Third Prince."
He then frowned.
"I wonder if Xie Yanfang told the Crown Prince whether that rumor about the Xie family came from you?"
"He won't," Xiao Xun said. "He knows that even if he tells the Crown Prince, I have explanations ready."
He smiled slightly.
"I'll just say that when I rescued her from drowning back then, I fell in love with Miss Chu at first sight and couldn't forget her upon seeing her again—that jealousy turned into resentment—"
"What? Are only the Xie family allowed to care for that girl? Can't I have human emotions?"
When romantic entanglements get dragged out and blown up, there's no glory in it. Moreover, matters between men and women spread extremely easily. The Xie family, intent on growing secretly under the Yang Family's illustrious shadow, certainly wouldn't want to attract public attention.
Ning Kun praised, "The Heir Apparent's actions are reassuring."
Xiao Xun glanced at him. "If I'm so reassuring, why does Father still need to give money to people?"
Ning Kun laughed heartily. "This is called support. The Prince considers every aspect so that your intelligence isn't wasted, ensuring his tragedy isn't repeated."
Back then, his father was equally intelligent, but those around him didn't pay much attention, resulting in the Empress Dowager easily targeting him.
Xiao Xun fell silent for a moment. When he was young in the capital, his father in Zhongshan Commandery painstakingly planned for him, ensuring he had protection around him—
During those years, the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion spent all its money on him. Only when he finally returned home did he discover that his younger siblings lived like commoners in terms of food, clothing, and daily necessities—
"Is Deng Yi worth spending so much on?" he asked.
Ning Kun said, "We can't approach the great figures, and the great figures don't care about our money. Only such small people both love wealth and can play a key role at critical moments. Isn't there a saying—the collapse of a thousand-mile dike begins with an ant hole? So, it's worth it."
Xiao Xun didn't press further. "Then let Father continue spending the money. I'll just sit leisurely in the posthouse."
Ning Kun nodded, his expression grave, and said in a low voice, "There's indeed something unusual in the Capital Garrison."
Xiao Xun said with some anticipation, "I wonder what kind of good show will unfold."
...
...
The first day of the Hope Spring Garden Literary Gathering passed both bustlingly and peacefully.
Bustling because many people attended; peaceful because the scene wasn't as intensely conflicted as the Chu Garden Literary Gathering had been at the start.
Chu Zhao didn't become the target of public criticism as speculated, nor did she fight back due to others' contempt. She spent the whole day smiling, grinning at everyone she met—so much so that people turned and walked away upon seeing her—
"Are you this happy because Young Master Xie the Third is here?" Qi Leyun said, pursing her lips, then her eyes darted around as she leaned in and whispered, "We're good sisters, tell me, do you actually like Young Master Xie the Third or Xie Yanlai?"
Chu Zhao laughed, poking the girl's head away. "Qi Leyun, since when have we been good sisters?"
With that, she walked away laughing heartily.Qi Leyun stamped her foot in anger.
……
……
Carriages and horses filed out of Spring Gazing Garden one after another.
But many people remained behind. Today’s outstanding performers were invited by the Third Prince to stay overnight at Spring Gazing Garden and attend the evening banquet.
Of course, the women were still not among them.
But the women didn’t mind anymore.
Chu Zhao and Chu Tang walked out with the other girls.
“Elder Sister,” Chu Zhao said, “why don’t you ride back in Qi Leyun’s carriage?”
Before Chu Tang could speak, Qi Leyun snorted, “I’m not your sworn sister. Why should you order me around?”
Chu Tang laughed and linked arms with her. “Then take pity on me for being abandoned by my sworn sister and send me back.” Without waiting for a reply, she pulled Qi Leyun away, not bothering to ask what Chu Zhao planned to do.
Chu Zhao wasn’t worried that Chu Tang would be kicked out of the carriage by Qi Leyun. She took A Le to her own carriage and instructed the coachman, “To the Capital Garrison.”
The coachman didn’t dare to question her and drove toward the Capital Garrison as instructed.
“Miss, is Uncle Zhong really here?” A Le asked excitedly from inside the carriage, repeating her question.
“Yes,” Chu Zhao replied with a smile. “Hard to believe, isn’t it?”
A Le squeezed her face with both hands, making a funny expression. “Hard to believe—”
The carriage sped along, its curtains fluttering. From the corner of her eye, A Le suddenly spotted a figure and leaned out the window, calling, “A Jiu!”
A Jiu?
Chu Zhao quickly leaned out to look and indeed saw a squad of imperial guards passing on the main road. Among them was a young man staring straight ahead without glancing sideways.
The other guards turned at the shout, curiously eyeing the two girls in the carriage.
“It’s Chu Zhao,” someone murmured softly.
A few of them had been to the Chu residence to watch the commotion and recognized the girl.
At the mention of Chu Zhao’s name, everyone’s gaze immediately shifted to Xie Yanlai, their expressions meaningful—
The young man in dark imperial guard uniform, tied with a vermilion belt and carrying a long sword, continued to stare straight ahead without a glance.
“A Jiu,” Chu Zhao called from the window with a smile. “Your injuries aren’t healed yet. Why are you running around?”
Xie Yanlai didn’t even look at her, instead glancing at the sky. “Some people are truly arrogant. After fighting all day, instead of going home, they’re still out looking for trouble?”
A Le snorted. “A Jiu, mind your attitude. We won’t need to bring you medicine anymore in the future.”
Xie Yanlai let out a sharp laugh and finally looked over. “That’s wonderful news. My injuries will heal faster then.”
With that, he urged his horse forward at a gallop, leaving behind both his fellow guards and Chu Zhao’s carriage.
Chu Zhao didn’t mind, withdrawing her gaze and nodding with a smile to the other guards.
The guards smiled and nodded back without further words, as carriages and horses passed each other by.
When the guards caught up with the young man, the atmosphere grew noisy. “Yan Lai, so that’s Miss Chu.” “Miss Chu brings you medicine?” “Of course, Miss Chu publicly berated the Third Young Master on the street for Yan Lai’s sake.”
No matter what they chattered and joked about, Xie Yanlai paid no attention, keeping his eyes forward and feigning deafness, until someone said, “Yan Lai, you and Miss Chu really get along well.”
Xie Yanlai snapped his head toward the speaker. “Are you blind? Where did you get the idea that we get along well?”
The man stammered, “It’s just… you seem very familiar, joking and talking—”
“I joke and talk with everyone!” Xie Yanlai raised an eyebrow. “I joke even more with Captain Qi. Does that mean we get along well?”The imperial guard gave an "oh" and said, "That really isn't the case. Xie Yanlai is quite unlikable and doesn't get along well with anyone. But unfortunately, his family background is powerful, his elder brother Young Master Xie the Third is highly renowned, and Xie Yanlai himself is extremely cunning and sharp-witted. Though people resent him, they can't pin anything on him. The higher-ups have no choice but to tolerate him."
This guard was momentarily confused by the remark, but the others remained clear-headed and laughed, "How can men and women be the same? Yan Lai, you treat Miss Liang and Miss Chu differently."
Xie Yanlai scoffed, "How are they different? She's also not as good-looking as I am."
The guards burst into laughter.
Amid the laughter, Xie Yanlai spurred his horse forward. There was another difference—if that girl heard him say she wasn't as good-looking as him, what would she do?
She wouldn't cry or hide in shame, avoiding people. Instead, she would run over with a grin and say, "So what? You still got tricked by me, didn't you?"
Xie Yanlai couldn't help but glance back. The girl's carriage had already become a tiny dot on the main road, with the glow of the setting sun in the distance.
Why was she still wandering outside the city so late?
Didn't she know how much people disliked her?
...
...
"That A Jiu is really annoying!"
A Le snorted, then shook her head smugly.
"From now on, we don't need him anymore. We won't have to flatter him again."
Chu Zhao laughed, "What are you talking about? Even when we needed him, we never flattered him."
"But Miss, you still protected him from being beaten and even made medicine for him," A Le raised her eyebrows.
"That was motivation," Chu Zhao said.
A Le burst into laughter.
As the last rays of the sunset faded, they arrived at the Capital Garrison. Probably because of Young Master Xie the Third's influence, once her name was reported, the usually inaccessible Capital Garrison quickly arranged for her to meet her father's men.
Unfortunately, Uncle Zhong was not there.
These four soldiers were not strangers; both Chu Zhao and A Le could call them by name.
"Deputy General Zhong took some men into the city to the Ministry of War," they explained. "He's also meeting some old acquaintances and will stay in the capital tonight, making it easier to see you tomorrow."
So that was it. Deputy General Zhong wanted to see her as soon as possible, and she wanted to see Uncle Zhong too, but they had missed each other.
"Alright, I'll wait for him at home," Chu Zhao said, then signaled to A Le, "Quick, bring the things for the uncles."
A Le hurriedly fetched bundles from the carriage. "We got the news too suddenly and didn't have time to pick anything carefully. We just bought some things randomly by the roadside."
The soldiers accepted them with smiles, thanking the young lady for her kindness. "We lack nothing. Here in the Capital Garrison—no, even along the way, thanks to you, Miss, we haven't suffered any hardships at all."
What? Chu Zhao laughed heartily, "Uncles, you really know how to talk."
"It's not that we know how to talk, but Miss Azhao, you are truly remarkable," the soldiers said with smiles, their expressions both admiring and proud. "Miss Azhao, you truly are the general's daughter. Coming to the capital alone, you've still managed to carve out your own place."
Chu Zhao smiled, nearly shedding tears. What was so remarkable about her? She had lost one life, and all their lives, to get to this day—
"Uncles," she said with tearful laughter, "I will become even more remarkable."
A Le nodded in agreement, "From now on, following Miss, we'll all live well and never be bullied again."
The soldiers laughed together, saying in unison, "Thank you, Miss."
Since Deputy General Zhong wasn't there and it was getting late, to avoid being locked out of the city, the soldiers urged Chu Zhao to hurry back."Tomorrow, Uncle Zhong has important matters to discuss with the young lady," they said with a laugh.
Chu Zhao didn't linger any longer, saying, "Uncles, please come to my home as well. I'll host everyone at Chu Manor."
The soldiers chorused their assent once more, watching as Chu Zhao and A Le boarded the carriage and seeing the young girl's carriage off into the distance.
Chu Zhao lifted the curtain to look back at the figures standing in the night, watching until they disappeared from view. She then turned her gaze forward, feeling not a trace of sadness, only anticipation.
Tomorrow, she would see Uncle Zhong.
The day after tomorrow, she would follow Uncle Zhong home.
And the day after that, she would see her father.
Hope and expectation truly brought joy. She raised her hand and let out a loud "Ah!" into the night.
A Le laughed heartily and joined in with two howls of her own.
The misty night road echoed with the girls' clear, bright laughter.
......
......
The hunting grounds shrouded in night were even livelier than during the day.
Xiao Yu, holding a bamboo tube, was stopped at the periphery of the most boisterous area.
Inside, burly and robust strongmen were wrestling. The Crown Prince sat among them, cheering along with everyone, accompanied by countless song and dance maidens seated beside them.
Such occasions weren't suitable for children to approach.
"How much longer until Father finishes the banquet?" he could only ask eagerly.
Eunuch Zhu replied respectfully, "Soon, soon."
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