There had been too many events during this period.

The Third Imperial Prince’s rebellion, the Crown Prince’s death, the Emperor’s passing, and the six-year-old Imperial Grand Prince ascending the throne as Emperor.

However, although all this was shocking, whether for the populace or the officials, it was all acceptable. After all, what shocked everyone wasn’t the people, but the events.

But Chu Zhao becoming Empress was bound to spark much controversy.

This wasn’t merely about events, but about the person chosen.

This person was truly too sudden, too unexpected.

The Imperial Grand Prince was only six years old, yet had a thirteen-year-old Empress—this couldn’t help but fill people with suspicion toward her.

Chu Zhao didn’t need to go outside to see; the looks the officials had been giving her these past few days were enough.

If not for Deng Yi watching like a tiger eyeing its prey, if not for the guards within the palace grounds radiating deadly intent, they probably would have started questioning her the very day the Emperor passed away.

Chu Zhao nodded: “With Third Young Master here, I’m very much at ease.”

Xie Yanfang said: “It’s not because of me, but because what Miss Zhao has done is worthy of people’s trust.”

Chu Zhao smiled: “Even if what I’ve done isn’t worthy of people’s trust, I believe Third Young Master would certainly be able to make it worthy.”

If a suspicious person heard these words, they might think she was saying he could confuse right and wrong—that someone who could turn black into white could also turn white into black—which might be somewhat difficult to answer. But Xie Yanfang smiled and nodded very straightforwardly: “I shall certainly do so.”

Xie Yanfang wasn’t a suspicious person. He was a truly intelligent person, and such people only needed one heart.

Chu Zhao said no more and spoke earnestly: “Events occurred suddenly, and afterward was chaotic. I haven’t had a chance to explain carefully to Third Young Master—my becoming Empress was something I demanded of His Majesty.”

Xie Yanfang also nodded earnestly: “I know. This must be Miss Zhao’s own wish. Miss Zhao is not someone who would be forced by others to do something difficult for herself.”

Chu Zhao couldn’t help but laugh: “I clearly said I coerced the Late Emperor, yet why is Third Young Master still praising me?”

Xie Yanfang shook his head: “How could it be you coercing the Late Emperor? The Late Emperor was coerced first. We are all under coercion.”

Talking with intelligent people was truly relaxing—no need for excessive explanation. Chu Zhao continued: “The Late Emperor and my father secretly built a military force back then, called the Dragon Might Army. This is an army that only obeys my father. Most are in the border commandery, but some are also hidden in the capital. This matter is very confidential, and because of the disagreement between my father and His Majesty twenty years ago, the troops haven’t been mobilized again, so even fewer people know of it.”

Xie Yanfang had already guessed something similar, but now understood more clearly.

“I see,” he said.

No wonder Eunuch Qi would bring the young prince to the Chu family. Going further back, no wonder Xiao Xun had such an attitude toward Chu Zhao, trying by every means to establish connections.

“Prince Zhongshan and his son probably guessed that my father was special in His Majesty’s eyes, but they don’t know about the Dragon Might Army,” Chu Zhao said, touching her chest with a self-mocking smile. “If they had known, Yu’er and I wouldn’t be alive.”

Xie Yanfang was silent for a moment: “I don’t know whether to say it’s thanks to His Majesty’s blessing, or to say it’s fortunate General Chu exists.”

This time, Xiao Yu’s ability to break through the crisis and survive—looking back, it was truly perilous in the extreme. Because of the planning between His Majesty and General Chu back then, because of the estrangement between His Majesty and General Chu later, and because it happened that General Chu’s daughter and deputy general returned to the capital—this string of events, each one indispensable. With the slightest carelessness, or if any single person had been missing that night, Xiao Yu probably wouldn’t exist now.

Chu Zhao also thought about it—she should say it was fortunate she had died once. Of course, this couldn’t be said aloud.

Xie Yanfang continued: “So Miss Zhao, you acted decisively and asked His Majesty to grant you the position of Empress. This is the best way to ensure Yu’er sits firmly on the throne.”

Chu Zhao nodded: “Only this way can the Dragon Might Army be controlled by the Emperor’s hand. After all, in this turmoil, there aren’t many trustworthy and reliable troops. Prince Zhongshan has already exposed his ambitions—he will be completely unrestrained. His Majesty is dead, the Crown Prince is dead, and my father—will also die.”

The young girl lowered her eyes slightly, her hands on her knees clenching into fists.

These past few days she had been tense and busy. Suddenly remembering that Father would also die soon—how would she go see him?

Could she even leave the capital?

At least currently, she could not.

Who would have thought—she hadn’t married Xiao Xun, yet still became Empress, still unable to leave the capital—

Something warm touched her hand—

Chu Zhao came back to her senses and saw a warm teacup being passed to her hand.

She looked up to see Xie Yanfang’s gentle and concerned gaze.

“Miss Zhao,” he said. “You’ve already walked through countless dangers. You were able to preserve Yu’er’s life, so there’s nothing that can’t be done. No matter how difficult, there’s always a way.”

Chu Zhao held the warm teacup and nodded: “Yes.” She raised her head and drank the tea in one gulp.

Light footsteps sounded outside the door, accompanied by a soft voice: “Sister—”

Chu Zhao turned her head and saw a small figure in mourning clothes behind the white curtain swaying at the doorway.

“Yu’er.” She quickly beckoned. “Come here.”

Xiao Yu stepped in from behind the curtain. Xie Yanfang rose and bowed: “I greet Your Majesty.”

Although the enthronement ceremony hadn’t yet been held, Xiao Yu was already the new Emperor.

Xiao Yu lowered his eyes and walked to Chu Zhao’s side. Chu Zhao took his hand: “I was discussing the current situation with your uncle.”

Xiao Yu made an acknowledging sound, then looked at Xie Yanfang and said: “Third Uncle, rise.”

Xie Yanfang sat up straight, looking at the child standing beside Chu Zhao. Having suffered successive upheavals, plus mourning for the Late Emperor, the six-year-old child’s complexion was very poor.

But what could be done about it? Things had reached this point—he could only endure.

Xie Yanfang poured tea and offered it with both hands.

Xiao Yu shook his head: “Thank you, Third Uncle. I just had tea.”

Xie Yanfang said nothing and set down the teacup.

“Are you hungry?” Chu Zhao held his hand and asked. “If you’re tired, sit for a while. You don’t need to kneel so straight—Imperial Grandfather won’t blame you.”

Xiao Yu nodded, then shook his head, saying softly: “Eunuch Qi gave me some pastries. Eunuch Qi also drew the curtains and let me lie down for a while by Imperial Grandfather’s side.”

After waking, he discovered Chu Zhao was gone and had come looking.

With Eunuch Qi caring for him, they could be at ease. Chu Zhao pulled Xiao Yu to sit beside her and said: “For now, just focus on seeing Imperial Grandfather, Father, and Mother off.”

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess’s funeral would be held together with the Emperor’s.

She looked toward Xie Yanfang.

“Everything else, your uncle will handle. You don’t need to worry about anything.”

Xiao Yu nodded again toward Xie Yanfang without speaking.

Xie Yanfang lowered his eyes: “Yu’er, Uncle is incompetent. I couldn’t protect your father and mother.”

Xiao Yu still didn’t speak but leaned closer to Chu Zhao, as if avoiding something.

Chu Zhao noticed his movement and quickly patted Xiao Yu’s shoulder soothingly. For a child, directly facing his parents’ tragic deaths was a terrifying and cruel thing.

But facts couldn’t be evaded either.

“That night, Prince Zhongshan’s heir came to my house personally, using threats and enticements on my uncle to kill Yu’er,” she continued the topic. “He left no evidence behind—no witnesses or physical proof. Now, because of my status, I cannot have Uncle confess and testify. The hidden danger of Prince Zhongshan and his son is temporarily difficult to eliminate.”

Xie Yanfang said: “I will give my utmost effort. Rest assured, Prince Zhongshan and his son will never threaten Yu’er again.”

Chu Zhao nodded solemnly at him: “I trust Third Young Master.”

She truly trusted him. In that previous life, Xie Yanfang had forced Xiao Xun into helplessness—and that was in the status of a rebel. In this life, with the situation reversed, Xiao Xun’s days would be even harder.

Hearing Chu Zhao’s words, Xiao Yu raised his head to look at Xie Yanfang and followed suit: “Thank you for your efforts, Third Uncle.”

This was the first time the child had looked him in the eye since they met. Xie Yanfang moved before him, half-kneeling as he reached out to gently touch his face.

Xiao Yu leaned toward Chu Zhao but didn’t avoid Xie Yanfang’s hand, nor did his gaze avoid him, looking at the face before him—

This face somewhat resembled Mother’s, but was much more beautiful than Mother’s. Xie Yanfang’s skin was white as porcelain, his eyes long and elegant, his nose bridge high and straight, his gaze gentle and clear—

“It’s no hardship,” he said softly. “Xie Yanfang only wishes to have no more heart-piercing regrets.”