Qi Leyun’s mind wasn’t sharp, and neither was her eyesight. This was the outfit that she had specially chosen, the makeup she had carefully applied, to create an effect that showed suffering without losing dignity—a low-key yet striking heroic image. How could anyone mistake her for a fugitive being escorted?
Chu Tang shot a reproachful, resentful glance at the girl upstairs.
Fortunately, the other girls quickly realized their mistake.
“She’s not in a prisoner’s cart!”
“That fabric and style are from this spring’s new collection!”
“She’s wearing peach blossom powder on her eyes, which just came out in the capital this spring. How could a prisoner have access to that?”
“Her—father has recovered from his illness.”
The girls’ gazes shifted from Chu Tang to another person nearby: a man wearing a crisp Confucian robe and cap, with a short beard and a square face, holding the reins of his horse and gently swaying. Though he seemed to be looking straight ahead, his eyes couldn’t help but wander from side to side, diminishing his scholarly air considerably.
Although many of the girls had never seen Chu Lan before, walking alongside Chu Tang, the father-daughter resemblance was immediately apparent.
Chu Lan was riding alongside her. Even when Chu Zhao was named Empress, Chu Lan hadn’t gone out, claiming illness. But seeing Chu Tang’s happy demeanor every day, everyone knew he was just pretending to be sick.
Now, with the wanted posters still posted at the government office, Chu Lan was swaggering into the city on horseback—
One girl deliberately leaned out to look down and confirm that Chu Lan wasn’t wearing shackles on his feet.
“Not a prisoner,” Qi Leyun finally came to her senses, pointing at those surrounding Chu Lan and Chu Tang—a layer of imperial guards, a layer of officials, and the officials were all smiling and chatting with Chu Lan. “What’s going on here?”
The common people on the street were also drawn to the father-daughter pair. Many didn’t recognize them, but when they heard their names, everyone knew—Chu Lan’s name was quite famous in the capital.
“The Empress’s uncle!”
“That fugitive!”
“Did he escape with the Prince of Zhongshan?”
“Has he been captured?”
Discussions spread like wildfire. Compared to the true Son of Heaven, the lowborn official who had risen to power, the refined young gentleman, the disgraced heir, the Empress’s family member was both ordinary and extraordinary, making him all the more intriguing to gossip about.
Those blocked by the crowd who couldn’t see and could only catch fragments—”fugitive,” “Empress’s uncle”—were both excited and terrified, anxiously pulling at those in front to ask questions: What did the prisoner’s clothes look like? How big were the shackles? How badly had the criminal been beaten?
However, explanations soon spread through the crowd from elderly men, old women carrying baskets, and even children holding candy figurines while watching the commotion.
“Don’t talk nonsense. Master Chu is not a fugitive.”
“Master Chu was following the court’s orders, tarnishing his reputation to deceive the heir of Zhongshan.”
“This time, the heir of Zhongshan was captured by Master Chu himself!”
The street erupted with even louder commotion—what an incredible tale!
The girls couldn’t stay crowded by the window anymore as servants ran up and down, breathlessly bringing the latest news from the street.
“It’s true! They say Chu Lan captured Xiao Xun.”
“It was Miss Tang who personally took action.”
“With a knife—”
A small maid suddenly made a drawing motion that startled the girls who were listening intently.
“—Miss Tang held the knife to the heir’s throat.” Another maid took over the story, raising her voice to imitate Chu Tang. “You traitor! The Empress commanded me to capture you—”
Qi Leyun laughed, “Is that true? She said that so if the heir died, he would seek revenge on Chu Zhao instead of obsessing over her?”
The previously tense girls all burst into laughter.
That was exactly something Chu Tang would do.
However, Chu Tang’s ability to do such a thing was still unexpected. The girls turned again to look at Chu Tang in the surging crowd on the street.
The girl swayed gently on her horse, like a tender willow.
The usually timid, cautious, self-preserving Chu Tang had done such a thing.
Many men couldn’t even accomplish that.
“So she didn’t flee, she went to be a hero,” Qi Leyun murmured. “She can be this amazing.”
A girl nearby sighed, “The Empress is so formidable, so naturally her sister is the same. They’re family after all.”
Qi Leyun cleared her throat. “Actually, as a guest staying at the Empress’s house, I think I’m quite impressive too—”
The girls laughed again.
Zhou Jiang suddenly said, “Let’s scatter flowers for Miss Chu Tang!”
Hearing this, the girls in the hall looked at the flower baskets. The flowers had been freshly picked this morning, originally prepared for the Empress, but now—
Chu Tang deserved them too.
“Scatter!” everyone cheered. They took the flower baskets and tossed handfuls from the windows.
“Congratulations to Miss Chu Tang on her heroic return!”
“Congratulations to Miss Chu Tang on her heroic return!”
The girls’ clear voices sounded like celestial music.
Countless petals floated down. The common people looked up, shouting and laughing. Children jumped to catch them, creating even greater commotion on the street.
Chu Tang raised her head, caught an apricot blossom, and placed it in her hair, smiling brightly.
Being a hero felt wonderful.
…
…
As the Emperor, ministers, royal family, and heroes gradually moved away, the girls watched from afar, gazing toward the city gate with disappointed expressions.
“It’s a pity we didn’t see the Empress.”
The maids had already inquired on the street earlier: the Empress hadn’t returned yet. She was still handling the aftermath in Zhongshan County and would return after finishing her business.
Miss Ning waved her hand grandly: “No matter. When the Empress returns, we’ll spend lavishly and shower her with flowers as a celebration.”
…
…
Entering the courier station, the street’s commotion was shut out.
Xiao Xun alighted from the carriage, looking at this familiar place. The station that had previously been massacred by him was once again filled with officials.
“This way, Heir,” an official said coldly.
Several minor officials made no effort to conceal their hatred. That chaotic night, everyone at the courier station had been killed. They had originally thought it was the Third Prince’s men causing trouble, but now the identity of the murderer was crystal clear.
Xiao Xun paid no attention to the officials’ hostility and walked past them with his attendants. He was accompanied only by Tie Ying and Ning Kun.
As Xiao Xun entered, the gates of the courier station were locked one by one. Two layers of guards patrolled inside and out, and no unauthorized persons were allowed near.
Tie Ying looked at the cold room, not even a pot of hot water provided, and kicked over a copper basin.
“Are they treating you like a prisoner, Your Highness?” he cursed.
Xiao Xun sat down in a chair, not at all concerned about the dust on it, and laughed lightly, “The victor becomes king, the defeated becomes bandit. What courtesy should a bandit expect?”
It was better not to mention this. When the topic came up, Tie Ying’s eyes reddened. Originally, it should have been the heir entering the city with great fanfare! It should have been the heir enjoying the people’s cheers!
It shouldn’t have been dirt and stones thrown at them, nor curses flooding like the tide!
All because of!
Chu Zhao!
Chu Zhao used the heir as leverage, forcing the Prince to withdraw his troops. The plan had failed. Tie Ying gritted his teeth, “But rest assured, Your Highness, the Prince said that despite this, no one in the capital can harm or humiliate you!”
“I know,” Xiao Xun smiled. “Otherwise, how could I sit here comfortably? I would have been thrown in prison.”
He waved his hand.
“There are no servants, so I’ll trouble you, Tie Ying, to boil some water for me to wash up.”
“I’ve always accompanied Your Highness on your travels. We never needed maidservants,” Tie Ying said. “I alone can ensure you eat and sleep well.”
With that, he strode out, gripping his sword.
Xiao Xun smiled, “Our Tie Ying truly doesn’t fear hardship or fatigue.”
Ning Kun said softly from the side, “It’s Your Highness who has a calm mind and steady temperament.”
Xiao Xun leaned against the chair back and laughed heartily, “When I first entered the capital, I was the heir of Zhongshan. Now I enter again as the heir of the Zhenguo Prince. This is a step up, a joyous occasion worth celebrating.”
Ning Kun said, “With Your Highness thinking this way, the Prince can rest assured.”
Xiao Xun looked at him and suddenly said, “However, there’s one matter I’d like you to inquire about, Master Ning.”
Ning Kun quickly replied, “Please speak, Your Highness.”
“How did Chu Zhao negotiate with my father?” Xiao Xun said slowly, his hand resting on the table, drawing a line through the dust, his eyes slightly lowered. “Besides using me to threaten my father, what other threats did she make?”