Uncle Zhong had already arrived in the capital.

In that lifetime, Uncle Zhong hadn’t come at this time.

Though in that lifetime Uncle Zhong had mentioned coming to the capital to deliver Father’s request for resignation, he just hadn’t made it before the capital descended into chaos.

In this lifetime, Uncle Zhong had come early, and moreover said he was here to take her home.

Home, back to the border commandery!

Father actually wanted to bring her back!

Chu Zhao felt like she’d already grown wings and was flying, but after hearing Xie Yanfang’s next sentence, she fell back to earth.

Bring Uncle Zhong to Wangchun Garden?

Better not.

There was nothing worth watching in her competition anyway. Moreover, Uncle Zhong was Father’s man—once he came, the Third Prince and Xie Yanfang would probably all take notice. She was just a young woman of no importance, but Uncle Zhong was different. His every move would represent Father.

At a time like this, absolutely not.

“No need,” Chu Zhao quickly shook her head and smiled. “Thank you, Third Young Master. Uncle Zhong is a rough military man who barely recognizes any characters. Even if he came, he wouldn’t understand. He’d feel constrained in a place like this. It’s better for him to stay at the military camp. He came to see me, so after my competition ends today, I’ll go see him immediately.”

Xie Yanfang didn’t particularly care whether that Deputy General Zhong came or not. He’d only mentioned it to comfort this girl. If she disagreed, so be it.

“Alright,” he nodded. “The military camp is under my people’s watch. They’ll look after Deputy General Zhong well and won’t let them be treated poorly.”

Chu Zhao didn’t decline this kindness. After all, Father hadn’t returned to the capital in many years, and his reputation wasn’t good either. The capital was best at treating people according to their status. With Xie Yanfang giving instructions to look after them, Uncle Zhong and the others wouldn’t be mistreated.

Uncle Zhong had followed Father, and had suffered so much in that lifetime. She hoped to let them live more comfortably.

“Thank you, Third Young Master.” Chu Zhao thanked him sincerely, then was about to leave.

Xie Yanfang called out to her: “Miss A’Zhao.”

Chu Zhao quickly turned back around, looking at him earnestly: “What other instructions does Third Young Master have?”

Xie Yanfang asked: “I should be asking if Miss A’Zhao has any other instructions.”

Chu Zhao didn’t understand and shook her head: “No more.” She said again, “Third Young Master, you must watch the Third Prince closely. He’s even more cruel than you know. He’s better at killing than the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince’s martial nature is on the surface, but the Third Prince’s is in his bones. Others can’t see it and won’t guard against it.”

Xie Yanfang nodded solemnly: “Good, I’ve noted it.” He asked again, “What I meant was, Miss A’Zhao, you’ve sincerely helped me. What can I do for you?”

So that’s what he meant. Chu Zhao smiled. Truth be told, she had many dissatisfactions, but thinking again, none of them really mattered. All her problems were her own problems. As long as she didn’t fall into romantic folly, all problems could be easily resolved.

And now her only worry—going back to see Father and being with Father—had also been resolved.

Though she didn’t know why Father had changed his mind, perhaps Heaven had seen her changes and finally opened its eyes.

Father had come to fetch her!

She could return to Father’s side!

After ten years of light and shadow across past and present lives, she could finally see Father again!

She desired nothing else!

“I don’t need anything,” she said, her eyes shining brilliantly with starlight. “I’m completely satisfied now, without a care in the world.”

With that, she waved to Xie Yanfang, turned and walked quickly away, joining her maid A’Le who was waiting nearby. The two girls put their heads together and said something, then the maid also became extremely happy. The two of them, one in front and one behind, departed joyfully like hopping birds.

Xie Yanfang stood in place watching, unable to help smiling. As he smiled, it gradually faded.

He had never seen anyone without desires.

Many people, just by standing before him, even without speaking, he could see what they desired.

There was no one in this world without desires or requests.

Of course, Chu Zhao had them too. She asked him to be vigilant against the Third Prince and protect the Crown Prince.

He didn’t find it strange. Although Chu Zhao said it wasn’t because the Third Prince targeted and humiliated her, young ladies without reasons surely had purposes.

He believed Chu Zhao’s purpose was for Chu Ling.

Chu Ling could no longer be restored to office—his life had reached its end. However, he could have a peaceful death. For instance, posthumous honors and titles, which would not only clear his previous charges but also bring honor to his family.

At this very moment, Chu Ling’s subordinate, Zhong Changrong, had also come to the capital with the resignation request.

So just now, he had proactively asked if she needed help.

Considering how devoted this girl was to the Crown Prince, he didn’t mind helping Chu Ling.

But unexpectedly, she refused.

The girl said she didn’t need it, had nothing to request.

Nothing to request? He, Xie Yanfang, had never seen anyone without requests.

Moreover, he clearly knew that the girl was telling the truth. She truly had nothing to request.

Just now, she was as happy as she herself said—completely satisfied, without a care in the world.

Xie Yanfang looked at the empty flower path before him and had a very strange thought: Could it be that what the girl desired was him?

Truly like the rumors on the street said, to get close to him?

Xie Yanfang couldn’t help but laugh at himself. Others might not know, but why would he follow their nonsense? When that girl stood before him, couldn’t he tell whether she had feelings for him or not?

When that girl faced him, there was only scrutiny, assessment, and urging. She seemed to stand very close, but actually always maintained distance. Not like with Xie Yanlai, with whom she could even quarrel—

Quarreling was also a kind of emotion, and not one that could be had with just anyone, especially for those skilled at hiding their emotions.

Xie Yanfang then had an even stranger thought: Could that rumor actually be true? That Miss Chu was willing to never part from Xie Yanlai in life or death?

He threw his head back and laughed heartily.

Steward Cai beside him couldn’t help but interrupt, asking: “Young Master, what are you thinking about that makes you so happy?”

Xie Yanfang laughed: “Thinking about romantic affairs.”

Steward Cai’s expression was astonished. When would Third Young Master Xie think about romantic affairs?

Xie Yanfang was very satisfied at having startled the old steward and turned away with a laugh.

Steward Cai came to his senses, somewhat helpless. The young master was becoming increasingly mischievous, especially every time after seeing and talking with Chu Zhao—

Hm?

“Young Master,” Steward Cai couldn’t help but follow, hesitating before asking, “Whose romantic affairs are you thinking about?”

Xie Yanfang’s laughter grew louder.

This laughter drew many gazes from the surroundings. Some saw his joyful expression, others looked hesitant, whispering to each other—after all, Xie Yanfang was the Crown Prince’s man, and the Crown Prince and Third Prince had just had such an unpleasant clash.

Yet Xie Yanfang had actually come to attend the Wangchun Garden literary gathering.

Was he planning to embarrass the Third Prince at the gathering?

How could the Third Prince let him off?

Regardless of the various speculations in their expressions around him, Steward Cai followed Xie Yanfang and asked in a low voice: “When will you return to the Crown Prince’s side?”

Xie Yanfang said: “Being here is also working for the Crown Prince.”

Steward Cai said helplessly: “But surely it’s not only for work. The Crown Princess and the young prince are both there. Family should gather together and be happy.”

Family?

“If family wants to be happy for a long time,” Xie Yanfang said with a smile, “then work must be done. As for the young prince—”

He glanced at Steward Cai.

“He is the Xie family’s future support, but not my, Xie Yanfang’s, support.”

So in terms of family, the young prince was the young prince. In terms of sovereign, the young prince was also not his sovereign.

He and the young prince didn’t need to interact much.

……

……

At the imperial hunting grounds surrounded by mountain ranges outside the capital, people shouted, horses neighed, and dogs barked, almost overturning the mountain forest.

Sitting on the high slope, one could feel the tremors.

The small figure seemed unable to sit still, standing up and looking on tiptoe—but not looking down at the excitement, rather looking up. Above was a higher mountain and dense forest.

“My young prince,” Eunuch Qi came up gasping for breath. “Why did you run here?”

He glanced around. Of course there were imperial guards standing watch and protecting all around, but still, he was just a child after all.

“Eunuch Qi,” the child’s voice was somewhat sad. “I’m waiting for Uncle. Mother said Uncle would shoot arrows from high places, hitting the target every time.”

But he’d waited all day, even specifically standing at the highest point, and still hadn’t seen any trace of the legendary Uncle.