The rain pattered noisily against the carriage, creating a clamor that seemed to isolate them from the world.
Xiao Xun reached beneath him and pulled out a sheet of paper—an official notice bearing the latest news.
The Emperor had passed away, a new emperor had ascended the throne, and the Empress had been formally installed.
That girl had become the Empress.
It wasn’t surprising that she had become Empress. If he had entered the palace, she would have been Empress too.
Xiao Xun crumpled the notice in his hand. He had thought she would only retaliate; he hadn’t expected her to seize the opportunity.
She had snatched this chance right out of his hands.
“I still underestimated her,” he said.
Under the dim lamplight, the young man wore a smile, shallow dimples gracing his face, a pleasing sight. But the old woman looked somewhat fearful and whispered, “Your Highness, we had planned to change to an official identity at the courier station. What should we do now?”
Xiao Xun had left the capital quickly enough, but the pursuit was even faster.
Though there was no official warrant, government troops were tracking him under the pretense of hunting down remnants of the Zhao Family. Even more unofficial individuals emerged from all directions, making his journey extremely difficult. He had to detour and circle around, delaying his return to Zhongshan Commandery.
Xiao Xun, however, showed no anger or worry. Still smiling, he said, “As long as they haven’t caught me, as long as they dare not openly accuse me and my father for even a day, they can do nothing to us.”
The carriage curtain was lifted, and Tie Ying, wrapped in a rain cloak and wearing a bamboo hat, said, “Ning Kun suggests we switch to the water route.”
Xiao Xun asked, “What does Father say?”
Tie Ying’s voice carried a note of helplessness. “The Prince said—to let you find your own way back, that he wants to see if the Heir Apparent has grown more capable during this journey.”
Before Xiao Xun could respond, Tie Ying voiced his dissatisfaction.
“At a time like this, how can the Prince still joke like this?”
Xiao Xun sat up. “If Father can still joke with me, it means Zhongshan Commandery is safe and sound.”
The new emperor had already ascended the throne. There was no evidence to prove that Chu Lan had killed the imperial grandson, and this Empress from the Chu family would not announce it to the world. But the new Grand Tutor and the Xie family surely knew. While hunting him, they would inevitably reach out to Zhongshan Commandery—
Reach out? Xiao Xun laughed. How could it be so easy? A petty official suddenly elevated to Grand Tutor, a dying general from a border commandery, and imperial relatives who had kept a low profile only to hastily step into the spotlight—did they really think they were all-powerful?
His father hadn’t been killed as a child, had survived all these years, and now it wouldn’t be so easy to finish him off.
“Let’s go,” Xiao Xun said. “Tie Ying, we can’t let my father laugh at us.”
The old woman handed Xiao Xun a raincoat. He threw it on and stepped out of the carriage in one swift motion. The old woman also wrapped herself in a rain cloak, covering herself and a young child, and vanished into the rainy night. Only the carriage remained on the mountain road, soon plunging over a cliff and disappearing.
…
…
The night rain did not stop everyone. Some were fleeing, some were in pursuit, and others rode swiftly with official documents.
The sun rose and set, clear and rainy days alternated, and the changes in the imperial court spread to every corner of the Great Xia.
The border commandery was no exception.
In fact, they learned of it even earlier.
Moreover, turmoil had also struck the border commandery, the situation extremely perilous. If Chu Ling hadn’t suddenly led troops to appear, who knew what would have become of Yunzhong Commandery.
Chu Ling was still stationed in Yunzhong Commandery.
Previously, some might have been dissatisfied, but now there were none.
Not just in Yunzhong Commandery—even if he were to take charge in the capital, no one would object.While others' daughters became empresses, Chu Ling became the Imperial Father-in-law.
It was truly unbelievable. Not to mention in the capital, even in Yunzhong Commandery, Chu Ling was rarely mentioned. Who would have thought that overnight, everyone was talking about Chu Ling and his daughter.
"I do have some impression of that Miss Chu. She often came to play in the commandery city. Apart from being quite beautiful, I didn't notice anything special about her."
"I noticed her temper wasn't very good—quite spoiled. She quarreled with several young ladies and claimed to be from the capital, looking down on them."
"And she actually became the Empress."
"They say she saved the imperial grandson."
"That might be possible, after all, she is Chu Ling's daughter. General Chu was very brave, and His Majesty trusted and valued him immensely, rewarding him with piles of honors—a long, long time ago."
Deputy General Zhong galloped swiftly through the bustling streets. Since approaching Yunzhong Commandery, he had no other thoughts, only thinking of Chu Ling, especially after hearing that turmoil had also occurred in Yunzhong Commandery—
Deputy General Zhong burst into the room.
"General!" he shouted, his gaze darting around. Whether from extreme tension or the unfamiliar environment, he couldn't spot Chu Ling at first.
Had the general become unable to get up?
"Changrong."
A gentle male voice came from the side.
Deputy General Zhong quickly turned and saw Chu Ling standing by the wall with several officers, examining a military map hanging there.
Everyone seemed startled by Deputy General Zhong's sudden entrance.
"Old Zhong, why have you returned?" someone asked urgently. "How can Miss Chu be left alone in the capital?"
These were all Chu Ling's trusted aides. Seeing everyone here, Zhong Changrong felt half his worries ease.
"Miss sent me back," he said, stepping forward and staring intently at Chu Ling, his voice choked with emotion. "Miss is worried about the General."
The officer before him still had a tall stature and a gentle face, but his complexion was no longer the ruddy hue from before Zhong Changrong's departure; it now carried a frosty pallor.
Hearing this, the expressions of those around turned sorrowful.
Chu Ling smiled and gestured to everyone. "You may all return to your duties. We must not slack off now, especially regarding Western Liang. Keep a close watch. Later, let Changrong share news from the capital with everyone."
They acknowledged the order, saluted, and withdrew, each patting Zhong Changrong on the shoulder as they passed.
Once everyone had left and the door closed, only the two of them remained in the room.
"Brother," Zhong Changrong stepped forward. "Are you alright?"
Chu Ling smiled. "I'm fine. I won't die just yet."
Zhong Changrong knew that meant he wasn't fine, and tears nearly fell.
"How is A Zhao?" Chu Ling asked.
Zhong Changrong was about to speak.
Chu Ling asked again, "Was she injured?"
Zhong Changrong swallowed his original words, shaking his head and then nodding. "No, only a few minor superficial wounds."
Chu Ling quickly asked, "Where was she hurt?"
Setting aside the thrilling tales of how the young lady rescued the imperial grandson, cleverly ordered them to storm the Imperial City, persuaded the guards at two palace gates, met the Emperor, and how she convinced the Emperor to bestow the marriage—Zhong Changrong focused on the father who only cared whether his daughter was injured and where. He earnestly recounted—
He raised his hand and pointed to his own body.
"There's a wound on her arm, from a blade. A Zhao wasn't wearing armor."
"A slight injury on her shoulder, from an arrow graze."
"Her foot was also a bit hurt. That was from A Zhao twisting it while running, not paying attention.""Brother, A Zhao was truly remarkable—she didn't cry at all. Still, she's afraid of pain. When the imperial physician was dressing her wounds, she clung to A Le's hand and didn't dare look."
Chu Ling listened attentively, carefully observing every gesture Zhong Changrong made as he described the injuries, as if his daughter stood right before him.
Zhong Changrong recounted the events in the capital in detail. By the time his long account concluded, dusk had shrouded the room.
Chu Ling sat at the desk and reached to pour tea.
Zhong Changrong hurriedly poured water for him instead. Shaking the pot, he found only half remained; the liquid that filled the cup emitted a pungent medicinal odor.
Had he come to regard medicine as mere water?
Zhong Changrong's nose stung with emotion. Bracing himself against the table, he struggled to stay upright.
"That's how it happened," he said through gritted teeth. "It was sudden, but A Zhao handled it perfectly. She insisted this was the best outcome, worried you'd be anxious and distrustful of others. She urged me to return immediately."
Chu Ling lifted the cup and drank slowly. The medicine smelled nauseating, and its taste was surely even harder to swallow. Though he could have drained it in one gulp, he savored it with the ease of tasting fine tea.
"What suffering has A Zhao endured," he murmured, "for her to believe... this is the best outcome?"
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