Chapter 54
Chapter 54
Your hypocrisy is sickening…
Your hypocrisy is sickening!
That was her biological daughter’s judgment of her!
Li Hui’er did not look at her again. She swept up the carriage curtain, nimbly climbed down, and went to find her third aunt, Lady Wang, for a conversation. She did not spare her biological mother behind her so much as a sidelong glance.
A dull pain twisted through Lady Tan’s heart as though a knife were churning inside it. Pale-faced, she slumped weakly against the cushions and gasped for air like a fish out of water.
Ma Baozhu watched until Li Hui’er left, then hurried into the carriage. The moment she lifted the curtain and saw Lady Tan in that state, she received a terrible fright. “Mother, what is wrong? I will fetch the physician at once!”
Lady Tan’s pale, wasted hand shot out and seized her. “I am fine. Bring me one of my pills.”
Her illness had persisted for more than a day or two. Since they were traveling, the physician had prepared medicinal pills for her to carry. Whenever she felt unwell, taking one would bring some relief.
Ma Baozhu wanted to use the opportunity to push Li Hui’er down until the Deposed Heir no longer loved her. But she also knew that Lady Tan was the foundation of her position in this family. She dared not delay. She immediately found a pill, soothed Lady Tan’s breathing, and gave her water. Only after serving Lady Tan until she had swallowed the medicine and watching some color return to her face did Ma Baozhu relax.
“Mother, what happened just now?”
With concern on her face, Ma Baozhu asked, “I saw Hui’er get out of the carriage. Did the two of you argue? Was it because of me?”
Biting her lip, she added, “If there is truly no other way, Mother should send me away. Do not make Younger Sister Hui’er unhappy…”
“Nothing happened. Do not imagine things.” Lady Tan found the concern comforting, but the memory of her biological daughter’s words tore at her heart and left her in agony.
She closed her eyes wearily. “I want to sleep for a while.”
Ma Baozhu obediently fell silent. “All right. I will stay here with you.”
…
When the King of Wu’s household set out for the capital, the families of Huaizhou’s civil and military officials traveled with them. As Lady Tan’s own younger brother, the eldest Tan brother was naturally among them.
He had always been a wastrel with no respectable talents. His brother-in-law had previously confined him to his residence for more than half a year, leaving him thoroughly stifled. Whenever the procession stopped to rest, he wandered about with his hands behind his back, his roving eyes lingering improperly on the women.
The eldest Tan brother possessed at least some sense of proportion. He dared not bother women from illustrious families and focused only on those of ordinary background. But Lady Bai was cautious and feared he would cause trouble on the road, so she had long since assigned someone to watch him in secret. The moment crooked thoughts entered his mind, word reached Lady Bai.
Lady Bai had no wish to see the filthy creature. She merely sent someone to convey a message. “If Master Tan cannot control his hands, feet, and wandering eyes, I will control them for him. If he believes I lack the authority, then once we reach the capital, I will report to the old man and ask him to do it.”
The eldest Tan brother was already intimidated by Lady Bai, let alone the old man. That ruthless figure had split his younger brother in two. Even with ten times the courage, he would not dare cause mischief in secret.
He obediently returned to his place and stayed there, but his hatred for Lady Bai deepened.
After suffering such a shock, Lady Tan began coughing blood that evening. Ma Baozhu went to the Deposed Heir with worry all over her face and whispered, “She became like this after seeing Hui’er. I think they argued…”
She lowered her head, looking deeply uneasy.
The Deposed Heir frowned slightly and went to question Lady Tan, but she refused to explain. She told him not to spread word, delay the procession, and earn everyone’s displeasure.
A letter sent at full gallop needed only three days to travel from Huaizhou to the capital. This procession of women, children, and elderly people took twice as long.
By the time they arrived, it was already evening and twilight lay heavy over the land. When they saw a large group of soldiers waiting at the city gates with torches from some distance away, anticipation rose in their hearts. They mustered their strength and hurried forward. Sure enough, the soldiers had come specifically to welcome the party from Huaizhou.
Their leader was one of the King of Wu’s deputy commanders of the personal guard. He saw the Deposed Heir riding at the front, yet did not greet him first. Instead, he waited until Lady Bai and Lady Wang had both descended from their carriages before respectfully asking, “Princess Consort of Changshan, Commandery Prince, Princess Consort of Wu’an, did you have a safe journey?”
All three sensed something unusual in the order of his greetings. Their hearts began to pound in unison. After each answered that the journey had gone well, they heard the deputy commander continue, “The King of Wu and the Prince of Changshan have gone to inspect the Western Hills Military Camp and will not return until tomorrow. Before leaving, the King of Wu ordered this subordinate to welcome you. The Commandery Prince’s residence and the Prince of Wu’an’s residence have both been prepared. Designated attendants will shortly escort the Commandery Prince, Commandery Princess, and the young masters and ladies to their respective residences.”
He mentioned residences for the Deposed Heir and the Prince of Wu’an, but said nothing of arrangements for the Prince of Changshan. Despair surged inside the Deposed Heir, quickening even his breath. Before Lady Bai could ask, he blurted, “Then where will Second Brother and his family live?”
Lady Bai glanced at him without betraying any emotion.
The deputy commander smiled courteously. “The Prince of Changshan participates in military strategy and has countless affairs to attend. Living outside the palace would be inconvenient, so the King of Wu selected palace quarters for him. Before this inspection, he also ordered this subordinate to escort the Princess Consort of Changshan and the young masters and ladies of her household into the palace to reunite with the prince.”
The scene fell silent as soon as he finished speaking. Only the crackling of pine branches in the bonfires could be heard, the sound especially harsh amid the stillness.
The Deposed Heir did not speak for a long time.
Twilight had deepened, and only the bonfires and the attendants’ torches offered a little light. Light and shadow mottled his face, his expression dark and obscure. He seemed stained by the boundless dusk, his entire figure radiating profound dejection.
The deputy commander did not let his gaze linger on the Deposed Heir. As one of the King of Wu’s trusted men, he knew perfectly well that the former Heir Apparent of Wu had no chance of ever rising again.
Even though he was the King of Wu’s eldest legitimate son and had once stood at the center of everyone’s attention.
The deputy commander turned to Lady Bai with a respectful expression. “Commandery Princess, shall we gather the young masters and ladies and depart?”
Lady Bai nodded, her composure unchanged. She bade farewell to the Deposed Heir and Lady Wang, then instructed them to take good care of the elderly, infirm, women, and children traveling with the procession. If every family settled in without incident, they were to send someone to report to her the next day.
The Deposed Heir seemed to have lost his soul and gave no response. Lady Bai did not mind. Lady Wang, meanwhile, smiled as she bade her second sister-in-law farewell.
She offered no congratulations, since nothing had been made official. But given the current situation, what the future held was already perfectly clear.
The household guards and personal attendants drove the carriages carrying Lady Bai’s children over. Lady Bai climbed aboard. A second before they set off, the Deposed Heir suddenly looked at the deputy commander and asked hoarsely, “Why?”
He had plainly worked so hard. Why had matters come to this?
He was the King of Wu’s eldest legitimate son, the most natural choice for Crown Prince!
The deputy commander was an old follower of the King of Wu and had some acquaintance with the Deposed Heir. Seeing the man fall so low filled him with private regret. When he heard the question, he hesitated, then finally said in a low voice before turning his horse, “Commandery Prince, three feet of ice do not form in a single day. Do you truly not know why you lost the King of Wu’s favor?”
The Deposed Heir’s mouth tasted as bitter as though he had swallowed a hundred pounds of the bitterest herbs.
Lady Bai’s party left first.
Lady Wang departed with her children as well.
The guardsman assigned to guide the Deposed Heir’s family saw him sitting dazed and dejected on his horse without a word. After waiting a while, he finally urged, “Commandery Prince? Commandery Prince, it is time to go. Your status is too exalted. If you do not depart first, no one behind you can move.”
My status is exalted?
Ha ha ha ha ha!
The Deposed Heir wanted to throw back his head and laugh three times.
He had heard those words many times before. Everyone said his status was exalted and that he had been born fortunate.
He was the old man and old lady’s first son. When he was born, the old man had leaped three feet into the air with joy. His family had not been so wealthy when he was young, but his parents had done everything in their power to give him the best of all they possessed.
When he grew older, the old man hired renowned scholars to teach him and personally instructed him in horsemanship and warfare. Later still, he married the woman he loved, gained both sons and daughters, and rose to become Heir Apparent. He had truly ridden the spring wind of success and become the envy of the world.
When had everything begun to change?
The Deposed Heir followed the guards in a daze, his expression vacant. Like a wandering soul, he had lost all feeling and knew only to keep moving numbly forward.
After an unknown length of time, the guard leading them said, “Commandery Prince, we have arrived.”
The Deposed Heir raised his head. No plaque had yet been hung above the gate of the residence, and judging by its location, the neighborhood did not appear particularly prosperous. Desolation filled his heart. He nodded and led his wife and children inside.
Lady Tan was ill, not stupid or deaf. Naturally, she had heard everything that happened at the city gates. She knew how hard her husband had worked to regain his former position. She knew how many nights he had gone without sleep to stabilize the rear and raise military provisions. He had hoped to earn the old man’s approval. He did not demand to be placed directly in that position, but he had wanted at least a chance to compete with Second Brother.
Now everything was over.
Over.
That word struck the hearts of everyone in the eldest branch like a sledgehammer.
Everyone except Li Hui’er.
She did not understand politics, but she was clever enough to grasp what her father had lost.
She simply did not care.
What was so terrible about it?
If Father became Crown Prince, Mother would become Crown Princess. Years later, they would become Emperor and Empress. Given how much they favored Ma Baozhu, would they not grant her the title of princess?
Given how much her brother favored Ma Baozhu, once he ascended the throne, what status would Ma Baozhu hold, and what status would remain for his biological sister?
The mere thought of that thief becoming a princess alongside her, or even surpassing her and monopolizing all favor, made Li Hui’er sick enough to vomit!
By comparison, having Second Uncle become Crown Prince was wonderful!
Second Aunt was such a good person, so Second Uncle must be good too. Most importantly, her second uncle and aunt had made their position perfectly clear: the eldest branch had only one young lady, Li Hui’er. Ma Baozhu did not count!
Even if Second Uncle was ambitious and not as warm or kind as Second Aunt, he was already becoming Crown Prince and clearly stood to become emperor. Why would he make trouble for a little girl like her?
Li Hui’er understood the balance of gains and losses perfectly. Being made a county princess by Second Uncle would be ten thousand times better than being made a princess by her own father!
As for the difference in rank between a county princess and a princess, she truly did not care.
She was a wild girl raised in a poor family. Becoming a county princess would already be a single leap into the heavens. She understood very well that contentment brought happiness.
The Deposed Heir, Lady Tan, and the others looked as though their parents had died. Li Hui’er alone walked lightly, her heart full of joy.
Lady Tan caught sight of her from the corner of her eye, and pain stabbed her heart. The second branch is rising. Does that make you so happy?!
However close your second uncle and aunt may be to you, they are only your uncle and aunt. Your biological parents are standing right in front of you!
The family ate without tasting their food, then the children left to rest. Lady Tan kept recalling Li Hui’er’s heartfelt joy, and the more she thought about it, the more bitter she became. “That child Hui’er truly cannot be won over. Because of Baozhu, she still resents us and has thrown her whole heart behind the second branch…”
The Deposed Heir said wearily, “Has she?”
The personal attendant beside him hesitated before reporting, “Back in Huaizhou, this subordinate heard the two maids beside Young Lady Hui’er urging her to seek refuge with the second branch instead of returning to us.”
Lady Tan snorted. “Lady Bai gave her both those maids. Hui’er keeps them close while barely using any of the people I assigned her. Clearly, Second Sister-in-law put considerable effort into training them.”
The eldest Tan brother’s old and new grudges flared at his sister’s words. “Exactly! She even sent people to spy on me. Just think how calculating and vicious that woman is!”
They continued muttering among themselves.
The Deposed Heir’s head throbbed as he listened. Now that the dust had settled, he had even less desire to hear them gossiping about petty household disputes. He slammed a hand against the table and snapped, “Enough! Things have already come this far. What is the point of saying any of this? We have been traveling all day. Are none of you tired?!”
Without looking at anyone’s expression, he left with a dark face to spend the night with Lady Liu.
Lady Tan looked dejected. The eldest Tan brother and the personal attendant exchanged glances. Neither dared say more, and the gathering dispersed.
The eldest Tan brother returned to his room alone and drank to drown his frustration. The more he drank, the more bitter he became.
How had everything come to this?!
His brother-in-law had once been Heir Apparent of Wu. He ought to be Crown Prince now and emperor in the future, while the eldest Tan brother should naturally have become the emperor’s brother-in-law and swaggered about flaunting his power!
But now everything was over!
Damn the second Ma son! Damn Lady Bai!
The more the eldest Tan brother drank, the greater his hatred grew, and the greater his hatred grew, the more he drank. Eventually, he slumped over the table and fell into a drunken sleep. In the middle of the night, the pressure in his bladder woke him. Supporting himself against the wall, he stumbled outside to relieve himself.
They had only just arrived, so the residence was heavily guarded outside but not particularly secure within. By the time the eldest Tan brother finished urinating, he had sobered considerably. His chest still felt oppressively tight, so he remained in the courtyard and let the night wind clear his head.
He sat on a railing and dozed for a while. Suddenly, he spotted a maid walking along the covered corridor opposite him. He stared after her and only recognized her once she had gone some distance. She was one of the maids serving his newly acquired niece. Was her name Qiulan or Qiuyue…? He could not remember.
Alcohol lent courage even to cowards, and the eldest Tan brother had never been particularly timid. After losing the position of imperial brother-in-law that had seemed within his grasp and suffering a warning from Lady Bai, lust stirred in him under cover of darkness.
She was only a maid. What did it matter?
The eldest Tan brother pulled himself up by the railing and staggered after her. He watched Qiulan enter the small kitchen and did not dare alert anyone. Once she left the kitchen and reached a deserted spot, he suddenly lunged and wrapped his arms around her.
The eldest Tan brother was still drunk and unsteady on his feet. Qiulan, however, had ridden horses and practiced martial arts with Lady Bai since childhood and knew some basic fighting skills.
Despite the danger, she kept her wits. She raised one leg and stamped hard on the eldest Tan brother’s foot, then drove an elbow back into him.
The unexpected blow churned acid up from his stomach. He forced it back down, only for anger to flare. “A feisty one, are you…”
Even after Qiulan broke free, fear lingered in her heart. She turned to look and started in genuine shock. “Master Tan?!”
Dragging out such an encounter could only harm her. Despite her fury, she said nothing more, turned, and hurried away.
A vicious impulse seized the eldest Tan brother. He chased her and grabbed hold of her. After several rounds of struggling and fighting, Qiulan’s hand found a stone. Without thinking, she swung it into the back of his head. His body jerked violently before collapsing limply to the ground.
Sprawled on the ground, the eldest Tan brother reached toward the back of his head in disbelief. He slowly pushed himself upright, his face twisting with menace. “You wretched maid, you dare try to kill me? You are dead!”
Qiulan’s face was deathly pale. Hot tears flooded her eyes from rage and fear. “You committed such a vile act. Do you not deserve to die? No matter where this is judged, I am in the right!”
The eldest Tan brother staggered to his feet and scoffed, “Even if you are right, do you dare tell anyone? Would you rather lose your reputation or your life? My sister might even give you to me!”
Qiulan’s entire body trembled. Once the first terror passed, her resolve hardened instead. “In your dreams! At worst, I will shave my head and become a Buddhist nun! I refuse to believe the Commandery Princess will not uphold justice for me, or that the old man will favor you! You are the one who is dead!”
The eldest Tan brother’s expression changed. He knew the Commandery Princess she mentioned could not possibly be his sister. If the affair truly reached Lady Bai and the King of Wu, he would suffer dearly for it.
Panic seized him, while Qiulan’s resolve steadied. When she saw the eldest Tan brother swaying toward her in pursuit, she turned and ran.
The eldest Tan brother tried to chase, but a burst of agony shot through the back of his head. He remained in place until the pain eased enough for him to move, then hurried through a maze of turns toward Lady Tan’s quarters to beg his sister to save him.
Qiuyue was keeping watch in the room. When Qiulan suddenly returned with a pale face, trembling body, and torn collar, every hair on Qiuyue’s body stood on end. She exclaimed in horror, “Elder Sister Qiulan?!”
Qiulan’s teeth chattered uncontrollably. “Where is my lady? I have something to tell her.”
Li Hui’er was a light sleeper. After she rose and heard Qiulan’s account, she immediately cursed aloud. “That bastard! That filthy animal!”
During her brief stay with the eldest branch, she had witnessed one ugly incident after another. Now bitterly disappointed, she said, “Is there something wrong with the brains of everyone surnamed Tan? My mother is hopelessly confused, and my uncle… He is not even human. He is a beast!”
Qiulan understood the situation more clearly than she did. She knelt and pleaded, “My lady, I know better than you how much the Commandery Princess cherishes Master Tan. After something like this, she will certainly protect her brother. She will either silence me or give me to Master Tan. If that happens, I would rather die! I want to seek help from my mistress, but she is inside the palace. My only choice is to go instead to the Princess Consort of Wu’an. I beg my lady, for the sake of the time we have spent together, to testify for me…” By the end, she was sobbing too hard to speak.
The heart that had brimmed with hope when Li Hui’er returned home had long since been wounded beyond recognition by Lady Tan. The last trace of warmth in it had turned to ash when Lady Tan questioned her on their way into the capital. As for her father…
Yes, he stopped Mother from showing favoritism and rebuked her brother when he looked down on her. But he had never taken any real action to stop either of them.
Only a few weightless words.
Nothing more than a few weightless words.
By now, her entire family treated her coldly and kept their distance, while her own maternal uncle had actually dared assault her maid after getting drunk…
What kind of family was this?!
She had had enough. She never wanted to live under the same roof as them again!
Li Hui’er clenched her teeth and breathed rapidly. After a while, she said softly but firmly, “I will go with you! We will find Third Aunt. I do not want to be Father’s and Mother’s daughter anymore. I would rather live with Third Aunt!”
Even Qiulan was startled by those words. “My lady, you must think this through!”
Li Hui’er said, “I have thought it through!”
Neither Second Uncle’s nor Third Uncle’s household would miss the food needed to feed her. She was not so ambitious that she would threaten death if she could not become a princess or county princess. Food, clothing, and freedom from want would satisfy her. Why remain at home and endure such needless humiliation? She was the legitimate young lady, yet that thief lived better than she did!
Tears spilled from Qiuyue’s eyes as well. “My lady, they are still your parents. If you leave today, do you know what outsiders will say?”
Li Hui’er smiled bleakly. “Others may not know how they treat me, but do the two of you not know?”
For a time, mistress and maids faced one another in tears.
Li Hui’er took nothing with her and did not dare use the front gate. If someone stopped them and reported to the Deposed Heir and his wife, everything would be over.
Fortunately, she was a girl raised in the countryside, while Qiulan and Qiuyue both knew some rudimentary martial arts. By choosing the right moment and climbing over several walls, they had little difficulty getting out.
The three avoided the guards and crept toward the rear gate. On the way, they passed the main residence and saw lamplight in the distance. Lady Tan’s shrill, piercing voice suddenly rang out from within. “…The wretched maid must have deliberately seduced him in hopes of gaining wealth and status!”
Li Hui’er shuddered involuntarily. Qiulan and Qiuyue trembled as well. Silently, the three tightened their clasped hands, giving one another courage and strength.
Security inside the residence was lax, allowing the two adults and one child to move easily. Outside the Commandery Prince’s residence, however, the guard was strict. Leaving without alerting anyone would be almost impossible.
An Embroidered Uniform Guard hidden in the shadows quietly asked the commander assigned to watch the Deposed Heir’s residence, “They seem to be running away. What should we do?”
The commander knew how extraordinarily concerned the King of Wu was about the granddaughter he had finally recovered. He also despised the eldest Tan brother’s character. After some thought, he said, “Let them out. They probably intend to go to the Prince of Wu’an’s residence.”
The subordinate assented. Before long, an opening appeared in the defenses at the rear gate. Qiuyue was desperate to leave, and Qiulan’s thoughts remained in chaos after what she had suffered, so she agreed as well. Li Hui’er, however, felt things had become a little too easy.
Was she overthinking it?
Was it truly a coincidence?
Dawn was breaking and the sky gradually brightening. The darkness still made their departure convenient, but once full daylight arrived, leaving would become difficult.
Li Hui’er made up her mind. The three slipped out through the rear gate together. Once they had gone a considerable distance, Qiuyue asked for directions to the Prince of Wu’an’s residence. She was about to set off when Li Hui’er stopped her.
“We are not going to find Third Aunt.”
Qiuyue stared in astonishment. “Why?”
“Because finding Third Aunt will not help. Neither will finding Second Aunt. However much they sympathize with us, they cannot overrule Father and Mother to do anything to my uncle.”
Li Hui’er continued, “Likewise, however much Second Aunt and Third Aunt disapprove of Father and Mother sheltering that thief and constantly favoring her, they cannot stop them.”
Qiulan froze. “My lady, you cannot mean…”
“I have had enough of this life.” Li Hui’er clenched her teeth. “I am going to find Grandfather, the person who can actually take charge of this matter!”
Qiuyue said quietly, “That will make this a tremendous scandal.”
“This matter is destined to become a tremendous scandal,” Li Hui’er said seriously. “Do you think Second Aunt or Third Aunt can overrule Grandfather and directly order my uncle punished?”
Qiuyue and Qiulan both fell silent.
Li Hui’er paused, took Qiulan’s hand, and said, “Elder Sister Qiulan, if you are afraid, then I will not go. We can follow our original plan and find Third Aunt instead.”
“No.” Qiulan gripped her hand tightly. “Let us do as my lady says.”
She knew her plight was not the only reason, but this girl was willing to break with her parents and confront them before her grandfather for Qiulan’s sake. Qiulan could not betray such devotion.
Li Hui’er smiled.
Then she planted her hands on her hips and shouted, “Come out! Take me to Grandfather! I want to see Grandfather!”
Qiulan and Qiuyue both stared in shock.
To their even greater astonishment, people actually appeared. They prepared a carriage and drove the three toward the Western Hills Military Camp.
Qiuyue whispered, “My lady, how did you know someone was following us?”
Li Hui’er answered, “We only arrived in the capital last night. Security was tight outside and loose inside, so we could slip smoothly to the rear gate but could not pass through it. The guards there were clearly very strict. Why did an opening suddenly appear at exactly the right moment to let us out? If the three of us could slip out, would bandits and thieves not be able to slip in just as easily?”
Qiulan asked, “That alone made my lady think someone was following us?”
“At first, I only suspected it. When Qiuyue went to ask for directions, I became certain.”
Li Hui’er laid out her case with conviction. “Grandfather has only just entered the capital. Because everyone’s future status remains unsettled, none of the residences even have plaques over their gates yet. How could we happen upon some random person, ask a single question, and learn where Third Uncle lives? Think about when we left as well. It was still dark, and the streets were empty because the curfew probably had not ended. Yet that man suddenly appeared for no reason except to tell us where Third Uncle’s family lived?”
Understanding dawned on Qiuyue, and she laughed. “That is true!”
Li Hui’er continued, “Whoever he is, he could order the guards to let us out. That means he does not work for my father, and he must hold considerable authority. Second Uncle and Third Uncle would hardly dare plant men outside Father’s gate under Grandfather’s nose, would they? Yet he was willing to tell us where Third Uncle lived and kept protecting us from the shadows, so he clearly bears us no ill will. Grandfather is about to ascend the throne, making this a critical moment. The capital is sealed so tightly that not even water could seep through. Who do you think is helping us from behind the scenes?”
The Embroidered Uniform Guard driving outside overheard her and chuckled. He said quietly to his colleague, “She is clever.”
His colleague smiled too, then quickly sobered and murmured, “A storm is coming.”
The first guard fell silent as well.
The King of Wu was about to ascend to the highest position. Yet the son who had entered the palace beside him was not his eldest legitimate son, but his second legitimate son, the Prince of Changshan. Countless eyes were watching in secret, waiting to see the final outcome.
At precisely this moment, the Deposed Heir’s biological daughter was going before the King of Wu to accuse her parents of cruelty and her uncle of an outrageous offense. No matter how one considered it, this affair was going to tear open the heavens.
A storm truly was coming.
The sun rose in the east and daylight gradually brightened. As the Western Hills Military Camp drew closer, anxiety mounted in the hearts of the two young women and one girl inside the carriage.
Especially Li Hui’er.
For her, this was an enormous gamble with an unknown outcome.
At last, they reached the Western Hills Military Camp. The Embroidered Uniform Guards showed their tokens and led Li Hui’er, Qiulan, and Qiuyue inside. When they came within a hundred meters of the command tent, they were finally stopped. This was a vital military compound, they were told, and no one could enter without orders.
The two Embroidered Uniform Guards who had escorted them cupped their hands toward Li Hui’er. “Young Lady Hui’er, we can only bring you this far. The rest is up to you.”
Li Hui’er looked around. In the distance, trees cast deep shadows. Closer at hand, every soldier stood in disciplined formation. The entire place radiated the fierce edge of iron and warhorses.
Now that she had come this far, there could be no retreat. If Grandfather learned that she had turned back, he would only consider her timid and cowardly, unable to take the final step even with her goal at hand.
Li Hui’er steadied herself and thanked the Embroidered Uniform Guards. Then she advanced several steps with Qiulan and Qiuyue, swept up the hem of her robe, and knelt before the military enclosure. Kowtowing, she called out, “Hui’er, daughter of the King of Wu’s eldest son, has taken the liberty of coming here today. First, I wish to kowtow and pay my respects to Grandfather. Second, I beg Grandfather to uphold justice for me!”
She raised her voice and repeated the plea three times before stopping.
The soldiers stationed there had seen her brought by the King of Wu’s men and assumed her identity could not be false. They dared not delay and immediately sent someone into the camp with the message.
Zhu Yuanzhang was up before the rooster. At that moment, he and the Prince of Changshan were gesturing over a map of the Western Hills terrain when a personal guard suddenly entered to report that Young Lady Hui’er had arrived with two maids and was kneeling outside, asking to see her grandfather.
Zhu Yuanzhang truly did not know what fresh disaster the eldest branch had caused the day before. Puzzled, he asked, “How did she get here? A little girl ran away with two grown maids?”
The personal guard lowered his voice. “The Embroidered Uniform Guard brought them. Something happened at the Commandery Prince’s residence last night.” He then recounted what the eldest Tan brother had done.
Zhu Yuanzhang was speechless.
How did these people manage to accomplish nothing useful while racing nonstop to make him angry?
The Prince of Changshan had initially been wondering who Young Lady Hui’er was, but halfway through the explanation, everything clicked. This girl should not be called Hui’er. She should be called Xian’er, an immortal maiden! He had just been wondering how he could rise without dispute when Eldest Brother was the eldest legitimate son, and in the next instant, someone appeared to assist him. Was this not an immortal of a niece?
Shock and rage mingled on his face as he immediately declared, “Has the eldest Tan brother gone mad? How dare he commit such an act? His skin must be itching. We had better flay it off!”
After speaking, the Prince of Changshan shed tears as though he had suffered the same wrong himself. “Poor Hui’er. That child endured so much hardship outside. She thought she would finally live well after returning home, but even under the care of her own parents, people still bully her. It is far too pitiful…”
Zhu Yuanzhang casually picked up a cleaning rag from the table and handed it to his son to wipe his tears. Then he patted him on the shoulder. “You are overacting a little.”
The Prince of Changshan was speechless.
He choked out, “Father, your son is entirely sincere.”
Zhu Yuanzhang continued, “But your skin is thick enough that you can keep performing even after being exposed. That part is commendable.”
The Prince of Changshan was speechless again.