Previously, when reorganizing the capital garrison, Zhong Changrong had been stretched thin. The young lady had told him not to worry, saying there was A-Jiu, and that this matter could be entrusted to him.

That was fine then—he was merely dividing his attention outside the capital. If anything happened in the imperial city or capital, he could be back with just a few steps.

But now he was returning to the border commandery, which was not just a few steps away from the capital.

How could the young lady trust this boy so much?

“Young Lady,” he said quietly, “he is from the Xie family.”

Previously, when the imperial city was in danger, the young prince and Chu Zhao were inseparable. The Xie family members, to protect the young prince, would naturally do their utmost, and would of course also devote themselves to Chu Zhao.

But now the young prince had been proclaimed Emperor, with civil and military officials, with Grand Tutor Deng Yi serving as regent, and Xie Yanfang also entering court service. As the Emperor’s maternal uncle, his position would certainly be exceptional, and the Xie family of Dongyang was powerful and influential—

An Empress wasn’t so important anymore.

They wouldn’t devote themselves fully to the Empress.

The only thing that could intimidate them was the Dragon Might Army, yet now the young lady wanted to entrust the Dragon Might Army to a member of the Xie family.

“I’m not entrusting it to him,” Chu Zhao said with a smile. “I’m just letting him lead the troops. The Dragon Might Army is still ours, and they only recognize us.”

Zhong Changrong understood this principle, but still, he was from the Xie family—

“Uncle Zhong, people from the same family don’t necessarily have the same heart,” Chu Zhao said. “Do you think that I, my father, and my uncle are of one heart?”

Of course not, Zhong Changrong thought without hesitation.

Chu Zhao said softly: “So no matter what his surname is, he is first and foremost a person, not someone’s appendage.”

Zhong Changrong frowned. Xie Yanlai, who had been walking unhurriedly, finally approached.

“Greetings, Your Highness,” he respectfully bowed. “All is well in the imperial city. People enter and exit in an orderly manner. This humble officer is diligent in his duties, not daring to be negligent.”

Though it appeared proper, what he was saying was: I’m busy, don’t bother me. Chu Zhao suppressed a smile.

“Xie Yanlai, Deputy Commander Zhong has something to tell you,” she said, then winked at Zhong Changrong before turning and walking away.

Zhong Changrong was taken aback. He wanted to call out to the young lady, but didn’t want to make things difficult for her. In the end, he said nothing and turned to look at Xie Yanlai.

Xie Yanlai ignored his fierce gaze, straightened up, and asked lazily: “Commander Zhong, what orders do you have now?”

Looking at this boy’s indolent manner, he seemed completely unreliable! Although there had been no mishaps these days, Deputy Commander Zhong grabbed his arm: “Come with me.”

Xie Yanlai reluctantly allowed himself to be dragged away.

Seventh Master Xie, kneeling among the officials, saw this scene and couldn’t help nudging Xie Yanfang, saying softly: “Look, what are they talking about now?”

Xie Yanfang kept his head lowered, resting with his eyes closed. The officials weren’t expected to stay awake all night, as they took turns, but no matter how they divided the time, night duty in the palace meant poor rest.

Xie Yanfang didn’t deliberately exhaust himself to appear grief-stricken. He rested when he could. Since he was allowed to sit here, he didn’t need to use his outward appearance to please others.

When Seventh Master Xie nudged him, he didn’t open his eyes: “Whatever they’re discussing, it’s for A-Yu’s benefit. As long as A-Yu is well, all is well.”

That was true. Seventh Master Xie glanced in the direction where Deputy Commander Zhong and Xie Yanlai had gone, then looked at the hall. The girl had already gone inside, and he could faintly see her kneeling behind the curtain. For this Chu girl to secure her position as Empress, she must rely on A-Yu and the Xie family. She couldn’t and wouldn’t dare do anything detrimental to the Xie family.

Seventh Master Xie looked once more at the figure in the hall, then withdrew his gaze and also closed his eyes to rest.

During the second half of the night, Chu Zhao took a short nap. When she woke, she saw Xiao Yu kneeling beside her.

Seeing her awake, Xiao Yu moved closer and whispered: “Sister, you should sleep a bit more. I’m watching over you.”

Chu Zhao reached out and gently pinched his nose: “I’ve had enough sleep. It’s your turn now.”

Xiao Yu seemed about to shake his head, but stopped and nodded instead, making a sound of agreement. He would listen to his sister.

Chu Zhao didn’t have him lie down immediately. She asked if he had drunk hot tea and eaten something, then felt his forehead to check if it was normal.

Xiao Yu obediently let her check, nodding that he had eaten and drunk.

Only then did Chu Zhao let him lie down to rest, not forgetting to place the bamboo tube hidden nearby in his arms—even while in mourning, Xiao Yu carried the bamboo tube at all times.

Chu Zhao never objected or questioned this, and had even instructed Eunuch Qi to tell the palace maids and eunuchs to turn a blind eye.

Xiao Yu was slightly embarrassed, but mostly reassured, hugging the bamboo tube tightly as he closed his eyes.

Being only a six-year-old child, although he wasn’t doing anything, just kneeling here was exhausting. He quickly fell asleep.

After he was asleep, Eunuch Qi walked in from behind the curtain.

“Your Highness,” he said softly, “please go have some late-night refreshments. This old servant will watch over here.”

Chu Zhao didn’t decline. To secure her position as Empress, she didn’t need to rely on displays of filial piety and grief to please others.

Watching Chu Zhao leave, the other eunuchs also entered. Someone handed Eunuch Qi hot tea—as the meritorious official who saved the young prince, among the inner servants in the palace, Eunuch Qi would now have unquestionable authority.

All the eunuchs were eager to show their loyalty to him.

“Eunuch Qi,” someone said softly, “why do you always step back when Miss Chu is present?”

Eunuch Qi said: “The young prince is alive and has reached his current position because of Miss Chu. The young prince should spend more time with Miss Chu. I shouldn’t disturb them.”

“What about you?” that eunuch asked with concern and worry.

The implication was: The young prince is alive and has reached his current position also because of your merit, Eunuch Qi. You should also strive for a more important place in the young prince’s heart.

Eunuch Qi naturally understood his meaning. He smiled and said: “If I were to compete for the young prince’s affection, I would be harming him.”

He looked down at the sleeping child with loving eyes, then raised his gaze to look at this eunuch, his expression turning cold.

“Miss Chu is the Empress. Don’t let me hear you address her incorrectly again.”

The eunuch hurriedly knelt and responded affirmatively, not daring to say another word.

Chu Zhao had already walked out, neither knowing nor caring what the eunuchs were whispering about behind her. She passed through the courtiers keeping vigil with Xiao Man, heading toward the side hall.

The side hall had food prepared for those keeping vigil, as they couldn’t allow everyone to become exhausted beyond recognition.

But as Chu Zhao had just walked through the corridor, someone stepped out from the side and grabbed her arm—

At the same time, Xiao Man’s hand also grabbed the person’s arm, with a knife sliding out of Xiao Man’s hand—

It struck against the person’s arm, making a “ding” sound.

It was armor—

“Xiao Man,” Chu Zhao had already recognized the person and quickly said, “It’s alright, it’s one of our own.”

Xiao Man withdrew the knife without hesitation and stood back, as if she had never moved.

“What do you mean, one of your own?” Xie Yanlai said quietly, pulling her arm. “Come with me.”

If he wasn’t one of their own, why would she go with him? Xiao Man watched as Chu Zhao indeed stepped forward, even gesturing that she didn’t need to follow. Xiao Man pouted but didn’t follow.

Xie Yanlai pulled Chu Zhao to the shadows in the corner of the palace wall. Here, no light could reach, and although there were guards nearby, they pretended not to see them.

“What do you want to say?” Chu Zhao asked softly with a smile. “Is it something that can’t be said openly?”

Xie Yanlai snorted: “It’s all because of you. What do you mean by having me replace Deputy Commander Zhong in charge of the Dragon Might Army?”

He wasn’t stupid. Did she think that if Deputy Commander Zhong spoke to him, he wouldn’t realize it was her doing?

Without her permission, Deputy Commander Zhong wouldn’t have told him this. He would only have glared at him, cutting him with his eyes.

Chu Zhao smiled: “That’s what Deputy Commander Zhong meant. He has another task, so he’s assigning this task to you. What’s the matter? As an imperial guard, won’t you obey military orders?”

Xie Yanlai spat: “There’s no one else here. Stop with the nonsense. Is this a military order?”

Chu Zhao looked at him, her black eyes bright, seemingly puzzled: “If not, then what?”

Xie Yanlai looked down at the girl from his height, as if back at the post station, where that pitiful girl knelt begging kind people to please save her life—

She wasn’t asking others to save her life, but rather to forfeit theirs.

He placed one hand against the wall, lowering his head to her ear, and said: “You want me to engage in mutual destruction with Xie Yanfang.”