Earlier, when they needed to reorganize the Capital Garrison, Zhong Changrong was stretched thin. The young lady said not to worry—A Jiu was here, and they could leave this matter to A Jiu.
That was acceptable then, as he was only distracted outside the capital. If anything happened in the Imperial City or the capital, he could return in a moment.
But now he was about to return to the Border Commandery, and the distance to the capital was not something he could cover in a moment.
How could the young lady trust this kid so much!
"Young lady," he said softly, "he is from the Xie family."
Earlier, when the Imperial City was in danger, the Little Highness and Chu Zhao were one entity. To protect the Little Highness, the Xie family would spare no effort, and naturally, they would do their utmost for Chu Zhao as well.
But now the Little Highness had been publicly proclaimed as the Emperor, with civil and military officials, Grand Tutor Deng Yi overseeing the state, and Xie Yanfang entering the court as an official. As the Emperor's maternal uncle, his status was undoubtedly extraordinary, and the Dongyang Xie family was vast and powerful—
An Empress was no longer as important.
They would not spare the same effort for the Empress.
The only thing that could intimidate them was the Dragon Guard Army. Yet now, the young lady actually wanted to entrust the Dragon Guard Army to a member of the Xie family.
"I'm not handing it over to him," Chu Zhao said with a laugh. "I'm just letting him lead the troops. The Dragon Guard Army still belongs to us, and it only recognizes us."
Zhong Changrong understood this logic, but still—he was from the Xie family—
"Uncle Zhong, being from the same family doesn't necessarily mean sharing the same heart," Chu Zhao said. "Do you think my father, my uncle, and I share the same heart?"
Of course not, Zhong Changrong thought without hesitation.
Chu Zhao said softly, "So, no matter his surname, he is first and foremost a person, not someone's appendage."
Zhong Changrong frowned. Xie Yanlai, who had been walking slowly, finally approached.
"Greetings, Your Highness," he said respectfully. "The Imperial City is secure, with orderly entry and exit. I have fulfilled my duties diligently and without negligence."
He looked the part, but his words essentially meant, "I'm busy, don't bother me." Chu Zhao suppressed a smile.
"Xie Yanlai, Deputy General Zhong has something to say to you," she said, then winked at Zhong Changrong before turning and walking away.
Zhong Changrong was taken aback. He wanted to call the young lady back but didn't want to put her in a difficult position, so he remained silent and turned to look at Xie Yanlai.
Xie Yanlai paid no mind to his fierce gaze, straightened up lazily, and asked, "Deputy General Zhong, what orders do you have now?"
Looking at this lazy, unreliable kid—though he hadn't made any mistakes these days—Deputy General Zhong grabbed his arm. "Come with me."
Xie Yanlai reluctantly let himself be dragged away.
Seventh Master Xie, kneeling among the officials, saw this and nudged Xie Yanfang, whispering, "Look, what are they talking about again?"
Xie Yanfang kept his head bowed, eyes closed, resting. The officials didn't have to stay up all night; they took shifts. But no matter how they divided the time, keeping vigil in the palace made it hard to rest properly.
Xie Yanfang didn't deliberately exhaust himself to appear grief-stricken or haggard. He rested when he could. Since he was here, he didn't need to use his appearance to please others.
Now, nudged by Seventh Master Xie, he didn't open his eyes. "Whatever they're discussing, it's for A Yu's good. As long as A Yu is well, everything is fine."
That was true. Seventh Master Xie glanced in the direction where Deputy General Zhong and Xie Yanlai had gone, then looked into the hall. The girl had already gone inside, faintly visible kneeling behind the curtain. For this Chu girl to secure her position as Empress, she had to rely on A Yu and their Xie family. She could not and would not dare to do anything against the Xie family.Seventh Master Xie glanced once more at the figure inside the hall, withdrew his gaze, and closed his eyes to rest.
In the latter half of the night, Chu Zhao dozed off briefly. When she awoke, she saw Xiao Yu kneeling beside her.
Noticing she was awake, Xiao Yu shifted closer and whispered, "Sister, sleep a little longer. I'm keeping watch."
Chu Zhao reached out and gently pinched his nose. "I've rested enough. It's your turn now."
Xiao Yu seemed about to shake his head but stopped and nodded instead, murmuring agreement—he always listened to his sister.
Yet Chu Zhao didn’t let him lie down immediately. She asked if he had drunk warm tea and eaten anything, then felt his hands and forehead to check that he was well.
Xiao Yu obediently let her examine him, nodding to confirm he had eaten and drunk.
Only then did Chu Zhao feel at ease letting him lie down to rest, making sure to place the bamboo tube he kept hidden nearby into his arms—even during mourning, Xiao Yu never parted with it.
Chu Zhao had never questioned this or raised objections. She had even instructed Qi Gonggong to order the palace maids and eunuchs to pretend not to see it.
Xiao Yu felt slightly embarrassed but mostly reassured. Clutching the bamboo tube tightly, he closed his eyes.
After all, he was only a six-year-old child. Even without doing anything, merely kneeling there had exhausted him, and he soon fell asleep.
Once he was asleep, Qi Gonggong entered from behind the curtain.
"Your Highness," he said softly, "please go have some late-night refreshments. This old servant will keep watch here."
Chu Zhao did not decline. Having secured her position as Empress, she felt no need to put on a show of pure filial grief to please others.
Watching Chu Zhao depart, the other eunuchs filed in. One brought Qi Gonggong a cup of warm tea—as the savior of the Little Highness, Qi Gonggong now held unquestionable authority among the palace attendants.
The eunuchs vied to express their loyalty to him.
"Qi Gonggong," one whispered, "why do you always keep your distance when Miss Chu is present?"
Qi Gonggong replied, "The Little Highness owes his life and his current standing entirely to Miss Chu. He should be close to her, and I must not intrude."
"But what about you?" the eunuch asked with concern and worry.
His meaning was clear: since the Little Highness owed his survival and status to Qi Gonggong as well, he too should strive for a more prominent place in the child’s heart.
Qi Gonggong understood perfectly. He smiled and said, "If I were to compete for the Little Highness’s affection, I would only harm him."
He looked down at the sleeping child with tender affection, then raised his eyes to the eunuch, his gaze turning cold.
"Miss Chu is the Empress. Do not let me hear you address her incorrectly again."
The eunuch hastily knelt and acknowledged the order, not daring to say another word.
Chu Zhao had already left, unaware and unconcerned with the eunuchs’ whispers. With Xiao Man, she passed by the ministers keeping vigil and headed toward the side hall.
The side hall had prepared food for those on night watch—after all, no one intended to let everyone be worn to exhaustion.
But as Chu Zhao crossed the corridor, someone suddenly stepped out from the side and grabbed her arm—
At the same moment, Xiao Man seized the newcomer’s arm, a knife slipping into her hand—
It clinked against the person’s arm.
It was armor—
"Xiao Man," Chu Zhao had already recognized the person and quickly said, "It’s all right. He’s one of us."
Without hesitation, Xiao Man withdrew the knife and stepped back, as if she had never moved.
"One of us?" Xie Yanlai said in a low voice, pulling her along. "Come with me."If you weren't one of us, why would I follow you? Xiao Man watched as Chu Zhao indeed stepped forward, signaling her not to follow. She pursed her lips and stayed put.
Xie Yanlai pulled Chu Zhao into the shadows at the corner of the palace wall, where the light couldn't reach. Though guards were nearby, they paid them no mind.
"What do you want to say?" Chu Zhao asked with a low laugh. "Is it so shameful?"
Xie Yanlai scoffed. "It's because of you. What do you mean by having me take over Deputy General Zhong's command of the Dragon Guard Army?"
He wasn't foolish—did she think just because Deputy General Zhong told him, he'd assume it had nothing to do with her? Without her permission, Deputy General Zhong wouldn't have mentioned it to him; he'd only glare daggers at him.
Chu Zhao smiled. "It's exactly as Deputy General Zhong said. He has another assignment, so he delegated the task to you. What, as an imperial guard, are you refusing a military order?"
Xie Yanlai spat disdainfully. "There's no one else here. Stop talking nonsense—is this really a military order?"
Chu Zhao looked at him, her dark eyes bright and seemingly puzzled. "If not, then what?"
Xie Yanlai looked down at the girl from his height, as if transported back to the post station, where the pitiful girl knelt and begged kind souls to save her life—
But she wasn't truly asking others to save her; she was aiming to take their lives.
He braced one hand against the wall, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, "You want me and Xie Yanfang to destroy each other."
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