Xiao Lizi was astonished that Chu Lu actually knew, but she also knew the situation was urgent, so she did not ask further and immediately answered, "It has already fallen completely. Tang Ru, the Marquis Zhenbei's daughter, used her father to threaten the Imperial Guards, saying that if they did not bow and submit to her, the five hundred thousand troops would abandon the borderlands and march on the imperial capital. Then the Miecchi Kingdom would invade as well, and Great Yan would be left with corpses everywhere. Everyone had no choice but to submit."
Xiao Lizi continued, "General Su and Minister Zhao have been thrown into prison. The Empress and the Heir's wife were released instead. The Imperial Guards are patrolling, and the entire imperial capital is under martial law. Tang Ru has already given the order that the moment they see Your Majesty, they are to seize you and bring you into the palace."
Xiao Lizi said worriedly, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Palace is finished. We need to run."
"No hurry. Was Tang Ru behind all of this?" Chu Lu asked. "Did anyone help her?"
"Huh?" Xiao Lizi froze, then thought for a moment. "Yes! That Cuihua! She has been by Tang Ru's side the whole time, teaching her what to do."
Chu Lu's eyes lit up. "Are you sure?"
"Absolutely." Xiao Lizi nodded. She had seen that portrait too, so she could recognize Cuihua.
"Good." Chu Lu said, "Now this matter can finally be settled."
For Chu Lu, the most troublesome part was not the problems Cuihua had created, but being unable to find where she was.
Now that he knew she was in the imperial capital, there was nothing more to say.
She mounted her horse again and said, "Come back with me."
Xiao Lizi was