When they discovered that Deng Yi, the imperial seal, and the tiger tally had all disappeared, Chu Zhao sent the empress’s edicts to various places with one hand, while having the Gongwei Bureau investigate the relay stations with the other.
As expected, the heir apparent of Prince Zhongshan had also vanished.
Next, they discovered that capital troops had been mobilized.
Not just capital troops—many provinces and commanderies had been manipulated as well, and using secret orders made tracing extremely difficult.
The imperial seal and tiger tally were simply too important.
The empress’s edicts relied purely on Chu Zhao’s own prestige, so they were half successful and half failed.
However, at the same time, Xie Yanlai left the capital heading toward Zhongshan Commandery, meeting with officials, generals, and prominent families along the way, making preparations.
Thus, after Xiao Xun declared his rebellion and raised troops, they barely managed to block him north of the Yellow River.
“Please, come quickly,” Chu Zhao said, rising with Xiao Yu to greet him.
Xie Yanfang walked in from outside, his robes stained with the dust of travel, which didn’t diminish his bearing in the slightest.
“Uncle, you’ve worked hard,” Xiao Yu said happily, speaking first.
Xie Yanfang smiled and bowed: “I greet Your Majesty and the Empress.”
Chu Zhao told him to rise and first had palace maids and eunuchs take Xie Yanfang to bathe and change clothes. Xie Yanfang smiled his thanks without declining. When he finished washing and emerged wearing fresh robes, the dining table was also laden with an array of dishes.
“The palace has cooks skilled in Dongyang flavors,” Chu Zhao said, putting her arm around Xiao Yu. “Ah Yu’s tastes are very similar to his mother’s.”
Chu Zhao never avoided mentioning the deceased crown princess consort. Forgetting wasn’t the way to combat grief and fear—facing it was.
Xiao Yu said warmly: “Uncle, try it and see if it suits your taste.”
Xie Yanfang sat down as instructed but didn’t immediately pick up his bowl and chopsticks. Instead, he smiled and said: “This subject is being improper—I want to express a sentiment that breaks protocol.”
Chu Zhao smiled: “This beloved minister is pardoned from any offense.”
Xie Yanfang sighed softly and leaned back against the chair: “It’s so good to be home.”
Chu Zhao laughed heartily, but as she laughed, she paused slightly, thinking of how Deng Yi had practically lived in the front hall of the imperial city before, and people privately joked that he treated the imperial city as his home while the Grand Tutor’s residence was just a warehouse for storing gifts.
“I say ‘home’ because I’ve seen my family,” Xie Yanfang said softly.
Chu Zhao withdrew her thoughts and ladled a bowl of soup, smiling: “Uncle, please eat.”
Xie Yanfang couldn’t help but laugh aloud, tilting his head slightly as he reached out to receive it: “Thank you, thank you.”
Xiao Yu also learned from Chu Zhao at the side, placing food in Xie Yanfang’s dish: “Uncle, try this. This is my favorite.”
Xie Yanfang also smiled as he accepted the small plate, saying: “Good, good.”
He ate the food and used a silver spoon to drink the soup. Chu Zhao and Xiao Yu also ate their own meals. Palace maids quietly moved in and out, lighting lamps. Inside the room, the autumn night was refreshing, with figures nestled close together.
How wonderful this was.
Xie Yanfang gently wiped the corners of his mouth with a cloth. Though Deng Yi hadn’t died, by rebelling with Xiao Xun, to Chu Zhao he was as good as dead—he no longer existed.
This person should never have existed.
“North of the Yellow River, three commanderies and twenty-eight cities have submitted to Xiao Xun. Prince Zhongshan’s privately raised troops plus those deceived by the tiger tally and mobilized to submit total two hundred and seventy thousand.”
Hearing Xie Yanfang’s words, Xiao Yu couldn’t help but glance at Chu Zhao. In court, the ministers had said much, but hadn’t confirmed Xiao Xun’s troop numbers. Now hearing this figure—he hadn’t expected that after stripping away one hundred thousand last time, Prince Zhongshan’s side could still muster so many troops.
Chu Zhao’s expression was calm. In the previous life, Xiao Xun had even more troops than this. Of course, that was because he was the legitimate emperor. However, the illegitimate rebel Xie clan’s forces initially numbered about the same.
She glanced at Xie Yanfang.
So in this life, had the two switched places?
She couldn’t help but smile.
Seeing her smile, Xie Yanfang also smiled: “No need to worry. At first, momentum is always vigorous and imposing. Add to that the imperial seal and tiger tally stolen by Deng Yi, and many people will be deceived. But as time passes and the court’s forces strike back, they’ll come to their senses.”
Chu Zhao said: “I’m not worried, with Minister Xie here.” She smiled as she spoke.
Though Xie Yanfang felt her smile was strange, he could confirm she spoke these words sincerely.
“However,” Chu Zhao continued, “I want to personally go and face Xiao Xun in battle.”
Xiao Yu, holding his spoon, was somewhat surprised. Xie Yanfang paused briefly, then immediately said: “The Empress is valiant.”
Chu Zhao smiled and shook her head: “No, besides valor, this time I should say it’s… pride. Xiao Xun and Deng Yi curse me as a throne-stealing evil empress, slandering my father and me as treacherous ministers and rebels. So I’ll personally go and strike them down, let them know just how evil this evil empress can be.”
Xie Yanfang smiled and clapped: “Well said. The Empress must personally vent this righteous anger.”
Xiao Yu also smiled, though his eyes couldn’t hide reluctance and a trace of self-reproach.
He was too weak and small. Time and again he invited Prince Zhongshan’s aggression, and could only let Sister Chu block it for him again and again.
Chu Zhao saw this but didn’t offer comfort. Instead, she called Eunuch Qi: “Bring the proclamation His Majesty has written and quickly show it to Third Young Master.”
Eunuch Qi did as told and brought it.
Xie Yanfang smiled as he took it and read carefully, nodding as he read. His expression gradually became solemn. After finishing once and setting it down, he looked at Xiao Yu: “Though Your Majesty is young and some phrases are still immature, between the lines, your momentum is as sharp as a sword.”
Chu Zhao smiled: “Right? Well written, isn’t it? Especially those opening lines: ‘I have been the target of Prince Zhongshan’s murderous schemes twice already, and twice he has failed. So this third time, he will fail again.’ And also this line—”
She leaned over and pointed at the paper with her finger.
“At that time, Imperial Grandfather told me that inheriting the throne would be a very dangerous and difficult path for me, but I remained fearless. From that moment, I knew I would face today. I have long been prepared. I want to show Imperial Grandfather, Father and Mother, and the people of Da Xia that I, without fear or shame, am the Emperor of Da Xia.”
Chu Zhao read it through once, then added another sentence.
“Ah Yu wrote this himself.”
Watching Chu Zhao’s animated chatter, Xiao Yu felt somewhat embarrassed.
Xie Yanfang reached out and patted Xiao Yu’s shoulder: “The late emperor, your father and mother, are all proud of you. Ah Yu, you will be Da Xia’s most challenged yet also most mighty emperor.”
“So,” Chu Zhao said, looking at Xiao Yu, “I will wield Ah Yu as a sharp sword and go into battle. This battle isn’t for Ah Yu’s sake—to be selfish about it, it’s for myself. I want to wash away this disgrace!”
Xiao Yu’s face brightened with a smile: “Sister, I’m willing to fight alongside you and help you wash away this disgrace.”
……
……
When Xie Yanfang returned home, night had already deepened. Seventh Master Xie was still waiting for him.
“The Empress wants to personally lead the expedition?” Hearing Xie Yanfang’s words, Seventh Master Xie frowned with displeasure. “She’s really become addicted to warfare.”
Xie Yanfang said: “So we’ll give our full effort, preparing troops and connections, letting the Empress fight a magnificent campaign to suppress the rebellion, letting Miss Zhao properly vent her anger.”
Seventh Master Xie snorted: “Once again we’re making wedding clothes for Miss Zhao, letting her achieve her wishes and steal all the glory.”
Xie Yanfang sat down, looking at the unfinished chess game on the table that had remained untouched for a long time.
“We’re not losing anything. Moreover, if Deng Yi dies by Miss Zhao’s hand, it’s better than dying by mine,” he said with a smile. “They allied and rose together, then will mutually slaughter each other and scatter. This is restoring proper order.”
At this point, he studied the chessboard again.
“Incidentally, there’s one more place that needs correcting.”
“That way, everything will be perfect.”