The atmosphere was somewhat strange.
Chu Zhao also noticed it. Upon seeing these people, Uncle Zhong seemed displeased, and the girl didn’t appear to have a favorable attitude toward Uncle Zhong either.
But one thing was certain—they were indeed acquainted.
That was good enough for Chu Zhao, and she felt relieved.
Zhong Changrong was clearly relieved as well. Ignoring the girl’s attitude, he led the people behind him to charge toward the alley.
The skirmish ended quickly.
The girl stood by the roadside, still turning her head away, and snorted, "This place has long been surrounded—"
Then she shot a glance at Zhong Changrong.
"If we had waited for you, she would have been long dead."
After the fight, Zhong Changrong knew how formidable these people were and did not deny her words. His heart was filled with lingering fear, and his eyes were full of remorse and self-blame.
"A Zhao, you’re actually in such danger here in the capital," he murmured.
No wonder A Zhao had insisted on returning to the Border Commandery. It was all his fault for stopping her.
If not for—he glanced at the girl who was still turning her head away—he would never have seen A Zhao again. He didn’t dare imagine how the General would react if he found out.
Seeing Uncle Zhong looking as if he wished he could draw his sword and end his own life, Chu Zhao quickly said, "Uncle Zhong, this was an accident. Other times, I’m not in such danger."
An accident?
The girl whistled from the side, "Other times might not be much better either. Miss Chu Zhao is widely renowned, and isn’t it all from fighting?"
Indeed, having heard of the young lady’s fame along the way, as someone who had led troops for many years, Zhong Changrong naturally knew how difficult it was to earn such renown. Especially since the General had remained low-key in the capital for years, and the young lady had no one to rely on when she first arrived. To gain such fame, she must have endured countless grievances, provocations, and humiliations—
Zhong Changrong recalled what he had heard at his old friend’s home earlier that day—how the Chu Garden Literary Gathering had begun, how Miss A Zhao had been berated by those men, forced to bow her head again and again, sign confessions, and admit defeat—
Zhong Changrong had nearly drawn his sword and rushed out to cut them down on the spot. Was the daughter the General had raised with such care meant to be humiliated like this?
He hated himself even more. Back then, when the young lady had wept so bitterly, insisting on returning to the Border Commandery, saying that home was where her father was, he had been so heartless—
Seeing the scar on Zhong Changrong’s face twist with emotion, the girl beside him grew even more delighted and said, "And also, you—"
"Enough!" Chu Zhao cut her off. "You don’t understand anything, so don’t speak nonsense. It’s not that serious at all."
The girl immediately glared at her fiercely, "You can’t tell me what to do!"
She turned her face forward, and under the torchlight, Chu Zhao could see clearly—she was a cute girl with a round face, about fifteen or sixteen years old, but her eyes were truly fierce—
Chu Zhao was naturally unafraid of her, "You’re not me. If what you say about my affairs is wrong, of course I have to correct you."
Xiao Man was left speechless, momentarily unable to refute her. A child popped up beside them, giggling.
"What are you laughing at?" Xiao Man scolded him, seizing the opportunity, "Have you finished cleaning up? Are there any stragglers? You have too much free time."
Xiao Tu wasn’t afraid of her at all and grinned at Chu Zhao, "Sister Chu Zhao is really amazing."
Calling her "sister" already? Chu Zhao smiled at him but didn’t argue further. Any conflicts among their own people could be addressed later. She turned to Zhong Changrong, "Uncle Zhong, right now, there’s a matter of utmost importance. These people outside the Chu residence are here for this reason."
Zhong Changrong composed himself and focused intently on Chu Zhao.
"Uncle Zhong, this is—" Chu Zhao pointed to the child in front of her, "Young—Your Highness."Little Highness? Only then did Zhong Changrong turn his gaze to the child.
He had noticed from the start that the young lady had brought along a child of about six or seven, but hadn't paid it much mind.
This was a little girl dressed in a colorful floral dress. Though her hair and clothes were somewhat disheveled, it couldn't conceal her delicate, jade-like features—clearly from a wealthy family.
Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a boy dressed as a girl.
Little Highness? Which Highness? There weren't many in the Great Xia Dynasty who could be addressed as Highness—
"And this—" Chu Zhao pointed at the elderly woman behind her.
Come to think of it, she didn't even know who he was—
The elderly woman dismounted and bowed to Zhong Changrong: "Vice General Zhong."
Zhong Changrong looked at this elderly woman dressed in colorful clothes, wrapped in a floral headscarf, with a pale face and kindly expression, only to hear a man's voice come out of her mouth. Well, this was another disguise.
"You—" he said warily.
"Vice General Zhong," Qi Gonggong said, "I am Qi Xuan from His Majesty's side. Do you still remember me?"
His Majesty's side? Zhong Changrong was taken aback, then looked at the eunuch's face and suddenly realized: "You're Qi Gonggong!"
Tears glistened in Qi Gonggong's eyes: "Indeed it is this old servant. Vice General Zhong, it's been many years since we last met."
Many years—Zhong Changrong sighed inwardly. It had been nearly twenty years.
"Qi Gonggong, you've grown so old," he lamented.
Qi Gonggong smiled: "And you, that boy who broke His Majesty's vase and hid it under his butt to sit on, have turned into a rough man too."
Mentioning that embarrassing incident from back then, Zhong Changrong chuckled. Those days—ah, better not bring up those days. He collected his thoughts and looked at the child in front of Chu Zhao: "Then this one is—"
His expression showed surprise, having already guessed.
Qi Gonggong nodded, his expression sorrowful: "This is Crown Prince's son."
Now, he should be called the Crown Prince's orphan.
"What exactly happened?" Zhong Changrong asked urgently.
......
......
"How are things progressing?"
Xiao Xun stood up and looked outside.
Tie Ying had long grown impatient: "Why hasn't there been any news yet? Chu Lan is moving too slowly."
Xiao Xun said: "He might need some time to think it over carefully. After all, it's the first time in his life he's been entrusted with such important expectations."
"Your Highness has already made it so clear to him," Tie Ying said, then requested again, "Your Highness, let me go."
Xiao Xun looked at the night. No matter how deep the night, it would eventually pass. It was already slightly brighter than before.
There was still no news from the Imperial Palace.
But if they could resolve matters outside, then even if there was no news from the palace, it wouldn't matter.
The Emperor had no other choice.
"Alright," he nodded. "You may go."
Just as Tie Ying was about to leave, Ning Kun hurried in from outside: "Your Highness, there's news from the palace."
News from the palace? If the Heir Apparent was to enter the palace, Tie Ying absolutely wouldn't leave now. He quickly stopped and stood beside Xiao Xun, watching as Ning Kun ushered someone in.
This person appeared somewhat disheveled, with bloodstains on his clothes—clearly, getting news out of the palace hadn't been easy.
"Your Highness," the man took out a scroll from his chest, "This is from Deng Yi, Grand Tutor Deng, for Your Highness."
Deng Yi, Grand Tutor Deng.
Xiao Xun and the others noted this title, their expressions showing some surprise.
They had originally thought it was already quite impressive that Deng Yi could guard the inner palace gates, never expecting he would leap to become Grand Tutor. This Grand Tutor title must have been newly conferred.
"This Deng Yi is truly remarkable," he said. "To have gained His Majesty's trust like this."
Ning Kun sighed with admiration again: "The Prince truly has an eye for talent."
Xiao Xun said: "I am not as good as Father."Through his interactions, he had come to realize that Deng Yi, though an insignificant figure, was no ordinary man—yet he never imagined this man could scheme and maneuver his way up to the position of Grand Tutor.
Recalling how his father had repeatedly gifted Deng Yi with substantial sums of gold, he thought, indeed, the king had shown remarkable foresight.
His thoughts then drifted to his father’s attitude toward Chu Zhao, repeatedly urging him to form a marriage alliance with her. Was it out of regard for Chu Ling, or for this young girl Chu Zhao herself?
Could it be that Chu Zhao might prove to be another Deng Yi?
"Your Highness," Ning Kun urged, "quickly see what it is."
The scroll was bright yellow—an imperial edict.
The messenger added, "Grand Tutor Deng said that as long as Your Highness sends out the edict, he will personally come to escort you into the palace."
These words—they boded no good.
Xiao Xun frowned slightly, took the scroll, and unrolled it.
It was indeed an imperial edict, complete with the imperial seal.
But its contents—
With just one glance, Xiao Xun, who was never one for extreme emotions, flew into a towering rage and hurled the edict violently to the ground.
"That vile wretch deserves death!"
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