Whether it was the message expressed by Chu Tang’s capture of him, or the message conveyed by the Prince of Zhongshan’s officers, the Prince of Zhongshan had been forced to cease his military advance because Xiao Xun had been captured.

Xiao Xun had previously maintained this explanation, even blaming himself for being careless, which led to his father’s efforts being wasted.

Why would he suddenly ask such a question now?

Ning Kun couldn’t help but lower his eyes and sigh softly: “Your Highness’s safety is the Prince’s greatest concern.”

Xiao Xun remained silent.

The stillness in the room was suffocating.

Xiao Xun suddenly laughed: “I shouldn’t have asked you. You were captured with me and sent to the capital together. You know nothing about what’s happening with my father, and you can’t return now either.” He stood up, walked to Ning Kun’s side, and patted his arm gently. “Uncle Kun, you’ve been implicated because of me. Now you’ll have to stay with me in the capital, and your great learning will be wasted in obscurity.”

Ning Kun hurriedly replied: “Your Highness, you shouldn’t say such things—”

Xiao Xun interrupted him with a nod: “Let’s not discuss it further. Regardless, I will write to my father and ask him to recall you. It’s enough that the capital imprisons just me—Uncle Kun, I’ll go help Tie Ying boil the water.” He smiled again. “I’m quite capable of taking care of myself.”

With that, the young man strode out.

Ning Kun stood in the hall, his expression shifting, as he lowered his eyes and sighed softly.

…

…

Night fell heavily, and the Emperor’s bedchamber was brightly lit. The eunuchs and palace maids walking about had light footsteps and smiles on their faces.

The Emperor had returned. Although he was still a child, everyone’s hearts were at ease.

“His Majesty has achieved a great victory. By rights, we should hold a banquet.”

“The border regions are still at war.”

“And the court officials all seem unhappy.”

It seemed to be because of the Prince of Zhongshan’s confession and subsequent reward. When escorting His Majesty into the inner palace, several officials had nearly come to blows. Fortunately, the imperial city was deep enough that the common people hadn’t witnessed it.

The common people were relieved just to know that the fighting had stopped, but in reality, the matter was far from over.

And—

“His Majesty has returned, but the Empress hasn’t come back yet.”

In truth, people originally didn’t have much of an impression of the Empress, since she had entered the palace only briefly before leaving the imperial city. Unexpectedly, even after the Empress had left, they became increasingly familiar with her, thinking of her, anticipating her return.

“That’s right, when will the Empress return? She still has to manage the aftermath with the Prince of Zhongshan, right?”

“Perhaps the Empress will have to go to the border region too—maybe she won’t return until after Western Liang is pacified.”

“How long will that take? One year? Two years?”

Just as the palace maids were whispering about this, the sound of a teacup shattering came from within the hall. The entire bedchamber fell silent for a moment, then palace maids and eunuchs rushed in.

“Your Majesty—”

Inside the bedchamber, Xiao Yu, who had bathed and changed into his inner robes with his hair loose, stood by the table, a teacup on the floor.

“Your Majesty.” Eunuch Qi was the first to arrive.

He had just gone to prepare the Emperor’s garments.

Xiao Yu looked at the water stain on his sleeve: “I wanted to drink some water but didn’t hold it properly.”

The servants immediately knelt and admitted their fault.

“It’s not your fault,” Xiao Yu said. “I told everyone to rest and not stand near me.”

Eunuch Qi waved to dismiss everyone. The attendants withdrew, and Eunuch Qi poured fresh tea for Xiao Yu, offering it with both hands.

Xiao Yu slowly took a sip.

“Your Majesty has been traveling for days. Please retire early,” Eunuch Qi advised gently.

Xiao Yu nodded but remained standing.

“Your Majesty—” Eunuch Qi began again.

“I know!” Xiao Yu raised his voice, cutting him off.

Eunuch Qi was startled. This was the first time Xiao Yu had shown impatience toward him. He quickly bowed low and knelt: “This slave has offended.”

The chamber was quiet for a moment.

It seemed like a long time passed, yet it might have been just the blink of an eye.

“Eunuch Qi, please rise,” said the child’s voice, as a hand reached out to grasp Eunuch Qi’s sleeve. “I know I should rest. I am indeed very tired, but I miss Sister Chu and wanted to write her a letter.”

Eunuch Qi looked up at Xiao Yu and said softly: “Sister Chu will return soon, Your Majesty. Please don’t worry.”

Xiao Yu nodded: “Then I won’t write. I’ll go to sleep now.”

“Your Majesty should sleep well and build up your strength. When the Empress returns and sees how much taller Your Majesty has grown, she’ll be surprised,” Eunuch Qi gestured with his hand.

Children indeed grow quickly, and Xiao Yu, now a year older, had grown somewhat taller.

A smile appeared on Xiao Yu’s face.

Eunuch Qi took his hand and stood up, leading him inside: “Your Majesty, since the Empress hasn’t returned and Lord Xie is still handling matters and hasn’t returned either, shall this old servant light all the lamps to accompany Your Majesty to sleep?”

Xiao Yu shook his head: “I’ve been on the battlefield. I’m not afraid of anything now. Put out the lights.”

Eunuch Qi acknowledged and accompanied Xiao Yu to the bedchamber. After careful consideration, he placed a bamboo tube beside Xiao Yu before lowering the curtains.

“Your Majesty, this old servant will now extinguish the lights,” he asked once more.

The child inside made a sound of assent.

“Your Majesty,” Eunuch Qi added, “this old servant will be nearby. Call if you need anything.”

The child inside responded again and even laughed: “Eunuch Qi, don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

Eunuch Qi smiled: “This old servant is being fussy.” With that, he bowed and withdrew.

The lights in the hall were extinguished one by one.

Standing outside the palace, Eunuch Qi exhaled softly into the heavy night.

“His Majesty has been on a military campaign once, and his courage has indeed grown,” a young eunuch said happily beside him.

Eunuch Qi ignored him, gazing at the palace shrouded in darkness.

Was increased courage a good thing or not?

…

…

The excitement of the Emperor’s triumphant return and the court’s disputes regarding the Prince of Zhongshan were already settled matters for Chu Zhao in Zhongshan County.

The Prince of Zhongshan picked up a princely seal from the table and examined it.

Chu Zhao held half of a command token—this was for the hundred thousand troops the Prince of Zhongshan had handed over—the hundred thousand troops that the Prince had displayed publicly. As for the other hundred thousand troops, the court would pretend not to see them.

“However, the Grand Tutor believes that Your Highness will surely know how to advance and retreat appropriately,” said the court official who had come to deliver the imperial edict, in a cold voice.

The Prince of Zhongshan looked at him and smiled: “Did Lord Huang make arrangements for his family before coming here?”

This was referring to the three imperial messengers who had been previously beheaded by the Prince of Zhongshan’s heir.

Was it a threat?

Lord Huang’s face darkened: “Thank you for Your Highness’s concern. This official has already made arrangements.”

The Prince of Zhongshan laughed heartily: “Don’t be nervous. This prince won’t cut off your head.” He then looked at Chu Zhao, who was seated nearby, with a smiling expression. “After all, the Empress is here.”

Chu Zhao smiled and put away the command token.

“Indeed,” she said. “Until Lord Huang departs, this Empress will remain in the Prince’s mansion, watching over Your Highness.”

Though somewhat dissatisfied with Empress Chu, Lord Huang had personally entered the Prince of Zhongshan’s mansion—more precisely, entered Zhongshan County—and seen the troops stationed everywhere, the tense standoff, and the anxiety pervading towns and villages along the way. This was completely different from sitting in the court in the capital. Though tension existed in court as well, it was nothing like experiencing it firsthand.

This tension was suffocating, bewildering, maddening.

Yet this young woman had sat here alone for a long time.

Lord Huang looked at Chu Zhao and bowed: “This official came not only to deliver the edict but also to escort Your Majesty back to the palace. Therefore, this official will not leave first.”

The court had not made such a request; escorting the Empress back was his addition.

Chu Zhao smiled and said: “Then Lord Huang will have to wait a while longer. This Empress must await news from the border region.”

Lord Huang acknowledged.

The Prince of Zhongshan tapped the table: “You ruler and subject need not discuss state affairs in this prince’s presence. Go, go.”

…

…

As the great doors slowly closed, Chu Zhao, who had stepped over the threshold, did not continue forward but stopped and took a deep breath.

“Leaving the Prince of Zhongshan’s domain, even the air feels fresher,” she remarked.

Lord Huang said from beside her: “Your Majesty, we should now call him the Prince of Zhenguo, and the county town is still his territory.”

Chu Zhao laughed in surprise. She hadn’t expected that Deng Yi would further enfeoff the Prince of Zhongshan, creating a Prince of Zhenguo. Did many people believe that the Prince of Zhongshan had sent valuable gifts to Deng Yi again?

She looked around at the hostile troops surrounding them. The Prince of Zhongshan had only taken one step back—a step away from the capital. Zhongshan County was still his territory.

And whereas before he had been secretive, now he no longer needed to hide.

Chu Zhao looked at the horses brought to them and said: “This Empress will first go outside the city to meet the commanding general.”

Lord Huang bowed: “This official will go to the county office to check on matters.”

“Da Chui,” Chu Zhao called.

Ding Dachui stepped forward and acknowledged.

“This is the most capable guard who has braved danger with this Empress,” Chu Zhao said. “Now I lend him to you, Lord Huang.”

Lord Huang bowed again: “Thank you for Your Majesty’s favor. This official will not fail your trust.” With that, he turned and left.

Ding Dachui stood dumbfounded, not moving until A-Le pushed him: “Are you stunned? Go quickly!”

Ding Dachui was indeed stunned. What had the Empress just called him? Her most capable guard!

However, stunned as he was, there was something he still remembered.

“Both Commander Xie and the boss told me to guard the Empress—” he couldn’t help saying softly.

Chu Zhao heard him and smiled: “Don’t worry. I’m going to see your boss now. I’ll explain to her on your behalf. As for Commander Xie—”

Chu Zhao winked at him.

“He’s far away and won’t know.”