This is what you call, saving a beauty in distress.
When Prince Zhongshan heard about it, he laughed heartily.
"My son, you're quite experienced at this," he said. "This is already the third time."
The first time they met, Xiao Xun rescued a drowning girl, but she showed no gratitude, let alone thanked him.
The second time was even more absurd—because of that girl, Xiao Xun ended up in the water, while she stood on the shore watching the spectacle.
Now this third time, the girl was kidnapped by remnants of the Zhao Family, followers of the Third Prince, remnants of the Yang Family, Western Liang spies, or whatever other villains—and Xiao Xun rescued her—
Would he succeed?
Prince Zhongshan teased his son.
Tie Ying naturally wouldn't mock the young master, but he saw no need for this.
"That Chu Zhao is cunning—how could she possibly believe it?"
In fact, the moment Xiao Xun appeared, Chu Zhao would surely realize that those attacking her were arranged by Xiao Xun himself.
However, before Xiao Xun could respond, Tie Ying thought for a moment and said, "I understand now. The Heir Apparent is performing this rescue for the world to see."
......
......
Currently, the imperial court and Prince Zhongshan appeared to be on normal terms, but underlying tensions could no longer be concealed. Troops were continuously gathering outside Zhongshan Commandery, while large military forces were also moving from the Border Commandery.
The entire Zhongshan Commandery was surrounded, with entry and exit checks becoming stricter than before. The official pretext remained hunting down remnants of the Third Prince and the Zhao Family, but it was believed that before long, Prince Zhongshan would be added to the list of rebels and traitors.
Of course, for the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion, this caused no fear or tension, much less panic.
From the day Prince Zhongshan left the capital for Zhongshan Commandery, he had been waiting for the imperial court to label him a rebel and traitor.
He was accustomed to it and had long been prepared.
News from the capital, imperial court, and Imperial City kept arriving constantly—from major court decisions to what shoes the Empress would wear for the grand ceremony—Xiao Xun knew everything.
When he heard that the Empress and the Little Emperor would hold the enthronement ceremony together and jointly attend court to hear governance, Prince Zhongshan clapped his hands in admiration: "Impressive, truly impressive. Like father, like daughter."
Xiao Xun smiled and corrected him: "Father, you should say the student has surpassed the master. Chu Ling wouldn't dare, nor would he want to do this."
But Chu Zhao dared, and she demanded it.
That girl wasn't anyone's appendage—she was her own person, and it had always been her own decisions.
Hearing Tie Ying's words, Xiao Xun smiled. That was indeed how it used to be—the girl was just like everyone else in his eyes. Whether he smiled at her, got angry with her, or treated her in any particular way, it was all for show. But now—
He gazed into the distant night and smiled faintly: "No, this time, I'm doing it for her to see."
He wanted her to see that he could save her, and he could also kill her.
He feared neither the imperial troops nor the charge of treason.
If she wanted to be Empress, he could make her wish come true.
"Go tell our people," he instructed Tie Ying. "After capturing them, kill all the others in front of her."
Tie Ying acknowledged the order, then raised an eyebrow: "Miss Chu will probably be terrified."
This would also let her know that schemes in this world weren't just about pushing someone into water or gifting a maid—they could get people killed.
Xiao Xun smiled: "She's very brave, so she probably won't be terrified, but she'll definitely be heartbroken."
Once her heart was broken, it would be hard for her to forget him.
......
......
Outside the mountains, the night was peaceful, but within the mountains, flames roared.
The killing intent made the entire mountain forest tremble.
Chu Zhao stood behind a rocky outcrop, pressed against the cliff face, watching what seemed like countless torches spreading across the landscape before her."They didn't retreat earlier just to lure us into breaking through," she said. "They were waiting for reinforcements."
This time, the attacking forces were much larger than before - they were determined to succeed.
Chu Zhao looked around again. All the survivors were already wounded, and most critically, they were running low on arrows.
A Le had already started throwing rocks down the mountain.
"Miss," she looked back, "don't be afraid. As long as we survive tonight—"
But those people wouldn't let them survive tonight. Chu Zhao nodded at A Le: "I'm not afraid."
She truly wasn't afraid, probably because she had no major regrets. Though she still couldn't see her father one last time—A Jiu would surely convey her feelings for her.
Her father would know how hard she had tried to see him, and would understand her feelings toward him. He had always been the most important person in her heart.
Unlike her previous life, when she became Empress and only coldly sent her father a letter, warning him to remember his status and not cause trouble for her.
Moreover, Xiao Yu had been saved. With Deng Yi and Xie Yanfang jointly governing the court, in this life, Xiao Xun could only become emperor by being a rebel.
Furthermore, she had entrusted the Dragon Guard Army to A Jiu. Uncle Zhong and the others needn't worry about their future - A Jiu wouldn't disregard and waste their lives like Xiao Xun would.
As for her uncle's family, Chu Tang was clever enough to know that her backing was Chu Zhao. If she died, Chu Tang would follow her previous instructions and immediately take the whole family into hiding in the mountains.
She could face death peacefully.
After dying, she would first reunite with her mother, then wait for her father to arrive, and the three of them could be together.
However, she had never met her mother and didn't even know what she looked like. Even if they met, would she recognize her?
She actually didn't really know how to interact with her mother either.
Chu Zhao felt slightly nervous and forcefully pushed down a large rock.
......
......
It seemed like all the fierce beasts of Falling Eagle Mountain had gathered here - tigers, wolves, wild boars, even pheasants and mountain hares. The entire forest was shaking, with dust and stones flying everywhere.
Even Ding Dachui couldn't help but swallow hard, gripping his repaired hunting bow with sweaty palms.
This was no small business - the fighting was too intense.
Their new leader had even directly told them that they were short on manpower and ordered them to drive out all the wild beasts from across the mountains.
"Boss," the brothers following behind him said with trembling voices, "if we charge in there, we're just seeking death, right?"
What was wrong with this new leader? Even when committing robbery, one should weigh and consider carefully. Sometimes, no matter how fat the sheep, not every one can be taken.
Given the current commotion, this wasn't some fat sheep - this was a monster.
Sharp bird cries sounded in their ears, making Ding Dachui shiver.
The bird cries came one after another, urging them on.
Ding Dachui's ears also echoed with what the new leader had said when gathering everyone earlier:
"The county government office in Chen County has portraits of you bandits hanging at its entrance."
"You've survived until now not because the authorities can't deal with you, but because they can't be bothered."
"Once the government needs achievements, they'll eliminate you immediately."
"Do you people really think you can hunt in these mountains your whole lives?"
"You're not hunters - you're the prey."
"Follow me in this big business today, and afterwards, you'll have people, money, and resources. Only then will you truly be hunters."
What hunters? They'd told him - they were mountain bandits!Ding Dachui’s feet trembled slightly. He stomped firmly on the ground, raised his hunting bow, nocked three arrows, and shouted loudly.
“This mountain was opened by me—”
……
……
Despite the obstacles—spear throws, rolling stones, and the bodies of their own comrades—over a dozen men broke through the defenses.
These dozen moved as lightly as swallows and as nimbly as apes, drawing closer and closer until Chu Zhao could see their savage grins.
Lao Bai was faster. Gripping his long blade, he dashed forward, his sword flashing wildly. The first five bandits to charge ahead tumbled to the ground, their heads severed from their bodies.
More followed Lao Bai—some from the Dragon Guard Army, others left behind by Xiao Man—meeting the enemy with their weapons and their own bodies. This was the final line of defense.
A Le tightened his grip on his blade and blocked Chu Zhao’s path. “It’s not time yet.”
Chu Zhao had been about to charge forward herself.
“Miss, if you rush out and die, everyone else will die even faster,” A Le said earnestly. “The longer you live, the longer everyone else can survive.”
Every fight was to protect Chu Zhao. If she died, everyone’s resolve would shatter.
Chu Zhao knew this, but watching people die for her, one by one, was a torment worse than death—
A bandit lunged from behind, slicing off the hands of a Dragon Guard soldier. The soldier let out an agonized cry but did not fall. Instead, he wrapped his arm stumps tightly around the bandit and slammed into another enemy raising a blade. The long sword pierced through both of them—
Chu Zhao wanted to close her eyes but forced them wide open, forcing herself to see clearly, to witness how these people died for her.
She could not repeat that lifetime—the one where so many had died for her without her even knowing.
“Miss,” A Le called out, raising his blade and standing guard before her. “Even if they all die, I will still be here.”
Just as Chu Zhao was about to speak, the distant sounds of battle suddenly intensified, mingled with shouts of “Enemy attack!” “Fall back!” “We’re under attack!”
“Enemy attack”—this cry came from the bandits. The bandits’ enemies could only be their reinforcements!
Reinforcements had arrived!
“Xiao Man brought reinforcements!” Chu Zhao shouted. “Xiao Man called for reinforcements!”
There was hope!
She shouted again and again, “Reinforcements are here! Reinforcements are here!” spreading hope with every cry.
OpenNovel