The night was receding like clear water rippling outward, and the layers upon layers of palace halls gradually emerged from the surface of the water.

Chu Zhao was unable to break through into the water’s surface.

As they approached, a dense rain of arrows flew from the palace city ahead.

“Fall back!”

Fortunately, even while galloping through the palace city, the Longwei Army maintained formation, protecting Chu Zhao in the center. However, Eunuch Qi, seeing the palace gate in sight, had excitedly charged forward and was nearly pierced by the arrow rain.

Eunuch Qi looked down at the arrow shaft trembling in the crack between bricks at his feet, feeling both angry and alarmed.

He was angry that the imperial guards on the palace city side didn’t recognize him—though that was understandable since he hadn’t gone out for many years, staying only in the inner palace. But how could the guards of the inner palace not recognize him?

He was alarmed because of these merciless arrows—something must have happened to His Majesty!

“I am Qi Xuan, Eunuch Qi,” he called out loudly again. “Quickly report to His Majesty that this servant has returned—”

The palace gate opposite showed no reaction.

But he knew that if he dared to advance again, those arrows would still fly at him. Earlier, he had also charged forward while calling out his name.

It was useless.

Even if those imperial guards recognized him, without orders they wouldn’t open the gate for him.

Eunuch Qi retreated step by step. Calling out his own name was useless, and he couldn’t call out that the Young Highness had come. Behind the tightly shut palace gates, even if His Majesty was still well, who knew how many devious minds lurked within?

Now he could only hope the guards would report to the Emperor, hope the Emperor would understand what his return meant—after all, he was the one His Majesty had sent to serve and watch over the Young Highness.

They advanced no further, and no more arrows flew from within the palace gates, nor did anyone come out to fight them.

“I understand now what Young Master Xie meant,” Eunuch Qi said helplessly, then looked at Chu Zhao beside him. “Then let’s wait.”

After all, the imperial city gate area was no longer dangerous.

Wait?

Chu Zhao looked at the palace gate ahead, her horse pacing back and forth.

“Eunuch Qi, if the palace guards don’t recognize you, besides following His Majesty’s orders, there’s another possibility,” she said. “Someone else controls the inner palace.”

Someone else controlled the inner palace? The Noble Consort and Third Prince’s people!

Then they couldn’t stay here!

The people in the inner palace also knew he served the Young Highness. Once news was reported inside, they would surely face a massacre.

Told you it was a risk! Now to turn around—

Before Eunuch Qi could speak, he saw the girl spur her horse forward.

“Lord Deng—” she called out loudly. “Lord Deng, I am Chu Zhao—”

Lord Deng?

Eunuch Qi was stunned. Which Lord Deng did she mean? He did know someone called Deng Yi, whom he had also recommended to His Majesty, but how could this minor official control the inner palace?

……

……

Compared to the imperial city walls, the inner palace walls were not as high or thick.

Deng Yi was in the duty hall behind the palace gate. The girl’s voice drifted through the blue-green mist.

The imperial guards also came in at this time to request instructions: “Grand Tutor, someone is calling for you, Grand Tutor. How should we handle it?”

Deng Yi had ordered that no matter who approached the inner palace—whether claiming to escort His Majesty or inquiring about His Majesty’s safety—anyone who approached would be killed without mercy.

As for that Eunuch Qi, so what if he was a eunuch from His Majesty’s side?

The Third Prince was still the Emperor’s own son, and Noble Consort Zhao was still the Emperor’s bedside companion.

However, the newcomer wasn’t calling to see His Majesty, but rather calling for Lord Deng, and announcing not imperial relatives or servants, but a girl’s name that had never appeared in the court.

This wasn’t an anticipated situation, so the guards could only come for instructions.

Chu Zhao?

Deng Yi raised his eyes toward the high palace wall, somewhat surprised. He knew many people would come to this imperial city, but he hadn’t expected the first to arrive would be this girl.

He smiled again, his surprise dispersing. It wasn’t strange either. Chu Ling, whom both Prince Zhongshan and the Xie clan sought to befriend, was naturally not truly an ordinary person.

“They’re not few in number, and not a rabble,” the guard continued. “They advance with discipline—their strength is not to be underestimated.”

And their aura was unfamiliar, not the military bearing they were accustomed to.

Unfamiliarity bred fear.

Deng Yi said, “Don’t be afraid.” He set down his documents and stood up. “I’ll go take a look.”

……

……

A figure appeared on the inner palace gate tower. He waved his sleeves, as if dispersing the sky-blue water mist.

Although it wasn’t winter, although he wasn’t wearing a dark quilted robe with gold trim, and although he wasn’t surrounded by iron-armored attendants with golden swords in dark masses, Chu Zhao recognized him at a glance.

She was seeing Grand Tutor Deng again.

Grand Tutor Deng wore official robes so red they appeared black. With no imperial guards beside him, he stood alone on the palace city gate like a solitary crane.

Just as in that other life, he had indeed become Grand Tutor again.

And moreover, he controlled this inner palace city.

“Lord Deng,” Chu Zhao called out loudly, breaking into a smile. “Lord Deng, I am Chu Zhao.”

Standing on the gate tower, through the hazy blue-green, Deng Yi could already see the girl clearly. Even if he couldn’t see her clearly, he would recognize her.

He nodded. “Miss Chu.”

His expression and voice were calm, as if he had merely encountered her on the road and was exchanging greetings. There was no surprise, nor any joy.

Chu Zhao’s smile became somewhat awkward. Yes, they weren’t actually familiar. Any familiarity came from the escort. Seeing Deng Yi had become Grand Tutor, what was she so happy about?

Deng Yi had become Grand Tutor as in the fated timeline, so his next step would be to respectfully welcome Xiao Xun as Crown Prince.

“Lord Deng,” Chu Zhao hurriedly said, pressing her hand on the shoulder of the child before her. “I’ve brought the Young Highness.”

In this life, the Young Highness still lived. The Crown Prince still had an heir. His Majesty didn’t need to adopt Xiao Xun as Crown Prince.

Deng Yi looked down and saw the child before Chu Zhao. His expression remained unchanged—no excitement, no doubt.

“If the Young Highness is with Miss Chu, that’s truly excellent,” he said. “Then please, Miss Chu, continue to protect the Young Highness well. It’s not safe here. Miss Chu should leave with the Young Highness first.”

What?

To actually—

Chu Zhao was stunned, surprised, yet seemingly not that surprised.

Eunuch Qi was shocked. Originally, when Deng Yi appeared, he had been even more delighted than Chu Zhao. This boy was even more capable than he’d imagined. The reason he had promoted Deng Yi before the Emperor was that he felt this person could be useful—as for how to use him, he hadn’t figured that out yet.

Who would have expected such events to occur?

In the chaos, Deng Yi had emerged prominently.

This was probably what they called fate and timing.

Regardless, Deng Yi certainly knew who had given him this timing and fate. Back when the Crown Prince passed by and Eunuch Zhu had intended to take the opportunity to teach Deng Yi a lesson, he had spoken up to stop it. At that time, Deng Yi had understood and had even bowed to thank him.

Excellent! Deng Yi, seeing the Young Highness and seeing him, would surely know what to do!

But now what was this?

Deng Yi looked at the Young Highness yet remained unmoved, and even wanted to send them away?

“Deng Yi!” He stepped forward and shouted. “Have you gone mad? This is the Young Highness!”

Deng Yi looked at him. “Eunuch Qi, it’s even better that you’re here. With you watching over the Young Highness, His Majesty can be more at ease.”

Eunuch Qi had been immersed in the imperial city for a long time. At this moment, how could he still not understand?

His face turned deathly pale.

His Majesty might be safe, but this inner palace city had indeed changed hands.

Deng Yi!

Whose man was he?

The Noble Consort’s?

Hearing Deng Yi’s words to Eunuch Qi again, Chu Zhao’s heart suddenly sank. She understood. It seemed that at this very moment, Deng Yi had already chosen Xiao Xun to be Crown Prince.

Back then on the road, she had been watching Deng Yi and Prince Zhongshan talking. Perhaps at that time, Deng Yi and Prince Zhongshan were already old acquaintances.

Otherwise, how could it be so coincidental that he was the one to pursue and investigate her, and Prince Zhongshan was the one who reached out to stop her?

Chu Zhao looked at this inner palace gate, so close at hand, yet she couldn’t enter.

She held the child before her tightly. Having rescued this child from Xiao Xun’s hands, could she still not prevent Xiao Xun’s fate of becoming Emperor?

“Miss Chu, go—” Eunuch Qi said through gritted teeth in a low voice, looking hatefully at the figure standing on the gate tower.

Actually, whether they could leave was still uncertain.

Since Deng Yi refused to let the Young Highness see His Majesty, would he really let the Crown Prince’s orphan go? Eliminating the root was safest.

Perhaps he lacked the ability to attack. Defending a city was easy; engaging in battle was difficult. So while Deng Yi was willing but unable, they should flee quickly.

As long as they lived, there was always hope.

Deng Yi on the gate tower seemed to see through his thoughts. He smiled slightly and took the first step to turn and take his leave.

He was leaving.

Just like that, he was leaving.

She couldn’t let him leave!

“Deng Yi!” Chu Zhao shouted loudly. “You still owe me a meal!”

Owe a meal?

Eunuch Qi was bewildered. What was she talking about at a time like this? So what if he owed a meal? What would owing two or three meals matter?

On the gate tower, Deng Yi, who had turned to leave, stopped in his tracks.