"In the imperial family, there exists no father-son relationship."
Mu Mianhong gazed at the distant city walls and murmured softly before turning to Xiao Man.
"When the fighting begins later, tell that White Leader to cover our entry into the city."
Though Xiao Man had experienced many battles, she still felt flustered upon hearing this: "What's happening? Delivering Xiao Xun's evidence would mean certain death? What exactly is she planning? Aunt, what did she tell you?"
Apart from having her deliver letters to the capital, Chu Zhao had also given Mu Mianhong a note earlier.
Since it wasn't meant for her, she hadn't read it.
Xiao Man grew anxious - this contradicted what Chu Zhao had said about everything ending once matters in the capital were settled. But now it appeared they were heading for a desperate battle?
"She said that if she dies, I must kill Prince Zhongshan," Mu Mianhong stated.
Xiao Man stood stunned. Why would she be facing death?
"So she's truly going to her death!" She stamped her foot in frustration. "How could she be so reckless, how could she—"
Then she looked helplessly at Mu Mianhong.
"Aunt, why didn't you stop her?"
She immediately regretted her words. Ah, Chu Zhao wouldn't even speak to her aunt - how could Mu Mianhong dare to stop her?
This mother's position was both humble and powerless.
Mu Mianhong embraced her and patted her back, smiling gently: "Don't worry, don't be angry. To survive until now, she could only afford to be reckless."
Just like General Chu - fearless and bold - and actually just like Mu Mianhong herself. Hadn't she also relied on fearlessness to reach this point? Only fearing for two people.
General Chu was already gone, but her daughter stood before her. In life, she could watch over her; in death, she would accompany her. What more could one ask from life? What remained to fear?
"A Zhao said," Mu Mianhong looked ahead, coiling her whip around her waist and picking up the long sword leaning nearby, "if he kills your daughter, you must ensure he never becomes emperor."
'Your daughter' - these three words were essentially calling her 'mother'.
Since her daughter had made this request, as her mother she wouldn't stand in the way, but would instead assist with all her strength.
A faint smile appeared on Mu Mianhong's face.
"I'll make the entire Zhongshan Prince's Mansion accompany my daughter in death. Not only will Zhongshan Prince fail to become emperor, but neither will any of his descendants."
"With such a formidable mother, even in death my daughter would laugh heartily."
......
......
"In the imperial family, there exists no father-son relationship." Prince Zhongshan laughed heartily.
"Indeed, Miss Chu only became Empress because of this very principle."
The Third Prince killed the Crown Prince and seized the throne, causing overnight chaos in the capital - brothers turning against each other, no kinship in the imperial family.
"Miss Chu shouldn't be so naive as to think capturing A Xun could threaten me."
Chu Zhao looked at Prince Zhongshan and suddenly asked: "Your Highness, aside from your leg disability, how is your health?"
Prince Zhongshan was taken aback. Why ask about his health suddenly? Was she implying he was old and wouldn't live long? He laughed loudly: "Miss Chu need not worry. Aside from this leg injury from human misfortune, I've been protected by ancestral blessings for decades - no illnesses or ailments. I still have many years to live."
No illnesses or ailments. Yet in that previous life, Prince Zhongshan had still died. His death must have been due to human misfortune.
Who could have killed Prince Zhongshan? In that lifetime, he hadn't even mobilized his troops, maintaining over two hundred thousand private soldiers—
Who could have easily killed him?
Could someone have also captured Xiao Xun to threaten him?
But judging by Prince Zhongshan's attitude, he wouldn't yield to such threats.Chu Zhao's mind wandered briefly before she quickly refocused, looking at Prince Zhongshan and asking again, "Your Highness, why do you want to become emperor?"
At a time like this, this girl still had the mood for idle chatter? Prince Zhongshan chuckled dismissively. "Why does one need a reason to want to be emperor? Because I could have been emperor—I am also the emperor's son."
Chu Zhao said, "Even as the emperor's son, not everyone can become emperor. Moreover, you are the emperor's youngest son. After I became empress, I flipped through the old archives in the palace and even came across poems you wrote as a child—" She glanced at Prince Zhongshan and smiled faintly. "They were all about going out to play, even saying you wanted to travel across the entire land of Daxia."
Prince Zhongshan hadn't reminisced about his childhood in a long time. His early years had not been joyful. Hearing Chu Zhao mention the poems, he couldn't help but drift into a daze, vaguely recalling that there had indeed been such a carefree, innocent period—
He sneered coldly. "This prince is the emperor's son. I can only be harmed by others but cannot become emperor? What kind of logic is that?"
Chu Zhao replied, "Your Highness, you have grievances, but as empress, I must uphold the legitimate succession.This was the first time the girl had referred to herself as "this palace" since entering. Prince Zhongshan looked at her.
The empress sat upright, ignoring the surrounding swords pointed at her. "I will say this once more: if you withdraw your troops and cease hostilities now, you can still remain a prince."
Prince Zhongshan laughed heartily—
"Miss Chu, what you should be saying now is to beg me to spare that child's life after I ascend the throne." He paused, then added with a smile, "Of course, if you surrender now, Empress Chu, I will spare your life too. In the future, you and your husband can live as idle prince and princess. Why must we both suffer losses?"
Chu Zhao looked at him and smiled.
"Xiao Hong," she said. "His Majesty and I do not need your mercy, and you will not have the chance to face His Majesty in battle."
Xiao Hong—Prince Zhongshan was momentarily stunned. How many years had it been since anyone had addressed him by that name? He had almost forgotten it himself.
The girl before him stood up.
"Xiao Hong, did you think I came here to beg for mercy?"
"Did you think I captured your son to threaten you?"
"I led two armies with the purpose of killing your son first, then you, and then slaughtering the entire Zhongshan Prince's residence!"
"You, your son Xiao Xun, your seven other children, and your numerous concubines—all will die."
Prince Zhongshan said, "Empress Chu speaks boldly. With just those two armies outside—"
"Your Highness," Chu Zhao interrupted him with a faint smile. "What do you think I, Chu Zhao, have relied on to get to where I am today?"
Prince Zhongshan was slightly taken aback. He relied on—Chu Ling.
Chu Zhao looked at him with a cheerful smile and asked, "Your Highness, you have plotted for years, yet you were defeated by me that night. Have you never wondered why?"
Because of the Dragon Guard Army.
Prince Zhongshan had long suspected that there was an unknown bond between Chu Ling and the emperor, which was why he had been sidelined for so many years but never completely cast aside.
That night, the Little Highness was escorted through the encirclement, and the Dragon Guard Army was revealed to the world.
And Chu Zhao still asked why—
"That night, the Heir Apparent fled quickly and did not know the details. The one who held the Dragon Guard Army token was my father's deputy. He was in the capital that night and came to rescue me. But before he arrived, I had already killed the Heir Apparent's men surrounding my home and walked out safely." Chu Zhao looked at Prince Zhongshan and said, "Your Highness, what do you think I relied on to walk out? My uncle? My cousin?"Prince Zhongshan narrowed his eyes slightly and remained silent.
"Your Highness, consider the present situation. Though I reside in the Border Commandery, I hold the Heir Apparent's life in my hands with casual conversation." Chu Zhao smiled faintly. "Is this also due to my cousin and uncle's military prowess?"
Setting aside past events and who assisted Chu Lan's family in capturing Xiao Xun, the mere speed of message transmission during these comings and goings—while court courier stations were either severed or monitored—already proved this young woman's words weren't empty boasts.
Prince Zhongshan looked at Chu Zhao and nodded. "I understand." He sighed softly. "I never expected that even someone like General Chu Ling would raise private troops."
Chu Zhao said calmly, "What Your Highness can do, your subjects can do as well." Without waiting for the prince to question further, she continued, "Xiao Hong, this Emperor—as long as I, Chu Zhao, live, neither you nor your son can claim the throne. Even if I die, you'll all be buried with me!"
Prince Zhongshan gripped his cane and watched her in silence.
The young woman smiled again.
"If you kill me, you won't survive either. My forces—those you see and those you don't—are spread everywhere outside. The moment I die, they'll use every means to kill you."
"In death, I remain the Empress of Great Xia. But when you die, you won't even be a prince of Great Xia."
"In this lifetime, I, Chu Zhao, have obtained everything I desired without the slightest regret. Dying would cost me nothing."
She stared at Prince Zhongshan, enunciating each word clearly.
"So even if you're willing to sacrifice your son and unafraid of death to perish together with me—this time, I still win."
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