The hall entrance fell silent. Everyone stared somewhat dazedly at the young crown prince inside.
At this moment, Chu Lan reacted fastest.
“Crown Prince,” he asked, “what did you say?”
He looked at his daughter. Chu Tang’s clothes and appearance were disheveled, but the young maiden was pitifully delicate and charmingly captivating.
Had he just… taken a fancy to her?
Xiao Xun said: “Just as before, I asked Master Chu Lan to help and promised him he’d climb the ladder to heaven. Now I’m asking Miss A’Tang to help, so naturally I must also give a reward. The younger sister saved that little child and could become empress. As the elder sister, naturally she should receive the same treatment. So, Miss A’Tang, are you willing to marry me?”
Would any girl in the world be unwilling?
Prince Zhongshan’s crown prince was born into wealth and nobility, young and handsome. Now his great undertaking was about to succeed—from crown prince he’d become crown prince, and in the future he’d be Da Xia’s emperor.
For women, becoming empress in this lifetime was the supreme glory and wealth.
Look—even though the young emperor was only six years old, Chu Zhao had immediately married him.
Now, Chu Tang also had the chance to become empress—
Just moments ago, Jiang Shi had only fleetingly entertained this thought, never imagining it would actually come true.
Jiang Shi and Chu Lan’s bodies trembled—not frightened as before, but excited. If Chu Tang became empress, their family would also climb the ladder to heaven. Unlike Chu Zhao—after becoming empress, they got no benefits at all, only mortal danger—
“The Crown Prince’s great favor, I, we—” Jiang Shi was so excited she couldn’t form words. She lifted her foot to step inside.
Chu Tang reached out to support her, stepping into the hall together.
But that was as far as they got. Tie Ying, standing beside Xiao Xun, shouted: “Stop there.”
Jiang Shi’s legs went weak. Chu Tang quickly steadied her.
The two didn’t advance further, while Chu Lan and the servants at the door didn’t take another step either.
“Mother.” Chu Tang softly reassured Jiang Shi. “Don’t be afraid.”
Before Jiang Shi could speak, she raised her head to look at Xiao Xun and asked: “What does the Crown Prince need us to do? We can’t reach His Majesty now, can’t kill him anymore.”
Xiao Xun smiled slightly: “Miss A’Tang needn’t worry. I’m asking you to do something within your capabilities. The Empress has now taken two forces to besiege my father.”
Chu Zhao? Chu Lan thought bitterly. Knowing Prince Zhongshan’s troops were attacking the capital, she still wasn’t rushing back to save people, but thinking of seizing merit instead.
“The Empress may think this will make me withdraw, but it won’t work. Things have come to this—I can’t turn back.”
“However, my father gave me all his troops. I’m also worried about him, so—”
Xiao Xun looked toward Chu Tang.
“Miss A’Tang, help me capture Chu Zhao.”
Capture Chu Zhao!
Chu Lan and Jiang Shi’s hearts jumped. Chu Tang smiled bitterly.
“Crown Prince, how could I possibly do that?” she said. “How formidable Chu Zhao is, you’re surely clear about in your heart.”
How formidable Chu Zhao was—he indeed knew. Xiao Xun said: “Precisely because she’s formidable, Miss A’Tang, you’re the most suitable.” He smiled slightly, his gaze gentle. “Miss A’Tang, you’re her relative. For formidable people in this world, their greatest enemies are actually their relatives.”
Chu Tang said helplessly: “But actually, she doesn’t trust us.”
Jiang Shi spoke up for her daughter: “That’s right, Crown Prince. Chu Zhao is fierce toward us, treats us like enemies.”
But she couldn’t bear to let her daughter lose such a good opportunity—crown prince’s consort, future empress—
“How about I go try? I’m at least her elder.”
When the time came, she’d sacrifice this life of hers to secure her daughter’s future—even dying would be worth it.
Chu Lan no longer covered his face with his sleeve. Unable to restrain himself, he stepped forward, walked inside, and said: “Let me go instead. With Second Brother gone, I’m her only elder. If I go see her, she couldn’t very well shut me out.”
Chu Tang bit her lower lip, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with her parents’ words. Her eyes flickered, hesitating indecisively—
Crown prince’s consort.
Empress.
She could also become empress.
The expressions of this family of three all fell under Xiao Xun’s gaze. Xiao Xun’s heart was clear as a mirror. The Chu Lan family was like this—from beginning to end they hadn’t changed. Now, with nowhere to turn, they’d be even more frenzied, and even more useful.
“Actually, I’ve always admired Miss A’Tang,” Xiao Xun said.
Admired? Chu Tang looked at him.
This young crown prince had been pursuing Chu Zhao from the start—had he also noticed her?
The young crown prince smiled gently: “Though Chu Ling was dismissed and had a poor reputation, he still governed a region. Miss Chu Zhao spent over ten years under her father’s protection, living freely and happily. But Miss A’Tang was different. Your family was implicated by Chu Ling, without office or position. From childhood you moved among the capital’s young ladies. To avoid being bullied, to avoid being mocked—who knows how much thought you spent, how much bitterness you swallowed—”
Chu Tang sighed softly. Crown Prince Xiao truly understood her heart.
Jiang Shi tearfully embraced her: “My child, you’ve suffered so.”
Chu Lan sighed: “It’s my incompetence.”
The family was miserably sorrowful. Ning Kun couldn’t bear to watch anymore and simply turned away his gaze.
Xiao Xun’s eyes grew even more gentle.