Chu Zhao woke infrequently, but she no longer sank into chaotic dreams.
Her consciousness had returned, allowing her to understand her current situation and what had transpired.
She had been poisoned, though fortunately not severely. Mu Mianhong had employed numerous folk remedies that, while unable to rouse her immediately, had prevented the poison from becoming life-threatening.
They had escaped the hunting grounds and fled the capital, yet pursuers still trailed them, and roadblocks lay ahead.
During her brief moments of clarity, Chu Zhao found herself either galloping on horseback with Mu Mianhong or being carried hastily onward.
In these intervals, she caught glimpses of Xiao Man. When Mu Mianhong held her, Xiao Man’s face would appear, offering water with her left hand. Chu Zhao noticed bandages wrapped around Xiao Man’s right shoulder—
During the hunt, Xiao Man had taken an arrow shot by Xie Yanfang for her, the wound piercing clean through her shoulder. At least she was alive.
She also saw Ding Dachui, who was severely injured and being carried on a stretcher, vehemently insisting that the group abandon him.
“If this continues, none of us will escape—” “Just leave me behind—”
After that, Chu Zhao never saw Ding Dachui again. Perhaps Mu Mianhong had hidden him somewhere to recuperate. She wondered what would become of him.
But his shouts had been full of vigor— surely he would be alright.
She hoped so.
How many from the Garrison Guard and the imperial guards had survived this ordeal?
And then there was Xie Yanlai— she hadn’t seen him at all.
Whenever she woke, she would struggle to look around, murmuring questions about his whereabouts in a voice too faint for even herself to hear. Mu Mianhong would reassure her, “He’s busy, very busy.”
Yes, he must be occupied— clearing the path ahead, holding off pursuers behind.
Being busy was good.
It meant he was still alive.
Reassured, Chu Zhao would slip back into unconsciousness, though her hands remained tightly clenched.
Mu Mianhong would gently hold her hands, massaging them to ease their tension, and whisper to those nearby, “She’s not easily fooled. She must be worried deep down.”
The men around her sighed.
“Miss A Zhao’s condition is worsening,” one man said, stepping forward to check Chu Zhao’s pulse. “We need to find a safe place soon to neutralize the remaining poison. Otherwise, it could cause lifelong harm.”
Mu Mianhong gazed into the distance. “We’ve been circling this area for nearly ten days. How much longer until our reinforcements arrive? What is Zhong Changrong doing with the troops? I always said he was useless.”
“Zhong Changrong can mobilize troops from Yunzhong County to cover our tracks, but beyond that, it’s uncertain,” the men replied quietly. “Especially now, with orders to suppress bandits— checkpoints have been set up everywhere.”
Mu Mianhong looked down at the unconscious Chu Zhao, a rare trace of anxiety flickering in her usually calm eyes.
“Chief—” A shout came from nearby as a scout rushed toward them.
Another wave of pursuers, most likely. They had grown accustomed to this pattern— barely catching their breath before the enemy closed in. The men immediately reached for their weapons and prepared to mount their horses.
“The pursuers have retreated,” the scout gasped, catching his breath.
Everyone froze. Retreated?
“Also,” the scout continued, “the bandit-suppression operations and the roadblock checkpoints have been dismantled.”
A wave of astonishment swept through the group.
“Could this be a trap? A trick?”
“Chief, do we advance or not?”
Mu Mianhong fell into thought, her eyes shifting between the path ahead and the direction of the capital. Softly, she murmured, “It’s possible they’ve truly withdrawn.”
She looked down at the hand she held. Despite her efforts to soothe it, Chu Zhao’s fingers remained tightly clenched, refusing to relax.
“We go.”She turned around as two men skillfully bound Chu Zhao to her back with cloth strips. "We're going home, back home," she said.
...The orders to suppress bandits and investigate Western Liang spies were dispatched toward the northwest. The areas south of the capital remained unaffected, but a large contingent of troops surrounded Qiao Mountain Academy.
That day happened to be Chu Tang's wedding day. She had already completed the ceremonies honoring heaven, earth, and both families, and had been escorted to the bridal chamber. Seated on the wedding bed with the red veil covering her face, she awaited her husband who was still entertaining guests at the banquet outside.
The bridal chamber was quiet, warm, and festive, occasionally punctuated by soft sniffles and the crisp sound of cracking dried fruits.
Chu Tang sighed beneath her red veil. "A Le, why don't you go rest outside? There's no need to keep me company."
A Le, seated at the table shelling dried fruits, replied, "No, I must stay with Miss A-Tang on behalf of our lady."
As she spoke, she glanced around the room. Because the bride was a county princess and the Emperor and Empress had sent envoys to attend the wedding, the family had spared no expense to make the ceremony magnificent.
Still, it couldn't compare to the grandeur of the Emperor and Empress's own wedding.
But what did that matter? Miss A-Tang was truly getting married, and to the one she loved.
As for their lady... she would never experience a real wedding in this lifetime.
A Le sniffled and chewed vigorously on a dried fruit. Just as Chu Tang was about to speak, the window suddenly swung open and someone leaped inside.
Even through the veil, Chu Tang immediately recognized who had entered.
"Xiao Tu," she called softly, "have you come to share some fruits too?"
Xiao Tu responded urgently, "Sister A-Tang, we must leave immediately. Something's happened."
Chu Tang lifted her veil and stood up, her expression both shocked and strangely exhilarated. So, finally, had trouble arrived?
...The groom strode swiftly, his steps slightly unsteady from the wine he'd drunk, yet he hurried straight to the bridal chamber.
"A-Tang—" he called out, pushing the door open, "you must flee—"
Before he could finish, he stumbled forward. Simultaneously, someone pressed down on his shoulders while something cold touched the back of his neck.
The groom shuddered and looked up to see crimson robes and the blushing face of his bride beneath her wedding headdress.
"Xiao Tu, Xiao Tu, don't hurt him," Chu Tang said quickly, though she didn't instruct Xiao Tu to release him. "Just knock him unconscious."
The groom was startled but had no time to ponder his bride's strange words. "A-Tang, something terrible has happened. You must escape—there's a hidden door in the backyard—"
Chu Tang stayed Xiao Tu's raised blade and asked gently, "Husband, have you come to help me escape?"
The address "husband" made his head spin. "Yes, my cousin in the yamen received news and secretly warned me. The troops haven't arrived yet, but they'll be here any moment. You must go now."
Chu Tang nodded. "Thank you. I understand. I've already packed and will leave immediately."
The groom's eyes fell upon the small bundle tied to her back.
"I always come prepared," Chu Tang explained with a wistful smile. "Wherever I go, I keep my belongings packed in advance."
Though she always spoke of being ready, she had secretly prayed this preparation would never be needed.
Yet the day had finally come.
The groom looked relieved. "Good, that's good. A-Tang, you should go now."
But Chu Tang didn't move. Gazing at her husband still pressed to the floor, her eyes glimmered. "This time, I'd like to take one more piece of luggage with me."
She crouched down and extended her hand. "Husband, would you be willing to escape with me?"
The groom looked at her and without hesitation grasped her outstretched hand."Of course I'm willing."... In the dim twilight, hurried footsteps echoed through the streets and alleys, mingled with low exclamations.
"Why bring him along? An extra person will just slow us down."
"Ah, I'll run faster."
"Husband, don't worry. Xiao Tu is very capable - she could carry two more people if needed."
"Hmph, Miss A-Tang always praises me just to make me work harder."
"—A Le, don't run off—"
"Let me go! I need to go to the capital! I need to save Miss! Wuwuwu... something's happened to Miss!"
Chu Tang grabbed A Le firmly. To be fair, this girl was much stronger than her.
"A Le, listen to me. Going back now won't help your Miss."
She spoke deliberately, word by word, "Protecting yourself and staying safe is the best way to protect your Miss right now."
A Le looked at her, tears streaming down her face, and stopped struggling. "Where do we go now? Back to the Academy?"
Chu Tang shook her head. "No, the Academy will surely be targeted for arrest too. We need to hide, for as long as we can."
She then looked at the dozen or so figures surrounding them in the darkness, her voice softening again.
"Xiao Tu, our safety is in your hands."
A young voice snorted in the darkness, then cut through the night like a blade moving forward. Chu Tang hurried to follow when the young master beside her reached out to hold her back. Chu Tang smiled at him and tightly grasped his hand as they quickened their pace.
A Le took one last look toward the capital, wiped her tears, and followed.
...At dawn, Qiao Mountain Academy was surrounded by troops, yet they couldn't enter because hundreds of people stood between the soldiers and the academy.
They varied in age and attire, but shared the same determination to protect the academy, refusing to yield before the military force.
The general who had been waiting quietly at the rear, thinking capturing Chu Lan would be simple, had to ride forward impatiently.
"How dare you!" he shouted. "Chu Lan is a wanted criminal of the court! How dare you shelter him and block our way!"
A scholar standing at the forefront replied gently, "May I ask what crime he has committed?"
"He plotted rebellion," the general roared.
"What nonsense are you spouting!"
This provoked shouts from many scholars within the crowd.
"Master Chu rebelling? He spends his days reading and teaching - when would he have time to rebel?"
"Everyone in the entire prefecture can testify to what Master Chu has been doing!"
"If we've been following Master Chu daily, does that make us rebels too?"
"Master Chu bought the land below the mountain to educate poor students and let them farm to support themselves - is that considered rebellion?"
In truth, the local garrison commander was well aware of what Chu Lan had been doing, having previously attempted to befriend him. But Chu Lan only wanted to discuss poetry and philosophy, leaving the commander no choice but to give up.
The accusation of rebellion was indeed hard to justify.
"Listen carefully,"
the commander said coldly, "according to the latest report from the capital, Empress Chu has attempted rebellion and has fled to avoid punishment. As a family member of the Empress, Chu Lan is naturally considered an accomplice."
Dead silence fell over the scene.
This was newly received information, the commander thought to himself. Even he had been shocked and disbelieving when he first heard the news.
His gaze swept over the scholars present. Now they understand the severity and are afraid, right?
But the next moment, someone burst out swearing.
"Nonsense! How could the Empress rebel!" With this shout, the still pond of silence erupted into boiling turmoil.
"That's right! How could the Empress possibly rebel!""The Empress wouldn't need to wait until now if she wanted to rebel!"
"Are you officials remnants of Prince Zhongshan's faction?"
"We want to report this to the authorities!"
"No, we should report it to the imperial court!" Amid the shouts, the previously motionless scholars surged toward the soldiers and horses.
The commander looked alarmed. What was wrong with these scholars?
Not only were they unafraid, they were even questioning them?
Did they trust the Empress that much?
When cries of "Capture these spies!" rose from the crowd, the commander flushed with humiliation. He had come to make arrests, but if these commoners surrounded them, it would be a massive loss of face.
"Sir," his guard urgently asked, "what should we do? Arrest them all?"
The commander glanced at the advancing scholars, then turned to see countless citizens pouring out from the city. There were too many to arrest—a fine sweat broke out on his forehead.
"Sir, sir—" a soldier galloped over, "new orders from the court—"
The commander quickly reached out to take them. After reading, he sighed in relief and waved his hand: "Withdraw."
The guard hesitated. While making arrests had been intimidating, withdrawing now felt somewhat disgraceful.
"Forget about face, these are the court's orders," the commander barked. "Do you dare disobey?"
The guard hastily shook his head. He didn't dare, but he couldn't help feeling the court's orders were far too changeable.
At the command, the troops halted their advance and retreated like a receding tide, leaving the crowd outside the academy in an uproar.
Hearing the soldiers had withdrawn, Chu Lan, who had been hiding in the study, finally relaxed his tense shoulders and exhaled slowly with closed eyes.
"Master, what is happening?" Jiang Shi cried anxiously. "How could this be rebellion?" She stamped her foot, tears falling.
"I knew it—sooner or later she would be the death of us." Then another thought struck her. "Master, should we report her to the authorities? Sever ties with her?"
Chu Lan opened his eyes and snapped, "What nonsense are you talking!"
This was the first time he had scolded her because of Chu Zhao. Jiang Shi stared in shock.
"Stop this foolish talk," Chu Lan said, sitting down with a long sigh. "We can't sever ties with her. We only live if she lives. If she dies, we won't survive either."
This was fate, and he accepted it.
But if this was called rebellion, why had the troops withdrawn without making arrests? What was going on?
Had they escaped calamity this time?
...As sunlight grew brighter, several officials gathered on the Imperial City's main street, whispering among themselves. Suddenly, they heard hoofbeats and looked up to see several dozen guards escorting a tall black carriage slowly approaching.
The guards carried crossbows on their backs and heavy swords at their waists, sunlight glinting gold off their steel armor. The carriage stopped before the palace gates, where a guard lifted the curtain and a man stepped out, bending slightly.
He wore neither armor nor official robes, but a dark long gown fastened with a gold-inlaid jade belt. As his long legs touched the ground and he straightened up, he raised his head, revealing a golden beast mask covering his face.
Perhaps startled by the mask, the officials at the palace gates froze.
The man in the beast mask passed by the officials and headed inward. Only after he crossed the palace gates did the officials feel they could breathe easily again.
"I heard Young Master Xie the Third ruined his face saving the Emperor—"
"That demeanor is nothing like Young Master Xie the Third!"
"I heard it's a new young master from the Xie family, replacing the third young master in overseeing court affairs."
They looked toward the palace interior, watching the man's tall, slender figure recede. Amid the shimmering light, though dressed plainly, he carried a dazzling presence.
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