The rumors circulating in the capital said that what captivated Chu Ling was a village woman, a simple maiden. Though not respectable, it was actually a common occurrence—many young masters from noble families had been bewitched by beauty in their youth, causing quite a scandal.

But the truth turned out to be not some village woman or simple maiden at all, but rather a bandit chieftain who murdered and robbed.

A general suppressing bandits and a beautiful bandit chieftain—if this got out, it wouldn’t just be a scandal but something truly shocking.

It might even be attacked and prosecuted.

The Emperor had become estranged from Chu Ling because of this incident, hadn’t he?

“Father, you were so bewitched by bandits that you let them go, then blamed the Emperor in the end. Now I think His Majesty has been truly tolerant of you,” Chu Zhao said. “You really were a headache-inducing subject.”

Chu Ling laughed heartily: “When I was young, I was far more formidable than A’Jiu.”

They were talking about their family matters—why bring up A’Jiu?

Chu Zhao smiled: “A’Jiu isn’t as formidable as you, Father. With his temperament, when female bandits see him, they’d only think about how to hack him to death. They certainly wouldn’t pretend and then actually fall for him.”

Chu Ling laughed and said: “The bonds between people are unpredictable and indefinite. When you encounter them, it’s meant to be.” He reached out and grasped Chu Zhao’s arm. “Ah Zhao, don’t overthink it. Mu Mianhong and I—we loved, we hated. I don’t regret this life. The ties between people—”

Before he could finish, his voice abruptly stopped and his hand slipped down—

Chu Zhao was greatly alarmed: “Father!”

Xie Yanlai rushed in, saw Chu Zhao shaking Chu Ling’s shoulders, turned and shouted outside: “Physician, physician!”

The physician came quickly, and Zhong Changrong also ran back.

Chu Ling wasn’t dead—his breathing remained—but he didn’t wake up again either.

The earlier events had ultimately distressed him too much, exhausting his strength.

Zhong Changrong first struck himself several times, then kicked a pillar, then tried to beat Xie Yanlai: “Who told you to let that person in! You don’t understand anything—what business is it of yours! Who do you think you are!”

Xie Yanlai was never one to stand and take a beating obediently. He struck back: “You do stupid things yourself, then vent at others! Who let the person in? If General Chu hadn’t agreed, what person could enter? Who do you think you are, acting so self-righteous, spouting nonsense!”

Whether from rage attacking his heart or what, Zhong Changrong actually staggered from a punch by this young man.

“Uncle Zhong, A’Jiu,” Chu Zhao called out. “Stop fighting.”

Both men withdrew their hands.

“No one is to blame for this,” Chu Zhao said. “Father wanted to see her too. Seeing her, Father was still very happy.”

Happy? Zhong Changrong couldn’t see it at all. What was there to be happy about!

Chu Zhao said nothing, looking at Chu Ling on the bed. The unconscious Chu Ling still had a trace of a smile at the corner of his mouth, as if savoring the excitement of his youth.

In his youth, he hadn’t lain withered on a bed like this.

Young Chu Ling had gripped his blade and mounted his horse, could enter the Imperial City, could flatten Xi Liang, addressed the Emperor as brother, and made a female bandit chieftain who came to assassinate him fall into infatuation.

……

……

A troop of cavalry galloped across the wilderness, the fierce wind they raised making a group of training soldiers somewhat unsteady on their feet.

“Look quickly, it’s Miss Chu,” an excited soldier holding a spear shouted.

Among this galloping cavalry was a figure wrapped in a cloak with a blade and arrows on her back. Though dressed like the other soldiers, no matter how thick the cloak, it couldn’t conceal her petite frame.

They’d heard Miss Chu was patrolling on behalf of General Chu, but previously she’d stayed in the central military camp. This was the first time the frontline garrison had seen her.

“Miss Chu actually dares come here,” one soldier said.

This was the closest place to the fighting. Xi Liang soldiers could appear at any moment, and battles could break out at any time.

Another immediately retorted: “How could Miss Chu be afraid? Miss Chu personally fought the Xi Liang people.”

A person nearby swung his long blade: “You’re both wrong.”

The previous two looked at him. How were they wrong?

The man smiled: “We should address her as Empress, not Miss Chu.”

New clamor arose on the training ground over whether to call her Empress or Miss Chu—this was probably rare entertainment in the monotonous training, in a life where tomorrow’s survival was uncertain.

One soldier turned his head and saw his companion beside him gripping his bow and arrow motionlessly, his gaze following the departing cavalry.

“Liang Qiang,” he bumped his companion with his elbow.

Liang Qiang turned to look at him, his eyes somewhat dazed, as if not knowing what had happened.

“You kid,” that soldier laughed teasingly. “Never seen such a beautiful girl before?”

Not only had he seen such a beautiful girl before, this beautiful girl had publicly praised his valor. Liang Qiang smiled. He’d heard the news early and knew she was coming, but hadn’t expected to actually see her in person.

Liang Qiang was also relieved. Seeing her now was much better than a while ago—at least he’d also killed enemies now and could be considered valorous—

Thinking this, he smiled self-mockingly.

Whether he was valorous or not—what did it have to do with her?

He hadn’t forgotten how their Liang clan left the capital, and what relationship Chu Zhao had with the Xie clan. He’d seen it with his own eyes before departing—

Liang Qiang gripped his bow tighter.

Father had written saying their merit rewards had been approved. This approval also relied on opportunity—Chu Ling’s health was poor, he was focused entirely on military affairs and hadn’t personally reviewed the merit list. After it was sent to the capital, because Xie Yanfang and the Grand Tutor were competing, one didn’t dare openly obstruct it while the other deliberately promoted it, everything went smoothly.

If Chu Ling or Chu Zhao found out their Liang clan was about to be rehabilitated, they would definitely obstruct it.

Even if the court approved it, in the border army where Chu Ling held absolute power, eliminating their father and son would be effortless.

Now wasn’t the time yet.

When his promotions and merit grew larger and larger, so large that even the Emperor’s father-in-law, the General, the Empress couldn’t shake it, then he would stand before her and let her see just how valorous Liang Qiang was.

“Enough,” he threw down his bow and picked up his long blade. “Stop chatting. Swing the blade a few more times and you’ll have a few more chances at survival.”

“Listen to Young General Liang,” a soldier shouted, taking the lead in sparring with his companion.

The others also began fighting.

“Young General Liang is valorous!”

“This is how Young General Liang’s victories in every battle are trained!”

Laughter and teasing were gradually drowned out by sounds of combat.

Soon came the wailing sound of warning horns.

“Xi Liang soldiers spotted to the northwest!”

“Form ranks!”

“Vanguard battalion, form ranks!”

……

……

Hearing this sound, Chu Zhao reined in her horse and looked back.

“Is there fighting?” she asked.

“Miss,” a military officer listened to the warning horn. “It’s still far from here. Scouts discovered Xi Liang soldiers infiltrating and are summoning troops to pursue and kill them.”

Chu Zhao made a sound of acknowledgment, watching troops assemble and shoot off like arrows toward the northwest.

“Miss, no need to worry,” the officer said. “It’s just a small-scale pursuit battle.”

Her worrying wouldn’t help anyway. She couldn’t actually go to the battlefield to kill. Her function was to replace Father, stabilize and inspire the troops. She knew what she should do and wouldn’t act rashly.

“When the soldiers return victorious, all who obtain Xi Liang heads shall be rewarded with one jug of wine,” Chu Zhao said.

The officer acknowledged and transmitted this order loudly.

“Miss, it’s time to return,” a soldier beside her said quietly.

Chu Zhao glanced at this soldier—Ding Dachui.

Seeing her look over, Ding Dachui shrank back, saying quietly: “Commander Xie said you shouldn’t run too far.”

Chu Zhao said nothing. She indeed couldn’t run too far. Father could wake at any moment, or alternatively, could stop breathing at any moment.

She withdrew her gaze and raised her whip to urge the horse forward.

……

……

The soldiers pursuing the Xi Liang troops didn’t know that wine would be rewarded for victory in this battle.

Even if they knew, at this very moment, a thought would arise in their hearts: this wine reward won’t be easy to claim.

The enemy they pursued this time exceeded the scout reports. When the two forces met, they fought until heaven and earth went dark.

A long blade passed by Liang Qiang’s nose—just one inch closer and he would have lost his nose.

Liang Qiang’s body swayed backward. The blade in his hand rose up, clashing with the Xi Liang soldier’s long blade. Sparks flashed before his eyes.