Proclamations filled the skies.
They even appeared in the capital, scattered across streets and alleys overnight.
However, the Garrison Guard suppressed them by raiding several private residences and arresting dozens of individuals of varying statuses.
Though the capital was subdued, other regions could not all be restrained.
From the Dragon Throne, the once bustling court now appeared half-empty, yet Xiao Yu’s expression remained unchanged, as calm as before.
Seated behind the Dragon Throne, Chu Zhao showed no trace of panic, seemingly lost in thought as she gently waved a small round fan. By protocol, she should not have brought a fan to court, but perhaps everyone was too unsettled to notice.
Over half the court officials were missing—all former followers of Deng Yi. Upon learning that Grand Tutor Deng Yi had defected to Prince Zhongshan, his adherents naturally faced difficulties. Of course, not all were arrested or executed; most wept and claimed they had been deceived, while the rest, when surrounded, indignantly declared their opposition to Deng Yi.
Chu Zhao did not permit the Garrison Guard to use torture for confessions. At this critical juncture, executing everyone outright would only stir greater unrest among the people.
Yet, she could not act as if nothing had happened, lest the world perceive her, the Empress, as guilty and lacking authority.
In such times, a fearsome reputation could stabilize hearts more effectively than a favorable one.
Thus, many officials were ordered to reflect and conduct self-examinations, confined to their homes.
Although the court had fewer officials, the clamor grew louder than before.
"The proclamation claims the late Emperor intended to pass the throne to Xiao Xun."
"It even says there’s an imperial edict as proof."
"Such nonsense! The late Emperor was clear-minded when appointing the Crown Prince, giving the order in our presence. Deng Yi was right there—how dare he spout such lies?"
"Could Deng Yi have been coerced by Xiao Xun—or perhaps already killed?"
"Enough! Stop making excuses for Deng Yi. Soldiers and officials at the front witnessed him standing with Xiao Xun’s rebel forces. He even went to Quzhou Prefecture in person—if the prefect hadn’t fled quickly, Deng Yi would have killed him."
Amid the court’s uproar, Chu Zhao, who had been distracted, suddenly asked, "What did Deng Yi’s proclamation say about the late Emperor’s edict?"
The court fell silent momentarily.
Those remaining in court would not ignore the Empress’s inquiry. An official promptly replied, "The proclamation states the edict meant: 'My sons are either unworthy or deceased. I have no heir, so I take your son as my own, bestowing upon him the title of Crown Prince to inherit the Great Xia lineage. But a son cannot have two fathers; therefore, by this decree, I grant you grace and order you to end your life.'"
As he finished, other officials chimed in.
"This must be false. With the imperial seal in Deng Yi’s hands, he could write whatever he pleased."
"But some have seen that edict—Deng Yi displayed it, and they swear it’s genuine."
"Moreover, the Ministry of Rites checked the seal records, and the timing matches."
The Emperor’s use of the imperial seal was not arbitrary; records were kept. The matching timing indicated the edict was indeed issued on the night of the princes’ rebellion.
"What does that prove? On the night of the princes’ rebellion, Deng Yi already controlled the inner palace, and the late Emperor had been poisoned."
The court officials resumed their fervent debates.Chu Zhao didn't ask further, nodding as she fanned herself. She had no doubt the imperial decree was fake, and this actually resolved a puzzle in her mind—so that was how Prince Zhongshan died when Xiao Xun ascended the throne in her previous life.
So Prince Zhongshan was poisoned. No wonder he'd died suddenly without any illness or calamity.
She didn't know who did it in her past life—back then, there was no Xiao Yu, and the late emperor directly appointed Xiao Xun as Crown Prince while he was still alive.
But in this life, it must have been Xiao Xun's doing.
Whether Deng Yi was involved remained unknown.
With this mystery solved and fate repeating itself, the tension and vigilance she'd felt earlier—trying to prevent this very scenario—vanished completely. Now that it had actually happened, she felt no fear at all.
Instead, she found it amusing. In this life, Xiao Xun had become the rebel, while she remained the "evil Empress" being denounced.
Ah, fate.
"Enough." Chu Zhao set down her fan, cutting through the court's clamor. "There's no need to debate its authenticity."
She looked at the officials.
"The situation is what it is—even if it's fake, it's become real."
"Gentlemen, don't be disturbed by these matters. When the Grand Tutor's residence burned down, we already anticipated this day and prepared countermeasures."
"Although we couldn't intercept all the decrees and lost some troops and cities, there's nothing to fear. Those who could be swayed by such decrees never had their hearts on our side to begin with."
"Now, with Lord Xie leading the front, we've blocked Prince Zhongshan's forces north of the Yellow River."
"With the King of Xiliang having surrendered, the Border Commandery will soon be stabilized."
"We have ample resources and troops to suppress this rebellion."
"Your duty is to fulfill your responsibilities with utmost dedication. While our armies fight at the front, I ask all ministers to hold firm in the rear."
Here, Chu Zhao smiled again.
"Prince Zhongshan's rebellion isn't his first attempt. We thwarted him last time—why fear him now?"
"What difference does Deng Yi make? He's just another fool daring to defy the world, a mere scheming vermin."
"Pay no mind to the traitors' Proclamation. His Majesty will personally draft a Proclamation to declare the truth to the world."
With that, she stood.
"Court is dismissed."
The officials bowed in unison: "We send off Your Majesty, we send off the Empress."
……
……
After court adjourned, Chu Zhao met with the waiting Chu Tang in the inner palace.
Before Chu Tang could speak, Chu Zhao said, "Don't rush, don't rush. It's not yet time to pack our bags and leave the capital."
Chu Tang laughed at her remark. "With these yearly upheavals since I became this commandery princess, why does it always feel like I'm living with my head on the line?"
"Perhaps you lived too comfortably in your past life," Chu Zhao said, half-serious, half-joking. "So this life has to be harder."
Calling it "hard" was really a joke, Chu Tang thought. Though there were moments of tension, it actually felt... good.
She couldn't remember her past life, but her earlier days had been comfortable—yet looking back, they weren't as satisfying as now. Even when facing terrifying situations—being denounced as a traitor or infiltrating enemy lines to capture someone—this feeling of daring to split mountains and part seas, of being a hero, was utterly intoxicating.
So when this new crisis emerged, she'd immediately taken the initiative to visit noble families, gauging their intentions and persuading them through discussion.
"I've told everyone about how our Chu family was besieged before. It's truly laughable—how dare Xiao Xun and Deng Yi make such claims? Have they forgotten why he was captured last time?"
It was because he believed Chu Lan's family would defect to him.Why believe that Chu Lan's family defected?
It was because they initially tried to lure Chu Lan into conspiring to harm the Little Highness.
Chu Zhao smiled and said, "What wouldn't they dare to say? They're merely using a pretext to cover up their wolfish ambitions."
Chu Tang replied, "Don't worry, the noble families in the capital all believe you. They're denouncing Deng Yi and Xiao Xun as vile traitors—faithless, disloyal, and unfilial."
Chu Zhao reflected that this lifetime was different from the last. Back then, she and her father were vilified as treacherous ministers and an evil empress, with no one speaking up for them. Everyone had believed the accusations, even though she had done nothing wrong in that previous life.
"A-Tang," Chu Zhao suddenly asked, "Qi Leyun and the others are all getting married. What about you? Haven't your parents arranged a match for you yet?"
Chu Tang was taken aback, then covered her face with her sleeve in a feigned shy gesture. "Is the Empress going to arrange a marriage for me? If Her Majesty decides for me, I want someone handsome, from a good family, accomplished in both literary and martial arts, wholly devoted to me. He mustn't just covet my status as a noble lady, nor use me as a means to climb socially."
Chu Zhao laughed and waved her hand. "I understand. Wait until you've chosen someone yourself, then come tell me. I'll arrange the marriage for you."
In this life, Chu Tang knew what she wanted and how to seize it, no longer easily swayed by others' words.
"What I meant was, you don't have to live this kind of life. You could go to your parents and live in leisure and freedom," Chu Zhao said.
Chu Tang pressed her forehead and sighed. "My Empress, let's wait until this matter is resolved. In the current situation, even if we hid deep in the mountains, we wouldn't find peace and leisure."
She knew Chu Zhao cared for her and smiled again.
"Don't worry about my father and mother. Since you had them use farmland to support scholars, the academy's and my father's reputations have soared this past year. Everyone praises him as a noble and detached scholar. More and more disciples have joined his school, and father has become even more determined to be that noble scholar—to the point where he's nearly given away all the family's wealth."
"I immediately had Xiao Tu and others send an urgent message about this matter. My brother just replied that Xiao Xun's proclamation has appeared at Qiao Mountain Academy too, but it was torn down immediately. Everyone unanimously condemns Deng Yi as shameless and Xiao Xun as a rebel, without father even needing to speak up."
Since Chu Zhao had entrusted Chu Lan's family to Chu Tang's supervision, she hadn't inquired further. Hearing this now, she felt both comforted and emotional.
After seeing Chu Tang off, Chu Zhao worked with Xiao Yu on drafting the proclamation against Xiao Xun until dusk. Just as she set down her brush to eat, Qi Gonggong announced that Xie Yanfang had returned.
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