The hall entrance was silent, everyone staring somewhat dazedly at the young heir apparent inside.
Chu Lan was the quickest to react.
"Heir Apparent," he asked, "what did you say?"
He then looked at his daughter. Though Chu Tang appeared disheveled and in distress, her youthful beauty and pitiable demeanor made her charming and captivating.
So... just like that, he took a liking to her?
Xiao Xun said: "Just as before when I asked Mr. Chu Lan for help and promised him a ladder to heaven, now that I'm requesting Miss A-Tang's assistance, I must naturally offer compensation in return. Since the younger sister could become Empress by saving that child, the elder sister naturally deserves equal treatment. So, Miss A-Tang, would you be willing to marry me?"
Was there any girl in the world who would refuse?
The Crown Prince of Zhongshan came from wealth and privilege, young and handsome, with great achievements imminent—transitioning from heir apparent to Crown Prince, and eventually becoming the Emperor of Great Xia.
For women, becoming Empress in this lifetime represented the ultimate glory and prosperity.
Hadn't they seen how Chu Zhao immediately married the Little Emperor even though he was only six years old?
Now, Chu Tang also had the opportunity to become Empress—
Jiang Shi had merely entertained the thought earlier, never imagining it could truly come to pass.
Jiang Shi and Chu Lan trembled, not from fear as before, but from excitement. If Chu Tang became Empress, their family would indeed ascend the ladder to heaven—unlike with Chu Zhao, where becoming Empress brought them no benefits whatsoever, only the threat of death—
"Heir Apparent's great favor, I, we—" Jiang Shi stammered excitedly, taking a step forward into the hall.
Chu Tang reached out to support her, and they stepped inside together.
But that was as far as they got. Tie Ying, standing beside Xiao Xun, shouted: "Halt!"
Jiang Shi's legs went weak, and Chu Tang hurriedly steadied her.
The two didn't advance further, while Chu Lan and the servants remained at the entrance without stepping forward.
"Mother," Chu Tang softly comforted Jiang Shi, "don't be afraid."
Before Jiang Shi could respond, she looked up at Xiao Xun and asked: "What does the Heir Apparent need us to do? We can't reach His Majesty now—we can't kill him."
Xiao Xun smiled and said: "Miss A-Tang need not worry. I'm asking you to do what you're capable of. The Empress is currently leading two armies to besiege my father."
Chu Zhao? Chu Lan thought bitterly. She knows Zhongshan Prince's troops are attacking the capital, yet instead of returning quickly to rescue people, she's still thinking about seizing achievements.
"The Empress might think this will make me back down, but it's impossible—I've reached a point of no return."
"However, my father has given all his troops to me, and I'm worried about him. So—"
Xiao Xun looked at Chu Tang.
"Miss A-Tang, help me capture Chu Zhao."
Capture Chu Zhao!
Chu Lan and Jiang Shi's hearts leaped, while Chu Tang smiled wryly.
"Heir Apparent, how could I possibly do that?" she said. "You know very well how formidable Chu Zhao is."
He certainly did know how formidable she was. Xiao Xun said: "Precisely because she's formidable, you're the most suitable, Miss A-Tang." He smiled gently, his eyes soft. "Miss A-Tang is her relative. In this world, the greatest enemies of powerful people are often their own family members."
Chu Tang said helplessly: "But in truth, she doesn't trust us."
Jiang Shi spoke up for her daughter: "Yes, Heir Apparent, Chu Zhao is terribly harsh with us, treating us like enemies."
Yet she couldn't bear to let her daughter miss this golden opportunity—Crown Princess, future Empress—
"Perhaps I should try instead. After all, I am her elder."
If it came to it, she would sacrifice her life to secure her daughter's future—it would be worth dying for.Chu Lan no longer hid her face with her sleeve, stepping forward impulsively. "Let me go instead. With Second Brother gone, I am her only elder. If I visit her, she can’t possibly shut me out."
Chu Tang bit her lower lip, neither agreeing nor opposing her parents’ words. Her eyes flickered with hesitation—
Crown Princess.
Empress.
She could become empress too.
The expressions of this family of three did not escape Xiao Xun’s notice. He saw them clearly—the Chu Lan family had remained unchanged from start to finish. Now, driven to desperation, they would grow even more frenzied and thus more useful.
"Truthfully, I’ve always admired Miss A-Tang," Xiao Xun said.
Admired? Chu Tang looked at him.
This young heir apparent had initially sought out Chu Zhao—had he noticed her too?
The young heir apparent smiled gently. "Although Chu Ling was disgraced and dismissed, he once governed a region. Miss Chu Zhao spent over a decade sheltered by her father, living freely and happily. But you, Miss A-Tang, are different. Your family was implicated by Chu Ling, stripped of rank and position. You’ve navigated among the young ladies of the capital since childhood, swallowing bitterness and expending endless effort just to avoid bullying and mockery—"
Chu Tang sighed softly. Heir Apparent Xiao truly understood her heart.
Jiang Shi tearfully embraced her. "My child, you’ve suffered so much."
Chu Lan sighed. "I have failed you."
As the family wallowed in misery, Ning Kun averted his gaze, too weary to watch.
Xiao Xun’s expression softened further.
"Miss A-Tang, you’ve thrived despite drowning in bitterness," he said. "Even if Chu Zhao distrusts you and guards against you, I believe you possess the means to win her confidence. Everyone praises Chu Zhao’s bravery on the battlefield, but to wage war in human hearts is also the mark of a heroine—Chu Tang."
He looked directly at her.
"Would you also be willing to become such a heroine, standing above all others, revered by everyone?"
Who wouldn’t want that? Chu Tang lifted her head and met his gaze for the first time.
"You… will truly marry me?" Chu Tang asked.
……
……
"Setting others aside, I know my cousin well."
After a moment of silence, Chu Zhao lifted her head to speak.
Slanting sunlight fell across the spacious hall of Zhongshan Prince’s Mansion, where the atmosphere remained heavy. Besides the earlier officers, guards had flooded in due to the earlier scuffle, standing dense as a forest.
Chu Zhao’s expression remained unchanged as she smiled at Prince Zhongshan.
"Chu Tang is self-aware—or, to put it another way, she trusts no one."
Self-aware people were indeed thus, believing only in themselves. Prince Zhongshan nodded. "True, but she undoubtedly believes in power." He paused, smiling at Chu Zhao. "Did Miss Chu persuade Chu Tang to undertake this task relying on sisterly affection?"
Even A Le dared not claim it was true, glancing worriedly at Chu Zhao.
Chu Zhao said nothing.
"Miss Chu." Prince Zhongshan rose. "What you can offer, my son can offer as well."
He looked down at her from his height.
"And my son can offer more—more enticing, more sincere terms."
"A self-aware person will surely discern the right course of action."
……
……
Chu Tang was indeed self-aware.
Otherwise, she could never have thrived so adeptly in the capital."Chu Zhao became Empress because her uncle commands troops," Chu Tang said. "Whoever marries her gains military support. Though I share the Chu surname, I possess nothing. Your Highness has a brilliant future ahead as the Son of Heaven. How could someone like me ever be worthy?"
Jiang Shi and Chu Lan listened with bitter hearts, hating their own incompetence in being unable to assist their daughter.
"My second brother is no longer with us," Chu Lan stepped forward. "I will seize control of the Border Commandery's troops and place them at Your Highness's disposal."
Tie Ying couldn't help but laugh, making no move to stop Chu Lan's approach. How amusing.
"What's so funny?" Xiao Xun rebuked Tie Ying. "Although Scholar Chu is a learned man, he can still command respect in the army. Having him preside doesn't mean he must fight—merely his presence would compel the Border Army to obey."
Tie Ying grunted in acknowledgment. "This subordinate was shortsighted."
"Step aside," Xiao Xun ordered.
Tie Ying complied, though he continued to chuckle quietly. Ning Kun, who retreated alongside him, shot him a glare.
Undaunted, Tie Ying glared back.
The two exchanged exaggerated expressions in their corner while Xiao Xun resumed his conversation with Chu Tang.
"Miss A-Tang, your concern is understandable," he said. "In terms of family background, you are indeed unworthy of me."
Chu Tang pressed her lips together. Straightforward truth could be rather unpleasant to hear.
"But if I become Crown Prince, then Son of Heaven, I would stand above all others," Xiao Xun said with a laugh. "No family background could ever match mine. Initially, I favored Chu Zhao because I needed Chu Ling—being related to him would gain the late Emperor's trust and secure my position as Crown Prince. But now, I don't need anyone to give me this realm. I'll seize it myself, so family background means nothing to me."
Chu Tang nodded. This logic was indeed sound.
"However, one matter remains crucial to me," Xiao Xun continued. "My father."
Prince Zhongshan? Chu Tang looked at him.
"My father mobilized all his forces for me, disregarding his own safety. But I care deeply. When I heard Chu Zhao was besieging him, I was filled with rage, yet I couldn't return to defend him—I couldn't let my father's sacrifices be in vain."
"Miss A-Tang, if you assist me in capturing Chu Zhao and rescuing my father from peril, I, Xiao Xun, will remember your kindness for life."
The young Heir Apparent finished with a formal bow to Chu Tang.
Chu Tang hurried forward, bending her knees in a gesture of modest support. "This common girl dare not accept such honor."
Chu Lan and Jiang Shi listened with tears in their eyes. How filial and virtuous the Heir Apparent was! What a good man!
Jiang Shi struck Chu Lan resentfully. "It's all your fault! Why were you so foolish back then, making His Highness miss his opportunity?"
If Chu Lan had acted decisively without hesitation back then, Chu Tang would now be Crown Princess, and she herself would hold an official title, seated loftily in the capital without suffering any fright or displacement.
Chu Lan sighed. "It was all my mistake."
Xiao Xun smiled. "First I needed Scholar Chu's assistance, now I need Miss A-Tang's help. This shows our connection is destined by heaven—"
"Heir Apparent, please say no more." Chu Tang interrupted him, biting her lower lip, hands clasped tightly before her. Her chest heaved violently as if she could no longer contain her emotions. She took a deep breath. "What must I do?"
......
......
"Miss Chu, think carefully about what you should do."
Prince Zhongshan stood up, looking at Chu Zhao.
"You threatened me by holding my son hostage. Did it never occur to you that I could also take you hostage to threaten the court?"
Hearing these words, the previously silent Chu Zhao burst into laughter."Your Highness," she said with a laugh, "you're overthinking it. Taking me hostage won't threaten the court—Deng Yi and Xie Yanfang aren't my parents."
Prince Zhongshan was momentarily stunned by her words, then found it somewhat amusing.
The girl continued smiling.
"—If you use me to threaten them, they'll surely send you a blade to assist you in your efforts."
Prince Zhongshan laughed and nodded, looking at Chu Zhao with pity.
"How pitiful. To the court, Miss Chu, you truly are dispensable."
Chu Zhao also nodded, her gaze gentle. "That's why I envy the Heir Apparent so much—to have a father like you who cherishes him. Your Highness, for your son's sake, please sit down and carefully consider what you should do."
She smiled faintly.
"What if, this time, the Heir Apparent is unlucky, and my cousin loses her judgment, failing to discern the right course of action?"
......
......
"I don't know how to ride horses or practice martial arts," Chu Tang said. "All the skills of heroes, I lack."
Xiao Xun laughed heartily.
"Miss A-Tang, one doesn't need to act like a hero to achieve heroic results," he said, pulling out a small paper packet and shaking it. "What you need to do is actually very simple. This is a drug—once consumed, the person will lose consciousness—"
Drugging someone. Chu Tang visibly relaxed. For a delicate woman, this was straightforward. She took another step forward, standing beside Xiao Xun, and leaned in to look, asking curiously, "So I just need to feed this to her, right—"
Xiao Xun nodded. "This drug is odorless and tasteless. Only a small amount is needed—"
His voice suddenly cut off, as if his throat had been seized.
Chu Tang, standing beside him, held a gleaming dagger to his throat—
"Nobody move!"
The girl's voice trembled sharply.
"Or I'll kill him!"
"My blade is poisoned!"
Almost simultaneously, Tie Ying, who had stepped back, lunged forward. Hearing her last words, he froze mid-movement. In that instant, the young boy and old woman among the servants who had entered with Chu Lan's family twisted around him like phantoms. With a sharp crack, the three of them fell to the ground, tangled like a knotted rope.
Ning Kun and the other officers were simultaneously struck down by the old servant, left and right.
Chu Lan and Jiang Shi stood frozen in place, tears of excitement still in their eyes—
What had just happened?
Outside the door, the noble families waiting in the courtyard stared wide-eyed. In the blink of an eye, they saw the soldiers in the yard suddenly subdued by the servants from the capital.
Men and women, young and old—their ages and genders differed, but their movements were identical. They seized the soldiers' weapons and, with a swift swipe, beheaded them.
Blood sprayed under the sunlight, splattering across the faces and clothes of the noble families like fire scorching their skin. They let out terrified screams.
"Ah—"
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