Chapter 287 - 80: An Entrustment

Chapter 287: Chapter 80: An Entrustment

"Army of Justice?" Zhong Changrong was still a little confused. What did she mean?

"Uncle Zhong," Chu Zhao explained, "I saved Xiao Yu back then because Xiao Xun had persuaded my uncle to kill him. Now, the King of Zhongshan and his son are using the pretense of protecting the Capital City to threaten the court, and the people have been deceived. If the court wants to expose the wild ambitions of the King of Zhongshan and his son to the world, who do you think is the most fitting and valuable witness?"

The color drained from Zhong Changrong’s face.

"Who knows about this?" he asked.

Chu Zhao said, "I’ve told Third Young Master Xie."

Standing nearby, Xie Yanlai scoffed.

Chu Zhao ignored him and continued speaking to Zhong Changrong, "Although I haven’t told Deng Yi, Lord Deng has likely guessed it."

Zhong Changrong muttered, "Then it’s over. Neither of those two are easy to deal with. They’ll definitely make this public."

"If they do, I can understand," Chu Zhao said. "Under the current circumstances, it’s the wisest choice. Besides, it’s the truth. We can’t blame anyone else."

Zhong Changrong heaved a long sigh. "This has nothing to do with you and the General, milady."

’I really should have had Chu Lan’s family sent to the Border County. I would have watched them myself and never let them have contact with outsiders for the rest of their lives, completely cut off from the world.’

Chu Zhao shook her head. "My uncle and we are one family. Even if we separate ourselves, the world will not see us as separate."

"Don’t panic," Zhong Changrong said again, pacing around the sand table. ’Dammit, I can arrange troops and kill enemies, but I have no idea how to handle things like this.’ "We can say that your uncle was coerced by Xiao Xun. That he acted cleverly under pressure, playing along with Xiao Xun while having you rescue the young emperor."

’Wouldn’t that solve everything? It would prove that Xiao Xun tried to assassinate the Emperor, and the Chu Family would still be heroes who saved him.’

"No one will believe that," Chu Zhao said. "Even if they believe it now, it will just turn into all sorts of rumors in the future."

’Gossip is a fearsome thing, and the hearts of men are terrifying.’ Especially now that his lady was the Empress and the General was gone, countless people were just waiting for a chance to bully her. Zhong Changrong stared at the sand table, his expression a mixture of anger and helplessness.

’Why is she so unlucky?’

"I’m going back to the Capital City now," Chu Zhao said.

Zhong Changrong was startled for a moment, then overjoyed. "Yes, that’s right! My mind is all muddled. Milady, you must go back right away. Take troops with you, relieve the crisis in the Capital City, and execute the King of Zhongshan and his son."

’A great deed like that would be enough to counteract any and all slander.’

Since the decision was made, there was no time to lose.

Zhong Changrong immediately went to arrange the troops.

"Don’t take too many. Besides Old Bai and Ding Dachui, another hundred men will be enough," Chu Zhao said. "The State and Capital Camp troops are sufficient. I’m returning not to reinforce their numbers, but to reinforce their morale."

Zhong Changrong understood. He was both worried and reluctant to see her go. "Ah Zhao, you’ll have to rely on yourself from now on."

Chu Zhao smiled. "Uncle Zhong, you’ll also have to rely on yourself from now on. But my father’s casket is here. If you lose a battle, you can go cry secretly before his tomb."

Her words made Zhong Changrong laugh.

Chu Zhao pulled him aside and said in a low voice, "This time, Xie Yanlai will also be staying here—"

Zhong Changrong raised an eyebrow. "I don’t need him—"

"Uncle Zhong, take him under your wing. Train him, help him become stronger," Chu Zhao cut in, speaking earnestly. "He’s young and lacks combat experience. Uncle Zhong, if you train him well, I’ll feel more at ease using him in the future."

At this, she let out a soft sigh.

"I don’t have many people I can rely on."

Zhong Changrong swallowed his objections. ’That’s right. He couldn’t let his personal feelings get in the way. The General was gone, and his lady was the Empress. Without a prominent family clan to rely on, she needed to make use of every person available to her.’

"Don’t worry, milady," he said solemnly. He clenched his fist tightly, his gaze falling on Xie Yanlai, who was standing to the side, fiddling with the sand table. "Even if he’s a piece of scrap iron, I’ll forge him into a priceless blade."

Chu Zhao smiled again. "He’s still young, Uncle Zhong. Don’t be too hard on him. He’s had a rather hard life growing up—"

’I haven’t even started training him yet.’ Zhong Changrong felt a bit disgruntled and didn’t want to discuss the topic with her any further. "I’ll go prepare the men and horses," he said, and then walked out.

Only Chu Zhao and Xie Yanlai remained in the room.

Chu Zhao turned with a wide smile and called out, "Commandant Xie."

Xie Yanlai rose from the sand table and said lazily, "Does the Empress have any commands? This servant will certainly not obey them."

Chu Zhao burst out laughing. She walked up to him and gave a solemn bow. "Thank you for bringing me to see my father. I have no regrets in this life. Now, I ask you to stay in the Border County, to fight against Western Liang, to protect the peace of Great Xia, and to guard my father’s life’s work."

Xie Yanlai raised an eyebrow. "Didn’t you just say you have no regrets in this life? Why are you already planning for what comes next?"

Chu Zhao laughed again, mimicking his raised eyebrow. "So I’ll have no regrets in the next one."

’It was true. After her rebirth, her greatest wish had been to see her father and let him pass away in peace. In this life, not only had she seen her father, but she had also become the Empress, seen her mother, and been able to lead troops into battle. Her wishes had already been more than fulfilled.’