Qiao Chu

Qi Leyun was tense and uneasy, not daring to look around or chat with the sisters nearby, standing in agony before the palace.

"Why aren't we allowed in yet?" she couldn't help whispering to her mother, her expression anxious. "Are they deliberately punishing me?"

It was just like when she made a mistake at home, and her grandmother enjoyed summoning her only to ignore her, leaving her standing at the door.

Although Madam Qi had earlier frightened her daughter, seeing the girl's pale face softened her heart. "The Empress wouldn't be so petty—she's not a child anymore."

She meant that even if Chu Zhao had been childish before, now that she was Empress, she couldn't act like a child anymore.

If she did, the noblewomen would look down on her.

Her ascension to the throne hadn't been widely accepted to begin with, and there were already many unfavorable speculations.

As the mother and daughter whispered, a eunuch loudly announced the Empress's ascent to the throne, summoning the noblewomen for an audience.

Everyone set aside their thoughts and filed into the Empress's hall, where eunuchs and palace maids stood in orderly rows. On the throne, surrounded by precious fans and incense burners, sat a young girl with a smiling expression.

Below her stood a woman whom everyone had previously not recognized but now knew—the Empress's cousin.

"Long live the Empress," they all knelt and kowtowed in unison.

A clear, melodious voice came from above.

"Rise."

……

……

Palace maids filed in, covering the banquet tables with delicacies, but the noblewomen couldn't sit and enjoy them undisturbed. First, several marchionesses were invited before the Empress, exchanged a few words, and were granted seats. Then, more noblewomen were called forward one by one.

"I arrived in the capital late and am still young, so I'm not familiar with all the ladies," Chu Zhao said with a smile. "Today, I specifically wanted to meet everyone."

The seated marchionesses then pointed to nearby noblewomen, introducing which family they were from and their names.

Chu Zhao exchanged a few words with each lady.

Watching this scene, Qi Leyun felt both nervous and expectant. After a long wait—due to her father's low rank—it was finally their turn. Madam Qi stood up, once again shooting a warning glance at Qi Leyun, before stepping forward anxiously.

From a distance, she could see the girl smiling, and up close, her bright eyes and white teeth stood out even more. Her demeanor was poised and graceful; though young, she didn't seem immature or naive, and no one dared to underestimate her—perhaps because of her Empress regalia.

Madam Qi bowed and introduced herself.

Just as the nearby marchionesses were about to speak, Chu Zhao interjected first: "I know this one. I used to play mischievously with Miss Qi."

Hearing this, the ladies were stunned, then couldn't help but chuckle.

They naturally knew what "mischievous" referred to—the Chu Garden Literary Gathering.

Qi Leyun was overjoyed, nearly stepping forward in excitement, but her mother, anticipating this, stepped on the hem of her dress to stop her.

"Your Majesty, you... still remember?" she stammered, looking at Chu Zhao.

The girl adorned with a gold and jade crown sat on the throne like a temple deity, solemn and magnificent. But suddenly, she winked, a fleeting sparkle like a falling star. "What are you saying, Miss Qi? Is my memory that poor? I haven't forgotten that you lost to me more often."

Qi Leyun's face flushed red. She wanted to laugh and retort but finally said, "I... I will study hard and, in the future... compete with you again, Your Majesty."Chu Zhao smiled. "That's wonderful." After saying this, she looked at Lady Qi again, her smile returning to dignified composure. "Lady Qi has raised Miss Qi excellently."

Lady Qi hurriedly bowed in gratitude. "Your Majesty flatters us."

Chu Zhao said nothing more, nodding with a gentle smile. Lady Qi then took her leave with Miss Qi. After they departed, Chu Zhao turned to the seated marchionesses and said with a smile, "Having grown up motherless in the Border Commandery without sisters, arriving in the capital brought me the joy of companions. Reuniting after such turmoil truly gladdens my heart. Pray do not laugh at my sentimentality."

How could they? Having an Empress who cherished old ties delighted them beyond measure. The marchionesses rose one after another. "Your Majesty worries unnecessarily." "It was Your Majesty's bravery that spared many from disaster."

Chu Zhao then looked at Chu Tang. "Now that I reside in the palace, only my elder sister remains at home, with our uncle and aunt in poor health. I must rely on you all to watch over my cousin henceforth."

Chu Tang bowed to the marchionesses.

They promptly returned the courtesy and supported her, immediately inviting Chu Tang to join them at the feast. Without demur, Chu Tang followed with a smile.

These interludes lent the Empress's hall a light and cheerful atmosphere. One bold young girl even stood to offer tea to the Empress, trembling as she asked, "Will Your Majesty continue hosting literary gatherings?"

Chu Zhao smiled warmly. "Certainly. Shall we perhaps crown a champion among women then, granting official titles and ranks?"

The hall erupted in excited chatter from the young ladies.

Qi Leyun leaped up. "Yes, yes!" Ignoring her mother's pinching at her sleeve.

The matrons watched with helpless amusement, unable to intervene—and secretly stirred by the thought of their daughters earning honors in the Imperial Palace.

Amid the laughter, Qi Gonggong entered beaming.

"Your Majesty," he said cheerfully, "His Majesty's audience is concluding. He requests your presence."

While the Empress hosted her banquet, the Emperor had been receiving high officials and noble families in the front hall. At these words, the hall quieted. The ladies prepared to kneel and take leave, but they saw Chu Zhao rise.

"Then let us all proceed to greet His Majesty together."

When the noblewomen followed Chu Zhao to the front hall, preparations had already been made—the right side cleared to accommodate them.

Men and women stood separately, watching Chu Zhao approach the dais with measured steps.

Upon the Dragon Throne sat the child emperor in formal robes, straining to rise and greet the approaching girl. But a soft cough from Deng Yi below restrained him, forcing him to wait until Chu Zhao drew near.

Chu Zhao first paid respects to the emperor. After being excused from formalities, she stepped forward to clasp the child's outstretched hand, seating herself beside him.

The front hall held greater solemnity than the rear. The small figures of the emperor and empress seated high above commanded awe, compelling all present to bow deeply.

"Long live His Majesty the Emperor! Long live Her Majesty the Empress!"

The earlier coronation had announced them to heaven and earth; this banquet presented them to the world.

The child emperor and the Chu daughter turned empress were no longer mere names in edicts and conversations—they lived and breathed before all.

The world witnessed their voices and expressions, sensing their vitality while feeling the imperial majesty.

As mourning period continued, the banquet served no wine and featured no music or dance. Dusk fell, and the feast concluded.

With no Xie family women in the capital, Seventh Master Xie and Xie Yanfang attended only the emperor's banquet.Chu Zhao arrived with the ladies-in-waiting, something no one had anticipated beforehand. Conventionally, when the Empress hosted a banquet, the Emperor need not make an appearance—though he certainly could, as seen with the previous Emperor, who doted so deeply on the Imperial Concubine that he would make an appearance to bolster her prestige—yet even then, the late Emperor would only come to the consorts' palace quarters.

"She could have held the banquet in the rear palace, but why bring these women to the front hall?" Seventh Master Xie frowned discontentedly from his seat in the carriage.

The imperial street was crowded with carriages, horses, and pedestrians, and even the Xie family's carriage had to slow its pace, moving forward gradually.

Xie Yanfang sat leaning to the side, reading a literary journal. Hearing this, he smiled faintly. "Because she wants everyone to see the Empress standing beside the Emperor. Only then does she command greater authority."

Seventh Master Xie snorted immediately. "I knew it—"

Before he could finish, Xie Yanfang set down the journal in his hand and cut him off. "We should all understand that they are both young and must rely on each other. Whatever benefits one also benefits the other."

Seventh Master Xie was taken aback, then sighed helplessly. "Yanfang, you’re truly protective of Miss Chu."

Not even allowing a single word of criticism.

Xie Yanfang chuckled. "She saved Xiao Yu’s life and the Xie family’s as well. She is my benefactor and my kin. Seventh Uncle, you know how I treat my benefactors and family, don’t you?"

Seventh Master Xie smiled wryly. "How you treat benefactors, I’m not quite sure. It’s always been others owing you favors—I’ve yet to see anyone you’re indebted to."

How could Young Master Xie the Third ever need assistance from others? It was always him resolving others' troubles, leaving them in his debt. Of course, favors always had to be repaid.

Xie Yanfang laughed heartily.

Before he could speak further, Seventh Master Xie continued, "But I do know how you treat your family—protective, tolerant, caring. I understand all that." He shook his head. "I know what you’re saying, but whenever I think about how this girl became Empress, I can’t help but feel annoyed. Shouldn’t she at least have consulted our Xie family?"

Xie Yanfang smiled and shook his head. "She doesn’t need to."

Seventh Master Xie raised his eyebrows. "How could she not need to? She’s not the Emperor!"

Only the Emperor could arrange a marriage for Xiao Yu without consulting the Xie family. Even the Crown Prince would have to seek their opinion.

Xie Yanfang laughed. "Of course, she can’t be compared to the Emperor. But what about Deng Yi?"

What about Deng Yi? Seventh Master Xie was momentarily confused.

"If Deng Yi were arranging a marriage for Xiao Yu, would he consult us?" Xie Yanfang asked with a smile.

That scoundrel Deng Yi! Of course, he wouldn’t! Seventh Master Xie gritted his teeth. "Not only would he not."

Xie Yanfang looked at him. "The reason you think Miss Chu should consult us is that you see her as beneath us. If you regarded her as you do Deng Yi, you wouldn’t think that way."

Seventh Master Xie paused, then chuckled dismissively. "But how can she compare to Deng Yi?"

That petty man Deng Yi, scheming and ambitious, seized power amidst chaos, entrusted by the late Emperor with the regency. He holds the imperial seal, military authority, and dominates the court as the regent.

"She is like Deng Yi," Xie Yanfang said.

At such a young age, she came from the Border Commandery to the capital. First, she fought to clear her father’s name, confronting the Liang family with fierce words and actions. Then she challenged the Third Prince, single-handedly organizing the Chu Garden Literary Gathering and earning widespread acclaim. She commands a unique force, rising abruptly amid turmoil, saving the Crown Prince’s eldest son, gaining the late Emperor’s trust as regent, and now stands in court alongside the new Emperor."Seventh Uncle, you must not underestimate her just because she is a woman," Xie Yanfang said softly. "She does not depend on us. Her achievements today are not because of us; on the contrary, our Xie family still stands today because of her."

Seventh Master Xie fell silent for a moment before letting out a long sigh. "How could I not know? It's just—" He clenched his hand. "I cannot accept it."

Their Xie family was vast and powerful, and Xie Yanfang was renowned throughout the land. Yet in the end, they stood side by side with these two nobodies—and were even ranked lower. How could he accept it?

"There is nothing to be discontent about. Think of the Yang and Zhao families, then consider the Crown Prince and the Third Prince, and even the late emperor—who among them was content?" Xie Yanfang said. "Seventh Uncle, our Xie family is still alive, still standing in the court, unwavering. We are already blessed with immense fortune. Countless others are discontent with us."

Seventh Master Xie snorted arrogantly. "Let them be discontent."

Xie Yanfang smiled. "Exactly. Let them be discontent. What we must do is not resent Miss Chu but instead win her over, befriend her, so she is not swayed by others who are discontent."

As for earlier, while persuading Seventh Uncle, was he not also convincing himself?

He recalled the first time he met that girl. She candidly stated she had come to make his acquaintance. He accepted her acquaintance but told Cai Bo it was merely that—an acquaintance, not a true alliance.

A true alliance required genuine sincerity and the exchange of interests.

At that time, the girl, and even her father behind her, were not yet worthy of forming an alliance with the Xie family.

Now, they were. How quickly things had changed—in the blink of an eye.

She had grown even faster than he had at thirteen.

A sudden tapping on the carriage window interrupted Xie Yanfang's thoughts. Seventh Master Xie pulled open the window to see Du Qi outside.

"Her Majesty the Empress wishes to see you, young master," Du Qi said in a low voice.

Seventh Master Xie hurriedly said, "Turn the carriage around—"

Xie Yanfang stopped him. "The road is crowded; turning the carriage would be inconvenient. It's not far. I will walk there myself."

Dressed in casual attire for the palace banquet, the sight of a young man in flowing white robes moving against the flow of people on the imperial street immediately drew countless gazes. He was quickly recognized as Young Master Xie the Third.

Xie Yanfang paid no mind to the prying eyes and, accompanied by Du Qi, strode leisurely toward the Imperial City.

"What is Young Master Xie the Third doing?"

"He can do whatever he pleases. He is the Imperial Uncle, the only one."

Young Master Xie the Third! Qi Leyun nearly pushed open the window to lean out and look, but her sisters held her back firmly. "Behave yourself! If you act unruly again, your mother said she will punish you. As a mother, it is only natural for her to discipline her daughter. Even the Empress cannot interfere."

Qi Leyun pouted and sat back down, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Even though A Zhao didn't marry Young Master Xie the Third or that Xie Yanlai, we can still claim kinship with Young Master Xie the Third. And we can see him whenever we want, summoned at a moment's notice—"

The other girls covered her mouth. "Say less. Do not bring up the past."

Qi Leyun mumbled through their hands.

She suddenly thought: Had the past truly passed just like that?

Young Master Xie the Third, Xie Yanlai—

What a pity.

Lovers had ultimately become uncle and niece-in-law.