Qiao Chu

Zhong Changrong and Xie Yanlai were also the first to know about Chu Zhao's movements.

But they hadn't known in advance that Chu Zhao intended to enter the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion alone.

Zhong Changrong's first thought upon hearing the news was that Miss Chu would die. He nearly abandoned everything to rush to Zhongshan Commandery, intending to threaten the prince with thousands of troops besieging his mansion to deter him from harming Miss Chu.

"No need for you to threaten him," Xie Yanlai pressed him back into his chair. "If she dies in the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion, that would be the greatest threat to Prince Zhongshan himself."

Zhong Changrong didn't quite understand. Wasn't Miss Chu like a lamb entering a tiger's den when it came to Prince Zhongshan?

"What lamb is she?" Xie Yanlai scoffed. "Daughter of Chu Ling, Empress of Great Xia, commander of the Dragon Guard Army, and the Chu Zhao who personally led over a hundred thousand Border Army troops against the King of Xiliang—this is clearly a wolf."

Zhong Changrong almost laughed. Miss Chu, a wolf? He'd never thought of her that way, but Xie Yanlai's words did offer some reassurance.

"Prince Zhongshan wants to become emperor, not to rebel. His troops approach the capital under the pretext of defending it, using disputes with the decree-bearing officials and his heir's arrogant reputation as excuses. He wants face, dignity, and to vent his grievances from past persecution—to become emperor openly and honorably. If the Empress dies in his mansion, his reputation as a traitor will be sealed—" Xie Yanlai raised an eyebrow. "Just rest assured. Right now, those who most want the Empress dead aren't Prince Zhongshan, but Xie Yanfang and Deng Yi."

That didn't sound reassuring at all! Zhong Changrong felt both angry and amused. Didn't that mean they couldn't count on the imperial court to save the Empress?

"Is Prince Zhongshan really afraid to kill Miss Chu?" he asked uncertainly.

In his current agitated state, this young man had become his pillar of support.

It seemed whatever this young man said would come true.

Except this young man's words were never entirely satisfactory—

"That depends on whether Prince Zhongshan fears death," Xie Yanlai said with a faint smile. "If he isn't afraid to die, then Chu Zhao will die."

He patted Zhong Changrong's shoulder.

"Don't worry. If that happens, we'll all die."

We'll all die? Zhong Changrong looked at this young man.

The young man's phoenix eyes slanted upward: "The imperial court and Prince Zhongshan are locked in a life-and-death struggle, the King of Xiliang won't rest until Great Xia falls, and the world will descend into chaos—"

He actually seemed to be looking forward to it. Zhong Changrong spat in disgust. Madman.

But since Prince Zhongshan had made his move, the King of Xiliang's attacks had intensified. The Border Army was indeed under great pressure, but should they really do nothing about Miss Chu?

Zhong Changrong gazed into the distance—

"Just guard the Border Commandery well," Xie Yanlai said. "That's the only thing favorable to her. If the Border Commandery falls, the world will—"

"Descend into chaos," Zhong Changrong finished irritably. "You keep saying that all day long. I think you're eagerly awaiting the world to fall into chaos."

Xie Yanlai smiled. "Whether the world falls into chaos doesn't matter to me or to the Xie family. If the world falls into chaos, we'll just pacify it again. Don't you know what pacifying the world means?"

Zhong Changrong fell silent. As a military commander, he certainly knew that chaos bred achievements.

"Preventing the world from falling into chaos would be Miss Chu's great achievement," Xie Yanlai said lightly. "To seize merits, to compete for achievements, one must take risks. They won't come to those who sit around safely."

Having said this, the young man swung onto his horse.

Zhong Changrong watched him and sighed. "Who doesn't understand this reasoning? But... this is A Zhao we're talking about—"

Night had fallen, enveloping the land. He looked into the distance.

A Zhao was fighting for her life.

If she lost, she would die.

And if she died, she would be gone forever.The sound of urgent hoofbeats filled his ears. Zhong Changrong turned his head to see Xie Yanlai already streaking like an arrow into the northwestern night, soldiers closely following behind him, their torches gathering like scattered stars.

"Remember to dress your wounds!" he shouted loudly. "You, with the surname Xie, better not die! If you die, you won't get to see the spectacle of the world falling into chaos!"

Galloping through the night, Xie Yanlai once again took the lead, with no one able to surpass him. He had always loved riding horses, loved being at the very front—this way he could leave everyone behind, with only himself between heaven and earth, free and unburdened, without attachments—

He truly had no attachments. What in this world was worth his concern?

But, that was A Zhao.

Xie Yanlai tightened his grip on the reins.

What did he mean by having no attachments!

The one truly without attachments was Chu Zhao!

Without attachments, fearless and unafraid, she would dare to die at a moment's notice. She cared not for what happened after death, nor for who worried, who was reluctant, or who grieved. She would only laugh heartily at the sky and depart content.

"But you'd better not die," Xie Yanlai gritted his teeth. "If you die, with the world in chaos and the people suffering, even as a ghost, you won't have peace!"

...

...

The night enveloped the earth. After the fighting ceased, it did not resume. The gentle night breeze was thick with the scent of blood. The dead had not yet been collected, survivors wept in anguish, and the wounded moaned in agony—the world resembled a realm of ghosts.

Though the clashing of blades and the gleam of swords had vanished, Xiao Yu, seated in the central command tent, was pale.

At this moment, he could no longer hear the people's reverent cries of "Long live the Emperor!" Instead, his ears were filled with the sound of weeping.

The people's reverence was exhilarating, but their weeping was terrifying.

"Your Majesty," Qi Gonggong could not help but hold him. "I've prepared some calming soup. Would you like a sip?"

Xiao Yu shook his head, his spirit absent.

Qi Gonggong glanced around, then took out a bamboo tube and handed it to Xiao Yu. "Your Majesty, this old servant has brought it for you."

Earlier, when Xie Yanfang hurriedly took Xiao Yu away from the Imperial City, Qi Gonggong had brought nothing else but this bamboo tube. However, after leaving the palace, with Xie Yanfang resting beside Xiao Yu, the boy had slept soundly, so he had not taken it out.

Now, seeing the child distraught and disoriented, words failing to comfort him, Qi Gonggong produced the bamboo tube. Sure enough, upon seeing it, Xiao Yu's lifeless eyes lit up, and he hurriedly clutched it tightly to his chest.

Qi Gonggong breathed a sigh of relief. Though the boy still seemed uneasy, at least his spirit had returned. But what to do next? He looked up, through the tent flap he could see Xie Yanfang's figure outside.

"Are they not reinforcements?" Xie Yanfang asked the officer.

"They are indeed reinforcements, but they show no intention of attacking," the officer replied in a low voice. "They've even recalled their earlier troops and set up a defensive formation outside the city. Our scouts and vanguards have provoked them several times, but they refuse to emerge."

"Just now, they even began breaking camp and retreating," another officer whispered.

Retreating?

Retreating—

Xie Yanfang's eyes sharpened. "Continue the attack."

The commander was taken aback. Now?

"Of course, now," Xie Yanfang said. "The conflict has already been ignited. How can they simply withdraw and call it quits?"

This matter must not be allowed to end here.

This battle must be fought!

...

...

"This battle must not be fought."

In the deep of night, the Imperial City was brightly lit, and the Grand Tutor Hall was filled with people. They watched as Deng Yi unfolded a letter and read aloud a single sentence.

The Emperor had personally led the campaign, yet the court remained.

Although many officials had clamored to accompany the Emperor on his personal campaign, ultimately, only a few had gone.Deng Yi's people naturally wouldn't bolster Xie Yanfang's influence, just as Xie Yanfang's followers wouldn't abandon the court to Deng Yi. With the imperial seal and the late emperor's regency decree in Deng Yi's hands—to speak irreverently—the Emperor's presence mattered little; Deng Yi held the court firmly.

These days, the court bustled with activity, working day and night. While monitoring news of His Majesty, they also kept a close watch on the Border Army. Since Empress Chu led troops to besiege Zhongshan Commandery, Prince Zhongshan had been too preoccupied with his own troubles, and the disrupted courier stations had resumed normal operations.

Letters flew in like snowflakes.

The Grand Tutor didn't need to handle every matter personally, as each had its designated handler—except for the Empress's handwritten letters.

Deng Yi stopped reading the letter and asked those beside him, "Was the Empress's letter not delivered through the courier system?"

A young official nearby nodded. "Commandant Li of the Courier Soldier Camp said it was placed directly on his desk. They verified the Empress's seal was authentic and immediately brought it to you, but they didn't see the messenger."

An older official speculated, "Could Prince Zhongshan be sending you a letter under the Empress's name?" He sighed, "Prince Zhongshan's agents are truly everywhere."

The Empress had been captured by Prince Zhongshan—reports claimed she entered Zhongshan Prince's Mansion voluntarily, intending to persuade him to surrender.

To the world, this act seemed courageous, but it was laughable, absurd, and naive—like a lamb walking into a tiger's den, only adding chaos to the court.

So, was Prince Zhongshan writing to Deng Yi to use the Empress as leverage?

"Grand Tutor," one official said gravely, "Even if Chu Ling were alive, he would have to prioritize righteousness over family ties in such a situation."

Moreover, Chu Ling was no longer alive.

"If Prince Zhongshan dares harm the Empress, the whole world will know his rebellious intent," others chimed in in agreement.

Deng Yi paid no mind to these remarks. He knew that girl wouldn't care either. When she entered Zhongshan Prince's Mansion, she wasn't counting on the court's protection or concern.

If Prince Zhongshan wanted to send him a letter, he could have it delivered through palace eunuchs—Prince Zhongshan's agents were indeed everywhere. Deng Yi swept a glance around the hall: bright lanterns illuminated minor officials, guards, and attendants standing by, while eunuchs wove through the crowd, bringing tea and midnight snacks from the Imperial Cuisine kitchen.

In truth, Empress Chu's agents were also everywhere. Deng Yi lowered his head to read the letter. To prevent it from falling into others' hands, it had been placed directly on Commandant Li's desk—she even knew this commandant was Deng Yi's man.

The resolute opening words matched that girl's usual style.

Just reading this line, Deng Yi felt as if he were seeing her again—that girl standing beneath the palace gate, demanding he open it.

Even now, at this critical juncture, she was still insisting this battle must not be fought.