She hadn’t expected this.
But while others could express such surprise, she could not lament in this way.
She could only say that despite already warning Xie Yanfang, the Crown Prince still—
The only consolation was that this time the Crown Prince was killed outside the capital, so the citizens within the city could suffer fewer calamities.
But suffering was still difficult to avoid.
A’Le went to guard the gate, while Chu Zhao led the maids to settle the citizens who had come to the Chu garden seeking refuge.
The citizens were all placed in concealed spots among the outdoor rocks and stones, so that if thieves broke in to burn, kill, and plunder, people would still have a chance to hide.
Among these people were old and young—vendors who had not yet returned home from their night stalls, and commoners whose humble dwellings had been set ablaze by thrown torches. They had run wildly through the streets where armed men were slaughtering everywhere, on the verge of losing their lives at any moment. Helplessly, at such a time every household had their gates tightly shut—truly there was no path to heaven and no door into earth. Fortunately, the gates here at the Chu garden had opened and taken them in.
An old woman took the water Chu Zhao handed her and said thank you in a trembling voice.
The maids bandaged those who were injured.
Chu Zhao had bedding brought out so the elderly and frail could sit and lie more comfortably. She was busy with this when Chu Tang came over with her maid.
The two sisters walked to the side to talk.
“How is the household?” Chu Zhao asked. “Tell Uncle and Aunt not to panic. You should still stay with them—I’m fine here by myself.”
Chu Tang’s small face was pale, but she forced out a smile: “Don’t worry, they’re alright. They’ve already closed the door leading to the Chu garden.”
Chu Zhao was both exasperated and amused—this truly was something Chu Lan would do.
The Chu family had been startled awake from their sleep. At first they thought bandits were causing trouble, but Chu Zhao immediately had the gates sealed and told everyone not to stay inside their rooms. She had water prepared for fighting fires, and A’Le shouted for all the men, women, old and young in the household to take up weapons—or if they had no weapons, to grab brooms and firewood sticks.
Chu Zhao’s actions scared the household half to death. Chu Lan even scolded her, but soon discovered that the commotion outside seemed like the entire city was beset by bandits—sounds of fighting, heavy horse hooves, screaming—
Something was wrong!
Chu Lan and Jiang Shi immediately urged everyone to fortify the doors and windows.
But at this time, Chu Zhao actually wanted to open the gates and let in the citizens outside calling for help. Naturally Chu Lan and Jiang Shi refused, so Chu Zhao brought people to the Chu garden instead.
Unable to stop her, Chu Lan and Jiang Shi actually closed the door leading to the Chu garden.
“A’Zhao, don’t be angry.” Chu Tang said softly. “You know Father and Mother’s temperament very well—they’re timid and afraid.”
Chu Zhao couldn’t be bothered to be angry at them. She asked: “Why did you come over? It’s so dangerous—why aren’t you hiding with them? The gates on my side must be opened at any time.”
Chu Tang smiled: “I feel that being together with you makes me more at ease.”
Chu Zhao laughed. She wasn’t particularly moved by this trust, nor did she chase her away.
“I bought a lot of medicine and stored it in the Chu garden. Take people to organize it for standby use.” she said.
As expected, who would stockpile so much medicine for no reason? Chu Tang felt even more reassured and nodded in agreement. But thinking of how Chu Zhao would open the gates at any time, she was still a bit afraid and couldn’t help saying: “Actually Father isn’t refusing to help people. Earlier there were also people who ran in through the main gate, and Father kept them. It’s just that outside is too chaotic now, with all sorts of people mixed together. He’s afraid that if bad people run in, it would be terrible.”
Chu Zhao made a sound of acknowledgment: “I know. Don’t worry, A’Le will act within her capabilities.”
Only then did Chu Tang walk away reassured.
Chu Zhao stood in place without moving. The night wind blew, and her mind sharpened with vigilance.
What had Chu Tang said? That Chu Lan had earlier kept people who came seeking help?
Was Chu Lan the kind of charitable person who helped others for fun?
Impossible!
If he really kept people, it meant the visitors had reasons he couldn’t refuse to keep them.
The visitors—what kind of people were they?
……
……
Though the doors and windows were tightly closed, they couldn’t block out the clamor outside. Chu Lan stood indoors, not only hearing the screams but seeming to smell the stench of blood as well.
His face was pale, his body swaying as if about to collapse. At such a time he should sit down, lie down, but his mind was in turmoil and he had to pace back and forth.
He walked one circuit muttering: “Disaster, disaster.”
He walked another circuit muttering: “Opportunity, opportunity.”
Pacing back and forth, muttering incoherently and indistinctly, looking lost and distracted, as if he would continue walking like this forever without stopping—until the door was knocked.
A thud, neither loud nor soft, but Chu Lan jumped as if hearing thunder: “Who is it?” Then he angrily whispered, “Didn’t I say no one should come disturb me!”
A gentle voice sounded outside the door: “Mister Chu, it’s me, Xiao Xun.”
Chu Lan’s mind was somewhat chaotic—who was Xiao Xun?
The person outside didn’t give him time to recover and invite them in, but raised their hand and pushed the door open.
Only then did Chu Lan react—Xiao Xun! The Prince Zhongshan’s heir!
Seeing the tall young man wrapped in a black cloak walk in, he didn’t greet him with joy as he usually would. Instead his face became even more unsightly, his lips turning blue, and he kept backing away until he bumped into a bookshelf and had no choice but to stop.
“Your Highness—” he said in a trembling voice.
Xiao Xun didn’t mind his strange reaction and said amiably: “Mister Chu, don’t be afraid. I came specifically to help.”
Chu Lan leaned against the bookshelf and asked: “Help, help with what?”
“Outside, the Third Prince and the Crown Prince have started fighting.” Xiao Xun said. Not minding Chu Lan’s reaction, he removed his cloak and sat down himself. “Right now the whole city is in chaos with people killing everywhere. Surely Mister Chu knows this?”
Without waiting for Chu Lan to speak, he continued.
“I’ve brought people. Mister Chu can rest assured—I can keep your household safe.”
Normally at such a time, Chu Lan should be thanking heaven and earth and showing deep gratitude to Xiao Xun, but he pressed against the bookshelf, his body tense, and stuttered: “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Xiao Xun looked at him and smiled: “No need to thank me. It’s my honor.”
Chu Lan also forced out a smile. Seeing Xiao Xun reach out to pour tea, he, as the host, couldn’t be too unseemly and hurriedly walked over: “Your Highness, let me, let me.”
Xiao Xun didn’t insist and let Chu Lan pour tea for him.
“Mister Chu must be terrified, right?” he said. “Things happened so suddenly. With the city in this state, who knows what it’s like outside the city. The main streets are already impassable, and many households have suffered calamity.”
Chu Lan’s hand holding the teapot trembled, spilling tea. He said in a shaking voice: “Too terrible, too terrible. What can be done?”
Xiao Xun sighed softly and looked toward the doorway: “At this point, we can only leave it to fate.”
After a few exchanges, Chu Lan felt his composure stabilize somewhat. He also sat down and sighed along: “It will be dawn soon.”
Xiao Xun took a sip of tea. The tea was already cold, but he didn’t mind and swallowed it anyway, saying: “After dawn, things won’t be the same as before, Mister Chu—” He looked at Chu Lan. “The times have changed.”
Chu Lan clenched his hands and nodded: “Yes, they’ve changed—”
“But Mister Chu needn’t worry.” Xiao Xun said. “No matter how the times change, I will do my utmost to keep you all safe.”
Chu Lan’s composure scattered again. He stood up and bowed: “Your Highness, you’ve been too good to me—”
Xiao Xun nodded, looking at him: “Why am I so good to you?”
Chu Lan was startled. Huh?
Under the dim lamp, the young man in white with his jade-like face had eyes that were dark and deep.
“Chu Lan.” he said. “The times are changing. This time, it’s no longer your brother Chu Ling, but your turn to step onto the ladder to heaven.”