Martial Cultivator

After sending Chen Chao off at the door, Princess Anping turned around and wiped her eyes, saying somewhat self-deprecatingly, "Really getting old, why do my tears fall so easily now?"

After drying her tears, Princess Anping said softly, "To the palace."

A carriage quickly stopped in front of the small courtyard. Just as Princess Anping was about to step onto the carriage, she suddenly withdrew her foot and softly said, "Let's look at the Divine Capital one more time."

"Your Highness, take care of your health."

The maid who had served Princess Anping for many years spoke softly, with genuine worry in her eyes.

"How much more can I take care of? Silly lass, everyone will die. Why spend the last days unhappily?"

Princess Anping smiled, but she ultimately chose to walk to the palace. The maid did not speak further, carefully staying by her side.

Princess Anping walked slowly along the main street of the Divine Capital, listening to the vendors' shouts. This princess could not help but recall many years ago, when a man had told her about the Divine Capital and about the Great Liang. At that time, she just listened to the man talk endlessly, feeling that it would be wonderful to hear him tell these stories for the rest of her life. But then, after the man finished, he laughed and patted his head, saying, "It's my fault, my fault, I didn't think it through. Instead of telling you these stories, I should have taken you to see for yourself. The Great Liang is vast; we can take our time to see it all. After all, we have plenty of time."

Yes, anyway, we thought we had many years to live and plenty of time. Who would think about the future back then? Especially not the worst kind of outcome.

"Zhou Lang, the future you promised me, I really want to see it."

Princess Anping murmured softly. Soon, tears streamed down her face.

Liu Yan behind her was heartbroken.

After a moment, she stopped. A middle-aged man stood in the distance, waving his hand. The maid bowed and then turned to leave.

Princess Anping was in a daze, wobbling as she walked. Soon, the middle-aged man reached her side and steadied her by placing his hand on her shoulder. Princess Anping quickly stood upright, looked up at the middle-aged man beside her, her face still streaked with tears.

"Imperial Father."

The Great Liang Emperor extended his large hand and wiped away the tear stains from Princess Anping's eyes. Looking at this eldest daughter, a touch of heartache finally appeared in the Great Liang Emperor's eyes too.

He had rarely paid much attention to his three children since they were young. However, this Princess Anping was different. She resembled his empress, and when she was born, he was not yet the Great Liang Emperor, so he had more time. At that time, the little girl who was just a few years old, would often beg him to play with her.

But as she grew older, especially after that incident, the relationship between father and daughter seemed to have grown distant. However, in truth, no father in the world did not love his daughter.

Even if he was the Great Liang Emperor, it was still the same.

The Great Liang Emperor looked at her and said to her gently, "If you want to see someone or go somewhere, then go. In these final days, live as you wish. As for other matters, We will take care of them."

Hearing her imperial father say this, Princess Anping who had just stopped crying began to weep uncontrollably again. She sobbed, "Imperial Father... it's too late."

The Great Liang Emperor's eyes softened, feeling even more apologetic as he said quietly, "In hindsight, We owe you an apology for that year. Although you were born into the imperial family, you are still Our daughter. As a father, We failed to shield you from the storm and let you suffer. We have not been a good father."

Princess Anping remained silent, it was just that she kept sobbing continuously.

The Great Liang Emperor reached out and gently rubbed Princess Anping's head, recalling the years long past when she was still a little girl who did not understand much, always looking at her imperial father with a cheerful smile.

Circumstances change with the passing of time.

Indeed, time was the most ruthless killer.

This father and daughter pair walked slowly along the long street, soon approaching the imperial city.

Princess Anping suddenly said, "Imperial Father..."

But after uttering that, Princess Anping could not say anything more.

The Great Liang Emperor looked toward the imperial city ahead, his eyes filled with melancholy.

"Yuan'er, don't be in such a hurry to leave. Let your mother wait a bit longer; stay with your father for a while longer."

……

……

Chen Chao returned to the academy and arrived at the small courtyard by the lake.

Upon entering, he found Xie Nandu quietly reading under the eaves, without looking up, while Liu Ye stood guard not far away. Upon seeing Chen Chao, Liu Ye merely glanced at him briefly.

Chen Chao walked straight to Xie Nandu's study. "I need to borrow your brush and ink."

Xie Nandu then lifted her head, turning to face the study window where Chen Chao was already seated. Xie Nandu asked, "Who are you writing a letter to?"

Chen Chao did not answer her question, instead he asked, "How long does it take for a letter to reach Tianqing County from the Divine Capital at the fastest?"

Xie Nandu glanced at him and replied, "It shouldn't take more than a few days. The Ministry of Works' messenger birds are quite fast. However, if you want it even faster, you would need a military wooden bird, but those are not for private use. If it's urgent, give the letter to me."

Chen Chao nodded, then lowered his head and began writing furiously.

Xie Nandu did not lean in to look, but continued to talk on her own, "You went out for a meal and came back in such a hurry. Do you have acquaintances left in Tianqing County? Isn't that county magistrate already promoted?" "Oh, and that man who lived across from you, is the letter for him? What do you want to do?"

Faced with Xie Nandu's series of questions, Chen Chao did not answer, writing silently on the paper.

After finishing the letter and returning the pen to its place, he blew gently on the paper.

Only then, did Chen Chao raise his head and said, "I don't know if I'll be letting down Auntie, but if I don't do this, I won't feel right."

Xie Nandu glanced at Chen Chao, wanting to speak but swallowing the words back.

Once the ink had dried, Chen Chao packaged the letter and handed it to Xie Nandu. She glanced at the envelope and confirmed it was for that man. Then she asked, "Do you want him to come to the Divine Capital? Should we send someone to fetch him?"

Chen Chao shook his head. "You don't need to worry about that. If he wants to come, he'll be able to come."

Xie Nandu said softly, "Indeed, that small alley is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers."

Calling over Liu Ye, Xie Nandu handed her the letter and instructed quietly, "Ensure they deliver this letter to the designated place as quickly as possible."

Liu Ye nodded and quickly left, heading towards the Xie Family residence.

After she was done with this, Xie Nandu sat back down calmly and asked, "What's the rush? Did something major happen?"

Chen Chao walked out of the room and looked at Xie Nandu, shaking his head. "It's not something major, but if we don't act quickly, someone may regret it for a lifetime, and someone may die with regrets."

Xie Nandu nodded knowingly and said, "It's a matter of love."

Chen Chao spoke softly, "I don't care about others, but she is my elder sister. She once held me in her arms."