Chapter 47: The General’s Residence, Cen Song

“There are two groups of assassins—one is from the Liao Kingdom, and the other… it seems someone is hindering our investigation!” Chu Xiong’s brows were tightly knit.

“Who could have such power to conceal the truth, even daring to keep things from the Court of Justice and the Office of Imperial Censors?” Xi Feng rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought.

“Isn’t that person afraid the emperor will execute his entire clan?” The child looked at the couple with innocent eyes.

“The Emperor!” The couple spoke in unison, anger flashing in their gaze.

Chu Xiong clenched his fists. “Since my sworn brother colluded with Afugan Tarmon and nearly cost Han’er her life, Afugan Tarmon, you struck first—do not blame me for what comes next!”

“Husband, what should we do now?”

“If my sworn brother seeks Han’er’s life, he will not let her return to Pingzhou so easily. We must be vigilant. To be safe, we depart tomorrow.”

“Why do you still call him ‘sworn brother’ after all this?” Xi Feng glared at Chu Xiong, cheeks puffed with anger.

“He is the lord, I am the subject; the fault of a lord is the fault of his subject. Wife, do not overstep again.” The burly man’s voice was tinged with helplessness.

“As you wish, husband—we’ll set off tomorrow. I fear lingering here will only invite trouble. If possible, I’d leave this place at once.”

“But Father, Mother, tomorrow Master Cen Song will come to take me as his disciple…” Chu Junhan hung his head, afraid they would not believe him.

“What? Master Cen will accept you as his disciple tomorrow?” Chu Xiong was so astonished his jaw nearly dropped. Was his daughter truly blessed by misfortune?

Chu Junhan nodded eagerly, pleading, “Can we stay just one more day?”

Chu Xiong laughed heartily. “Very well! If Han’er enters Master Wuling’s tutelage, it is her good fortune.”

“Husband, I’ve heard Master Wuling has many followers but rarely takes disciples—could this be a trick?” Xi Feng’s heart was still unsettled, recalling the assassination yesterday.

Chu Xiong waved his hand. “Han’er has met the master before and would not mistake him, and you and I understand the master’s character well—there is no deception.”

“Then all is well.”

The next day, the General’s Manor, usually tranquil, was filled with anticipation.

The General’s Manor—a place watched by many.

Cen Song had scarcely stepped from his carriage before word of his visit to the manor had spread through the residences of every powerful family.

When Cen Song pulled Chu Junhan into his carriage, the entire capital was thrown into an uproar. Even the one seated upon the Dragon Throne was nearly beside himself with shock.

“Did you see clearly? Cen Song took Chu Xiong’s child away?”

“Your Majesty, it is absolutely true!”

“Good, good, good!” Emperor Tianwu exclaimed, his voice trembling as he knocked over the vase at his side with a crash that startled the eunuchs and maids into bowing their heads to the floor.

“Father…” Xiao Shengjie trembled visibly.

“Cen Song, oh Cen Song! I have invited you countless times, yet you refuse to come. For my sworn brother, however, you are all too eager!” Emperor Tianwu gnashed his teeth, his chest heaving with rage.

“Father, please calm your anger. It’s not worth losing your temper over Cen Song…”

The Emperor glared at his only heir, his finger shaking as he pointed at him. “What do you know? Do you understand the meaning of ‘He who gains Cen Song gains the world’? Chu Junhan is three years younger than you, yet her words at the Longevity Festival were so sharp. And you—look at yourself!”

“I am not Cen Song, Father; how can I control his thoughts…” Xiao Shengjie mumbled, aggrieved. Never in his life had his father lost his temper with him like this.

Smack!

Xiao Shengjie felt a stinging pain on his cheek.

He pressed his hand to his face, looking at the emperor with teary eyes. “Father…”

“Fool! I give you one month to master the military classics. If you fail, there is no need for you to remain crown prince.”

“Yes, Father!” Xiao Shengjie hung his head, tears welling in his eyes.