Qiao Chu

Suffering?

Zhong Changrong was momentarily stunned, then after some thought, nodded in agreement—yes, the young lady had indeed suffered in the capital.

The conflict with Miss Liang must have been a retaliation after enduring bullying.

Her insistence on returning to the Border Commandery showed just how difficult her life in the capital had been.

Moreover, after arriving in the capital, he had heard of her rising fame, but upon investigation, he learned that this reputation was earned through resistance against humiliation.

"The Third Prince bullied the young lady," Zhong Changrong counted on his fingers. "Those scholars bullied her, and even the elder master's entire family bullied her."

He slammed his fist heavily on the table.

The young lady had truly endured immense suffering.

"I shouldn't have stopped her last time. I should have brought her back then, so she wouldn't have had to suffer so much."

After saying this, Zhong Changrong glanced anxiously at Chu Ling. The decision not to let the young lady return last time had been the general's order—he wasn't blaming the general, of course. He understood that the general had no choice but to make that decision.

General, please don't blame yourself.

Chu Ling showed no sign of remorse, his expression thoughtful as he shook his head. "For A Zhao, this suffering isn't true suffering."

He then nodded and looked at Zhong Changrong.

"Now I understand why she was so determined to return last time."

What? Zhong Changrong was confused. Did the general understand or not?

"What else did she say?" Chu Ling looked up and asked.

Zhong Changrong thought hard but shook his head. Pressed for time, he had only focused on returning quickly and bringing back guards to protect the young lady. She hadn't said much more to him.

"Is this situation unfavorable for the young lady?" he asked. "Is Your Majesty harming her and you?"

Zhong Changrong looked ahead. "That kind of life isn't much of a good life either. As for Your Majesty—" He withdrew his gaze and looked at Zhong Changrong. "Your Majesty, he—"

Zhong Changrong hurriedly said, "Your Majesty must still hold you in high regard, General." At this, he stepped back and knelt on one knee. "Before His Majesty passed, he wished to see the Flame Signal fireworks. I lit two of them, violating military orders. I await your punishment, General."

Chu Ling's expression was complex, his gaze distant as he smiled faintly. "If I punish you now, when I meet His Majesty in the afterlife, he'll surely be waiting to punish me. I won't fall for that trick."

The words sounded both amusing and strangely heartbreaking. Zhong Changrong looked up and grinned. "Yes, Your Majesty said that if you punished me, he would punish you in turn."

Chu Ling raised a hand. "Rise. The Flame Signals belonged to His Majesty in the first place. He decided how they were to be used."

Zhong Changrong stood up and said quietly, "Your Majesty... he was rather pitiful—"

"Pitiful? He wasn't pitiful," Chu Ling said calmly. "The circumstances today are the result of his own indulgence. He thought himself pitiful because he knew nothing of the world's hardships, unaware of what true suffering is. If we're talking about pity, others are the pitiful ones—everyone is pitiful, and A Zhao is even more so."

His hand clenched, causing the medicinal tea in the cup to ripple.

He had been determined to shield his A Zhao from the world's troubles and let her live a stable life. Never did he expect her to be dragged into such a muddy abyss.

"Changrong, I may have truly been wrong. I shouldn't have let her return to the capital."

Zhong Changrong felt at a loss, unsure how to comfort him. He could only say, "A Zhao was worried you'd think this way, which is why she urgently sent me back. She trusts no one else—she insisted I return to see you."Chu Ling looked up at him. "She's alone in the capital. At a time like this, surrounded by wolves, all by herself—"

After asking this, he noticed Zhong Changrong's expression suddenly turn awkward.

"Not entirely alone," Zhong Changrong said. "Well, there are... her people."

Chu Ling stared at him, seemingly uncomprehending.

"Mu Mianhong," Zhong Changrong uttered, lowering his head as if afraid to meet Chu Ling's gaze.

Silence filled the room.

As Chu Ling remained silent, Zhong Changrong felt compelled to continue, murmuring, "They said they were worried and sent some people to follow her to the capital. But... it's thanks to them this time. When Prince Zhongshan set an ambush outside the Chu residence, and A Zhao escaped with the imperial grandson, it was they who eliminated the enemies and provided protection. Otherwise, it would've been too late by the time I arrived."

Chu Ling set down his teacup. "You returned to deliver the news to me. Shouldn't you inform her side as well?"

Zhong Changrong hung his head even lower, the burly man's voice turning sheepish. "There aren't many hands left in the capital. Regardless, her people will surely protect A Zhao with their lives. I suggested they stay in the capital, and I'd relay messages on their behalf—"

Chu Ling gave a noncommittal hum. "Go ahead."

Eh? Zhong Changrong lifted his head, disbelief written across his face.

Chu Ling's expression remained calm, but a chill flickered in his eyes.

"Go tell her: though A Zhao has no mother, she knows she is a child bought with her mother's life. She still receives parental love—she remains a happy child."

"Since she intends to protect A Zhao, let her remember what should and shouldn't be said."

"If she harms even a hair on my A Zhao, before I die, I will reduce Qingmu Stronghold to barren earth."

Zhong Changrong responded solemnly, "General, rest assured. I'll go personally!"

Chu Ling acknowledged with a hum, unwilling to elaborate.

Zhong Changrong tactfully changed the subject, deciding to cheer the general up by talking about A Zhao: "Brother, can your health still hold? A Zhao is so worried about you. She desperately wants to return to see you."

At the mention of his daughter, the coldness in Chu Ling's eyes melted, a smile touching his lips. "Return quickly and tell her I'll be waiting for her visit."

Zhong Changrong responded cheerfully. True or not, the general's determination alone could sustain him a while longer.

"Brother, rest well. I'll go brief them on the capital affairs," he said.

Chu Ling nodded, not forcing himself to stay upright. As Zhong Changrong moved to support him, an announcement came from outside the door.

"General, dispatches from the capital have arrived."

Given recent events, capital dispatches were inevitably numerous. Though Chu Ling commanded Yunzhong Province, not all needed his direct attention. Zhong Changrong frowned. "Send them to the responsible officials."

Acknowledgment came from outside, but the messenger remained. "The courier requests an audience with the general."

Zhong Changrong grew irritated. "An audience? Does everyone think they can see the general?"

Another acknowledgment followed, yet the messenger persisted, clearing his throat. "The visitor claims to be an old acquaintance of Vice General Zhong—"

Huh? That sounded familiar. Zhong Changrong froze momentarily.

Chu Ling chuckled. "Then grant the audience."

"I'll handle it," Zhong Changrong said, annoyed. "I wasn't in the capital long, yet somehow I've gained so many 'acquaintances' pestering me along the way. Now they're here too!"

Striding angrily forward, he yanked the door open and spotted a figure standing at the foot of the steps.This was a courier who appeared quite nervous, startling at the sound of the door opening and lifting his head.

Zhong Changrong froze for a moment—this person seemed both familiar and unfamiliar. But the courier’s attire gave him a bad premonition.

“Who are you?” he asked.

“Deputy General Zhong, I’m—” Zhang Gu said cheerfully, stepping forward to introduce himself, but then reconsidered, realizing his name would mean nothing to the general. He changed his words: “A Jiu sent me.”

A Jiu! It was him again!

The scar on Zhong Changrong’s face twitched. “You—what is he up to now? Instead of guarding the capital properly, what is he scheming this time?”

This deputy general seemed even fiercer than before. Zhang Gu was taken aback. He had followed A Jiu’s instructions to mention A Jiu directly and seek out Deputy General Zhong, but it appeared that A Jiu’s relationship with Zhong was not just strained—it had worsened.

Just as he was about to explain, a voice came from inside the room.

“Is it A Jiu?” The man’s voice was mellow, almost amused. “Come in quickly.”