Chapter 26: Departure, Majestic and Grand

No matter how much she regretted, Chu Junhan was the apple of her eye. Since her beloved daughter had chosen this path, as her mother, she could only accompany her to the end, no matter how dark the journey became.

Xi Feng patted Chu Junhan’s shoulder, a trace of anticipation flickering in her gaze. “Indeed, Pingzhou is a place that nurtures people. I imagine the Crown Prince has grown taller there.”

“Too much comfort may not be a good thing,” Chu Junhan murmured again.

This time, Xi Feng did not catch her words, and simply took her small hand, leading her toward the carriage. “Come, Han’er, let’s wait for your father by the carriage.”

Before long, Chu Xiong arrived, leading a grand procession of tens of thousands of troops.

“Husband, what is this…” Xi Feng was puzzled. The previous night, they had agreed to let the soldiers remain to guard the border while the two of them traveled lightly.

Chu Xiong swept his war robe aside, took the reins, and mounted his horse with a graceful leap. “Hush—My lady, I wish the soldiers of Pingzhou to return home for a visit. Let us set out!”

“Ah?” Xi Feng glanced at the soldiers behind them—at least fifty thousand strong, far outnumbering the garrison of Pingzhou.

Chu Xiong only grinned, honest and hearty. “My lady, quickly mount up. Let’s not delay our journey!”

Xi Feng nodded without further questions, lifting Chu Junhan into the carriage.

Along the way, they traversed the magnificent landscapes of Tianqing Kingdom, passing through countless cities. From the southernmost barbarian lands, they arrived at the plains of Pingzhou—the site of Tianqing’s capital.

Within the resplendent palace, a guard rushed in and knelt before the throne. “Report! Your Majesty, General Chu has returned to Pingzhou, bringing tens of thousands of iron cavalry. They have entered the gates and are heading toward the city!”

Seated upon the dragon throne was a middle-aged man of about forty, commanding respect with his dignified presence.

The man in the dragon robe held a confidential letter detailing the legends surrounding Chu Junhan.

“Chu Junhan, Crown Prince Han! Excellent! Truly excellent!” The man crushed the letter into a ball, rising abruptly, startling the eunuchs on either side into kneeling.

“Summon Liu Shuming to see me!” He clenched the paper even tighter.

“At once!” The kneeling eunuch scrambled out.

Just then, another guard rushed in. “Report! Your Majesty, General Chu is at the city gates of Pingzhou. Shall we open the gates to welcome him?”

“Open them!” The man in the dragon robe growled in displeasure, flinging his sleeve. He was eager to see what his esteemed younger brother intended with this spectacle.

...

“General Chu!”

“The child in the carriage must be Young Lord Chu!”

“Young Lord Chu radiates such spirit—truly the general’s son!”

Chu Xiong sat tall and proud upon his sturdy horse, imposing and vigorous. Hearing the crowd praise Chu Junhan, he could not suppress the smile at his lips.

“I hear Young Lord Chu is only five, yet can shoot an arrow through a willow from a hundred paces. I hope to witness his brilliance someday!”

“I heard he is the reincarnation of Yang Jian—the God of War!”

...

Once the Chu family army settled in the General’s Mansion, stories of Chu Junhan swept through Pingzhou, stirring the entire city.

“Husband, now the whole city talks about our Han’er. I fear…” Xi Feng straightened Chu Xiong’s collar, as he prepared to enter the palace and meet the emperor.

“What is there to fear? The tallest tree catches the wind? My lady, you worry too much.” Chu Xiong patted Xi Feng’s hand and fastened the last button himself.

“My lady, I’m off to see His Majesty.”

“Be careful, husband!”

“Don’t worry!”

Xi Feng leaned against the doorframe, watching the broad-shouldered, burly man with a heavy heart. She could not shake her unease.