Chapter 50: Summoned

Chapter 50: The Summons

"Who is Princess Zhaoqing?"

Chi Jing furrowed her brow, searching her memory for information about this person, but found nothing.

In the original novel, *The General Who Usurped the Throne and His Beloved*, the plot before the female lead's marriage alliance focused entirely on her suffering under a cruel stepmother and the palace's sycophantic treatment of favored individuals, while she, the unfavored lead, was neglected and mistreated.

However, once the female lead, backed by the male lead's power, returned triumphantly to the capital, their positions reversed. She became the beloved empress, and they, prisoners.

The narrative naturally evolved into the male lead's furious quest for revenge on behalf of his beloved, eliminating all those who had wronged her.

Ultimately, these characters were mere pawns in the male and female leads' romantic drama. Their names, backgrounds, and past experiences were utterly insignificant.

After all, this fictional world revolved entirely around the male and female protagonists.

A mocking smile played on Chi Jing's lips. "What kind of energy does the Supreme God extract from such a world?"

Perhaps noticing her prolonged silence, Zhao Mingyue, seated beside her, gently tugged at her sleeve. "Mother, please summon Secretary Wu. Perhaps Aunt Zhaoqing has something important to report."

Chi Jing collected her thoughts and looked at Zhao Mingyue. "Are you close to this aunt of yours?"

Zhao Mingyue shook her head. "No, the last time I saw Princess Zhaoqing was when I was eight, about five or six years ago. I remember—"

She paused, as if recalling, then continued, "Princess Zhaoqing had just returned from Tangzhou City. I saw her in a red cloak, leading a group of soldiers, striding past me. Thinking back now, Aunt looked so imposing."

As she spoke, a glimmer of light shone in Zhao Mingyue's eyes.

What seemed ordinary at the time felt extraordinary in retrospect.

But the light in Zhao Mingyue's eyes quickly faded, and her tone turned somber.

"Not long after, Father confined Aunt to her princess's residence. I don’t know what happened, but I heard from the palace maids that it was because Aunt had gone mad."

"Mad?" Chi Jing suddenly grew curious and straightened up.

Zhao Mingyue hesitated. "They said it was because Aunt and Lord Zhen were deeply in love, and Lord Zhen had taught her martial arts. Witnessing his death on the battlefield was too much for her to bear, and she went mad from grief."

Chi Jing’s lips twitched. A princess of a nation, leading armies in battle, only to go mad for love? What an absurd plot! It must be a rumor.

What’s laughable is how people adore such romanticized rumors, turning them into stories, songs, and even believing them, spending their lives chasing after such ideals.

This has been the case since ancient times, and people never tire of it.

But she couldn’t blame Zhao Mingyue. She was only eight at the time, living deep within the palace, learning embroidery and reading texts on female virtues. How could she distinguish truth from fiction?

Dan Ying added, "I’ve heard about this too. It seems Princess Zhaoqing wanted to build a memorial hall for Lord Zhen, but the late emperor refused. She stormed the Ministry of War with her people and injured several officials. The late emperor, enraged, confined her."

Chi Jing pondered. This matter seemed to have more to it.

What really happened back then? Was Princess Zhaoqing truly mad? If so, why would she suddenly submit a memorial now?

These questions could only be answered by Princess Zhaoqing herself. For now, she would see what the memorial contained.

Chi Jing raised her hand. "Summon Wu Wenxiu."

Dan Ying acknowledged the order and went out to bring Wu Wenxiu into the hall.

Zhao Mingyue, knowing she should avoid involvement, stood up to leave.

Chi Jing took her hand and patted the chair beside her. "It’s likely a family matter. Stay and listen."

"Thank you, Mother." Zhao Mingyue sat back down.

Wu Wenxiu entered, bowed, and handed the memorial to Chi Jing.

She spoke cautiously, "Your Majesty, Princess Zhaoqing was attacked late at night. She requests that Zhen Ruicai be held accountable for negligence and that his garrison troops be disbanded. This matter is of great importance. I dare not decide alone and seek Your Majesty’s judgment."

Chi Jing raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Attacked late at night... Who did it?"

Zhao Mingyue exclaimed, standing up. "Is Aunt alright?"

Wu Wenxiu replied calmly, "According to the memorial, Princess Zhaoqing is unharmed, but the assailant escaped."

Zhao Mingyue sighed in relief and slowly sat back down.

Chi Jing looked at her. "Mingyue, what do you think should be done?"

Zhao Mingyue straightened her back. "Of course, punish Zhen Ruicai immediately, then send the Golden Crow Guard to protect Aunt and find the culprit!"

As soon as she finished speaking, footsteps echoed outside. Ling Qiong hurried in and knelt on one knee. "Your Majesty, the assailant who attacked Princess Zhaoqing has been captured."

Zhao Mingyue widened her eyes. "What?"

Ling Qiong looked up with a smile. "It was Xie Qinjian, the one who publicly challenged the princess the other day. He has confessed everything."

Zhao Mingyue was stunned. How could it be such a coincidence?

"Oh?" Chi Jing smiled. "In that case, summon Zhen Ruicai, Princess Zhaoqing, and Xie Qinjian to the palace. Let’s see what truly happened."

————

Zhen Ruicai had been having a tough time these past few days. Xie Qinjian was imprisoned in the Yiluan Department, his fate unknown. He couldn’t even get an audience with Princess Mingyue. To make matters worse, the Golden Crow Guard’s recruitment was a success, with crowds of applicants, and he couldn’t do a thing about it.

Frustrated, he hastily gathered his military officials to discuss countermeasures.

Among them, Qian Qian, commander of the Left Eagle Guard, was his trusted aide, and the other guard generals were also his loyal followers.

"I’ve rendered great service to the nation and should have been promoted to chancellor. But when Li Mian fell, Empress Dowager Chi replaced the chancellor’s office with the Disciplinary Department and supported the formation of the female Golden Crow Guard. It’s absurd!"

"Without the support of us military officials, how could Empress Dowager Chi have secured her position as regent?"

Zhen Ruicai’s impassioned speech was met with nods and table-pounding agreement from the other officials.

"Women wanting to be soldiers and fight? This is outrageous!"

In the midst of their heated discussion, Guard Captain Liu Feng, who was stationed at the princess’s residence, rushed in. "Lord Zhen, something’s happened!"

Zhen Ruicai jumped. "What’s all the shouting? What could possibly happen now?"

Liu Feng wiped sweat from his forehead, trembling. "It’s... it’s Empress Dowager Chi. She’s summoned Princess Zhaoqing to the palace."

"What?" Zhen Ruicai leaped from his chair. "You fool! The late emperor’s decree forbade Princess Zhaoqing from leaving her residence. Why didn’t you stop her?"

Liu Feng stammered, "I tried, but I couldn’t stop her!"

Zhen Ruicai gasped. "If Zhao Yuzhang convinces Empress Dowager Chi to release her, things will go badly. We must find a solution."

He turned to the others, about to ask for ideas, when footsteps echoed outside. Looking up, he saw a palace envoy standing at the door, holding an imperial decree.

"By order of Her Majesty, summon Zhen Ruicai to the palace!"

Zhen Ruicai felt his heart leap violently, a premonition of impending doom swept over him.

————

Zhao Yuzhang redid her long hair, changed into plain clothes, and, led by the Golden Crow Guards, entered the imperial city she had been absent from for so long.

It had indeed been too long—so long that the city had already changed rulers.

Zhao Yuzhang's feelings were too complex for words.

Arriving at the Xihua Hall, she looked up at the three familiar characters on the plaque, a faint, bitter smile appearing involuntarily on her face.

A court attendant urged, "Princess Zhaoqing, please come in quickly. Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is waiting for you."

Only then did Zhao Yuzhang collect herself and step into the hall.

The first thing she noticed was a young girl with a round face, whose features looked vaguely familiar. She halted, feeling puzzled.

"Aunt Zhaoqing!" the other exclaimed, throwing her arms around her in a tight embrace.

It was only then that Zhao Yuzhang remembered, a smile touched her lips as she gently returned the hug. "It's Mingyue."

However, she only held her for a moment before letting go.

Zhao Mingyue's casual demeanor suggested she was greatly favored by Empress Dowager Chi. But even if Zhao Mingyue could be so informal in front of the Empress Dowager, she could not.

Zhao Yuzhang walked to the center of the hall, lowered her gaze, knelt, and bowed. "I, your guilty subject, Zhao Yuzhang, pays homage to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."

A cold voice sounded from above. "Rise. A seat for her."

Zhao Yuzhang calmly stood up and took her seat in the chair to the right of the hall. Only then did she look up at Chi Jing at the head of the room, only to find the other also watching her—their gazes meeting sharply.

A pair of icy, sharp eyes, like a wild wolf lurking in darkness.

Zhao Yuzhang was the first to look away, but a thought surfaced in her mind: Empress Dowager Chi was very different from what she had imagined.

She did not seem like a noble lady, nor like the women from military families. Instead, she resembled... a cold-blooded assassin.

Zhao Yuzhang was startled by this conjecture but quickly shook her head—it couldn't be.

Nor could she have imagined that this wild guess was, in fact, the truth.

Just as she was observing Chi Jing and speculating about her character, Chi Jing was also observing and speculating about hers.

A general who could lead troops and win battles must possess qualities different from ordinary people.

Either she possessed an almost inhuman calmness, enabling her to slaughter enemies without mercy and remain unbroken as her soldiers fell one by one.

Or she held extremely lofty and firm beliefs, allowing her to face death and bloodshed head-on.

Which of these two types was Zhao Yuzhang? Chi Jing believed she was both.

Such talent shouldn't be let go easily.

Chi Jing curled her lips. "Princess Zhaoqing, the assailant who attacked you has been captured. But before dealing with this matter, I would like to know exactly what happened in Tangzhou City five years ago."