Chapter 63 Capital Take your pick!

Chapter 63: The Capital—Your Choice!

On the matter of returning to the capital as quickly as possible, Xu Guozhu and Zhong Huaizhi were in unprecedented agreement.

Thus, along the way, among the four essentials—“food, clothing, shelter, and travel”—only “travel” mattered to them.

After two days and one night of nonstop travel, Xie Chi’s guards had to remind the two elders that while servants and protectors might endure the pace, the young masters and young lady could not. Only then did they pause to adjust their travel and lodging arrangements.

As a result, the return journey—which had taken Zhong Yao and Xie Chi over a month with frequent stops on the way there—was completed in half the time.

Before entering the city, the two young masters, cooped up in the carriage the entire way, could no longer contain themselves and insisted on riding horses for a stretch. Since they were now near the capital—on home turf—the two elders hesitated, then reluctantly agreed.

Exhausted from days of travel, Zhong Yao mostly had the carriage to herself for easier rest. Feeling unwell—perhaps from the muggy heat—she leaned against a cushion, drifting into thought, when someone knocked on her carriage window.

Lifting the curtain, she saw it was a guard sent by Xie Chi to escort them back to the capital.

The guard said, “Miss, the Crown Prince’s Heir ordered me to deliver a message before we enter the city.”

Zhong Yao had been traveling in a fog these past few days—aching all over and restless inside, like a river stirred by wind. Unfortunately, she couldn’t confide her worries to Zhong Huaizhi.

As for Zhong Shu, he’d listen—but never took her seriously. Whenever she asked whether Xie Chi truly liked her, he’d always say, “Just go beat up Xie Chi’s grandmother once we’re back in the capital—that’ll reveal his true feelings.” Zhong Yao thought her second brother was just talking nonsense and didn’t understand a young lady’s delicate heart at all.

Now, hearing that Xie Chi had sent her a message, a tiny spark of hope flickered in her chest.

She leaned toward the window—and slammed it shut, saying angrily, “I don’t want to hear it!”

The guard, startled by her reaction, froze. In his confusion, the window opened again.

Zhong Yao looked at the guard’s expression, her eyes curving into a smile. “I was only joking… This journey has been so dull. Go ahead—what did the Crown Prince’s Heir ask you to tell me?”

The guard: “…”

Collecting himself, the guard replied stiffly, “The Crown Prince’s Heir has drafted two memorials for His Majesty. One mentions you, reporting the full truth; the other omits you entirely. He asks which memorial you wish His Majesty to read.”

Xie Chi’s intent was clear.

The memorial mentioning Zhong Yao would inform the emperor of her contributions in dealing with the Misty Mountain bandits—those bandits a festering wound in the emperor’s heart, the sole blemish on his otherwise peaceful reign. Now that they had suffered a heavy blow, the emperor would surely reward everyone involved handsomely.

With imperial commendation, Zhong Yao’s reputation—tainted by rumors of viciousness, jealousy, and cruelty toward her mother-in-law—would mean nothing.

However, this would also expose the fact that an unmarried young lady had followed a group of men into a bandit lair for months. Once word got out, malicious gossips would spread, damaging her reputation just as severely as before.

Conversely, the other memorial omitted her entirely. As long as her parents and brothers remained silent, her reputation would remain intact.

Zhong Yao knew the stakes.

Yet, personal praise from the emperor was exceedingly rare for a young woman…

Moreover, compared to her good-for-nothing second brother and Xu Su, her bravery and reliability would shine brightly. Many would envy and admire her. Even her family would find it hard to scold her for acting independently—and her brothers would have no choice but to look up to her.

Just thinking about it made her want to burst out laughing.

Zhong Yao considered herself somewhat cowardly, tearful, and weak—but she was anything but meek.

Deep down, she wanted to choose the first option.

She didn’t answer immediately. After a moment, she asked, “Did the Crown Prince’s Heir say which one he wants me to pick?”

The guard replied, “He said it’s entirely your decision.”

Zhong Yao suddenly found the whole thing far less interesting. After a pause, she said, “Report the truth.”

She was about to pull the curtain shut and sit back when the guard added, “The Crown Prince’s Heir also said that, since you’ve chosen to report the truth, you’ll now be on the emperor’s radar. Court officials will treat you with respect—and untitled scholars won’t even be worth your attention. You may now settle any grudges you hold.”

Zhong Yao was stunned. “What grudges do I have with anyone?”

The Fourth Prince? Wasn’t he already imprisoned by the Crown Prince?

Before the guard could answer, Zhong Yao noticed something else. She smiled and said, “Didn’t he say it was my decision? So why does it sound like I’ve *already* chosen to report the truth?”

The guard opened his mouth—but Zhong Yao’s smile faded into confusion. “He cares so deeply about his own reputation, yet not at all about mine? Does he still not see me as a proper young lady?”

The guard: “…”

He didn’t know what to say—and didn’t think Zhong Yao needed an answer.

Fortunately, he had delivered his message.

After the guard withdrew, Zhong Yao pondered Xie Chi’s words, wondering who she might need to settle scores with. Outside, the sound of hoofbeats approached.

Soon, Zhong Shu and Xu Su jumped onto the carriage, pulled aside the curtain, and sat down on either side.

“Why are you back so soon?”

Xu Su said gloomily, “With a dozen guards surrounding us, how could we ride? The horses couldn’t even move!”

Zhong Shu also looked miserable. “I have a feeling I won’t have any freedom for the next year or two.”

“Who isn’t in the same boat?” Xu Su said. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to travel freely for the next five years! Ah—if only I’d stayed a carefree playboy. Court affairs are best left to truly capable people… I doubt my grandfather expects much from me anymore…”

Xu Su had finally realized he wasn’t cut out for great responsibilities—and no longer sought opportunities for merit. After complaining, he lamented his loss of freedom.

Zhong Yao watched their miserable expressions and secretly smiled.

The three chatted and laughed.

The carriage continued for a while—until crying sounds came from outside. Zhong Yao looked out and saw an elderly man carrying a load of lotus flowers, accompanied by a child of five or six, collapsed by the roadside. The old man had twisted his ankle and couldn’t move.

Seeing Xu Guozhu send someone to check, Zhong Yao instinctively suspected a bandit trap.

But then she remembered she was no longer near Misty Mountain.

This was Clear Moon Mountain—just a quarter-hour’s ride from the capital’s gates. No one would dare cause trouble here.

Thinking of Clear Moon Mountain reminded her of the time she’d come here at Chen Luoling’s invitation, before finding her eldest brother.

Back then, Xie Chi still disliked her. If she hadn’t threatened him with a letter, he might not have come to help.

If he hadn’t come, she would have been terrified to death by that charging dog…

“Oh! It’s Fei Anxuan!” Zhong Yao exclaimed.

She remembered—she'd told Xie Chi earlier to remind her to get back at Fei Anxuan once they got back to the capital!

"What about Fei Anxuan?"

"Who is Fei Anxuan?"

The two beside her—one didn't get why she brought him up, the other had no clue who he was—asked together out of boredom.

Zhong Yao then remembered her second brother didn't know she'd called off the engagement with Fei Anxuan, so she quickly gave him the gist, skipping the details.

It was fine at first, but when she got to how Fei Anxuan had spread her words after the breakup, trashing her reputation, Zhong Shu was livid.

Xu Su was furious too. "Don't worry, little sis, Third Brother's got your back! I can't take on bandits, but I can sure handle a scumbag. Just let me hang out with Mom and Dad for a few days, then go to the palace to see Aunt and Uncle, pay respects to Grandpa, Second Aunt, Uncle Tang..."

As the only son of the Guozhu Mansion, he had a long list of elders to visit.

Before Xu Su could finish, someone knocked on the window, saying they were about to enter the city and he had to get back to his own carriage.

Xu Su cut it short. "Just wait, little sis. Once I've checked in with the elders, I'll definitely help you get revenge!"

Given his background, he was basically the capital's biggest playboy. If he really set his mind on getting back at someone, the consequences would be nasty.

Zhong Yao didn't want to cause a scene, so she smiled and said, "No need, I can handle it myself... Third Brother, you just got back, so behave and don't start any trouble."

Xu Su hesitated at that.

Later, Zhong Yao promised she'd ask for his help if she couldn't handle it herself, which finally made him drop the idea of messing with Fei Anxuan and go back to his carriage.

The Zhong and Xu mansions were in different directions, so they split up once they entered the city.

It was evening by the time they got to the mansion.

In a hurry to travel fast and worried about more trouble, Zhong Huaizhi hadn't sent word ahead to the house.

So Madam Zhong had no clue they were back. When she suddenly saw her husband with her daughter, who'd left home, and her son, whose fate had been up in the air, she was so overjoyed she almost fainted.

The family gathered, laughing and crying all at once. After chatting for a bit, Madam Zhong, seeing how tired they were, quickly ordered the servants to get hot water and dinner ready.

After dinner, it was really late, and there was no time for anything else.

Madam Zhong reluctantly sent her kids to bed, then spent the whole night talking with Zhong Huaizhi.

Over the past few months, she'd tried again and again to visit Zhong Yao, but Xie Chi's people had stopped her with all sorts of excuses, and she'd long felt something was off.

When she found out from Zhong Huaizhi that Zhong Yao had secretly gone to Wuyin Mountain with Xie Chi, Madam Zhong almost fainted again.

The next day, at the crack of dawn, she headed to Zhong Yao's courtyard.

Madam Zhong was so freaked out by Zhong Yao that she decided to give her a good scolding. Seeing that Zhong Yao still hadn't woken up, she figured she'd let her sleep in, but by noon, there was still no sign of life from Zhong Yao's room.

Unable to wait any longer, Madam Zhong pushed the door open and went in.

Lifting the bed curtains, she saw Zhong Yao with her eyes shut tight, as if still asleep, but her cheeks were scary red.

Madam Zhong reached out and touched her—Zhong Yao's skin was burning up. Panicking, she immediately sent for a doctor.

The doctor came quickly. After taking her pulse, he said, "The young lady must have been holding in too much sadness and stress. Now that she's suddenly relaxed, all that built-up tiredness and sickness have come out at once, making her sick..."

Madam Zhong's tears started streaming down right away.

Her only daughter, who'd always been so good and never caused any trouble, had worn herself out running around for her two brothers, even traveling thousands of miles to such a dangerous place, putting up with months of hardship...

Madam Zhong cried as she stayed by Zhong Yao's bedside, while Zhong Shu, for once, didn't crack jokes and dutifully looked after her.

Zhong Huaizhi wasn't sitting around either. When Zhong Lan, who'd been up for two nights on duty, heard the news and rushed back to the mansion, he got a harsh scolding.

Zhong Yao had no clue about any of this. She just felt her body heavy, her eyes wouldn't open, and her mind was foggy, like she'd been hit with a stick.

She didn't know what was going on with her. Lying there in a daze, she suddenly heard a commotion in the mansion. Going out to check, she saw that an imperial decree praising her had arrived.

The emperor said she was brave and loyal, an amazing young lady, and invited her to a palace banquet.

Zhong Yao was both happy and shy. Under her two brothers' jealous looks, she proudly went, only to run into Old Madam Xie at the palace.

Old Madam Xie was as mean as ever, saying she wasn't a good granddaughter-in-law and didn't know proper manners.

Zhong Yao didn't know if she was crazy, but she actually did what her second brother had suggested—slapped her.

Right as she did, Xie Chi showed up.

His face was scary dark. He strode up to Zhong Yao, glared down at her, and said, "You hit my grandmother?"

Zhong Yao was flustered and about to explain, but Xie Chi suddenly grabbed her hand tight, his eyes fierce, and said, "Yaoyao, how dare you hit my grandmother?! Why only her, and not me?!"

With that, he pulled her hand and smacked it against his own face.

Zhong Yao let out a giggle.

Laughing, she opened her eyes and saw her parents and brothers, all with red eyes, gathered around her bed. Only then did she realize she'd been dreaming—and that she'd slept for three whole days.

During those three days, the emperor had already praised her. Hearing she was sick, he even sent imperial doctors every day to check her pulse and gave her a bunch of precious herbs.

Since she hadn't seen it herself, it all felt unreal, like she was still dreaming.

She shook her head, and once she was a bit clearer, remembered her parents hadn't scolded her yet. Taking advantage of being sick, she put on a pitiful look and said weakly, "Dad, Mom, I know I was wrong. Hit me!"

At the mention of her secretly going to Wuyin Mountain with Xie Chi, Madam Zhong shuddered in fear and raised her hand to hit her. Seeing this, Zhong Yao cried out, "Ouch!" and weakly collapsed back onto the bed.

After falling, she squinted one eye open to peek at Madam Zhong, leaving her mom not knowing whether to be mad or not. Then she sat up again, snuggling up to Madam Zhong and acting cute.

Madam Zhong couldn't stay mad anymore. She let her off and instead turned around to give her two sons a beating.

Though Zhong Yao was awake, she was still a bit weak. Her parents forbade her from going out, so she stayed home and rested carefully.

She often thought of Xie Chi, wondering how he was doing in Wuyin Mountain, whether Jiang Xia had helped him, and if he would worry if he knew she was sick...

One day, while lost in thought, Xu Su arrived.

He and Zhong Shu were sworn brothers, having faced life and death together, so he was practically family.

Lately, Xu Su came to the Zhong mansion whenever he had free time, and the couple had grown used to it.

Xu Su was completely at ease. He followed Zhong Shu to Zhong Yao's place and said right away, "Little sister, in a few days, there'll be a Mid-Autumn banquet at the palace. I've already spoken to Aunt, and tomorrow she'll send an invitation. You absolutely must come."

Zhong Yao's health had improved a lot, so attending a banquet wasn't a problem. But entering the palace... she had never been, and neither had her family.

Zhong Yao felt a bit nervous.

Besides that, she also recalled the dreams she had in her half-conscious, half-asleep state.

...She wasn’t actually going to run into Old Madam Xie, was she?

Zhong Yao hesitated a bit and asked, “Who will be there?”

“Just those officials and their families,” Xu Su said breezily. “Don’t worry, my grandfather, parents, and I will all be there too. I’ll have your back!”

That wasn’t what was worrying Zhong Yao.

She still wasn’t sure if Xie Chi even liked her. If he didn’t... well, she didn’t like him back.

But if he did, how was she supposed to face Old Madam Xie?

Zhong Yao didn’t want to spend every day living in fear under Old Madam Xie’s rules, being ground down by her.

“Are you sure no one else will be there?” she asked Xu Su again.

Xu Su’s eyes darted around under her clear gaze, and finally he gave up hiding it. “Okay, so there’s actually something else.”

Xu Su said, “You told me not to help you get back at Fei Anxuan, so I won’t. But I’ve been thinking it over these past few days... Little Sister, the reason you called off the engagement and your reputation tanked—it’s because you were scared my grandpa would go after your family. That’s on me, so I owe it to you to find you a good match.”

Zhong Yao: “...What?”

She was stunned, and so was Zhong Shu, who was drinking tea nearby.

But they were shocked for different reasons.

Zhong Shu looked at Xu Su with admiration and respect, along with a hint of sympathy.

He rubbed his arm—the one Xie Chi had broken that still hadn’t fully healed—thinking, “Xu Su really is my destined bro.”

That’s what bros are for—through thick and thin.

So Zhong Shu put on a serious expression and said, “Don’t you dare mess around. My little sister’s husband has to be picked with care!”

“How am I messing around? I’m serious! I even asked my aunt for help!”

With that, Xu Su turned to Zhong Yao and said earnestly, “Little Sister, don’t worry. The young men who’ll be there that day are all talented individuals my aunt carefully picked out for you! Feel free to choose boldly!”

He was very considerate. Seeing Zhong Yao’s bewildered look, he comforted her again, “If none catch your eye, no big deal. I’ll find you a hundred more later. We’ll take our time picking! Pick as many as you want!”