Qiao Chu

Upon hearing Deng Yi's words, both the Station Chief and the coachman showed expressions of relief and joy.

"We will certainly convey the message," the coachman said. "His Highness had hoped to have a thorough discussion with you today, but unfortunately, the timing was not suitable."

Deng Yi suddenly smiled, then seemed lost in thought. Could it be that Chu Zhao did not want to associate with the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion, but rather did not want him to have dealings with them?

There was news that Chu Ling had sent a deputy general to see Chu Zhao. Had Chu Ling given his daughter instructions during that brief meeting?

He felt somewhat distracted.

"Your Excellency," the Station Chief quickly interjected, "His Highness asks if now is the time to go to the capital?"

Deng Yi snapped back to attention and patted the carriage door. "This is merely the reward for my providing His Highness with the opportunity to get acquainted with Miss Chu. For anything else, additional payment will be required."

The Station Chief was not offended and smiled. "Of course, of course."

Deng Yi pondered for a moment, then looked in the direction of the capital. "Indeed, it is time to go to the capital now. His Majesty's health is not well, the Crown Prince's position is unstable, and the Third Prince has grown up. It can be said that things are quite lively."

The Station Chief said happily, "Then our Heir Apparent will escort Miss Chu to the capital."

This was the originally agreed arrangement, but Deng Yi teased him, "Your Heir Apparent failed to win Miss Chu's favor. Miss Chu will not agree to his escort."

The Station Chief sighed. "Yes, Your Excellency. His Highness also thought of this, which is why he asked for your help."

Deng Yi shook his head. "I cannot persuade that Miss Chu. However," he looked at the Station Chief, "if it is within my duties, I will certainly not shirk my responsibility."

With that, he patted the Station Chief on the shoulder, signaled his guards to handle the financial matters, and turned to leave.

The Station Chief did not dare to detain him and stood there, lost in thought.

Deng Yi passed through the bustling backyard and had just stepped out when a guard approached and whispered, "Someone has been lingering around here."

Deng Yi raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

Someone was actually spying on him?

The guard said, "It's Miss Chu's maid."

Miss Chu—Deng Yi pondered.

"I intended to question her," the guard whispered, "but she was talking to the laborers and even asked for some medicinal herbs."

The backyard was crowded, and anyone could move around freely.

The maid's presence here was reasonable, and they had no right to question her. They even hesitated, wondering if they were overthinking it.

Deng Yi remained silent. As he reached his residence, he noticed someone standing in the shadows under the corridor.

"Who is it?" he stopped and asked.

The guards following him immediately stepped forward.

"Lord Deng, it's me," Chu Zhao quickly said, stepping out.

Deng Yi looked at the girl, who appeared even more petite and delicate in the night. "What instructions does Miss Chu have?"

Chu Zhao bowed. "I wouldn't dare. I have a matter to trouble you with, and I've been waiting for your return."

So the maid lingering in the backyard earlier was indeed spying on his whereabouts. Deng Yi smiled. "Miss Chu, you are too polite. Please, go ahead."

Chu Zhao said, "On the return journey, my cousin and I would like to travel by carriage. My cousin has been traveling for so long and cannot endure it anymore. Now that I have been captured, I want to make the return journey easier for him. If anything were to happen to him, I would truly become the eternal sinner of my family."

This girl certainly knows how to joke about herself, Deng Yi thought with a faint smile.

Chu Zhao then called for A Le.

A Le stepped forward, carrying a box.Chu Zhao continued, "Regardless, this is our family matter, and we've troubled Lord Deng as well. I wish to offer this money for no other reason than to make your journey slightly easier and more comfortable, allowing you and your officers to eat well, sleep well, and suffer less from the cold."

Deng Yi watched with interest as the maid held out the chest—it seemed to contain quite a sum. Of course, it couldn't compare to Prince Zhongshan's wealth, but for this child, it was a significant amount. For him, even a single coin was money, and he never disdained small amounts.

He had already experienced this young lady's generosity firsthand. Indeed, whether it was the Station Chief, a courtesan, a wandering physician, or an official like himself, Miss Chu treated everyone equally.

"Miss Chu, you are too kind," he said. "Then I shall accept graciously."

In the dim light, the girl's face broke into a smile.

"Thank you, Lord Deng." Chu Zhao bowed and left cheerfully with A Le.

Deng Yi watched them disappear before entering his own room.

Inside, the lamps were bright. The guard placed the chest on the table and opened it, exclaiming, "My lord, this money is from what we recovered on the road earlier."

Deng Yi walked over, glanced inside, and laughed. "So it is." He reached out to sift through the coins and jewels, picking up a hairpin. "I remember Young Master Chu saying this was his mother's dowry."

The guard nodded. "Yes, and Miss Chu gave it to that courtesan." He glanced at Deng Yi with a strange expression. "Does Young Master Chu know Miss Chu is giving this to you?"

Young Master Chu didn't seem like the type to allow this.

Could Miss Chu have stolen it again?!

Deng Yi suddenly burst into loud laughter—a rare occurrence for him. He twirled the hairpin in his hand and tossed it back into the chest. "That's none of my concern. I only collect money; where it comes from is irrelevant to me."

...

...

The next day, when it was time to depart, Chu Ke initially wore a sullen, reluctant expression. But upon seeing two spacious carriages with large, sturdy wheels, he was instantly overjoyed.

"Is this for me?" he asked.

"For us," Chu Zhao corrected, watching A Le load the baggage onto the carriage. "We'll ride in one."

The carriage would be a bit cramped with two people. Chu Ke frowned. "Then what about the other one?"

"That's for Lord Deng," Chu Zhao said, looking at him. "Would you prefer to ride with Lord Deng, or should I ride with him?"

Chu Ke fumed inwardly, I'd rather you run alongside the carriage! He ignored Chu Zhao and urged the servants to finish loading. Chu Zhao paid him no mind either, climbing into the carriage with A Le. She traveled light, with little baggage. After a flurry of activity outside, Chu Ke's furious shout erupted—

Followed by hurried footsteps, the carriage curtain was flung open, and Chu Ke's contorted face appeared.

"My money! Where is my chest of money?" he yelled. "Chu Zhao, did you steal it again?"

Chu Zhao didn't even look at him. "No." She pointed beside her. "If you don't believe me, search for yourself."

Though it was obvious at a glance, Chu Ke angrily rummaged through Chu Zhao's two bundles—finding nothing, of course.

"You—it must be you who stole it," he seethed, his eyes red with rage. "Where did you hide it?"

Chu Zhao said, "Brother, we're so far from home. What use would hiding it here be? Waiting for it to multiply?"Chu Ke shot her a fierce glare, then leaped off the carriage to frantically search for the money. His commotion stirred up chaos in the post station like a startled flock of chickens. Since all the travelers lodging there were government officials, they wouldn’t let him rummage around unchecked, nearly causing trouble.

Chu Zhao stopped him sharply.

“Why not report it to the authorities? Let the local officials investigate the case, and you can wait here.”

Chu Ke felt as if he had endured a lifetime’s worth of suffering. The young man truly understood the saying: a thousand days at home are easy, but a single day on the road is hard. He didn’t want to stay outside for another moment, wishing he could fly home immediately.

“Forget it,” he said, his voice choked with emotion. “It’s all my fault. I lost it—I can’t blame anyone else.”

With that, he climbed back into the carriage and lay down, burying his head.

Chu Zhao tried to comfort him: “The money was stolen by me in the first place, and I’ve already spent it all. It has nothing to do with you. Don’t you feel a little better thinking that way?”

Better, my foot! Chu Ke was so furious he nearly fainted. He yanked a blanket over his head, thinking, Once we return to the capital, I’ll have the Liang family deal with Chu Zhao. After they’re done with her, I’ll have Father and Mother send this troublemaker back to the Border Commandery.

If she stays in the capital any longer, she’ll be the death of me—what use is a future then!

The carriage fell silent. Deng Yi glanced at Miss Chu, who sat calmly by the window as if nothing had happened.

Miss Chu smiled at him.

He returned the smile, then averted his gaze and raised his hand to signal the guards: “Let’s move out.”