The room wasn’t large, a single space divided into three parts: a bedroom, a living room, and a study.

This was the most modest dwelling Chu Zhao had lived in across her past and present lives.

“After two months of effort, it’s finally completed on schedule,” Mu Mianhong had told her then, looking relieved as she tightened Chu Zhao’s cloak and gently stroked her face. “I was worried my sweet child wouldn’t have a place to stay.”

Chu Zhao had been listening to her mother use various terms of endearment throughout their journey. Now that she was fully conscious, she felt somewhat embarrassed, feeling as though she was growing younger rather than older.

“Wherever Mother is, I’ll always have a place to stay,” she had replied with equally embarrassing words.

Xiao Man had rolled her eyes at both of them at the time.

Thinking of this, Chu Zhao smiled as she sat down at the table. Xiao Man ran out again to bring in the lamb.

“Serve yourself,” she said. “You’re better now, don’t expect me to feed you anymore.”

Chu Zhao quickly replied: “I can feed you.”

Her gaze fell on Xiao Man’s right shoulder. Although it was no longer wrapped in bandages, Xiao Man still used her left hand for everything, whether cooking, serving dishes, chopping wood, or mounting a horse.

She had even begun practicing swordsmanship with her left hand.

Xiao Man glared at her, served herself rice with her left hand, and began eating heartily.

Chu Zhao smiled and served herself. Footsteps sounded outside, and Mu Mianhong entered.

“I could smell the fragrance from outside,” she said with a smile, removing her cloak, washing her hands in the copper basin nearby, and sitting down.

Both Xiao Man and Chu Zhao started to rise, but seeing each other stand, they both sat back down.

“Xiao Man, serve some rice for Auntie,” Chu Zhao said with a smile.

Xiao Man kept her head down, eating meat, and said: “I’ve been serving Auntie for a long time. Now it’s your turn to show filial respect.”

Mu Mianhong laughed: “Both of you children have suffered enough. Let me take care of you.” She broke the steamed bread on the table and gave a piece to each of them.

Chu Zhao accepted it with a smile. Xiao Man also took hers, lowering her head and giggling.

The three of them sat around the table, eating and talking.

“We’ve reestablished contact with Xiao Tu and the others,” Mu Mianhong said. “Do you want to bring A-Le here?”

Although the imperial court had officially withdrawn its pursuit of Empress Chu’s relatives, it didn’t mean that the Xie clan and their followers would stop there.

Even though Chu Lan and the others hadn’t been arrested, they were still being monitored secretly, after all, the Empress had been charged with treason and was still a fugitive.

Chu Zhao shook her head: “No, I’ll write her a letter. Let her stay outside.”

Xiao Man couldn’t help saying: “She must be crying every day out there.”

“It’s fine. Once she knows I’m safe, she won’t cry anymore. I’ll write her a letter to let her know,” Chu Zhao said, then giggled and looked at Xiao Man. “Besides, I have Xiao Man and Mother with me here, so she doesn’t need to keep me company. She’ll be more useful outside.”

Xiao Man pouted, wondering what use there could be.

It was probably because she knew the current situation was still precarious and didn’t want to cause trouble for everyone.

But it wasn’t just A-Le. Ding Dachui was still outside too. Auntie had said not to bring him back, so he could live a peaceful life from now on.

Xiao Man stopped talking and lowered her head to eat.

After dinner, Chu Zhao and Mu Mianhong cleaned up together, letting Xiao Man rest. Afterwards, Mu Mianhong pulled Xiao Man along, saying: “Auntie has something to tell you.”

Xiao Man glanced at Chu Zhao, somewhat bashfully: “If Auntie has something to say, just say it.”

Although she found the mother and daughter quite cloying together and felt a bit jealous, if Auntie thought she was neglecting her and wanted to have a private conversation, she felt it unnecessary.

She and Auntie had been close for over a decade, while Chu Zhao had only been around for a few months.

Mu Mianhong smiled, putting her arm around Xiao Man’s shoulders, and said: “Come with Auntie.” Then she whispered in her ear, “Zhong Changrong has been squatting outside for half the day. Let’s give him some space.”

Xiao Man snorted: “He comes to our place but looks down on us. Why should we accommodate him?”

Mu Mianhong smiled: “Come now, all visitors are guests. Be nice to guests.”

The two walked away, laughing and talking. Chu Zhao stood at the door, watching them leave, then looked toward the back of the house to see Zhong Changrong squatting there, wrapped in a fur coat.

“Uncle Zhong,” she called out happily. “Come in quickly, I’ve saved some food for you.”

Zhong Changrong had arrived before her. This house was built under his supervision.

After the imperial court announced that Empress Chu had committed treason and fled, Zhong Changrong wasn’t surrounded by troops like Chu Lan’s family. Out of concern for the Chu clan’s influence, the court only increased forces outside Yunzhong Commandery to prevent a border army uprising.

But Zhong Changrong didn’t even have time to rebel before being carried away by his soldiers.

Xiao Shan was the planner.

“The Empress is in trouble, and you certainly won’t let it go. The court won’t let you off either. To avoid conflict and trouble, General Zhong, you should lie low for a while,” he had persuaded.

Zhong Changrong had been drunk, tied up, and cursed these bastards for betraying him.

“No, no, General Zhong, don’t you trust me?” Xiao Shan had thumped his chest and shouted. “I’ll guard the border army for you. At this moment, it’s more appropriate for me to do this, not you, General Zhong.”

Zhong Changrong had angrily cursed: “Appropriate my foot! What? You think you’re all-powerful now that you’ve cozied up to the Xie family?”

Xiao Shan corrected him: “I’ve cozied up to A-Jiu, not the Xie family.”

Wasn’t A-Jiu part of the Xie family? Zhong Changrong was about to curse again when something occurred to him: “Did that kid A-Jiu tell you to do this?”

Although the news that Xie Yanlai and Xiao Xun had perished together had spread throughout the land, Chu Zhao had already told Zhong Changrong the truth. But how did Xiao Shan also know?

Chu Zhao couldn’t have told Xiao Shan; it must have been A-Jiu!

But Xiao Shan wouldn’t say, maintaining an attitude of strict confidentiality and obedience as he handed Zhong Changrong over to Mu Mianhong’s people—even though Mu Mianhong hadn’t returned yet, and troops were surrounding the garrison.

As soon as Zhong Changrong was taken away, he heard that the border army had reported he had fled in fear of punishment. They had selected a general to temporarily command the border army, awaiting the court’s investigation and appointment of a new commander. The troops surrounding the border prefecture then withdrew.

The border army heavily fortified their positions, appearing to guard against Zhong Changrong, but building a dam to prevent their discovery, Mu Mianhong’s people could still go to Yunzhong Commandery to trade goods as usual. As long as they came from this area, even if they carried weapons, the guards pretended not to see.

Zhong Changrong suppressed his frustration and waited for Chu Zhao’s return. After she came back, he focused on looking after her as she recovered. Only by winter did she start to improve.

Zhong Changrong considered himself dependent on others, especially on Mu Mianhong, whom he deeply resented. He refused to interact with the people here, setting up a shed outside the village, raising a few sheep, and keeping to himself.

Chu Zhao found this both irritating and amusing.

“Uncle Zhong, you’re truly confused. Think about it: there are nearly fifty thousand troops here that you gave to Mu Mianhong,” she said. “This is your territory; you’re the boss.”

Zhong Changrong took a few big bites from his rice bowl and shook his head: “Ah Zhao, don’t try to comfort me.”

Chu Zhao smiled and said: “A few days ago, I heard some people chatting with the Chief. They said there were no more Western Liang people around, and they had nowhere to raid. They were forgetting they were mountain bandits. They urged the Chief to visit the areas where the Western Liang people had settled, but the Chief refused, saying she was too busy.”

She winked at this point.

“Uncle Zhong, why don’t you take some men and go?”

Zhong Changrong’s eyes flashed momentarily, but he shook his head again: “I’m too busy as well. I’d better stay and look after you.”

Chu Zhao raised and waved her arm at him: “I’m fine now. I’ve recovered.”

Zhong Changrong looked at her thin arm, his eyes full of affection.

“Ah Zhao, don’t worry. I’m fine. Life is quite good now,” he said, his expression turning resentful. “What was so good about being Empress? These past few years, fighting everywhere, protecting the country and the people, and what came of it? You became a thorn in others’ sides, with everyone targeting you, plotting against you, harming you. We’re done with this wretched position of Empress. Let them fight among themselves like dogs.”

Then he sighed.

“I understand A-Jiu’s intention. He’s built a dam outside, making this place independent, carefree, no longer troubled by those wretched matters.”

He then snorted.

“That kid A-Jiu has a conscience after all. Your kindness to him wasn’t wasted.”

Chu Zhao propped her chin on her hand, her eyes bright as she asked: “Uncle Zhong can also see that I was kind to him?”

“No one has been kinder to him than you!” Zhong Changrong said, his eyes wide. “I saw that from the first time I met him.”

The first time, when she didn’t yet know he was Xie Yanlai. Chu Zhao smiled, then shook her head: “Actually, I wasn’t that kind to him. After he met me, his luck turned worse.”

In the past, Zhong Changrong would certainly have argued against this, but at this moment, he didn’t want to complain about that young man.

If it weren’t for that young man discovering in time and bringing Mu Mianhong and others to the capital, Ah Zhao might have died at Xie Yanfang’s hands.

“If he hadn’t known you, he wouldn’t have known what sweetness is. Not knowing sweetness means not knowing bitterness, which doesn’t mean his life wasn’t bitter,” he muttered.

If one can taste sweetness, even if life is bitter, remembering it can still bring joy.

Although he didn’t curse the young man, he didn’t want to discuss him further, lest Ah Zhao become unhappy.

“This lamb stew is quite good,” he said, raising his bowl with his single arm. “Ah Zhao, give me another bowl.”

Chu Zhao said, “Don’t eat too much so late at night. Be careful of indigestion.”

“I’m not that delicate,” Zhong Changrong retorted, then enthusiastically continued, “The sheep I raise are excellent. When stewed, they’d taste even better than this.” At this point, he frowned. “But it would be a shame to stew them. They can already understand my commands and form military formations.”

Chu Zhao burst out laughing: “Then don’t eat them. Uncle Zhong, raise them well and let them charge into battle.”

……

……

Night fell. Zhong Changrong had left, and Xiao Man hadn’t returned. Chu Zhao’s home fell into silence.

She stood under the eaves, looking around. Houses were scattered about, with lights shining in every household. Playful children ran back and forth on the streets, no different from a village in the interior. But looking further, patrol troops passed by, and newly built watchtowers gleamed with lights in the distance, showing that this was no ordinary village.

“What are you doing outside in the cold wind so late at night?”

Deng Yi’s voice came from next door.

Chu Zhao shifted her gaze to him and saw Deng Yi holding a book.

“Teacher truly never puts down his books,” she smiled. “Be careful not to strain your eyes late at night.”

Deng Yi said, “Miss A-Fu is overthinking. To ensure I can be a good teacher, the Chief has given me enough lamp oil. It’s as bright as day, and can burn all night if needed.”

Chu Zhao raised an eyebrow and said: “Life’s not bad, eh? Teacher Zhu, are you in good spirits?”

Deng Yi gave a cold smile and said, “I’m different from you. I came here as a prisoner. Do you know what a prisoner’s mood is like?”

Chu Zhao smiled and said, “A prisoner’s mood? I do know.”

She looked into the night.

In that life, she had been imprisoned in the Imperial City, suffering a fate worse than death.

In this life, A-Jiu was imprisoned there.

She took a deep breath and stepped forward.

“Where are you going?” Deng Yi frowned and asked. “Don’t wander around so late at night.”

Chu Zhao said: “I’m not wandering. I’m just walking around the house.” She gestured in a circle with her hand.

Deng Yi was confused: “Why walk around the house?”

Chu Zhao had already started walking, and looked back with a smile: “To exercise.”

Exercise? Deng Yi watched her. Chu Zhao had already turned her head, wrapped in her cloak, walking slowly and feebly.

Feeble? Deng Yi tugged at the corner of his mouth. He had just seen it—the light dancing in the girl’s eyes, full of killing intent.