Prince Zhongshan actually wanted Xiao Xun to marry her, so she could become the Empress in the future.
Her, as Xiao Xun's Empress?
She never expected to hear such words again in this lifetime.
Chu Zhao was momentarily stunned, but then she smiled. It wasn't surprising—Xiao Xun's marriage to her in that previous life must have also been Prince Zhongshan's scheme.
The father and son had always coveted her power.
Only their methods differed.
In the previous life, sweet words and coaxing were enough; in this life, Prince Zhongshan openly discussed benefits with her.
This too was because her power had changed.
Seeing Chu Zhao smile, Prince Zhongshan also smiled.
"Miss Chu must be thinking you're already the Empress and have no need for what I offer," he said. "Then I promise you this: what you already possess will remain yours. Beyond that, you shall command the Border Army, independent of the imperial tiger tally."
Military power—independent of the imperial court. Chu Zhao looked at Prince Zhongshan.
So becoming Xiao Xun's Empress could be exchanged for such authority.
How foolish she had been in that life.
It had been a long time since she dwelled on that past life, her wishes in this one already fulfilled—yet now, reminded of it, she couldn't help but feel a pang of regret.
How much better things could have been; perhaps she could have been the one slapping Xiao Xun.
"Miss Chu, what do you think?" Prince Zhongshan asked. "I am not jesting."
Chu Zhao collected her thoughts, her expression wistful. "I know Your Highness is sincere, but... what a pity..."
She would not become Xiao Xun's Empress again.
Prince Zhongshan's eyes also held regret. "Are my promises insufficient? Miss Chu, feel free to ask for anything else you desire."
"Your Highness," Chu Zhao smiled, "my only request is that you cease this war."
Prince Zhongshan's smile faded. "Miss Chu, I may persuade you, but you are not in a position to persuade me."
Chu Zhao smiled faintly. "I am not here to persuade you, but to threaten you."
Threaten?
Prince Zhongshan found it amusing. "How does Empress Chu plan to threaten me?"
Chu Zhao took the leather pouch from A Le, raised it to take a sip of milk tea, then looked at Prince Zhongshan, her dark, bright eyes glinting with amusement. "Xiao Xun."
Prince Zhongshan stiffened slightly, the smile vanishing from his face.
...
...
As the last vestiges of twilight vanished from the land, the slaughter around the city walls also came to an end.
The bodies of the defending soldiers were carried away, and Prince Zhongshan's royal banner fluttered above the city gates.
"The local prominent families have three days to pay their respects," Xiao Xun said as he strode slowly into the government office.
The office had not yet been fully cleared, with the corpses of clerks and officials scattered across the floor and the stench of blood thick in the air. Xiao Xun paid it no mind, stepping over the bodies and blood as he entered the main hall.
"I will promise them that this city will be entrusted to their sons and nephews to govern," Xiao Xun said.
His attendants nodded in agreement.
"Of course," Xiao Xun added with a deep dimpled smile, "those who refuse to comply need not be spared."
The attendants nodded again, and one of the officers smirked coldly. "Rest assured, Heir Apparent. Scholar Ning has provided a list of prominent families along the route. We'll ensure none of them escape."
Xiao Xun pulled up an overturned chair, brushed it off casually, and sat down.
"How many troops lie ahead?" he asked.
Several soldiers unrolled a map, and an officer stepped forward, pointing. "About ten thousand fled earlier, but the prefectural city ahead has nearly twenty thousand garrisoned troops. The Capital Garrison is also rushing to reinforce them. But even with fifty thousand soldiers, they are no cause for concern. Once we crush them in battle, we can march straight to the capital."Xiao Xun laughed, "Then we can send word to Father now, telling him to prepare to enter the capital."
The officers joined in with hearty laughter.
"No rush. When the time comes, let that little brat personally invite the prince."
"That little brat has probably already hidden himself away in fear."
……
……
In the deep night of the capital, the galloping of troops and the dense drumming of hooves struck fear into the hearts of men, women, and children behind tightly shut doors and windows.
The Imperial City blazed with lights as people hurried to and fro. The main hall buzzed with constant noise, with countless new reports arriving before Deng Yi, who consulted with military commanders before issuing endless orders.
"The upcoming battle is crucial."
"Communication with the Border Commandery has been restored. After General Chu's departure, military morale has stabilized and even grown stronger, achieving three consecutive major victories. The King of Xiliang's position was nearly besieged."
"Empress Chu led two armies to besiege Zhongshan Commandery, also sweeping all before her."
Yet no one showed relief; instead, their expressions grew graver.
Victory bulletins from the Border Commandery and Western Liang failed to reassure the people, while Empress Chu's siege of Zhongshan Commandery had no effect on Xiao Xun. Instead, it deprived the capital of two potential relief forces.
Through engagements, the court had gained some understanding of Prince Zhongshan's privately trained troops—they were even more elite than anticipated.
This stirred memories among some veteran ministers: as a child, Prince Zhongshan had been exceptionally clever, able to comprehend battlefield formations while sitting on the then-Emperor's lap. He often played war games with eunuchs and palace maids, drawing the displeasure of the Empress Dowager, who called him martial-minded and ill-omened. Later—alas, the leg-crippled prince never played again.
But no one expected this disabled prince to deploy troops decades later with an overwhelming, unstoppable force.
Soon, however, Deng Yi imprisoned these old ministers on charges of cowardice and unsettling public morale, burying Prince Zhongshan's past along with them.
Yet facts could not be ignored.
The next battle would be decisive.
If Prince Zhongshan's troops advanced further, they would truly reach the capital. Once that happened, popular support would crumble, and the court would be in peril.
The hall hummed with discussion. Deng Yi accepted a cup of tea from an attendant and had just taken a sip when his gaze swept the room and noticed a missing figure.
"Where is Lord Xie?" he asked.
An official who knew replied hastily, "Lord Xie has gone to see His Majesty."
The court was in chaos, with no fixed schedule for assemblies, deliberations continuing day and night. The Little Emperor could offer no help and was not required to make decisions. Initially, the Grand Tutor had suggested he need not attend court, but the Little Emperor insisted on being present, observing the progress of the war throughout, even if he understood little. While officials debated through the night, the Little Emperor stayed awake watching.
He remained quiet, never asking questions or challenging any decisions, so the Grand Tutor ceased objecting and let him be.
Xie Yanfang, however, was always willing to explain tactics to the Little Emperor. Was he off amusing the child with armchair strategies again?
"Grand Tutor! Grand Tutor!" a eunuch rushed in anxiously. "Lord Xie intends to take His Majesty away."
Take the Emperor away?
Civil and military officials in the hall froze, then panicked. Did this mean that, given the dire situation, he planned to flee with the Little Emperor?
Deng Yi declared, "Preposterous." He stood and strode out, officials hurriedly following.
Before they reached the inner palace, they saw Xie Yanfang leading Xiao Yu out.
Xiao Yu was dressed in casual robes, clearly roused from sleep."Lord Xie, His Majesty should remain in the Imperial City," an official shouted first. "Where are you taking His Majesty?"
Xie Yanfang replied, "I was just about to explain to everyone." He looked at Deng Yi. "I intend to request His Majesty to lead the expedition personally."
A royal expedition?!
This was even more shocking than taking the Emperor away from the capital for refuge.
The crowd was further astounded. Fleeing the capital to hide would tarnish one's reputation, while a royal expedition would enhance it—but it was far too dangerous.
"Absolutely not!"
"Lord Xie, do not be absurd!"
"This is all learned from Empress Chu."
Listening to the clamor, Deng Yi raised his hand to silence them. "Lord Xie, you are aware of how perilous the current situation is, aren't you?"
Xie Yanfang smiled. "I know, but precisely because it is dangerous, His Majesty should lead the expedition." He turned to the child standing beside him. "That night the Crown Prince met his demise, Prince Zhongshan must have had a hand in it. The Crown Prince of Zhongshan then came to capture and kill Xiao Yu. That father and son are Xiao Yu's sworn enemies. Before, Xiao Yu had no one to rely on and no strength to resist. But now it's different. He is the Emperor. Before him stand thousands of troops and horses; behind him are esteemed ministers and renowned scholars like you. He should go and defeat his enemies with his own hands. This is what an emperor ought to do for his people, and what a son ought to do for his father."
He looked back at Deng Yi.
"Grand Tutor, rest assured. I will personally accompany His Majesty to the front lines. He is my sovereign and also my nephew. I, Xie Yanfang, will never let his life be endangered."
He called out to Du Qi.
Du Qi stepped forward from the imperial guards, holding a long sword in both hands.
Xie Yanfang reached out and took it, then turned to Xiao Yu.
"Xiao Yu, are you willing to go with me to the front lines to slay the enemy? I promise you will have the chance to strike down your foes with your own hands."
As his words fell, Xiao Yu's eyes blazed like fire in the dark night, and he declared loudly, "Uncle, I am willing."
Xie Yanfang laughed heartily, gripping the sword with one hand and taking Xiao Yu's hand with the other. "Good, let us go together to vanquish the enemy."
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