The Emperor and Empress's trip to escape the summer heat wasn't something they could depart for on a whim. Before leaving, they had to handle government affairs, select an auspicious date and time, choose the accompanying personnel, and deal with the complex tasks of imperial guards patrolling, clearing routes, and arranging defenses.
The entire Imperial City was bustling with activity, yet everyone was happy.
Life in the palace had been difficult these past few years—aside from ceremonial sacrifices, they hadn't ventured out at all.
But A Le was not happy in the slightest.
"Don't be upset. You'll be going out too, and to a faraway place," Chu Zhao said with a laugh. "And along the way, there will be beautiful scenery."
A Le pouted and said, "But Miss won't be there." She then looked at Chu Zhao and added, "Miss, actually, couldn't Qi Gonggong handle it alone?"
Chu Tang's wedding day was approaching. Although a batch of congratulatory gifts had already been sent, someone would still be sent to attend the ceremony on the day itself, and Chu Zhao had chosen A Le.
In the past, no matter what Chu Zhao asked of her, A Le would have braved any danger without hesitation. But this time, she was very reluctant.
"I've never been separated from Miss before," A Le said. "Leaving Miss alone here—I'm not at ease."
This made Xiao Man, who was standing by the door, laugh. "Really? Who's not at ease about whom? Are you just afraid to go out alone?"
"No, no," A Le hurriedly refuted.
Chu Zhao stopped their argument and said to A Le, "This time, you're going on my behalf—not just as A Le, but representing the Empress. You carry my honor and dignity. And I want you to see for me what it's like over there—my uncle's family, Chu Tang's in-laws, and the local people. I need to know their attitudes and opinions toward the Empress."
A Le understood and nodded. "I see."
"I know you're reluctant to leave me," Chu Zhao said, taking her hand gently. "I'm reluctant to let you go too, but I need your help—"
A Le quickly interrupted her. "Miss, please don't say that. This is what I should do." She felt a bit ashamed. She had witnessed firsthand how difficult it was for her mistress to be Empress, and yet she had been focused only on her reluctance to leave, neglecting her duties.
Tasks like serving her mistress could be done by any palace maid.
She needed to do things that would truly help her mistress.
"I'll go select the eunuchs and maids to accompany me on this trip."
A Le hurried away with quick, determined steps.
Xiao Man, standing by the door, couldn't help but curl her lip. The next moment, she noticed Chu Zhao's gaze turning toward her.
"Hey—" she spoke first. "Don't tell me to go with her, protect her, or that it's part of fulfilling your mission or anything like that."
She snorted at Chu Zhao.
"My mission is to guard you. Everything else has nothing to do with me, so I'm not that easy to fool—"
She wagged her finger.
"Don't try to make up excuses to send me away."
Fool, excuses, leave—if A Le were still here to hear this, she would have been shocked.
Chu Zhao smiled. "I was going to ask how many people we still have outside?"
Xiao Man clenched her hand at her side and said, "Not many. Chu Tang took Xiao Tu with her, but Mouse Granny and the others are still here."
Chu Zhao said, "That's good." Then she turned and walked inside.
Xiao Man couldn't hold back any longer and followed her, lowering her voice to ask, "What are you planning? There are only a dozen or so people outside. Should I go find more? Auntie's side won't make it in time, but we've gathered quite a few bandits nearby—"
Chu Zhao smiled at her. "That's enough, that's enough. As long as they can deliver messages, it's sufficient. If the time comes and we don't even have a chance to send out messages, then no matter how many people we have outside, it won't make a difference."Xiao Man had experienced life-and-death situations many times and considered herself fearless, but at this moment, listening to Chu Zhao's words and watching the smile on her face, she felt inexplicably uneasy.
"What exactly are you planning to do?" she asked again in a low voice.
Rebellion? But that didn't make sense—she was already the Empress. What more could she rebel for?
Chu Zhao said, "Don't worry, it's nothing major. I just need to persuade someone."
……
……
Columns of soldiers and horses spread like dark clouds, nearly covering the entire street. Yet instead of causing panic among the people, the entire capital's populace poured out into the open.
When the lavish carriage arrived, the crowd caught sight of the Emperor and Empress seated behind veils adorned with pearls and jade. Many had not seen the imperial couple for a long time. The child they remembered had now grown into a young man, while the girl beside him bloomed like a flower.
"Long live Your Majesty—"
"Long live the Empress—"
Countless cheers rolled toward them like thunder.
Chu Zhao and Xiao Yu smiled as they scanned the surroundings, escorted by officials, attendants, palace maids, and imperial guards as they departed the capital.
As the forest ahead drew closer, Xiao Yu sat up straighter, his expression stiffening. The next moment, Chu Zhao wrapped an arm around his shoulder.
"Ah Yu," Chu Zhao said softly, "don’t be afraid."
She, too, looked ahead.
"You are wearing the Dragon Robe, entering this place as the Son of Heaven of Great Xia. Those who want to kill you will be terrified out of their wits. Your parents will be thrilled and overjoyed for you."
"You have no reason to fear coming here. It is they—the wicked, those who wish you harm—who should be afraid."
Xiao Yu lifted his head to look at her and nodded. "I’m not afraid." He grasped Chu Zhao’s hand. "With you by my side, I fear nothing."
Chu Zhao withdrew her hand.
"Even if I’m not here, even if you are alone, there is still nothing to fear," she said earnestly. Then she gently patted his shoulder, raised an eyebrow, and smiled. "So, Ah Yu, show me your hunting skills."
Xiao Yu, whose eyes had momentarily dimmed when she pulled her hand away, instantly broke into a radiant smile, his eyebrows dancing with excitement as he waved his arms.
"Sister, you’ll see just how skilled I am!"
……
……
Galloping horses made the entire mountain forest tremble. Hunting dogs barked wildly, mountain birds scattered in chaos, and shouts mingled with the commotion.
From the hillside, one could witness the intense hunt unfolding below.
"Ah Yu’s horsemanship is quite good," Xie Yanfang remarked as he approached, shading his eyes with a hand to observe. "But his archery still needs work."
Chu Zhao said, "He’s still young." She smiled slightly. "Besides, he doesn’t need to excel at archery. As the Emperor, riding and archery are for strengthening his body—they should not become an obsession for entertainment, nor relied upon for self-defense."
If it became an obsession for entertainment, there was the cautionary tale of his father, the late Crown Prince.
As for self-defense, if the situation ever came to the Emperor needing archery to save himself, it would already be a hopeless predicament.
Chu Zhao looked up at Xie Yanfang and said, "Lord Xie, why not set an example for His Majesty?"
Xie Yanfang gazed into the distance where Xiao Yu, surrounded by imperial guards, was chasing a spotted deer. "Ah Yu once looked up to me as a model. My sister held me up as an example, and naturally, she wanted Ah Yu to follow in my footsteps—"
He paused, looked down at Chu Zhao, and smiled faintly.
"This isn’t due to any deep affection between uncle and nephew. It’s because Ah Yu will be the Emperor. If an emperor grows up regarding me as his model, then throughout his life, I will remain that model. And the status of the Xie family will inevitably become unshakable."Chu Zhao smiled slightly: "It's only human nature. There's nothing wrong with the Crown Princess acting this way."
The Crown Princess, née Xie, had married into the imperial family but would always remain a member of the Xie family, needing to scheme for her own clan.
Xie Yanfang said: "But both the Crown Prince and my sister are dead. Even if I excel in horsemanship and archery, am learned and versatile, omniscient in all matters—in A'Yu's eyes, someone who couldn't protect his parents or even himself is nothing."
Chu Zhao replied: "Don't belittle yourself. A'Yu knows that maintaining his throne securely relies on Lord Xie."
"Yes," Xie Yanfang said. "I know he knows, and he knows I would do the same. But being a role model is unnecessary."
At this point, he shook his head with a light laugh.
"Actually, I never intended to be anyone's role model. What I want is simple: to make A'Yu an unprecedented emperor. As for me, as for the Xie family—whether we are role models or hold unrivaled status—is irrelevant."
Chu Zhao nodded: "I can see that this is truly Third Young Master's aspiration." She looked at Xie Yanfang. "Then what about me? Can I become the unprecedented empress in Third Young Master's eyes?"
Xie Yanfang smiled: "Of course."
Chu Zhao gazed at him, her eyes slightly puzzled: "Then why did you kill my people?"
The mountain wind seemed to freeze at that moment. Xiao Man behind Chu Zhao stood motionless, while the imperial guards standing attentively around them appeared to hear nothing.
Without the slightest hesitation or surprise, Xie Yanfang asked with a serious expression: "Are you referring to Zhong Changrong or Deng Yi?"
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