Rumors in the capital claimed that Chu Ling had become infatuated with a village woman or a modest gentlewoman. While undignified, such affairs were common enough—many young scions of noble families had been led astray by beauty in their youth, becoming the subject of mockery.
But the truth was far from any village maiden or gentlewoman—she was a mountain bandit leader, the kind who killed and plundered.
A general sent to suppress bandits, and a beautiful mountain bandit leader—if this were to spread, it wouldn’t be a laughing matter but a shocking scandal.
It might even lead to condemnation and punishment.
Was it because of this that the Emperor grew distant from Chu Ling?
"Father, you were so bewitched by a bandit that you let her escape, and in the end, you even blamed the Emperor. Now I think His Majesty was truly lenient with you," Chu Zhao said. "You really were a troublesome subject."
Chu Ling laughed heartily. "When I was young, I was far more formidable than A Jiu."
They were discussing their family matters—why bring up A Jiu?
Chu Zhao chuckled. "A Jiu is no match for you, Father. With his temper, any female bandit who meets him would only think of how to kill him, not fall for him in a feigned romance turned real."
Chu Ling smiled and said, "Fate between people is unpredictable and without fixed conclusions. When you meet someone, it’s meant to be." He reached out, grasping Chu Zhao’s arm. "A Zhao, don’t overthink it. Mu Mianhong and I loved, we hated, and in this lifetime, I have no regrets. The bonds between people—"
His voice cut off abruptly, and his hand slipped away—
Chu Zhao cried out in alarm, "Father!"
Xie Yanlai rushed in, seeing Chu Zhao shaking Chu Ling’s shoulders, then turned and shouted outside, "Doctor, doctor!"
The doctor arrived quickly, and Zhong Changrong came running back as well.
Chu Ling wasn’t dead—he still had breath—but he did not wake again.
The earlier events had exhausted him, draining his strength entirely.
Zhong Changrong first struck himself several times, then kicked a pillar, and even moved to hit Xie Yanlai. "Who told you to let her in! You know nothing—what business is it of yours! Who do you think you are!"
Xie Yanlai was never one to stand still and take a beating; he retaliated immediately. "You’re the one who did something stupid—why take it out on others! Who let her in? If General Chu hadn’t agreed, who could have entered? Who do you think you are, so self-righteous and spouting nonsense!"
Whether from rage or something else, Zhong Changrong actually staggered from the young man’s punch.
"Uncle Zhong, A Jiu," Chu Zhao called out. "Stop fighting."
The two pulled back.
"No one is to blame for this," Chu Zhao said. "Father wanted to see her too. Seeing her made him very happy."
Happy? Zhong Changrong couldn’t see it at all—what was there to be happy about!
Chu Zhao didn’t respond, turning her gaze to Chu Ling on the bed. Even in his unconscious state, a faint smile lingered at the corner of his mouth, as if reminiscing about the brilliance of his youth.
In his youth, he was nothing like this withered figure lying in bed.
Young Chu Ling, gripping his sword and mounting his horse, could enter the Imperial City, could trample Western Liang, called the Emperor his brother, and made the female bandit leader sent to assassinate him fall for him.
...
...
A troop of cavalry galloped across the wilderness, the fierce wind they stirred making a group of training soldiers stagger unsteadily.
"Look, it’s Miss Chu!" a soldier gripping a long spear exclaimed excitedly.
Among the swiftly passing cavalry was a figure cloaked and armed with a blade and arrows. Though dressed like the soldiers, even the thickest cloak couldn’t conceal her petite frame.Upon hearing that Miss Chu was patrolling on behalf of General Chu, though previously she had only been in the central army camp, this was the first time the frontline garrison troops had seen her.
"Miss Chu actually dares to come here," one soldier remarked.
This was the closest place to the battlefield, where Xiliang soldiers could emerge at any moment, and skirmishes could break out at any time.
Another immediately retorted, "Why would Miss Chu be afraid? She has personally fought against the Xiliang people."
A man nearby swung his long blade and said, "You're both wrong."
The first two looked at him—how so?
The man grinned, "She should be addressed as Empress, not Miss Chu."
A new uproar erupted on the training ground—whether to call her Empress or Miss Chu was perhaps a rare amusement in the monotonous training and uncertain life where tomorrow’s survival was never guaranteed.
One soldier turned and saw his companion gripping his bow and arrow, motionless, his gaze fixed on the distant cavalry.
"Liang Qiang," he nudged his companion with his elbow.
Liang Qiang turned to look at him, his expression somewhat dazed, as if unaware of what was happening.
"You rascal," the soldier teased, "Never seen such a beautiful girl before, have you?"
Not only had he seen such a beautiful girl before, but this very girl had publicly praised his bravery. Liang Qiang smiled faintly. He had heard the news of her arrival earlier but hadn’t expected to see her in person.
Liang Qiang felt relieved that he encountered her now, which was far better than before—at least he had slain enemies and could be considered brave—
At this thought, he laughed self-deprecatingly.
What did his bravery have to do with her?
He hadn’t forgotten how the Liang family had been forced to leave the capital, nor the relationship between Chu Zhao and the Xie family. Before departing, he had witnessed it with his own eyes—
Liang Qiang tightened his grip on the crossbow.
His father had written that their military merits and rewards had been approved—this approval had come about due to an opportunity: Chu Ling was in poor health, wholly preoccupied with the war, and hadn’t personally reviewed the list of merits. When it reached the capital, Xie Yanfang and the Grand Tutor were locked in a power struggle—one dared not openly obstruct, while the other deliberately promoted it—making everything proceed smoothly.
If Chu Ling or Chu Zhao found out that the Liang family was about to be reinstated, they would surely intervene.
Even if the court approved, in the Border Army where Chu Ling held absolute sway, eliminating him and his father would be as easy as turning a hand.
It wasn’t the right time yet.
Once his promotions and rewards grew substantial enough—so substantial that even the Imperial Father-in-law General or the Empress couldn’t shake them—he would stand before her and show her just how brave Liang Qiang was.
"Enough," he tossed the crossbow aside and picked up his long blade. "No more idle chatter. The more you swing your blade, the better your chances of survival."
"Listen to Young Commander Liang!" a soldier shouted, leading the way as he sparred with his companion.
Others quickly joined in.
"Young Commander Liang is brave!"
"This is how Young Commander Liang remains undefeated in every battle!"
Laughter and banter gradually faded, replaced by the sounds of clashing weapons.
Soon, the urgent wail of an alarm horn sounded.
"Xiliang soldiers spotted to the northwest!"
"Form up!"
"Vanguard camp, form up!"
...
...
Hearing the noise, Chu Zhao reined in her horse and looked back.
"Is there a battle?" she asked.
"Miss," a soldier listened intently to the alarm. "It’s still far from here. Scouts have detected Xiliang soldiers sneaking in and are rallying troops to pursue them."
Chu Zhao nodded, watching as a unit of cavalry assembled and shot toward the northwest like an arrow.
"Miss, there’s no need to worry," the soldier reassured her. "It’s just a small-scale pursuit."Her worry was useless anyway—she couldn't actually go to the battlefield to kill. Her role was to stand in for her father, stabilizing and boosting the army's morale. She knew what she should do and wouldn't act recklessly.
"When the soldiers return victorious, anyone who has taken the head of a Xiliang soldier will be rewarded with a jug of wine," Chu Zhao said.
The officers and soldiers acknowledged the order loudly and relayed it onward.
"Miss, it's time to go back," a soldier whispered beside her.
Chu Zhao glanced at the soldier—Ding Dachui.
Seeing her look over, Ding Dachui shrank back slightly and said quietly, "Garrison General Xie said you shouldn't go too far."
Chu Zhao didn't say anything. She truly couldn't go too far—her father might wake at any moment, or he might stop breathing at any time.
She withdrew her gaze, raised her whip, and urged her horse forward.
...
...
The soldiers pursuing the Xiliang troops didn't know there would be a wine reward for victory in this battle.
Even if they had known, at this moment, a thought would arise in their minds: this wine reward wouldn't be easy to claim.
The number of enemies they were pursuing this time exceeded the scouts' reports. When the two sides met, they fought fiercely until the sky turned dark.
A long sword swept past Liang Qiang's nose—just an inch away, and he would have lost it.
Liang Qiang leaned backward, raised his own sword, and clashed with the Xiliang soldier's blade, sparks flashing before his eyes.
OpenNovel