Chapter 4: Six Years Ago

  "Xīn bǎo! Jiào fù qīn! Wǒ shì fù qīn!"

  Translation: "Treasure! Call father! I am the father!"

  "Xīn bǎo! Don't be naughty, girls should behave like girls!"

  "Xīn Bǎo! Father is going on an expedition to Sai Bei for several months, you must listen to Second Brother's words and not be allowed to cause trouble!"

  "Xīn Bǎo! Your sword dance is just like your mother's style back in the day! Well done, my daughter Chǔ Yì ān should be just like this - a heroine who doesn't yield to any hero!"

  "Xinbao! The war is treacherous and unpredictable. Even if I were to give up this position as the Crown Prince, I still wouldn't let you go take risks!"

  "Xinbao! Remember to come back at the end of the year for Father's birthday!"

  "Xīn Bǎo! Do you know why you're called Xīn Bǎo? Because you are the most precious treasure left to me by Hán Xīn!"

  "Xīn bǎo! Huó zhe!"

  Translation: "Chipbao! Alive!"

  His father's voice lingered and echoed in his mind, lingering for a long time.

  But when I opened my eyes, what I saw was his desolate and dismal figure lying on the ground.

  I used to think I would be trapped in that terrible nightmare forever and never wake up.

  Outside the school grounds, Chu Nanyang raised his hand to block out the scorching sunlight and squinted.

  In the distance on the high platform was Father's stern and familiar face.

  "Princess!" A hurried and agile footsteps sounded from behind her.

  Chu Youyang gathered his thoughts and turned to look at Qing Luan, who was holding the armor in her hands. He raised an eyebrow and said, "How is it? I brought everything you asked me to find?"

  "Yes!" Qing Luan was one of her two personal maids, whose appearance was ordinary but had a very calm and steady temperament, with quite a bit of courage.

  "But these military armor are all prepared for men, I specially chose a small one, but it may still not fit well." Qing Luan replied.

  "It's okay." Chu Youyang said, taking the silver armor from her hand and putting it on while walking back and forth. After two steps, he still couldn't help but turn his head to glance at Chu Yi'an in the distance, a smile slowly spreading across his lips.

  Chu Youyang's eyes wandered for a moment, and Qing Luan beside her followed her gaze, furrowing his brow: "Young Mistress, don't you really want to tell the Prince about this? This place is so close to the Nan Hua army camp. If the Prince finds out that you've left the camp alone, he'll definitely be furious."

  "Don't tell Father for now, I'll find Second Brother and come back immediately." Chu Nanyang said, as he spoke, he had already dressed properly, then neatly tied up his long hair that was already in a ponytail and tucked it all into his helmet.

  Qing Luan pursed her lips, and in the end didn't persuade him anymore. She only said: "Zhu Xiao Wei has already prepared the horses, and also chose eight of the most capable guards from beside the palace to wait at the east camp gate. Everything is done according to the young master's orders, all set. The young master can just go over there directly."

  "I understand." Chu Nanyang nodded, and his eyes suddenly sank. He turned to Qing Luan with a serious expression, "You go back now, it's good that you have someone to take care of Qing Teng. Remember what I told you before, don't tell anyone about the things that happened while I was asleep, not even Father. You should know how to handle it."

  "Yes, I understand!" Qing Luan nodded, with a hint of worry flashing in her eyes, and hesitated, "Young Mistress, are you suspecting something..."

  "It's still uncertain for the time being." Chu Youyang said, "In short, you and Qingteng will follow my instructions, everything else can wait until I find Second Brother."

  "Please be assured, young master. I have my own measure." Qing Luan didn't ask any more questions and bowed her head slightly before turning around to walk towards the direction of Zhuo Jiu Yang's tent.

  Chu Yi'an, who was intently training his troops in the distance, had not noticed that his daughter had come and gone. Chu An Yang hastily turned her head to glance at him once more before taking a deep breath and hurrying towards the east camp gate.

  According to her instructions, Zhu Yuanshan, the trusted aide of her father, had already prepared war horses and was waiting with guards near the east gate.

  "Your Ladyship!" Seeing her approach, Zhu Yuanshan immediately quickened his pace to welcome her, his face filled with concern. "Your Ladyship, you've urgently summoned me; is there something you wish to instruct? You're injured, so just have me take care of it, no need for you to come personally."

  "Second Brother only rushed out of the camp for my sake, if he doesn't see with his own eyes that I'm safe and sound, I'm afraid even you won't be able to call him back." Chu Feiyan smiled teasingly as she spoke, already flipping onto her horse.

  The young lady of the house had been spoiled by the Crown Prince to the point where she was uncontrollable, and Zhu Yuanshan knew that once she made up her mind, there was no changing it. He let out a helpless sigh and hastily summoned eight guards to follow on horseback.

  "Lieyan Valley is on the southwest side outside the camp." Zhu Yuanshan caught up and reminded.

  Looking at the familiar mountain scenery in front of her, Chu Yan smiled slightly and said, "I know!"

  This was the 14th year of Guang Emperor's reign in Western Yue, a autumn day at the military camp on the border with Southern Hua. In her previous life, she had been stationed in this military camp for six years, guarding this territory, and even with her eyes closed, she could clearly distinguish the location of every blade of grass and tree here.

  Zhu Yuanshan was slightly surprised, but after thinking about it, he thought that his own county master was knowledgeable and had a good memory, so it was possible that she had seen the map or heard the prince or the king mention it before, so it wasn't surprising.

  Chu Youyang urged her horse on, galloping towards the direction of Lie Yan Valley. The autumn wind carrying the scent of wild grass rushed against her face, stirring up a storm in her heart.

  Time reversed, after that day's sea of flames and loss of life, when she opened her eyes again it was as if she had just woken up from a big dream, and she returned to six years ago, which was the autumn of her 14-year-old year.

  That year, the war between the Nanhu people was in full swing. Father Chu Yi'an was ordered to go to the border to direct the battle, and she followed with her twin brother Chu Qifeng.

  But just yesterday, on the day they arrived at the military camp after traveling thousands of miles, she was thrown off her horse and fell into a coma due to a frightened horse.

  Her brother heard a military doctor mention that there were some herbs in Lieyan Valley, twenty miles away, which had an amazing effect on dissolving stasis and stopping bleeding, so he took people out of the camp at night to find medicine for her.

  But little did he know that Chu Qi Feng was gone for a whole day and night, and it wasn't until the third day when someone found him that they discovered he had been ambushed by Nan Hua people on his way back and was seriously injured. After some treatment, although he managed to save his life, he lost both legs and never stood up again in his lifetime.

  It was also because of this that the brother, who was favored by Emperor Taizu and had a promising future, lost his right to inherit the position of East Palace. He was suppressed by both the imperial harem and the court, making every step difficult for him.

  Until the end——

  In order to protect her, he took the blame for the remaining crimes of the previous dynasty, drank poison and died under the suspicion of his closest relatives.

  In her previous life, she owed too much to her brother. This time around, she was determined to turn everything around no matter what it took.

  As the sun approached noon, Chu Youyang's heart was burning with anxiety, and he repeatedly whipped his horse, only wishing he could give it wings to make it go even faster.

  Her horse was a fine steed that Chu Qi had spent a lot of money to find and personally tamed, so although Zhu Yuan Shan and the others were also galloping non-stop in pursuit, they were still left behind by her for a distance.

  In front of him was a vast expanse of reeds, and Zuo Botong galloped his horse along the narrow path in the middle. Just as he was getting anxious, a sudden whirring sound came from the reed thicket to his right, followed by the clear notes of a flute.

  Is it really...

  Is there an ambush?

  Chu Youyang's spirit concentrated, subconsciously lowering his body, the whole of him leaning to one side on the horseback to avoid the blade.

  "Bad luck!" Zhu Yuan Shan cried out in a low voice, just as he was about to order his guards to be on their guard, when suddenly another cold arrow shot out from the depths of the reeds and flew straight at his chest.

  Zhu Yushan was quite skilled, but he couldn't withstand the momentum of that one arrow flying towards him. In a critical moment, he had to dismount his horse in a sorry state to barely avoid the fatal arrow.

  At the same time, a lightning-like shadow suddenly leapt out from the tall reeds.

  That man's figure was agile and nimble, his clothes were tattered and some could not be identified as their original shape, with numerous wounds of all sizes on his body, he looked like a bloody person.

  Despite suffering such a heavy injury, it did not affect his agility at all.

  Suddenly, Chu Nanyang pulled the reins and turned around.

  At that time, the man was standing between her and Zhu Yuanshan, blocking their way, with his bow drawn and aimed at one side of Zhu Yuanshan's group, leaving only a back view for Chu Ziyang.

  Chu Youyang's heart skipped a beat inexplicably, although it was just a fleeting glance, but that figure...

  Just like a person.

  Digression

  Well, the legendary new life has begun... Babies don't just look at it but collect it too hehehe~