Chapter 294 - 82: Acting First (Part 3)

Chapter 294: Chapter 82: Acting First (Part 3)

Chu Tang helped Chu Lan and Lady Jiang outside. Chu Lan, as if he hadn’t seen sunlight or people for a very long time, seemed ill at ease and shielded his face with his sleeve.

As they spoke, several more carriages pulled in. People of all ages climbed out, creating a lively scene as they gathered behind Chu Tang’s family.

Seeing all these people, Zhou Jiang was somewhat exasperated.

"Ah Tang, I never realized you were so loyal," she said. "Even when you’re fleeing, you don’t forget to bring your household servants."

And so many of them, too. A full twenty people, from elderly maidservants down to a ten-year-old page boy.

Chu Tang sighed softly. "How could I just run off and leave them to suffer in my stead?"

’The servants wouldn’t have to suffer for her,’ Zhou Jiang thought. ’At worst, they’d be arrested, locked up, and then sold off. They’d just be getting a new master.’

But it wasn’t her way to ask too many questions.

"You all should go get some rest. I’ll let you know as soon as there’s any news. This is my grandmother’s private estate; not many people in my own family know about it."

Chu Tang thanked her again. She and Lady Jiang supported Chu Lan as they made their way to the rear of the estate, surrounded by their servants.

"Ah Tang, it’s all thanks to you being on such good terms with those young ladies. That’s why they were willing to help us," Lady Jiang said, wiping away her tears, still visibly shaken from the ordeal.

In truth, she still didn’t fully understand everything her daughter had said, but she understood the gist of it: instead of enjoying the prestige that came with being related to the Empress, they were about to be implicated because of her.

"I always knew your Second Uncle’s family would be the ruin of us."

Listening to her mother, Chu Tang thought, ’It’s true that it wasn’t just Zhou Jiang’s family who helped this time. To create a diversion, several other families also had carriages leave the city today.’

’But convincing those families to help wasn’t just because I’m friends with their daughters—though I, Chu Tang, certainly deserve some of the credit.’

’At the very least, I was prepared. The household’s luggage had long been packed, which is why we could leave the moment we got the word.’

Even though she had been prepared, when Little Rabbit woke her in the middle of the night and handed her a slip of paper, she had nearly fainted from shock. Unfolding it, she read the words written by Chu Zhao: "The King of Zhongshan is attacking. The court will unearth old evidence of crimes. Danger."

Chu Tang pressed a hand to her chest.

It was still pounding wildly.

’The danger came so fast.’

’What am I going to do?’

Fortunately, Chu Zhao’s note listed the names of several Aristocratic Families, telling her to seek their help at once and go into hiding. The slip of paper bore Chu Zhao’s signature and was stamped with the Empress’s Phoenix Seal.

That very night, Chu Tang had Little Rabbit lead her out over the walls. Following the list of names from Chu Zhao, she had Little Rabbit sneak into each of these homes and rouse the family heads from their sleep.

Despite their advanced age, none of the family heads fainted from the shock. Upon seeing the note, they didn’t even ask what the "old evidence of crimes" referred to. After a moment of silent contemplation, they all agreed.

Chu Tang pressed her hand to her chest again. That night, sitting in the rooms of those old patriarchs and matriarchs, her heart had pounded with more terror than the people she’d just roused from their sleep.

Although these were families she often visited, it was always to spend time with the other young ladies. Aside from seeing the family heads once at the Empress’s banquet, she had no other dealings with them.

’I knew that in that moment, the person sitting before those old patriarchs and matriarchs wasn’t me, but Chu Zhao.’

’Even though Chu Zhao wasn’t physically present, her presence was enough to command the attention of these Aristocratic Families and secure their help.’

Chu Tang took a deep breath and let it out slowly, reassuring her parents. "Let’s not talk anymore for now. The most important thing is to stay hidden and safe."

After settling her parents in a room and instructing the servants to look after them, Chu Tang stepped outside and called for Little Rabbit.

Little Rabbit was perched on top of a wall, gazing into the distance. Hearing Chu Tang’s call, Little Rabbit leaped down.

"Did you send a message to her? To tell her we’re safely in hiding?" Chu Tang asked in a low voice. "Has she written back? Is there any news?"

Little Rabbit replied, "The message was sent as soon as we left the city. There’s no word from Sister Xiao Man, but there is other news."

Chu Tang asked, "What is it?"

Little Rabbit said excitedly, "Fighting has broken out! The Heir of Zhongshan King beheaded three court officials."

...

...

At that same moment, Xie Yanfang received the same news while in the middle of a game with Grandmaster Zhou.

After Du Qi stepped back from his side, having whispered in his ear, Xie Yanfang immediately relayed the news to Grandmaster Zhou.

"So his true colors are showing at last," Grandmaster Zhou said, placing a piece on the board.

Xie Yanfang shook his head. "His intentions have been common knowledge for a long time. This," he said, "is check."

He placed his piece as he spoke.

Grandmaster Zhou quickly looked at the board, an annoyed expression on his face. "You young rascal. You can’t beat me at Go, but it seems you’ve been holding back in chess."

Xie Yanfang smiled. "Actually, my Go isn’t half bad either. If I gave it my absolute all, I could probably beat you, Grandmaster. But these days, my heart is elsewhere, and I no longer dare to take such risks. The only thing I’m willing to give my all for is to ensure the child my sister left behind grows up safely." He paused, his expression hardening. "The child who witnessed the gruesome death of his own parents, who was transformed overnight from a clueless toddler into the Emperor of Great Xia. I want to see him grow up steady and strong, impervious to all evil."

He finished speaking and cupped his hands in a formal bow.

"The King of Zhongshan and his son once held a blade to Xiao Yu’s neck, and Chu Lan was the one who witnessed it. I implore you, Grandmaster, to help His Majesty reveal this truth to the world."

Grandmaster Zhou looked at him, then rose to his feet and returned the bow.

"Mr. Xie," he said, "I, like you, firmly believe that His Majesty survived a great calamity and is impervious to evil. And the world has long seen the rapacious ambition of the King of Zhongshan and his son."

Before Xie Yanfang could say another word, the grandmaster stepped forward and slammed his hand down hard on the game board.

"As for that traitor, Chu Lan, his death sentence is inescapable... once the King of Zhongshan and his son are captured."

’So, he won’t hand over the traitor Chu Lan until after the King of Zhongshan and his son are captured.’ Xie Yanfang looked at Grandmaster Zhou. Outside the doors of the hall, he could hear the disorderly footsteps of Black Armor Guards gathering.

The lead soldier reported, "We’ve searched everywhere. He’s not here."

Xie Yanfang turned to Grandmaster Zhou. "Forgive the intrusion. We will now search the other areas of your estate."

Grandmaster Zhou smiled pleasantly. "Mr. Xie, feel free."