Qiao Chu

The summer night was sweltering, yet the young man's breath carried a chilling cold by her ear.

Chu Zhao looked up at him: "What an interesting thing to say. Why would I want you and Third Young Master to turn against each other? Before, I had nothing to do with you. Now, I and your Xie family—oh, no."

At this point, she lifted her head higher, staring into the young man's eyes.

"It should be said that Third Young Master and I are as one. The safety of the Little Highness and the stability of my position as Empress both depend on Third Young Master."

"What good would it do me if you turned against each other?"

Xie Yanlai looked at her, withdrew his hand, and straightened up: "Everything you say is correct, but I know that's your intention. Otherwise, why would you be so good to me?"

Chu Zhao laughed in disbelief, letting out a "Ha": "I'm good to you?"

As if hearing the most ridiculous words, as if she had never done any of it and it was all his delusion, Xie Yanlai sneered.

Keep pretending.

Chu Zhao stopped laughing and thought seriously: "I have been quite good to you. On the road, when you were hiding a secret letter for my father, I didn't tell Uncle Zhong. When you were beaten, I intervened for you and sent you medicine to treat your wounds. In such chaotic times, I trusted you to guard the palace gate for me and even intended to give you the Dragon Guard Army—"

She looked at the young man before her, nodded, her expression filled with emotion.

"I truly have been good to you."

She reached out and patted the young man's cold iron armor.

"A Jiu, so you do know how good I've been to you."

As she spoke, she pulled a letter from her sleeve.

"Then you should deliver this letter for me."

Xie Yanlai had imagined various reactions from her, but in the end, he was defeated by these words—both angry and amused, but mostly furious.

"Chu Zhao," he gritted his teeth, "stop playing dumb with me."

Chu Zhao's face darkened: "I have never played dumb. I've been so good to you precisely because I expect something in return."

Xie Yanlai sneered: "Isn't that still playing dumb? You may not trust Xie Yanfang and refuse to let him deliver your letter, but what about Zhong Changrong? Surely you don't distrust even him. He's about to return."

Chu Zhao said: "My father's and my status are no longer what they were before. This position of Empress—I asked His Majesty for it. Many were caught off guard and remain unwilling. Uncle Zhong is naturally reliable, but countless eyes are watching him. There are some matters I can't explain clearly to him, nor can I reveal them. My father knows nothing about the situation here. I must write to him personally and explain everything bit by bit. Moreover, some matters concern—"

She lifted her eyes to look at Xie Yanlai.

"They concern whether my mother is alive or dead."

Xie Yanlai glanced at her. Alive or dead? Although he didn't care much for this girl, he couldn't help it—she had stirred up so much trouble in the capital that everyone was talking about her, and her affairs naturally reached his ears.

This girl had no mother.

Her mother died when she was born.

So what did she mean now?

"I know a secret—my mother isn't dead. She's still alive," Chu Zhao whispered, her hands clenching in front of her, her large eyes deep and shadowy. "I need to ask my father what exactly happened."

"My father is dying. I'm afraid I won't get to see him, and I'm also afraid I'll never learn this secret."

Xie Yanlai averted his gaze and said: "You want me to take command of the Dragon Guard Army and also deliver your letter. I'm not a deity, you know.""You can assign someone else," said Chu Zhao. After a moment's thought, she added, "Officer Zhang and his men would be perfect. You know them, I know them, and they're completely inconspicuous—no one would pay them any attention."

Xie Yanlai glanced at her and sneered, "Your standards for familiarity and trust seem rather casual."

What was there to be familiar about? They'd merely crossed paths on the road while concealing their identities.

"Though distance tests a horse's strength and time reveals a person's heart," Chu Zhao said, "some people's reliability and trustworthiness can be discerned at a single glance."

She looked at Xie Yanlai and smiled faintly.

What are you looking at? Why are you smiling! Xie Yanlai snorted coldly, "Do you know what makes the most skilled deceivers? They mix one truth with ten lies."

With that, he snatched the letter from her hand and turned to leave.

"Hey," Chu Zhao called out.

Xie Yanlai stopped and looked back, asking impatiently, "What now?"

Chu Zhao approached, circling around him. It was just a pity Xie Yanlai was too tall for her to whisper directly in his ear.

"You've questioned me, but I haven't questioned you yet," she could only lean close to his chest and murmur, "Why are you and Xie Yanfang turning against each other?"

She lifted her head to look at him.

"I treat you well, and yet you jump to such conclusions. What kind of life have you lived at home? Has no one ever been good to you in your entire life?"

Xie Yanlai looked at the girl who had moved closer with a serious expression, then extended two fingers to poke her forehead and push her away.

"Chu Zhao, spare me these games," he said, his phoenix eyes narrowing as he whispered, "Using your own spear to break your own shield—I'm not a three-year-old child."

With that, he strode forward.

Chu Zhao called out from behind, "A Jiu."

Xie Yanlai glanced around irritably before turning back to glare warningly at the girl. This was the main hall of the Imperial Palace, not the wilderness or some street.

Chu Zhao smiled. "I want the A Jiu I know to help me with this task, not anyone else."

Xie Yanlai curled his lip in a derisive smile, then turned and strode away.

Would he be moved by such words? What could A Jiu, who wasn't a member of the Xie family, possibly accomplish?

A Jiu, who wasn't a member of the Xie family, would never have crossed paths with Miss Chu in this lifetime.

Watching the young man stride away, Chu Zhao breathed a sigh of relief, her expression complex. A Jiu was truly a clever and sensitive child—

Xie Yanfang.

Chu Zhao lowered her gaze. Of course she wouldn't trust him wholeheartedly. She knew exactly how intelligent and ambitious he was.

She could cooperate with him, advance and retreat alongside him, but she could not place her trust in him.

As for A Jiu... Chu Zhao raised her eyes, gazing at the young figure disappearing into the dim night.

He questioned her kindness toward him?

Why didn't he consider that he had been kind to her first? He knew exactly who she was, yet never breathed a word to his family. He knew he could ruin her reputation, yet he remained silent.

Her kindness to him was repayment.

Of course, there was some self-interest involved too.

But, turning against Xie Yanfang—

Chu Zhao pressed her lips together. It was still too early to speak of such things. What right did either of them have to talk about turning against Xie Yanfang?

......

Chu Zhao walked back to the side hall and saw a familiar figure about to enter. She quickly called out, "Third Young Master."

Xie Yanfang turned on the steps, spotted her immediately, and smiled before bowing slightly.

Chu Zhao approached and asked, "Are you hungry?"

Xie Yanfang replied softly, "Not hungry, just tired from sitting. I was looking for a place to rest."

Chu Zhao couldn't help but laugh quietly. "I'm different—I am hungry."Xie Yanfang extended his hand in a gesture of invitation, indicating for her to go first.

Chu Zhao walked ahead, then turned back and said, "I just saw Yan Lai."

Xie Yanfang responded with an "Oh," adding, "If there's anything you need, just give him orders. Although he doesn't speak pleasantly, he's absolutely reliable when it comes to getting things done."

Chu Zhao said quietly, "Uncle Zhong needs to return to the Border Commandery for a while, so I've asked Yan Lai to temporarily take over his duties."

Xie Yanfang showed no surprise and nodded, "He's the most suitable." Then, looking at Chu Zhao, he said, "I'll select a physician to accompany Deputy General Zhong."

Her father's condition was no secret to Xie Yanlai, so Chu Zhao nodded, "Alright, please make the arrangements, Young Master Xie the Third."

Xie Yanfang sighed softly, "If A Yu weren't emotionally unstable and couldn't do without you, you should go back and see for yourself."

Chu Zhao shook her head, "It's not A Yu's fault. This is my own choice."

Xie Yanfang also shook his head, "No, this isn't your choice. This is the cruelty of fate, something you're helpless against."

In short, it wasn't her fault, and she shouldn't blame herself for it.

When Young Master Xie the Third wanted to be good to someone, he was truly good.

Hoping he would always treat her this well, Chu Zhao smiled at Xie Yanfang and stepped over the threshold with him.