Chapter 131: The Letter

The youth’s expression remained indifferent as he opened the first envelope. Glancing at the opening lines, a smile played on his lips, and he arched an eyebrow slightly. "Oh, it’s a letter from our Mengmeng."

"Junyi is writing at a time like this—has something happened?" Tang Chen had been on edge, and hearing that the letter was from Fang Meng only tightened his nerves. After all, this was the first time Fang Meng had written in all these years, and it came at the critical juncture just before Chu Junhan was to enter the capital to receive her title. He could not help but be anxious.

"The Crown Prince, the Chancellor, and the Grand Marshal are plotting against Du Meng. Brother Du is in grave danger!"

After reading the few short lines, Chu Junhan’s expression turned fierce. With a cold snort, she crouched down and set the letter aflame. The flickering firelight in her eyes masked the sharp, ruthless glint within. What is destined to come will come; this time, I wonder if your Xiao family can still hold onto the throne?

"Junhan?!" The youth seemed lost in thought, and as the flames on the letter neared her slender fingers, Tang Chen grew anxious by her side.

"Is something wrong, Brother Ziyun?" Chu Junhan pinched the charred corner of the paper and flicked it away, her gaze no longer vacant.

"Do you suspect the intelligence from Junyi is flawed?"

Chu Junhan pursed her lips and shook her head, moving on to open the second letter. The moment she caught sight of the name, she couldn't help but exclaim, "Oh, a letter from Liu Yan'er."

Tang Chen looked up, his face full of confusion. "Why would the Chancellor's daughter be writing to you?"

"Who knows?" Chu Junhan shrugged and read aloud with a playful tone: "Junhan, do you remember when you taught me how to hold a horse stance during our childhood? In the blink of an eye, you have become the Grand Marshal of the nation's armed forces—truly a hero in your youth. Do not be surprised that I know of your reward; it is a trap, a trap designed to lure you back to the capital! As a great hero of Tianqing, I hope you live well. The capital is a den of dragons and tigers; I implore you to remember, do not return."

"This..." Tang Chen’s face turned ghastly. He took the letter with trembling hands. For him, this was his first experience with the catastrophe of the twenty-second year of Tianwu, and he found it hard to believe that the Emperor could be so heartless. "Is the Chancellor's daughter to be trusted?"

"Who knows?" The youth took back the letter, folded it, and tucked it into her pocket. The handwriting of the Chancellor’s daughter might prove useful in the future, so it was best kept safe.

"If this is true, Junhan, you shouldn't return to the capital to receive the title. You could at least make an excuse of illness. A title is not worth more than your life."

Chu Junhan stopped mid-motion, her hand still resting on her pocket. She looked at the frowning youth, a smile lingering on her lips. "Brother Ziyun, everyone must die eventually. One can either die standing or die kneeling. I, Chu Junhan, will not die so easily."

The smile on the youth’s face held a touch of arrogance, yet woven within that arrogance was a pride that made others involuntarily believe in her and follow her lead.

Tang Chen bit his thin lip, his fists slightly clenched. "Very well. If we return to the capital for the investiture, I shall go with you."

"I want to go too!" Yun Yi poked his small head out from between them, his large eyes round and bright.

Chu Junhan patted Yun Yi’s head affectionately, gave Tang Chen a gentle smile, and opened the third letter.

Unlike the first two, which contained only a few lines, this final letter was densely packed, covering two full pages.

"Facts regarding the affairs of the Qiande Kingdom?" Seeing the signature, Tang Chen finally let out a sigh of relief, his brow smoothing. Fortunately, the third letter was merely a report from the intelligence agents in the Qiande Kingdom and had nothing to do with them.

"Yes," the youth replied softly, lowering her head to read it carefully.