Series: ЧУ ЧЖАО

Sleeping in the kitchen, warmed by the lingering heat from the stove, with a thick layer of straw spread across the floor—it was even more comfortable than the crude plank beds at the Relay Station. Yet, A Fu still woke abruptly. It was a nightmare that startled her awake. Though perhaps it wasn’t truly a

And someone who could be so harsh on themselves would surely show no mercy to others. “Stop right there.” He stretched out an arm, blocking her path. “You still haven’t answered me—why cry for your father and not your mother?” The question sounded deliberately provocative, but A Fu knew better: this young man had always

Perhaps frustrated by the morning’s encounter, A Fu remained out of sight for the rest of the day, resting in the kitchen. A Le, meanwhile, was busier than ever—even more so than during their hurried travels. She boiled pot after pot of hot water, allowing Zhang Gu and the others to wash up and soak

Although unafraid, the two girls remained on edge, ready to respond at any moment. However, A Jiu did not cause any trouble and spent his time eating and drinking. That evening, A Le cautiously approached him with a basin of foot-washing water. As before, he responded with sarcastic remarks, refusing to let her come near.

Right now, it felt like anyone could be behind it—and yet, every possibility seemed equally unbelievable. Maybe… it was that person after all. A Fu watched the figure of A Jiu fading into the wilderness, a flash of hatred in her eyes. “Don’t be angry,” A Le whispered, noticing her expression. “I’ll try again—maybe I

The morning wind swept off the river, carrying a biting chill, yet a cold sweat broke out on A Fu’s back. This A Jiu wasn’t joking—he truly intended to kill. She remained perfectly still, her eyes fixed on A Jiu. She didn’t cry or make a scene; her face was calm as she said, “At

Just before A Fu fell into the river, Tie Ying—the guard emerging from the cabin—had already noticed the two figures on the shore. From such a distance, it was impossible to make out the details. He saw only a young man and woman and assumed they were a pair of lovers stealing a morning rendezvous

Her ascent to the throne as empress, or rather, Xiao Xun’s rise as emperor, was a twist of fate—both destiny and coincidence. The late emperor had two sons, yet the throne was never meant to pass to the line of Zhongshan Wang. But then, chaos erupted. As the late emperor lay gravely ill, his two

A Fu herself didn’t quite know why she laughed. By all rights, it was the last moment for laughter. She had fled the capital to see her father—and to escape the fate of her past life. She and Xiao Xun had first met in the capital: she fell into the water, he saved her, she

A Le quickly reached out to take it and wrapped it tightly around her shivering friend. Meanwhile, the nobleman turned his attention back to Zhang Gu. “Which unit are you from? And are you traveling with this guniang?” Zhang Gu replied, “We’re courier soldiers. We’re on our way to—” Before he could finish, A Fu—who