Chapter 1: Taken Away

Although Chu Lan was furious at Chu Zhao for causing trouble, he had no intention of truly handing her over to the authorities.

It wasn’t out of concern for Chu Zhao, but because their fates were intertwined—if a daughter with the Chu surname entered prison, other Chu children would also be pointed at and gossiped about.

His plan in capturing her was to deliver her directly to the Liang family, bypassing official channels for a private settlement of any kind.

How dare this Deng Yi speak like that? Did he not know what kind of task he was performing?

Chu Lan naturally objected, invoking the Liang family: “This is the wish of Liang Siqing. Lord Liang is still waiting.”

But Deng Yi simply ignored him: “Liang Siqing filed an official complaint, which is why the Court of Judicial Review sent me to apprehend her. If Liang Siqing wants to see her, he must first go to the Court of Judicial Review.”

“Lord Deng, you must not—” Chu Lan stepped forward to intervene.

But as soon as he moved, he saw Deng Yi, who had been smiling, suddenly darken his face and violently crack the whip in his hand—

“How dare you! You dare obstruct an official in the execution of his duties.”

Caught off guard, the whip flashed before Chu Lan’s eyes, barely grazing the tip of his nose. The cold wind it stirred made his face sting as if he had been struck directly.

Such humiliation.

“You! You!” he shouted, pointing at Deng Yi.

Chu Ke was also startled and quickly moved to support his father. He had personally witnessed how Deng Yi treated officials along their journey—he would strike without hesitation, turning hostile in an instant, and wouldn’t fear even local tyrants.

He would say bluntly: “Either kill me, or behave yourselves.”

Who would risk their lives over such a small matter? So the local tyrants would swallow their pride, harbor grudges, and plan for future revenge.

At that time, it had been about his family’s affairs, and the hatred was directed at Deng Yi, so Chu Ke had enjoyed watching the drama.

But when that drama came to his own family, it wasn’t so enjoyable anymore.

“Father, Father.” He held down Chu Lan’s hand. “Don’t clash with Lord Deng. He’s just following orders, and he can’t disobey either. We can discuss this when we get back.”

Chu Lan wasn’t an impulsive person and didn’t rush forward to argue further with Deng Yi, only angrily shouting, “This is outrageous!”

Deng Yi didn’t crack his whip again. As long as no one obstructed his work, he resumed his gentle demeanor. With a command, he urged his horse forward, and Chu Zhao’s carriage naturally followed him.

In the blink of an eye, the crowded roadside returned to its previous state.

Chu Lan, who had been waiting to receive people, stood dumbfounded. He had gotten up so early and come so far, yet received nothing.

The Crown Prince of Zhongshan had been driven away by Chu Zhao’s behavior.

Chu Zhao had been taken away by Deng Yi.

“This Deng Yi!” He trembled with anger, pointing at the departing procession. “He’s truly audacious!”

Chu Ke nodded in sympathetic agreement: “He is indeed very bold. Father, you don’t know how dangerous it was for you just now.” He related what Deng Yi had done along their journey.

After finishing, Chu Ke asked curiously: “Who exactly is this Lord Deng? What backing does he have?”

Chu Lan was also surprised after hearing the story, but then sneered: “A lowly person achieving success is indeed arrogant.”

He had naturally inquired about this Deng Yi—a failed scholar who became a minor official in county governments to make a living, climbing step by step, and only last year reaching the capital to enter the Imperial Guard Office.

“What connections does he have?” Chu Ke was even more surprised. It sounded like such an ordinary person, not lost among the masses, could enter the capital and the court, which was quite remarkable.

Chu Lan snorted: “What connections? He relied on giving money and gifts. It’s said that initially, to become a minor official, he pawned his cotton clothes to give as gifts and stuffed dry grass into his clothes for warmth. This time, he entered the capital through the Yang family’s connections.”

The Yang family referred to the National Uncle Yang family. Although the Empress had passed away many years ago, the Second Prince she had borne had been named Crown Prince, so the Yang family still maintained a stable position.

So he did have backing after all.

Chu Ke understood and advised his father with lingering fear: “Father, don’t quarrel with him. We can’t afford to provoke him.”

Chu Lan laughed, his expression contemptuous, not because of his scholarly manner, but because—

“This Deng Yi is a shameless, lowly person. With one foot, he attaches himself to the Yang family, with the other, he enters the Zhao family’s door.”

After the Empress passed away, the Emperor had not appointed another Empress. Imperial Noble Consort Zhao enjoyed the Emperor’s exclusive favor, presenting herself as the Empress in all but name. Her family, the Zhaos, from grandfathers and uncles to nephews and younger generations, had almost all received titles, privately called the new National Uncle family, with an even grander momentum than the Yang family.

This was an even more formidable backing.

But for one person to rely on two backers, especially two that were like fire and water, there could only be one outcome—being crushed into mud.

Chu Ke was dumbfounded: “Has this Deng Yi gone stupid or insane?”

Although lowly people had no principles, they should follow certain rules.

Chu Lan mocked: “That’s why he’s accepted by neither side and struggles to establish himself in the Imperial Guard Office.”

The current head of the Imperial Guard was close to the Yang family; how could he tolerate such a person who wanted to eat from both sides?

That must be why he assigned him to this thankless task.

Yet this Deng Yi still dared to use his small authority like a mighty power.

“I want to see if he dares to crack his whip at Liang Siqing.”

Chu Lan flicked his sleeves.

“Let’s go.”

……

……

Chu Zhao didn’t care how angry Chu Lan was behind her. In her previous life, her uncle’s family had always been angry with her and her father, blaming all their life’s misfortunes on them.

If she couldn’t satisfy them, they would never say a kind word.

And they would never be satisfied, only demanding more, then complaining more.

Deng Yi took her to the Imperial Guard Office and truly arranged a prison cell for her.

Seeing this young girl being brought to prison, the jailer was somewhat shocked.

The Imperial Guard Office’s prison had indeed held female prisoners before, but those were usually the female relatives of officials whose entire families had been confiscated and exterminated.

Although Chu Yi had once greatly disrespected the Emperor, the Emperor had neither confiscated his property nor exterminated his clan, and the General of the Imperial Guard’s position had remained stable all these years.

For his daughter to run here was simply asking for trouble.

“Young Lady Chu, this was your request, don’t blame me,” Deng Yi said.

Chu Zhao had already alighted from the carriage and said: “How could I blame Lord Deng? You granted my request, so I am indebted to you, and I’ve also caused you to bear responsibility for me.” She then performed a solemn bow.

Deng Yi smiled. Bringing her to prison was indeed beyond his duties, so she should be grateful.

He had accepted a large sum of money from this girl, but that was for her request to ride in a carriage. That transaction was already complete. This girl didn’t think that because he had taken her money, he should endlessly look after her. She was very clear-headed and understanding, which pleased him.

He nodded and said: “Dealing with Young Lady Chu has been most pleasant. Perhaps we’ll meet again.”

What kind of talk was that? Who would want to deal with a minor official from the Imperial Guard Office? It wouldn’t be for anything good. The jailer stared again, but saw that the girl showed no fear or trepidation. Instead, she smiled: “Having Lord Deng’s care during this journey was my fortune amid misfortune.”

Deng Yi laughed heartily: “For the sake of Young Lady Chu’s words, jailer, arrange a good cell for Young Lady Chu. Consider it a favor I owe you.”

The jailer spat: “Who wants to be owed such a favor? Stop talking nonsense and go report your completion of duty.”

Deng Yi said no more and strode away.

“Young Lady Chu, you’re truly unlucky to have encountered him on duty.x” the jailer shook his head helplessly, leading Chu Zhao to the cell. “Deputy Deng is not an easy person to deal with.”

Chu Zhao followed him, completely unconcerned whether Deng Yi was easy to deal with or not. She wasn’t hoping to build a good relationship with this person.

She only hoped not to offend him, so that in the future, when he rose to power as destined in her previous life, he would slap Xiao Xun hard across the face.

This time, she would no longer pity or care for Xiao Xun, but would applaud and cheer.