Deng Yi withdrew his gaze and nodded to Xie Yanfang: “It shall be so. The Third Prince’s crimes are unforgivable.”

Xie Yanfang rose and added: “I have already killed the Third Prince.”

Deng Yi was not particularly surprised—Xie Yanfang had tried to save the Crown Prince, and for that, he would dare anything. In his eyes, the Third Prince was an irreconcilable enemy who had to be eliminated.

Chu Zhao, however, was surprised again. In her previous life, the Third Prince hadn’t died—she hadn’t expected that in this life, Xie Yanfang would directly kill the Third Prince.

In that life, events had unfolded suddenly, and Xie Yanfang hadn’t had the opportunity. If he had, he would certainly have killed the Third Prince with his own hands.

“I request the Grand Tutor’s help in concealing this as well,” Xie Yanfang bowed again.

Although the Third Prince deserved execution for his crimes, he was still the Emperor’s son, and only the Emperor could execute him.

Xie Yanfang killing the Third Prince, no matter how justified, would inevitably incur the Emperor’s displeasure.

Chu Zhao quickly looked toward Deng Yi: “Grand Tutor, the Third Young Master is right. For the Young Prince’s sake, this matter must be kept secret.”

See, she also knew how to protect someone who was entirely devoted to the Young Prince’s safety and honor.

Deng Yi ignored her, only nodding at Xie Yanfang, saying again: “It shall be so.”

Xie Yanfang bowed respectfully: “Yanfang thanks the Grand Tutor on behalf of his brother-in-law and sister.”

He held no official position, and the Grand Tutor’s decisions were matters of state. He had no right to praise them, as praise might seem presumptuous.

But as the closest relative of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, expressing gratitude was appropriate.

Third Young Master Xie was indeed socially adept. Deng Yi smiled and returned the bow: “It is this minister’s duty.”

Xie Yanfang didn’t continue with pleasantries and said: “The Third Prince had bought off half the capital garrison. I’ve been fighting outside the city all night and have mostly cleaned things up. Next, I request the Grand Tutor to take charge.”

Deng Yi said: “There are also many followers of the Third Prince and the Zhao family in the court. We’re short-handed, so I’ll have to trouble Third Young Master Xie with the garrison matters.”

Xie Yanfang responded affirmatively: “It is Xie Yanfang’s unquestionable duty.”

Chu Zhao, who had been listening to their conversation, now said: “Third Young Master, we must also pursue the Prince of Zhongshan’s heir.”

Xie Yanfang looked at her.

“Bringing the Young Prince to the Imperial City was a risky move,” Chu Zhao told him.

Xie Yanfang nodded. He could imagine how dangerous it had been, with the city full of the Third Prince’s men. However, if Miss Chu dared to take the risk, she must have been confident. What had Chu Yi left behind?

Of course, he wouldn’t ask this directly.

“But I had no choice at the time, not because of the Third Prince, but because the Prince of Zhongshan’s heir, Xiao Xun, came to kill the Young Prince,” Chu Zhao said.

Xie Yanfang immediately understood and sighed lightly: “Not surprising. How could the Prince of Zhongshan’s heir miss such a good opportunity? And I believe the assassination of the Crown Prince was very likely orchestrated by him.” At this point, he bowed to Chu Zhao again, “If not for you, Miss A-Zhao, I don’t know how I would have faced this situation.”

It wouldn’t have made much difference. In her previous life, he had handled it quite effectively, making life very difficult for Xiao Xun. Chu Zhao smiled. With her help in this life, they would make Xiao Xun’s life even more miserable.

“Earlier, when I went to the inner palace with Yanlai, I saw the Young Prince running out looking for you,” Xie Yanfang said. The guard who had stepped aside was still standing at the door, waiting for them to finish their conversation before approaching. Since he knew who the “sister” the Young Prince referred to was, he naturally brought it up first.

Chu Zhao made a sound of realization: “So A-Yu is awake.”

He wasn’t sleeping soundly.

“I’ll go check on him,” she said, looking at Deng Yi, then at Xie Yanfang. With these two men in charge, the court would be stable, and Xiao Xun wouldn’t have an easy time.

She curtseyed to both men.

“I leave the affairs of state to the Grand Tutor and the Third Young Master.”

These words made her sound as if she already considered herself the mistress of the imperial family, Deng Yi thought, but he said nothing, glancing at Third Young Master Xie—

Miss Chu’s becoming a member of the imperial family was something Third Young Master Xie still didn’t know.

Miss Chu showed sincerity and care when meeting Xie Yanfang, protecting and relying on him throughout, but never mentioning this matter—she wasn’t being completely honest.

Deng Yi’s lips tightened, and he nodded slightly: “Miss Chu, please go.”

Of course, he wouldn’t mention it either.

This matter had nothing to do with him; it was between Miss Chu and the Xie family.

Although Xie Yanfang found Deng Yi’s expression, which seemed to be hiding a smile, somewhat strange, he paid it no mind. Everything had changed, but he, Xie Yanfang, was still here, and the Young Prince, with Xie family blood, was still here, so everything was still in place.

“Thank you for taking care of A-Yu, Miss Chu,” he said with a bow.

Chu Zhao sighed lightly: “It is my honor.”

In this life, being able to save Xiao Yu was indeed her good fortune.

…

…

Xie Yanfang watched Chu Zhao walk out, seeing the guards bow to her. She beckoned to one guard, said something that Xie Yanfang couldn’t hear, and the guard went off with her orders—

These unfamiliar guards seemed very familiar with Chu Zhao—these must be the unknown forces Chu Yi had left behind.

This palace, it seemed, was not only in Deng Yi’s control.

“Third Young Master Xie,” Deng Yi said.

Xie Yanfang withdrew his gaze.

Deng Yi gestured to him: “Please sit down to talk.”

Xie Yanfang responded affirmatively and walked over to sit down.

…

…

Chu Zhao walked past layers of guards toward the inner palace. She wasn’t particularly worried about how Deng Yi and Xie Yanfang would interact.

No matter how intelligent Xie Yanfang was, Deng Yi was someone who dared to strike even the Emperor’s face.

And no matter how formidable Deng Yi was, Xie Yanfang was someone who dared to rebel—

Neither of them was easy to deal with.

A clash of strong personalities was good for the young monarch at present.

Seeing Chu Zhao return, the eunuchs standing in front of the hall all sighed with relief and hurried over, saying, “Miss Chu, you’re back.”

No one dared to question why she had left the Young Prince or why she had been gone for so long.

Because of Xie Yanlai’s words, Xiao Yu had been persuaded back to bed, but hadn’t fallen asleep. When he saw Chu Zhao enter, he quickly jumped out of bed.

“Don’t run, don’t run,” Chu Zhao stretched out her arms to catch Xiao Yu and hold him, not waiting for him to speak before saying, “His Majesty called me to talk, and then I went to see Grand Tutor Deng. You were asleep at the time, so I didn’t wake you or tell you. Don’t be angry.”

Xiao Yu shook his head, then nodded, saying nothing.

Chu Zhao led him to the bedside: “You haven’t slept for a full day and night. The Imperial Physician said you need rest, and you must regain your strength.”

Xiao Yu nodded, but didn’t let go of Chu Zhao’s hand, saying softly: “You haven’t slept either, and you’ve been riding and fighting. You also need to rest and regain your strength.”

Chu Zhao smiled: “A-Yu is right.” She gestured to Xiao Yu, “Quick, get into bed. I’ll rest with you.”

Only then did the tension ease from the child’s small face. He obediently climbed into bed. Chu Zhao covered him with a blanket and suddenly felt something hard, seeing a bamboo tube.

This bamboo tube wasn’t unfamiliar to Chu Zhao.

When she first held Xiao Yu in Chu Garden, she had discovered it. The child had clutched the bamboo tube tightly, not letting go for even a moment.

At that time, the situation was urgent, and she hadn’t asked about it, even thinking it might be some important national treasure he had brought out.

It was still in Xiao Yu’s hands, even when he slept.

“What’s this?” she asked curiously.

Xiao Yu quickly held the bamboo tube to his chest and lowered his eyes, saying: “Nothing.”

Chu Zhao made a sound of acknowledgment and asked no more.

But Xiao Yu looked at her again and said: “It’s… something I cut in the mountains.”

The child still offered her an explanation. Chu Zhao gently stroked his head, feeling somewhat sad. For this child, who had been happily playing with his parents, who could have imagined that in the blink of an eye they would be separated forever, with only this bamboo tube left in his hands?

“Then you must keep it safe,” she said, lying down beside him and gently patting both Xiao Yu and the bamboo tube. “Such a good thing can’t be lost.”

Xiao Yu didn’t speak again, gradually closing his eyes with Chu Zhao’s patting.

Chu Zhao watched the child’s fluttering eyelashes, feeling his tense body under the blanket, and sighed inwardly, not exposing his pretense of sleep.

In that life, she hadn’t had children of her own. Before, she had thought it was because her body was weak, and she had blamed herself. Now, of course, she knew that Xiao Xun would never have allowed her to have children.

It was better not to have had any.

Chu Zhao looked at Xiao Yu’s young face. With her terrible fate, if she had left a child in the world, how could that child have survived? It would have been too cruel, too pitiful.

Chu Zhao patted Xiao Yu and gradually fell asleep herself.

She also hadn’t closed her eyes for a day and night.

After she stopped moving, Xiao Yu, who had been closing his eyes, opened them and stared blankly at the canopy, clutching the bamboo tube tightly in his arms, curling up into a ball.

…

…

As night fell once more on the Imperial City, it was brightly lit with lamps, and imperial guards stood everywhere.

Xie Yanlai threw down his horse, took off his sword, and strode into the palace with a somewhat displeased expression. When someone stopped him, his brow relaxed.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Deputy Commander Zhong scolded with a stern face. “Weren’t you ordered to guard the city gate? Why are you running around—”

Before he could finish, the young man bowed: “Very well, please inform Miss Chu that I am taking my leave.”

As he spoke, he turned to go.

“Stand still,” Deputy Commander Zhong shouted angrily. Fortunately, his ears were sharp, and he had heard the words “Miss Chu.” Though reluctant, he said, “Since Miss Chu has called for you, you’d better hurry along.”

Xie Yanlai said, “Deputy Commander Zhong, why don’t you go in and ask? Perhaps Miss Chu, concerned about your busyness, didn’t have a chance to tell you. After all, you’re the most reliable person for any task.”

Deputy Commander Zhong certainly knew he was the most reliable, but since Miss Chu wanted to see this young man—

“Stop wasting words,” he reprimanded in a low voice. “Get in there quickly.”

Xie Yanlai raised an eyebrow and said softly: “So late at night, how inconvenient—”

Deputy Commander Zhong’s scar twitched, and he said in a low voice: “Your nephew is inside looking for you. What’s inconvenient about that?” With that, he grabbed the young man’s arm and pushed him inward.

He intended to kick him as well, but he was too slow. The young man had already jumped away and strode off.

Deputy Commander Zhong stared at the young man’s back, snorting inwardly. Miss Chu was looking for him only for the Young Prince’s sake; this young man had better not get any ideas.