Chapter 24: Return to the Capital, Triumphant March Home
“You’re still young. When you grow up, you’ll understand. Don’t ask any more questions—just keep what happened today to yourself.”
After her father interrupted her, Chu Junhan pursed her lips as though about to speak, but finally just hung her head. “Father’s teachings will always be remembered. I won’t speak of this to anyone.”
Chu Xiong carefully picked up the letters from the table, pressing them to his chest with satisfaction before patting them. “Come, your mother must have prepared some rations for the journey.”
“Father, will the Iron Cavalry uncles return as well?”
Chu Junhan recalled that in her previous life, when they returned to Pingzhou, her father only brought a few attendants. The war at the border was intense, and it was inconvenient for the soldiers to enter the city in large numbers.
But this time, she had to be prepared for any contingency. The rumors about her had likely already reached Pingzhou. If her father didn’t bring the army, she might not have a chance to escape.
“Why do you think that?” Chu Xiong frowned in confusion.
Chu Junhan clasped her little hands in a respectful salute, bowing her head deeply. “Father, I believe that the Chu family army has guarded the border for years—it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they’ve not returned in a decade. Now, on His Majesty’s birthday, perhaps we can take advantage of this grand occasion and let the soldiers from Pingzhou return home to see their families.”
Chu Xiong narrowed his eyes at the small figure bowing so low, his voice stern. “Raise your head!”
“Father!” Chu Junhan still kept her hands clasped, but now stood straight and looked directly at him.
“Who taught you to say such things?”
“It was Master Five Spirits!” The little one held her head high, meeting his scrutinizing gaze, and enunciated each word with measured clarity.
Chu Junhan understood that, given her age and experience, she couldn’t possibly come up with such arguments on her own. Her father would suspect someone’s influence.
Cen Song, since you want to wade into these troubled waters, don’t blame me for using you as a stepping stone!
At her words, Chu Xiong drew a sharp breath, staring at his daughter. “When did you meet Master Five Spirits? Why haven’t you mentioned him before?”
Chu Junhan bowed again. “Father, please forgive me. I didn’t mean to hide it, but I promised Master Cen that I wouldn’t speak of it before the time was right. Oh, and he also asked me to pass on a message to you.”
“What message?”
Chu Junhan cleared her throat, mimicking Cen Song’s manner when she first met him, stroking an imaginary goatee with an air of aged wisdom. “General Chu, you have spent your life on the battlefield, loyal and brave. But there is something I do not understand: why do you endure so much in silence? Is it out of loyalty? If so, then in my opinion, it is blind loyalty!”
“Outrageous!” Chu Xiong’s face flushed red with anger. Not only had someone planted ideas in his precious daughter’s head, but now the criticism was being delivered through her!
“Father, Master Cen also said…” Chu Junhan shrank back, pretending to be frightened.
Chu Xiong forced down his anger and grunted, “What else?”
“Master Cen wanted me to ask you: Do the lives of a hundred thousand border soldiers matter? Does the fate of the entire Chu family matter? Are these lives less important than your loyalty?” Chu Junhan advanced step by step toward her father, her demeanor radiating quiet authority. Her father needed to wake up.
Chu Xiong stumbled back, collapsing into a chair, gasping for breath and rendered speechless.
“Please, Father, have compassion for the soldiers. Let them go home.”
“Very well. I will take them home!” Chu Xiong stood abruptly, transformed from the man he was just a moment before.
“Someone fetch the attendants!” Chu Xiong swept his cloak behind him.
“General!”
“Relay my orders: All soldiers from Pingzhou are to assemble within the time it takes to burn an incense stick! Tell Deputy General Tang to come see me at once!”
“Yes, sir!”