When Deng Yi was pulled into the secret chamber behind the bookshelf wall, the corner of his eye caught the rising flames, and then both the fire and the ensuing clamor were shut out.
"I never knew my home had a secret chamber and tunnels," Deng Yi remarked. The chamber was actually a hidden partition, and the next moment they entered the tunnel.
He watched Xiao Xun walking ahead, the young man's steps light and carefree.
The tunnel was pitch black, making it impossible to see the young man's expression, but his voice carried a hint of laughter.
"Because the capital is merely a temporary residence for the Grand Tutor," he said. "But for my father, it is home."
"My father was driven out of the capital as a child. He has always longed to return, fearing he might forget his home. So, he had every detail of the capital—its streets, houses, and layouts, down to every blade of grass and tree—thoroughly mapped out."
"Especially these grand mansions."
"Grand Tutor, would you believe that my father has even stationed people in many of these mansions to keep watch?"
Believe it? Why wouldn't he? After all, wasn't he himself one of Prince Zhongshan's men stationed at a mansion? And not just any mansion—the grandest of them all, the Imperial City.
Deng Yi said calmly, "The Prince has truly gone to great lengths to prepare for every eventuality."
Xiao Xun chuckled softly. "It is fate that brought the Grand Tutor and my father together, leading you to reside in this particular mansion, which happens to have a gatekeeper."
As he spoke, he gave a gentle push, and the night rushed in, along with the clamor and the thick scent of smoke.
Deng Yi looked up and realized they had emerged in the neighboring house through the tunnel.
The residents next door were clearly alarmed as well. Servants ran chaotically in the courtyard, shouts filled the air, mingled with the cries of awakened children and hushed, anxious murmurs.
"Put out the fire—"
"Don't meddle in others' affairs—"
"Quick, hide—"
"Be careful not to get caught in the crossfire—"
Hearing these words, Deng Yi found it somewhat amusing.
Xiao Xun called softly, "Let's go, Grand Tutor." He then smiled, glancing toward the other side where the mansion was now eerily illuminated by the flames. "Grand Tutor, reluctant to leave?"
Deng Yi replied, "In this world, there is no such thing as reluctance—only necessity."
Xiao Xun smiled but said nothing more, turning to walk along the narrow path. Even in someone else's residence, his steps remained light and unburdened.
Deng Yi followed behind.
After passing through several households, the sounds of chaos, smoke, and galloping horses and soldiers gradually faded. They stopped at a blacksmith shop in the city.
Even at night, craftsmen were busy at work there. Flames flickered, bare-chested men swung hammers, and sweat flew everywhere. They paid no attention to Xiao Xun and Deng Yi as they passed through the workshop.
Xiao Xun walked to the innermost part, pulled over a wooden stool, and sat down. He picked up the teapot from the table and poured a bowl of hot water.
"Grand Tutor, moisten your throat," he said.
Deng Yi did not refuse and took the bowl.
"Grand Tutor," Xiao Xun leaned closer and whispered, "It was the Empress who wanted you dead."
Deng Yi glanced at him. "It wasn't her."
"You are currently her biggest obstacle," Xiao Xun said with a laugh. "Miss Azhao is the type to cleave through mountains if they stand in her way."
Deng Yi took a slow sip of water, then looked at Xiao Xun and smiled. "I am not like you, Heir Apparent. Miss Azhao would not resort to killing me."
He paused for a moment.
"Even if she were to kill me, she would tell me herself."
The relationship between the Empress and the Grand Tutor was indeed close. Earlier, during their journey, Chu Zhao's attitude toward Deng Yi had been distinctly different from her attitude toward him.
And Deng Yi had betrayed his father for Chu Zhao's sake!"But that was before," Xiao Xun sighed softly. "People change. And with the Xie family involved, you and the Empress cannot coexist."
Deng Yi drained his cup of water and looked at Xiao Xun. "Many people want me dead, Heir Apparent. You are among them, and quite high on the list."
Xiao Xun laughed heartily, asking with keen interest, "Is the Grand Tutor suggesting tonight's spectacle was my own doing?"
Deng Yi didn't answer, setting down his teacup instead. "Just say directly what you want, Heir Apparent."
Xiao Xun smiled faintly. "The same old request—I ask the Grand Tutor to open the gates for me."
Deng Yi replied indifferently, "It's too late. Back then, I controlled the inner palace gates. Now... I have no authority over them."
"The Grand Tutor truly is no match for the Empress," Xiao Xun chuckled, clapping his hands in admiration. "Miss Azhao is formidable."
Deng Yi ignored him, reaching to pour more water for himself.
"I'm not asking the Grand Tutor to open the palace gates for me," Xiao Xun said, his laughter fading as he lowered his voice. "Nor do I intend to enter the Imperial City. Tonight's events were actually coincidental. When I learned the Empress had imprisoned you, I saw it as a perfect opportunity. I sneaked in planning to start a fire and then take you hostage—"
Here he laughed again.
"Little did I expect someone else would have the same idea."
"Though you say I'm among those who want you dead, you should thank me for wanting to kill you. Otherwise, you'd truly be dead now."
Deng Yi held his cup, drinking water with an expressionless face.
Xiao Xun finally stopped laughing and said, "I ask the Grand Tutor to open the path from the capital to Zhongshan Commandery for me."
Deng Yi gripped his cup, watching him.
"The Grand Tutor is so cautious—you must carry the Imperial Seal and Tiger Tally with you at all times," Xiao Xun remarked, raising his hand in a salute. "Please escort me home."
Deng Yi remained silent, offering only a faint smile.
"Grand Tutor," Xiao Xun said with sincere expression. "Although it wasn't the Empress who tried to kill you this time, she has been bewitched by Xie Yanfang. Xie Yanfang will never tolerate your presence in the court. With both of them in power, there's no place for you in Xiao Yu's court. Rather than serving that child like a beast of burden, come with me to see my father. The Great Xia belongs to the Xiao family. When my father becomes Emperor, you can still serve as Grand Tutor of Great Xia."
Deng Yi looked down at his water cup. The clanging sounds of battle and scattered flames reflected in the water, seemingly mirroring that girl's face.
In the night filled with flames and fighting, she had shouted at him beneath the palace gate: "Deng Yi, you owe me a meal."
The current Miss Azhao was no longer the Azhao of before.
The debt of one meal had been repaid.
Deng Yi drained his cup in one gulp.
...
...
Flickering flames illuminated the Imperial City as guards galloped through. All wore python-patterned robes—besides the Garrison Guard, even the rear palace guards had been mobilized.
This also indicated that, at this moment, the Empress trusted no one except the Dragon Cloak Guard.
One squad headed outward while another surrounded the outer hall where the Grand Tutor had been.
Officials were blocked and confined, forced to watch from a distance as the guards rushed into the Grand Tutor Hall, rummaging through everything.
"What are they looking for?"
"Is the Grand Tutor really dead?"
"Searching without even confiscating property first—"
"Quiet! They're clearly searching for the Imperial Seal and Tiger Tally."
Chu Zhao stepped into the Grand Tutor Hall, a place familiar to her. Now, with cabinets overturned, chests ransacked, and bookshelves collapsed, it was completely unrecognizable.
Besides the guards, Qi Gonggong led eunuchs searching everywhere. The palace servants knew more about hidden compartments and such, but despite thorough searching, they found nothing."The Imperial Seal and Tiger Tally are actually rarely seen in our daily work," a minor official was brought in and knelt to report. "When we receive memorials and documents, they have already been reviewed and stamped by the Grand Tutor."
Xie Yanfang also entered with officials and said, "Your Majesty, we have searched all six ministries - nothing was found."
"The Imperial Seal and Tiger Tally are vital instruments of state. The Grand Tutor should keep them on his person," Qi Gonggong whispered. "It depends on whether they can be found at the Grand Tutor's residence."
Everyone present knew the chances of finding them were slim.
Deng Yi's importance stemmed not only from his position as Grand Tutor bestowed by the late emperor, but also from his control over the Imperial Seal and Tiger Tally.
If Deng Yi had disappeared voluntarily, he certainly wouldn't have left them behind.
If he had been captured by others, obtaining the Imperial Seal and Tiger Tally would surely be one of their objectives.
Chu Zhao commanded, "Bring the Phoenix Seal - seal the city gates—"
...
...
The smoke and fire that had risen in the city soon dissipated, but the city's commotion continued to spread faintly.
From the city walls, one could see flickering torches and hear the sounds of galloping horses, with faint footsteps also carrying through the air.
The city gate guards were quite familiar with the source of the gathering noise.
The Grand Tutor's residence.
"Troubled times," one guard murmured.
Another nodded: "The Garrison Guard has surrounded the Grand Tutor's residence."
They didn't discuss further, but as they watched, a troop of soldiers came galloping from within the city.
"Halt—" the city gate commander shouted. "The gates are closed. No one may leave the city without orders."
The leading officer saluted from his horse: "Commandant Ding."
The city gate commander recognized him as an official from the Ministry of War and quickly returned the salute: "Sir Xue, are you leaving the city so late at night?"
Sir Xue unfolded a document for him while handing over half of a tiger tally, saying: "Urgent orders to verify tallies with the Capital Garrison."
The bright torchlight illuminated the Imperial Seal imprint on the document. Not daring to touch the tiger tally, the city gate commander promptly acknowledged the order and asked no further questions. He commanded the guards to open the city gates and watched as the officers and their attendants passed through the gates into the night.
The city gates slowly closed.
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