Qiao Chu

So much has happened in such a short time.

The Third Prince staged a rebellion, the Crown Prince died, the Emperor passed away, and the six-year-old Crown Prince's son ascended the throne as the new Emperor.

Although all of this was shocking, both the common people and officials could accept it, as what astonished them was not the people involved but the events themselves.

However, Chu Zhao becoming the Empress was bound to provoke much debate.

This was not just about the event but also about the person chosen.

Her selection was far too sudden and unexpected.

The Crown Prince's son was only six years old, yet he now had a thirteen-year-old Empress, which inevitably filled people with suspicion toward her.

Chu Zhao didn't need to look outside; the way officials had been looking at her these past few days was enough.

If it weren't for Deng Yi's watchful presence and the heavily armed guards in the palace radiating an aura of menace, she would likely have been questioned on the very day the Emperor passed away.

Chu Zhao nodded. "With Third Young Master here, I am at ease."

Xie Yanfang said, "It's not because of me, but because of what Miss Azhao has done that makes her worthy of trust."

Chu Zhao smiled. "Even if what I've done isn't worthy of trust, I believe Third Young Master would surely make it so."

If someone prone to suspicion heard this, they might think she was implying he could twist the truth—turning black into white and white into black—which could be difficult to respond to. But Xie Yanfang simply smiled and nodded firmly. "I will certainly do so."

Xie Yanfang was not a suspicious person; he was truly intelligent, and for someone like him, one sincere heart was enough.

Chu Zhao said no more on the matter and spoke earnestly, "Everything happened so suddenly, and afterward, it was chaotic. I never had the chance to explain to Third Young Master in detail: I became Empress because I requested it of His Majesty."

Xie Yanfang also nodded seriously. "I know. It must have been Miss Azhao's own wish. Miss Azhao is not one to be forced into doing something she finds difficult."

Chu Zhao couldn't help but laugh. "I clearly said I coerced the late Emperor, yet Third Young Master is still praising me?"

Xie Yanfang shook his head. "How could you have coerced the late Emperor? The late Emperor was coerced first, and we were all caught in that coercion."

Speaking with someone intelligent was so effortless; there was no need for further explanation. Chu Zhao continued, "The late Emperor and my father privately established a military force called the Dragon Guard Army. This army answered only to my father. Most of it was stationed in the Border Commandery, but there were also hidden forces in the capital. This matter was highly confidential, and because of the disagreement between my father and His Majesty twenty years ago, the army was never deployed again, so even fewer people knew about it."

Xie Yanfang had already guessed something similar, but now he understood more clearly.

"So that's how it is," he said.

No wonder Qi Gonggong brought the Little Highness to the Chu family. And looking further back, no wonder Xiao Xun treated Chu Zhao the way he did, going to great lengths to establish a connection.

"Prince Zhongshan and his son probably suspected that my father held an unusual position with His Majesty, but they didn't know about the Dragon Guard Army," Chu Zhao said, placing a hand over her heart and smiling self-deprecatingly. "If they had known, A Yu and I would not have survived."

Xie Yanfang was silent for a moment. "I don't know whether to say it was thanks to His Majesty's grace or to say we were fortunate to have General Chu."This time, Xiao Yu managed to break through the crisis and survive. Looking back, it was an extremely perilous situation. It was only possible because of the strategies laid by His Majesty and General Chu back then, because of the later estrangement between His Majesty and General Chu, and because General Chu's daughter and deputy happened to return to the capital—each of these events was indispensable. Had there been the slightest misstep, or if even one person had been missing that night, Xiao Yu likely would not exist today.

Chu Zhao also reflected silently. She supposed she should be grateful she had died once before.

Of course, she couldn't say that aloud.

Xie Yanfang continued, "So, Miss Azhao, your decisive move to request His Majesty grant you the position of Empress was the best way to ensure Xiao Yu's stable ascension to the throne."

Chu Zhao nodded. "Only this way could the Dragon Guard Army remain under the Emperor's control. After all, in this turmoil, there are few troops we can trust and rely on. Prince Zhongshan has already revealed his ambitions and will act without restraint. The Emperor is dead, the Crown Prince is dead, and my father—will soon be gone as well."

The girl lowered her gaze slightly, her hands on her knees clenching into fists.

These past few days had been tense and chaotic, but it suddenly struck her—her father was also nearing his end. How could she face him?

Could she even leave the capital now?

At least for the present, she could not.

Who would have thought that even though she didn't marry Xiao Xun, she still became the Empress and remained trapped in the capital—

A warm touch brushed against her hand—

Chu Zhao snapped out of her thoughts and saw a warm teacup being offered to her.

She looked up to meet Xie Yanfang's gentle, concerned gaze.

"Miss Azhao," he said, "We've already made it through countless dangers. Since you could save Xiao Yu's life, there's nothing you cannot accomplish. No matter how difficult things may seem, there is always a way."

Chu Zhao held the warm teacup, nodded, and said, "Yes." She then lifted the cup and drank the tea in one go.

Light, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door, accompanied by a soft voice calling, "Sister—"

Chu Zhao turned and saw a small figure in mourning clothes behind the fluttering white curtains at the doorway.

"A Yu," she beckoned hurriedly, "Come here quickly."

Xiao Yu stepped out from behind the curtains. Xie Yanfang stood and bowed in greeting, "Your Majesty."

Although the coronation ceremony had not yet taken place, Xiao Yu was already the new Emperor.

Xiao Yu lowered his gaze and walked over to Chu Zhao's side. She took his hand and said, "I was discussing the current situation with your uncle."

Xiao Yu hummed in acknowledgment, then looked at Xie Yanfang and said, "Third Uncle, you may rise."

Xie Yanfang straightened up and looked at the child standing beside Chu Zhao. Having endured successive upheavals and now in mourning for the late Emperor, the six-year-old's complexion was visibly poor.

But what could be done? The situation was as it was, and he had no choice but to endure.

Xie Yanfang poured tea and offered it to him with both hands.

Xiao Yu shook his head. "Thank you, Third Uncle, but I just had some tea."

Without a word, Xie Yanfang set the teacup down.

"Are you hungry?" Chu Zhao asked, holding his hand. "If you're tired, sit for a while. There's no need to kneel so rigidly—your Imperial Grandfather wouldn't blame you."

Xiao Yu nodded, then shook his head, whispering, "Qi Gonggong gave me some pastries. He also drew the curtains and let me lie down near Imperial Grandfather for a while."

He had come looking for her when he woke up and found Chu Zhao gone.

With Qi Gonggong taking care of him, she could rest assured. Chu Zhao pulled Xiao Yu to sit beside her and said, "For now, just focus on bidding a proper farewell to your Imperial Grandfather, your father, and your mother."

The funerals of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess were being held together with the Emperor's.

She glanced at Xie Yanfang.

"Your uncle will handle everything else. You don't need to worry about anything."

Xiao Yu nodded at Xie Yanfang once more but said nothing.Xie Yanfang lowered his gaze. "A'Yu, it's your uncle's incompetence that failed to protect your father and mother."

Xiao Yu remained silent but leaned closer toward Chu Zhao, as if trying to avoid something.

Chu Zhao noticed his movement and immediately gently patted Xiao Yu's shoulder to comfort him. For a child, facing the brutal death of parents was terrifying and cruel.

Yet the truth could not be avoided.

"That night, the Crown Prince of Zhongshan personally came to my home, threatening and bribing my uncle to kill A'Yu," she continued the topic. "He left no evidence—neither witnesses nor physical proof. Now, because of my identity, I cannot make my uncle confess and testify. The threat of Prince Zhongshan and his son remains difficult to eliminate for now."

Xie Yanfang said, "I will spare no effort. Rest assured, Prince Zhongshan and his son will never threaten A'Yu again."

Chu Zhao nodded solemnly at him. "I believe in Third Young Master."

She truly meant it. In that previous life, Xie Yanfang had forced Xiao Xun into helplessness even while branded a rebel. In this life, with their positions reversed, Xiao Xun's days would be even more difficult.

Hearing Chu Zhao's words, Xiao Yu looked up at Xie Yanfang and followed with, "Thank you for your hard work, Third Uncle."

This was the first time since their reunion that the child had looked directly at him. Xie Yanfang moved before him, half-kneeling as he reached out to gently stroke his cheek.

Xiao Yu leaned toward Chu Zhao but did not avoid Xie Yanfang's touch. His gaze remained steady, fixed on the face before him—

This face somewhat resembled his mother's, yet was far more beautiful. Xie Yanfang's skin was porcelain fair, his eyes slender, his nose bridge high, and his gaze gentle and clear—

"It's no trouble," he said softly. "Xie Yanfang only wishes to never again suffer such heart-wrenching regrets."