Furthermore, there was still the great gate of the capital. It was already difficult for them to fight their way out, and even harder to fight their way in.
Perhaps they should never have come here originally, but should have recaptured the city gates and held their ground without moving.
Truly, heaven intends to destroy the Xie clan—
Sensing the stagnant atmosphere in the tent, the palace maid spoke again: “Young Master, Eunuch Qi did not take the Young Prince to the Imperial City.”
Not there? Xie Yanfang was startled and looked at the maid. Naturally, Eunuch Qi had also guessed that the Imperial City was dangerous, so he took the Young Prince into hiding?
But where in the capital was there still a place that could protect the Young Prince? Outside the Yang household, the Xie household, and the residences of important court officials and powerful families, assassins must surely be lurking. When they left the city, killing had already begun within.
“It’s Chu, Chu—” The maid was somewhat nervous and momentarily couldn’t recall the name. Fortunately, there was another name that was quite famous, one she had heard often these past days. “Chu Zhao’s home.”
Xie Yanfang was astonished. He hadn’t expected to hear this girl’s name at such a time. Many thoughts spun chaotically through his mind in an instant: “Her?”
“Her father, Chu Zhao’s father.” The maid hastily explained. “Eunuch Qi said that the only one who could protect the Young Prince was him.”
Chu Ling?
Xie Yanfang knew that Chu Ling was no ordinary person, but this single statement from Eunuch Qi carried extraordinary implications.
The one who could protect the Young Prince was actually Chu Ling?
Why?
The maid didn’t know. The situation had been too urgent at the time. Eunuch Qi had only said this much to the Crown Princess, asking her to trust him.
What choice did the Crown Princess have? At that moment, whether she believed or not, she had to believe.
Du Qi found it difficult to understand: “Even if Chu Ling is the only person His Majesty trusts, he’s far away at the border commandery. How would taking the Young Prince to his house help?”
The Chu family had nothing—no men, no prestige. Their residence wasn’t even as secure as the Xie residence.
Could it be that they thought being completely inconspicuous made it better for hiding?
Du Qi’s head ached from thinking.
Xie Yanfang raised his hand to interrupt him: “Don’t think about it anymore.”
He looked toward the direction of the capital.
“Keep the Third Prince’s death a secret! Continue to proclaim that the Crown Prince is dead!”
Although concealing the Third Prince’s death would allow his forces to continue their rampage, it would also make Prince Zhongshan’s people wary.
From now on, plotting, calculating, guessing, and deducing were all illusions. Only blades and blood were real.
His Xie clan must carve out a path with blood.
“Kill our way to the capital!”
……
……
The Chu garden was dark as thick ink, without a single point of lamplight visible.
But looking through the gaps in the artificial mountain, one could see patches of orange-red rising into the distant night sky. Those were flames burning. Crying and shouting drifted on the night wind.
Everything appeared illusory, yet it was all real.
Chu Zhao closed her eyes.
“Miss.” A’Le came hurrying from the darkness. “Seven or eight more people have been let in. They’re all hiding in the garden now.”
Chu Zhao nodded: “Tell the gatekeeper to listen carefully. If there are still people calling for help, remember to open the gate.” She paused here. “But, act within your capabilities.”
A’Le understood in her heart what “act within your capabilities” meant. Right now there were panicked civilians running about seeking help, able to enter the high-walled compound to hide. If they were merely seeking shelter, they could be let in, but if they were being pursued and crying for their lives to be saved, they couldn’t open the gates without regard—
In that case, everyone in the Chu residence would face danger.
This was a painful choice with no alternative. A’Le clenched her hands.
“Miss, I’ll personally guard by the gate.”
She would make this painful choice.
Chu Zhao grasped A’Le’s hand, making her relax: “It shouldn’t be too severe.”
She looked toward the night outside.
Compared to her previous life, the disturbance was much smaller.
But this matter had still happened.
Chu Zhao felt somewhat melancholy. This also meant that something had happened on the Crown Prince’s side as well.