Chapter 196 Huo Zheng, wait for me

When the emperor heard Chunzhi's words, he couldn't help but feel a little shocked.

Huo Yuan had been the emperor for many years and was used to seeing concubines trying to curry favor with him. However, if something happened while he was leading an army in person, it was uncertain what these women could do for him. There was probably not a single one who would risk his life to travel thousands of miles.

Chunzhi usually looks gentle and obedient, with nothing particularly outstanding about her. However, at critical moments, she shows a persistence that others do not have.

It is Huo Zheng's blessing to marry such a princess who treats him sincerely.

Money is easy to get, but true love is hard to find.

The emperor sighed, "Since you must go, then go ahead. Bring more guards with you, so you don't fall into the hands of the rebels and cause trouble in Xizhou."

"Thank you, father." Chunzhi said as she stood up and walked out.

"Chunzhi--" Queen Wang saw Chunzhi leaving immediately and hurriedly called her.

Chunzhi acted as if she didn't hear anything and continued to walk quickly out of the hall.

Queen Wang said to Huo Yuan, "Your Majesty, Chunzhi rushed to Xizhou upon hearing the bad news. I'm afraid she might panic, so I'm going to give her some advice."

The emperor raised his hand and said, "Queen, go."

"I'll take my leave." Queen Wang bowed to the emperor and immediately followed Chunzhi out.

Xiao Xinghui seemed to know that something bad had happened. She was still sobbing when she was held in the arms of the female official. She was so tired from crying that she could hardly open her eyes. Crystal tears hung on her long eyelashes, and she looked very pitiful.

"Hold her for me." Chunzhi stepped forward and took Xiaoxing back. Just as she was about to leave the palace, she heard Queen Wang call out, "Chunzhi, stay."

Chunzhi held the child and looked back, "Why did the Queen Mother call me?"

Seeing Chunzhi's kindness towards Huo Zheng, Queen Wang couldn't help but show a touch of pity in her eyes. She stepped forward and said, "West Province is in turmoil right now. It would be very dangerous for you to go there now. In my opinion, it's best for you not to go."

Queen Wang said, "I will send someone to look for Qilang. You should stay in the palace. Zi'an is still young and cannot be without his mother's care..."

"Mother," Chunzhi interrupted her. "Something happened to Huo Zheng in Xizhou. I have to go there myself. No matter whether he's dead or alive, I have to see it with my own eyes."

When Queen Wang heard her say this, her eyes became extremely sore. "Silly child, do you know how much hardship and suffering you will have to endure if you go to Xizhou at this time? Besides, it's a journey of thousands of miles. Suffering is a small matter, but risking your life is a big one."

There were frequent wars in Xizhou and everyone wanted to escape, but Chunzhi wanted to go there.

"Mother." Chunzhi raised her eyes and looked at Queen Wang. "I have suffered."

She didn't know what to say to reassure Queen Wang, so she added, "I'm not afraid of hardship."

Chunzhi said, "As long as I can find Huo Zheng, I'm not afraid of anything."

Queen Wang couldn't hold back her tears. She raised her hand and wiped the tears off Chunzhi's face with a handkerchief. She had so much to say that all she could say was "Silly girl."

There are many couples in the capital who are well-matched. Many of them have never even met each other before getting married. They weigh the pros and cons before marriage and live in harmony after marriage.

Before entering the palace, Queen Wang didn't even know what the emperor looked like. The love she had for the handsome emperor in her youth turned into nothingness in the competition for favor among the concubines in the harem.

After years of ups and downs in the palace, she, like the elders who had made plans for her in the past, began to select young ladies from prominent families as wives for her adopted sons.

Queen Wang had never understood why Huo Zheng had to be with Chunzhi.

Beauty?

There are so many stunning beauties in the capital, how could a mere Chunzhi be worth Huo Zheng giving up the three thousand rivers of Ruoshui just to take a scoop from her?

temperament?

Among the noble ladies from aristocratic families, some are gentle, some are lively, and many know how to advance and retreat. Why does Huo Zheng only take a fancy to Chunzhi?

Queen Wang didn't understand it before, but now she understands it. After meeting a girl like Chunzhi who is sincere and devoted, how can Huo Zheng still weigh the pros and cons before marrying someone else?

Queen Wang said helplessly, "I can't persuade you. If you want to go to Xizhou, go ahead. But I'm worried about Zi'an. Please leave him in the palace. I will take good care of him and you won't have to worry about anything."

Chunzhi looked at Xiao Xinghui, who cried herself to sleep in her arms, and felt a little hesitant. There were endless fights in the deep palace, and the Queen's children had all been murdered. She was afraid that Xiao Xinghui would not be safe if she stayed in the palace.

Queen Wang saw Chunzhi's worry and said to her, "As long as I am here, no one will hurt Zi'an in the slightest. You can rest assured."

Chunzhi was going to Xizhou and originally wanted to leave the child to Yuzhu and Qingye in their care. Now Queen Wang offered to take care of Xiaoxinghui. As the child's grandmother, she would naturally take good care of him.

The female official next to her also spoke up to persuade her, "Don't worry, Princess. We will take good care of the young master."

Chunzhi thought for a long time before handing Xiaoxing back to Queen Wang. "Then I'll have to trouble you, Mother."

Queen Wang held Xiao Xinghui in her arms like a treasure and said, "Why are you being so polite to me? Go back quickly to pack your bags and arrange for guards."

Chunzhi looked at Xiaoxing reluctantly.

Queen Wang added, "When you go to Xizhou, be very careful and make sure you return safely."

"Yeah." Chunzhi responded and left.

I don't know when the sky darkened, and the first snow of the year arrived unexpectedly.

Chunzhi took a carriage back to the Chang'an Palace. When she stepped out of the carriage, she saw snow falling all over the city.

There was a light layer of snow on the ground.

Huo Yanran and Song Wan'er stood at the door waiting for her to come back. They chatted and laughed, admiring the snow in front of the door. When they saw Chunzhi get off the carriage, they immediately came out to greet her and said in unison:

"Sister-in-law, you're back."

"Sister, you're back."

"Where is Xiaoxing?" Song Wan'er felt a little strange when she saw Chunzhi bringing the child into the palace but coming back alone.

The maids who were traveling with them all got off the carriage, and no one was carrying a child.

Seeing Chunzhi's pale face and red eyes as if she had been crying, Huo Yanran quickly took Chunzhi's hand and asked, "Sister-in-law, what's wrong with you? What happened in the palace?"

"There's urgent news from Xizhou, saying Huo Zheng died in battle..." Chunzhi's voice was unusually hoarse as she spoke.

"How is that possible?"

"Seventh Brother wouldn't..."

Song Wan'er and Huo Yanran were shocked when they heard this and couldn't believe it at all.

Snowflakes fell on Chunzhi's forehead, feeling cool. She looked a little numb. "I don't believe he's dead. I'm going to Xizhou to find him... My mother left Xiaoxinghui in the palace."

"Sister-in-law, are you going to Xizhou? There's a war going on in Xizhou!" Huo Yanran originally wanted to persuade Chunzhi not to go, but seeing Chunzhi's expression, she knew that she couldn't persuade him. She could only say, "It's better for Xiaoxing to stay with the Queen Mother. I will return to the palace and take care of him and the Queen Mother every day."

Chunzhi hummed, and as he walked in, he told the housekeeper Cheng who had brought people out to greet him, "Send someone to the Mu family to inform my parents and brother that I will leave for Xizhou today."

Butler Cheng was stunned for a moment, then immediately responded, "Yes."

Harue continued, "Aoba, pack my bag for me."

The north wind is strong and the snow is flying like a blanket.

She looked up in the direction of Xizhou and said in her heart:

Huo Zheng, wait for me.