Zhong Yuanshan sneered, "War inevitably brings suffering. If you wish for peace and prosperity, you shouldn't rebel."
Cui Yi's brow furrowed in anger, ready to retort, but Chiyin coughed, reminding him to stay calm.
Zhong Yuanshan smirked, finding their interaction amusing but waiting for their response.
"Second Uncle... your words are incorrect," Cui Yi suppressed his anger, trying to sound calm.
"Oh? Please elaborate," Zhong Yuanshan leaned back, interested.
Cui Yi took a deep breath, "My brother has always been power-hungry, forming factions and eliminating rivals since our father was alive. He plotted against his brothers and even his son. After Father passed away, he seized absolute power. Not only did he treat me, his estranged brother, poorly, but he also forced Third Brother to his death and now threatens even his mother, the Empress Dowager. How can the empire be peaceful under such a ruthless and suspicious ruler?"
Zhong Yuanshan fell silent, then asked, "Third Prince was forced to death by the Emperor? He distrusts even the Empress Dowager?"
"Yes," Cui Yi stood up, bowing deeply, "As the wise say, one who cannot tolerate others cannot rule the world. Please consider the future of the Chu Empire and its people, not just temporary peace. Now, besides me, no one can stop him."
There was a prolonged silence before Zhong Yuanshan's face lost its previous mocking expression, replaced by seriousness. After pondering, he nodded, "You have a point. But who said, 'One who cannot tolerate others cannot rule the world'? I've never heard of it."
Cui Yi shamelessly replied, "My beloved consort told me this morning."
Zhong Yuanshan and Chiyin were speechless.
Zhong Yuanshan sternly said, "So it was taught by Lady Changsun. I thought you had matured through experience, not memorized lines for performance."
Cui Yi struggled to respond, creating an awkward moment. Chiyin panicked, blurting out, "No, no! Second Uncle misunderstands. The Prince speaks from the heart. I haven't made him memorize anything recently... uh..."
Zhong Yuanshan stared blankly, "So Lady Changsun used to make the Prince memorize things?"
Chiyin regretted her words, wanting to slap herself.
Unexpectedly, Zhong Yuanshan burst into laughter, leaving them bewildered.
"Excellent, Lady Changsun, you are excellent," Zhong Yuanshan said after laughing, clapping his knee.
Chiyin nervously chuckled.
Zhong Yuanshan stood up, "The last time I saw Ying Rong, he was a playful six-year-old who knew little. Who would have thought he'd become so eloquent? With you by his side, even mud can be molded into something useful."
Chiyin was ecstatic, "Does this mean you'll help the Prince?"
Zhong Yuanshan finally smiled, "General Zhong Yuanshan, with twenty-five thousand Jiangzhou troops, pledges loyalty to Prince Wu. I will serve you with utmost dedication until death!" He knelt before them.
Chiyin was overjoyed, but Cui Yi sullenly asked, "Second Uncle, who are you calling useless mud?"
Zhong Yuanshan stiffened, but Cui Yi laughed, helping him up, "Second Uncle, rest assured, I won't disappoint you and Mother!"
Their discussion became genuine strategizing. Zhong Yuanshan, an outstanding general, had honed his skills through countless battles, making him more practical than Cui Yi. His age and experience gave him invaluable insights, especially in commanding naval forces—a rarity among northern generals. His knowledge significantly boosted Cui Yi's chances of victory.
With his decision made, Zhong Yuanshan shared detailed plans, discussing how to gradually capture Xuanzhou and form a solid rear line against the court. His strategies were novel even to Cui Yi. Their conversation was more like a learning session, as Zhong Yuanshan had already devised solutions to his earlier challenges.
As the two discussed, Chiyin found herself increasingly lost, realizing warfare wasn't suited for women. She excused herself to take a walk in the courtyard.
Jiangzhou was in full bloom in late March. Pink peach blossoms adorned the yard, attracting birds. Cao Qian stood guard under a tree.
"Lady Changsun, any news on Seventh Prince?" Cao Qian greeted her.
"No, we continue searching, but..." Cao Qian looked troubled.
"If there are difficulties, please speak freely," Chiyin encouraged.
Cao Qian sighed, "Seventh Prince likely got lost. Searching blindly is futile. Finding him seems impossible."
Chiyin sighed, knowing Cui Yi couldn't abandon his brother. "Let's ask the Prince later about any distinguishing features or places he might seek help."
Cao Qian agreed, and during lunch, they asked Cui Yi.
Cui Yi, surprisingly clueless, responded, "Features? What features? He has a head, face, eyes, nose, nothing special."
Cao Qian was frustrated, unsure how to proceed.
Listening to Zhong Yuanshan, he said, "If Your Highness cannot describe any specific features, perhaps we can wait until we reach Jiangzhou Prefecture and have Lu Ping draw a portrait for the Seventh Prince. That child has loved drawing since she was young, especially portraits. If Her Highness describes him roughly, Lu Ping can adjust as she draws. With a portrait, it will be easier to find him."
Chi Ying curiously asked, "Lu Ping?"
"Second uncle's daughter," Cui Yi replied. "How many days does it take from here to Jiangzhou Prefecture? Huai You has been missing for half a month now. If anything happens to him, I truly won't have the face to meet Mother in the afterlife." Zhong Yuanshan comforted him with a few words and then called for preparations for the carriage.
Chi Ying had some psychological shadows regarding relatives by marriage. Looking at her own family and the Xie family, she wondered what kind of girl this Zhong Lu Ping would be. She hoped it wouldn't be another spoiled lady who falls for Cui Yi, making it difficult to back out.
But seeing Zhong Yuanshan's upright demeanor, she thought his daughter probably wouldn't be too peculiar. Noble ladies often had their quirks; even she wasn't exempt. So she shouldn't expect perfection.
It took only four days by carriage from Mao County to Jiangzhou Prefecture. Entering the city, the carriage drove directly to the old residence of the Zhong family. The entire Zhong family, having received notice early, were all waiting at the entrance. There were about forty or fifty relatives, both close and distant, who knelt before Cui Yi. Inside the main hall, Cui Yi greeted each elder one by one, and Chi Ying also smiled until her face hurt and her waist ached from bowing.
When Lady Zhong entered the palace, the old patriarch was still alive. With a golden phoenix flying out of their home, uncles and other relatives naturally refused to split up, all hoping to benefit from the connection. Among her peers, there were only two full-blooded sisters, but countless cousins and in-laws. Most were girls with various surnames from their husbands' families. After greeting all the elders, they were greeted by their peers. Even with her good memory, Chi Ying felt dizzy after all the greetings.
After the distant relatives left, only the parents of Empress Xiaolin, including Zhong Yuanshan and his two brothers along with their wives and children, remained. Naturally, Zhong Lu Ping was among them. When Chi Ying saw her during the greetings, she found her well-mannered and gentle-looking, which relieved her somewhat.
"Your Highness, Lady, this is my daughter, Lu Ping," Zhong Yuanshan introduced, gesturing for his daughter to step forward.
Zhong Lu Ping stepped forward gracefully, bowed, and said clearly, "Father mentioned the matter of the Seventh Prince in his letter. Though my skills in painting are not excellent, I am willing to help Your Highness and Lady."
Her demeanor was neither coquettish nor overly humble, and Chi Ying couldn't help but feel a liking towards her. Just as she was about to say something to bridge the relationship, Cui Yi spoke first.
Cui Yi asked, "Cousin, how old are you? Have you been betrothed?"