Chapter 40: The Longevity Festival, a Banquet of Treachery

Chu Xiong sighed and reached out to gently rub the little child's head. "After all, you're still a child. Never mind, never mind. You won't understand, nor will you ever understand. As your father, I'll take it as innocent words spoken in youth."

Indeed, there was something she did not understand.

In her previous life, she remembered clearly that when her father sent her back to Pingzhou, his face was beaming with a smile—clearly, in that life, he had not guarded against the royal family.

In this life, it was only because she proceeded cautiously, guiding each step, that her father began to sense something. Yet the Banquet of the Ten Thousand Longevity Festival was just around the corner...

Obviously, the Ten Thousand Longevity Festival was the hurdle the Chu family had to overcome. In her previous life, how had her father extricated himself from the festival?

August in Pingzhou was scorching, the air thick with heat, so oppressive that it made one reluctant to leave the house.

This was also the time of the emperor's grand birthday, known as the Ten Thousand Longevity Festival, symbolizing endless longevity.

Chu Xiong Han, dressed in splendid robes, his face powdered and hair tied up beneath a tall crown, looked every bit the graceful young man upon first meeting.

"Father, I saw my sworn brother a few days ago," Chu Jun Han said, walking between Xi Feng and Chu Xiong as the three made their way toward the palace's grand hall.

Along the way, the number of palace guards had noticeably increased. Drawing on years of detective intuition, Chu Xiong sensed that many Imperial Guards lay hidden in the shadows.

Chu Xiong frowned slightly but forced a smile. "Is that so? And what did you say to your sworn brother?"

"He didn't speak with me that day. Mother was present as well."

Xi Feng recalled the occasion and nodded. "That's right. The Crown Prince was only there for less than half a quarter of an hour before departing in haste. He must have had urgent business."

The three, chatting and laughing, arrived at the palace hall, and before they even entered, waves of acclaim echoed from within. "General Chu has arrived!"

"Your humble servant greets General Chu—"

"General, may you fare well."

Everyone understood that in these times of competing heroes, whoever wielded military power held the greatest strength.

The Emperor Tianwu sat solemnly upon the dragon throne, silently observing the civil and military officials below, his fist clenched tightly.

"Your subject, Chu Xiong, greets Your Majesty." With these words, Chu Xiong knelt on one knee.

"Your subject, Xi Feng, greets Your Majesty." Though Xi Feng was Chu Xiong's wife, officially she was also the vice general of the Chu family army and was obliged to observe the rites of subject and monarch.

Chu Jun Han knelt obediently.

"Dear brother, please rise," Emperor Tianwu remained seated on the dragon throne, his voice calm, betraying neither joy nor sorrow, merely raising his hand slightly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Take your seats," the emperor nodded faintly, a mysterious smile curving at his lips.

"At your command," the young eunuch, holding a fly-whisk, hurried over to the three.

"This way, General."

Chu Xiong nodded slightly, taking Chu Jun Han by the hand and following the eunuch to the upper left corner of the grand hall.

Since ancient times, the left has been honored—the upper left seat was second only to the ruler, above all others.

"Dear brother, I presume this is your young son?" Emperor Tianwu's face remained calm, though his left eyelid twitched ever so slightly.

A boy, then? So the Chu family cannot be allowed to remain.

"Your Majesty, this is indeed my young son, Chu Jun Han!" Chu Xiong rose from his seat, bowing with hands clasped, his voice neither humble nor arrogant.

Chu Jun Han!

The grand hall fell instantly silent, the sound of gasps rising in succession. Chu Jun Han—the heir apparent...

Chu Xiong truly dared to name his child thus.

Even Emperor Tianwu, though he had heard of Chu Jun Han beforehand, could not help but twitch at the corner of his mouth. "Dear brother, what is the meaning of this?"