The development of this matter took everyone by surprise. When listening to Chu Zhao's account, even Mu Mianhong, who firmly believed her daughter could do anything, couldn't help but ask an extra question.
"Will Master Tan listen to Miss Tan?"
Miss Tan admired Chu Zhao so deeply that she was willing to go through fire and water for him, but Master Tan might not be willing to drag the entire Tan family fortune into such peril.
Chu Zhao said, "The reason I decided to persuade Miss Tan was also for the sake of the Tan family's legacy."
Old Master Tan had exhausted all means to seek a son because he wanted to pass on his wealth. Although the Tan family had many nephews, people are inherently selfish—a son and a nephew could never be the same.
Miss Tan, born into such a family, was surrounded by treasures but could only look without touching. Women are also human; they have greed and ambition. However, due to their gender, they often don't dare to entertain such thoughts or even know how to.
Therefore—
Chu Zhao looked at everyone and said, "I will first persuade her to awaken her ambitions, and then she will awaken Master Tan's ambitions."
……
……
Whether it was because her ambitions had been stirred or simply due to her admiration for Chu Zhao, Miss Tan kept her word and immediately went to see Master Tan.
Chu Zhao still disguised himself as a maid and followed her.
Miss Tan presented the collection of essays to Master Tan, starting with the literary gathering.
"These people competed with men and, as expected, lost," Miss Tan said with a tone of mockery.
Master Tan comforted his daughter, saying, "Losing is normal; it's no disgrace. Don't be angry."
"Of course, I'm not angry. I just find it ridiculous—using a pastime skill to compete with someone's livelihood is nothing but self-humiliation." Miss Tan picked up the wooden boat on her father's desk. "Just like this boat-making skill. When you learn it, Father, it's for survival. When I learn it, it's for amusement. They are inherently different—how can they be compared?"
Master Tan fell silent, gazing at the wooden boat on his desk. He knew his daughter also had a wooden boat on her desk. The same skill held different meanings simply because of gender.
Miss Tan seized the opportunity to pour out her frustrations and ambitions. Finally, she knelt before her father: "Father, choose one of your disciples for me to marry into our family. Let me stay home and inherit your legacy. I will not disappoint you—I will carry on and expand the family business."
Master Tan smiled bitterly. "I've thought of this too, but A Qi, those who can assist you won't become live-in sons-in-law, and those willing to become sons-in-law won't be able to help you. As a woman, surrounded by wolves, this isn't a path you can take. It's better to marry out. With gold, silver, and the Tan family's status to rely on, you'll want for nothing in life—"
"Father, you're mistaken. If I marry out, no amount of gold or silver can truly protect me. My surname will be taken away, and my livelihood will depend entirely on others. Those outside our bloodline won't treat me with the wholehearted devotion you and Mother have. How could I be carefree? True peace comes from having my life and fortune in my own hands." Miss Tan knelt, clutching her father's arm, and wept. "I want a son-in-law to secure my place in the Tan family. Even if there is help, it must not come from my husband, nor even from the Tan family—it must come from outside."
Master Tan, being highly perceptive, immediately looked toward Chu Zhao standing by the door.
"Who might this esteemed person be?"
……
……
Chu Zhao looked at everyone and said, "Then I revealed my identity to Old Master Tan."Elder Tan, having been swayed by his daughter's words, found it much easier to persuade others by appealing to both emotion and self-interest.
From the perspective of a family head considering the clan's interests, success in this endeavor would grant the Tan family merit akin to supporting the rightful ruler. Elder Tan had ample reason to convince the Tan clan members to take this gamble.
On a personal level, the desire to have his own legitimate daughter inherit and control the family business drove Elder Tan to spare no effort in persuading the Tan clan.
Chu Zhao held up three fingers.
"Elder Tan has given me three days," she said, glancing toward Pingyang Prefecture. "After three days, the Tan family will provide us with 150 large ships and 300 wooden sailing vessels, designated for timber, grain and salt, and porcelain cargo respectively, all under our command."
The number was substantial, enough to transport thirty thousand troops. The ships were massive, making them extremely convenient for moving weaponry. Everyone couldn't help but show their delight.
Chu Tang glanced at her and laughed, "You actually succeeded in seducing him."
Chu Zhao replied, "It wasn't my seduction that worked. Ultimately, it's because parents will go to great lengths for their children's future."
As she said this, she couldn't help but look toward Mu Mianhong.
In that other life, her own parents had also sacrificed themselves for her safety, happiness, and well-being. It was a pity she had been foolish and ignorant back then.
Mu Mianhong smiled back at her and suddenly pointed, "Look, is that the Tan family's signal?"
Chu Zhao and the others hurriedly looked and saw brilliant fireworks exploding in the sky over Pingyang Prefecture.
"Elder Tan said that after the agreement, the Tan family would announce the search for a son-in-law for the Eldest Miss Tan and set off fireworks in celebration," Chu Zhao said with a slight smile.
Chu Tang waved at the fireworks above the city, "Then let us congratulate Miss Tan on finding a suitable husband, rising swiftly in the world, and achieving prosperity and splendor."
Chu Zhao turned her gaze back to Mu Mianhong, "Chief Mu, send word to Uncle Zhong to prepare for battle against the imperial troops."
Mu Mianhong clasped her fists and acknowledged the order.
Chu Zhao added, "Mother, issue the command: our forces are to assemble and board the ships. We set off for the capital."
Mu Mianhong smiled, "Very well."
She put her hand to her mouth, tilted her head back slightly, and let out a series of clear bird calls that pierced through the clouds.
At the four ferry crossings outside Pingyang Prefecture—Hejin, Jishan, Xinjiang, and Linfen—countless boatmen and porters scurried about like ants.
"Why does it feel like there are so many boats these past few days?" many curious onlookers asked, squinting at the water, where most of the ships had unfurled the Tan family's flags.
"The Tan family's eldest daughter is seeking a husband, and they say they're preparing a grand celebration just like a son's wedding. The Tan family must be going out to purchase treasures from all over," someone well-informed said with a laugh.
The topic of seeking a son-in-law sparked more discussions, from the Eldest Miss Tan to the old story of Elder Tan's difficulty in having heirs. For the common folk, this was an endlessly entertaining pastime.
As people hurried about day and night, ships of all sizes were launched, their flags unfurled, cutting through the waves like arrows slicing across the water.
……
……
On the main road to the capital, troops galloped day and night, their hooves kicking up dust that blotted out the sky and sun.
Two porters resting under a large willow tree by the roadside were covered in dust. The straw hats they had hung on the willow tree shook from the vibrations.
"Many more couriers have passed through these past few days compared to before," one porter said, waving his sweat towel in front of his face to disperse the dust. He turned to his companion and asked, "Is something going on?"
His companion, wrapped tightly in a scarf with only his eyes visible, replied in a muffled voice, "No news for now."
"Da Chui," the companion whispered, "do you think the Empress can fight her way here?""Of course we can." Ding Dachui answered without hesitation, his previously listless eyes instantly sharpening. "What? Don't you trust the Empress?"
In that moment, the former Garrison Guard commander who could frighten children into tears had returned. His companion hurriedly waved his hands: "No, no, I'm just worried that we can't be of much help here—"
"Following orders is help enough." Ding Dachui cut him off.
As they spoke, another cloud of dust rose on the road as several couriers galloped past. One of them seemed to glance unintentionally at the straw hat hanging from the willow tree, raising his hand to scold the two porters: "Stop blocking the road, move aside—"
With this shout, the group swiftly passed by.
Ding Dachui stood up—not moving aside, but stepping forward to retrieve a bamboo tube from the dust, pulling out a slip of paper.
"Yunzhong County has started fighting with the imperial court," he told his companion.
His companion looked excited: "So—"
"Prepare to seize horses!" Ding Dachui said in a low voice, unable to conceal his excitement. "It must be foolproof."
The companion threw his sweat towel on the ground: "Don't worry, boss. Stealing things—that's our specialty!"
...
...
News that Border Army commander Zhong Changrong had personally led troops to attack the garrison outside Yunzhong County, killing three military officers, quickly spread throughout the capital.
So they've finally started fighting after all.
With the lingering anxiety resolved, the capital's atmosphere grew tense but without major panic.
After all, Yunzhong County was quite distant from the capital.
"It's even farther than where Prince Zhongshan and his son rebelled," someone in the taverns and tea houses explained while pointing at a map. "That time was much closer, and the fighting lasted less than a year."
Some bystanders murmured blankly: "If that's the case, then this time the Empress will need at least over a year to fight her way here."
Something seemed off about this statement? The map-pointer got startled: "Hey now, I didn't say that! Those aren't my words!"
He wasn't hoping for the Empress's victory, nor was he implying the Xie family were traitors.
The speaker also came to his senses.
"That's not what I meant either," he quickly added. "I was just... stating a fact."
He pointed at the map and muttered:
"It was indeed the Empress who suppressed the rebellion back then."
The teahouse manager hurried over to disperse the crowd. Regardless of what happened in the past, speaking incorrectly now could bring disaster.
Whether the Empress would fight her way here wasn't a topic for public discussion.
But inside the Liang family mansion, one could speak freely.
"Brother—" Liang Xiaomei came running, holding up her skirts. "That Empress Chu is going to attack—"
Liang Qiang, already armored and armed at the doorway, stopped and turned back.
Liang Xiaomei seized the opportunity to grab him, anxiously saying: "You must protect the capital well, protect His Majesty, and absolutely don't let that Empress Chu break through. If she gets in, how can I become Empress!"
Looking at his sister's excited little face, Liang Qiang didn't quite know what to say, simply nodding: "Alright."
"Brother, my future, our Liang family's future—it all rests on you," Liang Xiaomei earnestly urged, her eyes sparkling as she added, "Maybe I should go to the Imperial City to accompany His Majesty—"
Liang Qiang chuckled wryly, signaling to the attending maids: "Take good care of the young lady."
The maids hurried forward to restrain Liang Xiaomei. After all, she was still just a child, and they managed to drag her back inside.Liang Qiang did not linger any longer. He turned and strode out of his home, mounted his horse, and galloped off, surrounded by his guards. As soon as he reached the main street, he saw a grand procession escorting an ornate carriage approaching with great fanfare.
Liang Qiang proactively moved aside to the roadside and bowed in greeting. "Young Master Xie."
The young master, who had previously ignored him as if he were invisible, this time halted the carriage and lifted the curtain. His gaze from behind the mask swept over Liang Qiang as he asked, "What are you heading out to do?"
He doesn’t know what I’m doing? It seems this Young Master Xie isn’t truly in charge. When Young Master Xie the Third speaks, this stand-in is merely a stand-in.
Liang Qiang replied respectfully, "This humble general has been ordered to take over the defense of the capital." He glanced at the masked young master and added, "As well as the defense of the Imperial City."
This young master presides over the Imperial City daily, yet the Xie family has not entrusted him with its defense. So, in truth, this young master is not highly regarded?
Liang Qiang’s thoughts raced as he waited for the young master to ask further questions, hoping to gauge his reaction.
But the young master merely let the curtain drop and scoffed, "What could you possibly defend?"
The carriage continued forward with a gentle rumble.
Liang Qiang stood by the roadside, his hand clenched at his side, his face burning with a faint sting of humiliation.
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