Chapter 38: A Visit, Du Meng and—

On the emperor’s side, fury surged like a tidal wave, while Chu Xiong and Du Yong roared with laughter.

“Brother Chu, what brings you here? I was just saying I’d visit your manor tomorrow,” came a thunderous, hearty voice from within the Du residence.

A burly man, eight feet tall with leopard-like features and round eyes, strode up to Chu Xiong and landed a heavy fist on his sturdy shoulder.

Chu Xiong grunted, nearly losing his balance. “Brother Du, you’re as hot-tempered as ever!”

“Ah, what are you saying, Brother Chu? I’d never greet just anyone like this—but you’re my brother! Come in, come in!” Du Yong said, slinging a robust arm around Chu Xiong’s shoulders, paying no mind to the half-grown child at his side.

“Uncle Du, you’re about to kick me,” came a soft, sweet voice at Chu Xiong’s trouser leg.

Du Yong started and looked down. “Whose little one is this?”

Standing with hands on her hips and chin raised, Chu Junhan looked up at Du Yong. “Hmph! My father is General Chu Xiong, so I’m not just any child. My name is Chu Junhan!”

Du Yong burst out laughing. “Oh, so this is my nephew, Junhan! My, how you’ve grown.” With that, he reached down to fondly pinch the child’s cheek.

Instead of dodging, Chu Junhan clung to Du Yong’s large hand and nuzzled against it.

Du Yong laughed again, delighted. “You’re not afraid of me?”

He was a man with a tiger’s build and a bear’s waist. Usually, children burst into tears just hearing his voice, let alone standing so close.

Chu Junhan shook her head, her small hands still gripping his. “My father says you’ll give me delicious food, so why should I be afraid?”

Of course she wasn’t afraid—Du Yong was a lieutenant general in the Heavenly Qing Kingdom! If she could win him over, what was there to fear from this mere kingdom?

It was Du Yong’s first time getting so close to a child like this, and he was utterly charmed, his face splitting into a broad smile. “All right, Uncle Du will find you the best food. Whatever Junhan wants, Uncle Du will get it for you.”

“Thank you, Uncle Du! Then can I come often?”

“Of course you can.” Du Yong tapped her nose with affection.

Chu Xiong, standing off to the side, could only watch awkwardly—were this uncle and niece treating him like thin air?

“Ahem… Junhan, you’re always thinking about food. Your Uncle Du is a busy man—how can he have time to entertain you?” Chu Xiong gave a light cough, scooped up Junhan, and walked off without waiting for Du Yong’s agreement.

Du Yong trotted after them, winking at Junhan and making her giggle.

“Brother Chu, how about letting Junhan stay with me for a few days?” At the dining table, Du Yong kept piling meat into Junhan’s bowl.

“That wouldn’t be wise. These are troubled times; we shouldn’t invite unnecessary complications.” Chu Xiong swallowed a mouthful of wine, thoughtful.

Du Yong downed his own cup in one gulp. “Afraid of what? You and I act with honor—let others gossip if they dare!”

Junhan, busily eating from her bowl, rolled her wide eyes. She knew exactly who Du Yong meant by “others”—none other than the reigning Emperor Tiantianwu.

“Even so, it’s best to avoid unnecessary suspicions,” Chu Xiong sighed, finishing his wine.

With a heavy thud, Du Yong slammed his cup onto the table, nostrils flaring. “Brother Chu, there’s something I’ve long wanted to ask you.”

“Go ahead.”

“If he is so devoid of righteousness and compassion, why do you cling to your old oath?” Du Yong’s round eyes were fixed intently on Chu Xiong.

Chu Xiong exhaled a long, weary breath. The summer evening breeze lifted his hair. “He may lack compassion, but I cannot forsake righteousness.”