Qiao Chu

Chu Zhao never expected she would lift the curtain and step out in the court hall.

She knew that historically, almost no empress had ever attended court sessions. She was only seated there as the Emperor's companion.

Even the Emperor wasn't qualified to speak, let alone her sitting behind him.

This was overstepping boundaries.

She looked at Deng Yi, clearly seeing his face darken like the bottom of a pot in an instant.

But how could she remain silent?

She had personally saved Xiao Yu, personally requested the position of Empress from the late Emperor, witnessed the entrapment of Xiao Xun and his son, bid farewell to her father, and gradually stripped away the nightmares of that previous life. Years had passed, and she had just begun to relax, only to hear in the court hall the very words she had heard in that past life.

In that past life, she had heard them in the inner palace.

Xiao Xun returned from court and said to her with a smile, "There's a rising star in the Border Army, extremely brave and martial. Even after having his arm slashed, he refused to retreat and led his troops to annihilate the ambushing forces completely."

She was also happy, not because she shared in the glory, but because Xiao Xun was happy. So she gladly continued the topic and asked who this person was: "Since he's so brave and martial, and Your Majesty is in need of talent, he should be heavily employed."

"Heavily employed, of course he will be heavily employed." Xiao Xun told her, even reaching out to pinch her cheek, his eyes smiling and his dimples deep. "This man is Liang Qiang. I will appoint him as Garrison General and hope he can carry on the prestige of your father. Please ask General Zhong to look after him. The Border Commandery is unstable now, and the Xie family rebels are causing trouble. General Zhong is already stretched thin."

At that time, two new beauties had just entered the palace. Xiao Xun said they were daughters of noble families, and with the state unstable, he needed to appease these families and had no choice but to accept them. Although it was out of necessity, with new women in the palace, Xiao Xun couldn't neglect them. The Xiao Xun who had once belonged solely to her was now shared, and she hadn't seen his smiling face for four or five days.

Intoxicated by that smile, she nodded and said, "I'll tell Uncle Zhong right away. With an assistant, Uncle Zhong can also have an easier time."

Easier, indeed it became easier—so easy that in the end, he died effortlessly.

In this life, Xiao Xun hadn't become Emperor, and the Xie family hadn't rebelled. Why was she hearing these words again?

Sitting behind the curtain, it felt like a thunderbolt had struck her. She had to speak up and stop it.

"Empress!" Deng Yi shouted. "How can you recklessly discuss court affairs!"

The officials in the hall snapped out of their daze, buzzing with discussion, their expressions filled with shock and suspicion as they looked at Chu Zhao. At the same time, Xiao Yu stood up, though he didn't know what to say, he moved to stand beside Chu Zhao.

Since she had spoken, she couldn't retreat now. Chu Zhao said, "Grand Tutor, I am not recklessly discussing court affairs. I am discussing the Border Army, and I am qualified to discuss the Border Army."

Yes, this Empress was different from previous ones. Empress Chu had led the Border Army against Western Liang. When the commander-in-chief Chu Ling died, it was Empress Chu who took over the military authority. Although her status prevented her from being the official commander, the entire Border Army still regarded her as their leader.

"Your Majesty's concern is understood," one official said proactively, trying to ease the tension between the Grand Tutor and the Empress. "This matter is of great importance—"

"Precisely because it is of great importance that I had to speak up," Chu Zhao interrupted him. "Grand Tutor, please hear me out. At a time like this, transferring military generals is highly inappropriate. We must be cautious."

Deng Yi looked at her: "I wonder which caution Your Majesty refers to? Is it the earlier proposal to appoint Xie Yanlai as Garrison General, or my suggestion to appoint Liang Qiang as Garrison General?"This statement once again stirred low murmurs within the hall, and the gazes directed at the Empress grew complex.

When the Ministry of War earlier proposed appointing Xie Yanlai as Garrison General, the Empress had not voiced any opposition—until the Grand Tutor suggested Liang Qiang for the position instead—

Did the Empress then favor Xie Yanlai for the appointment?

This was hardly surprising. After all, the Empress addressed Xie Yanlai as "uncle"—family ties mattered.

Chu Zhao sighed inwardly. No wonder Deng Yi had challenged her so sharply. She had spoken up unexpectedly in court without prior consultation, opposing his stance—a direct confrontation.

"The position of Garrison General is of grave importance and must be considered with utmost care," she said, looking at Deng Yi. "If Xie Yanlai’s personal conduct is flawed, Liang Qiang is not without blemish either."

Deng Yi nodded. "Indeed, I was just discussing this with Minister Dong." He turned his gaze to the court. "Liang Qiang’s origins are indeed humble—he enlisted as a penal soldier."

By then, an official had already whispered Liang Qiang’s background to Minister Dong, who now hesitated. Realizing he might have misunderstood Deng Yi, he bowed in apology. "This official spoke rashly."

"Yet, as Grand Tutor, I still support his appointment as Garrison General," Deng Yi continued, responding to earlier criticisms from the court. "Thus, I judge people not by their origins, nor do I act with personal bias." As he uttered these final words, his eyes fixed on Chu Zhao, carrying a clear warning.

He was cautioning her against partiality. Chu Zhao pressed her lips together, suppressing a sharp retort that would have severed the fragile harmony between them.

But her restraint did not mean others would follow suit. A scoff echoed through the hall.

"Minister Dong, do not be so quick to apologize," an official remarked, his hands clasped and a mocking smile on his face. "The Grand Tutor may disregard Liang Qiang’s origins, but that does not mean he is without bias—only that his bias lies not with Liang Qiang, but with... Xie—Captain."

He deliberately drew out the syllables of "Xie" and "Captain."

Instantly, the entire court grasped the insinuation. A wave of murmurs swept through the hall. Most were aware of the old feud between the Liang and Xie families, though some newcomers—having joined after the princely rebellions, the late Emperor’s passing, the new Grand Tutor’s regency, and Xie Yanfang’s rise—remained uninformed.

Soon, those in the know were explaining, while the uninformed—including Minister Dong—listened intently.

In short: the Xie and Liang families were enemies, and the Grand Tutor was at odds with the Xies. Thus, it was natural for him to suppress the Xies’ honors while favoring the Liangs.

The hall descended into chaos, punctuated by cold laughter.

"Yesterday, it’s said Liang Qiang paid a visit, and the Grand Tutor specifically returned home to receive him."

"I wonder how many carts of gifts arrived at the Grand Tutor’s residence yesterday?"

"Stop spouting nonsense! Were you at the Grand Tutor’s estate yourself? How else would you know such details?"

The court devolved into uproar, arguments escalating into shouting matches—

"Silence!" a woman’s voice commanded.

Simultaneously, a child’s voice echoed, "Silence!"

Accustomed to disorder, the Imperial Censors remained sharp-eared and quick-eyed. They immediately noted that both the Empress and the Emperor had spoken. Though the Emperor rarely uttered a word, he was, after all, the master of this court—and his voice carried weight."Silence!" "No clamoring!" The Imperial Censors shouted reprimands one after another. The guards on both sides thumped their weapons and roared in unison. For a moment, the court hall was swept by a gale-like atmosphere, swiftly quelling the noise and restoring quiet. All gazes converged forward—though not on the Grand Tutor, but on the girl and the Little Emperor beside her.

Without waiting for further discussion, Chu Zhao directly declared, "Today's court session is adjourned!"

The officials remained motionless, their attention shifting from her to Deng Yi. The conclusion of a court session had always been the Grand Tutor's decision.

As for the Empress—

Deng Yi looked at Chu Zhao and asked, "Is Your Majesty certain about adjourning the court like this? The matters have not yet been fully deliberated."

Chu Zhao replied, "I have stated that this matter requires careful consideration. We should deliberate further after thorough verification and comparison. Arguing like this now will yield no results and may only harm harmony."

Her final words were directed at Deng Yi, her eyes carrying a hint of entreaty.

Deng Yi looked at her and said, "Your Majesty worries too much. Having attended court for so long, you should know that there is no harmony in the court—hence, there is no such thing as harming it."

However, after saying this, he turned his head.

"Court adjourned."

……

……

Officials surged out of the hall like a tide, dispersing in all directions before the steps.

The usual post-court fatigue was nowhere to be seen. Some officials wore deep, contemplative expressions, others had flickering eyes, some walked briskly, while others moved slowly in thought.

Though today's court session had been brief, it was unprecedentedly shocking.

"The appointment of the Garrison General is actually not a major issue."

"Nonsense, who cares about that? Not to mention the Garrison General, even the appointment of a Grand General is insignificant."

"It's the Empress who spoke."

"To be precise, it's who the Empress spoke for."

Amid the discussions, the news spread beyond the Imperial City.

Chu Zhao paid no mind to the external commotion. After the court adjourned, she had Xiao Yu return to his studies and went to seek out Deng Yi.

Deng Yi was surrounded by several trusted officials as he walked toward the Grand Tutor Hall.

"Grand Tutor," Chu Zhao called from behind.

Deng Yi halted and turned to look at Chu Zhao, who was approaching quickly.

"Grand Tutor, I have words for you," Chu Zhao said, then stepped past him into the hall first. "The others, wait a moment."

The officials exchanged glances, then looked at Deng Yi.

Deng Yi waved them off and entered the hall himself. As the officials hesitated about whether to step back, the palace maid who had followed the Empress inside slammed the door shut. Two guards stood by the door, their gazes sternly fixed on them.

The officials hastily retreated.

"Grand Tutor," Chu Zhao began as soon as she entered, "let me explain—this matter—"

Deng Yi raised a hand to stop her. "Your Majesty, first hear one thing from me. No matter what you say, there is one matter I cannot change, and I beg your forgiveness."

Chu Zhao was taken aback, frowning in frustration. "Grand Tutor, why must you insist on this? I know you dislike the Xie family, but Liang Qiang is also unsuitable—"

Deng Yi said, "I initially chose Liang Qiang in court because I disliked the Xie family. But now, I choose him because of you, Empress."

What did he mean? Chu Zhao frowned.

"Your Majesty, since you openly opposed it in court, if Liang Qiang cannot be appointed as Garrison General—" Deng Yi looked at Chu Zhao. With the door closed, the hall was dim, casting his face in shifting shadows. "Then, in this Great Xia, is it I, the Grand Tutor, who oversees the state, or is it you, Empress, who oversees the state?"