rumor
Fuzhou is not far from Wanzhou, and Chu Chanyin did not want to delay Chu Muqing's studies, so he sent someone to hurry back to Fuzhou. In just half a day, they saw the gate of the Chu King's Mansion.
As night deepened, the steward of the Prince's mansion peeked out from the doorway. When he saw Chu Chanyin step down from the carriage and reach his hand into the curtain, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation—could it be that the Princess Consort had also arrived?
Unfortunately, the steward Li, who had worried for half his life, was disappointed in the end. The person who got out of the carriage was none other than the bouncy Chu Muqing.
"Uncle Li, it's windy tonight, what are you doing here?" Chu Chanyin asked, noticing the obvious disappointment on Steward Li's face.
Steward Li scratched his head and smiled憨厚ly: "This servant is naturally waiting for Your Highness and the young master to return. The manor has prepared a meal and is just waiting for Your Highness and the young master!"
Hearing that there was food, Chu Muqing jumped up with joy. Chu Chanyin had no choice but to carry the chubby little boy into the palace. "Mumu, you've really gotten fat. Have you been slacking off on martial arts practice again?"
Chu Muqing blinked her big eyes innocently: "No, Uncle, Muqing isn't fat at all!"
Chu Chanyin turned to Steward Li and said, "From now on, you must keep a close eye on the young master. How can you let him run off to Wanzhou?"
Steward Li and his entourage immediately knelt down to beg for forgiveness: "Yes, we will definitely take good care of the young master in the future."
Chu Muqing tugged at Chu Chanyin's hair and said in a coquettish tone, "Uncle, don't be angry. I promise I'll be a good boy from now on. If you get angry too often, you'll turn into an ugly monster, and then Auntie won't like you anymore!"
Chu Chanyin: ...
Nonsense, my cousin isn't that shallow!
No! He and Zhao Youyi are a fake couple, so why should he care whether Zhao Youyi will like him after he becomes ugly?
Thinking of this, Chu Chanyin angrily pinched the chubby boy's cheek: "Nonsense! You're not getting any snacks tomorrow!"
"Uncle! No, Uncle!" Chu Muqing cried out, his chubby little face scrunched up, having lost his snacks for the day.
"Shut up, there's no room for discussion." Chu Chanyin ignored him and carried the person into the dining room.
Butler Li, following behind, couldn't help but twitch his brow when he heard Chu Muqing mention his aunt. Had the prince gotten married? Were the rumors true?
"Rumors? What rumors?" After having dinner, Chu Chanyin summoned Steward Li to give him instructions. When he mentioned the rumors, Chu Chanyin frowned slightly.
"It's just gossip among the common people, saying that the prince was betrothed in the capital and will be bringing a princess back with him," Steward Li said respectfully.
Chu Chanyin stopped what he was doing. Logically speaking, Fuzhou and Shenjing are far apart, and the marriage was rushed at the time. Such news should not have reached Fuzhou so quickly. Could it be that the emperor has done something?
"This rumor is true. I did indeed marry General Zhao's sister in the capital, but it was only a temporary measure. For such a rumor to have spread to Fuzhou, it must be something extraordinary." Chu Chanyin rubbed his temples. It seemed that this peaceful life would soon be disrupted.
It is unknown how long the Jin state can survive, or how long the emperor can endure it.
The Lingnan region is remote and sparsely populated, with a hot and humid climate. The Liu family did not have an easy time after being exiled there. Liu Mingyi fell ill as soon as he arrived and never recovered. His wife wept by his bedside day and night.
Princess Fu'an has never had a good day since she married into the Liu family. Before, she was a princess who was loved by everyone. Her mother doted on her, and although her brother-in-law did not like her, he would not make things difficult for her. But since she married into the Liu family, her husband disliked her, her mother-in-law complained, her sister-in-law treated her coldly, and she was even exiled to Lingnan with the Liu family.
When the Song family lost power, her status also plummeted. Because of her brother, the emperor, her mother-in-law treated her with condescension, even making veiled insults during meals. Liu Feng'an could only pretend to be oblivious, and she could only cry every day.
As a woman herself, Liu Zhiming had mixed feelings about Princess Fu'an. When she first learned that she might be sent to marry Princess Fu'an in place of her, while Princess Fu'an was to marry her younger brother, she did feel resentment. However, when Princess Yulang became the one sent to marry Princess Fu'an, the Liu family was demoted, and Princess Fu'an was also forced to come to Lingnan, she could no longer feel any resentment towards her.
She was just a little girl who couldn't control her own destiny.
Now that the Empress Dowager is imprisoned in the deep palace and Prime Minister Song is seriously ill, Princess Fu'an will not have a good ending if she stays in the capital. However, Princess Fu'an has been spoiled since childhood and has a bad temper. She smashes things when she encounters something that doesn't go her way, and the entire Liu family is in chaos because of her. Even Liu Feng'an has no interest in studying.
"Princess, since you chose to marry into this family, you are now a member of the Liu family. It's best for the family to live in harmony." Liu Zhiming rarely had the patience to advise this spoiled princess.
Princess Fu'an paused in her smashing of the vase when she saw that it was her. "Liu Zhiming, what are you pretending to be? If it weren't for you, why would Erlang hate me so much?"
Upon hearing her mention Liu Feng'an, Liu Zhiming frowned and said, "Princess, I have never spoken ill of you to Feng'an. As for why Feng'an dislikes you, you should look for the reasons within yourself. If you cannot listen to what I have to say, then I will take my leave."
Princess Fu'an sneered, "You haven't spoken ill of me, but your whole family dislikes me! Your attitude is the sharpest blade! Don't forget, if it weren't for my dowry, your Liu family would have been homeless long ago! Even Liu Mingyi's life is hanging by a thread thanks to the thousand-year-old ginseng in my dowry!"
Liu Zhiming stopped and glared at her: "If it weren't for your royal brother, how could my Liu family have ended up like this! Your royal family is greedy for pleasure and exploits the people, how dare you say such things!"
Princess Fu'an was so angry that she smashed the priceless vase in her hand to pieces: "This world belongs to the Chu family, so of course I, the princess, have the right to say such things!"
"Heh," Liu Zhimo sneered, "Does this world belong to the Chu family? That's hard to say. Your elder brother is incompetent and cruel, and he harms loyal officials. Sooner or later, someone will come to disapprove of his actions. As for you, Princess... you've long been abandoned by the royal family. Instead of showing off your princess status here, you should think about how to protect yourself!"
After saying that, she left the room without looking back, leaving Princess Fu'an slumped on the messy floor.
"Young lady, a woman from the border region has brought you a letter," the gatekeeper said as he greeted Liu Zhiming as she came out.
Upon hearing this, Liu Zhiming frowned subconsciously, took the envelope, and opened it. She was not familiar with the handwriting, but the contents made her blood boil.
Zhao Youyi has formed a women's army in the border region and is now inviting her to be his deputy!
Upon seeing this content, Liu Zhiming was both surprised and delighted. She didn't have much of a relationship with Zhao Shi Nu. After all, Zhao Shi Nu was frail and rarely went out, while she spent most of her time either practicing martial arts or burying herself in her studies. She didn't attend any banquets outside. The two had only met a few times at palace banquets. She never expected that such a seemingly weak woman would do something so shocking!
Liu Zhiming could hardly believe it. Although he had heard that the Zhao family had produced female generals, there had never been a precedent of a women's army. Rather than spending his days idly in Lingnan, he would rather follow Zhao Youyi and make a name for himself!
Thinking of this, Liu Zhiming quickly and carefully put the letter away and turned to walk towards his parents' courtyard.
Liu Mingyi was in good spirits after waking up today. He leaned against his wife and basked in the sun. After this serious illness, he looked quite haggard. When he saw Liu Zhiming rushing over, he knew that his daughter had something important to tell him.
"Mo'er, you've come." Looking at his daughter who was growing up day by day, Liu Mingyi had to admit that he was getting old.
"Father, Mother." Liu Zhimo bowed to the two of them. "I have something to tell you. I am going to join the army. General Zhao's sister has formed a women's army on the border and has specially invited me to be her deputy."
Startled by the sudden news about her daughter, Madam Liu stood up. Liu Mingyi glanced at his wife, tugged at her sleeve to make her sit down, and said, "Don't frighten the child."
Madam Liu wished she could faint right then and there. "Mo'er, why did you suddenly have this idea? Swords have no eyes on the battlefield, and the Zhao family girl has been frail and sickly since childhood. What if..."
Liu Zhiming quickly interrupted Madam Liu, saying, "I understand what you mean, Mother, but in these chaotic times, how can I remain in a corner of the world? Moreover, Lady Zhao has such ambitions and will surely arrange everything. Since she sincerely invites me, I will naturally follow."
Liu Mingyi knew that his daughter had been a strong-willed person since she was a child. He was getting old and couldn't stop his children from going out to make their own way in the world. Besides, his children would eventually grow up. He could protect them for a while, but not forever.
This is for the best; it's better than marrying a man with whom you have no emotional foundation and living a hasty life together.
“Go ahead,” Liu Mingyi smiled approvingly, looking at his resolute daughter. “Don’t worry about me and your mother. Go ahead with confidence.”
Liu Zhiming's eyes reddened without her realizing it, and she knelt on the ground and kowtowed three times: "Your daughter is unfilial and cannot serve you."
Madam Liu pulled her up with heartache: "Good Mo'er, what are you saying? You are a promising person. Your father and I are proud of you. Go and say goodbye to your younger brother."
Liu Zhiming nodded in agreement and walked out of the courtyard toward Liu Feng'an's study.
Liu Feng'an frowned as he looked at the ancient book in the room.
"Brother An." Liu Zhimo called out to him from outside the window.
"Sister!" Liu Feng'an looked up in surprise. "What brings you here to see me today, Sister?"
“I’ve come to see you today because I have something to tell you,” Liu Zhimo took a deep breath. “I’m going to join the army. The Zhao family’s daughter has formed a women’s army on the border, and I’m going there.”
Upon hearing this, Liu Feng'an was dumbfounded, unsure whether to be surprised by the Zhao family's daughter forming an all-female army or by his elder sister's impending enlistment. "Elder sister... are you serious?"
After saying that, Liu Zhiming nodded firmly, "The country is in trouble, so of course I have to go. I will entrust my father and mother to you in the future. An Di, don't quarrel with the princess. She is a few years younger than you. As long as it's not excessive, just give in to her."
Liu Feng'an keenly noticed a pink hem flashing past outside the courtyard gate, but he said nothing.
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