The lead purple-clad assassin was terrified by this sudden turn of events, looking at Lu Zhao as if she were a demonic asura from hell.
Damn, this person was even more terrifying than their guild leader.
He silently retreated, planning to escape.
The five thousand viewers in the live stream grew anxious seeing his movements and hurriedly reminded Lu Zhao: [Streamer, there’s still one fish that slipped through the net!!! He’s trying to escape!!!]
The scrolling subtitles flew by rapidly, but Lu Zhao pretended not to see them, focusing only on the countdown timer at the top of the live stream.
The system was so anxious it seemed to spark [Host, hurry up and go! If you don’t act now, the mission will fail!]
Lu Zhao remained unmoved.
Three seconds, two seconds, one second.
Just as the purple-clad man ran ten meters away, she suddenly turned and kicked the curved blade at her feet. The blade seemed to have eyes, cutting through the falling snow and silencing the wind as it directly pierced through the other’s back, penetrating his heart.
He remained frozen in his escape posture for two seconds before collapsing face-first onto the ground with a thud.
Blood flowed across the ground, staining the surrounding snow red.
The torch fallen on the ground whistled in the wind.
Qiao Chi’s hands trembled as he held the funeral urn, his lips moving several times but failing to produce any sound.
The question of whether Lu Zhao knew martial arts seemed unnecessary to answer now.
Not only did the person before him know martial arts, her skills were exceptionally high—the highest he had ever seen in his life.
With trembling hands, his gaze swept over the assassins lying haphazardly on the ground, noticing most had been killed with a single fatal strike. His eyes moved sluggishly as he stammered, “Was it also you who did what happened in Fancheng that night?”
He had even forgotten to use honorifics.
Lu Zhao turned to look at him and admitted generously, “Yes.”
Qiao Chi: “Then why didn’t you say anything when Father and I were discussing it earlier?”
Lu Zhao: “I was afraid it might frighten you…”
Qiao Chi tried to calm himself, putting on a fearless demeanor: “And when Xie Zhoumu brought it up, you flatly denied it too.”
Lu Zhao countered: “Should I have admitted it?”
Unless one had a hole in their head, they wouldn’t confess to killing someone’s son and a group of subordinates.
Qiao Chi pressed on: “Then was it also you who tried to steal Consort Mei’s letter at the inn before?”
Lu Zhao frowned: “Why would you ask that? Why would I steal a letter my mother wrote to the Emperor? Didn’t you see the Black Flag Guards conspiring that night? Wasn’t it them?”
After all, the Black Flag Guards were all dead now—there was no evidence to prove otherwise.
Her eyes were clear, her tone sincere, showing no signs of deception.
Qiao Chi inexplicably felt relieved and immediately apologized: “Sorry, I don’t know why I asked that.” After apologizing, he hesitantly added: “I have one last question—since Your Highness’s martial skills are so formidable, why were you so easily captured and taken to the mining camp back then? And why did it take so long to escape?”
When they found her in the wilderness near the mining camp back then, she had been terribly tortured and severely physically depleted.
Lu Zhao: So many questions!
This last one was truly difficult to answer.
As she contemplated how to evade the question, the system angrily stomped in her mind [Host, did you do it on purpose? It was just one second—just one second away from killing them all.]
Lu Zhao feigned innocence, replying in her mind: “What are you talking about? Do you think I don’t want to complete the mission?”
“I just didn’t time it right, I’ll pay more attention next time at most.”
The lazy tone made the system instantly furious, warning: 【Host, don’t forget, if we fail to complete the main quest, we’ll both die!】
Lu Zhao couldn’t be bothered to respond. The system crackled with static before suddenly announcing, its tone laced with malicious glee: 【Host side quest failed. Activating punishment mode: three minutes of electric shock. Countdown begins. Host, please prepare: three, two, one…】
The next second, a powerful electric current struck her brain before flowing toward her heart. Her chest instantly felt as if pierced by hundreds of steel needles. She collapsed to one knee with a thud, her silver spear sinking into the snow. The pain made veins bulge on her forehead and neck. Within moments, bean-sized sweat droplets fell one by one, hot enough to melt cavities in the snow before her.
The live stream audience was startled.
【Luosi No Noodles: What’s wrong with the streamer? Internal injuries? I didn’t see those assassins touch her earlier.】
【Jianmengtianxia: Streamer, don’t scare us…】
【Strawberry Ice Cream: The notification says the streamer failed a side quest. Could there be punishments for failure?】
【AC Without Electricity: Streamer, say something.】
The scrolling subtitles swarmed densely, dancing across every nerve ending. She clutched her head—the agony couldn’t possibly be faked.
Seeing her condition, Qiao Chi could no longer hold the funeral urn. Setting it on the ground, he rushed to Lu Zhao’s side in quick strides, supporting her as he asked: “Your Highness, what’s wrong?”
The body beneath his palm trembled violently, cold as if freshly dug from snow. The moment he approached, Lu Zhao grabbed his hand with reversed grip, her knuckles whitening from the force, fingertips nearly digging into his flesh.
Qiao Chi grunted in pain as she touched his wound, instinctively glancing at her profile again.
Her jawline was taut, complexion pale as gold paper, blood trickling from her bitten lip… She finally lost her balance and collapsed into the snow, curling into a shrimp-like ball.
Terrified she might bite off her tongue, Qiao Chi hastily pressed his palm to her mouth.
But she refused to open her jaws, merely clutching a corner of his robe, motionless as death.
Within moments, her outer garment was soaked through with sweat.
Three minutes felt like a lifetime.
Lu Zhao fought to maintain consciousness, unwilling to faint like last time. When the punishment finally ended, she discovered her senses had sharpened remarkably. She could detect faint floral scents drifting from the cliffside and hear distant winter sparrows chirping.
She immediately opened the system’s backend data panel to check the mental strength column. It had indeed increased from 3 to 10.
Lu Zhao rejoiced: So this thing really improves through electric shocks.
Even failing the mission was worth it.
She briefly explained to the scrolling subtitles: 【Streamer is fine, just physically depleted.】
The live stream audience collectively sighed in relief.
Noticing her improved condition, Qiao Chi still called out worriedly: “Your Highness, are you alright?”
Lu Zhao withdrew from the system backend, shaking her head as she leaned on his arm to sit up. Weakly, she said: “I’m fine. It’s just an old ailment from falling into the Huai River back then. Whenever I use internal energy, my body suffers excruciating pain followed by complete exhaustion. It takes long recuperation to recover. Before being captured by the Black Mine, my mother and I had just escaped assassins…”
Her voice grew faint toward the end, drained of strength.
Qiao Chi quickly patted her back to soothe her breathing, urging anxiously, “Your Highness, please don’t speak anymore.”
No wonder His Highness had always appeared delicate and frail, and his first instinct when encountering Xie Zhoumu blocking the road wasn’t to resort to violence.
That night in Fancheng, His Highness must have taken the risk to act only out of concern for the lives of all the commoners in the inn. After taking action, His Highness likely suffered just as much pain, which was why he delayed returning to the guest room and even lied about going to relieve himself.
He had always thought himself ill-treated during his years in Zhongdu, but it was His Highness who bore the greatest hardships.
In an instant, Qiao Chi was overwhelmed with self-blame and remorse: it was all his uselessness that forced His Highness to take action!
And he had kept questioning His Highness like that.
“Your Highness, let me carry you down the mountain.” As he spoke, he picked up the urn of ashes and knelt again before Lu Zhao.
The young man’s shoulders were stained with blood, yet they remained visibly broad and sturdy.
Without hesitation, Lu Zhao climbed onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck and slumping weakly against him. Qiao Chi stood up, carrying her as he stepped over the corpses strewn across the ground and headed down the mountain.
Footsteps sounded not far away. Lu Zhao listened carefully and recognized them as Qiao Bing and the others.
Her eyes shifted thoughtfully, and she continued to play weak: “If Commandant Qiao and the others ask, don’t tell them it was me who acted. I don’t want them to think of me as a bloodthirsty person, nor do I want them to worry about me.”
Qiao Chi nodded. “Your Highness, rest assured. I will keep my lips sealed.”
After the two had walked about a hundred meters, Qiao Bing hurried up with his men, terrified at the sight of the two covered in blood. He quickly reached out to support the still-standing Qiao Chi and asked, “What happened to the Seventh Highness?”
Qiao Chi, covered in wounds, had been barely holding on. With support, his legs gave way, and he nearly collapsed to the ground. Lu Zhao on his back swayed violently, almost tumbling off. Fortunately, the Qiao family guards rushed forward and steadied them both.
The dozen or so men stared in shock and confusion at the corpses littering the ground behind the two. Just as they were about to ask questions, Qiao Chi fainted outright.
Everyone turned to look at Lu Zhao. Having just endured the electric shock and exhausted to the extreme, she simply closed her eyes and feigned unconsciousness.
The group wore grave expressions as they hastily carried the two down the mountain.
The carriage was gone, so Lu Zhao was placed on a horse, swaying unsteadily as it moved. The jolting made her dizzy, and this time, she genuinely fell asleep.
She didn’t even have time to turn off the live stream.
When she awoke, the sky was already bright, and she found herself lying on a hard bed.
Someone was speaking in the room. Her ears twitched slightly, but she didn’t open her eyes, instead observing her surroundings through the live stream lens.
She was lying on a kang bed. Not far from the kang stood a wooden table where Qiao Bing, his son, and over a dozen Qiao family guards sat gathered around, speaking in hushed tones.
The room was spartan, with farming tools hanging on the earthen walls.
Qiao Bing was questioning Qiao Chi about what had happened on the mountain peak.
Qiao Chi hesitated, glancing toward Lu Zhao, before finally saying, “Masked experts suddenly appeared and killed all the Linglong Pavilion members. I didn’t get a clear look at their faces.”
Qiao Bing sounded somewhat disappointed. “Masked experts? They didn’t reveal even a single word? What was their accent? How old were they? Why did they intervene?”
Qiao Chi shook his head repeatedly. “No, it was too chaotic, and the sky was dark…” Unskilled at lying, his face flushed crimson, the redness spreading to the tips of his ears.
Qiao Chi eyed him suspiciously, prompting him to swiftly change the subject. Excitedly, he exclaimed, “Although the master didn’t utter a single word, he taught me spear techniques!” His voice brimmed with admiration. “Father, his skill with the spear is unparalleled in my life—a single thrust could pierce through ten thousand troops!”
Gesturing animatedly, his eyes sparkling with the unique fervor of youth, he vividly depicted the scene of vanquishing enemies.
After listening, Qiao Bing and the others felt even more regretful. “How could you let such a person leave? If he had escorted us, we would have surely reached Zhongdu safely.”
Qiao Chi nearly blurted out: He’s right behind you.
Stifling his discomfort, he held back and instead asked, “What happened to those Black Flag Guards?”
Qiao Bing replied, “We rushed back as soon as we saw the flare signal. By the time we returned, the Black Flag Guards were all dead, and most of the men in black had fallen. I led a surprise attack, and the remaining men in black fled when they were outmatched. Then we followed your trail up the mountain and encountered Song Yue and the others who were searching for you…”
Lu Zhao scanned the room—their people, though injured, were all accounted for.
After conversing a while longer, Qiao Bing said, “I’ve left the items here. I must take the men out of the village to gather information. Be sure to carry out what I entrusted to you.”
Qiao Chi acknowledged, and Qiao Bing’s group soon departed, the sound of the door closing echoing shortly after.
Lu Zhao queried the live-stream audience, [What did Qiao Bing entrust to Qiao Chi while I was asleep?]
Not one viewer gave a straightforward answer, all dodging the question with irrelevant remarks.
A sense of foreboding crept over Lu Zhao, so she asked the system again.
The system, likely still upset over her intentional failure to complete the task, remained silent.
Before Lu Zhao could get a clear answer, Qiao Chi approached the kang carrying a bundle.
Peering through the live stream at the bundle, Lu Zhao wondered what was inside when Qiao Chi suddenly leaned down and reached for her collar.
The warm touch of his fingertips on her collarbone startled her awake. Her eyes flew open, and she gripped his wrist firmly. “What are you doing?” Her tone was icy and hostile.
The live-stream audience finally burst into collective laughter.
[Jianmengtianxia: Hahahaha, streamer, while you were asleep, they tried to change your clothes, but you fought off anyone who came near. That Song Yue got a black eye from you—looks like a panda now.]
[Shuaidebumingxian: Hahahaha, I’m dying of laughter! Lieutenant Qiao got kicked too. Before you woke up, he told Qiao Xiaogege to change your clothes no matter what, so you wouldn’t stink. He also insisted Qiao Xiaogege thoroughly check you for hidden injuries.]
[Driver No Brakes: They probably figured since Qiao Xiaogege shares a room with you every day, he wouldn’t get hit.]
[National Little Cutie: Hahaha, streamer, let go! Qiao Xiaogege is so handsome and risked his life to protect you. What’s the harm in letting him change your clothes?]
[Trash Talk King: Exactly, let go! We want to see! Do you think Qiao Xiaogege would freak out if he knew the streamer is a girl?]
The teasing Scrolling Subtitles multiplied.
Exasperated, Lu Zhao simply shut down the stream. Releasing Qiao Chi’s hand, she sat up and rubbed her tense temples.
Qiao Chi exclaimed joyfully, “Your Highness, you’re awake!”
Lu Zhao nodded slightly, feigning confusion. “Where am I?”
Qiao Chi quickly replied, “In the village near One-Line-Sky. Are you feeling unwell anywhere else?”
Lu Zhao shook her head. He carefully examined her face, noting her continued pallor, and said with concern, “Your Highness, perhaps you should remove your soiled clothes for a thorough examination.” As he spoke, he reached to undo her belt again.
Lu Zhao seized his wrist once more, emphasizing, “Unnecessary. I’ve already said I’m fine.”
Qiao Chi hesitated, “But Your Highness must change your garments? Your current attire will frighten our hosts.”
Lu Zhao was still wearing last night’s bloodstained clothes, the metallic scent of blood mingled with sweat creating a distinctly unpleasant odor.
“Is there water? I wish to bathe first.”
Qiao Chi nodded, “Yes, Your Highness. Please wait a moment, I’ll prepare it immediately.” After speaking, he promptly rose and exited.
Soon he returned with Song Yue and several others carrying a large wooden tub. They repeatedly filled it with smaller buckets, adjusting the water temperature before Qiao Chi came to inform her, “Your Highness, it’s ready.” While speaking, he extended a hand to support her.
Lu Zhao climbed down from the kang bed and tested the water temperature by the tub before beginning to undress.
Song Yue and the others withdrew, but Qiao Chi remained standing behind her, watching intently with no indication of leaving.
Lu Zhao turned to look at him, “Aren’t you going?”
Qiao Chi responded matter-of-factly, “Wasn’t I also in the room during Your Highness’s previous baths?”
Lu Zhao was speechless: Previously there had been a screen for privacy, but this earthen hut had nothing.
“Didn’t you previously say you weren’t accustomed to watching others bathe?”
Qiao Chi immediately declared, “I’ve grown accustomed now. When it comes to Your Highness, I can adapt to anything.” His eyes shone like stars, filled with undisguised admiration. As he spoke, he picked up the bathing cloth that had been set aside, clearly intending to personally scrub her.
Lu Zhao directly commanded, “Put that down and leave!”
Qiao Chi paused briefly before asking, “Is Your Highness concerned about my injuries making it inconvenient? I’m fine—they’re only minor wounds. They were treated with medicine when I awoke, using the remedy you prepared.”
Lu Zhao thought: In his mind, was she really such a benevolent person?
“The water will grow cold if you don’t leave soon.”
Qiao Chi pressed his lips together, reluctantly returning the bathing cloth to the table before trudging out dejectedly.
After Lu Zhao finished bathing and changing clothes, knocking immediately sounded at the door.
“Enter.”
The door opened and closed as Qiao Chi brought in a pot of hot tea, placing it before her and pouring a bowl.
She accepted it and took a sip—the tea was coarse and nearly tasteless. Setting down the bowl, she noticed Qiao Chi, who had been standing nearby, suddenly kneel before her.
Lu Zhao raised an eyebrow, “What is the meaning of this?”
Qiao Chi stated solemnly, “I wish to become Your Highness’s disciple.”
Lu Zhao had no interest in mentoring others, “Haven’t you mastered what I previously taught you?”
Qiao Chi shamefully admitted, “No…” He had been too astonished last night to focus.
Lu Zhao asked him, “Didn’t you claim your martial skills were already the finest among Zhongdu’s youth? Why seek a master?”
Qiao Chi immediately responded, “It’s not enough!” Being the best among Zhongdu’s young nobles meant nothing against those black-clad assassins, Linglong Pavilion’s killers, or even the Black Flag Guards.
“Last night taught me there’s always someone greater beyond the known horizons. I want to grow stronger, to become a great general who protects our homeland.”
Lu Zhao flatly refused, “Rise. I don’t accept disciples.”
Qiao Chi quickly said, “I won’t trouble Your Highness too much. Just a little guidance would suffice. I can endure hardship and I’m very diligent!”
Lu Zhao looked at him without speaking. After a moment of mutual gaze, his eyes suddenly dimmed, and he lowered his head in silence.
After a few breaths, he abruptly sprang up like an undefeated rooster, full of fighting spirit, and asked, “Is Your Highness hungry? I’ll prepare something.”
Without waiting for Lu Zhao’s nod, he turned and walked out of the room. Soon, the sound of a hen flapping and clucking came from the yard.
Lu Zhao stood by the window looking out. Qiao Chi was chasing an old hen all over the yard. Due to his injuries, his movements were clumsy, and he missed several times, even getting a face full of feathers from the hen.
It wasn’t until Song Yue and the others returned from gathering firewood and came to help that they successfully caught the chicken.
He picked up a hatchet and began to slaughter the chicken. The old master helped by holding the chicken’s feet, urgently advising, “Young master, the chicken won’t die immediately after being slaughtered. Whatever you do, don’t let go.”
Qiao Chi nodded seriously. When the mistress brought hot water, he proactively helped pluck the feathers.
With his back to Lu Zhao, he squatted under the sun, meticulously plucking for a full quarter-hour. After finishing, he carried the chicken to the kitchen and stayed there for half an hour.
Just as Lu Zhao’s stomach began to growl, he promptly brought a large bowl of chicken to her. He filled a small bowl with rich chicken soup and handed it to her: “Your Highness, please eat.”
Lu Zhao took a sip. The chicken soup was exceptionally fragrant and rich. She looked up at Qiao Chi. The young man still had fine chicken feathers on his head and shoulders, watching her with an expectant expression.
Lu Zhao praised, “Very fragrant.”
His eyebrows lifted with joy, and he immediately took a fine cloth to wipe Consort Mei’s ashes urn. He polished every part of the urn, every pattern and corner, until it shone brightly, with extraordinary care.
His way of currying favor was truly clumsy.
Lu Zhao watched him busy himself for a while, sighed, and finally offered some kind guidance: “Your spear technique isn’t weak, but it lacks the killing intent of a life-or-death situation. From now on, whenever you hold a weapon, imagine yourself standing on the cliff facing those assassins last night. If you don’t kill them, you’ll die. Then you’ll naturally improve.”
She didn’t know how to teach properly—only killing techniques.
Qiao Chi’s eyes immediately brightened again, and he asked excitedly, “Does Your Highness agree to take me as your disciple?”
Lu Zhao said calmly, “I told you, I won’t take disciples, but I can offer some guidance.”
Qiao Chi readily complied: “Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness.” After speaking, he stood up and bowed respectfully to her: “Your Highness, please eat. I’ll go practice with my spear now.”
He turned to leave, but just as he stepped over the threshold, Lu Zhao stopped him: “There’s no need to rush. Aren’t you still injured?”
Qiao Chi turned back to look at her, his eyes shining even brighter: Your Highness is concerned about him.
He quietly sat back down beside Lu Zhao, his gaze burning as he asked, “Is there anything else Your Highness needs me to help with?”
He looked like an obedient large dog, practically wagging his tail at her.
The corner of Lu Zhao’s mouth lifted imperceptibly: So this kid admires strength this much.
For the rest of the day, Qiao Chi bustled around attending to her. It wasn’t until dusk, when Qiao Bing and the others returned, that his attention was finally diverted, and he hurriedly asked about the situation outside.
Qiao Bing said, “The county offices from nearby towns have already sent people to investigate. The bodies of those men in black and the Black Flag Guards have all been removed. I expect the news has reached the Governor of Jingzhou. He will likely send men soon to search the surrounding mountains and conduct inquiries. Things should be relatively calm in the area for the next few days, which gives us a good opportunity to cross One-Line-Sky and enter Yongzhou territory. Once we reach Qujiang City in Yongzhou, we can travel upstream along the Huai River, and the journey will be much safer from there.”
He turned to Lu Zhao: “Your Highness, please rest and recover in the village these next few days with A Chi. Tomorrow, I will continue to gather information. If there are any further developments, I will report to you promptly.”
Lu Zhao nodded, then asked him, “Captain Qiao, could you tell me about the current situation in Zhongdu?”
Qiao Bing asked, “What specifically does Your Highness wish to know?”
Lu Zhao said coldly, “Those who are hunting me down must be afraid that my return to Zhongdu will threaten their interests, or they are the masterminds behind the plot against my mother and me and the Zhenguo Jiangjun Fu back then. Aside from my elder brothers, I can’t think of anyone else who would be so afraid of my return. Why don’t you tell me about the current situation in Zhongdu and my brothers?”
Only by knowing both yourself and your enemy can you be victorious in every battle.
He couldn’t just enter Zhongdu completely blind.
Qiao Bing sighed and said, “It is indeed time to properly explain the situation in Zhongdu to Your Highness…”
Seeing that the two were clearly preparing for a long night of discussion, Qiao Chi immediately had someone heat the kang bed, personally fetched hot water to brew tea for them, filled their cups, and then sat quietly to the side to listen.
Qiao Bing took a sip of tea to moisten his throat and finally spoke again, “Your Highness is the seventh in line, and you have five elder brothers above you. You should know this, right?”
Lu Zhao: Isn’t that obvious?
Wait, if he’s the seventh, shouldn’t he have six elder brothers?
She carefully recalled the dream she had once had. In the dream, there were indeed only five little brats surrounding him, one of whom seemed to be the Crown Prince.
“Naturally, I know. But I left the palace at a young age, so my memories of them and everything in the palace are very vague. Please explain in detail, Captain Qiao.”
Qiao Bing continued, “The First Prince is twenty-one this year, already married, and has a son. The little Imperial Grandson is now three years old and is deeply favored by His Majesty. After General Zhenguo passed away, the First Prince’s maternal grandfather, Marquis Zhongyong, took over command of the Zhennan Army and is now guarding the southern border. The Third Prince, who is the Crown Prince, is eighteen this year and is already engaged to the daughter of the Dali Temple Minister—Your Highness’s former fiancée…”
Lu Zhao was horrified: Did this body of hers have a fiancée before? Could it have been a childhood betrothal?
“System, earlier you said my mission is to become a favored consort. The Empress wouldn’t happen to be this one, would she?”
The system excitedly replied, [Host, you’re so clever! Only a noble lady from Zhongdu is worthy of being the Empress!]
Lu Zhao was speechless: “You idiot, you only deserve to be scolded by me.”
Qiao Bing continued, “The Fourth Prince is only one year older than Your Highness. His mother was a senior palace maid serving Consort Duan. After the maid passed away, he was raised under Consort Duan’s name.”
Lu Zhao asked, “Does Consort Duan not have any children of her own?”
Qiao Bing’s expression turned somewhat strange, but he ultimately said, “This is something I shouldn’t really discuss with Your Highness, but since you asked, I will speak truthfully. Consort Duan gave birth to the Second Prince. On the night of Your Highness’s birth, all the Imperial Physicians in the Tai Hospital were at Consort Mei’s palace, and the Second Prince fell critically ill and passed away. Therefore, Consort Duan has always been at odds with Consort Mei.”
Lu Zhao inwardly exclaimed: Good heavens! Of the three princes mentioned so far, one holds a grudge against Consort Mei, and the others benefited from the case involving the Zhenguo Jiangjun Fu.
“The Fifth Prince is also seventeen this year. He is the son of Consort Xian, and his maternal grandfather is the Imperial Academy’s Jijiu, a great Confucian scholar renowned throughout the land. The top scholar in the imperial examinations, Shen Zhuangyuan, hails from the Shen family. However, the Fifth Prince’s temperament is extremely mild and his literary talents are quite mediocre, making him an exception in the Shen family.”
“The Shen family?” Lu Zhao frowned. “Are they related to my maternal grandfather’s family?”
Qiao Bing shook his head. “There is no relation at all. Shen Jijiu is from the Shen family, one of the five great clans.” There are countless people with the surname Shen in the world, but not all of them belong to the Zhongdu Shen family.
“The Sixth Prince is the same age as Your Highness, but was born half a month earlier. His mother is Consort Rong, who comes from the Duan Family, one of the Five Great Families.”
After briefly introducing several princes, he began discussing the situation in Zhongdu: “After Consort Mei and Your Highness disappeared, the Emperor fell gravely ill. His health declines with each passing year, and his control over the court steadily weakens. Now the court is under the control of the Five Great Families, who only care about fighting for power and profit, locked in constant internal strife. They completely disregard the lives of the common people, let alone manage the various provinces and commanderies. This is why the Liangzhou Governor dares to amass large numbers of troops and secretly manufacture weapons, showing no respect for the imperial family!”
As he spoke, his eyes filled with helpless resentment.
“With the Southern Barbarians and Northern Di tribes watching covetously, the various governors growing ambitious, and the Five Great Families and several princes solely focused on internal conflicts…” He heaved a heavy sigh. “The Emperor worries day and night about the Da Yong empire, unable to sleep peacefully. His greatest wish is to find Consort Mei and Your Highness. The Emperor sees Your Highness as Da Yong’s hope, placing great expectations upon you…”
Lu Zhao sneered inwardly: Great expectations? Or like Consort Mei, treating him as a key trapped in a beast’s cage?
A key to dismantle the influence of the Five Great Families?