Chapter 10: The Elder, Master of the Five Spirits

Cen Song remained upright and composed, not the least bit affected by the anger of the father and daughter before him. A faint smile still lingered at the corner of his mouth. “General, do not be angry. Allow this old man to explain.”

Although Chu Xiong was furious, his reverence for Cen Song persisted. “Please, sir, speak.”

Chu Junhan listened intently, eager to hear how this elder—who had planted the fuse that led to the destruction of the Chu family—would defend himself.

“The character ‘Jun’ consists of seven strokes, which in the Five Elements is considered an auspicious number, and it also belongs to the number of the Seven Luminaries. That means your beloved child is energetic, meticulous, often aided by benefactors, and blessed by lucky stars.”

Cen Song stroked his beard, knowing such words would hardly convince Chu Xiong, so he continued, “Looking at the composition of the character, ‘Jun’ is formed from ‘Yin’ and ‘Kou’. Since ancient times, ‘Yin’ has implied governance; combined with ‘Yin’, ‘Kou’ represents the issuing of commands…”

“Enough! I have admired you so much, yet here you are spouting nonsense!” Chu Xiong was so angry his nostrils flared, interrupting Cen Song before he could finish.

Yet Cen Song faced Chu Xiong’s rage with calm, then turned his gaze to Chu Junhan, who seemed to be watching a play, that same disconcerting smile on his lips. “Little friend, do you think what I said makes sense?”

Chu Junhan had been tilting her head, observing, indeed appearing as if she were enjoying a show.

She had intended only to see how Cen Song would talk his way out of things, but unexpectedly, he turned his attention to her.

“I don’t really understand what the old gentleman is saying,” Chu Junhan replied, shaking her head repeatedly, trying her best to appear as an innocent, ignorant child, her voice soft and childish.

Cen Song chuckled kindly, “If you don’t understand, then no one will.”

Before Chu Junhan could react, the elderly man rose leisurely from his seat, ignoring the two in the tent, and strolled out with an air of calm.

As he was about to exit, he spoke slowly, “The pure remain pure; why care about a single word? Life is but a dream, and in the end, it amounts to nothing.”

“The pure remain pure.” Chu Xiong watched the old man’s departing figure, deep in thought.

Though he was the great general of Tianqing Kingdom, sworn brother to the emperor, and held military power, he had always walked on thin ice. The greater the authority, the more jealousy it incites, and the more trouble it brings.

Through the years, he had been scrupulously dutiful, never daring to overstep, detesting any discussion of royal matters in his presence for fear his sworn brother would misunderstand him.

“What a profound ‘the pure remain pure’.” Chu Xiong clenched his fist, then knelt to speak to the child before him. “Yan’er, I know it’s hard for you to dress as a boy, but I hope you won’t blame me. When you grow up, you’ll understand your father’s intentions.”

“Yan’er understands Father’s painstaking care.” Chu Junhan obediently pursed her lips. Dressing as a boy was originally what she wanted; besides, it was she who had subtly influenced her father toward it. How could she resent him?

Seeing his daughter so gentle and sensible, Chu Xiong lovingly patted her head. “The road ahead will be hard. How about this—Yan’er, you choose your own courtesy name. What do you think?”

Cen Song’s final words had truly moved Chu Xiong. Yes, he had lived his life upright and honest, with nothing to be ashamed of. Why care about others’ opinions?

So he decided to let his daughter choose her own name—whatever it might be, as a father, he would accept it unconditionally.

Chu Junhan fell into thought. In her previous life, the downfall of her family was tied to her courtesy name, but even more so to her father’s military power. If she changed her name, would the outcome be different?

Clearly not.

No! She would still be called Chu Junhan!

Since she had returned, the crown prince’s fate should grow cold! The kingdom her father had won—never again would the Xiao family enjoy it without effort. Everything she lost in her past life, she would reclaim and protect, piece by piece.