Chapter 25: Returning to the Capital, Victorious Troops March Home

“Father!”
“Is there something else, Han’er?” Chu Xiong’s gaze softened, the earlier scrutiny having completely dissipated.
Chu Junhan straightened up, folding her hands once again in a respectful salute. “Father, are you sending Brother Ziyun as well? Though the border is peaceful for now, we must remain vigilant against the barbarians. Brother Ziyun, though young, is your trusted aide. Only with him holding the rear can you return to Pingzhou without worry.”
Her foolish father—if chaos erupted in Pingzhou and he lost his solid support, the Chu family army would have nowhere to retreat. Would that treacherous emperor ever let them go?
Chu Xiong burst out laughing. “Han’er, you’ve learned quite a bit in the military camp! Not bad at all. How could I possibly allow Deputy General Tang to accompany me? I only wished to give him a few final instructions!”
Indeed, it was time for instructions. Since they had chosen not to endure in silence, there was no longer any need for retreat. His esteemed elder brother, now the Tianwu Emperor of Tianqing, your second brother has returned!
“Father, you are wise! Then I shall take my leave.” A sly, wicked smile curled on Chu Junhan’s lips. Who knew a father better than his own daughter? She had understood the look in Chu Xiong’s eyes perfectly.
“Han’er, aren’t you going to stay and see Tang Ziyun one last time?”
These past months, Chu Xiong had noticed the closeness between Chu Junhan and Tang Chen. Now that they were to part, his daughter ought to bid Tang Chen farewell.
“Father, Brother Ziyun and I see each other every day. If he knew I was leaving, he would surely be reluctant to part. It’s better I leave without saying goodbye.” As she spoke, Chu Junhan backed toward the door, vanishing out of the tent in a flash before Chu Xiong could reply.
Amid the sea of white tents, a small figure darted nimbly, weaving in and out, evading notice with practiced ease.
A squad of soldiers hurried past. The small figure slipped to the side of a tent, skillfully avoiding their line of sight.
“Deputy General Tang?” The soldiers following behind Tang Chen halted when he stopped, scanning the surroundings with suspicion but finding nothing amiss.
Tang Chen frowned, instinctively glancing in the direction where Chu Junhan hid. His heart was in turmoil, a vague sense of unease gnawing at him, though he could not say why.
“Deputy General, the General is looking for you urgently. We should hurry.” Another soldier approached Tang Chen, bowing his head in quiet urgency.
Tang Chen replied with a grunt, striding purposefully ahead, the group quickly moving on.
When their footsteps faded into the distance, Chu Junhan emerged from beside the tent, her reluctant eyes following Tang Chen’s departing figure.
“Brother Ziyun, don’t blame me for leaving without a word. The Junhan you knew—the innocent, naive child—is gone. I must reclaim everything that belongs to the Chu family. I don’t want you to see this side of me.” She watched Tang Chen’s back, her voice a soft murmur.
“Who doesn’t want to be seen by whom? Han’er, what are you talking about?” Xifeng’s voice sounded behind her, accompanied by a gentle pat on her shoulder.
Startled, Chu Junhan stammered, “Mother… perhaps you misheard. I was just saying how much I hope to see my sworn brother soon!”
“Sworn brother?” Xifeng paused, then suddenly understood. “Oh, you mean His Highness the Crown Prince?”
“Yes, he’s three years my senior. By now, he must be quite the dashing young man.” Chu Junhan forced a perfunctory smile.
A shadow flickered through Xifeng’s eyes, a stifled sorrow settling in her heart. No matter how outstanding the Crown Prince was, he no longer had anything to do with her beloved Ruyan. Fate, truly, is capricious.