The development of this matter exceeded everyone’s expectations. Even when Chu Zhao recounted it, even Mu Mianhong, who firmly believed her daughter was omnipotent, couldn’t help but ask one more question.

“Will Master Tan listen to Miss Tan’s words?”

Miss Tan admired Chu Zhao and was willing to go through fire and water for her, but Master Tan might not necessarily be willing to drag the Tan family’s entire business through fire and water.

Chu Zhao said: “The reason I decided to persuade Miss Tan was precisely because of the Tan family’s business.”

Master Tan had exhausted every effort seeking a son because he wanted to pass down his fortune. Although the Tan family had many nephews, people were selfish—a son and a nephew could never be the same.

Miss Tan was born into such a household, standing within a treasure vault, yet she could only look but not take. Women were people too, with their own greed and grand ambitions. It was only because of their female status that such thoughts couldn’t arise, nor did they know how to make them arise.

So—

Chu Zhao looked at everyone: “I first went to persuade her, to make such thoughts arise in her. Then she would make such thoughts arise in Master Tan.”

…

…

Whether because such thoughts had arisen, or simply because of her admiration for Chu Zhao, Miss Tan did as she said and immediately went to see Master Tan.

Chu Zhao still disguised as a maid followed along.

Miss Tan delivered the literary collection before Master Tan and began by discussing the literary gathering.

“These people competed with men on equal terms and, as expected, lost,” Miss Tan said with a face full of mockery.

Master Tan comforted his daughter, saying: “Losing is normal, nothing shameful. You shouldn’t be angry either.”

“Of course I’m not angry. I just find it laughable—taking leisure skills to compare with others’ livelihood skills is inviting humiliation.” Miss Tan said, picking up the wooden boat on Master Tan’s desk. “Just like this shipbuilding craft—when Father learns it, it’s a livelihood; when I learn it, it’s just play. Born different, how can we compare?”

Master Tan fell silent, looking at the wooden boat on his desk. He knew his daughter’s desk also had wooden boats on it. The same craft, but because of different genders, the meaning was different.

Miss Tan used this to open the conversation, pouring out her unwillingness and grand ambitions. Finally, she knelt before Master Tan: “Father, choose one of your disciples to become my live-in husband. Let me stay in the household. Let me inherit your mantle. I will never disappoint you, Father. I will pass down and develop the family business.”

Master Tan smiled bitterly: “I’ve thought of this too, but A’Qi, those who could truly help you won’t become live-in husbands. Those who can become live-in husbands cannot become your support. As a woman, surrounded by wolves, this isn’t a path you can walk. It’s better to marry out. With gold, silver, and the Tan family name behind you, you’ll live without worry all your life—”

“Father, you’re wrong. If I marry out, no amount of gold or silver will truly be mine, and my surname will be taken away. My life’s sustenance would only depend on others. Others have no blood relation or family affection with me—they won’t treat me wholeheartedly like my parents. How could I be without worry? True peace is having my life and fate in my own hands.” Miss Tan knelt hugging her father’s arm, crying: “I want a live-in husband to have a status to remain in the Tan family. And even if there is support, it absolutely cannot rely on the husband, or even on the Tan family—it must be from outside.”

Master Tan was extremely shrewd. Hearing this, he immediately looked toward Chu Zhao standing by the door.

“May I know which distinguished person this is?”

…

…

Chu Zhao looked at everyone: “Then I revealed my identity to Master Tan.”

Because of his daughter’s words, Master Tan had such thoughts arise, and then it became much easier to persuade him by appealing to emotion and explaining the benefits.

From the perspective of a family head considering family interests, if this matter succeeded, the Tan clan would have the merit of following the dragon. Master Tan had sufficient reason to persuade the Tan clan members to take this gamble.

And from a selfish standpoint, having his legitimate daughter inherit and control the family business drove Master Tan to spare no effort in persuading the Tan clan members.

Chu Zhao held up three fingers.

“Master Tan promised me three days,” she said, looking toward Pingyang Prefecture beside them. “After three days, the Tan clan’s one hundred and five large ships and three hundred wooden sailing vessels—specialized ships for timber, grain and salt, and porcelain cargo—will be at our disposal.”

These numbers were enormous, sufficient to transport thirty thousand troops. These ships were massive, extremely convenient for transporting weapons. Everyone’s expressions couldn’t help but show joy.

Chu Tang glanced at her and smiled: “You really did succeed in seduction.”

Chu Zhao said: “It wasn’t that I succeeded in seduction. At the root of it, parents plan deeply for their children’s future.”

Saying this, she couldn’t help but look toward Mu Mianhong.

In that previous lifetime, her parents had also sacrificed themselves fighting for her to be safe, smooth, and happy. It was only a pity she had been foolish and ignorant.

Mu Mianhong also smiled at her, then suddenly pointed: “Look, is that the Tan clan’s signal?”

Chu Zhao and the others hurriedly looked over to see brilliant fireworks exploding in the sky above Pingyang Prefecture.

“Master Tan said that after the agreement, the Tan clan would announce they were seeking a live-in husband for Miss Tan and set off fireworks in celebration,” Chu Zhao said with a slight smile.

Chu Tang waved toward the fireworks in the sky above the city: “Then congratulations to Miss Tan on finding a suitable husband, rising smoothly, and flourishing prosperity.”

Chu Zhao withdrew her gaze to look at Mu Mianhong: “Stockade Chief Mu, send word to Uncle Zhong to engage the court’s troops.”

Mu Mianhong clasped her fists in acknowledgment.

Chu Zhao continued: “Mother, give the order for our troops to assemble and board the ships. We’re going to the capital.”

Mu Mianhong smiled: “Good.”

She placed her hand to her mouth, tilted her head back slightly, and let out a clear bird call. The bird call rose directly into the clouds.

Outside Pingyang Prefecture at the Hejin, Jishan, Xinjiang, and Linfen ferry crossings, countless boatmen and porters scurried about like ants.

“Does it feel like there have been a lot more ships these past few days?” quite a few people asked curiously, glancing toward the water where most of the ships displayed Tan clan flags.

“The Tan family’s eldest miss is taking a live-in husband. They say they want to celebrate grandly like a man taking a wife. The Tan clan is going to purchase treasures from all directions,” someone well-informed said with a laugh.

The topic of taking a live-in husband attracted even more discussion, starting from Miss Tan and recounting the old story of Master Tan’s difficulty having heirs. For common people, this was endlessly entertaining gossip.

Amid the rushing personnel, day and night without stopping, ships large and small entered the water, unfurled their flags, and rode the wind and waves, like sharp arrows cutting across the water’s surface.

…

…

On the main road leading to the capital, troops also galloped day and night without stopping, the dust they raised blocking out the sky and sun.

Two porters resting under a large willow tree by the roadside were covered in dust. The bamboo hats they had casually hung on the willow tree also shook and swayed.

“There have been many more courier soldiers passing by these past few days than before,” one porter said, waving the sweat cloth in his hand before his face to disperse the dust and smoke, looking toward his companion. “Is something happening?”

The companion was wrapped in a scarf, covered tightly with only his eyes showing, saying in a muffled voice: “No news yet.”

“Da Chui,” the companion said in a low voice. “Do you think the Empress can fight her way here?”

“Of course she can,” Ding Dachui said without hesitation. His originally listless eyes instantly became sharp. “What? You don’t believe in the Empress?”

In this moment, the former Commander of the Guard Office who could make children cry returned. The companion hurriedly waved his hands: “No, no, I’m just worried. We’re here and can’t help—”

“Awaiting orders is helping,” Ding Dachui interrupted him.

As the two spoke, another cloud of dust rose on the road. Several courier soldiers came galloping forward. One of them seemed to casually glance at the bamboo hats hanging on the willow tree, raised his hand and pointed, rebuking those two porters: “Don’t obstruct the road, move aside—”

With the rebuke, the group galloped past.

Ding Dachui stood up—not moving aside, but stepping forward to snatch a bamboo tube from the dust and pull out a paper strip.

“Yunzhong Commandery and the court have started fighting,” he said, turning to his companion.

The companion’s expression was excited: “So—”

“Prepare to seize horses!” Ding Dachui said in a low voice, his voice also unable to hide his excitement. “We must ensure nothing goes wrong.”

The companion threw his sweat cloth on the ground: “Don’t worry, Boss. Stealing things—that’s our specialty!”

…

…

The news that Border Army Commander Zhong Changrong had personally led troops to attack the garrison outside Yunzhong Commandery, killing three military commanders, also quickly spread throughout the capital.

Sure enough, fighting had broken out.

The stone hanging over everyone’s hearts fell to the ground. The atmosphere in the capital was tense but without too much panic.

In any case, Yunzhong Commandery was very far from the capital.

“Even farther than where Prince Zhongshan and his son rebelled,” someone in the wine shops and teahouses even drew maps to point out. “Back then, even though it was so close, the fighting lasted less than a year.”

Those watching around him said in a daze: “If you put it that way, then this time the Empress will need at least over a year to fight her way here.”

This statement seemed somehow wrong. The person pointing at the map was startled: “Hey, hey, I didn’t say that! I didn’t say it!”

He wasn’t hoping the Empress would triumph, nor did he mean to determine the Xie clan was treacherous and evil.

The speaker also came to his senses.

“I didn’t mean it that way either,” he also hurriedly said. “I’m just, just stating a fact.”

He pointed at the map and muttered.

“Back then, it was indeed the Empress who suppressed the rebellion.”

The teahouse proprietor hurriedly rushed over to disperse everyone. Regardless of how things were back then, speaking incorrectly now would invite disaster.

Whether the Empress would fight her way here was not a topic for everyone to discuss.

But in the Liang family’s great residence, they could speak freely.

“Brother—” Little Sister Liang came running, lifting her skirt. “That Empress Chu is going to fight her way here—”

Liang Qiang, who had already reached the door in armor and arms, stopped and turned back.

Little Sister Liang took the opportunity to grab him, saying anxiously: “You must guard the capital well and guard His Majesty well. You absolutely mustn’t let that Empress Chu fight her way in. If she fights her way in, how can I become Empress!”

Liang Qiang looked at his sister’s excited little face, somewhat at a loss for what to say, and nodded: “Alright.”

“Brother, my future and our Liang clan’s future all rest on you,” Little Sister Liang earnestly instructed. Her eyes also shone brightly as she said: “How about I go to the imperial palace to accompany His Majesty together—”

Liang Qiang smiled despite himself and gestured to the servants who had followed: “Watch over the young lady well.”

The servants hurriedly stepped forward to pull Little Sister Liang back. Little Sister Liang was still a child after all, and was half-pulled, half-dragged back inside.

Liang Qiang no longer lingered. He turned and walked out the family gate, mounted his horse, and galloped off surrounded by guards. Just as he reached the main street, he saw a procession surrounding a magnificent carriage approaching grandly.

Liang Qiang took the initiative to move aside to the roadside and saluted: “Young Master Xie.”

This Young Master Xie, who usually treated him as if he didn’t exist, this time stopped the carriage and lifted the curtain. The gaze behind the mask looked him over once and asked: “Where are you going?”

Didn’t he know what he was doing? It seemed this Young Master Xie couldn’t truly make decisions. When Third Young Master Xie spoke up, this substitute was just a substitute.

Liang Qiang said respectfully: “This humble general has received orders to take over the capital’s defenses.” He also glanced at this masked young master and said: “As well as the imperial palace’s defenses.”

This young master sat in the imperial palace daily, yet the Xie family hadn’t entrusted the imperial palace’s defenses to him. So this young master was actually not valued?

Liang Qiang’s thoughts flew by as he waited for this young master to ask more questions so he could observe his reaction.

But the young master lowered the curtain with only a scornful laugh: “What could you possibly defend?”

The carriage continued forward with a clatter.

Liang Qiang stood by the roadside, his hand hanging at his side clenched into a fist, his face slightly burning.