Outside the capital, military forces had established checkpoints layer upon layer, yet scattered proclamations still appeared within the capital itself.

However, compared to other places, the authorities confiscated them quickly—they vanished almost in the blink of an eye.

Several young men entered to find Old Master Zhou not playing chess, but rather leaning back in his chair, holding papers and reading them while laughing.

“Grandfather, what are you looking at?” they asked.

Old Master Zhou beckoned them over. “You’ve come at just the right time. Come take a look at Empress Chu’s proclamation denouncing the traitors.”

The young men were startled. Some hurriedly closed the door while others cautiously looked around.

“Grandfather!” they said in low voices. “Where did you get this?” They grew nervous. “Don’t tell me our household has also been infiltrated?”

Although Empress Chu had fled, it was said she still had many agents hidden in the capital.

Surely the distinguished Zhou clan hadn’t been infiltrated too!

A’Jiang had indeed been on good terms with Empress Chu, but A’Jiang had already married out—

Quick, go investigate the maids and servants who once attended A’Jiang!

“Enough, enough. What kind of place do you think this household is?” Old Master Zhou scolded his panicking descendants irritably. “I purchased this at great expense.”

Purchased, and at great expense—the younger generation was even more shocked.

Had the court’s blockade of the proclamation actually made it rare and valuable enough to fetch a high price?

“Grandfather, why did you buy it?” the younger generation said. “If the authorities come to investigate—”

“Let them investigate. I didn’t write this proclamation. What’s wrong with me reading it?” Old Master Zhou said, setting down one sheet and picking up another. “Previously, the Xie clan accused Empress Chu of treason and posted notices summoning all under heaven to witness. We all read those. Now that Empress Chu has posted notices, why shouldn’t we be allowed to read them?”

With that, he pointed at everyone present.

“You young people—why are your guts so small? Even though you’re young, you’ve experienced quite a bit. The princes’ chaos, Xi Liang’s invasion, Prince Zhongshan’s rebellion—these past years have been like sitting in a boat on rough seas, constantly rising and falling. Now Empress Chu issues a proclamation denouncing the Xie clan—how is that such a big deal?”

The young men thought about it and realized it was indeed the case. Come to think of it, they had weathered quite a few storms.

“Grandfather’s rebuke is correct,” they said one after another, reaching toward the chess board to take the papers. “Let us also see what it says.”

Old Master Zhou glared at them disdainfully. “You’re not even as bold as A’Jiang, a girl. Always hesitating and wavering—from now on, don’t follow me to learn chess.”

Speaking of this made him angry again.

“Just because A’Jiang married out, does that mean she can’t come home? Why hasn’t she come back even once in a whole month?”

“We should have taken in a live-in son-in-law back then. Why did she have to marry out!”

“I’ve made up my mind—when Empress Chu wins and returns to court, I want A’Jiang to become a female official—”

Hearing this, the young men who had weathered great storms became flustered again. “Grandfather, you mustn’t say such things—” “Grandfather, it’s not that we’re cowardly, but now isn’t the right time to say this—”

The commotion within the Zhou family’s deep residence was replicated in many mansions throughout the capital, blocked from the outside by tightly closed gates.

At this very moment, the Xie household was equally noisy.

“Back when she insisted on staying with the border army to command troops, her purpose was to control the border army.”

“That’s why I said long ago that the border army couldn’t be trusted. We should have attacked then.”

“Now look—they’ve all gone over to Empress Chu.”

“Is the news confirmed? All four commanding generals have surrendered?”

“Liang Ji has also surrendered. Look at this proclamation—it clearly states that Empress Chu is accompanied by Commanding Generals so-and-so, and so-and-so. Liang Ji is among them.”

“Liang Ji must have been forced. His daughter is now Empress—why would he surrender! He should have resisted unto death. Maybe he’s already been killed.”

In the Xie family’s great hall, over a dozen people, sitting or standing, some in official robes, others in regular dress, of various ages, debated loudly.

Seventh Master Xie, seated in the main position, set down the intelligence reports from various sources in his hands and gestured for everyone to quiet down.

“Everyone, please remain calm,” he said. “The soldiers and guards who defected to the enemy and caused chaos have already been captured along the way.”

The expressions of those in the hall did not ease.

“But Empress Chu’s momentum is fierce,” an official said gravely.

She had been completely silent before, yet suddenly she was everywhere.

This wasn’t something a single force from Yunzhong Commandery could accomplish. How many troops had Empress Chu secretly been raising?

No wonder Xie Yanfang had previously ordered the suppression of bandits—that order should never have been rescinded.

In truth, Seventh Master Xie had also disagreed with rescinding the bandit suppression order. It was all because of Xie Yanlai—as this thought flashed through his mind, someone appeared at the doorway, casting a large shadow.

“What are you doing?” a hoarse male voice asked.

Seeing the mask on the newcomer’s face, everyone in the hall stood up and called out, “Young Master.”

Seventh Master Xie remained seated motionless in his chair, his expression unfriendly as he looked at him.

“Nothing,” he said coolly. “Everything is fine. You should go to the palace. At a time like this, His Majesty cannot be left alone.”

The others also hastily said, “Young Master, rest assured, all is well.” “Please comfort His Majesty.” “Young Master, be at ease. With us handling everything, we will do our utmost to stabilize the situation.”

Xie Yanlai ignored them, only looking at Seventh Master Xie. Seventh Master Xie remained seated in his chair, also looking at him.

Sensing the strange atmosphere, everyone in the hall fell silent.

This young master of the Xie family was quite peculiar. To have been chosen by Xie Yanfang as a substitute, he certainly wasn’t ordinary, but when he interacted with the Xie family members, he didn’t seem like kin—more like an adversary.

Fortunately, just as everyone felt they would suffocate, Xie Yanlai turned and left.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Seventh Master Xie’s shoulders also relaxed, and a cold sneer flashed in his eyes. Traitor feeding on the family from within—what can you do about it?

Even if you’re willing to let the Xie clan be destroyed by that lowborn woman, others won’t be willing.

The Xie clan’s conviction wouldn’t just be the Xie clan’s affair—it would affect everyone connected to the Xie clan.

You might be willing, but others are not.

Did he really think that just because they let him take charge, he was all-powerful? Taking charge—the key was in the word “let.” With permission, he could do something; without it, he was nothing.

Seventh Master Xie felt both satisfied and resentful. Once A’Yu grew up, once Empress Chu was completely eradicated, even if Yanfang could only be lucid for half a shichen a day, there would be no need to keep this scoundrel Xie Yanlai around.

“So what if Empress Chu’s momentum is fierce?” He interrupted the conversation in the room, continuing the previous topic. “But are her troops fierce?”

Hearing this, everyone paused, then suddenly understood.

“The troops have yet to leave Yunzhong Commandery,” someone declared loudly.

“The border army’s hundred thousand or so is not a small number, and Yunzhong Commandery is not small either, but our Great Xia has several forces of a hundred thousand, and several commanderies the size of Yunzhong,” Seventh Master Xie said coldly. “What do proclamations amount to? Does she really think that because she fought Xi Liang and quelled the rebellion, she’s truly both civil and military, invincible in all directions? She was able to accomplish these things because our Xie clan supported her from behind, because all of Great Xia served as her shield. Now that she wants to rebel, let her first step out of Yunzhong Commandery before talking about momentum.”

…

…

“As for her, what she wants is exactly that fierce momentum.”

At the same time, Xie Yanfang, awakening from unconsciousness and hearing Steward Cai urgently relay the new information, said:

“What she wants to do is proclaim to all under heaven the crimes of our Xie clan, to brand this mark into the hearts of all people.”

“As for fighting, she’s not in such a hurry.”

“Yes, the troops in Yunzhong Commandery have not moved yet,” Steward Cai said, feeding Xie Yanfang the last mouthful of medicine. “It seems she intends to stabilize her foundation and stand in confrontation with the court, taking it slowly—one city, one commandery, one person at a time.”

Xie Yanfang smiled slightly and said nothing, indicating he wanted to lie down.

Steward Cai hurriedly helped him lie down, asking with some worry, “Young Master, are you feeling worse?”

Although things were already very bad, how was he unable to hold on even for half a shichen now?

“I’m fine,” Xie Yanfang said softly, lying on his pillow, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. “I need more rest to preserve my energy, waiting—”

Waiting to see her stained with blood, treading over corpses, desperate with no way forward, returning to her position as Empress.

He had said it—she couldn’t escape.

…

…

In the imperial palace, Xiao Yu wasn’t carefully reading memorials in his study as usual. Hearing that Xie Yanlai had come, he hurriedly sought him out.

“Sister Chu is really coming back,” he said in a trembling voice.

Xie Yanlai glanced at him. “What are you so happy about? The one coming back isn’t your Sister Chu, but Chu Zhao.”

Xiao Yu understood his meaning. Chu Zhao would never again be his Sister Chu, but—it was enough that he had another chance to see Sister Chu.

“Uncle,” he said, ignoring Xie Yanlai’s mockery, speaking in a low voice. “How can we help her? Should we secretly send orders for everyone to surrender?”

Xie Yanlai laughed scornfully.

“I know, I don’t have that ability,” Xiao Yu said urgently, grabbing Xie Yanlai’s hand, his eyes full of hope. “But Uncle, you must have a way, right?”

Xie Yanlai shook off his hand.

“I have no way,” he said lazily.

He looked toward the window. There was one thing he didn’t want to say aloud—but she will certainly have a way.

But so what if she has a way?

Won’t she still be entering this cage?

Why not live peacefully and instead think of every possible way to come back?

He clenched his hands forcefully, nearly crushing his own bones.

Why come back at all!

…

…

With the court authorities and troops responding rapidly, no more courier soldiers appeared at the post stations distributing proclamations, nor were proclamations scattered throughout the streets.

However, the atmosphere was different.

In Pingyang Prefecture of Hedong Commandery, the streets’ wine shops and teahouses were lively. Official soldiers would appear from time to time, holding up portrait books, examining the patrons, calling over shopkeepers and managers to question them.

“Have there been any suspicious persons?”

In a shop called Ximo Pavilion, the one answering questions was a woman who repeatedly said, “No, no, my establishment just sells the Four Treasures of the Study.”

The leading official looked around. A shop selling the Four Treasures of the Study? Wasn’t this a wine shop or teahouse?

Inside the hall, there were indeed counters displaying the Four Treasures of the Study in abundance, but there were also several tables and chairs. At this moment, four people sat around them, holding wine cups in their hands, with small dishes before them.

From upstairs, someone came running down.

“Chun Niang—an honored guest has solved the chess puzzle—” This was a shop assistant calling out loudly. “That pot of Cold Plum Fragrance can be served—”

He saw the standing soldiers, and his voice stopped abruptly.

Chun Niang hastily said to the official with an ingratiating smile, “Sir, we also allow guests to play chess, read, and practice calligraphy here, and provide some tea and wine.”

Before she could finish, the official waved his hand. “Search it.”

The soldiers scattered, heading upstairs with heavy steps.

“Soldiers—” Chun Niang said uneasily. “Upstairs are all women—don’t frighten them—”

The soldiers had already rushed to the second floor. The second floor was a spacious hall with musical instruments, chess sets, and writing desks. Seven or eight women were seated scattered about. Suddenly seeing a group of soldiers rush up, they immediately cried out in alarm.

But it wasn’t just fear—the women soon became angry.

“How dare you! Who are you people!”

“Who am I? My father is the Pingyang Prefect—”

“Don’t be rude—”

“Where are you soldiers from? Do you have orders?”

The refined Ximo Pavilion became noisy. Across the street on the second floor of a wine shop, a window quietly closed, shutting out the clamor from over there.

Chu Tang looked at the woman sitting across from her.

“You really startled me,” she said. “How did you suddenly arrive in Pingyang Prefecture? Shouldn’t you be in Yunzhong Commandery?”

The woman across from her had a sallow complexion, her head wrapped in a kerchief, a basket on her arm containing fresh plums—just like the common village women commonly seen on the streets selling goods from their baskets.

Hearing the question, she smiled. With this smile, her eyes sparkled, bringing life to her plain features and revealing an aura familiar to Chu Tang.

“I am the one who proclaimed to all under heaven the denunciation of treacherous evil,” Chu Zhao said. “Of course I must take the lead and go first.”