Qiao Chu

"Your Majesty, you must not go. If there's to be negotiation, let it be held at the front lines," Lao Bai urged anxiously.

"Once you enter the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion in the commandery city, won't you become a hostage?"

What could be negotiated as a hostage? Instead, it would allow Prince Zhongshan to negotiate with the imperial court, dealing a fatal blow to the capital.

"It won't be fatal," Xiao Man rarely turned her head to speak. "That Grand Tutor and Lord Xie won't be threatened."

Xiao Man had witnessed how fierce those two could be—Lord Xie might not appear fierce, but he was even more intimidating.

Chu Zhao laughed heartily, "They'd say, 'For the greater good, Your Majesty, please take your own life.'"

A Le sighed helplessly, "Miss, why must you joke at a time like this?"

This matter was no joking matter.

Chu Zhao smiled but said no more. They would indeed do such a thing, but she bore them no grudge.

She simply wouldn't give them the opportunity.

Just as she had anticipated Xie Yanfang and Deng Yi would dig up Chu Lan's past, she understood their methods. She wouldn't beg them; she would find her own way to cope.

Though her father was gone, she still commanded troops. She could reunite with her mother, and Chu Tang remained useful. Though Chu Zhao's family background might seem thin, she was not alone and helpless.

In that other lifetime, half of Xiao Xun's ability to hold the realm had been propped up by her strength.

Everyone has their own path. In this life, let's see who attains the Way.

"Don't worry," she winked at Xiao Man. "After all, I have Xiao Man's assistance."

Xiao Man initially meant to snort, but after considering the messages and arrangements Chu Zhao had her deliver to the capital, she couldn't help asking, "I wonder if it will work."

Chu Zhao nodded proudly. "Of course it will. A Jiu said I wouldn't be so unlucky in this lifetime."

It'll work because that A Jiu said so? What nonsense, Xiao Man snorted, though she didn't turn away. "Then I'll go with you."

She might not be allowed to bring troops, but she could surely bring a maid.

She was the only maid capable of holding off an army single-handedly.

"Her Majesty the Empress can bring two maids," A Le hurriedly added, afraid of being left behind. Though she wasn't as capable as Xiao Man, she could still serve as a human shield to block blades if needed.

"Her Majesty should also have a guard," Ding Dachui chimed in from the side.

Seeing everyone look at him, he quickly added,

"Lord Xie said so."

Then he frowned worriedly.

"Our lives are in Lord Xie's hands."

As Lao Bai also prepared to speak, Chu Zhao laughed heartily. "I understand everyone's intentions. There's no need to argue. A Le and Dachui will come with me. Xiao Man and Lao Bai stay outside."

Xiao Man frowned, about to protest, but Chu Zhao grabbed her arm.

"Xiao Man, my safety depends on you," she whispered. "As long as that task is accomplished, even if you're not by my side, you'll be protecting me."

Xiao Man pressed her lips together without speaking, turning her head away.

Chu Zhao smiled, turned and strode forward, with A Le and Ding Dachui quickly following.

Lao Bai, hand on his sword, accompanied them on horseback to the front of Prince Zhongshan's battle formation.

"Her Majesty the Empress enters the city! Make way immediately!" he shouted sternly.

Seeing Chu Zhao brought only one maid and one guard, Prince Zhongshan's battle formation slowly parted, and the commandery city gates gradually opened behind them.

Without looking back, Chu Zhao urged her horse forward, passing through the solemn ranks of soldiers and their cold, gleaming weapons, heading straight for the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion.

The mansion gates stood wide open. Chu Zhao dismounted, examined the name plaque above the gate, and walked in calmly.

Prince Zhongshan stood waiting in the front hall, smiling as he stood."Miss Chu, we meet again," he said with a hint of emotion. "It's been a year, and you've become the Empress."

Chu Zhao also wore an emotional expression. "Indeed, it's been a year, and you've become a rebel, Your Highness."

...

...

A year ago at this time, Chu Zhao had also stepped into the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion.

Seeing it again now, she felt the stark contrast of how things remained while people had changed.

Yet the girl's attitude remained as blunt as ever. Prince Zhongshan smiled, dismissing it just as he had before.

"Was my encounter with you back then not a coincidence?" Chu Zhao asked curiously.

This had long been her suspicion. She hadn't wanted to visit the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion initially, but had accompanied them specifically to prevent Deng Yi from establishing connections with Prince Zhongshan. Though she thought she had thwarted any private discussion between Deng Yi and the prince, Xiao Xun still ended up traveling to the capital with them later, making her suspect that Deng Yi and Prince Zhongshan might have been acquainted all along.

Prince Zhongshan laughed heartily. "Of course it wasn't a coincidence. Deng Yi informed me that Miss Chu was passing by, and I specifically asked him to bring you to my residence as a guest. Originally, I hoped to build connections with you and General Chu, but unfortunately, we lacked the fortune - Miss Chu didn't take to us."

Having her suspicion confirmed, Chu Zhao nodded understandingly. "So I was being watched from the moment I left the capital. It seems fate in this world is indeed man-made."

The girl merely sighed without showing any particular reaction, appearing completely unconcerned about Deng Yi's early association with him. Prince Zhongshan smiled and let it go as well. If she could persuade Deng Yi to open the gates for her that night when he had the upper hand, why would she care about such trivial matters?

She only needed to use the person, not their heart. As long as Deng Yi served her purposes, what did it matter where his loyalties lay?

For one so young, Miss Chu was remarkably open-minded and shrewd.

"Miss Chu, please come in," Prince Zhongshan said, giving the girl a deep look as he invited her inside.

Chu Zhao nodded and led the way into the hall, with A Le and Ding Dachui following closely behind.

"Since I'm here today, I won't bother with polite questions about why you're doing this," Chu Zhao said directly after taking her seat.

Why would Prince Zhongshan do this? Of course, he wanted to become Emperor. She had personally witnessed his lineage ascend the throne - there was no need for empty words.

Seeing the maids about to serve tea, she raised her hand to stop them. "I won't drink Your Highness's tea either."

She had already died once from poison administered by his son - in this lifetime, she would never touch anything offered by the Xiao family again.

A Le raised a leather pouch. "We brought our own."

Prince Zhongshan laughed again, while the officials behind him wore cold, mocking expressions. "If Empress Chu is so timid, why bother coming here at all?"

"Caution is not timidity," Chu Zhao replied, looking directly at Prince Zhongshan. "I can die facing Your Highness in real combat, but dying from a cup of poisoned wine would be utterly worthless."

The prince's officers grew angrier. "Who wants to poison you?" one snapped, while another snatched the tea from a maid and drank it in one gulp. "Such petty suspicion!"

Prince Zhongshan smiled and raised his hand to stop them. "Don't mind such trivial matters." He looked back at Chu Zhao. "Miss Chu is right to be cautious. When I kill, I don't care about the methods - as long as the person dies, it's worthwhile. However, at present, I have no intention of harming Miss Chu."

His expression was both emotional and sincere.

"I held great admiration for General Chu, and you, Miss Chu, have surpassed your predecessor."Xiao Xun was initially reluctant, but eventually let go—not because of her personally, but because of her influence. Such pleasantries no longer stirred any emotion in her. Chu Zhao said, "I came today to ask Your Highness to cease this war. It cannot continue. The casualties among the people are too great, and the devastation inflicted upon innocent lives is unbearable."

Prince Zhongshan was taken aback, then burst into laughter. The officers behind him also roared with amusement.

"Empress Chu, you shouldn't have come here," they said. "You should go and tell your Little Emperor husband that for the sake of the people and to avoid widespread suffering, he should abdicate immediately."

Prince Zhongshan laughed and once again motioned for everyone to quiet down. He addressed Chu Zhao, "Miss Chu, though you are still young, I do not believe you are naive. You must understand that this is inevitable."

Chu Zhao fell silent for a moment, her gaze resting on Prince Zhongshan's crippled leg. "Your Highness, is it because of the injury to your leg years ago that you cling to this obsession?"

Prince Zhongshan did not answer the question, instead smiling faintly. "Miss Chu, there is no need to debate right or wrong. Even if I am steeped in wickedness, it is only temporary. Once I enter the Imperial City, history will judge me differently."

Chu Zhao asked, "If the court grants you a golden seal and authority akin to the feudal lords of the early Han dynasty, would you be willing to cease hostilities?"

Was this a negotiation? The officers exchanged glances, chuckling in disbelief.

They remarked, "Is this the condition Deng Yi and Xie Yanfang have offered?" "Your Highness can wield the imperial seal himself—why would he need a golden seal?"

Prince Zhongshan looked at Chu Zhao. "This is your own proposal, isn't it? Deng Yi and Xie Yanfang would never say such a thing. They are even more eager for this war than I am—to build their prestige and that of the child emperor upon the blood and flesh of the people."

Chu Zhao did not respond directly, saying only, "Your Highness, since I dare to make this promise, I am certain I can deliver."

Prince Zhongshan studied her, then smiled and waved his hand. The officers beside him hesitated, surprised that the prince was dismissing them.

"Your Highness," one officer protested, "it is unwise."

Chu Zhao had entered without even drinking tea, claiming precautions against poison. Of course, they were also wary of her suddenly attacking, even though she had only a round-faced maid and a dull-witted guard—who knew what underhanded methods she might employ?

"Miss Chu is not here to kill me," Prince Zhongshan said, smiling again. "She knows very well that even if she were to kill me now, it would change nothing."

He waved his hand once more.

"It is fine. Wait outside the door. I have a few sincere words to share with Miss Chu."

The officers had no choice but to comply, withdrawing to stand guard outside.

"Miss Chu, I understand now," Prince Zhongshan said. "You have not come as an envoy for that child, Deng Yi, or Xie Yanfang. You have come solely as an advocate for the people of the realm, even daring to promise me the authority of a feudal lord. You truly have the heart of a bodhisattva."

Chu Zhao shook her head. "I do not have the heart of a bodhisattva. I am now the Empress of Great Xia, and I cannot stand idly by while the empire collapses and the people suffer. If I can resolve your grievances and prevent chaos and displacement among the populace, I am willing to offer such compensation."She had only just become Empress, yet she spoke of the realm with more ease and confidence than a true member of the royal family, as if the world truly lay within her grasp—Prince Zhongshan couldn't help but chuckle and said, "Miss Chu, as I mentioned earlier, I have always admired General Chu and wished to befriend him, and I hold you in high esteem as well."

He looked at Chu Zhao and spoke solemnly.

"Miss Chu, are you willing to join forces with me?"

So, now Prince Zhongshan was negotiating terms with Miss Chu?

Chu Zhao smiled faintly. "There is no reason for me to ally with Your Highness."

"Miss Chu." Prince Zhongshan leaned forward slightly, enunciating each word deliberately, "If I ascend the throne as Emperor, then A Xun will be the Crown Prince, and you will be the Crown Princess. In the future, you will still become Empress. How does that sound?"

Prince Zhongshan wanted Chu Zhao to be his daughter-in-law? No, that wasn't the key point—Prince Zhongshan was promising Chu Zhao the position of Empress? A Le and Ding Dachui were momentarily stunned.

Chu Zhao looked at Prince Zhongshan, her expression slightly dazed as well.