Chapter 320 - 101: Congratulations

Chapter 320: Chapter 101: Congratulations

Qi Leyun wasn’t very bright, nor was she very observant.

’This was an outfit she had specially chosen, and makeup she had carefully applied. The effect was meant to convey that she had suffered hardship without losing her heroic bearing—a low-key yet stunning heroine.’

’How in the world did she look like a fugitive being escorted to prison!’

Chu Tang shot a resentful, reproachful glare at the girl upstairs.

Thankfully, the other girls had come to their senses.

"She’s not in a prisoner cart!"

"That fabric pattern is a new style that just came out this spring!"

"She’s wearing peach blossom powder on her eyes! That only came out in the Capital City this spring. How could a common prisoner get her hands on that?"

"Her—her father is all better."

The girls’ gazes shifted from Chu Tang to another person at her side. He wore a brand-new scholar’s robe and cap, had a short beard, and an honest, square-jawed face. He held the reins, rocking gently. He seemed to be trying to look straight ahead, but his eyes couldn’t help but dart from side to side, which greatly diminished his scholarly air.

Although many of the girls had never seen Chu Lan, riding beside Chu Tang, the father-daughter resemblance was unmistakable.

Chu Lan was actually riding along with them. He hadn’t even left his home after Chu Zhao was named Empress, claiming to be ill. But seeing how happy Chu Tang was every day, they all knew he was just faking it.

The wanted posters put up by the Government Office hadn’t even been taken down yet, and here was Chu Lan, brazenly riding into the city—

One of the girls leaned out to get a better look. Chu Lan had no shackles on his feet.

"They’re not prisoners," Qi Leyun finally realized, pointing to the layers of Imperial Guards and officials surrounding Chu Lan and Chu Tang. The officials were even smiling and chatting with Chu Lan. "What is going on!"

The crowd on the street was also captivated by the father and daughter. Many didn’t recognize them, but they knew the names when they heard them—Chu Lan’s name was quite famous in the Capital City.

"The Empress’s paternal uncle!"

"That fugitive!"

"Did he escape by colluding with the King of Zhongshan?"

"He’s been captured and brought back!"

A tidal wave of discussion washed over the streets. Compared to the True Dragon Emperor, the villainous Grand Tutor who’d seized power, the dashing young gentlemen, the convicted Princely Heir, the Empress’s family were both ordinary and extraordinary, which made them an even more delicious topic of gossip.

Those blocked at the back of the crowd couldn’t see, only catching snippets of words—fugitive, Empress’s uncle—that were both thrilling and terrifying. They anxiously tugged at the people in front of them, asking what the prison clothes looked like, how big the shackles were, and how badly the criminal had been beaten.

But someone in the crowd quickly clarified things—an elderly man, an old woman carrying a basket, and even a child holding a sugar figurine who was watching the spectacle.

"Stop spreading rumors! Mr. Chu is no fugitive."

"Mr. Chu was acting on the court’s orders. He deliberately sullied his own reputation to deceive the Heir of Zhongshan King—"

"This time, the Heir of Zhongshan King was captured by Mr. Chu’s own hands!"

The clamor on the street grew even louder. To think there was such a legendary tale behind it all!

The girls forgot all about crowding by the window as their servants ran up and down, breathlessly delivering the latest news from the street.

"It’s true! They’re saying Chu Lan captured Xiao Xun."

"Actually, it was Miss Ah Tang who did it herself."

"With a single knife—"

A young maidservant even pantomimed drawing a blade, startling the girls who were listening intently.

"—Miss Ah Tang held the blade to the Princely Heir’s neck." Another servant cut in, raising her voice to imitate Chu Tang. "’You scoundrel! The Empress has ordered me to take you down—’"

Qi Leyun burst out laughing. "Really? She said that to make Heir Xiao give up on getting revenge on Chu Zhao, so he wouldn’t keep pestering her, right?"

The girls, who had been listening with bated breath, all burst into laughter.

That really did sound like something Chu Tang would do.

Still, for Chu Tang to be capable of such a thing was unexpected. The girls turned once more to look at her amidst the surging crowd on the street.

The young woman sat on her horse, swaying gently like a supple willow branch.

The ever-timid, cautious Chu Tang, who was best known for looking out for herself, had actually done something like this.

Many men couldn’t have managed it.

"So she didn’t run away. She went off to be a hero," Qi Leyun murmured. "I can’t believe she could be so incredible."

A girl beside her sighed. "The Empress is so incredible. Naturally, her older sister is too. They’re family, after all."

Qi Leyun gave a light cough. "Actually, as a tenant lodging in the Empress’s home, I think I’m pretty incredible too—"

The girls erupted in laughter again.

Zhou Jiang suddenly said, "Let’s throw flowers for Miss Chu Tang!"

Hearing this, the girls in the hall looked at the flower baskets. The flowers had been freshly picked this morning, originally intended for the Empress, but now—

Chu Tang was worthy of them too.

"Throw them!" they all shouted with laughter, grabbing the baskets and tossing the petals from the windows.

"Congratulations to Miss Chu Tang on her heroic return!"

"Congratulations to Miss Chu Tang on her heroic return!"

The girls’ clear, bright voices were like celestial music.

Countless flower petals rained down. The people on the street looked up, shouting and laughing, while children leaped up to catch them. The commotion on the street grew even greater.

Chu Tang raised her head, caught an apricot blossom in her hand, and tucked it into her hair by her temple, a wide smile spreading across her face.

’It feels so good to be a hero.’

...

...

The procession with the Emperor, high-ranking ministers, imperial clan members, and heroes gradually moved into the distance. The girls watched them go, then turned their gaze toward the city gates, their expressions tinged with a little regret.

"It’s a shame we didn’t see the Empress."

Their servants had already made inquiries on the street. The Empress hadn’t returned; she was still in Zhongshan County dealing with the aftermath and would only come back once everything was settled.

Miss Ning waved her hand grandly. "No matter. When the Empress returns, we’ll spend a fortune to fill the sky with a rain of flowers to celebrate her."

...

...

Stepping into the post house, the clamor of the streets was shut out.

Xiao Xun disembarked from his carriage and looked at the familiar place. The post house where he had previously massacred everyone was once again filled with officials.

"This way, Princely Heir," an official said, his expression cold.

Several Clerks made no effort to hide their hatred. During the chaos of that night, everyone in the post house had been killed. They had originally thought the Third Prince’s men were responsible, but now, it was crystal clear who the real murderer was.

Xiao Xun paid no mind to the officials’ hostility. He walked past them and entered with his attendants; only Tie Ying and Ning Kun were with him.

As Xiao Xun went inside, the post house doors were locked, one after another. Layers of Soldiers patrolled both inside and out, and no unauthorized person was allowed to approach.

Tie Ying looked at the cold, desolate room. There wasn’t even any hot water. He kicked over a copper basin.

"Are they really treating Your Highness like a common prisoner?" he cursed.

Xiao Xun sat down in a chair, not caring in the slightest about the dust covering it. He chuckled. "The victor is crowned king, the loser is branded a bandit. What kind of courteous treatment should a bandit expect?"

It would have been better not to mention it. At the words, Tie Ying’s eyes turned red. It should have been the Princely Heir who entered the city in grand fashion! It should have been the Princely Heir enjoying the cheers of the crowd!

He shouldn’t have had dirt and stones thrown at him, nor been met with a tide of curses!

It was all because of her!

Chu Zhao!

Chu Zhao used the Princely Heir as a hostage, forcing the Prince to withdraw his troops. Their efforts had been for naught. Tie Ying gritted his teeth. "But rest assured, Princely Heir. The Prince said that even so, no one in the Capital City will be able to harm or humiliate you!"

"I know," Xiao Xun said with a smile. "Otherwise, how could I be sitting here so peacefully? I would have been thrown into a real prison."

As he spoke, he waved his hand.

"There are no servants, so I’ll have to trouble you to boil some water, Tie Ying. I’d like to wash up."

"I’ve always been the one to accompany you on your travels, Princely Heir. We’ve never needed female servants," Tie Ying said. "I alone can ensure you eat well and sleep well."

With that, he gripped his saber and stomped out.

Xiao Xun chuckled. "Our Tie Ying truly isn’t afraid of hardship or fatigue."

Ning Kun whispered from the side, "It is because you, Princely Heir, are so calm, magnanimous, and composed."

Xiao Xun leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "The first time I came to the Capital City, I was the Heir of Zhongshan King. Now, I’ve returned as King Zhen’s Heir. You could say it’s a promotion, step by step. It’s a happy occasion, something to celebrate."

Ning Kun said, "If you can think of it that way, Princely Heir, the Prince will be relieved."

Xiao Xun looked at him and said suddenly, "However, there is one thing I’d like you to find out for me, Mr. Ning."

Ning Kun said quickly, "Please speak, Princely Heir."

"How exactly did Chu Zhao negotiate with my father?" Xiao Xun said slowly. He rested a hand on the desk, tracing a line through the dust, his eyes slightly downcast. "Besides using me to threaten him, what other threats did she make?"