Chapter 1000: A Support System
Editor: Henyee Translations

The elders silently averted their gazes, pretending not to have heard anything.

Seeing their silent agreement, the Third Elder said, “Then it’s settled. We’ll leak the Fifth Elder’s location and set a trap to capture the intruder.”

The First Elder hesitated. “What if we fail?”

The Third Elder replied ominously, “Then it’s his fate.”

Everyone else, “…”

Outside the city, at the Long Pavilion.

A slender figure stood in the pavilion, their dark hair flowing in the mountain breeze, creating a picturesque scene.

Chu Qingzhi arrived with Chu Qingning to meet Tang Jinghong. “Jinghong.”

Tang Jinghong turned around. “You’re here.”

On the pavilion table were some snacks. Tang Jinghong beckoned Chu Qingzhi. “Try these, I made them especially for you.”

Chu Qingning laughed. “Brother Jinghong is always so considerate.”

Chu Qingzhi pulled Chu Qingning to eat together, but Chu Qingning only tasted a little. After all, the food was meant for her Fifth Sister, so she felt it wasn’t right to eat too much.

Not wanting to waste anything, Chu Qingzhi finished all the snacks. “Jinghong, your cooking skills have improved. Everything tastes great.”

Tang Jinghong smiled gently. “I’ll make more for you next time.”

Chu Qingzhi took out a handkerchief to wipe the crumbs off her hands. “Alright.”

After finishing the food, Tang Jinghong needed to take Chu Qingning back to Tang’s camp. “Qingzhi, here are the people you can rely on in the eastern border. If you need them, just find them.”

“Alright.” Chu Qingzhi took the token and put it away.

Chu Qingning, having learned to ride a horse at the camp, mounted her horse with Tang Jinghong and gradually rode away under Chu Qingzhi’s watchful eye.

The Tao family had already moved away, leaving only Chu Qingzhi and Zeng Huo at the Tao residence. So, Chu Qingzhi resumed her identity as Chu Tang, as it was easier to move around as a man.

Zeng Huo looked at Chu Tang emerging from the house, impressed. “Your ability to switch identities at will is truly remarkable.”

Chu Tang glanced at Zeng Huo. “You just haven’t seen enough.”

Zeng Huo, “…”

Chu Tang walked to the pavilion and stood with his hands behind his back. “I’ve captured half of the Yun Organization’s elders. Any reaction from them?”

Zeng Huo stood behind Chu Tang. “No news yet.”

At that moment, Li Hongyu flew into the Tao residence. “So it’s you causing all the trouble for the Yun Organization in Shu City.”

Chu Tang turned to look at Li Hongyu on the rooftop. “Why are you here?”

Li Hongyu gracefully landed on the ground, smiling. “With the Yun Organization in chaos, I had to come see the person responsible.”

Chu Tang smiled. “Since you’re so interested in the Yun Organization, do you have any news from them?”

Li Hongyu shrugged. “They’re still in disarray. What news could there be?”

Chu Tang asked, “Do you have anyone inside the organization?”

Li Hongyu walked over to Chu Qingzhi, naturally saying, “Of course, how else could I stir up trouble alone?”

Chu Tang nodded slightly. “True.” Then he asked, “You’ve seen the instigator. Anything else?”

Li Hongyu laughed, realizing he was being dismissed so quickly. “I need your help with something. Name your price.”

Such generosity suggested a difficult task. Chu Tang asked, “What’s the matter?”

“Help me investigate my second brother, Li Hongtang.” Li Hongyu said slowly.

Chu Tang frowned slightly. “The Second Prince?”

Li Hongyu nodded. “Yes, I suspect he’s plotting something that could destabilize the eastern border. As a member of the eastern border, I need to be prepared.”

Chu Tang found this reasonable. “Deliver a hundred loads of grain to Tang’s camp, and I’ll thoroughly investigate this matter for you.”

Li Hongyu agreed readily. “Deal.”

Tang’s Camp.

After returning to the camp, Tang Jinghong brought Chu Qingning to Jiang Zhaoyong’s tent. “Zhaoyong is here. Go see him.”

“Mm.” Chu Qingning eagerly went inside. “Zhaoyong.”

Jiang Zhaoyong was stunned. The person he had longed for suddenly appeared before him, making it hard to believe. “Qingning.”

Chu Qingning rushed into Jiang Zhaoyong’s arms, tears streaming down her face. “It’s been half a year, and I finally get to see you.”

Jiang Zhaoyong, hearing her cries, felt deeply pained. “I’m sorry for making you worry. I’m sorry for breaking my promise. I’m so sorry…”

Chu Qingning hugged him tightly. “I understand. It’s okay. Once things settle down here, we can get married.”

Jiang Zhaoyong felt immense sorrow for the girl in his arms. “Qingning, did they hurt you? Did they torture you?”

Chu Qingning shivered. “They only forced me to try and kill Brother Jinghong. They didn’t do anything else. But if my fifth sister hadn’t saved me in time, I might not have made it back.”

Jiang Zhaoyong was terrified. The Yun Organization was so chaotic that anything could have happened to Qingning. “I’ll never let you be in danger again. I’ll protect you well.”

“Mm.” Chu Qingning’s sobs gradually subsided. “Brother Jinghong said you were injured. Where are you hurt? Let me see.”

Jiang Zhaoyong held her hand. “My injuries are nothing. Let me take a good look at you.”

Chu Qingning pulled back from his embrace and sat by the bed. “I want to look at you, too. Before, I was always worried, afraid I might never see you again.”

Jiang Zhaoyong gently held her hand, apologetic. “Don’t worry anymore. I won’t leave you alone again.”

Chu Qingning nodded. “Mm.”

They talked for a long time, finally expressing their longing for each other.

At night.

Chu Tang had Zeng Huo stand guard outside the Wang Residence while he went inside to gather information.

Dressed in night attire, Chu Tang moved like a ghost, heading straight for the Second Prince’s quarters.

During his investigation, he uncovered many secrets and saw a hidden side of the Wang Residence.

The current consort was newly married to the King of the eastern border. The previous consort had died years ago, and the new consort, Wen Baoyu, was the daughter of Shu City’s wealthiest family.

The former consort’s family, the Wei Mansion, was now closely allied with the royal family. Power was firmly in the King of the eastern border’s grasp, and all he needed now was wealth. Marrying the richest man’s daughter was an easy way to acquire it.

Wen Baoyu, only eighteen, was almost the same age as the King of the eastern border’s youngest daughter. It was a disgrace to a good girl.

However, Wen Baoyu was no simpleton. She secretly allied with the Second Prince and was in his room at that moment.

The King of the eastern border’s health was failing, and he relied on medicine to perform in the bedroom. He couldn’t satisfy a young woman who had just discovered the pleasures of intimacy. Collaborating with the Second Prince not only provided her satisfaction but also ensured she had a future support system.