Qiao Chu

A Fu didn't know why she was smiling.

This was clearly the least appropriate time for smiling.

She had fled the capital to see her father and to avoid repeating her past life's fate. She and Xiao Xun had met in the capital—she fell into the water, he rescued her, she fell in love at first sight, and they were mutually devoted—

Of course, she only learned this was false right before her death.

Liang Fei had sneered, "What mutual devotion? Empress, do you really think your meeting with His Majesty was such a coincidence? That he just happened to visit your home when you fell into the water? Wake up! Look at your Chu family's status—how could you be so lucky? It was merely a transaction."

The words of this fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl, fresh as a flower, were like knives, stabbing her heart repeatedly. Just when she thought she had recognized Xiao Xun's heartlessness, she felt as if her flesh were being carved and bones scraped anew.

So that life-saving act and love at first sight were all her own imagination?

Xiao Xun never liked her? Marrying her was a transaction? With whom?

As Liang Fei said, their Chu family was more than ordinary—her father even bore a crime that made everyone avoid them.

How could they possibly have the means to engage in a transaction? And with the Crown Prince of Zhongshan, no less!

Liang Fei had said many other strange things, not only accusing her father of wrongdoing but also mentioning her mother—

But Chu Zhao's mother had died when she was born!

Why bring up her mother again after ten years?

She never got the chance to find out. They didn't allow her to ask more questions, urging her to die so her position as Empress could be vacated, allowing Liang Fei to be enthroned quickly.

She died in confusion and woke up equally bewildered. Her only choice was to leave the capital immediately, avoiding falling into that inexplicable transaction again, and to find her father to ask her many questions.

Unexpectedly, after leaving the capital and arriving in such a remote place, she fell into the water again—and once more, it was Xiao Xun who saved her.

This... couldn't possibly be anyone's transaction, could it?

Aside from her and A Jiu, there was no one else here.

She couldn't figure out A Jiu's identity, and he had nearly killed her, but she believed A Jiu and Xiao Xun didn't know each other.

It was a pity she couldn't kill Xiao Xun right then and there, so her only option was to avoid any connection with him.

The simplest and most direct way to avoid involvement with Xiao Xun was to get involved with someone else.

Moreover, it could help conceal her identity in front of Xiao Xun.

So when Zhang Gu was about to reveal their backgrounds, she immediately shouted those words and rushed over to hug A Jiu.

Sure enough, Xiao Xun not only didn't glance at her again but didn't even inquire about the courier's identity.

Thinking she had narrowly escaped disaster, A Fu naturally couldn't help but smile.

A Jiu looked at her coldly, "Has water flooded your brain? How dare you use me in your act? Have you forgotten who I am? I'm the one who tried to kill you."

This girl actually wanted to put on a show with him? Shouldn't she have thrown herself into that young man's arms, thanking him for saving her while pointing out he was the murderer?

Either this girl was insane, or she and that man were accomplices putting on a show to deceive him.

Although he couldn't discern the girl's origins, he believed this A Fu and Xiao Xun didn't know each other.

Why did she dare to put on an act with him? A Fu smiled again—because that man would kill her too, having already done so once.

Faced with two people who wanted her dead, A Fu naturally chose A Jiu. Strictly speaking, A Jiu tried to kill her due to a misunderstanding.

"Young Master A Jiu," she said, "My name is Chu Zhao. Chu Ling is my father."

...

...A Jiu's expression faltered slightly for a moment.

"What nonsense are you spouting now?" he immediately frowned and said. "Planning to deceive people with another false identity again?"

Just because he saw her holding a letter for General Chu Ling, she started spinning tales—this girl could lie as easily as breathing.

"I'm not deceiving you," Chu Zhao said, raising her voice to call outside, "A Le."

A Le, who was guarding outside the tent, hurried in.

"You guessed correctly—she isn't my elder sister. She truly is a maid," Chu Zhao said.

A Le bowed to A Jiu. "Young Master A Jiu, my apologies for the offense."

A Jiu's face remained expressionless.

Chu Zhao continued, "You should also know that my father has only one daughter—me. He only sent me to the capital last year."

A Jiu's expression turned cold. "What I ought to know is common knowledge. Your words hold no meaning, and I have no time to listen to your drivel."

With that, he turned to leave.

"Young Master A Jiu," Chu Zhao stood up. "If you keep my identity secret, I will keep yours secret as well."

A Jiu glanced back, his gaze sharp and cold. See? This girl could effortlessly switch between lies and threats.

"Although you claim you deliberately used the secret letter to lure me into revealing my identity," Chu Zhao said, "your vigilance surely isn't without cause. Your trip to Yunzhong County must be related to my father."

A Jiu chuckled coldly but said nothing. He turned and strode away.

The tent flap fluttered violently, letting in a gust of chilly wind. Startled by the sudden cold, Chu Zhao coughed several times.

A Le quickly helped her sit by the brazier and asked in a low voice, "Miss, he doesn't believe you?"

Chu Zhao watched the fluttering tent flap. "It doesn't matter. Even if he doesn't believe me, to prevent me from leaking the secret letter affair, he'll keep me close."

This A Jiu was ruthless and cautious—the moment his suspicions were confirmed, he immediately tried to silence her without further questioning. Now that he couldn't kill her, to avoid exposing his identity, he certainly wouldn't abandon her either. Dealing with such a person was actually quite straightforward—it all came down to mutual interests.

A Jiu was no longer the main concern; the pressing matter was Xiao Xun outside.

"Miss, do you know that young master?" A Le asked curiously. Moreover, it seemed the young lady was afraid of him, yet also seemed to want to kill him—

Chu Zhao didn't wish to dwell on that name. "Whether I know him or not is unimportant. What matters is that he must not recognize me."

Xiao Xun's appearance here didn't feel like a coincidence.

"We need to leave quickly."

...

...

Zhang Gu was also summoned into the tent. Facing the girl again, he felt somewhat awkward and uncertain, his expression uneasy.

The girl didn't weep about romantic entanglements with him but simply expressed her desire to depart quickly.

She bowed her head and said, "I don't wish to face so many people. That young master witnessed my... incident. I feel deeply ashamed."

Zhang Gu very much wanted to ask what exactly her "incident" was, but seeing the girl's ashamed demeanor, he couldn't bring himself to inquire further. What was there to ask? Things had already gone this far—that A Jiu was truly a scoundrel!

"However," Zhang Gu said, "that young master is, after all, your savior. A Fu, you mustn't be so discourteous."

Chu Zhao lowered her head. "I will repay his great kindness in the future."

A chance encounter—what "future" could there be? Zhang Gu didn't press the girl further. She was still so young, her family had suffered greatly, and she had no parents to rely on for now—her spirit was fragile. That A Jiu was truly a beast!

"Very well, I'll go thank that young master, and we'll set off immediately," Zhang Gu said.As he turned to leave, the girl tugged at his sleeve again, pleading pitifully, "Uncle Zhang, please don't abandon me."

Zhang Gu shook his head with a sigh. He couldn't leave her before, and now that this mess with A Jiu had happened, it was even more impossible. How could he ever face her parents?

"Don't worry," he said. "I will see you and your sister safely to your father."

Then let the girl's father deal with A Jiu—he was beyond handling it himself.

Zhang Gu went out and ordered everyone to pack up. The couriers raised no objections. When A Jiu tried to speak, Zhang Gu cut him off with a glare: "Not a word from you! I don't care about these matters. I only care about our military orders. Anyone who delays our departure will face consequences."

A Jiu watched as the two girls emerged from the tent, now dressed in thick cotton coats and carrying bundles. A faint, mocking smile played on his lips as he pointed at Chu Zhao, making it clear he knew she had manipulated Zhang Gu.

But he did not voice any opposition, lazily walking away instead.

...

...

Tie Ying entered to find Xiao Xun drying his hair, which carried a faint scent of green citrus.

"The couriers are leaving," Tie Ying reported. "That leader Zhang came to bid farewell and express his gratitude to you, Heir Apparent. I sent him away without revealing our identities."

He had initially been quite respectful toward the troops from the capital, but the thought of these couriers traveling with girls in such an unclear, chaotic manner—what kind of official business was this?

"Have the imperial troops really fallen to this state?" he sneered.

Xiao Xun glanced at him. "Don't judge the whole leopard by one spot. This is just an isolated incident."

Tie Ying snorted coldly. "It's not just one or two incidents. The capital's military is nearly overrun by imperial relatives—the Yang Family and Zhao Family are causing utter disgrace—"

Xiao Xun cut him off sharply. "Enough. Do not discuss state affairs."

Others might gossip, but it was inappropriate for people of their status. If the local overseers found out, it could bring trouble.

Tie Ying quickly bowed his head. "I apologize, my lord."

Xiao Xun did not scold him further, instead remarking, "The river scenery in winter is quite beautiful. How delightful it is to enjoy such views."

Tie Ying muttered under his breath, "Indeed. It's also quite amusing that you, Heir Apparent, could rescue someone from the river and still get scolded."

Xiao Xun laughed heartily. As the commotion outside faded—the couriers mounting their horses and departing—he showed no interest in watching them leave.

"Let us board the boat and continue our sightseeing," he said.

But before he could step out of the tent, a guard hurried in.

"Heir Apparent," the guard said, handing over a small scroll. "A carrier pigeon message from the Prince."

Xiao Xun took it, unrolled the paper, and his expression shifted to one of thoughtful surprise before he smiled.

"How interesting," he said.

...

...

Back on the main road, the couriers rode at a swift pace, the atmosphere growing awkward as if no one knew how to interact with the two girls.

Zhang Gu inwardly cursed A Jiu one moment, blamed A Fu the next, and finally reproached himself. What a mess. He cracked his whip sharply, urging them to hurry to the Border Commandery and be rid of these troubles sooner.

Hooves thundered as everyone raced desperately forward.

But then came the sound of pursuing hoofbeats, approaching just as fast.

"Wait!" a group of voices shouted.

Zhang Gu paused, turning to see a large contingent of riders in the distance, dark as a looming storm cloud. He recognized them—they were the guards of that young man from before.

What was this about? Had they come to retaliate for the girls' earlier rudeness?"Don't mind them," Chu Zhao shouted, "Hurry up!"

She cracked her whip and urged her horse forward, darting through the Couriers like lightning and racing to the front, yet unable to shake off the thunderous clamor behind her.

"Miss Chu—"

"Please stop—"

Chu Zhao closed her eyes. She knew it all along—encountering Xiao Xun was her misfortune.