Despite the multiple checkpoints set up by troops outside the capital, scattered declarations still appeared within the city.

However, compared to other places, the government confiscated them quickly, making them almost disappear in the blink of an eye.

Several young people entered to find Old Master Zhou not playing chess but leaning back in his chair, reading a paper and smiling.

“Grandfather, what are you reading?” they asked.

Old Master Zhou beckoned them: “You’ve come at the right time. Come look at Empress Chu’s declaration of war.”

The young people were startled. Some hurriedly closed the door, while others carefully looked around.

“Grandfather!” they said in hushed tones. “Where did you get this?” They were also nervous, asking, “Has someone infiltrated our household?”

Although Empress Chu had fled, she reportedly still had many people hiding in the capital.

Could their distinguished Zhou family also have been infiltrated?

A-Jiang did have a good relationship with Empress Chu, but A-Jiang was already married off—

We should quickly check the maids and servants who once attended to A-Jiang!

“Enough, enough. What do you think our home is?” Old Master Zhou looked at his panicking juniors and snapped irritably, “I purchased this at great expense.”

Purchased? And at great expense? The younger generation was even more shocked.

Had the court’s efforts to block the declaration’s spread made it rare and more valuable?

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

“Let them investigate! I didn’t write this declaration; what’s wrong with me reading it?” Old Master Zhou said, putting down one sheet and picking up another. “Previously, when the Xie clan accused Empress Chu of treason and posted notices summoning the realm, we all read them. Now that Empress Chu is posting notices, why can’t we read them?”

He then pointed at everyone.

“You young people, why are you so timid? Even though you’re young, you’ve experienced quite a bit. The princes’ chaos, Western Liang’s invasion, the Prince of Zhongshan’s rebellion—these past few years have been like sitting in a boat on waves, rising and falling every day. Now, Empress Chu issues a declaration to attack the Xie clan. What’s the big deal about that?”

The young people thought about it and realized it was indeed true. They had experienced great storms.

“Grandfather’s instruction is correct,” they all said, reaching for the papers on the chessboard. “Let us also see what’s written.”

Old Master Zhou glared at them disdainfully: “You’re not even as brave as A-Jiang, a girl. Always looking ahead and behind. In the future, don’t follow me to learn chess.”

Then he grew angry again.

“A-Jiang is married, but does that mean she can’t come home? Why hasn’t she returned home even once in a month?”

“We should have had her husband marry into our family. Why did we marry her out?”

“I’ve decided, when Empress Chu wins and returns to court, I want A-Jiang to become a female official—”

Hearing these words, the young people who had experienced great storms became alarmed once more. “Grandfather, you can’t say such things—” “Grandfather, it’s not that we’re timid, but it’s inappropriate to say such things now—”

The commotion within the Zhou family’s inner residence was mirrored in many mansions across the capital, all contained behind tightly closed doors.

At this moment, the Xie family’s residence was equally clamorous.

“She insisted on staying with the border army to command troops, to control the border army.”

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

“Now it’s too late, they’ve all gone over to Empress Chu.”

“Is the news confirmed? Have all four generals surrendered?”

“Liang Ji has also surrendered. Look at this declaration; it clearly states that Empress Chu is accompanied by General so-and-so, so-and-so, and Liang Ji is among them.”

“Liang Ji must have been forced. His daughter is now the Empress. Why would he surrender? He should have resisted to the death. Perhaps he’s already been killed.”

In the Xie family’s main hall, more than a dozen people were either seated or standing, some in official robes, others in casual clothes, of varying ages, all engaged in animated discussion.

Seated in the main position, Master Xie Seven put down the reports from various sources and gestured for everyone to be quiet.

“Everyone, please remain calm,” he said. “The soldiers who defected and caused trouble have been captured along the way.”

The expressions of those in the hall showed no relief.

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

Previously silent and unnoticed, she was suddenly everywhere.

This couldn’t be accomplished by just one troop from Yunzhong Prefecture. How many soldiers had Empress Chu secretly trained?

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

Master Xie Seven had also disagreed with rescinding the bandit suppression order, all because of Xie Yanlai. As this thought flashed through his mind, someone stood 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.”

Master Xie Seven remained motionless in his chair, looking at him with an unfriendly expression.

“Nothing,” he said coldly. “Everything is fine. You should go to the palace. At a time like this, His Majesty needs someone by his side.”

Others also hurriedly said: “Young Master, rest assured, everything is fine.” “Please comfort His Majesty, Young Master.” “Young Master, be at ease. We are in charge of everything and will do our utmost to stabilize the situation.”

Xie Yanlai ignored them, only looking at Master Xie Seven, who sat in his chair looking back at him.

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

This young master of the Xie family was quite peculiar. Being chosen by Xie Yanfang as a replacement, he must be extraordinary, but when he interacted with the Xie family, he didn’t seem like a relative but rather an adversary.

Fortunately, just as everyone was beginning to feel suffocated, Xie Yanlai turned and left.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Master Xie Seven’s shoulders also relaxed, a cold smile flashing in his eyes. Traitor, what can you do?

Even if you’re willing to let that slut destroy the Xie clan, others won’t be willing.

The condemnation of the Xie clan isn’t just a matter for the Xie family but concerns everyone associated with the Xie clan.

You may be willing, but others are not.

Do you think that because you’ve been allowed to take charge, you’re omnipotent? The key is in the word ‘allowed.’ If allowed, you can; if not allowed, you are nothing.

Master Xie Seven felt both satisfied and resentful. Wait until A-Yu grows up, wait until Empress Chu is completely eradicated. Even if Yanfang can only be clear-headed for half an hour a day, there would be no need to keep that bastard Xie Yanlai around.

“What does it matter if Empress Chu’s momentum is fierce?” he interrupted the conversations in the room, continuing from the previous topic. “Does her army have such fierce momentum?”

Hearing this, everyone paused, then suddenly understood.

“The troops have yet to leave Yunzhong Prefecture,” someone said loudly.

“The border army of over a hundred thousand is not small, and Yunzhong Prefecture is not small, but our Great Xia has several armies of over a hundred thousand, and several prefectures like Yunzhong,” Master Xie Seven said coldly. “What is a declaration? Does she think that fighting Western Liang and suppressing rebellions means she’s accomplished in both civil and military affairs, unstoppable? She was able to achieve these things because our Xie clan assisted from behind, because the entire Great Xia was her shield. Now she wants to rebel? Let her first step out of Yunzhong Prefecture before we talk about momentum.”

…

…

“What she wants is precisely this fierce momentum,” said Xie Yanfang, who had awakened from his stupor and listened to Cai Bo’s urgent report of the new developments.

“What she wants to do is announce the crimes of our Xie clan to the world, to imprint this brand in the hearts of everyone.”

“Fighting? She’s not in a hurry.”

“Indeed, the troops of Yunzhong Prefecture have yet to move,” Cai Bo said, feeding the last spoonful of medicine to Xie Yanfang. “It seems she wants to stabilize her foundation and confront the court, planning to take it one city, one prefecture, one person at a time.”

Xie Yanfang smiled without speaking, indicating he wanted to lie down.

Cai Bo hurriedly helped him lie down, asking with concern: “Is the Young Master not feeling well?”

Although he was already in bad shape, why couldn’t he even last half an hour?

“I’m fine,” Xie Yanfang said softly as he lay on the pillow, his lips curling into a slight smile. “I need to rest more to conserve my energy, waiting for—”

Waiting to see her drenched in blood, treading on corpses, desperate and with nowhere to go, returning to the position of Empress.

As I said, she can’t escape.

…

…

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

“Sister Chu is coming back,” he said tremulously.

Xie Yanlai glanced at him: “Why are you happy? The one returning isn’t your Sister Chu, but Chu Zhao.”

Xiao Yu understood his meaning. Chu Zhao would no longer be his Sister Chu, but having the chance to see Sister Chu again was enough for him.

“Uncle,” he ignored Xie Yanlai’s mockery and said softly, “how can we help her? Should we secretly issue orders for everyone to surrender?”

Xie Yanlai snorted with laughter.

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

Xie Yanlai shook off his hand.

“I have no way,” he said lazily.

He looked out the window, with something he didn’t want to say—but she would find a way.

Yet, what good would that do?

Wouldn’t she still have to enter this cage?

Why not enjoy a peaceful life? Why go to such lengths to come back?

He clenched his fist so tightly he nearly crushed his bones.

Why come back?

…

…

With the quick response of the imperial court’s officials and troops, no more courier soldiers appeared at relay stations to transmit declarations, and there were no more scattered declarations on the streets.

However, the atmosphere was different.

In Pingyang City in Hedong Prefecture, the streets, restaurants, and teahouses were bustling. Occasionally, soldiers would enter with portraits in hand, checking customers and questioning the store owners.

“Are there any unusual individuals?”

In a shop called Xì Mò Xuān (Cherishing Ink Pavilion), a woman responded to the questions: “No, no, my shop just sells the four treasures of the study.”

The lead official looked around. A shop selling the four treasures of the study? Wasn’t it a restaurant or teahouse?

The hall had counters with a splendid array of the four treasures of the study, but there were also several tables where four people sat, holding wine cups with small dishes in front of them.

Someone ran down from the second floor.

“Spring Lady—the esteemed guest broke the chess formation—” It was a shop assistant, shouting. “That pot of Cold Plum Fragrance can be served—”

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

Spring Lady hurriedly said awkwardly to the official: “Sir, our shop also happens to allow guests to play chess, read, and write, providing some tea and wine.”

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

The soldiers scattered, heading upstairs.

“Officers—” Spring Lady said anxiously, quickly adding, “There are women upstairs. Don’t frighten them—”

The soldiers had already rushed to the second floor, which was a spacious hall with arrangements for qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Seven or eight women were seated in different places. Seeing a group of soldiers suddenly rush up, they let out screams.

But it wasn’t just fear; the women quickly became angry.

“How dare you! Who are you people!”

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

“Show some respect—”

“Which garrison are you soldiers from? Do you have orders?”

The elegant Cherishing Ink Pavilion became noisy. Across the street, on the second floor of a wine shop, a window quietly closed, shutting out the clamor.

Chu Tang looked at the woman sitting opposite her.

“You frightened me,” she said. “How did you suddenly get to Pingyang? Shouldn’t you be in Yunzhong Prefecture?”

The woman opposite had a waxy yellow complexion, her head wrapped in a scarf, a basket on her arm filled with fresh plums, just like the common peddling women seen on the streets.

Hearing the question, she smiled. With this smile, her eyes sparkled, bringing life to her otherwise ordinary appearance, revealing the familiar essence that Chu Tang knew.

“I am the one who has announced to the world the campaign against evil,” Chu Zhao said. “Of course I would lead the way.”