Chu Zhao wasn't actually surprised by Deputy General Zhong's words, but hearing them still left her with complicated feelings.
"That place is not my home," she said, shaking her head.
Deputy General Zhong, being sworn brothers with Chu Ling, scolded Chu Zhao like a senior: "Nonsense! How could it not be? It's where your grandparents rest in peace, and your uncle guards the family home." Then he turned to A Le, "How have you been serving your mistress? You didn't even try to persuade her?"
A Le had been quiet and reserved both in the capital and on the road, afraid of saying something wrong and embarrassing her mistress. But facing Deputy General Zhong, she showed no fear and retorted confidently, "When have I ever tried to persuade the young mistress?"
Deputy General Zhong was left speechless. Indeed, this maid had always followed her mistress's orders without question, charging ahead at a single command—she would never try to dissuade her.
"I'll deal with you later," he could only threaten verbally.
Chu Zhao said, "Uncle Zhong, that place is just the Chu family home, not my home. Only where my loved ones are, where my father is, can be my home."
Deputy General Zhong looked at the girl's red-rimmed eyes and couldn't help but feel sorrowful. If it weren't for unavoidable circumstances—
He pushed down the thought and tried to persuade Chu Zhao again: "The General already knows about the incident with Miss Liang. He has sent letters to both Minister Liang and the Ministry of Justice. It's resolved. You don't need to be afraid. Go home and rest easy."
"I'm not afraid of the Liang family," Chu Zhao said, tears in her eyes as she looked at Deputy General Zhong. "I just want to go back to see Father because he's ill."
Deputy General Zhong's face turned pale, his expression sharp, the scar on his face making him look fierce.
"Who's spreading rumors in the capital?" he shouted. Without waiting for Chu Zhao to answer, he immediately added, "Miss, don't believe such gossip. The General is perfectly fine."
But it wasn't true. She wasn't the thirteen-year-old Chu Zhao; she was Chu Zhao who had experienced her father's death and been reborn. By her reckoning, her father was already gravely ill at this time.
Chu Zhao shook her head tearfully, "This isn't a rumor, Uncle Zhong. How can you bear it? What if Father and I never see each other again?"
Deputy General Zhong clenched his fists at his sides, his heart in turmoil. On one hand, it was because of Chu Zhao's grief and the thought that she and the General might never meet again. In truth, the General had already considered this—after much deliberation, he decided it was worth it if it meant keeping his daughter out of danger and ensuring her safety and happiness, even if it meant never seeing her again in this lifetime.
On the other hand, there were other thoughts. What the young mistress said was actually true—the General was indeed seriously ill.
How could this be? Had the news already spread throughout the capital? It was true that various factions were watching the Border Commandery, but this shouldn't have happened. The news shouldn't have leaked.
Was the conflict between the young mistress and Miss Liang an accident, or was it orchestrated?
Was someone using the young mistress to probe for information?
Moreover, according to reports, the people sent from the capital to pursue the young mistress were from the Ministry of the Guards—a low-ranking clerk named Deng. But with figures from the capital, you could never be sure what lay behind their actions.
His thoughts were chaotic, various conspiracies weighing on his mind. Deputy General Zhong no longer had the heart to dwell on the girl's sorrow.
"A Zhao, don't be sad," he said. "The General is fine. Nothing will happen to you when you return to the capital. In a few days, the General will come to the capital himself to see you."
With that, he turned to leave.
"The General has already written to Prince Zhongshan, entrusting him to send someone to escort you and reunite you with the eldest young master and the others."
Chu Zhao cried out, "Father would never come to see me! If I don't go back now, I'll never see him again—"
Before she could finish, Deputy General Zhong turned back, grabbed her, and covered her mouth."A Zhao!" His gaze sharpened as he hissed in a low voice, "If you insist on going back now, you might not get to see the General at all! Do you want the court to know he's fallen ill?"
Chu Zhao froze, rooted to the spot.
Deputy General Zhong immediately regretted his outburst.
"I don't know where you heard this rumor, miss, but this rumor is pushing you to return and visit the General. If you actually go back, it will confirm the rumor." He gritted his teeth. "The General has been stationed at the Border Commandery for decades, bearing His Majesty's heavy responsibility. He would never allow the Border Commandery to fall into the slightest turmoil."
Chu Zhao stood dazed, yet seemed to understand.
Her father was concealing his illness to prevent unrest in the Border Commandery—or perhaps not just the Border Commandery, but turmoil in the court and the entire realm. After all, the conflict between the Crown Prince and the Third Prince hadn't erupted suddenly; it had been simmering beneath the surface for a long time, evident in the open rivalry between the Empress's Yang family and the Imperial Concubine's Zhao family.
Uncle Zhong's words further confirmed her suspicions.
She had always thought her father was a disgraced, punished, and discarded man. This identity had made her the subject of scorn among other noble ladies in the capital. Her aunt never missed a chance to complain. After marrying Xiao Xun, she often blamed herself for her identity and family background, feeling she brought no advantage, only burdens, and even resented her father for his misconduct.
Before her death, Liang Fei had smugly declared, "Now, your father's troops all belong to our Liang family. You're useless now."
By then, her father had been dead for nearly ten years—why would Liang Fei even bring him up?
And now even Uncle Zhong said that news of her father's illness would cause unrest in the Border Commandery.
Her father was merely a Garrison General. In the Border Commandery, based on seniority, above him were the Commandery Governor and four Great Generals. Any random Captain could replace him. Whether he was there or not, why would the Border Commandery be thrown into turmoil?
What heavy responsibility did her father bear?
Now Uncle Zhong's words seemed to confirm that her father was not the ordinary figure she had believed him to be—
Then, did her father really do that thing?
That thing which led to her, as Empress, being denounced as a wicked queen, and the Dongyang Xie family raising the banner of rebellion, their rallying cry to punish traitors and eliminate evil—with half of the "traitors and evil" referring to her, a member of the Chu family—
Seeing Chu Zhao in a daze, Deputy General Zhong felt a pang of compassion. "A Zhao, don't worry. The General will be fine. Let me share some good news with you."
Chu Zhao looked at him.
Deputy General Zhong smiled gently and whispered, "After handling matters in the Border Commandery, the General plans to resign and return to the capital to reunite with you. From then on, you'll never be apart again."
Was that what her father had originally intended?
Chu Zhao's expression turned sorrowful, and tears instantly welled in her eyes.
But because she married Xiao Xun, and Xiao Xun later became Emperor, for her sake and her husband's, her father never resigned. Instead, he exhausted the last of his life in the Border Commandery?
If not for her involvement with Xiao Xun, her father would have returned to the capital, lived a peaceful life in seclusion, and perhaps even lived several more years. The turmoil in Great Xia, the conflicts between Xiao Xun and the Dongyang Xie family—none of it would have concerned them.
"I don't want later," she clutched Deputy General Zhong's arm. "I want to see Father now, Uncle Zhong! I have so many things—important things—to tell him—"
They were speaking in the main hall. Zhang Gu and the other Couriers had stepped out to give them privacy. Xiao Xun and the others had not entered either, waiting in the courtyard. But the inn was small, and as their voices gradually rose, everyone in the courtyard couldn't help but glance their way.Deputy General Zhong, noticing the onlookers outside, gripped Chu Zhao's arm and scolded in a low voice, "Stop making a scene. Don’t you know the general’s temper? Once he makes a decision, no one can defy it. Don’t make things difficult for me—I won’t take you back." He then called out, "A Le."
A Le stepped forward nervously.
"Take good care of the young lady," Deputy General Zhong said. "You’ve all grown up; it’s time to act like adults."
He turned to Chu Zhao, his voice grave and deliberate.
"A Zhao, you must believe that the general has your best interests at heart."
With that, he pushed her hand away and strode out quickly, afraid he might soften if he lingered.
A Le muttered under his breath and hurriedly took Chu Zhao’s hand, noticing how icy it felt.
Deputy General Zhong approached Xiao Xun and saluted. "This humble general greets the Heir Apparent."
Xiao Xun nodded.
General Zhong said, "I must trouble the prince and the Heir Apparent to look after our young lady. On behalf of the general, I extend my gratitude."
Xiao Xun smiled warmly. "There’s no need for formalities, General. Rest assured, I will deliver Miss Chu safely into the hands of Young Master Chu. Tie Ying," he turned and asked, "where is Young Master Chu’s party now?"
Tie Ying replied, "They will arrive in ten days."
Xiao Xun said to General Zhong, "I will personally escort Miss Chu to reunite with her brother."
General Zhong saluted again. "Thank you, Heir Apparent."
It seemed the matter was beyond remedy. Chu Zhao stood at the entrance of the hall, watching General Zhong and Xiao Xun converse—one saluting respectfully, the other amiable and kind—just as it had been in her previous life.
Her eyes reddened involuntarily.
"A Jiu!" she suddenly shouted.
A Jiu, who had been happily watching the commotion from the side, jumped in fright, then cursed inwardly. This little madam was like a haunting ghost, dragging him into trouble again!
Sure enough, at Chu Zhao’s cry, all eyes in the courtyard turned toward A Jiu. General Zhong, who hadn’t known who A Jiu was, quickly identified him by following the crowd’s gaze.
General Zhong studied the young man. Why had the young lady called his name? He felt puzzled but immediately grew wary.
This young man looked dangerously charming.
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