Huo Jun and Huo Chengjin looked towards the door, showing varying degrees of surprise at Huo Xiaosu's arrival.
Qin Zhao found a place to sit down and watched Huo Xiaosu calmly, to see what tricks he could pull out.
After thinking for a moment, Huo Jun replied, "I'm serious. Between the Huo family and Your Highness, I choose the latter."
Huo Xiaosu walked into the room and stopped in front of Huo Jun, saying, "If you want to leave the Huo family, it's simple - cut the flesh to return to your mother, cut the bones to return to your father."
Huo Jun's face instantly turned pale!
Her body involuntarily retreated backwards. Qin Zhao got up to support her lower back, stopping her from shrinking back.
Feeling Qin Zhao's warmth on her hand, Huo Jun seemed to gain strength and plucked up her courage to say to Huo Xiaosu, "Although you raised me, my life belongs to myself. I won't give it up voluntarily!
If father wants to take my life, he can come get it himself."
Huo Xiaosu said, "Are you provoking me? Not bad, you've got guts!"
"Father!" Huo Chengjin said worriedly, "Are you going to fight with elder sister?"
In his youth, Huo Xiaosu was certainly brave and good at fighting, with profound skills.
But now older, his physical fitness was far from before. Facing the Huo Jun in her prime, it would be hard for him to win.
Yet Huo Xiaosu said, "It's not me, it's you.
As the future head of the Huo family, you can practice early on how to deal with traitors to the clan. "
Huo Chengjin hesitated before replying, "Yes, father."
He didn't know Huo Jun's specific strength, but could be certain it was no less than his.
Huo Chengjin had no confidence. He tried persuading Huo Jun, "Elder sister, we are family. There's no need to raise swords against each other for an outsider.
Just apologize to father, and let's forget about this matter."
Huo Jun looked at Qin Zhao, recalling every expression and detail of their time together.
She realized that His Highness had designs on her from the very start.
But such designs were exactly what she had longed for.
To repay His Highness for appreciating her, she made a decision. "No, I must leave the Huo family.
If you haven't decided how to stop me, please let me go gracefully."
Huo Chengjin was at a loss for words.
Seeing Huo Chengjin still hesitating, Huo Xiaosu directly said, "Tomorrow at noon, you and Huo Chengjin will fight.
If you win, I'll let you leave with His Highness."
Huo Jun said, "Thank you, father. This is the last time I will address you as such.
After tomorrow, whether dead or alive, I will sever ties with the Huo family."
Huo Xiaosu neither agreed nor disagreed. He turned and left.
Huo Chengjin wanted to speak but stopped himself, and also walked out the door without saying anything.
Listening to their fading footsteps, Huo Jun collapsed onto the armchair as if relieved of strength.
Qin Zhao asked, "Don't you feel reluctant to leave the Huo family?"
Huo Jun let out a breath and said, "No, just some homesickness and cowardice.
I yearn to break free of father's control. Now that the moment has arrived, I feel afraid.
Life in the Huo manor was oppressive yet safe.
But after leaving, what circumstances will I face?
I can't imagine."
Qin Zhao placed her hand over Huo Jun's and said, "Many who want to break out of their cages are frightened by that unknown fear.
But rotting in someone else's so-called safe life, that is the most terrifying thing.
How laughable that the world has no two identical leaves, yet countless repetitive, boring lives.
If you don't want to fade into the masses, don't cling to that insignificant timidity. Set your sights on more beautiful things."
Huo Jun asked, "What beautiful things? Please give me a hint, Your Highness."
Qin Zhao pointed at herself and said, "Like me, for example."
502 cried out, "Host, aren't you so shameless!"
What shocked 502 even more was Huo Jun's attitude. Huo Jun gazed seriously at Qin Zhao and said, "Your Highness, 'beautiful' is not enough to describe your place in my heart.
This lifetime, I drifted like a mayfly, not knowing which wind would blow me where, until I met you and found safe harbor.
Thank you, Your Highness."
Qin Zhao's whole body stiffened. She had only meant it as a joke to lighten the somewhat heavy atmosphere.
Yet she received such a sincere reply from Huo Jun and didn't know how to react.
Huo Jun quirked her lips. "Is Your Highness shy now?
I'll remember this moment when you show your maiden side."
Qin Zhao was a bit moved that no matter what she did, it was beautiful in the other's eyes.
Such tenderness made it easy for one to become addicted.
It was inappropriate to linger here. Qin Zhao got up and said, "It's late, I should say goodbye."
Huo Jun said, "I'll walk you out."
"No need. I came in by climbing the wall and prefer to go out the same way.
But I'll spare you the trouble of seeing me off over the wall. I'll take my leave."
Once out of the Huo manor:
502 asked, "Host, you don't have feelings for Huo Jun, do you?"
Qin Zhao: "There are too many good women in the world, with endless types.
I appreciate every kind of virtue in women, but won't fall for each one."
On the way back to Princess Zhaoyang's residence, Qin Zhao saw from afar someone standing at the gate of Wujixiangtang!
That person seemed to be staring right at her.
Only when she got closer did she recognize it was Yu Qingzhu, no one else.
"Yu Qingzhu, it's so late. Why aren't you asleep but standing here at the gate?” Qin Zhao asked.
Yu Qingzhu said, “Waiting for you.”
“How did you know I would pass by here?”
“I saw your back during the day and figured you’d take this road back to the manor since you went out this way. So I waited here for a while.”
“How long did you wait?”
“About half a stick of incense.”
“Is that so?”
“Mm.”
Qin Zhao didn’t believe it, but knew Yu Qingzhu didn’t want her to feel guilty.
She didn’t question further.
Yu Qingzhu grabbed Qin Zhao's sleeve and pulled her inside. "I have something to give you."
Passing through the main hall, the light in master's room was still on.
The two tiptoed to Yu Qingzhu's room.
Yu Qingzhu took out a large package from her trunk and shoved it at Qin Zhao. It was quite heavy and Qin Zhao nearly dropped it. She hurriedly asked, "What is this?"
"Medicine I've prepared - for treating external injuries, internal injuries, inflammation, heatstroke, dampness and heat... Although most are wound medicines, I hope you'll protect yourself well and avoid injury."
The news that the Imperial Princess would be dispatched to the northwest border had only been announced today. Yu Qingzhu prepared so much medicine overnight.
She must have rushed to make them.
Qin Zhao caught a glimpse of the many blisters on her hands and grabbed them, asking sharply, "What happened to your hands?!"
Yu Qingzhu pulled her hands back. "I often get blisters from grinding medicine. I'm used to it."
Qin Zhao let out a sigh and said, "Thank you for the medicine you've sent me."
Other than saying thanks, what more could she say?
If she admonished her for not taking care of herself, it would be too unsympathetic.
Yu Qingzhu said, "It's nothing. Go back now.
I'll come see you off on the day you leave."
