Chapter 119: The Death of the Dishonored Subject

Proofreader : Mim

“Is anyone inside? Our officer has a couple of questions.”

 

Inside the room, there was dead silence. The head guard quietly placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, while Chu Jinyao’s expression darkened, her eyes filled with a chilling calm.

 

Unexpectedly, it was the little seven or eight-year-old boy who broke the silence. He ran over and gently pushed the old woman: “Grandma, someone’s calling outside.”

 

The old woman snapped out of her daze. She glanced at Chu Jinyao and the head guard, whose aura was filled with murderous intent, swallowed her saliva, and hurriedly went outside: “Coming, coming. I’m coming.”

 

Chu Jinyao and Chu Jianxian stood inside the house, listening to the old woman speak with the visitors outside. As an ordinary commoner, the old woman was particularly cautious when speaking to people in official uniform, evident in her careful tone. The soldiers conducting the search questioned her briefly before getting to the point: “Have you seen a well-dressed woman, coming from the northwest?”

 

The old woman’s heart skipped a beat. She cautiously asked, “Officer, why do you ask?”

 

“That’s not for you to worry about. Just answer the question. Have you seen anyone?”

 

“No,” the old woman gritted her teeth and replied, “It’s freezing cold, and as soon as we locked the doors, we prepared for bed. We haven’t seen anyone.”

 

“Really?” One of the soldiers, who looked quite young, eyed the old woman suspiciously.

 

The old woman firmly stated that she hadn’t seen anyone. The soldier looked up at the dark room and asked with suspicion, “It’s already dark. Why isn’t there any light inside?”

 

With so many people in the house, lighting the lamps would expose the real situation inside. That’s why the head guard had snuffed out the light when they first knocked on the door. The young soldier seemed unusually alert, but Chu Jinyao, who had grown up in the countryside, was not fooled by his trick. She signaled the head guard to remain calm. After all, in the north, once past October, the ground was frozen solid, making it nearly impossible to leave wheel tracks. The soldier was clearly trying to bait them.

 

Sure enough, the old woman immediately protested her innocence, and when the young soldier observed the room, it remained as calm as ever. Just then, a small flicker of light appeared inside the house. A young woman emerged, shielding a small candle with her hand as she walked toward the door. She half-turned and respectfully greeted the soldier, softly calling out, “Mother.”

 

The old woman’s hands were trembling, but she pretended to scold her: “Why did you come out?”

 

The old woman’s grandson peeked out from behind his mother, timidly asking, “Grandma, what’s happening?”

 

“Nothing, nothing. You go back inside with your mother. It’s cold out here, and you’re not dressed warmly enough.”

 

The soldier watched for a moment, then finally lowered his guard and turned to leave. The old woman unknowingly let out a sigh of relief, and inside the house, Chu Jinyao and the others also exhaled deeply.

 

It had been a close call, but it seemed they were safe now.

 

The soldiers’ voices gradually faded as they moved on to search another house. The cold wind howled, and the village remained eerily silent, with only the rough knocking and questioning of the soldiers breaking the stillness.

 

With the help of Linglong and Dingxiang, Chu Jinyao slowly stood up. The stress of the situation had left her drenched in sweat.

 

But in the next instant, a cold shiver ran down her spine, as if ice needles were piercing her back.

 

From not too far away, the soldiers were questioning another farmer. After initially denying seeing any strangers, suddenly a voice rang out from the house: “Who said no? The house you just searched had outsiders.”

 

Upon hearing that voice, Chu Jianxian froze as if struck by lightning. Chu Jinyao’s eyes blazed with fury as she muttered, “Chu Jinmiao!”

 

There was no time for Chu Jinyao to consider why Chu Jinmiao was here. She hadn’t even decided what to do next when a soft, warm bundle was placed into her arms. In the darkness, Chu Jianxian’s eyes gleamed with determination. “Jinyao, I’m entrusting Lu’er to you.”

 

Chu Jinyao hesitated for a brief moment, then immediately realized what her sister intended to do: “Sister, you’ve lost your mind! How can you—?”

 

“If anything happens to me, please take care of Lu’er,” Chu Jianxian said firmly, casting a deep, sorrowful glance at her son, Lu’er, who remained blissfully unaware in the darkness. She then turned resolutely toward the head guard. “Guard Captain, I ask you to take me outside.”

 

The head guard hesitated for a moment but quickly understood. Chu Jinyao and Chu Jianxian were sisters who resembled each other. With the sky already dark, as long as the head guard escorted Chu Jianxian out, the soldiers outside would naturally assume she was the Crown Princess. Even if the deception were uncovered later, the time they gained would be enough for Qin Yi’s people to arrive.

 

The head guard bowed respectfully to Chu Jianxian, then swiftly drew his sword and escorted her outside. Tears streamed down Chu Jinyao’s face. She rushed forward to stop them, but Linglong and Dingxiang held her back with all their strength.

 

The sound of shouting erupted outside, followed by the chaotic noise of footsteps growing louder, then fainter as they moved away. The baby in Chu Jinyao’s arms suddenly felt as heavy as a mountain, nearly crushing her under its weight.

 

The old woman and her family watched in shock, their hands firmly covering their mouths. In the western suburbs, they were accustomed to seeing nobles from the capital. They often gossiped about the goings-on in the imperial city. And the most significant news recently was, of course, the Crown Princess traveling to the western suburbs to pray for the late Empress.

 

They watched as the ethereal beauty clutched the child tightly, silently weeping. The room, once quiet and empty, was suddenly filled with soldiers, all kneeling before the woman. “This place is no longer safe. Please, your grace, allow us to escort you to safety.”

 

Chu Jinyao knew that no words would change anything now. As long as she remained undiscovered, the pursuers wouldn’t dare make a move. But if they found the real Crown Princess, Chu Jianxian’s fate would be sealed.

 

Without a word, Chu Jinyao wiped her tears and followed the heavily armed soldiers outside. Just as she was about to step out the door, the old woman’s seven-year-old grandson broke free from his mother’s grasp and ran over to Chu Jinyao. “Sister, are you leaving?”

 

Chu Jinyao tightened her grip on Lu’er and struggled to speak. “I’m sorry.”

 

The old woman’s family had sheltered Chu Jinyao and even lied to the soldiers. The dangerous men outside might hesitate to harm Chu Jianxian, but they would have no such reservations about an ordinary village family. In that moment, Chu Jinyao realized that her presence had brought disaster to these innocent people.

 

But the boy said, “I know this village well. Let me show you a way out.”

 

Chu Jinyao was taken aback. She glanced back at the old woman and her daughter-in-law, who were both trembling but had not stopped the boy. Having a guide who knew the area would be invaluable, especially a small child who could easily go unnoticed. After a brief hesitation, the head guard nodded in agreement.

 

Of course, their vigilance never wavered. At the slightest hint of betrayal, they were ready to snap the boy’s fragile neck in an instant.

 

As the group quickly disappeared into the night, on the other side, a broad-shouldered general rode his horse through the crowd, his face stern as he gazed at the frail woman surrounded by soldiers. He scrutinized her from head to toe. “So, this is the Crown Princess?”

 

Chu Jianxian glared at him defiantly, her lips tightly sealed. The head guard, now wounded, stood silently by her side, sword in hand.

 

General Hu surveyed her for a moment, recalling the rumors about the Crown Princess’s beauty. The saying that the empire’s finest women all belonged to the imperial family seemed fitting. Judging by appearances alone, the Crown Prince was indeed fortunate. Although General Hu was nearly convinced, he was still cautious. If he was to carry out his plans, he needed to be certain, so he gestured for a few others to be brought forward.

 

Several palace maids who had been taken from Changhe Garden were pushed forward. When they saw Chu Jianxian standing before them, their eyes widened in shock.

 

Drawing his sword, General Hu commanded with a threatening tone, “Is she the Crown Princess?”

 

Chu Jianxian’s hands trembled involuntarily. Silently, she locked eyes with the palace servants, among them a maid who had served her for many years. Tears welled up in the maid’s eyes as she clenched her teeth and replied, “Yes.”

 

Loyalty demanded that they protect their sovereign. With the Emperor’s fate uncertain and the Crown Prince representing the future of the kingdom, the safety of the Crown Prince’s heir was paramount.

 

No matter the cost.

 

By all rights, General Hu should have been satisfied with this answer. But something didn’t sit right with him. It had been too easy. The Crown Princess’s companions had barely resisted, and the woman herself showed no signs of fierce resistance or humiliation.

 

Everything had gone too smoothly, making him doubt its authenticity.

 

Though still uncertain, General Hu’s desire to believe began to outweigh his suspicions. This opportunity was too tempting. With the Emperor captured and nearly all of the capital’s military forces wiped out, the Wara forces now held the upper hand, preparing to march southward and threaten the capital. If the imperial family was forced to flee, the northern lands, including the magnificent Imperial Palace, might soon have a new ruler.

 

This was an irresistible prospect for any ambitious man. If he held the Crown Princess, rumored to be with child, and if that child was a boy, then supporting a young emperor and founding a new dynasty would be within reach.

 

The corrupt and oppressive eunuchs, the stifling dominance of the imperial guards, the broken and twisted bureaucratic system, and the decaying Yan dynasty—all could be swept away with new leadership.

 

General Hu’s grip on his sword loosened. He convinced himself that he was simply overthinking it. Just as he was about to order his men to take the woman away, a young soldier rushed over, shouting, “General, we’ve brought the woman who first raised the alarm.”

 

Chu Jianxian’s face paled instantly. Through the flickering torchlight, her gaze remained calm as she stared across the cold blades. But when her eyes met those of Chu Jinmiao, they filled with fear, warning, and desperate hope.

 

General Hu hadn’t expected much from a mere commoner. How could a villager recognize the Crown Princess? But out of habit, he asked, “Is this the Crown Princess?”

 

Chu Jinmiao met Chu Jianxian’s gaze across the sea of swords. She easily understood the silent plea in Chu Jianxian’s eyes. Memories of their childhood flashed before her. Despite being the most beloved daughter of Madam Zhao, Chu Jinmiao had always clashed with Chu Jianxian. Whenever there was a conflict, their grandmother would harshly reprimand Chu Jinmiao, not even asking for an explanation. Even her indulgent mother, Madam Zhao, would say, “Your elder sister can do no wrong. You should listen to her.”

 

A cold, malicious smile curled across Chu Jinmiao’s lips. “She isn’t the Crown Princess.”

 

Everyone around them erupted into shock, both the soldiers holding the swords and those at their mercy.

 

“What did you say?”

 

“She’s not the Crown Princess. The Crown Princess’s name is Chu Jinyao. This woman is her elder sister, Chu Jinxian.”

 

A deathly silence fell over the crowd. Chu Jinmiao smiled wickedly and added, “If you don’t believe me, check her stomach. The Crown Princess should be pregnant, but she’s just given birth.”

 

General Hu’s expression was one of utter disbelief. He had never expected this. He glanced back and forth between Chu Jinmiao and Chu Jianxian, unsure whom to believe.

 

“No need to check.” Chu Jianxian locked eyes with Chu Jinmiao, her voice icy and deliberate. “Chu Jinmiao, you will die a miserable death.”