Bai Chuxiao asked in a deep voice, "Wouldn't it be better to send them to an ordinary family...?"

If Chu Tianze never knew, that would be fine, but as Chu Wenzheng said, there are no secrets that stay hidden forever. If Chu Tianze knew all this, and had called Emperor Wenxuan "father" for so many years, how would he face himself...? She could see that Chu Tianze used to have expectations of Emperor Wenxuan as his father, at least he never thought of rebelling against this father like Chu Tianling did...

Consort Jing sighed softly, “Firstly, the palace was indeed the safest place at the time, so sending the child back to the palace as my own would have been the most appropriate course of action. Secondly, the truth was unclear at the time, and we couldn't be certain that Chu Wenxuan was responsible. We simply assumed that he didn't want Miss to have a child, and that Miss still hoped the child could grow up with his father. Now that the truth has come to light and General Wan is dead, and the child has already been seen by Chu Wenxuan, it's not so easy to find a way to send him away... Your maternal grandfather can only lie low and secretly send people to protect us.”

After saying that, he laughed and said, "As Ze'er grew up, he was sent to the border, granted the title of Prince, and given a fief. We all decided to bury this secret. Ze'er is not a tool for revenge. The grudges of our generation should not involve him. However, that child is so grown up and still only knows how to fight and kill. I think it's time to arrange a marriage for him."

Bai Chuxiao lowered her head, and Consort Jing smiled again, "Your maternal grandfather thought about it and said that his granddaughter was not very interested in marriage, and he felt that you and Ze'er's personalities would definitely be compatible, since you both like swords and spears, so he brought up this marriage. However, he still considered your feelings, so when I asked for the imperial decree, I didn't say it was a no-go. I thought you two could meet in the capital first, and if you didn't like it, there would be room for discussion... Xiaoxiao, do you blame us?"

Bai Chuxiao's face flushed slightly. "Mother, what are you saying? Tianze is very good..."

Her maternal grandfather and Consort Jing wanted to matchmake them, but they didn't have any ulterior motives. They simply felt that the two were compatible and were of marriageable age. They didn't insist on binding them together, and she had no reason to complain. Besides, Chu Tianze was indeed a rare and good match, supporting her in everything and going along with her...

After thinking for a moment, Bai Chuxiao whispered again, "However, I'm afraid this secret can't be kept for long..." Chu Wenzheng clearly wouldn't be so kind as to keep their secret.

Consort Jing sighed helplessly, "Let's keep it a secret for as long as possible. But it's better that Chu Wenxuan is dead; it won't be too difficult for Ze'er if he finds out."

The next morning, the continuous tolling of bells echoed through the capital. Bai Chuxiao opened her eyes, her gaze sharp; there was a result...

Lanxiang, Qingzhu, and the others gathered around and whispered, "Your Highness, are you still going to the palace?"

Bai Chuxiao nodded. "With the emperor's passing, it's natural to go to the palace. How are the businesses in the capital being managed?"

Lanxiang said in a deep voice, "Everything is ready, we can leave at any time."

Yu Fengyang had been waiting for a long time. Upon seeing Bai Chuxiao dressed in plain clothes, he smiled and said, "Did Your Highness sleep well? Last night's battle was quite fierce."

Bai Chuxiao smiled faintly, "Oh? Tell me about it."

She had been traveling non-stop these past few days and was quite exhausted. After talking with Consort Jing last night, she fell into a deep sleep and had no time to care about the battle situation outside.

After the two boarded the carriage, Yu Fengyang slowly said, "Over the years, Chu Wenzheng and Zhang Fuma have raised quite a few private soldiers. With the help of our good Crown Prince, they have successfully crossed the borders of other prefectures and arrived in the capital. Most of the troops in the suburban camp have long been under their control. In addition, Wei Junyan mobilized the Northern Army to cross Liangzhou and besiege the capital. How could Cheng Song's Imperial Guards and He Yan's remaining troops possibly withstand them?"

Bai Chuxiao raised an eyebrow and asked, "What about the Crown Prince's Palace?"

Yu Fengyang chuckled, "The bad news is that both the Crown Prince and Empress Li are dead; the good news is that the Princess Consort's sister is still alive."

Bai Chuxiao couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Who cares whether she lives or dies? Liu Shuyao is pregnant with the Crown Prince's child."

Yu Fengyang raised an eyebrow. "Liu Shuyao escaped under Cheng Song's protection."

Bai Chuxiao stroked her chin. "Cheng Song is indeed loyal. Isn't the capital surrounded by the Northern Army? Where can an orphan and widow escape to?"

Yu Fengyang said with a hint of resentment, "So, just because orphans and widows can't escape doesn't mean we can."

Their situation is hardly better than that of an orphan and a widow. They don't have enough men to kill, and it seems that Prince Qi has a deep grudge against Prince Yan's mansion. Once everything is settled today, Prince Yan's mansion will be next. It doesn't matter that Chu Tianze is far away, but it's pitiful for these old, weak, sick and disabled people!

Bai Chuxiao raised an eyebrow and said, "Seeing how leisurely you are, I thought you already had a foolproof plan for leaving the capital."

Yu Fengyang said obsequiously, "Your Highness is wise and powerful; this small matter is surely no problem for you. I swear to follow Your Highness to the death."

Bai Chuxiao helplessly spread her hands, "Thank you for your praise, but unfortunately, there's nothing I can do. You know Chu Tianling and I have a grudge."

Yu Fengyang's face fell. "Is it too late for me to surrender to the Prince of Qi now?"

Bai Chuxiao raised an eyebrow. "Hmm, go ahead. I also want to see how Chu Tianling's perverted methods of torturing people work."

Yu Fengyang chuckled, "This young master has no intention of falling into his hands and being tortured by him."

Bai Chuxiao smiled slightly, "Alright, being an emperor isn't so easy. Everything has to be done according to the rules. If Chu Tianling wants to deal with us, he needs to find a legitimate reason, otherwise how can he gain the trust of the people?"

Yu Fengyang frowned and said, "Chu Wenzheng went through all that trouble just to put the Prince of Qi on the throne?"

Bai Chuxiao blinked. "What if Chu Wenzheng is destined to have no children his whole life? What's the point of him sitting on the throne at his age? Being a powerful regent wouldn't be bad either."

Yu Fengyang was speechless. That was indeed true. As for why they had no children, that was self-evident.

Bai Chuxiao smiled and said, "However, throughout history, regents have never had a good ending. I'm curious how they'll explain the deaths of the emperor and the crown prince to everyone." Those who plot to usurp the throne are most afraid of being accused of illegitimate access to the throne.

The capital was under martial law, and white silk banners were hung throughout the city. There were no pedestrians. However, the carriage from the Prince of Yan's residence was not stopped by anyone and arrived at the palace gate without any obstruction.

The guard said, "Halt! His Majesty has passed away; unauthorized personnel are not permitted to enter the palace."

Bai Chuxiao flung open the curtain and said sternly, "Open your dog eyes and see clearly, am I some nobody?"

Another guard hurried inside to report, and then another carriage slowly approached. The curtain was lifted, and the guard who had just been there immediately changed his attitude, respectfully welcoming Zhang Miaoke, dressed in plain clothes, and Princess Zhaoyang as they alighted.