Chu Zhao and A Le, accompanied by Ding Dachui and others, found themselves blocked at a street intersection.
Staring ahead, A Le widened his eyes: "Why is it so lively today?"
Chu Zhao hesitated briefly: "Perhaps we should take another route."
Although this was the main street leading to the Imperial Palace, the capital's network of streets and alleys twisted and turned, offering alternative paths.
A Le nodded: "True, with so many people, there might be danger—"
Ding Dachui dared not voice his doubts, nor remind them that he was guarding the Empress, nor point out that the Dragon Guard Army scouts were clearing the way ahead.
But someone else could question it.
"I'm here," a female voice said discontentedly. "What danger could there be?"
A Le beamed at a girl standing nearby: "None at all, with Sister Xiao Man here, no danger exists."
Xiao Man snorted.
Xiao Man had come to meet them shortly after they entered the capital's boundaries. Since apprehending Xiao Xun with Lao Bai and presenting him before His Majesty, Xiao Man had followed Chu Tang's family back to the capital.
"We've swept the entire capital multiple times," Xiao Man said. "I guarantee you could walk sideways without anyone bumping into you."
Chu Zhao chuckled: "Yes, I know. With Xiao Man here, I could walk blindfolded without anyone hitting me." She gazed ahead, "I just meant with so many people, I'm afraid others might be inconvenienced—"
"Stop dawdling," Xiao Man urged. "Hurry up. You're not afraid of thousands of troops, why fear a crowded street?"
Hearing this, Chu Zhao seemed to grasp something and stopped arguing, nodding instead: "Alright, let's lead the horses on foot."
The group dismounted. Chu Zhao adjusted her veil, took her horse's reins, and followed Xiao Man forward.
The moment they stepped onto the street, two half-grown children squatting by a wall suddenly lit fireworks. The rockets shot into the sky in broad daylight, startling the surrounding crowd.
"Fortune's hour has arrived—" the children shouted loudly before laughing and darting into the mass of people.
......
......
Deng Yi stood atop the highest wall of the Imperial City, watching a firework bloom in the distance over the city.
"Fortune's hour has come," he said, then turned and walked away. As he descended the steps, he could hear the capital stirring like a boiling pot.
Though no longer on the wall, he still sensed the commotion, as eunuchs continuously brought him updates.
"The streets are livelier today than during New Year celebrations."
"Don't compare it to the last two New Years—this surpasses many previous celebrations."
"Lady Wanqing's dance is even more breathtaking than in the pavilions—ahem, I mean the dance is most beautiful when appreciated by all, refined and common alike."
"If only one could see it. My men couldn't even push through the crowd."
"But hearing the pipa music while jammed in the street is a first. When those four women played, I forgot I was on a main road—I thought I was following His Majesty on campaign again—"
"Was it the 'Song of Breaking the Formation'? The Four Enchantresses usually sell charm with their skills, but they've never played such a piece before. Hearing it for the first time was truly shocking."
"Many refugees on the streets wept, alas."
"But it's alright now. The war is over. The displaced will be returned to their homes soon."
"Walking this stretch of market streets, we're covered in flowers. These women, they're becoming more and more addicted to this play."
At this, Deng Yi lifted his head to look beyond the door, past the towering palace gates, as if seeing the scene of petals filling the streets.
The fluttering flowers must far outnumber those on the day His Majesty returned to court.
......
......Chu Zhao finally made her way through the street and reached the intersection. She turned to look back and saw the entire street submerged in a sea of flowers.
Through this floral expanse, she could still glimpse the bustling scenes along the street.
She saw a dancer twirling, balancing on one leg atop a small round stool—swaying like a willow in the wind, yet no matter how the wind blew or how her posture shifted, that foot remained steadily poised on the stool.
She saw four pipa players producing sounds of clashing weapons and galloping steeds, then in an instant melting into spring blossoms and birdsong as if ice and snow had thawed.
She also saw rows of screens where scholars wielded brushes, displaying calligraphy, poetry, and paintings—all bearing her name.
She saw fire-breathing, sword dancing, and monkey performances.
Lifting her head, she noticed every window along the street was open, with women smiling and waving at her.
"Miss, miss," A Le's voice echoed beside her again and again. "The capital's spring is so lively—we never noticed before. We haven't been here long enough."
Yes, they hadn't noticed before, and even after ten years in the capital, she hadn't either, Chu Zhao silently reflected.
Ding Dachui and the others were completely mesmerized.
"I knew the capital was the most prosperous place under heaven," Ding Dachui couldn't help murmuring.
But this splendor exceeded his imagination. Walking through it, he nearly shed tears—perhaps because the beautiful, fairy-like dancer smiled at him, perhaps because the pipa melodies stirred melancholy, or maybe the somersaulting monkey reminded him of mountain forests.
"To have experienced such magnificence is an honor for Ding Dachui. My life hasn't been in vain," he muttered.
The street's clamor buzzed in her ears. Chu Zhao couldn't make out what everyone was saying, yet she seemed to hear it all clearly.
"Miss—" calls came from women ahead.
Chu Zhao turned to look and saw a tea shop at the intersection with tables set up. Dozens of girls sat or stood around, including Chu Tang, though she remained silent. The speaker was Zhou Jiang.
"Miss," she said.
Chu Zhao still wore her veil.
The girls all pretended not to recognize her.
"We've brewed fresh tea," Zhou Jiang continued. "Please have a cup."
Chu Zhao smiled, walked over, and accepted the tea.
Though Ding Dachui felt he should intervene, he observed Xiao Man's reaction—she had already joined the group of girls. Even as a country bumpkin visiting the capital for the first time, he guessed what was happening.
The earlier festivities—he turned to look again—were all for the Empress after all.
"Miss, what did you see just now?" Zhou Jiang asked as she handed Chu Zhao the tea.
Chu Zhao took the cup, seeming not to have heard clearly. "What did I see?"
"Miss, did you see song and dance celebrating peace?" Zhou Jiang asked.
Chu Zhao nodded. "I saw it."
"Did you see the world's prosperity?" Zhou Jiang asked.
Chu Zhao nodded again. "I saw it."
"Miss, did you see people living and working in contentment?" Zhou Jiang asked.
Chu Zhao nodded. "I saw it."
Zhou Jiang smiled. "Thank you, miss. We offer you this cup of tea in respect."
Chu Zhao said, "Thank you. It's my honor." With that, she drank it all in one go.
Zhou Jiang and the other girls also drained their cups.
Chu Zhao removed her veil. By now, everyone was captivated by the street's excitement, and no one glanced their way. She took the reins, mounted her horse, cast one last look at the bustling scene, smiled, and urged her horse forward.
…
…Today's grand court assembly was unlike any other. The hall buzzed with noise like a marketplace, and officials weren't standing in their usual order—some gathered in hushed conversations while others leaned against pillars with closed eyes, resting.
"How long has it been?" one official couldn't help urging again. "Why hasn't His Majesty arrived yet?"
"His Majesty is rarely this lazy," another official whispered jokingly. "After the New Year, he's grown a year older yet become less diligent with governance."
Aside from the period of his personal military campaigns, the Little Emperor had never once delayed court assemblies before.
"Actually, whether His Majesty is here or not doesn't matter much," another official frowned impatiently. "Grand Tutor is here."
But the Grand Tutor hadn't come today either, only saying everyone should wait a while.
Someone sneered, "What has Grand Tutor been busy with lately? Counting his riches and organizing account books again? Prince Zhongshan—no, the King Who Pacifies the Country—must have given him plenty."
"Maybe no gifts were needed," another said coldly. "Grand Tutor Deng was originally put in position by Prince Zhongshan's money. Now it's time to collect returns."
"So does that mean the court now belongs to Prince Zhongshan after all?" someone sighed.
But they were immediately refuted: "That's impossible. With His Majesty here and Young Master Xie the Third present, how could Deng Yi think he can control everything alone?"
There were officials full of hostility, and others who were idle and indifferent.
"Let's hurry them along. The sooner we finish, the sooner we can leave court," one official said through a yawn.
"Don't rush. Let's wait. It's good news," another official whispered.
This made even those resting with closed eyes look over. "What good news?" "What inside information?" "Where did you hear this?"
Someone teased, "Sir, have you connected with the Deng or Xie families? You're well-informed now."
The official smiled. "This news came through my wife and daughter."
What did that mean? Everyone was even more puzzled.
"Lately they've been mysterious, saying they're preparing congratulations for the Empress," the official whispered. "The Empress must be returning."
The Empress—several officials exchanged glances. "The Empress joined the army in her father's place, then confronted Prince Zhongshan—such glorious deeds. If she's returning, the court should prepare in advance."
There had been no news about this recently.
How would inner chamber women know definite information instead?
"I suspect they know," the official whispered. "Today my wife and daughter got up even earlier than I did for court. I didn't even see them at breakfast—they said they were busy with important matters."
The officials found this amusing, but some shared the sentiment.
"Lately the women at home do seem quite busy."
"Not just busy—they also seem to be spending quite freely. Such a headache—"
Amid the chatter, Deng Yi entered from outside. At the sight of him, the hall's noise instantly ceased.
"Grand Tutor, when will His Majesty hold court?" one official asked.
"Court will begin shortly," Deng Yi said. "Not only His Majesty, but the Empress has also entered the palace."
The Empress had returned!
She had actually returned!
The hall immediately erupted into even louder chatter.
...
...
"Sister—"
"Sister Chu—"
Xiao Yu had been standing on the steps. Actually, he had originally wanted to greet her outside the Imperial City, even wait beyond the capital—
But both Deng Yi and Qi Gonggong had reminded him that the Empress didn't want a grand reception, and if His Majesty appeared, it would go against the Empress's wishes.So he had been waiting in the palace all along—it felt agonizingly slow. Though the imperial guards reported back almost every quarter-hour: the Empress has entered the city, the Empress is on the main street, the Empress is watching street performances, the Empress has reached the Imperial City—
Closer and closer, yet time seemed to stretch endlessly.
Finally, at last, he caught sight of the girl’s figure.
Alone, dressed in plain cloth garments, she approached slowly.
Xiao Yu could bear it no longer. He stopped waiting and rushed down the steps, sprinting toward the girl.
Chu Zhao watched the child dashing toward her from the distant palace steps, swift as a swallow, and couldn’t help but break into a smile.
Stepping into the Imperial City again, she had initially felt nothing—neither familiarity nor strangeness, her heart utterly calm—until she saw the child running toward her.
This child, who should not have existed, whom she had personally saved.
This was her world, the new life she had created.
Chu Zhao quickened her pace, moving to meet the child.
When they finally met, Chu Zhao reached out to lift Xiao Yu, but nearly stumbled the next moment.
“A Yu,” she said, “you’ve grown taller and heavier. Your sister can hardly carry you anymore.”
Xiao Yu wrapped his arms tightly around her waist. “Then I’ll carry you, Sister.”
Of course, he couldn’t lift her either.
Chu Zhao laughed heartily.
Qi Gonggong, Lao Bai, Xiao Man, and A Le hurried over from the side, smiling at the scene.
“Your Majesty,” Qi Gonggong said, “the Grand Tutor and court officials are waiting. Please, Your Majesty and the Empress, proceed to the court assembly.”
Chu Zhao was surprised. “The court hasn’t convened yet?”
Xiao Yu looked up at her. “Sister, I told the Grand Tutor we must wait for you to return so we can attend court together. He agreed.”
Chu Zhao reached out and gently pinched his nose.
“Good,” she said. “Let’s go to court together.”
She then glanced down at her clothes.
“The court robes have been with us all along,” A Le quickly added, “but they were used in the Border Commandery. With constant campaigning, they haven’t been washed—they’re all wrinkled—”
Chu Zhao waved a hand dismissively. “No need. I’ve traveled a long distance and am eager to discuss urgent matters of the Border Commandery and Zhongshan Commandery with everyone. I am the Empress, but I am also a general leading troops. There are no taboos in the army—I will attend court just like this.”
With that, she took Xiao Yu’s hand.
“Let’s go.”
…
…
Inside the hall, the court assembly music began to play. The civil and military officials, already lined up, looked ahead and saw the figure of a woman who had long been absent from the court.
Dust-covered and still in her travel attire, she shone even more brilliantly than when she had first entered in full Empress regalia.
Like a blade weathered by storms, yet sharpened to a gleaming edge.
By now, this girl had been away from the Imperial City for a time neither long nor short, yet in her absence, she had accomplished one feat after another—matters crucial to the court and the enduring peace and stability of the Great Xia.
Chu Ling’s daughter had lived up to the late Emperor’s trust: brave, wise, skilled with blade and steed, protecting the Crown Prince’s eldest son, defending the nation, and safeguarding the people.
This time, without waiting for Deng Yi’s loud proclamation, the officials bowed in unison.
“We welcome Your Majesty and the Empress.”
Chu Zhao, holding Xiao Yu’s hand, looked down upon the court and smiled faintly. “Rise, all of you.”
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