Chapter 23: Return to the Capital, the Army Comes Home

“Father!” Chu Junhan’s voice was deep, the delicate tone of a girl vanished without a trace.

Chu Xiong’s hand paused as he raised his brush. He looked at the boy before him. “Do you know why I summoned you?”

“I do. In a month, His Majesty Tianwu will celebrate his grand birthday. We must go to offer our congratulations.” Chu Junhan stood straight as a rod, his words carrying a natural air of determination.

Chu Xiong nodded in satisfaction. Though his Han’er was born a girl, her insight was no less than any young man’s. “The journey to Pingzhou is arduous and far. We must travel a great distance. Your mother and I have decided to set out soon. If you have any luggage, gather it quickly so as not to delay our departure.”

Chu Junhan’s gaze dimmed. The things she needed to pack were in Pingzhou.

“Father, I have nothing to pack. I am ready to depart at any time.”

“Han’er doesn’t seem very happy?” Xifeng entered with a bundle, placing it on Chu Xiong’s desk and gently stroking Chu Junhan’s head.

“The young master may never have traveled far before. He’s a bit timid,” Yingdie followed with lively enthusiasm, her face alight with excitement.

Chu Junhan forced a smile. “Mother, I am not unhappy. I heard Pingzhou is like spring all year round and bustling beyond compare. I’ve long wished to see it.”

Xifeng touched Chu Junhan’s head and cast her a doting smile before pointing to the bundle on the table. “Husband, these are your change of clothes and travel documents. See if anything is missing?”

Chu Xiong took the bundle and set it aside. His face showed little excitement; compared to his earlier expression with Chu Junhan, it seemed even gloomier now. “Let the lady arrange it.”

“Then shall we depart in half an hour, husband?” Compared to Chu Xiong’s gloom, Xifeng was far more excited. She had grown up on the frontier and had never seen a city as prosperous as Pingzhou.

“I’ll leave everything to your arrangement,” Chu Xiong said, returning to his writing, brow slightly furrowed.

Xifeng responded, “Han’er, wait in your father’s tent. Don’t wander off. I’ll prepare some provisions for us. By the way, is there anything you’d like to eat?”

Chu Junhan shook her small head, imitating Chu Xiong’s manner. “I’ll leave everything to Mother.”

Her imitation was so earnest that she seemed a little adult, making Chu Xiong and his wife burst into hearty laughter.

Once Xifeng and Yingdie had left, Chu Xiong immediately put away his smile and continued writing.

“Father, what are you writing?” Chu Junhan leaned her little head over the desk, pressing her chin against Chu Xiong’s wrist. Standing on tiptoe, she could just see the paper.

Chu Xiong paused, then lightly tapped Chu Junhan’s nose. “Do you want to know, Han’er?”

“Yes!” Chu Junhan’s curious eyes fixed on the writing. She saw clearly what was written: Father had long known the Emperor Tianwu harbored ill intentions towards him. Why did he go along with it?

“This is an invitation to my friend in Pingzhou. You’ll accompany me when I pay my respects?” Chu Xiong assumed his daughter could barely read and explained it to her.

“Father, what is a ‘Hongmen Banquet’?” Chu Junhan tilted her head, her voice soft and uncertain, her eyes clouded.

Chu Xiong’s heart skipped a beat. His little Junhan could read the words on the envelope!

“Han’er, do you know what’s written?” Chu Xiong’s face turned grim, tinged with authority, his eyes fixed sternly on Chu Junhan.

Chu Junhan kept her innocent demeanor and replied, “I can read all the words, but there’s one thing I don’t understand: Father is a great general—why must he borrow troops?”