The news was like a bolt from the blue.
Chapter Sixty, A Bolt from the Blue
Liu Che was held in his older brother's arms and received his permission, so he gradually stopped crying.
When the older brother tried to put him down, we looked at each other in surprise and realized that he had fallen asleep.
His little mouth was slightly open, his face was streaked with tears, and his hands were weakly draped over his older brother's shoulders, but his breathing was steady and his long eyelashes trembled gently—he was sleeping soundly.
I found his sleeping face amusing and couldn't resist reaching out to poke it a little, but the older brother glared at me and I had no choice but to point instead: "What should I do?"
The older brother sighed and lowered his voice, "What else can we do? Let's find a place for him to get a good night's sleep. You wait here, I'll be back in a bit, I have something to tell you."
"Big brother..." I saw him carrying Liu Che and about to leave, and couldn't help but ask, "What you just said... is it true?"
The older brother raised an eyebrow.
Hmm, why is this man getting scarier and scarier?
I could only bite the bullet and stammer, "Well, you mean, don't kill him and his mother..."
The older brother glanced at me, a forced smile playing on his lips: "What? Is it Xiaoxi's turn to question me now? Just because she's a young lady, does that mean she can't be hit?"
I immediately fell silent, and at the same time, I was completely relieved.
My older brother went out for a while and then came back, but his expression did not relax. Instead, it became more serious. I couldn't help but feel nervous and stared at him intently, afraid that he would bring bad news—especially anything related to Lan Feiyu and Bozhou.
"Xiao Xi, Auntie is coming over here too." The older brother's words were like a bolt from the blue.
I was stunned and stood there dumbfounded, staring blankly at my older brother until he sighed helplessly, stepped forward, and pinched my cheek: "Snap out of it!"
When I came to my senses, I almost couldn't help but scream, "My—Mom—is—coming—over here?"
What do you mean? My mother is coming?
My mother is coming?
“You don’t need to look like you’ve seen a ghost,” the older brother said with a wry smile. “You’ll see her sooner or later. Do you really want to never see your aunt again in your entire life?”
I chuckled awkwardly and rubbed my cheek, which my older brother had pinched so hard: "I didn't mean it, but... but, older brother, you're still scary!"
“Don’t forget that I’m the one who brought you out here,” the older brother sighed. “I received a letter from Father that Aunt Xian has been ordered to take up her post in the southwest. My little aunt insisted on coming with her, and Father couldn’t persuade her otherwise, so he had to agree. Now I’m just hoping that things here won’t get too out of hand and that Tu Luo won’t raise an army again. Otherwise, I’m worried that even Father won’t be able to sit still.”
My mouth gaped open, feeling a tearing pain: "Wait, wait, big brother, you mean Turo might... If that's the case, will Uncle come? He's going to personally lead the expedition? How could the Emperor possibly agree to that?!"
The older brother rubbed his forehead and sighed deeply: "That's why I hope things don't escalate, otherwise... sigh..."
I understand the weight of his sigh. If the border is unstable, especially with Turks pressing in, my uncle might actually volunteer to go south to defend against the enemy. However, he was once poisoned by a rare toxin, and although he is now out of danger, he is not the same as he used to be—although I never saw him in his prime. The emperor dislikes my uncle leaving the capital the most. If these two ever have a disagreement, everyone will have to be on edge, walking on thin ice, especially my older brothers and sisters who are caught in the middle…
After a long silence, I cautiously asked, "Big brother, is it really possible that Turpan... could attack us?"
“Most likely.” The elder brother’s face darkened. “Bozhou is in turmoil, and Baili is also restless. Although we have now conquered Western Shu and incorporated it into the territory of Eastern Chu, if we do not have reliable allies here, it would not be surprising if the flag on the city walls were changed immediately as soon as the Eastern Chu army withdrew.”
"That's why we need to help Lan Feiyu take Bozhou!" I slapped my thigh. "That way, Bozhou will naturally become a barrier, and Eastern Chu can rightfully station troops there."
My older brother gave me a rare smile of approval: "Our little Xi has really grown up. You're right, things will be much easier if we have Bozhou as our base—that Asa, you've seen it too, is ambitious and can't be used by me. Little Xi, you've done a great job in this matter."
I was taken aback, about to ask what credit I had received, when I suddenly remembered what Lan Feiyu had told me. If it weren't for me, she wouldn't have believed Dong Chu, and might have even knowingly fought a desperate gamble... My older brother must have seen this too. My face flushed, and I coughed twice, abruptly changing the subject: "Let's not talk about my mother and uncle, anyway, they haven't arrived yet... Big brother, do you think what Xiao Che said is true? Does the Xie family really have hidden wealth here? Ah! By the way, do you also know me...?"
Before I could finish speaking, I bit my tongue.
No, I suddenly felt a tightness in my chest and almost vomited.
The older brother gazed at me silently for a moment before letting out a soft sigh: "I know, although I was young then too. But Xiao Xi, back then, to protect you, Father and His Majesty... and most importantly, Auntie, she did everything she could to keep you, her own flesh and blood. Xiao Xi, you'll have to ask Auntie for the details yourself. Whether she's willing to tell you or not, you must understand that you are her only bloodline, and also a daughter of the Zhao family, understand?"
"Of course!" I answered firmly.
"As for the wealth hidden by the Xie family, Xiao Xi, this is probably true." The older brother frowned. "The Xie family has been operating salt fields for nearly twenty years, and the amount they have embezzled is enormous. By the time of Xie Lian, he was cunning and resourceful, and did not leave all the wealth in the territory of Eastern Chu. They planned their escape route early on, and secretly transported a large amount of gold, silver, valuables, and rare antiques to the Shu Kingdom."
"Why Shu?" I finally understood why Xie Kun came to Western Shu. It turns out it's still the same old saying: people have two legs, money has four.
The older brother showed no impatience and continued to patiently explain, "Xiao Xi, this is because Shu has an advantageous geographical position. Geographically, Shu is surrounded by high mountains and has treacherous passes, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. Its interior is a plain with fertile soil, a network of rivers, and abundant resources, making it self-sufficient. Such a unique advantage naturally makes it easy for a separatist regime to emerge. Xie Lian saw the potential in this place. Once they lose power in Eastern Chu, they can use this huge fortune to recruit soldiers and horses in Shu, use the natural defenses of the Shu roads to defend their territory, and attempt to carve out a region and continue the family's wealth and glory."
I blinked several times as I listened. So, Xie Lian... the Xie family had long harbored rebellious intentions... "But Shu also has a ruler, right? Did they collude with the ruler of Shu?"
My older brother glanced at me and smiled again: "Can the king decide everything? Why don't you ask Miss Lan? Her father is also the king of Bozhou."
I kept my mouth shut—I suppose there were all sorts of strange and unspeakable secrets within the old Shu Kingdom.
“Big brother, since Xiao Che said that his mother may have already guessed where Xie Kun’s treasure is, let’s try to get it out of her… After all, it’s Dong Chu’s money! Besides, it’s also the ‘life-saving money’ that Xiao Che has to pay.” I said, even though I already knew that even without this wealth, my big brother wouldn’t kill him and his mother.
The older brother pondered for a moment: "Alright, you go and meet her first. If things go smoothly, that would be even better. If this money can be put to good use, it will be a real lifesaver for the southwest, which has suffered from the ravages of war and is located on the enemy's border."
I was overjoyed to receive my older brother's promise.
After all, I couldn't help with anything, whether it was marching troops or strategizing. Now that there was finally something I could do, I was instantly motivated again.
After speaking with me and giving me some instructions, my older brother handed me a pass and hurriedly left, so busy that he seemed to have wings on his feet. I stayed alone in the inner room for a while, then decided that there was no time to lose and that I should go see the former Empress Dowager of Western Shu today.
I had intended to take Liu Che with me, but the maid in charge of looking after him told me that the child was still unconscious. The poor little boy, I guessed he probably hadn't had a good night's sleep in a long time, and I couldn't bear to wake him up, so I went to where Empress Dowager Fan was alone.
My elder brother arranged for Empress Dowager Fan to stay in a side hall of the old Western Shu palace. As I traveled, I saw soldiers from Eastern Chu everywhere. It seems that my elder brother still had reservations about the old Western Shu troops and the escaped Yuanzi and Xie Kun.
Thinking of the kite, I couldn't help but sigh softly, feeling a little sad.
Although she had already guessed her origins and vaguely knew that her identity must be extraordinary, but... Princess Turo...
I shook my head. Yes, she is the princess of Turo. Everything she does is for Turo. As for me, the girl from Dongchu, I am of course following the path of my bloodline. Even if there is nothing I can do, I can only be helpless.
Holding the pass given to him by his older brother, he entered the side hall without any obstacles.
Empress Dowager Fan still had two maids attending to her. This seemingly boneless woman leaned against the soft couch, raised an eyebrow at me, and even though I am a woman, I could sense a hint of allure from the corners of her eyes and brows.
There's a saying in the book that describes someone who lacks imperial majesty: "He doesn't look like a ruler." This empress dowager could be described as "an empress dowager who doesn't look like a human being."
Thinking of Xiao Che's previous words, her attitude only added to my disgust. I suppressed my displeasure and smiled at Empress Dowager Fan: "...Is Empress Fan well?"
Empress Dowager Fan remained motionless, glancing at me with a smile playing on her lips: "What is there to say about the well-being of a person from a fallen kingdom? But what brings Miss Xie here to see me?"
That address made the veins on my forehead throb. I suppressed my anger and said bluntly, "My surname is not Xie, it is Zhao, Zhao Xi. Lady Fan can call me 'Miss Zhao'. Regardless of who my biological father is, I take my mother's surname."
Seeing that she was about to speak again, I quickly continued, "Your Highness, I did not come here 'when I had free time,' but was entrusted by Xiao Che to come and visit you. Also, on behalf of King Xinan, I am collecting from Your Highness the 'redemption money' that Xiao Che promised."
Very well, Lady Fan's expression changed as soon as Xiao Che was mentioned.
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