The Imperial Cuisine was arranged on the table, but Deng Yi did not immediately pick up his chopsticks as he usually did. Instead, he only poured himself a cup of tea.
"I first met Miss Chu when she beat someone up, packed her bags, and ran away," he said. "Then, during the journey, after returning to the capital, and all the events that followed—right up to leading troops to the palace gates—you never listened to others, nor did you speak much. You always did what you wanted and insisted on doing it."
Chu Zhao was silent for a moment. It seemed true, and there was no way around it. Since her rebirth, she had no time for words, and many things could not be explained to others.
"Not at all," she laughed. "I’ve always spoken properly with the Grand Tutor. Whether it was during the journey, after returning to the capital, or even at the palace gates—if I hadn’t spoken properly, how could the Grand Tutor have allowed me to see His Majesty?"
Recalling these events now felt as distant as a past life.
Deng Yi fell silent for a moment, then shook his head. "Even if I hadn’t listened to you or opened the palace gates back then, Miss Chu wouldn’t have turned around and left just because I said so."
He smiled, looking at the girl before him, dressed in resplendent Palace Attire, shining even brighter than before.
"Miss Chu would have fought her way in."
Chu Zhao thought for a moment and did not deny it. "There was no other path back then. I had no choice but to fight for survival."
Deng Yi said calmly, "Then how has the Empress now reached a point where there’s no way out, forcing her to tear the court apart?"
Instead of answering directly, Chu Zhao asked, "Lord Deng, do you remember the conversation we had over tea after I returned from the Border Commandery?"
Deng Yi did not reply, only took a sip of his tea.
"I said I wanted to become the Empress and take the role seriously," Chu Zhao continued. "I also asked you why you were so determined to become a high-ranking official. You said it was for happiness."
She looked at Deng Yi.
"Lord Deng, aside from holding power and being surrounded by officials, have you ever considered that protecting the nation, bringing peace to the people, and ensuring a just court could bring even greater happiness?"
Deng Yi laughed heartily. "So Her Majesty seeks to be impartial, diligent, and create a golden age."
Ignoring his mockery, Chu Zhao spoke earnestly, "Lord Deng, in the past, the state was unstable, plagued by internal and external troubles. Our origins and status were inferior to others, so we had to resort to various means to secure our positions. But relying solely on schemes, winning people over, and exchanging interests cannot last. You’ve reached this point because of your great talent, though it has never been fully utilized. Now that you’ve become the Grand Tutor, you hold sway in the court. So—"
"So I can become an Upright Official, hate evil as if it were my enemy, take bold actions, eradicate corruption, and uphold justice in the world?" Deng Yi finished her sentence, then burst into laughter again, as if unable to stop.
Chu Zhao said nothing more, only watched him.
"Chu Zhao," Deng Yi stopped laughing and said, "Do you truly believe you’re acting as a wise ruler? You’re nothing but a tool of the Xie family. What justice in the court? If you truly want justice, start by driving out the Imperial Relatives."
He still believed she had been persuaded by the Xie family and had reached an agreement with Xie Yanfang. Chu Zhao replied sincerely, "Achieving justice cannot happen overnight. What I’m doing isn’t instigated by the Xie family. If they ever give me cause, I will punish them severely. Lord Deng, you have talent, and Xie Yanfang has talent too. As long as it’s used appropriately—"Deng Yi didn't want to hear this. He raised his teacup and waved dismissively: "No need to say more. You don't need to speak sweet words to me either. I can see exactly how you view me in your heart."
Chu Zhao said angrily: "How do I view you? I see you as a friend, as a teacher—"
"As an enemy," Deng Yi finished for her.
Chu Zhao sighed helplessly: "I know you're angry about what I did, but it wasn't directed at you."
Deng Yi shook his head: "I know it wasn't directed at me, but you're wary of me." He looked at Chu Zhao, examining her bright eyes, "I know you don't trust me, Empress. I've never asked you to trust me either. But now you're being cautious of me—have I become a threat to you in some way?"
Wary, threatened—he used those words too. Chu Zhao still remembered Xie Yanfang's probing questions and scrutinizing gaze when he offered tea during their journey. She sighed inwardly.
No matter how deeply she buried her thoughts, they inevitably manifested in her outward behavior.
After some thought, Chu Zhao said: "Regarding the Liang Qiang matter, I was indeed dissatisfied with you, Minister. But you know—the Border Army campaign represents the hard work of both my father and myself. I care deeply about it and fear anything going wrong."
"So you believe I would destroy your life's work, while the Xie family wouldn't," Deng Yi once again finished her sentence.
Chu Zhao was taken aback, then smiled bitterly: "Actually, it's not because of you—"
It was that damned fate.
Liang Qiang's appearance had put her on alert, and naturally, she had no choice but to be wary of Deng Yi too.
After all, in that previous life, Deng Yi had been Xiao Xun's Grand Tutor.
How could she possibly explain this?
"Empress, no need to explain," Deng Yi didn't let her continue, "This matter actually isn't important. You are the Empress, I am the Grand Tutor. Whether there's dissatisfaction, distrust, or wariness between ruler and subject—it's all perfectly normal and commonplace."
The distance between them remained, but there was nothing to be done about it. It couldn't be resolved with just a few words. Chu Zhao said: "As I said before, regardless of any misunderstandings, you and I are the same kind of people. We must—"
Deng Yi swirled his teacup, interrupting her: "Empress, since you know we're the same kind of people, why bother trying to persuade me to be a good person?"
Chu Zhao looked at him, about to speak, but Deng Yi raised his hand to stop her.
"No need to repeat those words. I only have one question."
He looked at Chu Zhao with a faint, ambiguous smile.
"Empress, after His Majesty assumes personal rule, can you let go of all this and return to the inner palace, content to simply be Her Majesty the Empress who serves as a moral example to the world?"
......
......
When Chu Zhao returned to the inner palace, night had already fallen. The lanterns shone brilliantly. Before she even reached her bedchamber, she saw eunuchs and palace maids running about.
They called out cheerfully, "The Empress has returned!"
Then Xiao Yu came happily rushing from the hall: "Sister, you're back!"
Chu Zhao reached out to take his hand and asked: "Have you eaten?"
Xiao Yu shook his head: "I was waiting for you, sister."
Chu Zhao led him into the hall: "Weren't you afraid I might have eaten outside?" She glanced at Qi Gonggong nearby, "Didn't you tell His Majesty I went to see the Grand Tutor?"
Whenever she went anywhere, she would always inform Qi Gonggong so he could promptly tell Xiao Yu, preventing the boy from worrying when he couldn't find her and didn't know her whereabouts.
Qi Gonggong said: "I told him, but His Majesty still insisted on waiting." Then he smiled and asked, "Your Majesty, have you eaten?"
Chu Zhao had brought Imperial Cuisine when she went to see Deng Yi, but because their conversation turned unpleasant, they hadn't been able to eat together as before. She smiled and shook her head.
Qi Gonggong immediately clapped his hands: "His Majesty truly possesses divine foresight."
Xiao Yu's face broke into a bright smile."Your Majesty said you definitely haven't eaten, Your Highness, so he insisted on waiting for you," Qi Gonggong explained. "This old servant even made a bet with His Majesty."
He deliberately sighed with feigned regret.
"This old servant, knowing you had brought Imperial Cuisine with you, thought victory was assured."
Chu Zhao smiled and asked Xiao Yu, "How did you know I hadn't eaten?"
This wasn't feigned surprise either - previously she would often have supper with Deng Yi, which was well known in the palace.
Xiao Yu said, "Because when sister meets with the Grand Tutor, you're bound to have disagreements - how could there be time to eat?" He sighed softly, "Even if you did eat, it would only be sister trying to ease the tension. You definitely didn't eat properly."
During these days of her confrontations with court officials, Xiao Yu, sitting on the Dragon Throne, had naturally seen everything. But he showed no anger, fear, or anxiety, nor did he ask many questions or say much, requiring no reassurance from Chu Zhao. Every day he quietly attended court and studied.
After all, this was a child who had experienced life and death. Chu Zhao felt both relieved and admiring as she reached out to pat Xiao Yu's shoulder.
"Your Majesty is truly wise - clear-eyed and clear-minded, steady and magnanimous," she praised.
Xiao Yu held her hand and said, "Yes, I will become a formidable emperor. Sister, you needn't worry. From now on, I will protect you."
Chu Zhao smiled and said "Alright," but her smile faltered slightly as Deng Yi's words seemed to echo in her ears once more.
"You're currently wielding a sword to carve out your place in the court, but what about the future? Will you simply hand everything over to that Little Emperor?"
"You contend for power with me now because you care about the realm, but in the future, when the Little Emperor cares about the realm, won't he also contend for power with you, Your Highness?"
Xiao Yu tugged her hand forward, interrupting Chu Zhao's distraction.
Chu Zhao looked at the growing child walking ahead of her and slightly lowered her gaze.
She had once trusted an emperor with her whole heart. This time, could she do the same?
OpenNovel