Not far outside the tent, Yu Fengyang, Song Fei, Cui Hao, and the others, who had been overlooked, looked at each other in bewilderment.
Song Fei asked疑惑地, "Where did the Prince and Princess go last night? Did they have a fight?" The two of them seemed preoccupied when they returned.
Yu Fengyang and Cui Hao shook their heads, "Absolutely impossible."
Yu Fengyang stroked his chin. He wasn't truly oblivious; Chu Tianze's demeanor was clearly off, and this time something might really have happened...
Murong Che, Murong Xuan, and Murong Shuo walked over from a distance.
Yu Fengyang hurriedly called out, "Xuan..."
Murong Xuan and his two companions stepped forward, looked at the silent tent, and slowly asked, "Are they resting?"
Cui Hao nodded, "I think so."
Yu Fengyang spoke in a deep voice, "You know something, don't you?"
The three of them sighed.
Song Fei, however, was an impatient man. "Why are you three young masters sighing? If you know, just say so!"
Murong Xuan shook his head and said, "Let's wait."
Song Fei's lips twitched, and he said irritably, "You guys wait, I'm going to train the troops."
After the sky darkened once more, Bai Chuxiao finally woke up. Looking at Chu Tianze, who was still fast asleep, she shook her head helplessly. All this commotion had turned their days and nights upside down...
Bai Chuxiao carefully got up and went outside the tent.
Mo Yan and Mo Wen bowed and asked, "Your Highness, would you like to have a meal?"
Bai Chuxiao glanced at the sky and said calmly, "It's past lunchtime, isn't it?"
Meal times in the military camp are fixed. Chu Tianze and his maternal grandfather were both strict in military discipline. Commanders and junior officers ate from the same communal pot, and there was never any special treatment...
Mo Yan and Mo Wen respectfully replied, "Your subordinate will proceed. What would the Princess Consort like to eat?"
Bai Chuxiao smiled faintly, "No need, I'll do it myself."
When she carried two bowls of noodles into the tent, Chu Tianze was already quietly sitting by the bed.
Bai Chuxiao smiled slightly, "You're awake just in time. Come and eat. You can't keep sleeping like this."
Two simple bowls of vegetable noodles, each topped with a round poached egg, warmed Chu Tianze's heart. He asked softly, "Did Xiaoxiao make this?"
Bai Chuxiao nodded with a smile, "How about trying it?"
Having spent most of her time outdoors, she had to cook for herself, so her cooking skills were no joke. Of course, it was just a bowl of noodles, so it couldn't really be considered a cooking skill...
After taking a few bites, Chu Tianze turned his head and smiled, "Delicious!"
Bai Chuxiao also put the poached egg from her bowl into his bowl, smiling as she said, "You have to finish it."
Looking at the two round poached eggs in the bowl, Chu Tianze chuckled, "Good."
After a simple dinner, Bai Chuxiao approached Chu Tianze, who was engrossed in a book with a blank expression, and said with a smile, "Come out with me for a walk to digest."
Chu Tianze silently took the fox fur cloak from the shelf, tied it around her neck, and took her small hand, saying, "Let's go."
Refusing to let anyone follow, Bai Chuxiao skillfully led Chu Tianze to a small hill where they sat down. From there, the majestic Yumen Pass was clearly visible.
Bai Chuxiao leaned on his shoulder, and the two of them silently gazed at the Yumen Pass...
After a long silence, Chu Tianze sighed and looked down at the girl in his arms, saying, "Xiaoxiao, tell me everything in detail."
Bai Chuxiao asked softly, "Can you accept it?"
For the past two days, Chu Tianze showed no emotional fluctuations—no anger, no sadness… but that's precisely what makes it so terrifying…
Chu Tianze slowly said, "I just..."
Bai Chuxiao chuckled softly, "I know, I was prepared for you to continue being depressed..."
Chu Tianze said in a low voice, "I actually had some suspicions in my heart, but when I heard you say it with my own ears last night, I still didn't know what to do... I can't believe that the person I've called Father Emperor for decades could be so heartless... I also can't imagine how many people gave their lives so that I could live... and Mother..."
Bai Chuxiao grasped his hands in return and said in a deep voice, "You're not the one who should blame yourself for this, it's just Mother..."
After hesitating for a moment, she still revealed that Consort Jing had traded her child for his life, and that Chu Tianze should also know...
Chu Tianze lowered his head, feeling utterly lost and helpless...
Bai Chuxiao hugged him and whispered, "Mother told me not to tell you, but you'll find out sooner or later, so you might as well accept it sooner and treat Mother well in the future, and don't hurt her heart..."
Over the years, the one who has sacrificed the most is Consort Jing. She gave up her own child for him and had to force a smile in front of her enemy.
Chu Tianze leaned helplessly against her, murmuring, "Xiaoxiao... what should we do?"
Bai Chuxiao said slowly, "Let's go back to the city, go back to see Mother. You are the most important person in her heart... It's time to make a decision..."
Chu Tianze nodded and softly replied, "Mm," but the helplessness in his eyes did not disappear...
The two returned to the camp, took a fine horse, and headed towards Dingzhou City again. Along the way, Bai Chuxiao told him everything she knew...
Chu Tianze listened in silence, and by the time he returned to Dingzhou City, it was already early morning.
The sudden appearance of the two in the mansion surprised everyone. Bai Chuxiao shook her head at the somewhat puzzled Old Madam Murong and the First Madam, and then accompanied Chu Tianze to the outside of Qingya Courtyard.
Chu Tianze stopped in his tracks, his face showing hesitation and confusion. Now, he realized he seemed afraid to face his mother...
Bai Chuxiao held his hand tightly. "Tianze, it's alright."
Chu Tianze still hesitated, but Consort Jing, who was in the courtyard, had already heard the commotion and came out, supporting Lanxiang and Lanxin.
Seeing the beautiful couple standing there in front of the courtyard, Consort Jing smiled and said, "Ze'er, Xiaoxiao, why did you suddenly come back? Have you had breakfast?"
Chu Tianze raised his eyes and said softly, "Mother..."
Hearing the guilt in his voice, Consort Jing understood that he knew everything. "Come in."
The two followed Consort Jing to the front of the room. Bai Chuxiao suddenly released Chu Tianze's hand and whispered, "Go."
Chu Tianze paused, then nodded.
After Bai Chuxiao closed the door for them, Lanxiang and the others gathered around, asking, "Your Highness, what happened?"
Bai Chuxiao sighed, "It's alright, let's go, don't disturb them."
Inside the room, Consort Jing looked at the somewhat helpless Chu Tianze and whispered, "Ze'er..."
Chu Tianze suddenly knelt down and whispered, "Mother, I'm sorry..."
Consort Jing felt a pang of sorrow and helped him up, saying in a deep voice, "Get up. You are the son of Miss Qin Zi and the late Empress Qin Zi. This has nothing to do with you. You are not the one who should be apologizing..."
Without getting up, even the usually aloof Chu Tianze lowered his head, his eyes welling up with tears. "I shouldn't have come into this world..."
If it weren't for his birth, his mother's original child wouldn't have died, and his real mother, the legendary former empress, might not have died either...
Seeing his self-reproach and stubbornness, Consort Jing choked up and said, "Ze'er, from the moment you came into my life, I have treated you as my own son. As for the child we gave away, he should never have existed in this world... The decision your mother and I made should not be borne by you."
Chu Tianze's kneeling body remained upright and resolute, but his eyes were somewhat red...
Consort Jing suppressed her bitterness and said in a deep voice, "Get up. Now that you know everything, you must shoulder the responsibility. You are the only son of Empress Qin of Great Xia, a person stained with the blood of the Qin family, and you are still in the capital... Your mother risked her life to keep you alive, not so that you would feel such guilt and pain now..."
Chu Tianze slowly suppressed the complex emotions in his heart, stood up, hugged her, and whispered, "Mother..."
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