Who is that person?
Upon hearing the question, Xiao Man, who had been smiling, followed the woman's gaze and let out an "oh" upon seeing the person.
"That's him," she said. "It's A Jiu."
A Jiu? This must be a nickname. Even Xiao Man knew it, indicating he was someone very close to Chu Zhao. A guard? Impossible—Chu Zhao wouldn't act like that in front of a guard—
The woman narrowed her eyes thoughtfully.
"He's not a guard or a courier. He's the young master of the Xie family, the Emperor's maternal uncle," Xiao Man continued, sharing everything she knew, then snorted. "He's with that Zhong fellow, the one in charge of the Dragon Guard Army. Zhong handed it over to him to manage."
The Xie family, the Emperor's uncle—so he was a scion of a noble family. The woman was surprised. Moreover, he could take over Zhong Changrong's responsibilities, which meant the General must know him, recognize him, and approve of him.
Since the General approved, he must be excellent. A smile touched the woman's lips.
"He's very fierce," Xiao Man said, pursing her lips. "He often argues with Chu Zhao and doesn't listen to her."
Is that so? Very fierce? Doesn't listen to Chu Zhao? The woman watched the young man and girl standing there with an amused expression.
...
...
The young man looked annoyed.
What did "again" mean? She shouldn't act as if she knew everything about him.
Xie Yanlai sneered, but his lowered phoenix eyes flicked up to look at the girl blocking his path.
"Back at the river, when I saw through your identity and decided to kill you, I acted immediately," he said. "You pleaded repeatedly to see your father, but I said it had nothing to do with me and ignored you—and I did exactly that. Haven't I always kept my word?"
Chu Zhao nodded. "Yes, yes, you're absolutely right."
This was too perfunctory. Xie Yanlai was about to say something when Chu Zhao stepped forward and cut him off.
"How many men did you bring?" she asked in a low voice. "If we really encounter Prince Zhongshan's ambush, do we stand a chance?"
How could she be so sure he wasn't here to capture her and take her back? Xie Yanlai felt a surge of frustration. What gave her such confidence!
"I've been delayed here for too long," the girl said, her eyes reddening. "The latest news is that Western Liang has sent more troops. The entire Yunzhong County has become a battlefield. I don't know how my father is doing."
"Xiao Man helped gather some people—about thirty—but they're only for show. They aren't very effective in a fight."
"Just now, the local garrison told me they can't mobilize troops to escort me. The court has ordered them to remain stationed here."
"I was just wondering what to do next."
As she spoke, her reddened eyes glistened with tears.
"And then you came, A Jiu!"
"A Jiu, it's so wonderful that you're here."
Wonderful, my foot. Xie Yanlai turned his head and let out a breath. "As long as Prince Zhongshan doesn't dare to openly rebel, he's no threat."
The girl before him broke into a smile and took a step forward—
Xie Yanlai reached out, pressing a single finger against her shoulder as if holding a cat in place, stopping her right there.
"Stay away from me," he said coolly. "Being involved with the Empress is far more serious than being involved with Miss Chu."
Chu Zhao laughed so hard she bent over. "I just wanted to thank you."
Xie Yanlai replied, "You can thank me from a distance."
Chu Zhao, still laughing, bowed deeply to him. "Thank you, Ninth Young Master."
...
...
The camp was once again bustling with assembled troops, but this time, it was finally their turn.Chu Zhao sat on her horse, surveying the surroundings. The outermost layer consisted of soldiers brought by Xie Yanlai, followed by Xiao Man leading the enthusiastic "hunters," while Lao Bai and the surviving Dragon Guard Army formed her final line of defense.
"I am the one," A Le protested, raising her bow upon hearing her mistress's murmur.
Chu Zhao smiled at her. "A Le isn't the final defense. A Le and I are one."
A Le grinned and nodded in agreement—she and her mistress shared life and death. Looking ahead, she spotted the young officer at the forefront—
Under the early winter sun, the tall, slender youth resembled a pine tree, his crimson cloak draped over armor creating a stark contrast with his aloof face. He appeared as cold as a snow-capped mountain yet burned like a fierce flame—
"Miss," A Le leaned closer to Chu Zhao and whispered, "you're amazing. With just a few words, you persuaded him to help us."
She then recalled the past, sighing with melancholy.
"Being the Empress really is different from being Miss Chu."
Back then, when she and her mistress had schemed to use the couriers to reach the border commandery, he had been wary, exposed their plan, and remained indifferent even when Miss Chu shed tears before him.
Chu Zhao said, "No, in A Jiu's eyes, the Empress and Miss Chu are the same." She also glanced at Xie Yanlai ahead and smiled. "Besides, it wasn't me who persuaded him."
The moment her gaze fell upon him, the young officer immediately noticed and frowned in her direction.
Chu Zhao responded with a radiant smile.
The young officer arrogantly lifted his chin.
"He came to help me from the start," Chu Zhao continued to A Le.
Ah, he came to help from the beginning? A Le was astonished. How could that be? Why would A Jiu come to assist? Moreover, Young Master Xie the Third had written a letter first, and then he arrived. Hadn't he himself said that Young Master Xie sent him to capture her and bring her back?
"Don't listen to what he says," Chu Zhao laughed. "Just watch what he does."
A Le murmured in acknowledgment. If her mistress said so, then it must be true. Regardless of the reason, as long as her mistress got her wish, it was fine.
A sharp crack of a whip echoed.
"Move out!" Xie Yanlai withdrew his haughty chin, snapped his whip through the air, and with a shout, charged ahead on his horse.
Behind him, the crowd roared in unison and sprang into action.
Chu Zhao joined them, shouting chaotically alongside A Le.
"Move out—"
They were going home.
To see her father.
To do what she had failed to accomplish in her previous life.
Dust billowed on the main road as armored soldiers galloped forward, never slowing even when encountering carriages, horses, or pedestrians.
"Imperial troops on urgent march!" the leading officer bellowed. "Clear the way immediately. Those who obstruct will be executed."
The cavalry raced onward.
They paid no heed to main roads or bypaths, nor distinguished between border commanderies or the interior.
With the border conflicts, the entire Great Xia was on edge. Outside Zhongshan Commandery, more and more troops gathered, yet being in Zhongshan itself, the sensitive populace couldn't help but speculate.
"Why are so many troops coming to Zhongshan Commandery?"
"Could it be they're going to attack Prince Zhongshan—"
"I heard the Emperor is displeased that Prince Zhongshan didn't attend the court celebrations."
"How could the Prince go to the celebrations? He's nearly cried himself blind over the late Emperor's death."
"Zhongshan Prince's Mansion never stops seeking physicians—"
"This is going too far. No matter what, Prince Zhongshan is His Majesty's only living elder."
These discussions made the citizens nervous, their gazes toward the soldiers growing uneasy. Some local scholars even dared to question the officers about their purpose here.
However, the government troops did not arrest these bold scholars, merely stating that military affairs were secret and not to be pried into.Although it was said that no one should pry, soon some other scholars figured it out on their own.
"This is a strategic deployment," said a scholar in a roadside tea shed, drawing winding lines on the table with his finger dipped in tea. "Zhongshan Commandery is the capital's most crucial defensive line. Stationing troops here is most appropriate—it can retreat to defend the capital or advance to reinforce Yunzhong Commandery."
People gathered around, listening with a mix of confusion and skepticism.
Was Zhongshan Commandery truly such a vital military stronghold? Why hadn’t it been emphasized before—
"What about before?" The scholar stroked his beard with his damp fingers, his gaze distant. "Do you think Emperor Jingtai enfeoffed Prince Zhongshan to Zhongshan Commandery for no reason? Emperor Jingtai had difficulty producing heirs, leaving only the late emperor and Prince Zhongshan. At that time, Western Liang was fierce, ravaging the Border Commanderies and nearly invading the heartland. To stabilize the Great Xia, Emperor Jingtai selected this strategic location of Zhongshan Commandery for Prince Zhongshan to garrison, forming a solid defense in times of crisis."
So that was it! The crowd suddenly understood, marveling at Emperor Jingtai’s foresight.
Hearing this, Xiao Xun tugged his straw hat lower, yet it couldn’t conceal the smile at the corners of his mouth.
"How wonderful it is to be dead. Now even my imperial grandfather can be called far-sighted," he murmured. "It would be more accurate to say my imperial grandmother was the far-sighted one."
His smile deepened as he said this, showing no hint of remorse for teasing his elders.
His imperial grandmother could harm imperial heirs with her own hands, while his imperial grandfather knew yet remained silent—neither punishing her nor comforting his father, instead exiling his father to Zhongshan Commandery to fend for himself.
When elders are unjust to their descendants, they do not deserve to be called Xiao Xun’s elders.
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