Zhang Gu’s ears were buzzing, either from the shouting of that group of people earlier or from the tense atmosphere now that they were surrounded.

Miss Chu?

Since when did they have a young lady among them?

He looked at the girl on horseback, wondering if it was because of this “Miss” title that the country girl A-Fu suddenly seemed different.

The girl held the reins, wearing a tattered cotton robe. Her previously rough and messy hair, now washed after falling into the water, was black and smooth. Though her face was somewhat ashen, she held her head high, her bright black eyes fully visible. Surrounded by the guards, she appeared like a lotus emerging from water, elegant and graceful.

“You’ve mistaken me for someone else,” she said.

A-Jiu, who had been standing nearby with a complex expression, couldn’t help but purse his lips upon hearing this, as if suppressing a smile.

She really dared to tell any lie, treating everyone like fools, taking her chances with whoever she encountered.

Xiao Xun, wearing a white robe with a blue sash, urged his horse forward and said with a smile: “The postmaster of Bei Caozhen, the courtesan Li Niang—both have identified you. Besides, Miss Chu, your portrait has already been delivered to the Prince’s mansion. Wait a little longer, and you’ll see it.”

How did they find out so quickly? Her uncle was selfish and cold-hearted, but also stupid—he certainly lacked such ability. It must be the Liang family’s doing!

Chu Zhao silently cursed the Liang family, then lowered her gaze.

A-Jiu smirked. This girl, realizing her pretense wouldn’t work, was now going to play the pitiful victim.

“Bad people bullied me in the capital,” Chu Zhao said in a trembling voice. “I want to go home. I want to find my father. I’ve already informed him that I’m returning. My father knows I’m coming back. Whatever you have to say, wait until we meet my father.”

Hearing these words—bad people bullied her?—Xiao Xun’s gaze suddenly shifted to A-Jiu.

A-Jiu immediately noticed and met his gaze coldly. Stupid boy, what are you thinking? Did you believe she was eloping with me?

What a fierce young man, thought Xiao Xun, though he wasn’t angered. He shifted his gaze back to the girl on horseback.

“Miss Chu,” he said, “your father’s men have also arrived.”

Chu Zhao was startled, her hands tightening on the reins. Her father indeed knew—

…

…

In the only inn of the nearest town by the river, the guards had surrounded and emptied the place.

Chu Zhao and the postal soldiers entered.

The innkeeper bowed deeply, both terrified and excited—of course, not to them, but to Xiao Xun behind them.

“Young Master,” he said, “this humble one has personally cleaned the guest rooms.”

Xiao Xun nodded: “Thank you.”

The innkeeper was so excited he didn’t know what to do with his hands and feet: “It is this humble one’s honor to serve the Young Master, bringing glory to my ancestors.”

Xiao Xun didn’t speak further, evidently accustomed to such attitudes.

“You may rest for a while,” he said to Chu Zhao and her companions. “Food has been prepared in the main hall.”

Zhang Gu and the others were still in shock. So much had happened in just half a day that they were somewhat dizzy and hadn’t yet reacted.

Xiao Xun didn’t mind their rudeness and entered a room with Tie Ying, showing no intention of continuing the conversation with them.

After he left, Zhang Gu and the others could finally breathe a little easier.

“So that’s the Prince of Zhongshan’s heir,” a postal soldier said softly. “His reputation precedes him, and indeed his bearing is extraordinary.”

As the Emperor’s younger brother, the Prince of Zhongshan had always been known for his diligence, scholarship, and humble manners. He had always maintained a good reputation and the best relationship with the Emperor. After being enfeoffed as the Prince of Zhongshan, his domain enjoyed favorable weather and a peaceful life, earning him deep affection from the people.

His eldest legitimate son was also intelligent and studious. When he was young, he was even raised in the palace by the Empress Dowager, treated like the Emperor’s own son.

However, the Prince of Zhongshan observed propriety. After the Empress Dowager passed away, he summoned his son back. Father and son carefully maintained their fief, rarely venturing outside.

Unexpectedly, they had encountered the Prince’s heir.

Besides the Prince’s heir, there was also A-Fu’s identity—

The postal soldiers looked toward A-Fu, no, Miss Chu.

“Are you General Chu Li’s daughter?” one postal soldier couldn’t help asking.

Chu Zhao gave an affirmative sound.

“Then what about the Bei Caozhen postal station?” “What about Yang Dachun?” “Your mother—”

Chu Zhao’s single affirmation opened the floodgates of questions, but she didn’t answer them.

“A-Jiu,” she pushed through the postal soldiers and grabbed A-Jiu.

The postal soldiers’ voices paused, their eyes moving complexly between the two, silently asking another question: “Are you two really—”

A-Jiu coldly looked at Chu Zhao, shook off her hand, and stepped back: “Miss Chu, please show some restraint.”

Chu Zhao ignored this, stepped forward again to grab him, and said in a low voice: “Now do you believe my identity?”

A-Jiu looked down at the girl who barely reached his chest and made a sound of acknowledgment.

“So, you don’t need to worry about me having any ill intentions,” Chu Zhao looked up at him, her eyes bright and full of hope. “Take me with you to see my father.”

A-Jiu laughed, bending slightly to speak softly to Chu Zhao: “Miss Chu, for you to make such a commotion just to see your father, what does that imply? It implies big trouble! And you want me to take you along? I’m not crazy enough to seek out such trouble!”

Chu Zhao was startled, and the next moment, A-Jiu pushed her away.

“Let’s eat,” A-Jiu said, calling to the others, “We’re just postal soldiers. The rest has nothing to do with us.”

Zhang Gu and the others had complex expressions. After a moment’s hesitation, they followed.

Chu Zhao stamped her foot behind them: “A-Jiu!” and chased after him.

Tie Ying, standing in the room, witnessed this scene. The young couple’s voices were sometimes loud, sometimes soft, and he couldn’t make out what they were saying, but seeing their tugging and pulling—

“General Chu’s daughter is like… this?” he couldn’t help remarking.

Entangled with a postal soldier, willing to die for him. Though General Chu Li was reportedly untamed, from the few times Tie Ying had seen him, he was a refined military official.

“Stop focusing on others’ private affairs,” Xiao Xun said, then smiled. “Love is unreasonable.”

A general’s daughter falling for a common soldier wasn’t impossible.

Tie Ying looked at Xiao Xun and muttered: “Then Young Master, your disinterest in so many young ladies is also unreasonable.”

Xiao Xun laughed heartily: “I came out to enjoy some freedom. Don’t talk to me about this.”

As master and servant joked, Tie Ying’s gaze remained fixed outside, suddenly brightening: “General Chu’s men have arrived!”

…

…

Seeing a travel-worn, military-clad, slightly dark-skinned middle-aged man with a scar on his face enter the main hall, Chu Zhao was overjoyed, her eyes growing moist.

“Uncle Zhong!” she called out, her voice thick with emotion.

Though Uncle Zhong’s scar made him appear fierce, he was a good man. As her father’s deputy commander, he had watched her grow up. After her father died, he visited her in the palace, telling her not to be sad.

“The General is gone, but I’m still here. I will protect you, young miss.”

He kept his word, continuing to lead troops in campaigns after her father’s death—though Xiao Xun became Emperor, his reign was turbulent.

The struggle among the princes destabilized Da Xia’s borders, with rebellions breaking out everywhere, especially from the Xie clan of Dongyang, who refused to accept Xiao Xun as Emperor. Flying the banner of punishing evil, they had occupied nearly half the country.

Uncle Zhong died in battle trying to quell the rebellion.

She only learned of his death much later. When she asked Xiao Xun, he merely said lightly, “He advanced rashly and fell into the rebels’ ambush. Out of consideration for you, Empress, I won’t extend the punishment to his family.”

But in reality, Uncle Zhong’s wife and daughters fell into the hands of the rebel Xie clan, and their fate was predictable.

Chu Zhao clutched Deputy Commander Zhong’s sleeve, tears streaming down her face.

Seeing the girl cry, a trace of sympathy appeared on Zhong’s solemn face: “Young Miss A-Zhao.”

Chu Zhao cried: “You’ve come to take me back. Let’s go home quickly.”

Deputy Commander Zhong’s expression froze, returning to solemnity: “The General said to stop this nonsense and return to the capital immediately. That is your home.”