Deng Yi threw the Xi Liang missive onto the table.

The court assembly had already dispersed. When Chu Zhao said she absolutely would not negotiate peace, Deng Yi had directly cut off the discussion and declared the court dismissed: “We’ll discuss this matter later.”

More than half the officials immediately respectfully saw off His Majesty. A few officials said nothing, only watching the Empress. Another group of officials observed in silence.

Chu Zhao said nothing more, rose, and led the Emperor away by the hand.

Then Deng Yi came looking for her in the study.

“Not negotiating peace—you want to continue fighting?” he asked.

Chu Zhao looked at him. “Is this negotiating peace? This is defeat.”

“Of course I know this is defeat.” Deng Yi said sternly, his voice heavy. “But what about the three hundred thousand people of Shipo City? Are you going to abandon them?”

Chu Zhao’s lips moved, but she said nothing.

Of course she wouldn’t abandon them. Just thinking of the people who had fallen into Xi Liang hands filled her with anguish. She had witnessed with her own eyes how brutal the Xi Liang soldiers could be.

“I know the Empress will not abandon them,” Deng Yi said. “So can you please not speak so decisively in court about refusing to negotiate peace? What will the court officials think? What will people throughout the realm think when your words spread?”

Chu Zhao raised her eyes to look at him, still saying nothing.

Deng Yi looked at the girl’s slightly pale face, knowing this matter had dealt her a heavy blow.

“No matter what, we cannot disregard the people of Shipo City. Regarding peace negotiations, the court must make its position clear,” he said, looking at Chu Zhao. “Empress, for the time being, please refrain from attending court.”

Chu Zhao, whose gaze had been somewhat dazed, suddenly became sharp upon hearing these words.

“Does the Grand Tutor believe the military setback is my responsibility?” she asked.

Deng Yi said coldly, “The Empress has always considered herself the commander of the border army. Don’t you bear responsibility?”

Hearing these words, the girl before him did not become angry or self-reproachful. She smiled, though in Deng Yi’s eyes, this smile was very unfamiliar.

“When I was commander before, the border army never had problems,” Chu Zhao said. “But ever since the Grand Tutor interfered with the border army, deploying troops and investigating this and that, the border army has been in chaos. The Grand Tutor surely knows that this time the Xi Liang soldiers crossed over precisely from the territory your beloved general Liang Qiang was defending, doesn’t he?”

Deng Yi found this laughable. “So now Your Majesty has learned to shift blame as well. If we’re speaking this way, then it would be better to say that this Grand Tutor interfered with the border army too late. Even after adjusting Liang Qiang’s position, it was impossible to salvage the decay at Jiezi Pass!”

Chu Zhao still did not become angry. She even propped her chin on her hand, her gaze looking at Deng Yi with a distant quality.

“This border army failure, with Xi Liang people occupying a city—who do you think benefits?” she asked.

Who benefits? Of course the Xi Liang King. This wasn’t a question—it was a rhetorical question. Deng Yi looked at Chu Zhao.

“With this incident—” Chu Zhao looked at him. “Wouldn’t deposing the Empress be even more advantageous for the Grand Tutor?”

Deng Yi’s eyes darkened. “Chu Zhao, you actually think I would use border army failures and people being trapped as a means to attack you?” He laughed coldly. “You’re not worth it!”

“The Grand Tutor has always prioritized private interests. I always thought the Grand Tutor was just talking, but I didn’t expect you would actually dare to act.” Chu Zhao said, sitting up straight and raising her voice. “Ding Dachui!”

Footsteps sounded outside. Ding Dachui, wearing a python-patterned robe and leading several members of the Imperial Guard, walked in carrying a large chest, which they set down heavily in the hall with a bang.

Deng Yi frowned as he watched.

“These are the Grand Tutor’s correspondence with the border army,” Chu Zhao explained to him, adding, “Private correspondence.”

Deng Yi’s expression changed dramatically. He turned and rebuked sharply, “Chu Zhao, you actually spied on court officials’ privacy!”

“What of spying on privacy?” Chu Zhao said flatly. “You received the late Emperor’s mandate to oversee the state, and I received the late Emperor’s instruction to protect the state. Anything related to Da Xia’s national affairs, I must know about.”

Without waiting for Deng Yi to speak again, she waved her hand.

“Counselor Yin, take out the Grand Tutor’s correspondence with Liang Qiang, and also take out the records of the Grand Tutor discussing deposing the Empress with officials.”

Counselor Yin acknowledged and retrieved a stack of documents from the chest.

“Of course, to avoid affecting the Grand Tutor and General Liang, these letters are copies we made.” He even very courteously explained to Deng Yi, then added, “And these are records of the Grand Tutor discussing deposing the Empress with officials in private homes.”

He opened them before him to show Deng Yi.

Deng Yi only glanced once, seeing written on the documents which month, which day, which hour, at which location in the Grand Tutor’s manor, who attended, even what dishes were served, what tea was brewed, how many servants there were—all recorded with perfect clarity.

Deng Yi withdrew his gaze. He didn’t need to read the contents.

“So the Empress uses the Dragon Robe Guard not to arrest and interrogate people or show off power,” he said coldly, “but to do such things. If the late Emperor and your father knew that the words ‘Dragon’ and ‘Might’ are manifested in this way, I wonder what they would think now.”

Chu Zhao’s expression showed no ripples. Without answering his words, she pointed at the correspondence and records Counselor Yin held. “In your correspondence with Liang Qiang, Liang Qiang said reassignment to Jiezi Pass wasn’t quite suitable, but you said to act freely, that whatever happened, you would take responsibility.”

Liang Qiang had indeed written such a letter. Though somewhat puzzling, it was normal for a young person to lack confidence, so he had encouraged him with a few words to give the young man some confidence. What was wrong with that?

However, at this moment, in the eyes of this woman who had been blinded by arrogance, these were all problems. Deng Yi looked coldly at Chu Zhao. “I wonder what the Empress wrote in her letters to Zhong Changrong and Xie Yanlai?”

Chu Zhao still didn’t answer his words, only continuing, “Liang Qiang, being in the border army, knew it wasn’t suitable, yet you, a civil official far away in the capital, insisted on pointing fingers at military affairs.”

Deng Yi laughed and asked, “So what?”

Chu Zhao said, “So the Grand Tutor should not attend court for now. Return to your manor and reflect behind closed doors.”

See how decisive the Empress was. He told her to temporarily not attend court, and she immediately sought to prevent him from attending court first. Deng Yi looked at the girl’s deep eyes and laughed coldly. “Fine, then let’s see if this Grand Tutor’s absence from court allows the Empress to get her wish.”

With that, he turned and walked out.

Chu Zhao watched his retreating back and said, “Commander Ding, escort the Grand Tutor back to his manor.”

Ding Dachui acknowledged, and along with Counselor Yin and others “escorted” Deng Yi. Outside the inner palace, even more Dragon Robe Guards awaited. They would not only personally escort the Grand Tutor back to his manor but also station guards outside.

What the Dragon Robe Guard signified, everyone now knew, so what kind of震动 this scene would trigger was easy to imagine.

Chu Zhao seemed able to already see the shocked expressions of court officials and the clamor that would follow.

But she no longer cared.

That previous life hadn’t encountered such a situation.

In that previous life, facing the Xie clan’s rebellion, the border commanderies had not fallen.

How was it that in this life, because Xiao Xun hadn’t become Emperor and the Xie clan hadn’t rebelled, the border commanderies had fallen?

And now they wanted to negotiate peace.

Was this negotiating peace? She looked at the Xi Liang missive on the table. The Xi Liang King wanted to address the Da Xia Emperor as brothers, wanted Da Xia to open trade routes, wanted this and that—even through the text she could see the Xi Liang King’s smug appearance.

If this really happened, what would the deaths and injuries from two years of warfare amount to?

No—the blood spilled by her father’s generation of soldiers over a decade ago would all have been shed in vain.

How could this be?

Was she truly inferior to Xiao Xun?

There was a knocking sound at the doorframe. Chu Zhao instinctively looked toward the hall entrance. Her somewhat dazed gaze saw Xie Yanfang standing outside the door.

“I came from outside,” Xie Yanfang said, seeing her look over. He pointed outside. “I saw—”

He didn’t continue, but the meaning was clear enough.

The hall was deep within, sunlight seemingly unable to penetrate. The young gentleman in official robes at the door had somewhat blurred features, but she could sense his concern.

Chu Zhao smiled and said, “I’ve given Third Young Master something to laugh at.”

In this life, she as Empress was doing worse than Xiao Xun. If Third Young Master Xie, who in that previous life had left Xiao Xun helpless, saw this scene, he would surely find it very amusing.

“Your Majesty is the Empress,” the young gentleman’s clear voice came from the doorway. “You act for the nation and the people. You are never laughable.”

Chu Zhao smiled—this time truly smiled. Her dazed gaze also focused. She gestured in invitation. “Beloved Minister Xie, please enter.”

Xie Yanfang withdrew the hand supporting the doorframe and bowed. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Walking into the hall, he sat down before Chu Zhao.

“Were they all startled outside?” Chu Zhao asked.

Xie Yanfang nodded, then shook his head. Without answering, he smiled. “If it were capital garrison troops that came to guard the inner palace, everyone would be equally startled.”

Everyone would be startled either way—which does the Empress prefer? Chu Zhao understood his meaning. Her gaze instantly became firm. Of course it was better for others to be confined.

But thinking of Yunzhong Commandery’s current situation, Chu Zhao’s expression darkened again. She sighed softly, looking at the Xi Liang missive on the table.

“You needn’t worry too much about this,” Xie Yanfang said, reaching over to take the missive. “The sudden news of Shipo City being occupied is frightening, but apart from that, Yunzhong Commandery’s other defenses are tight. In multiple engagements, they haven’t let Xi Liang people advance even half a step.”

“I’ve always believed in the border army’s capabilities,” Chu Zhao said. “But—”

She looked at the Xi Liang missive Xie Yanfang held in his hands.

What about the people of Shipo City?

Without negotiating peace, the crazed Xi Liang people would make the people pay with their lives.

She could imagine the Xi Liang people’s methods—they would execute batches of people outside the city to震慑 and threaten the troops and civilians of Yunzhong Commandery.

Such executions had probably already begun.

Chu Zhao’s hand on the table clenched into a fist.

A warm teacup touched the back of her hand, bringing Chu Zhao back to herself. She saw Xie Yanfang had pushed a cup of tea over to her.

“No one can save everyone in the realm,” he said softly. “Your Majesty has great aspirations to save the realm, but the realm cannot be equated with specific individuals.”

Principle was principle. Chu Zhao murmured agreement and lowered her eyes, grasping the teacup.

“Of course, someone who saves the realm cannot possibly watch idly as innocent people die. Is Your Majesty thinking of going to Yunzhong Commandery yourself?” Xie Yanfang’s voice continued, carrying a light note of amusement.

She had indeed been thinking this, even thinking that if it truly proved futile, she should witness it personally.

Witness how many people died because of her incompetence.

“Let me go.”

Hearing these words, Chu Zhao was slightly startled and raised her eyes to look at Xie Yanfang.

“By avoiding conflict with the Grand Tutor in court, I’ve done nothing. Now that Your Majesty can hold your own in court, I should also do something,” Xie Yanfang looked at her and said. “Regarding negotiating peace with the Xi Liang King, let me handle it.”

Chu Zhao’s lips moved—

“I know—no peace negotiations,” Xie Yanfang quickly added, smiling slightly. “Your Majesty can rest assured. What the Xi Liang King seeks cannot be realized. Xiao Yu is my hope, the emperor I place great expectations in supporting.”

Speaking of Xiao Yu, Xie Yanfang’s eyes showed both pride and pity.

“Xiao Yu at such a young age witnessed his parents’ tragic deaths with his own eyes, narrowly escaped death himself to sit on the throne, and faces both internal troubles and external threats. Since ancient times, sage wisdom instructs us that heaven is about to confer great responsibility upon such a person. If our Xiao Yu cannot become a sagacious emperor, with a stable state and prosperous people, expanding territory and achieving hegemony that previous ancestors never achieved, he would be unworthy of the suffering he has endured.”

“If we truly allow Xiao Yu to negotiate peace with Xi Liang during his reign, I, Xie Yanfang, cannot afford to lose such face.”

“Therefore, Empress, please rest assured. I will definitely not allow Da Xia to be humiliated by the Xi Liang King.”

Chu Zhao looked at the proud young gentleman before her and nodded. Yes, in the previous life, even after Xiao Yu died, Xie Yanfang still wanted to fight for the realm on his behalf. In this life, with Xiao Yu still alive, he would even more want to achieve hegemony for Xiao Yu. For someone like Xie Yanfang, this was also his hegemony.

The greatest achievement of towering above all others, looking down on all beings, controlling destiny.

Of course she believed Xie Yanfang wouldn’t suffer humiliation from the Xi Liang King. She believed that with Xie Yanfang going to Yunzhong Commandery, not only would the Xi Liang King be unable to achieve his desires, but he could be made to bow in submission, acknowledge his crimes and retreat, never daring to invade Da Xia again in his lifetime or even for the next two generations.

But the reason she hesitated was precisely because of this.

Someone who looks down on all beings has no beings in his eyes. The people of Shipo City, she feared—

“Your Majesty, you cannot go this time,” Xie Yanfang said, seeing her hesitation and even knowing why she hesitated. “Some things ministers can do that Your Majesty cannot.”

So he would definitely act without regard— Chu Zhao stared at him.

Seeing the girl’s gaze suddenly become sharp, Xie Yanfang smiled. “Your Majesty, rest assured. The people of Shipo City are people of the realm. I won’t let them die in despair while within Da Xia’s realm. Your Majesty and Xiao Yu are one. Your Majesty’s reputation is Xiao Yu’s reputation. I won’t let you suffer damage.”

Chu Zhao’s clenched hand slowly relaxed.

Xie Yanfang reached out to pick up the teacup he had poured for himself, looking at her with amusement in his eyes. “I, Xie Yanfang, keep my word. Surely Miss Zhao doesn’t doubt I have this capability?”

Miss Zhao might not trust him as a person, but Miss Zhao should trust his capabilities.

Chu Zhao smiled and nodded. Yes, that’s right. Who could not trust Xie Yanfang’s capabilities?

“Tomorrow’s court will discuss this matter,” she said with a smile. “Minister Xie can make preparations today.”

The meaning was for him to consult privately with his follower officials so the court discussion could pass smoothly without any trouble—swift and clean.

Xie Yanfang nodded with a smile, about to say “this minister obeys the decree” when footsteps pounded outside, accompanied by a girl’s loud shout.

“Miss—no, Your Majesty—”

A’Le rushed in from outside. Whether from running or something else, her face was bright red, tears gleaming in her eyes, her words confused.

“Great joy—no, great victory—”

Great joy? Great victory?

Chu Zhao’s heart felt as if suddenly seized.

“Zhang, courier urgent report,” A’Le said, gasping for breath and unable to speak clearly. She pointed behind her. “The person has arrived—”

Zhang courier urgent report. Chu Zhao understood. This was a report coming through Zhang Gu—private, or perhaps a step ahead of the official courier report.

She looked toward the entrance. Outside, a courier was being supported and brought in by two Dragon Robe Guards.

The courier had clearly exhausted himself from running.

“Report—” he called hoarsely. Though calling out, his voice was actually weak and feeble. “Roving General Xie Yanlai has broken through the Xi Liang King’s royal tent and captured alive the Xi Liang King—”

This weak and feeble voice transmitted clearly into everyone’s ears in the hall.

Chu Zhao instantly recovered her breath. She covered her face with both hands, tears streaming abundantly through her fingers.

She knew, she knew. Xie Yanlai had said so—she wouldn’t always have bad luck.