As night fell, Xie Yanfang returned to the Xie family residence.

Not the previous Xie residence.

That mansion had been the first to be surrounded and burned last night, though of course the Xie family members had already departed before then.

The Xie family certainly had more than one residence in the capital.

When they saw Xie Yanfang enter, the household members grew excited, calling out “Third Brother,” “Third Uncle,” and “Third Young Master” in a chaotic chorus. The Xie family descendants remained numerous, having suffered no losses.

Xie Yanfang was wearing blood-stained clothes. Seeing this scene, his cold gaze softened somewhat. Although this was a tragic event, in this sudden chaos, the Xie family members had not only escaped unscathed but had also killed the Third Prince, immediately avenging their grudge.

And the people of the household, looking at the Third Young Master, felt wild joy.

The young master was in blood-stained clothes, his face paler than usual. Last night, Third Young Master Xie had fought his way out of the city, fought his way to the hunting grounds, and then fought his way back. One could imagine how dangerous his experience had been.

They had been so worried, not daring to imagine what would happen if Xie Yanfang had met with misfortune.

“It’s good that you’re safe.” Several young men couldn’t help but shed tears.

Xie Yanfang smiled and said, “Even if something happened to me, you would still be here. As long as one member of the Xie family remains, we will endure. Don’t worry.”

These words made everyone even more emotional.

“Third Brother! How could we compare to you?” “Third Uncle, we only regret that we couldn’t help you more.”

Xie Yanfang said, “Everyone contributes what they can. Those who fought alongside me were helpful, and those who preserved their lives through the chaos were also helpful.”

At this point, Du Qi stepped forward: “Enough, the Third Young Master needs to rest. Whatever matters there can be discussed later.”

Xie Yanfang hadn’t slept for a day and a night. Everyone hurriedly made way.

As Xie Yanfang walked past them toward the inner chambers, he thought of something and turned his head to call someone: “Seventh Uncle.”

The Xie family’s Seventh Master quickly responded.

“Does Yanlai know the address of our new home?” Xie Yanfang asked.

Seventh Master Xie said, “We haven’t told him yet. After the incident, we’ve kept our doors closed and haven’t ventured out. Before your return, we didn’t take any rash actions.”

Xie Yanfang nodded and said, “Yanlai has rendered meritorious service in guarding the imperial city and now manages the city gates. Make sure to tell him the family’s address so he doesn’t lose his way home.”

Seventh Master Xie looked surprised, as did the others.

Xie Yanlai?

Rendered meritorious service?

Xie Yanlai was still alive?

“Also,” Xie Yanfang continued, calling out to Steward Cai. He pressed his fingers to his temples—having endured for a day and a night, exhaustion now overwhelmed him upon returning home. “Issue orders to all quarters that from now on, Yanlai is to be treated as my equal.”

Everyone was even more shocked. Equal to Xie Yanfang meant that whatever Xie Yanfang was allowed to know, Xie Yanlai could know; whoever Xie Yanfang could command, Xie Yanlai could command; whatever orders Xie Yanfang could issue, Xie Yanlai could also issue—

“What has he done to deserve this?” many blurted out.

Steward Cai didn’t question it, and Xie Yanfang didn’t explain further to everyone. Du Qi ordered them all to be quiet and accompanied Xie Yanfang as he left.

What had he done to deserve this? Xie Yanfang thought as he walked. He deserved it because the young prince had embraced him and called him “uncle.”

Xie Yanfang closed his eyes again. The ways of the world were truly mysterious.

For the sake of his plans, he had deliberately avoided the young prince. Unexpectedly, this avoidance had now become a regret.

“Young Master, stop thinking about it,” Du Qi said. “You must rest now.”

Both physically and mentally, the impact of the past day and night had been too great.

Xie Yanfang opened his eyes. Yes, there was no need to think about it anymore. None of these matters mattered much. The young prince was still alive—everything could be addressed.

People go from unfamiliar to familiar, and they can also go from familiar to unfamiliar.

He entered his room, removed his bloody clothes, and, naked, stepped into the bath. He lifted a bucket of cold water and poured it over his head. He did this three times, then dried himself, wrapped himself in a white robe, and collapsed onto the bed.

The maids approached, gently drying his loose hair.

The room was quiet, and the young master fell into a deep sleep.

But the next moment, Xie Yanfang suddenly opened his eyes and propped himself up. The maids were caught off guard and nearly pulled his hair, frightened as they trembled and knelt on the ground.

The young master paid them no attention.

“Something still isn’t right,” he said.

The young master was thinking—the maids didn’t dare disturb him. They knelt on the ground, holding their breath in silence.

Many events and many people flashed through his mind, and he pushed them away one by one, until only a small figure remained.

That girl who had seen him and happily came to greet him, her eyes full of concern.

He closed his eyes, pushing away the girl’s face, replacing it with what the eunuchs had said, the young prince’s words, and Deng Yi’s eyes—

When Deng Yi was speaking to him, he would look toward that girl, as if watching for her reaction.

He opened his eyes, dismissing all this, left with only the final image: that girl walking out of the hall, moving calmly among the imperial guards, raising her hand in a gesture, and immediately someone stepped forward to receive her orders—

This wasn’t strange either. Having safely escorted the young prince to the palace, she naturally had men at her command.

The imperial city was now under her control.

There was nothing wrong with this; it was as it should be.

Xie Yanfang closed his eyes again, lying back down, and fell into a deep sleep.

The maids came back to life, gently stroking the young master’s loose hair. The room was completely silent except for the occasional light pop from the cinnamon in the incense burner, which emitted a faint, fresh fragrance.

…

…

That night, there was heavy rain.

The capital was washed clean, and the fire and bloodstains were almost invisible, though the burned houses couldn’t yet be restored.

Most families could still live in their homes with some repairs. Qi Leyun’s family was particularly unfortunate—their house had been completely burned down, and unlike the Xie family, they didn’t have many residences to choose from.

With relatives in the city all suffering losses and people anxious, there wasn’t room for so many in their homes. Qi Leyun had a sudden idea and took her family to borrow Chu Garden.

Qi Leyun came with her father. The exterior of the Chu residence was undamaged, appearing completely unaffected.

She had worried in vain that Chu Zhao would face retaliation. It seemed that Chu Zhao was not worth mentioning in the Third Prince’s eyes.

There were more people outside the Chu residence than elsewhere. Old people sat making shoe soles, children ran back and forth, and they even greeted the newcomers.

“What are you doing here?” a child asked, looking them up and down.

Their appearance resembled beggars who hadn’t eaten for days.

Old Master Qi almost took out money to give them alms, but fortunately, Qi Leyun stopped him. This child wasn’t dressed poorly and even wore a gold necklace—

Children don’t understand the sorrows and joys of the world and play without worries. Qi Leyun waved her hand to shoo the child away and knocked on the Chu family’s door. She knocked until her hand nearly broke before someone inside responded. When they heard the request to see Old Master Chu, they immediately refused, saying he wouldn’t see anyone. From the sounds inside, they were adding several more bars to the door—

What were they doing? Were they that timid?

Qi Leyun quickly said she wanted to see Chu Zhao.

The movement inside stopped, but they still didn’t open the door. Shortly after, there were light footsteps, and a female voice came through: “Who is it? Qi Leyun?”

It was Chu Tang! Although somewhat disappointed that it wasn’t Chu Zhao who came, Qi Leyun suppressed her temper and knocked on the door: “Open up and we’ll talk.”

Surprisingly, Chu Tang didn’t open the door, saying it wasn’t safe.

“What are you afraid of?” Qi Leyun was both angry and amused, pointing outside. “Old grannies and children are running around outside.”

She knocked on the door repeatedly, urging them.

“When you were afraid Chu Zhao would cause trouble and implicate you, you came to stay at my house. Have you forgotten how I treated you?”

The door opened at her words. Chu Tang stood at the entrance, covering Qi Leyun’s mouth with her hand, looking somewhat terrified: “Don’t shout, don’t let people hear you.”

What would happen if people heard?

Besides, there weren’t many people outside, just the elderly, women, and children.

What was there to fear?

Qi Leyun pushed away Chu Tang’s hand from her mouth.

“How did you become such a coward? My house has been burned down, and you can’t imagine what I went through last night. I wasn’t afraid, yet you’re here safe and sound, so what are you afraid of?”

Chu Tang looked at her with complex emotions, gave a dry laugh, and said, “You’re impressive.”

Qi Leyun didn’t want to argue with her. She introduced her father. Old Master Qi stepped forward to explain their intention of seeing Old Master Chu. After all, for such a significant matter, the heads of the households should sit down and discuss it.

But Chu Tang curtsied: “Uncle, my father has been frightened and fallen ill. He can’t receive guests.”

Qi Leyun snorted: “You all are such cowards!”

Chu Tang looked at her and sighed lightly: “Ah, actually, I want to say, I didn’t know I was this brave.”

What did that mean? Qi Leyun didn’t understand.

Chu Tang didn’t explain further, saying, “Our home is intact, but if you move in, I’m afraid it won’t be convenient for you. Uncle, you should—”

Qi Leyun was unhappy: “Chu Tang, is this how you treat me?” Her eyes shifted. “You don’t have the final say in this household. Where is Chu Zhao?” She pushed past Chu Tang, intending to enter. “I don’t believe Chu Zhao would turn away my family in our time of need.”

Chu Tang quickly held her back: “Chu Zhao was also frightened and fell ill. She can’t see anyone.”

Qi Leyun’s eyes widened: “How is that possible? It’s not surprising that your father was frightened, but how could Chu Zhao be frightened?”

What a thing to say! Old Master Qi coughed behind her, reprimanding his daughter: “If it’s inconvenient, then let’s forget it.”

Qi Leyun was both angry and upset, looking at Chu Tang: “I understand now. Sisterhood can’t be relied upon.”

Chu Tang sighed: “This isn’t a good place to be. I’m saying this for your good.”

Qi Leyun sneered: “You always say nice things and make yourself sound reasonable.”

Chu Tang laughed helplessly, glanced outside, her eyes flickering slightly. Since it had come to this, they couldn’t blame her.

“Fine, then,” she said, looking at Old Master Qi. “Chu Garden is empty. If Old Master Qi doesn’t mind, you can stay there.”

Before Old Master Qi could speak, Qi Leyun hugged Chu Tang happily and said, “I knew it! The friends I make are all very loyal.”

Chu Tang said with a complex expression: “As long as you’re happy.”

…

…

After arranging for the Qi family to borrow Chu Garden, Qi Leyun and her father left. Chu Tang breathed a sigh of relief and glanced outside.

A ten-year-old boy squatting at the street corner grinned at her, tossing a small knife up and down in his hand. The old woman sitting across from him also looked her way, the needle in her hand glinting coldly. Chu Tang shuddered and slammed the door shut.

“Put up two more door bars,” she instructed the servants.

The heavy sound of the door bars gave Chu Tang some reassurance. That foolish Qi Leyun—what did she mean by “it’s safe outside” and “old people and children playing”? Were those old people and children? They were killers!

And were they playing? They were watching the Chu house.

What did she mean by “the Chu house is safe and sound”? What the Chu house had experienced was beyond anyone’s imagination.

Even now, she wasn’t quite clear about what had happened. How did Chu Zhao suddenly leave? How did the killing suddenly erupt outside? How did young children and white-haired old women suddenly jump into the house? How did so many strangers suddenly appear in the house? How did those children and old women kill all these people?

Later, there was the sound of hooves shaking the ground, people moving across the rooftops, and it seemed like thousands of troops had gathered outside the Chu residence. Later still, the thousands of troops left, but the Chu residence didn’t become quiet.

It was still those elderly women and children, coming and going as if no one else were around, clearing away the corpses.

They even found her hiding place in the rockery.

“Miss Chu Tang, Sister A-Zhao said that the household matters are entrusted to you now. You should comfort your parents.” That half-grown child squatted on the rockery, swinging a small knife in his hand, smiling mischievously. “We’re guarding outside, ensuring your safety, but if your parents try to leave, we won’t be polite.”

What did he mean by ensuring safety? This was imprisonment.

Sister A-Zhao ordered—

This Chu Zhao, where did she find such a brother?

But since it was her order, then it should be… fine, right?

Chu Tang gathered her spirits, instructed the servants, comforted the people hiding in Chu Garden, and then went to check on her parents. Her father had passed out from fright—this time it was genuine, not pretend. Madam Jiang was also severely frightened. She said that when the killing started outside, Chu Lan had shouted, “My life is over!” and fainted.

Chu Tang had the maidservants brew ginseng soup for Chu Lan. Although he hadn’t regained consciousness, his breathing was stable. She repeatedly assured Madam Jiang that the imperial troops were executing rebels, that everything was fine now, and personally locked the door, telling Madam Jiang to stay inside with her father.

After doing all this, dawn broke. Then that half-grown child—

“I’m called Xiaotu,” the child said.

This Xiaotu told her that imperial troops had taken control of the capital and that it was now safe. Chu Tang then quickly informed the people hiding in Chu Garden. Those concerned about their relatives and homes cautiously ventured out and saw elderly, women, and children clearing the streets in front of their doors—indeed, it was safe. So they all left.

A day and a night had passed.

Outside the Chu residence, it was as if nothing had happened.

The capital also seemed to have returned to normal, with Qi Leyun even coming to borrow lodging.

There was no news from Chu Zhao.

Chu Tang pressed her hand to her chest, not feeling too worried. No news was good news.

The things Chu Zhao did were becoming increasingly frightening.

She truly didn’t know what would happen next.

…

…

The Qi family moved into Chu Garden, making the area outside the Chu residence livelier.

Though staying at Chu Garden, they were still busy repairing their old residence and had to procure their daily necessities. The adults were busy coming and going.

In contrast, the Chu residence kept its gates tightly closed, looking strange.

“Chu Tang,” Qi Leyun couldn’t get the door open, so she simply found a ladder, placed it against the wall, and called Chu Tang over to talk. “Why are you still so afraid? Everything is fine now. How is Chu Zhao? Open the door, I’ll bring a really good doctor from my family connections to check on her.”

Chu Tang shook her head and waved her hands: “No need, no need. She doesn’t need to be examined. Rest is all she needs.”

Qi Leyun rested her arm on the wall, looking smug: “See who will say she’s fierce now. She’s as timid as a mouse.”

Chu Tang gave a dry laugh.

“Zhou Jiang and the others have all come out, and they’ve sent people to inquire about me,” Qi Leyun said, steadying herself on the wall. “Fortunately, everyone is safe, though a few sisters injured their legs while running and hiding at home. But no one is afraid anymore. We’ve arranged that once the curfew is lifted, we’ll go to a tavern together to drink and celebrate our escape from death. Oh, I hope by then Chu Zhao will have recovered. Otherwise, it would be embarrassing. I can’t cover for her—”

She was chattering away when Chu Tang suddenly perked up her ears.

“Listen, outside, there’s the sound of hooves,” she said.

Qi Leyun fell silent, and indeed, they could hear the urgent sound of hoofbeats, growing more and more dense, as if many horses were galloping.

The nightmare of that night was still deeply etched in her heart, rising with the urgent sound of hoofbeats, instantly engulfing her. The girl’s face immediately turned pale, her hands tightly gripping the wall, her eyes filled with fear.

What was happening?

Could it be, again—

“His Majesty has a decree—”

A high-pitched, sharp voice came, one after another.

…

…

In the summer of the fifth year of Yongning, the Third Prince Xiao Zhu committed treason, murdered his brother, slaughtered the Yang family, and brutalized the capital, causing thousands of deaths and injuries. Heaven could not tolerate such acts.

Xiao Zhu is posthumously stripped of his titles, and the Zhao family is to be executed, with their entire clan to be exterminated.

A daughter of the Chu family, brave and wise, wielded a knife and rode a horse to protect the Emperor’s eldest grandson.

For the eternal stability of the dynasty, we hereby appoint the Emperor’s eldest grandson, Xiao Yu, as Crown Prince, and the Chu daughter, Zhao, as the Crown Prince’s consort.

By Imperial Decree.