Deng Yi threw the Western Liang diplomatic letter onto the table.

The court session had already adjourned. When Chu Zhao said absolutely no peace negotiations, Deng Yi directly cut her off and said, “This matter will be discussed later,” and dismissed the court.

More than half of the officials immediately respectfully escorted the Emperor out. A few officials remained silent, only looking at the Empress, while others observed in silence.

Chu Zhao didn’t speak again and rose, taking the Emperor’s hand as they left.

Then Deng Yi summoned her to the study.

“No peace negotiations—you want to continue fighting?” he asked.

Chu Zhao looked at him: “Is this a peace negotiation? This is defeat.”

“Of course I know this is a defeat,” Deng Yi said harshly. “But what about the three hundred thousand civilians in 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 about the civilians who had fallen into Western Liang’s hands made her heart ache unbearably. She had personally witnessed how brutal the Western Liang soldiers could be.

“I know Her Majesty the Empress won’t abandon them,” Deng Yi said. “So can you not speak so definitively against peace negotiations in court? What will the court officials think? What will the world think when they hear your words?”

Chu Zhao raised her eyes to look at him, but still didn’t speak.

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

“No matter what, we cannot disregard the civilians of Shipo City. On the matter of peace negotiations, the court must make its position clear,” he said, looking at Chu Zhao. “Your Majesty, perhaps you should temporarily refrain from attending court sessions for a while.”

Chu Zhao, whose eyes had been somewhat blank, suddenly became sharp upon hearing this.

“Does the Imperial Tutor think that the failure of the military campaign is my responsibility?” she asked.

Deng Yi coldly replied: “The Empress has always positioned herself as the commander of the border army. How can you have no responsibility?”

Hearing these words, the girl before him didn’t show anger or self-blame. She smiled slightly, though to Deng Yi, this smile seemed unfamiliar.

“When I was previously in command, the border army never had any problems,” Chu Zhao said. “But ever since you, Imperial Tutor, interfered with the border army, deploying troops and investigating everything, the border army has been in chaos. Surely the Imperial Tutor knows that the Western Liang troops passed through the territory guarded by your favorite general, Liang Qiang?”

Deng Yi laughed derisively: “So Your Majesty now shifts the blame? If we’re speaking this way, then it’s more accurate to say that the Imperial Tutor interfered too late. Even after adjusting Liang Qiang’s position, it was too late to reverse the decline of Jiezi Pass!”

Chu Zhao still didn’t get angry, but propped her chin with her hand, her eyes gazing deeply at Deng Yi.

“This failure of the border army, with the Western Liang people occupying a city—who do you think benefits from it?” she asked.

Who? Of course, the Western Liang King. This wasn’t a question but a rhetorical one. Deng Yi looked at Chu Zhao.

“With this incident—” Chu Zhao looked at him, “will it be easier for the Imperial Tutor to depose the Empress?”

Deng Yi’s eyes darkened: “Chu Zhao, you think I would use the border army’s failure and civilians’ distress as a means to attack you?” He then laughed coldly, “You’re not worth it!”

“The Imperial Tutor has always prioritized personal interests. I had always thought the Imperial Tutor was just talking, but I didn’t expect that you would dare to act,” Chu Zhao said, sitting upright and raising her voice. “Ding Dachui!”

Footsteps sounded from outside, and Ding Dachui, wearing a dragon-patterned robe, entered with several people from the Imperial Guard, carrying a large box which they set down heavily in the hall with a thud.

Deng Yi frowned as he looked at it.

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

Deng Yi’s expression changed abruptly, and he turned to shout: “Chu Zhao, you dare to spy on court officials’ privacy!”

“What of spying on privacy?” Chu Zhao said calmly. “You were entrusted by the late Emperor to oversee state affairs, and I was entrusted to protect the nation. Anything related to Great Xia’s state affairs, I must know.”

Before Deng Yi could speak again, she waved her hand.

“Advisor Yin, bring out the Imperial Tutor’s correspondence with Liang Qiang, as well as the records of the Imperial Tutor’s discussions with officials about deposing the Empress.”

Advisor Yin responded affirmatively and took out a stack of documents from the box.

“Of course, to avoid affecting the Imperial Tutor and General Liang, these letters are copies we made,” he politely explained to Deng Yi, then continued, “And these are records of the Imperial Tutor’s discussions with officials at home regarding the matter of deposing the Empress.”

He opened them in front of himself to show Deng Yi.

Deng Yi only glanced at them, seeing that the documents detailed which month, which day, which time, where in the Imperial Tutor’s residence, who attended, even what dishes were served, what tea was brewed, and how many servants were present—all recorded in precise detail.

Deng Yi looked away; he didn’t need to see the contents anymore.

“So the Empress didn’t use the Dragon Guards just for arrests, interrogations, and shows of force,” he said coldly. “But for activities like this. If the late Emperor and your father knew that the words ‘Dragon Authority’ were manifested in this way, I wonder what they would think.”

Chu Zhao’s expression remained impassive. She didn’t answer his question but pointed to the letters and records Advisor Yin was holding: “In your correspondence with Liang Qiang, he said that being transferred to Jiezi Pass wasn’t suitable, but you told him to proceed freely, that you would take responsibility for anything that happened.”

Liang Qiang had indeed written such a letter. Though it seemed somewhat puzzling, it was normal for a young person to lack confidence, so he had offered a few words of encouragement 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 question, 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 interfering with military affairs.”

Deng Yi smiled and asked: “So?”

Chu Zhao said: “So the Imperial Tutor should not attend court for a while. Go back to your residence and reflect behind closed doors.”

Look at that, what a decisive Empress. He wanted her to temporarily stop attending court, and she immediately wanted to prevent him from attending first. Deng Yi looked at the girl’s deep eyes and smiled coldly: “Very well, let’s see if the Empress can get her way when this Imperial Tutor doesn’t attend court.”

With that, he turned and walked out.

Chu Zhao watched his retreating figure and said: “Commander Ding, escort the Imperial Tutor back to his residence.”

Ding Dachui responded affirmatively and led Advisor Yin and others to “escort” Deng Yi. Outside the inner palace, even more Dragon Guards were waiting. They would not only personally escort the Imperial Tutor back to his residence but would also be stationed outside it.

What the Dragon Guards meant, everyone now knew, so what kind of shock this scene would cause was easy to imagine.

Chu Zhao seemed to already be able to see the officials’ shocked expressions and the subsequent uproar.

But she didn’t care anymore.

This situation had never occurred in that lifetime.

In that lifetime, even facing the Xie clan’s rebellion, the border commandery had never fallen.

Why? In this lifetime, because Xiao Xun didn’t become Emperor and the Xie clan didn’t rebel, the border commandery had fallen?

And now they wanted peace negotiations.

Was this a peace negotiation? She looked at the Western Liang diplomatic letter on the table. The Western Liang King wanted to call the Great Xia Emperor his brother, wanted Great Xia to open trade routes, wanted this and that—even through the text, one could see the Western Liang King’s smug expression.

If that were to happen, what would all the deaths and injuries in the past two years mean?

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

How could this be?

Was she inferior to Xiao Xun?

There was a knocking sound at the doorframe. Chu Zhao instinctively looked toward the hall entrance, her somewhat blank gaze seeing Xie Yanfang standing at the door.

“I came from outside,” Xie Yanfang said when he saw her looking over, pointing outside. “I saw—”

He didn’t continue, but his meaning was clear.

The hall was deep, and sunlight seemed unable to penetrate it. The young lord in official robes at the door had somewhat blurred features, but his concern was palpable.

Chu Zhao smiled slightly and said: “The Third Young Master must find this amusing.”

In this lifetime, her reign as Empress was not as effective as Xiao Xun’s would have been. The Third Young Master Xie, who had been helpless against Xiao Xun in that lifetime, must find this scene quite laughable if he were to see it.

“Your Majesty, you are the Empress,” the clear voice of the young lord at the door carried over. “What you do is for the country and the people, never laughable.”

Chu Zhao smiled, this time genuinely, and her blank gaze focused. She gestured an invitation: “Minister Xie, please enter.”

Xie Yanfang withdrew his hand from the door and bowed: “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

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

“Is everyone outside startled?” Chu Zhao asked.

Xie Yanfang nodded and then shook his head, not answering, but instead smiled: “If it were the capital garrison troops entering to guard the inner palace, everyone would be equally startled.”

Both scenarios would startle people—which one would the Empress prefer? Chu Zhao understood his meaning, and her eyes instantly became resolute. Of course, it was better if others were confined.

But thinking of the current situation in Yunzhong Commandery, Chu Zhao’s expression darkened again. She sighed lightly, looking at the Western Liang diplomatic letter on the table.

“You shouldn’t worry too much about this either,” Xie Yanfang reached out to take the diplomatic letter. “The sudden news of Shipo City being occupied is frightening, but apart from that, the rest of Yunzhong Commandery is tightly defended. Despite fighting on multiple fronts, they haven’t allowed the Western Liang people to advance a single step further.”

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

She looked at the Western Liang diplomatic letter in Xie Yanfang’s hand.

What about the civilians in Shipo City?

If they didn’t negotiate for peace, the enraged Western Liang people would make the civilians perish with them.

She could imagine the Western Liang people’s methods—they would execute civilians outside the city in batches to intimidate and threaten the military and civilians of Yunzhong Commandery.

Such executions had probably already begun.

Chu Zhao’s hand on the table clenched.

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

“No one can save everyone in the world,” he said softly. “Your Majesty harbors great ambitions to save the world, but the world cannot be equated with certain individuals.”

Principles are principles. Chu Zhao made a sound of acknowledgment and lowered her eyes, gripping the teacup.

“Of course, those who want to save the world cannot bear to watch innocent people in the world die in vain. Is Your Majesty thinking of going to Yunzhong Commandery personally?” Xie Yanfang’s voice continued, with a gentle laugh.

She had indeed thought so, and even thought that if it were truly futile, she would at least witness it with her own eyes.

Witness how many people would die due to her incompetence.

“Let me go instead.”

Hearing these words, Chu Zhao was slightly startled and looked up at Xie Yanfang.

“While avoiding the conflict with the Imperial Tutor at court, I’ve been doing nothing. Now that Your Majesty can handle court affairs independently, it’s time for me to take action,” Xie Yanfang looked at her and said, “Let me handle the peace negotiations with the Western Liang King.”

Chu Zhao’s lips moved—

“I know, no peace negotiations,” Xie Yanfang hurriedly added, smiling slightly. “Rest assured, Your Majesty, what the Western Liang King desires cannot be realized. A Yu is my hope, the monarch I have high expectations for and wish to support.”

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

“A Yu, at such a young age, witnessed the tragic death of his parents, escaped death himself before ascending to the throne, and now faces both internal and external troubles. Since ancient times, wise words have taught us that ‘Heaven assigns great responsibilities to this person.’ If our A Yu cannot become a wise and enlightened emperor, with a stable country, prosperous people, expanded territories, and achievements unprecedented by any ancestor, it would not be worth all the suffering he has endured.”

“If we truly allowed peace negotiations with Western Liang during Xiao Yu’s reign, I, Xie Yanfang, could not bear the shame.”

“So, Empress, please be assured that I will never let Great Xia be humiliated by the Western Liang King.”

Chu Zhao looked at the proud young lord before her and nodded. Yes, in the previous lifetime, Xiao Yu had died, and Xie Yanfang still fought for the empire on his behalf. In this lifetime, with Xiao Yu still alive, he would even more ardently strive to achieve greatness for Xiao Yu. For someone like Xie Yanfang, this was also his path to greatness.

The greatest achievement of looking down upon the world from above, gazing upon all living beings, and controlling destiny.

She certainly believed that Xie Yanfang would not endure humiliation from the Western Liang King. She believed that if Xie Yanfang went to Yunzhong Commandery, the Western Liang King would inevitably fail to get what he wanted, but instead would bow his head in submission, admit guilt, and retreat, and neither in his lifetime nor in the next two generations would they dare to disturb Great Xia again.

But the reason she hesitated was precisely because of this.

A person who looked down upon all living beings from above had no regard for those beings. The civilians of Shipo City were likely—

“Your Majesty, you cannot go this time,” Xie Yanfang noticed her hesitation and even knew why she hesitated. “Some things can be done by ministers, but not by Your Majesty.”

So he would disregard them—Chu Zhao stared at him.

Seeing the girl’s gaze suddenly turn sharp, Xie Yanfang smiled: “Your Majesty, rest assured, the people of Shipo City are part of the realm. I won’t let them die in despair while under Great Xia’s sovereignty. Your Majesty and A Yu are one, and Your Majesty’s reputation is A Yu’s reputation. I won’t let you suffer any damage.”

Chu Zhao’s clenched hand slowly relaxed.

Xie Yanfang reached out to pick up the teacup he had poured himself, his eyes smiling as he looked at her: “I, Xie Yanfang, keep my word. Does Miss A Zhao not believe in my ability?”

Miss A Zhao might not trust him as a person, but Miss A Zhao should believe in his abilities.

Chu Zhao smiled and nodded. Yes, indeed, who could not believe in Xie Yanfang’s abilities?

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

This meant letting him privately discuss with his follower officials, so that the court discussion would pass in one go, without any trouble, clean and efficient.

Xie Yanfang nodded with a smile, just about to say “This minister obeys,” when there came the sound of hurried footsteps from outside, accompanied by a girl’s shout.

“Miss—no, Your Majesty—”

A Le rushed in from outside, her face flushed red, whether from running or something else, tears glinting in her eyes, her words jumbled.

“Great joy—no, great victory—”

Great joy? Great victory?

Chu Zhao’s heart felt as if it had suddenly been gripped.

“Zhang, urgent postal report,” A Le said, panting, unable to continue, pointing behind her. “Person’s here—”

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

She looked toward the door. Outside, a postal soldier was being supported by two Dragon Guards as they brought him in.

The postal soldier had exhausted himself from running.

“Report—” he called out hoarsely. Though he was shouting, his voice was weak. “Mobile Infantry General Xie Yanlai has broken through the Western Liang King’s royal tent and captured alive… the Western Liang King—”

This weak voice reached the ears of everyone in the hall.

Chu Zhao instantly caught her breath. She covered her face with both hands, tears flowing copiously through the gaps between her fingers.

She knew, she knew, Xie Yanlai had told her before, she wouldn’t always have bad luck.