Free Web NovelChapter 712: Chapter 711: Cao Tianbao
None of them moved, and they listened intently to the sounds from afar.
Soon, torches were lit on the other side, and Zhu Yu could see Lu Qing and the rune from a distance, with General Cao following closely behind; the three of them were at the very front.
Zhu Yu let out a sigh of relief and went up with Fu Lu to meet them.
By this time, Lu Qing had already removed the false skin from his face, presumably to recognize Cao Tianbao. Seeing Zhu Yu, he waved to her, and Zhu Yu naturally walked over and stood by his side.
Cao Tianbao still wore a slightly dazed expression as he looked at Zhu Yu in disguise, and then at her natural stance beside Lu Qing. He immediately understood her identity.
"Greetings, General Cao." Zhu Yu, dressed as a man at the time, gave a courteous fist salute to Cao Tianbao as a man would.
Cao Tianbao nodded to Zhu Yu, sizing her up, and upon seeing her also intact and well, sighed, "I truly didn’t expect that both of you are alive and well in this world.
Just a moment ago, I thought I’d lived a hard life only to encounter a ghost at such an age!"
"General, why not rest here for a while? We can catch up before continuing on the road, there’s no rush," Lu Qing gestured to the roadside to invite them to sit, "After all, the thieves lying in ambush here have all been eliminated, and for now, this place is peaceful and safe.
It’s not certain what lies ahead."
"Yes, that makes sense." Being of military background, Cao Tianbao was straightforward in words and actions. Hearing Lu Qing’s suggestion, he nodded and turned to the Capital Commandant at his side, "Give the order to rest where we are, and maintain vigilance."
The Capital Commandant gave a fist salute, then jogged off to relay the order. Immediately, the troops moved into action, taking a well-practiced break by the roadside while leaving some to handle the burial of the killed bandits.
The three of them sat under the large tree where Zhu Yu had rested earlier, with talisman and General Cao’s two soldiers standing guard nearby.
Zhu Yu, her mind full of the surprise at General Cao’s disbelief over their being alive, was curious about why even General Cao naturally assumed they were dead.
Instinctively, as if reading her question, Lu Qing asked Cao Tianbao, "From where did you hear the news of our deaths?"
"In the court, it wasn’t just me; all civil and military officials heard it." Cao Tianbao scoffed, "Prince Shu reported to His Majesty that after Prince Xiaoyao was demoted to a commoner, he and his wife were killed by mountain bandits while traveling outside the Capital, their bodies charred beyond recognition and unable to be brought back to the Capital, so they were buried on the spot.
His Majesty believed it, so how could we, his ministers, question it?
I had just learned that the historian who overturned my unruly nephew’s verdict was actually Princess Xiaoyao. Before I could recover from the shock, I heard you two were dead..."
Cao Tianbao shook his head and sighed, looking at Lu Qing and Zhu Yu, clearly relieved that they were alive and well.
After a pause, he seemed to realize that such sentiments might make him, as a general, seem a bit sentimental, so he cleared his throat and abruptly changed the subject, telling Zhu Yu, "I never imagined that your father, who was obsessed with weapon forging, could produce a daughter with such incredible courage and skill!"
Zhu Yu was momentarily stunned, then laughed, nodding to Cao Tianbao, "To be honest, even my father likely never thought of it."
Cao Tianbao was amused by her words and laughed heartily, saying "Good" three times.
"Honestly, I was quite regretful about your death news before." Cao Tianbao, who had always kept a cold face towards Lu Qing, barely willing to acknowledge him, showed his first trace of sincerity and candor, "First, you helped my unruly nephew out of a huge mess, saving the reputation of the Cao family. You have done me a favor.
Furthermore, I was also blindly deceived by Zhao Bi, believing his words and holding a grudge against you.
Only after Zhao Bi’s downfall did people dare to speak the truth. It was only then that I realized I had been fooled for so long.
All my life, I’ve prided myself on my integrity, only to be led by the nose like a cow.
Including the issues with your family..."
He glanced at Lu Qing, paused, and sighed, "Over the years, I was blindly credulous. I’m sorry! freeweɓnovel.cøm
Thinking back, I’ve heard your rumors were unsavory, but I’ve never actually witnessed you being unruly or engaging in bullying.
Also..."
He glanced at Zhu Yu seated next to Lu Qing, "To marry such a woman and not only not fear or avoid her but also cherish her as a treasure, how could one possibly be an ordinary spendthrift? Surely, you have courage and insight."
"It’s fine. I don’t care how others view me." Lu Qing smiled lightly, his tone sounding serene, "Thanks to that despised reputation, I might have perished years ago."
Cao Tianbao let out a heavy sigh.
After Zhao Bi’s death, there was less restraint in the Capital, and many unspeakable secrets gradually surfaced, including not only the fate of Lu Qing’s family but also how Consort Zhao, in her efforts to eliminate betrayals in the palace, employed shady tactics to harm other lower-ranked concubines and young heirs.
Such stories alone made Cao Tianbao’s heart race with fear, thinking the imperial palace even more perilous than the battlefield.
"Earlier, why did those bandits ambush and attack the General?" Zhu Yu wanted to ask Cao Tianbao what their group aimed to achieve, but fearing the question might be sensitive, she rephrased.
Cao Tianbao’s thoughts returned to the present from the past as he turned to look at the subordinates burying bodies in the woods, snorted, "You’ve been away from the Capital lately, so news is likely limited.
Previously, the Jie King was furious because His Majesty refused to let his daughter divorce Prince Yi. As a result, he’s been restlessly moving on the border. Recently, as luck would have it, Prince Yi was sent by His Majesty to guard the frontier and, somehow, managed to cross paths with the Jie King.
After a fierce battle, Prince Yi eventually couldn’t match the Jie King’s warriors and was captured by him.
Now, the Jie King is using Prince Yi as a hostage, forcing His Majesty to exchange with Princess Yi."
