The Seventh Prince took a deep breath and spoke frankly: "I want to discuss with Jia Hua the possibility of bringing the two children to Southern Xinjiang immediately."
General Zuo was taken aback, his face flushing red: "There are plenty of good girls in the world. I see that the Princess Consort is determined to leave, and you cannot change her mind."
"I had no idea you two had become this close." The Seventh Prince gave General Zuo a meaningful look.
General Zuo hadn't realized anything was wrong. He scratched his head, unable to explain why he had listened to Princess Jia Hua.
But subconsciously he knew that Princess Jia Hua would not lie and that she was always thinking of His Highness's best interests.
"Was it Huo Xi who reminded you about what happened in Jincheng? The day the Huo family caught fire, you found the secret passage under the pear tree. Was it by accident, or was someone reminding you?" The Seventh Prince stared intently at General Zuo, trying to see through him.
General Zuo finally realized, belatedly, that something was off about the Seventh Prince's tone.
"Does Your Highness doubt me?"
You haven't answered yet!
General Zuo was furious: "It was indeed the Princess Consort who reminded me, but she was only thinking of you. The 150,000 troops of Yuncheng, the Second Prince's background, and the Huo family's secret passage were all things that the Princess Consort reminded you of. If it weren't for the Princess Consort, you wouldn't even know you were being plotted against."
The seventh prince's brows were furrowed.
General Zuo gasped: "So, Your Highness deliberately chased after us to intercept the Crown Princess?"
He couldn't believe it.
Princess Jia Hua meticulously planned and schemed for His Highness's advancement to that position, so why is His Highness now unable to distinguish right from wrong?
The Seventh Prince said coldly, "So that's how it is. I had no idea you had become so obedient. You kept it from me for so long!"
"Your Highness..."
"Why won't you speak?" the Seventh Prince roared.
General Zuo gritted his teeth: "What if His Highness had known about this beforehand?"
The seventh prince remained silent.
"Given His Highness's temperament, he certainly wouldn't believe it so easily. The Princess Consort once said that you are too soft-hearted and always consider those around you. You are easily led by the nose without even realizing it, and often end up hurting those around you."
General Zuo said angrily, "Your Highness, have you ever considered that all these things were kept from you? They are using you and are afraid of the military power you hold. Look, now they have even fabricated your background and summoned the entire Yang family to the palace. It is clearly a threat to you. Those who obey me will prosper, and those who oppose me will perish. Either you obey the Emperor to slander you and put righteousness before family, or you will suffer endless torment."
The Seventh Prince closed his eyes, his body swaying precariously. What could he possibly believe?
"Your Highness, we should intercept them now and bring the Yang family with us," General Zuo suggested, then couldn't help but curse, "The Emperor has ulterior motives; he deliberately sent Huo San to spite us!"
General Zuo suddenly understood why Princess Jia Hua was so determined to leave.
Even in torrential rain, they would leave regardless of the danger.
She must have guessed that if she didn't leave now, she wouldn't be able to leave at all.
General Zuo silently prayed that Princess Jia Hua would leave the southern border safely.
“On the battlefield, you are invincible and a master strategist. But the human heart is unpredictable, especially those around you; power can drive people mad,” General Zuo pleaded, racking his brains to persuade him.
The Seventh Prince suddenly grabbed the Left General by the collar: "What did Jia Hua tell you this time?"
“Your Highness, she said that Your Highness is blindly filial, loyal, and righteous. You were clearly capable of ascending the throne, but you were stubborn, indecisive, and missed the opportunity. You even listened to others, causing irreparable consequences, and only then did you realize your regret.” The Left General was not afraid of the person in front of him and continued, “This humble general finally understands why the Princess Consort left in the rain. Staying any longer would have increased the danger.”
"Your Highness is tormented by inner demons; ultimately, it's because you're too easily swayed!" General Zuo sighed, somewhat helplessly.
The Seventh Prince abruptly released his grip, his face ashen: "Enough! What right do you have to talk to me like that? You've been protecting her at every turn, are you perhaps also from Northern Chu!"
General Zuo was stunned.
I can't believe what I'm hearing.
The seventh prince regretted his words as soon as they left his mouth, pursed his lips, and did not explain further.
"Your Highness, I, Lao Zuo, have followed you for over ten years, risking my life in countless battles. I have never sought wealth or fame, nor have I ever asked for official positions or high rank. If I were a spy, what would I gain?" General Zuo's eyes were bloodshot. "I am a man of the Southern Frontier for all eternity!"
He never cried out in pain when he was stabbed on the battlefield and bleeding profusely.
But now, General Zuo is so angry that he's crying.
His eyes widened: "Your Highness, I swear to heaven that I have only met the Seventh Prince's Consort a few times and we didn't know each other before."
The Seventh Prince suppressed his anger: "I did not say you were a spy."
General Zuo gave a sarcastic smile: "Before the princess consort left, she said that Your Highness was bad at judging people and was destined to die young and be imprisoned. At that time, all those who followed you would not have a good end."
The Seventh Prince's face was as cold as ice, and his whole body exuded a chilling aura. His fists were clenched so tightly that they cracked. He was furious.
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