The turmoil in the capital remained confined within its boundaries. Beyond the city walls, all was calm, and many prefectures were still unaware that anything had happened in the capital.
It wasn’t until official notices were posted that the common people learned of the grave events.
"The Crown Prince was killed by the Third Prince."
"I always knew something like this would happen. The Zhao Family has been too favored."
"Fortunately, the Crown Prince’s son is still alive."
"The imperial grandson has been raised by His Majesty the Emperor all along. Thank goodness, the Emperor still has an heir."
"Not only does the imperial grandson exist, but he also already has a wife. That makes things even more stable."
"But who is this Chu Zhao? Which noble family’s daughter is she? She even managed to save the imperial grandson."
"Didn’t you read the entire notice? It says she’s the daughter of Garrison General Chu Ling."
"Who is Garrison General Chu Ling? I’ve never heard of him."
"Garrison General Chu Ling is a prominent figure. Back in the day—"
However, the impact of written descriptions was limited. Compared to the people in the capital, those in other regions were shocked but not panicked. Instead, they were more curious about the wife the Emperor had chosen for the imperial grandson.
For a time, discussions were everywhere, and Chu Ling’s past was dredged up once again.
So much so that when news soon followed of the Emperor’s passing and the imperial grandson ascending the throne, the people did not react with great upheaval. Alas, the Emperor was only human. With such an outcome for his two sons, how could a father endure it? Already in poor health, he succumbed to overwhelming grief and followed them in death.
But there was no need to worry. Although the imperial grandson was young, the Grand Tutor was overseeing state affairs, his maternal uncle was assisting him, and the formidable Chu Ling was standing guard. The dynasty had nothing to fear.
After a series of low rumbles of thunder, more people crowded into the main hall of the North Cao Town post station.
"Boss, we’re definitely fully booked tonight," a servant chirped happily as he sidled up to the plump Station Chief standing in the doorway. "Let’s sell our reserved stock of wine."
Snapped out of his daze, the Station Chief withdrew his gaze from the sky and glanced at the servant. "Do you have a death wish? The late Emperor is still in mourning."
The servant shrank back. It wasn’t as if the emperor’s reach extended this far—
"But the new Emperor has ascended the throne and even gotten married. Isn’t that worth celebrating?" he muttered sheepishly.
The Station Chief waved him off. "Get out of here, and don’t cause trouble for me."
The servant scurried away.
The Station Chief cast a complicated look into the hall. Though packed, the conversations revolved around only two names: Chu Ling and the Empress.
What Chu Ling had done, how the Empress was faring.
"It’s like we’ve gone back more than a decade," a post courier remarked as he stepped out, sighing to the Station Chief. "Back then, the most talked-about person in the post station was Chu Ling—what new feats he’d accomplished, what gifts the Emperor had bestowed upon him. Who would have thought that after more than ten years of silence, Chu Ling would make a comeback?"
He then lowered his voice.
"Everyone’s also talking about Chu Ling’s daughter. But they all say she’s insignificant and unremarkable, that she only became Empress because of her father."
The Station Chief chuckled dryly and glanced into the hall. Insignificant? Unremarkable? Leaving aside everything else, this so-called unremarkable Empress had caused quite a stir at their post station and nearly cost him his life—
The Station Chief rubbed his neck.
The post courier also rubbed his neck and said, "And then there’s that minor official Deng Yi, who was sent here to do hard labor—he actually became the Grand Tutor."Indeed, this small post station had seen two visitors who later became the Empress and the Grand Tutor—something they could never have dreamed of. The Station Chief rubbed his neck as he surveyed the humble surroundings. Could this shabby little station be considered a place of outstanding people and spiritual energy?
But—
"Keep your mouth shut. Don’t breathe a word about A Fu," the Station Chief said in a low voice.
The post station attendant nodded hurriedly. "Don’t worry, boss."
That Miss Chu, who had used the alias A Fu, was as cunning as a fox. She had deceived those people back then, and now she had become the Empress. Who knew if that position was also—obtained through deception?
Whether she relied on her father’s influence or schemed her way up, the girl was now the Empress!
The Empress!
The two stood in the hall, lost in their own thoughts, as the rumble of thunder grew louder. A carriage raced over and stopped outside the gate.
"Sir," an old woman dismounted, leading a young child by the hand, and hurried toward the Station Chief, bowing respectfully. "Might you allow us to stay for one night?"
The old woman trembled unsteadily, dressed in simple, plain clothing. The child clung to her timidly, a pitiful sight.
The Station Chief pressed a hand to his belt and asked kindly, "Do you have travel permits or official documents?"
The old woman shook her head. "Sir, we are commoners with no official status. But the sky is about to pour, and my husband is unwell. I beg you, let us take shelter for just one night."
As she spoke, she stepped forward and pulled a money pouch from her sleeve, trying to press it into the Station Chief’s hand.
The Station Chief quickly stepped back, avoiding her.
"I dare not, I cannot," he said sternly. "Not only are we fully booked today, but the rules of the post station forbid commoners from lodging here. Old A Po, you’d best hurry on your way. The town isn’t far ahead."
The old woman fell to her knees with a thud. The frightened child hugged her arm and began to cry.
"Sir, sir, have pity! Our son and daughter-in-law died young, leaving only this grandson. My husband and I are the child’s sole support, and his illness cannot withstand another drenching," she wept. "I’m not asking for a room—just let us shelter under the eaves for one night."
Some guests had stepped out into the hall and, seeing the pitiable state of the old woman and child, joined in persuading the Station Chief. Just one night—they could make room.
But no matter how the old woman pleaded, how the child cried, or how the others appealed on their behalf, the Station Chief remained unmoved, his heart like iron. The attendant also wore a stern expression.
"If you truly wish to save your husband, you should drive on quickly," the Station Chief said gravely. "The sooner you leave, the sooner you’ll reach the town and find lodging."
As he spoke, he cupped his hands and bowed respectfully in the direction of the capital.
"These are turbulent times for the dynasty, with the new Emperor on the throne. We who receive the Emperor’s stipend must strictly uphold our duties."
Seeing that he could not be swayed, the old woman wept as she stumbled away, clutching the child.
The guests in the hall shook their heads at the Station Chief. "You’re too rigid." "Saving a life is worth more than building a seven-story pagoda." "Helping the weak and elderly is also a way to show the new Emperor’s compassion for his people."
No matter what anyone said, the Station Chief only smiled and shook his head until the old woman’s carriage disappeared down the road, dark storm clouds looming in the distance.
Pitiful? He had seen someone even more pitiable—and had helped her. And what was the result?
That pitiable one now sat high on the throne as Empress.
He had vowed to be a good man from then on, but he must keep his eyes sharp. He couldn’t pity everyone he saw, especially those who tried to bribe him with money.
Not only would he never get that money—it would only bring him trouble.
As thunder rolled, dusk turned to night in an instant. Torrential rain poured down, and water instantly streamed across the post station’s grounds.But in the heavy rain, the sound of urgent hoofbeats rang out as a group of soldiers cloaked in rain gear charged into the courier station.
"By order, identity verification!"
Shouts echoed one after another, stirring the station into even greater chaos.
Everyone—whether lodgers or the station’s servants—had their identities checked. Seeing the soldiers’ faces as dark as the night and smelling the bloodstained scent on their armor, the people in the station held their breath, not daring to speak a word.
The Station Chief was especially terrified. He asked the leader of the group, "May I ask who you are pursuing?"
The leader’s expression remained indifferent as he glanced at him. "Remnants of the Zhao Family. Have you seen any suspicious individuals?"
Remnants of the Zhao Family! The Station Chief hurriedly waved his hands and straightened his expression, saying, "The station only permits officials to lodge here. I personally verified each one myself."
The officer grunted in acknowledgment, his gaze sharp. "Good. Otherwise, you would be considered an accomplice."
The Station Chief repeatedly assured him he wouldn’t dare and promised to report any suspicious individuals immediately.
A soldier entered and whispered into the leader’s ear. The leader immediately stood up, raised his hand, and with a clatter of iron armor, the men and horses galloped away into the heavy rain—
Leaving the people in the station shaken and unsettled.
Pursuing remnants of the Zhao Family? The Zhao Family had already been exterminated to the ninth degree, yet there were still survivors? How terrifying.
……
……
In the darkness, a carriage traveled alone along the mountain road. Rain lashed against it, and sitting inside felt like being adrift in a vast ocean.
Yet the elderly woman and young child in such circumstances no longer wept. Instead, they sat quietly and respectfully in the corner of the carriage.
Inside, a person reclined halfway, illuminated dimly by a wall lamp. It was not a frail elder but a young man. His posture was elegant, one hand propping his head, the other lightly tapping the carriage board, as if playing an instrument to the rhythm of the rain.
"Heir Apparent, this Station Chief Xu is a greedy man who pretends to be kind," the elderly woman said softly. "I don’t know what’s come over him, but he actually refused us—"
"North Cao Town Courier Station," Xiao Xun murmured the words, his fingers pausing their tapping. "I remember now. So this is the place."
What about this place? The elderly woman didn’t understand.
"Not surprising," Xiao Xun said without explaining further, smiling faintly. "The Station Chief is like someone bitten by a snake, wary of ropes for ten years."
It was at this station back then that Miss Chu had caught up with the Courier, only to be pursued by Deng Yi afterward. The Station Chief had suffered no small amount of trouble because of it.
Since then, the Station Chief probably never dared to show pity to anyone again.
He had been forced out of the capital by her.
Little did he expect that even on his journey, he would continue to be constrained because of her.
Miss Chu Zhao—it seemed she truly was the bane of his existence.
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