The night was receding like rippling clear water, layer upon layer of palaces gradually emerging from the surface.
Chu Zhao failed to break through the water's surface.
As they approached, dense volleys of arrows shot forth from the palace city ahead.
"Fall back!"
Fortunately, even while galloping through the palace city, the Dragon Guard Army maintained formation, shielding Chu Zhao at the center. However, Qi Gonggong, seeing the palace gates within sight, impulsively charged forward and nearly got pierced by the arrow rain.
Qi Gonggong stared down at the quivering arrow embedded in the brick seam by his feet, both furious and terrified.
His fury came from the imperial guards at the Imperial City not recognizing him—though that was understandable since he hadn't ventured out for many years, staying only in the inner palace. How could the inner palace guards not know him?
His terror stemmed from these merciless arrows—had something happened to His Majesty?
"I am Qi Xuan, Qi Gonggong," he shouted again, raising his voice. "Quickly report to His Majesty that this servant has returned—"
The palace gates opposite showed no reaction.
But he knew if he dared advance further, those feathered arrows would fly again—he had already charged forward while shouting his name earlier.
It was useless.
Even if those guards recognized him, without orders they wouldn't open the gates for him.
Qi Gonggong retreated step by step. Shouting his name was useless, and he couldn't announce Little Highness' arrival either. Behind those tightly shut palace gates, even if His Majesty was well, who knew what sinister intentions lurked within.
Now he could only hope the guards would report to the Emperor, hoping the Emperor would understand what his return signified—after all, His Majesty had sent him to serve and care for Little Highness.
As they ceased advancing, no more arrows shot from the palace gates, nor did anyone emerge to engage them in battle.
"Now I understand what Young Master Xie meant," Qi Gonggong said helplessly, glancing at Chu Zhao beside him. "Then let's wait."
At least there was no immediate danger at the Imperial City gates now.
Wait?
Chu Zhao watched the palace gates ahead, her horse pacing restlessly.
"Qi Gonggong, if the palace guards don't recognize you, besides only obeying His Majesty's orders, there's another possibility," she said. "Someone else controls the inner palace."
Someone else controls the inner palace? Imperial Concubine and the Third Prince's people?
Then they couldn't stay here!
Those in the inner palace also knew he served Little Highness. Once the message was delivered, they'd inevitably face slaughter.
He'd said this was risky! Now they should turn back—
Before Qi Gonggong could speak, he saw the girl spur her horse forward.
"Lord Deng—" she shouted loudly, "Lord Deng, I am Chu Zhao—"
Lord Deng?
Qi Gonggong was stunned. Who was Lord Deng? He did know someone named Deng Yi, whom he'd recommended to His Majesty, but how could this minor official control the inner palace?
......
......
The inner palace walls weren't as high or thick as the Imperial City's.
Deng Yi was in the Duty Hall behind the palace gates when the girl's voice drifted through the blue-tinged mist.
The imperial guards came to request instructions: "Grand Tutor, the arrivals are calling for you. How should we handle this?"
Deng Yi had ordered that regardless of who approached the inner palace—whether claiming to protect the Emperor or inquiring about His Majesty's safety—any who came near were to be killed without exception.
As for that Qi Gonggong, so what if he was a eunuch serving the Emperor?
The Third Prince was the Emperor's own son, and Consort Zhao had shared the Emperor's bed.
However, the newcomers weren't demanding to see the Emperor anymore. Instead, they called for Lord Deng, identifying themselves not as imperial relatives or servants, but using a girl's name never before heard in the palace courts.
This wasn't the anticipated scenario, forcing the guards to seek instructions.
Chu Zhao?Deng Yi looked up at the high palace walls, somewhat surprised. He knew many would come to this Imperial City, but he hadn’t expected the first to arrive would be this girl.
He smiled again, dispelling his astonishment. It wasn’t so strange after all—Chu Ling, whom even Prince Zhongshan and the Xie family sought to befriend, was clearly no ordinary person.
“They have quite a few people, not just a ragtag bunch,” the imperial guard continued. “They move with discipline, and their strength should not be underestimated.”
Moreover, their aura was unfamiliar, not the military presence they were accustomed to.
The unfamiliar breeds fear.
Deng Yi said, “Don’t be afraid.” He set down the documents and stood up. “I’ll go take a look.”
……
……
A figure appeared atop the inner palace gate tower, waving his sleeve as if to disperse the azure mist.
Though it wasn’t winter, though he wasn’t clad in a dark, gold-trimmed fur robe, and though he wasn’t surrounded by a somber retinue of armored guards with golden swords, Chu Zhao recognized him at once.
She had seen Grand Tutor Deng again.
Grand Tutor Deng wore a crimson robe so dark it appeared black. Without any imperial guards accompanying him, he stood alone atop the palace gate tower like a solitary crane.
Just as in that previous life, he had indeed become Grand Tutor once more.
And he held control over this inner palace city.
“Lord Deng!” Chu Zhao called out loudly, a smile blooming on her face. “Lord Deng, it’s me, Chu Zhao.”
Standing atop the gate tower, Deng Yi could already make out the girl through the hazy azure mist. Even if he couldn’t see clearly, he would have recognized her.
He nodded. “Miss Chu.”
His expression and voice were calm, as if he were merely greeting someone he’d met on the road—devoid of any surprise or delight.
Chu Zhao’s smile faltered slightly. Indeed, they weren’t really acquainted. Any familiarity came from the time he escorted her. Why should she be happy to see Deng Yi as Grand Tutor?
If Deng Yi had become Grand Tutor as fate dictated, his next step would be to welcome Xiao Xun as Crown Prince.
“Lord Deng,” Chu Zhao said urgently, placing her hands on the shoulders of the child in front of her. “I’ve brought Little Highness.”
In this life, Little Highness still lived, and the Crown Prince had an heir. The Emperor no longer needed to adopt Xiao Xun as his successor.
Deng Yi looked down and saw the child before Chu Zhao. His expression remained unchanged—neither stirred nor questioning.
“It’s truly wonderful that Little Highness is with you, Miss Chu,” he said. “Then I must ask you to continue protecting Little Highness. This place is unsafe. Please take Little Highness and leave for now.”
What?
How could—
Chu Zhao was taken aback, startled, yet somehow not entirely surprised.
Qi Gonggong was astounded. Initially, upon seeing Deng Yi appear, he had been even more delighted than Chu Zhao. This young man was more capable than he had imagined. He had recommended Deng Yi to the Emperor because he saw potential in him, though he hadn’t yet decided how to use him.
He never expected such events to unfold.
Amid the chaos, Deng Yi had emerged triumphant.
This was probably what they called the alignment of timing and destiny.
Regardless, Deng Yi surely knew who had granted him this opportunity. Back when the Crown Prince passed by and Eunuch Zhu had intended to take the chance to teach Deng Yi a lesson, it was he who had intervened. Deng Yi had understood then and had bowed in gratitude.
Excellent! Upon seeing Little Highness and him, Deng Yi would surely know what to do!
But now, what was this?
Deng Yi looked at Little Highness and remained unmoved, even urging them to leave?
“Deng Yi!” he stepped forward and shouted. “Have you gone mad? This is Little Highness!”
Deng Yi looked at him. “Eunuch Qi, it’s even better that you’re here. With you watching over Little Highness, His Majesty will be more at ease.”
Having long been immersed in the ways of the Imperial City, Qi Gonggong understood all too well what was happening at this moment.His face turned deathly pale.
The Emperor might be safe, but it was clear the inner palace had changed hands.
Deng Yi!
Whose side was he on?
Imperial Concubine?
Listening further to Deng Yi's conversation with Qi Gonggong, Chu Zhao felt her heart sinking slowly. She understood now—it seemed Deng Yi had already chosen Xiao Xun to be Crown Prince at this very moment.
Back on the road, she had watched Deng Yi speaking with Prince Zhongshan. Probably by then, Deng Yi and the prince were already old acquaintances.
Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence that he was the one sent to investigate her, and Prince Zhongshan was the one who reached out to stop her?
Chu Zhao stared at the inner palace gate, so close yet impossible to enter.
She tightened her embrace around the child in front of her. Even though she had saved this child from Xiao Xun’s hands, could she still not change Xiao Xun’s fate of becoming Emperor?
"Miss Chu, go—" Qi Gonggong gritted his teeth and whispered urgently, casting a resentful glance at the figure standing atop the gate tower.
But whether they could actually escape was still uncertain.
If Deng Yi refused to let the Little Highness see the Emperor, would he truly let the Crown Prince’s orphan go? Eliminating the root of the problem was the safest approach.
Perhaps he lacked the strength to attack—holding the city was easier than launching an assault. Then they should seize this moment while Deng Yi was unable to act and flee quickly.
As long as they lived, there was always hope.
Deng Yi on the gate tower seemed to see through her thoughts. He smiled faintly, then turned to take his leave.
He was leaving.
Just like that, he was walking away.
She couldn’t let him go!
"Deng Yi!" Chu Zhao shouted loudly, "You still owe me a meal!"
Owe her a meal?
Qi Gonggong was stunned. What was she talking about at a time like this? What did it matter if he owed her one meal? Or even two or three?
Deng Yi, who had already turned to leave on the gate tower, paused in his steps.
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