Qiao Chu

But whether it's disbelief or fear, neither is really the issue.

Chu Zhao remained silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Prince Zhongshan's current standing is ultimately due to his birthright," she said. "His status was innate. Young Master Xie the Third, you are different—your position was earned through your own efforts. No matter how others see it, in my eyes, you are more remarkable than Prince Zhongshan. Not just you—Deng Yi is the same in my view."

These words were frank and pleasing to hear.

But Xie Yanfang wasn't seeking flattery. He smiled thoughtfully and nodded. "I understand. People tend to fear formidable things and individuals. So it seems I've been frightening Miss Azhao all along."

Chu Zhao hastily waved her hand. "Not frightening—inspiring."

Her eyes shone brightly as she looked at Xie Yanfang.

"Having the fortune to know someone as remarkable as you, I too must strive to become remarkable."

Without waiting for Xie Yanfang to respond, she nodded.

"So this current situation is my opportunity."

Here she paused briefly and gave a self-deprecating smile.

"In that sense, my feelings align with yours, Young Master Xie the Third. Prince Zhongshan's uprising is also a boon for me."

After all, she too had gained renown by defeating Prince Zhongshan.

Xie Yanfang shook his head. "No, don't say that. We shouldn't view it that way. Miss Azhao is seizing an opportunity, not wishing for it."

Chu Zhao sighed inwardly. This Young Master Xie had previously claimed not to be a virtuous man, yet who could possibly see him as anything but?

He truly possessed a kind heart.

Chu Zhao expressed her gratitude: "Thank you for your understanding, Young Master Xie the Third." She didn't prolong the discussion about moral character—probing her own inner goodness or lack thereof wasn't important—and continued, "I know that with you involved, Prince Zhongshan will certainly be dealt with. But I don't want to remain a passive observer. After all, I am now the Empress. So I analyzed the situation, marshaled resources, and like you, prepared to counter Prince Zhongshan. As for why I didn't contact you—"

She looked at Xie Yanfang, her gaze clear and bright.

"Young Master Xie the Third, you are fighting for yourself, and I am fighting for myself. I didn't want to disrupt your plans, nor could I allow you to devise strategies on my behalf."

Xie Yanfang laughed, twirled the teacup in his hand, drained it in one gulp, and said, "Even if we fight separately, as long as our goals align, we are fighting side by side."

Chu Zhao nodded. "Exactly. Moreover—" She smiled again. "Precisely because I know how capable you are, I'm confident that even if I fail, you, Young Master Xie the Third, can turn the tide and prevail against all odds."

Xie Yanfang laughed heartily, refilled his tea, and suddenly said, "Earlier, when I used Mr. Chu Lan's past incident without informing you, it was—"

"No need to explain further. Even if I hadn't had my own plans to leverage from this matter, I knew that by revealing the past, you wouldn't allow me, Chu Zhao, to be tarnished by scandal," Chu Zhao interrupted him. "You would certainly find a way to mitigate any negative impact on me."

Xie Yanfang looked at her.

Her eyes were brilliant and clear, pure as melted snow.

She trusted him.

"Actually, it is you who are truly candid with me," he said softly with a sigh. "You understand me, trust me, never hold grievances against me. You might even comprehend me better than I do myself."More knowledgeable about him than he was about himself? That was something she dared not claim. Chu Zhao raised her teacup. "As I said before, in this lifetime, having the chance to know Young Master Xie the Third is a blessing from heaven. Although you said I deserved it, you might not fully understand how honored I am to know you and to walk alongside you."

Xie Yanfang was momentarily taken aback, then slowly smiled. This time he didn't compliment Chu Zhao, but instead raised his teacup to gently clink against hers.

"The honor is mine," he said, draining his cup in one go.

Chu Zhao likewise finished her tea in one swallow.

"Though we have no wine, do try these appetizers," Xie Yanfang said, pointing to the dishes. "These are local delicacies. See if they suit your taste."

The topic had shifted. The matter was settled.

Chu Zhao didn't stand on ceremony and sampled the food as suggested. One bite sour, another spicy - her brows furrowed tightly together.

"Not to my taste," she said, covering her mouth.

Watching the girl's face scrunch up, Xie Yanfang laughed heartily and poured her more tea. "One should always try new things."

Chu Zhao gulped down the tea and said, "I must be on my way."

Xie Yanfang nodded. "A Yu is eagerly awaiting your return. You should head back early."

Chu Zhao stood up, gazing at the peach grove ahead. "Thank you, Young Master Xie, for allowing me to pause and appreciate such beautiful scenery."

Xie Yanfang leaned against the armrest, also looking at the peach grove. "And thank you, Miss Azhao. It's been a long time since I last enjoyed the scenery."

Since that unexpected night, events had followed one after another. Even an eagle soaring at mountain peaks must constantly remain vigilant.

Chu Zhao turned to look at him. "Young Master Xie."

Xie Yanfang shifted his gaze back to her.

"Although you weren't able to personally wield a blade against Prince Zhongshan," Chu Zhao said, "I believe you have countless methods that don't involve bloodshed to clip his wings and break his bones. Prince Zhongshan may be a mountain, but you could level him with your bare hands."

A smile spread across Xie Yanfang's face like spring water rippling.

"Exactly," he nodded, his voice no longer gentle as jade but carrying an unprecedented cold arrogance. "I can."

...

...

When Cai Bo arrived, Xie Yanfang was leaning against the armrest, gazing into the distance at the peach grove, while Du Qi sat cross-legged opposite him, eating and drinking.

Looking into the distance, he saw the girl galloping away along the main road, becoming a black dot beside the cloud-like peach grove.

"What did she say?" Cai Bo asked. "Is she deliberately opposing us? Does she have dealings with Prince Zhongshan? What are her true intentions? Why does she distance herself from our Xie family when she's become A Yu's Empress?"

Xie Yanfang's gaze remained fixed on the distant horizon. "Deliberate? One could say so, but not because of dealings with Prince Zhongshan, nor to oppose us. As for distancing herself - yes, she does keep her distance. Because even as A Yu's Empress, she remains her own person. So whatever she does, she does primarily for herself."

Though the words sounded convoluted, Cai Bo understood. He said calmly, "So her Chu family and our Xie family are not of one mind."

Xie Yanfang smiled. "And we are not of one mind with her either."

Cai Bo sat down, frowning. "It doesn't matter if she's not of one mind with us, but if she aligns with that Deng Yi—"

Xie Yanfang shook his head. "No, no, Cai Bo, you don't understand. There's no need to worry about who she aligns with. She's not that kind of person."

"Then what kind of person is she?" Cai Bo asked, puzzled.

Xie Yanfang smiled at him and pointed at himself. "My kind of person."He had said this before—how many times was this now? The third time? Third time's the charm. Though Cai Bo believed his young master was one of a kind in this world, the girl's current momentum truly could not be underestimated.

"Do you really think she's like you?" he asked.

Xie Yanfang rested his chin on his hand as he gazed at the horizon. "Though I don't know why she hasn't experienced the joy of standing atop the highest peak, what she seeks is the same as what I seek."

It seemed she, too, saw the mortal world laid out before her.

Thus, she also sought to stand above others, with all things under her control.

Hearing this, Du Qi set down the food in his hand and said, "Then I'll go kill her."

Cai Bo was taken aback, then amused. He remembered now—Xie Yanfang had said before that if this girl truly was like him, he would kill her.

Cai Bo looked into the distance, lost in thought. "Actually, though she has many followers, it wouldn't be difficult to accomplish—"

Xie Yanfang handed a cup of tea to Cai Bo and said, "Cai Bo, it's not a matter of difficulty."

He had said before that if there were someone like him, knowing how terrifying he himself was, he would eliminate that person.

But when he saw this girl standing before him, praising him, guarding against him—so candid yet withdrawn, so passionate yet detached—

She was as aggressive as glaring sunlight, yet as profound and mesmerizing as a deep pool.

Cai Bo held the tea and looked at him. "Then what is the issue?"

Xie Yanfang smiled. "The issue is... I can't bring myself to do it."