“I swear upon my mother Consort Mei and the Shen family that I will not reveal a single word about the mining affairs.”
As expected, after she finished speaking, Xie Xian calmed down, holding his teacup while examining her with a scrutinizing gaze.
Lu Zhao continued: “The Governor also knows my identity. My journey to Zhongdu is solely to clear the name of Zhenguo Jiangjun Fu and avenge my mother. Every person who has harmed us, without exception, will face my retribution!”
She twisted the Buddhist beads in her hand, her eyes burning with palpable hatred so intense it seemed capable of breaking through all obstacles.
Xie Xian watched coldly: “What purpose does telling me this serve?”
Lu Zhao met his gaze: “Of course it serves a purpose. To achieve my revenge, I will surely stir up violent storms in Zhongdu, shaking the very foundations of the state. Doesn’t this align perfectly with the Governor’s intentions?”
Xie Xian’s knuckles tightened, cracks appearing on his teacup: He had prepared for years, yet hadn’t raised arms not because he was unprepared, but because he felt Da Yong’s destiny hadn’t yet run its course.
Given the tragic fates of Consort Mei and Zhenguo Jiangjun Fu, the hatred in this youth’s eyes couldn’t be feigned.
If he could return to Zhongdu…
His grip on the teacup gradually loosened as he asked playfully: “From what I know, after Consort Mei and the Seventh Prince disappeared, the emperor dispatched more than one search party. Consort Mei is dead – even if her coffin reaches Zhongdu, it would be nothing but bones. With only the Buddhist beads and a jade token in your possession, are you certain your identity is indisputable?”
Lu Zhao’s eyes flickered: There were actually multiple search parties?
She stated firmly: “Governor Xie need not worry about that. No matter how many search parties were sent or who they found, I am the Seventh Prince of Da Yong! No one can take my identity from me.”
She carried the natural resilience of a soldier, making even her frail body convey convincing words.
Xie Xian raised an eyebrow: “Even if you have a way to confirm your identity, can you guarantee your safe arrival in Zhongdu? The journey takes at least several months, up to half a year. Right now, you can’t even get past me.” Moreover, assassins from Zhongdu had been discovered in the forests around the mines, and the return journey would surely be heavily ambushed.
Lu Zhao’s lips curved upward: “Therefore, Governor Xie shouldn’t obstruct me, but should instead dispatch troops to escort me safely to Zhongdu.”
“Have my men escort you?” The audacity.
The abacus beads were practically flying in his face.
Xie Xian slammed the teacup onto the small table, shattering it instantly. Scalding tea spilled across the table, slowly seeping toward Lu Zhao’s feet.
He coldly snapped: “Your proposal has merit, but all of this depends on my son’s recovery first!”
“If my son dies, everything else is fucking nonsense!”Jianmengtianxia: Oho, seems like the streamer’s bluff failed.”】
【Zuipao Tianwang: So tough? Streamer, slap him! Show him why flowers are so red!】
【Shuaidebumingxian: Refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit! Streamer, go pull his balls and tell him you’re the fucking master of pulling balls!】
The livestream chat was shouting even louder than Xie Xian.
Lu Zhao 【Don’t get excited, I said we’d outwit him.】
After calming her audience, she began soothing Xie Xian: “Governor Xie, don’t worry. As I said, I’m skilled in medicine. Young Master Xie’s poison will definitely be cured.”
Xie Xian stared coldly at her: “Just tell me directly, how do we cure it?”
The question had returned to the beginning.
Lu Zhao: “I need to see the patient and check his pulse to prescribe the right treatment.”
Xie Xian: “Then come with me to Zhoumu Mansion.”
Lu Zhao: “I must observe the mourning rites. The Governor should take your son to Xuanping City instead.”
Just as Xie Xian was about to lose his temper, Lu Zhao added: “As the saying goes, one in mourning shall not enter another’s household—unless the Governor wishes misfortune upon your own residence.”
This indeed was a common folk belief.
Xie Xian: “Then remove those mourning garments.”
“Impossible!” Bone-chilling hatred surged in Lu Zhao’s eyes once more: “The mourning must be observed, and the vengeance shall be delivered!”
This profound hatred actually brought Xie Xian some reassurance.
“I shall bring the person here. During this time, you must remain in Xuanping City without leaving. The Black Flag Army will guard you!” Having said this, he raised his hand with arrogance, signaling that Lu Zhao could leave.
After finishing her last sip of tea, Lu Zhao stood up: “By the way, Governor Xie should prepare ample medicinal supplies—they might be needed for detoxification.”
Xie Xian frowned: “Which medicines are required?”
Lu Zhao: “Without examining Young Master Xie, I cannot be certain. Naturally, the more comprehensive the preparation, the better.”
Xie Xian’s eyes turned icy: “You shall have whatever medicines you require. You’d better cure my son!”
Lu Zhao: “Very well.” With these words, she descended from the carriage without looking back.
[Weilai Shouxi Zhudao: Streamer, are you really going to save Xie Jinchi? Then weren’t our rockets wasted?]
[Hang Ge Naizui Chuang Tianxia: Exactly! Killing and saving cancel out—it’s all for nothing. The streamer’s just profiting from the price difference!]
The live chat buzzed with discussions.
Lu Zhao [Don’t worry, your rockets weren’t wasted. I’m a conscientious streamer—this is just after-sales service to show you Xie Jinchi’s miserable condition.]
[Jianmengtianxia: Hahaha, with the streamer’s reassurance, we can rest easy.]
As Lu Zhao stepped down from the carriage, Qiao Bing and others immediately surrounded her, inspecting her from head to toe.
Lu Zhao spoke gently: “Rest assured, I’m fine. Let’s return to Xuanping City first.”
Qiao Bing frowned: “Return to the city?”
“For what purpose?”
Lu Zhao: “To observe mourning rites.”
Everyone exchanged uncertain glances as Xie Xian’s carriage had already turned around heading toward Xuanping City.
The Black Flag Army commander urged his horse forward two steps: “Everyone, please proceed!”
As Lu Zhao carried the memorial tablet back, Qiao Chi suddenly grabbed her wrist, his gaze filled with alarm and doubt.
Lu Zhao reassured him: “I’ll explain on the way. Don’t worry, there won’t be any problems.”
Since she put it that way, everyone had no choice but to follow her.
Along the journey, Lu Zhao briefly explained the transaction in the carriage to the Qiao father and son, then stated: “Governor Xie has promised that if I can detoxify Young Master Xie, he’ll allow us to leave Liangzhou safely.”
Qiao Bing frowned: “Does Your Highness truly believe Xie Xian honors his word?”
Lu Zhao: “He will.” It would be best if he kept his promise, but she wouldn’t mind taking action if he didn’t.
“Your Highness!” Qiao Bing disapproved of his decision: “If Xie Xian betrays his word, returning to Xuanping City would mean certain death. If we have A Chi escort your escape now, we still have seventy percent chance of fleeing Liangzhou City!”
Lu Zhao asked calmly: “And then what? Let you die in foreign lands, your loyal souls buried in unmarked graves? Leave my mother’s corpse exposed in the wilderness for others to desecrate?” In her book, seventy percent certainty meant no certainty at all.
“I dislike mutual destruction scenarios. Since you’ve found me, I will ensure every single one of you returns safely to Zhongdu!” Her eyes held unshakable determination: “Therefore, until we reach Zhongdu, you must all follow my orders!”
Though her tone wasn’t forceful, it carried undeniable authority.
Qiao Bing was momentarily at a loss for words to refute her, so he had no choice but to follow her back to the city and return to the residence in the western part of town.
The coffin was placed back in the main hall, complete with white funeral banners and an incense altar.
Lu Zhao knelt once again at the small table opposite the coffin, quietly practicing calligraphy.
It was as if nothing had happened.
Qiao Bing circled around outside before returning to the main hall and lowering his voice to say, “Seventh Highness, the residence is tightly surrounded by the Black Flag Army. Even the elderly woman inside cannot leave.”
Without pausing her writing, Lu Zhao replied gently, “With food and drink provided, what need is there to go out? This is the perfect opportunity to keep vigil for my mother. In ordinary households, when a parent passes away, one must keep vigil for at least seven days, right?”
By the time she finished one sheet of practice, her handwriting already bore some resemblance to the charm of Consort Mei’s calligraphy.
Qiao Bing said anxiously, “The journey to the Governor’s mansion would take at most six days round trip. If Seventh Highness changes your mind, you must make plans early…”
Lu Zhao set down her brush and looked at him. “Commandant Qiao, do you doubt my medical skills?”
Qiao Bing pressed his lips together: It wasn’t her medical skills he doubted, but Xie Xian’s character.
Lu Zhao: “The medicine I prescribed was used for A Chi’s fractured hand. You can ask him how his right hand is now.”
Qiao Chi, who was standing nearby, immediately said, “Father, my right hand can now lift a spear and kill people. Seventh Highness’s medical skills are truly remarkable.”
[Jianmengtianxia: Oh ho ho, not bad. Qiao Xiaogege is already speaking up for the streamer. Promising, very promising.]
Lu Zhao: Indeed, the younger one is easier to train than the older one.
Qiao Bing had nothing more to say and was about to leave.
Suddenly, Lu Zhao asked, “Did His Majesty send more than just you to find me?”
Qiao Bing was startled for a moment. “How does Seventh Highness know?”
Lu Zhao looked up at him, her gaze sharp. “Never mind how I know. Just answer me: Is it true or not?”