The summer night was stuffy, but the young man’s breath brought an icy chill to her ear.

Chu Zhao looked up at him: “What an interesting thing to say. Why would I want you and the Third Young Master to destroy each other? Before, I had no connection to any of you, and now I and your Xie family—oh, no, that’s not right.”

At this point, she lifted her head higher, staring into the young man’s eyes.

“I should say, the Third Young Master and I are as one. The young prince’s safety and the stability of my position as Empress both depend on the Third Young Master.”

“What benefit would there be for me if you destroyed each other?”

Xie Yanlai looked at her, withdrew his hand, and stood up straight: “Everything you say is correct, but I know this is your intention. Otherwise, why would you be so good to me?”

Chu Zhao laughed, exclaiming: “I’m good to you?”

As if she’d heard something ridiculous, as if she’d never done such a thing, as if it were all his imagination. Xie Yanlai coldly smiled.

Keep pretending.

Chu Zhao stopped laughing and thought seriously: “I have been quite good to you. On the road, when you were hiding the secret letter for my father, I didn’t tell Uncle Zhong. When you were beaten, I intervened for you, brought you medicine for your wounds. During those chaotic times, I trusted you, had you guard the palace gate for me, and now I’m giving you the Dragon Might Army—”

She looked at the young man before her, nodded, her expression thoughtful.

“I truly have been good to you.”

She reached out and patted the young man’s cold iron armor.

“A-Jiu, so you do know how good I’ve been to you.”

As she spoke, she pulled a letter from her sleeve.

“So you should deliver a letter for me, shouldn’t you?”

Xie Yanlai had imagined various reactions from her, but in the end, he was defeated by this statement. He was both angry and amused, but mostly irritated.

“Chu Zhao,” he gritted his teeth, “don’t play dumb with me.”

Chu Zhao’s face grew serious: “I’ve never played dumb. I’ve been so good to you because I wanted something in return.”

Xie Yanlai sneered: “Isn’t this playing dumb? You may not trust Xie Yanfang or let him deliver your letter, but what about Zhong Changrong? Surely you trust him, and he’s even going back.”

Chu Zhao said: “My father’s and my status are different from before. This position as Empress, I requested it from His Majesty. Many people were caught unprepared and still harbor resentment. Uncle Zhong is certainly reliable, but countless eyes are watching him. There are some things I can’t explain clearly to him, nor can I clarify. My father knows nothing about affairs here, so I must write personally and explain everything bit by bit. Moreover, some matters concern—”

She raised her eyes to look at Xie Yanlai.

“They are concerned whether my mother is alive or dead.”

Xie Yanlai glanced at her. Mother alive or dead? Although he didn’t care about this girl, he couldn’t help but know about her. She had caused so much commotion in the capital that everyone was talking about her, and news of her affairs naturally reached his ears.

This girl had no mother.

Her mother had died when she was born.

So what did she mean now?

“I know a secret—my mother didn’t die; she’s still alive,” Chu Zhao said softly, her hands clenched before her, her large eyes deep and somber. “I want to ask my father what happened.”

“My father is dying, and I fear I won’t see him. I also fear I’ll never know this secret.”

Xie Yanlai turned his gaze away, saying: “You want me to take over the Dragon Might Army and deliver a letter? I’m not a miracle worker.”

Chu Zhao said, “You can arrange for someone else.” She thought for a moment. “Master Zhang and his men would be good. You know them, I know them, and they’re inconspicuous—no one would notice them.”

Xie Yanlai glanced at her and sneered: “Your familiarity and trust seem quite casual.”

What was there to be familiar with? They were just strangers who met briefly on the road while concealing their identities.

“They say ‘a long road tests a horse’s strength, and time reveals a person’s heart,'” Chu Zhao said. “But with some people, whether they’re reliable or trustworthy, you can tell at a glance.”

She looked at Xie Yanlai as she finished, smiling slightly.

What are you looking at? What are you smiling about? Xie Yanlai sneered: “Do you know what makes the most formidable liar? One truth mixed with nine lies.”

With that, he snatched the letter from her hand and turned to leave.

“Hey,” Chu Zhao called.

Xie Yanlai stopped and looked back, asking impatiently: “What else?”

Chu Zhao walked over and circled him, though unfortunately, Xie Yanlai was too tall for her to whisper in his ear.

“You asked me, but I haven’t asked you yet,” she could only move close to his chest and say softly. “You—why would you want to engage in mutual destruction with Xie Yanfang?”

She looked up at him.

“I’m good to you, yet you can think of such a thing. What kind of life have you been living at home? Has no one ever been good to you?”

Xie Yanlai looked at the girl who had come close with a serious expression. He extended two fingers to poke her forehead, pushing her away.

“Chu Zhao, don’t try this act with me,” he said, his phoenix eyes raised, speaking softly. “Using one’s spear against one’s shield—I’m not a three-year-old child.”

With that, he strode forward.

Chu Zhao called out again from behind: “A-Jiu.”

Xie Yanlai, somewhat irritated, glanced around before looking back at the girl, his eyes fiercely warning her—this was the imperial palace, not the wilderness or a street.

Chu Zhao smiled: “I want the A-Jiu I know to help me, not someone else.”

Xie Yanlai twisted his lips, sneered, and strode away.

Would he be moved by such words? What could an A-Jiu who wasn’t a Xie family member do?

An A-Jiu who wasn’t from the Xie family would never have met Miss Chu in this lifetime.

Watching the young man stride away, Chu Zhao sighed, her expression somewhat complex. A-Jiu was truly a clever and sensitive child—

Xie Yanfang.

Chu Zhao lowered her eyes. Of course, she wouldn’t trust him wholeheartedly. She knew what an intelligent and ambitious person he was.

She could cooperate with him, could advance and retreat with him, but she could not trust him.

As for A-Jiu, Chu Zhao raised her eyes, looking at the young man’s figure walking away in the dim night.

He questioned why she was good to him.

Why didn’t he consider that he had been good to her first? He knew who she was, yet never mentioned it to his family. He knew he could have ruined her reputation, yet never spoke of it.

Her kindness to him was reciprocation.

Of course, there was also some self-interest.

But mutual destruction with Xie Yanfang—

Chu Zhao pressed her lips together. It was too early to speak of such things. Neither she nor he had the means to engage in mutual destruction with Xie Yanfang.

…

…

Chu Zhao walked back to the side hall and saw a familiar figure about to enter. She quickly called out, “Third Young Master.”

Xie Yanfang, standing on the steps, turned his head. Seeing her, he smiled slightly, then bowed.

Chu Zhao walked over and asked: “Are you hungry?”

Xie Yanfang said softly, “Not hungry, just tired of sitting. Looking for a place to rest.”

Chu Zhao was amused and said quietly: “I’m different. I’m hungry.”

Xie Yanfang gestured for her to go first.

Chu Zhao walked ahead, then turned back: “I just saw Yanlai.”

Xie Yanfang made a sound of acknowledgment: “If you have any tasks for him, just let him know. Although his words may be unpleasant, he’s reliable for getting things done.”

Chu Zhao said softly: “Uncle Zhong needs to return to the border commandery, so I’ve asked him to temporarily take over Uncle Zhong’s duties.”

Xie Yanfang showed no surprise at all, nodding: “He’s the most suitable.” Then, looking at Chu Zhao, “Let me arrange for a physician to go with Deputy Commander Zhong.”

Her father’s illness was no secret to Xie Yanfang. Chu Zhao nodded: “Good, I’ll leave it to you, Third Young Master.”

Xie Yanfang sighed lightly: “If A-Yu’s emotions weren’t so unstable, if he didn’t need you, you should go back and see your father.”

Chu Zhao shook her head: “This isn’t A-Yu’s fault. This is my own choice.”

Xie Yanfang also shook his head: “No, this isn’t your choice. This is the mercilessness of fate, something you have no control over.”

In short, this wasn’t her fault, and she shouldn’t blame herself.

When the Third Young Master Xie wanted to be kind to someone, he was truly kind.

Hoping he would continue to be so kind to her, Chu Zhao smiled at Xie Yanfang as they crossed the threshold together.