Zhang Gu stood indoors, looking at the gentle face of the man opposite him, his nervous heart temporarily settling down.
This was Guard General Chu Ling.
He was in his forties, with a sturdy build, dressed in military general’s attire, radiating courage and martial prowess yet also exuding a refined and scholarly air.
Zhong Changrong walked over, staring fiercely at Zhang Gu.
Zhang Gu’s settled heart rose again, and he lowered his gaze, not daring to look further.
“What did he send you here for?” Zhong Changrong demanded. “Why did he send you? So secretive!”
Chu Ling smiled and said, “Perhaps there’s some new information.”
“There won’t be,” Zhong Changrong said irritably. “I left on my front foot, and he arrived on his back foot. He must have departed right after me.”
Speaking of this, he gnashed his teeth.
“That troublesome brat. Ah Zhao told him to guard the city, but what’s he scheming behind the scenes?”
Had that kid misunderstood something? Pushing his luck? Being presumptuous? If there’s something to say, can’t he tell me? Why does he have to tell the General?
Zhang Gu couldn’t understand and didn’t listen, hurriedly taking out the sealed letter. “This is from A’Fu, Miss Chu, the Empress, to you.”
In his panic, he used three different forms of address at once.
Neither Zhong Changrong nor Chu Ling minded the forms of address. Zhong Changrong stared at the letter and snatched it over.
“That’s impossible,” he said in surprise. “If Ah Zhao wanted to write a letter, why wouldn’t she have me bring it back?”
Is this fake?
Is it poisoned?
Seeing Zhong Changrong holding the letter with a guarded expression, Chu Ling smiled. “That’s Ah Zhao’s handwriting on top. Don’t worry. Perhaps you had just left and Ah Zhao forgot something she wanted to say, so she wrote a letter.”
He extended his hand.
“Give it to me. Since A’Jiu had someone deliver it, there’s certainly nothing wrong with it.”
Who says there’s nothing wrong with A’Jiu? A’Jiu is one of the Xie family’s people. Zhong Changrong wanted to object—
“Since Ah Zhao had him take over your affairs, she naturally trusts him,” Chu Ling said. “I trust Ah Zhao.”
That was true enough. He also trusted Ah Zhao. Zhong Changrong handed over the letter, though that A’Jiu brat seemed somewhat strange no matter how you looked at him.
Chu Ling took the letter and had Zhong Changrong and Zhang Gu withdraw first—one to do his work, the other to rest and wait. After the two withdrew, Chu Ling opened the letter.
“Father, I once had a very long dream. In the dream, my family and I all died miserably—”
……
……
Whether it was the turmoil in the capital or the turmoil in Yunzhong Commandery, neither affected the deep mountain stronghold. However, the night atmosphere in the mountain forests was even quieter than before.
When torches illuminated the mountain forest, the trees instantly swayed, as if casting down a great net that lunged toward the torches.
Where the cold gleaming light passed, branches and leaves were completely severed. One could imagine that if it fell upon a person, they would certainly be torn into pieces.
Standing in the mountain forest, Zhong Changrong showed not the slightest fear, his scarred face grim.
“Don’t try that trick,” he shouted. “Tell Mu Mianhong to get out here.”
The great net stopped above his head. In the dense forest trees, torches lit up, illuminating the people standing there.
This was a man with a thick beard, carrying a wood-chopping knife on his back, his expression fierce. “Zhong Changrong, what are you doing here? We haven’t violated our promise. We haven’t set foot within half a step of your Luocheng.”
Zhong Changrong sneered coldly. “But you set foot in the capital.”
The wood-knife man’s expression stiffened, but he didn’t show weakness. “So what? Except for your Luocheng, we can go anywhere in this world. If you’re capable, let the Guard General exterminate all the bandits under heaven!”
Zhong Changrong shouted, “Do you think we can’t?”
In the dark night, the atmosphere grew tense, ready to explode at any moment.
Several bird calls rang out in the mountain forest. The wood-knife man’s expression showed dissatisfaction, but he waved his hand. The great net covering Zhong Changrong’s head dispersed, and he himself vanished into the mountain forest.
A moment later, someone came gracefully through the forest, white dress like a fallen cloud in the dark night.
“Lord Zhong,” a woman’s voice also lightly descended. “I sent Xiao Man. I know this would displease you, but please understand—a mother worries when her child travels a thousand li.”
The night shrouded her, her features dim, but one could still see her refined and delicate brow and eyes.
Zhong Changrong sneered coldly. “How dare you claim that title—”
The woman lowered her head.
Behind her were followers who wanted to rush forward in anger at that moment, but ultimately didn’t.
Zhong Changrong said nothing more, turning his gaze away as if he didn’t want to look at this woman even once more. He took out a letter and threw it forcefully.
“A letter from your person,” he said.
His strength was great, but the thin letter was light and fluttering. After flying not far, it began to fall. The woman in the forest moved, and a long whip flew out like a snake, coiling around the falling letter and bringing it into her hand.
“There’s more,” Zhong Changrong said. “The General has a few words for you.”
He relayed Chu Ling’s words. After speaking, he said nothing more and turned to stride away rapidly.