Qiao Chu

But the old acquaintance did not come to see them.

Amidst the fluttering banners, a hundred-strong scout troop halted and stood at attention in the distance. Only their commander could approach the Empress. Kneeling before her with the transfer order in hand, he said, "Zhong Changrong of Yunzhong Commandery has dispatched thirty thousand reinforcements. Army Captain Bai Quan, serving under Brigadier General Liang Qiang, pays respects to the Empress."

Chu Zhao had the soldier beside her take the order and asked, "Where is Liang Qiang?"

Captain Bai replied, "General Liang is leading troops to attack the rebel army's left flank and cannot break away. He begs Your Majesty's forgiveness." He then produced a letter. "General Liang has written a letter for Your Majesty."

Chu Zhao smiled faintly, signaling for the soldier to take the letter, and asked no further questions. "Very well, I understand. You may go."

Captain Bai acknowledged the order, and the cavalry swiftly rode away.

Snowflakes had replaced sleet, dancing across the land.

Xie Yanlai wrapped his head and face more tightly, wearing a half-smile. "This old acquaintance doesn't dare to see you."

Chu Zhao watched the swirling snow and said calmly, "He's afraid I'll cut him down on the spot."

Previously, Zhong Changrong had written to Chu Zhao, informing her that he had been ambushed and lost an arm. He also mentioned that Mu Mianhong had captured a Great Xia merchant within Western Liang's borders, and that Liang Qiang had voluntarily confessed to being manipulated.

In addition to Zhong Changrong's letter, Zhu Yong had sent her a secret message stating he had begun investigating Yu Shang.

Reading these two letters, Chu Zhao felt both surprised and unsurprised.

In this lifetime too, Zhong Changrong had encountered an ambush, and it was related to the Liang family. So, in that previous life, Uncle Zhong's death was indeed connected to the Liangs.

Fortunately, in this life, Uncle Zhong had preserved his life. As long as he lived, he could still serve as a one-armed general.

However, in that previous life, the Liang family had been backed by Xiao Xun. Was it still the case in this life?

If so, was Liang Qiang's current attack on Xiao Xun part of Xiao Xun's scheme, or had he truly turned against him?

Another cough sounded beside her. "Hey, hey, see what he wrote in the letter."

Chu Zhao glanced sideways. Both the delivered transfer order and Liang Qiang's letter were still held by her guards.

There was no need for her to read the transfer order—Uncle Zhong had already written to inform her in advance. He had accepted Liang Qiang's surrender and, to avoid alerting those behind him, had put on a show of reusing Liang Qiang by sending him as reinforcement.

These thirty thousand troops were veteran soldiers personally selected by Zhong Changrong. Though nominally under Liang Qiang's command as the main general, most were actually controlled by deputy generals trusted by Zhong Changrong, so there was no need to worry about the troops' loyalty.

As for Liang Qiang's letter—

"If it's inconvenient, I can step aside," Xie Yanlai said with a laugh nearby.

Chu Zhao turned to look at him, raising an eyebrow. "You're unusually talkative today. If you want to see it, just say so."

Xie Yanlai sneered, "Who wants to read a letter written by some man?"

Chu Zhao paid him no further mind. Taking the letter from the guard, she opened it and saw only a few brief words.

"My heart is shown through actions," she read aloud, then smiled and tossed the letter back to the soldier. "He knows I don't trust him."

Xie Yanlai turned his gaze toward her. "Then why are you still using him?"

Chu Zhao thought for a moment. "But his desire to kill Xiao Xun is likely genuine. As for whatever other secrets he's hiding, I can let them be for now." She smiled at Xie Yanlai. "I'll deal with them after he kills Xiao Xun."

How interesting. In this life, the Liang family was no longer Xiao Xun's tool to replace her, but had instead become the ones trying to kill Xiao Xun.

Xie Yanlai pulled his cloak tighter, almost covering his eyes completely."You are the commander-in-chief, the deployment of troops is your decision. I'm just here to recuperate," he said lazily, punctuated by a few dry coughs. "Since we're not making any arrests, let's hurry back. As an injured man, I shouldn't be out here freezing with you."

Chu Zhao laughed. "If a real fight breaks out, I'll need General Xie's help. How could I possibly handle it alone?"

Xie Yanlai responded with two noncommittal chuckles.

"Alright, alright," Chu Zhao said. "Back to the city, back to the city." Then he called out loudly to A Le, "Go ahead first and prepare hot tea, hot meals, and hot water for General Xie."

Xie Yanlai added lazily, "And hot meat and hot wine."

A Le snorted nearby, "And hot medicinal soup and hot pills—"

Before she could finish, Xie Yanlai spurred his horse forward and galloped away, tossing back, "Don't torment me with your awful medicine anymore."

"You know nothing about bitter medicine being good for you," A Le shouted after him.

Chu Zhao smiled without replying, urging his horse onward. His personal guards closed in around him, while more troops emerged across the snowy landscape, their presence veiling Chu Zhao like a mist.

That must be no fewer than ten thousand soldiers, Bai Junhou estimated instinctively from his distant vantage point, unable to resist glancing at the young officer beside him.

"The Empress travels with a large escort," he remarked. "After all, we're facing off against rebels."

As he spoke, he noticed the young officer disguised as a scout smile faintly.

That smile unsettled Bai Junhou. His forced explanation only invited speculation—why would the general come all this way yet pretend to be a scout to avoid meeting the Empress? Why would the Empress, claiming to receive the general, conceal so many troops around her?

"Indeed," Liang Qiang said. "Though the war in the Border Commandery has ended, General Zhong was still ambushed. Her Majesty must exercise utmost caution while traveling in territories once occupied by rebels."

Bai Junhou exhaled in relief and nodded repeatedly. "Exactly so."

Liang Qiang commanded, "Go now. Rally the troops and prepare to depart."

Bai Junhou acknowledged the order and withdrew.

The snowstorm intensified, blurring all vision, yet Liang Qiang continued to gaze into the distance. He had only caught a faint glimpse of her figure from afar.

She truly is wary of me.

He knew she would inevitably question him, and there were things he couldn't answer—such as his involvement in the fall of Stone Slope City.

If she discovered his role in the city's loss, she would arrest him on the spot, heedless of alerting those behind the scenes.

Then, he would forever lose the right to stand before her.

Thus, he couldn't meet her this time. Not until he had killed Xiao Xun and Deng Yi, atoning for his crimes with merit. He would make her see his sincerity and his indispensability.

After one last deep look toward the horizon, Liang Qiang turned his horse and galloped away, merging into the throng of charging cavalry.

The earth lay buried under snow—trampled by galloping hooves, churned by the chaos of battle, or melted under the feet of fleeing civilians. Then the north wind would bring another snowfall, only for it to be trampled and melted anew. Not until the spring breeze swept across the land, and fresh grass sprouted from the soil to reclaim the ground, did the snow vanish completely.

The spring of the fourth year of Xingping had arrived.

Zhongshan Commandery's city brimmed with spring light. The sight of pale green leaves and tender blossoms coaxed faint smiles from the war-weary populace.

Within the commandery office, the stern atmosphere softened under the spring's touch, growing gentle and tranquil.

But the quiet shattered in an instant.

"The Heir Apparent has arrived."

"Your humble servants kowtow to the Heir Apparent."Amid the lively clamor outside, Deng Yi, seated in the grand hall, appeared utterly unperturbed, his gaze lowered to the stacks of documents piled on the desk.

Footsteps approached, and the noise was shut out beyond the door.

"Grand Tutor," someone called.

Only then did Deng Yi lift his head to look at Xiao Xun standing in the hall.

Bathed in the spring light, Xiao Xun’s face was dotted with a light sheen of sweat. His sleeves were rolled up, and the hem of his robe was spattered with mud, lending him an air of both opulence and indolence.

"Grand Tutor, you really should have joined me for the spring plowing ceremony," Xiao Xun said, dimples creasing with a rippling smile.

Deng Yi replied, "At times like these, people may not necessarily wish to see me."

At his words, the smile faded from Xiao Xun’s face.

"Grand Tutor," he said, sounding somewhat helpless, "Why didn’t you inform me before ordering the executions?"

Deng Yi chuckled lightly, "Because there was no need. Until the Heir Apparent ascends the throne, I remain the Grand Tutor overseeing the state affairs."