Chu Ruoyan briefly explained the situation. Chu Huaishan remained silent.

So that was why! No wonder lately, regarding the military affairs in the southern border regions, the Emperor had kept both him and Cao Yang out of the discussions, always summoning Gu Sun and the Prince of Yu instead. This was the reason!

“The Emperor is being foolish! The memorial sent back by the Chief Minister clearly stated they would return once the young master’s body was found. He even sent back His Majesty’s half of the Tiger Tally! Such a gesture still couldn’t dispel his suspicions!”

In the Great Xia dynasty, troop mobilization relied solely on the Tiger Tally!

The Tiger Tally was usually split in two. One half was held by the Emperor, the other by the Grand General. Only when deploying troops were the two halves joined together.

Now, Yan Zheng had sent the Emperor’s half back, equivalent to surrendering half of his military authority. Yet, it was still useless!

“Father, it’s too late for such talk now. Today, I have already sent Wen Jing away, and the rest of the Yan family have been settled. Only the Sixth Young Master remains in the palace. However, he will use his engagement with Third Sister as an excuse to leave the palace tomorrow. I plan for us all to depart together at that time. What do you think?”

Chu Huaishan pondered. “It’s a good plan, but with so many people leaving at once, wouldn’t the target be too large? After all, the Emperor has already begun to watch the Yan family closely…”

Chu Ruoyan said, “Don’t worry. Tomorrow, when the Sixth Young Master leaves the palace, Princess Jiahui is sure to follow. I plan to give her a bit of a fright. The Emperor dotes on this daughter the most. When that happens, he will be too preoccupied to pay attention elsewhere, and we can make our escape smoothly!”

Chu Huaishan hadn’t expected her to have planned everything already. After a long moment, he asked, “Then what do you need your father to do?”

Chu Ruoyan said decisively, “Come with us! Not just you, but also Aunt and Third Sister! Otherwise, once I leave, the Emperor will be furious and will certainly vent his anger on you and the Chu family!”

A long silence followed.

Chu Huaishan didn’t answer directly, only reaching out to pat her head. “Yan’er has grown up, has her own ideas now…”

Panic stirred in Chu Ruoyan’s heart. She grabbed his hand and knelt down. “Father! It is I who have implicated you! But the imperial family is cold and ungrateful. They are not worth your loyalty. Do you remember the Marquis of Pingjing? Do you remember the Grand Princess Ansheng? The entire Yan family, along with a hundred thousand soldiers, could not compare to their own flesh and blood in their eyes, let alone our Chu family, which is not even equal to the Yan family!”

At these words, Chu Huaishan instantly remembered that night in the Fengtian Hall.

The Yan family sought vindication, the Empress Dowager wanted to protect her nephew, but in the end, it was his daughter who suffered the consequences, nearly dying under that flogging…

“Get up quickly. Your father—” Chu Huaishan’s gaze flickered, “—your father agrees.”

Chu Ruoyan breathed a sigh of relief and stood up. “Thank you, Father! You needn’t worry about Aunt and Third Sister. I’ve already told them we are going to Yangzhou to visit relatives. They’ve been packing since yesterday…”

Chu Huaishan was taken aback. “You little schemer, you were determined to succeed! If I hadn’t agreed, what were you planning to do?”

Chu Ruoyan smiled sheepishly. “Then I would have had to wrong you… To be honest, I put medicine in the tea. I planned to drug you and take you away if you refused. Of course, that’s unnecessary now.”

Chu Huaishan was both angry and amused, poking her forehead with his finger. “You really are influenced by your company! Since marrying the Chief Minister, your methods have become quite ruthless!”

Drugging her own adoptive father—wasn’t that ruthless?

Chu Ruoyan blinked, thinking to herself that it wasn’t such a bad thing. In emergencies, one must adapt, and do whatever is most expedient!

The next day, Yan Zhao indeed left the palace as planned.

Just as expected, Princess Jiahui pestered him to come along. The group arrived at the Duke of Chu’s residence in a grand procession.

Princess Jiahui looked at the gilded characters on the plaque and curled her lip. “Liulang, why come here as soon as we leave the palace? Let’s go to the Yan residence instead. I want to see where you grew up!”

Yan Zhao said expressionlessly, “If Your Highness is displeased, you may return to the palace first. This humble officer will not see you off.”

With that, he turned and entered the residence. Princess Jiahui stamped her foot and had to chase after him.

Lanxin Garden.

Chu Ruolan was still making a fuss with Lady Jiang the Younger. “Mother, I don’t want to go to Yangzhou! Didn’t we just see Grandfather a few months ago? Why see him again? That Dead Fish is still in the palace. If I’m gone for two or three months and he hits it off with that Princess Jiahui, won’t I lose out big time?”

Lady Jiang the Younger didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Yan Zhao, hearing this, was also startled.

He immediately thought that Third Sister-in-law probably hadn’t told her the truth. But that was just as well. With Ruolan’s inability to keep secrets, knowing the truth might actually give them away!

He coughed and walked in. “Ruolan…”

Chu Ruolan was stunned, then overjoyed. “Dead Fish, you’re back?”

Before Yan Zhao could speak, Princess Jiahui’s reprimand came from behind. “How dare you! Liulang is this princess’s imperial guard. How can you address him with such a vulgar nickname? Attendants, slap her mouth!”

The attending palace servants immediately stepped forward. Yan Zhao barked, “Princess! This is the Duke of Chu’s residence!”

The implication was clear: even considering the host’s status, as a golden branch and jade leaf of the imperial family, she had no right to come to someone’s residence and strike their daughter.

Jiahui, however, mistakenly thought he was concerned for her and said delightedly, “Then, as Liulang wishes, I shall spare her this time!”

The palace servants retreated. Chu Ruolan stared in disbelief.

She hadn’t expected Yan Zhao to bring Princess Jiahui here, right into her own courtyard. Instantly, fury surged within her. “Yan Zhao! What is the meaning of this?”

Yan Zhao’s eyelid twitched. Princess Jiahui said leisurely, “Don’t you understand, Chu Ruolan? He belongs to this princess. If you know what’s good for you, go to the Yan family yourself and break off this engagement. Otherwise, when the letter of dissolution arrives, you’ll lose all dignity!”

Chu Ruolan felt as if struck by lightning. Yan Zhao’s face darkened. “Princess Jiahui, this is this humble officer’s private matter. I dare not trouble Your Highness!”

Seeing he was truly angry, Jiahui reached out and tugged his sleeve. “Don’t be angry, Liulang. This princess is just worried about you. Fine, you discuss with the Duchess of Chu. This princess will wait for you outside, alright?”

Then ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‍she mouthed to Chu Ruolan—What does an engagement matter? Any man this princess fancies belongs to this princess!

Chu Ruolan was so furious she saw stars. She grabbed an inkstone washer to hurl at her, but Yan Zhao stopped her.

“You… you’re protecting her?” Her voice trembled slightly. Yan Zhao’s heart ached, but he dared not explain openly.

Princess Jiahui laughed heartily and triumphantly as she left the room.

Chu Ruolan’s face turned ashen. She looked at Yan Zhao, her lips moving twice. “You… just go…”

Since he wouldn’t protect her, then she didn’t want him anymore!

Yan Zhao quickly had the door closed and whispered an explanation into her ear.

After listening, Chu Ruolan stared blankly at her mother. Lady Jiang the Younger smiled and nodded. “The Sixth Young Master speaks the truth. It is indeed so.”

Instantly, the little face that had been clouded with misery moments before lit up radiantly.

She threw her arms around Yan Zhao’s neck and exclaimed excitedly, “Dead Fish, does this count as eloping?”

Her voice was too loud, startling Yan Zhao into quickly covering her mouth.

Two hours later, Yan Zhao emerged from the courtyard.

He was just thinking about how to coax the princess to go to Vermilion Bird Street when she ran up to him herself. “Liulang, are you finished? This princess rarely gets to leave the palace. I want to go shopping on Vermilion Bird Street. Accompany me!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep