“The evil deeds of Prince Zhongshan and his son must be proclaimed to the world. Otherwise, it will be difficult to comfort the dead and inspire the living. But doing so will also harm Empress Chu’s reputation.”

“To prevent any damage to Empress Chu, please have the Grand Tutor also publicly reveal your past association with Prince Zhongshan, exposing the viciousness of the prince and his son, while also proving Empress Chu’s bravery and decisiveness.”

If he didn’t step forward, would he be the one damaging the Empress’s reputation?

Deng Yi sneered coldly: “Xie Yanfang, spare me your lengthy explanations. You want to drag out Chu Lan’s old affairs—you’re the one threatening Chu Zhao’s reputation. Why drag me into this? If you want to bully that young lady, go ahead, but I’m not so easily bullied.”

Bullying, Xie Yanfang nodded and sighed softly: “Yes, doing this means I’m bullying her. To avoid causing her irreparable harm, I can only come bully you instead.”

Deng Yi looked at Xie Yanfang, finding it quite amusing: “A person like you—should Miss Chu hate you or thank you?”

Xie Yanfang smiled slightly and said: “With a person like me around, Miss Chu will be very grateful to you, Grand Tutor.”

With that, he turned and left.

Deng Yi leaned back in his chair, silent and contemplative.

The minor official who had been hiding in the corner came forward and said in a low voice: “Grand Tutor, are you really going to testify to Prince Zhongshan’s treason?”

“This battle is unavoidable.” Deng Yi said. “The sin of heavy civilian casualties can only be borne by Prince Zhongshan and his son.”

“Then just let Chu Lan take the blame alone—after all, he’s the one who did it.” The official said. “Even if the Empress were here, at this moment she could only righteously eliminate her kin.”

If that young lady were here at this moment, would she push out her own uncle? Deng Yi thought about it and felt she would, but also felt she wouldn’t. This young lady was somewhat unpredictable.

“Don’t listen to Xie Yanfang. You mustn’t come forward.” The official urged anxiously. “If the Empress’s reputation is damaged, she’ll merely be confined and kept in the palace. But if someone seizes on your past involvement, it could be dug up in the future and ruin your prospects.”

The future—meaning when the Emperor grew up and took personal command, when the Grand Tutor was no longer regent and no longer held the imperial seal. When the sovereign wanted a subject dead, what could the subject do?

“Xie Yanfang is truly shameless. This is killing two birds with one stone. From now on, only their Xie clan will remain spotlessly clean.”

Deng Yi naturally understood this reasoning, but—

“Compared to others, having Miss Chu as Empress benefits me in every way with no harm.” Deng Yi said. “I must protect her. Even if we both bear tainted names, as long as we’re both here and united in purpose, the Xie clan shouldn’t expect good days.”

If he abandoned Chu Zhao without regard, that would truly be letting the Xie clan kill two birds with one stone.

That young lady had said before that she was generous, that she was someone who could give everything in return.

She was no longer the girl who could only treat him to a meal. Though her father was gone, she had secured the border army herself, earned military merits, and her reputation had spread throughout the world.

He opened the letter he had taken out earlier.

Xiao Xun had indeed written to him as well. The letter was very simple, just one sentence.

“Grand Tutor, will you open the gates?”

Deng Yi could barely remember what Xiao Xun looked like, but this one sentence was enough to conjure the image of a lofty imperial clan member.

This imperial clan member appeared courteous, gentle, and amiable, but in reality, all people under heaven were beneath their notice.

With a flick of his hand, Deng Yi tossed the letter into the fire basin, where it transformed into ash.

“He wants me to open the gates.” He said. “Before, you weren’t worthy, and you still aren’t now.”

He looked at the minor official.

“Make arrangements. Tonight I’ll go see Chu Lan.”

The official acknowledged the order.

…

…

When night fell, Qi Leyun couldn’t sleep. Her father’s words today had been strange and peculiar. When pressed, he refused to explain, only urging them to move out immediately. The family had been packing belongings until midnight, the clanging and banging making sleep impossible.

What did he mean by “everyone will be fine, but the Empress will have problems”?

Was he saying Chu Zhao would lead troops to aid the capital, and fighting was dangerous?

Chu Zhao wouldn’t be in danger—she even dared fight the Xi Liang people.

But it truly was exhausting. She had to fight the Xi Liang people and also Prince Zhongshan. This was probably the Empress’s duty. Qi Leyun felt both sympathetic and less worried. Drowsily about to fall asleep, just as she closed her eyes, commotion came from outside—it seemed many people were barging in.

Someone was shouting, someone was screaming, someone was crying, firelight flickering.

In an instant, Qi Leyun thought of the imperial princes’ chaos from before.

Could it be, again—

But there were no other imperial princes now.

Had Prince Zhongshan broken through?

Qi Leyun scrambled up urgently. Before she could call out, she heard maids shrieking as a group of people charged in with chaotic footsteps.

They were a group of black-armored guards, weapons in hand.

Qi Leyun also screamed in fright.

These black-armored guards didn’t kill anyone after entering, but scattered to search everywhere. Boxes and cabinets were turned out, but they ignored the money and jewels scattered on the ground. They quickly withdrew and the official standing at the door shook his head. “Nothing.”

Lady Qi held Qi Leyun while Master Qi repeatedly assured the official: “There really isn’t anything. Although we live here, we’ve never had any contact with them. We truly know nothing.”

What were they looking for? Qi Leyun was both frightened and confused.

“You saw Chu Tang today?” The official looked at Qi Leyun and asked. “Did she say where she was going?”

Chu Tang? They were looking for Chu Tang? Qi Leyun stood stunned. Lady Qi urgently prompted: “Speak quickly, don’t hide anything. Something serious has happened.”

“I did see her. We went out together to have fun, then came back together. She just went home. I watched her go in with my own eyes.” Qi Leyun said, then couldn’t help asking, “What happened to her?”

The official didn’t answer her. Probably realizing he couldn’t learn anything more, he turned and left, and the black-armored guards also departed in a rush.

Qi Leyun looked at the mess everywhere and her frightened family members, asking urgently: “What exactly happened? Has the capital been captured?”

Were these people here to arrest the Empress’s family?

Master Qi’s expression was complex. He said: “The capital hasn’t been captured yet. Chu Tang’s entire family has disappeared.”

Disappeared? Qi Leyun was surprised and confused: “What do you mean disappeared?”

Lady Qi pinched her arm: “Foolish child, the whole family fled!”

…

…

“The neighbors noticed nothing. The Chu Lan couple never went out, always recuperating from illness. Chu Tang even went out with the young ladies today.” The official reported to Deng Yi.

Nothing unusual at all.

Deng Yi stood in the great hall. Night was receding, light and shadow dim. He suddenly smiled.

“Don’t say you rose early—there’s always someone who rose earlier.” He said. “We just conceived the idea, and the Chu clan has already fled.”

The official was somewhat annoyed: “My lord, they must be hiding in some aristocratic family’s estate. They wouldn’t run outside at this time.”

With fighting about to break out outside, as members of the imperial maternal family, running outside would be seeking death.

Deng Yi nodded and said: “Go search every household, one by one. Don’t hide it—tell everyone that the Chu clan has a guilty conscience and fled to escape punishment. Whoever harbors them will be charged as accomplices.”

The people might have fled, but the crime couldn’t.

The official acknowledged and turned to stride away.

Deng Yi stood silently in the hall. How did the Chu Lan family flee so timely? Since Chu Zhao’s absence, the Chu Lan family had been cut off from the palace. Where did they get the information?

Were they so good at reading situations? The Chu Lan family had no such capable people.

Could it be that Chu Zhao told them?

The thought occurred to Deng Yi.

But first Prince Zhongshan had cut off messages, then the court deliberately concealed information. How did she know? And how did she get the message in?

Regardless, Third Young Master Xie’s plan had been instantly disrupted. Deng Yi suddenly smiled and called someone.

“Go tell Third Young Master Xie this good news.”

…

…

Without Deng Yi saying anything, Xie Yanfang already knew.

“How did they just flee?” Du Qi was surprised and angry. “A guilty conscience?”

Xie Yanfang showed neither surprise nor anger, smiling slightly: “The Chu Lan family has indeed always had a guilty conscience.”

Actually, their fleeing didn’t surprise him.

“What’s strange is that someone was willing to help them escape and willing to shelter and hide them.”

Steward Cai entered with a piece of paper, saying: “Yesterday five families left the city—some saying they were going to ancestral estates in the countryside, some saying they were going on outings. They had carriages and horses. This is the list.”

Xie Yanfang took it and looked, saying: “All prominent aristocratic families. By rights, these families wouldn’t even glance at the Chu Lan family.”

“Because Chu Zhao is the Empress.” Du Qi said.

Xie Yanfang shook his head: “It’s not just because of the Empress title.”

Throughout history, many had become empresses, and imperial maternal families had their own moments of glory, but for great aristocratic clans, they didn’t necessarily have to curry favor or fear them.

Moreover, the Chu clan’s family was thin and weak.

They were willing to help because of Chu Zhao herself.

This young lady had seized the position of Empress before, and now she had won people’s hearts.

Xie Yanfang lowered his eyes.

“Find out which family it is. I’ll visit personally.”

…

…

Inside the swaying carriage, the wooden plank cracks went from pitch darkness to letting in light. After swaying for who knows how long, it finally stopped.

The wooden planks were removed one by one, and a young lady’s face appeared before them.

She knocked on the carriage board, looking at the family of three lying inside.

“A-Tang, come out.”

Chu Tang was the first to get up and climb out. This was a large cargo wagon with a hidden compartment. The furniture and goods placed on top had all been unloaded.

“A-Jiang, thank you.” Chu Tang bowed in courtesy.

Zhou Jiang said: “Don’t be polite, and you don’t need to thank me. If my grandfather hadn’t agreed, I couldn’t have helped you.”

Chu Tang helped Chu Lan and Jiang Shi out. Chu Lan seemed very uncomfortable with sunlight and people after not seeing them for so long, using his sleeve to cover his face.

As they spoke, several more carriages drove in. Old and young alike climbed out of the compartments, standing behind the Chu Tang family in a lively group.

Seeing these people, Zhou Jiang was somewhat helpless.

“A-Tang, I didn’t know you were so righteous.” She said. “Fleeing yourself but not forgetting to bring the household servants.”

And bringing so many—a full twenty people, from old servants and women down to ten-year-old servant boys.

Chu Tang sighed softly: “How could I just leave and abandon them to take the blame?”

Zhou Jiang thought to herself that leaving the servants behind wouldn’t mean they’d take the blame—at most they’d be arrested, detained, and sold off—just changing masters.

But she never asked too many questions when doing things.

“Go rest quickly. I’ll tell you if there’s any new news. This is my grandmother’s private property. Not many people in my family even know about it.”

Chu Tang thanked her again, and with Jiang Shi, supported Chu Lan as they headed inside, surrounded by servants.

“A-Tang, fortunately you became friends with these young ladies, so they could help us.” Jiang Shi said, wiping tears, still shaken.

Actually, she didn’t fully understand what her daughter had said, but she grasped the general idea—they couldn’t enjoy the prestige of the Empress, but would instead be implicated.

“I knew all along we’d be dragged down by your second uncle’s family.”

Chu Tang listened to her mother’s words, thinking that this time, it truly wasn’t just the Zhou family helping. To create a diversion, several families had left the city with carriages and horses that day.

But being able to convince these families to help wasn’t because she was friends with their young ladies—though of course, she, Chu Tang, had contributed.

At least she had prepared early, with household luggage already packed, so they could leave immediately upon receiving the news.

Though she had prepared early, when Little Rabbit woke her in the middle of the night and handed her the note, opening it to see what Chu Zhao had written—”Prince Zhongshan is attacking. The court will drag out old accounts and evidence. Danger.”—she nearly fainted from fright.

Chu Tang pressed her hand to her chest.

It was still pounding wildly.

The danger had come too quickly.

What should they do?

Fortunately, Chu Zhao’s letter listed several aristocratic family names, telling her to immediately seek their help and hide. On this note was Chu Zhao’s signature and the Empress’s phoenix seal.

That very night, Chu Tang had Little Rabbit take her over the walls. Following the names Chu Zhao had written, she had Little Rabbit climb into these families’ estates and wake the heads of household from their sleep.

Though these household heads were all quite elderly, none fainted from shock. After seeing the note, none asked what the old accounts and evidence were about. After a moment’s contemplation, they all agreed.

Chu Tang pressed her chest again. That night, sitting in the rooms of those old masters and madams, she had been more frightened than the people who were woken up.

Though these were also families she had regularly visited, it had all been playing with the young ladies. Apart from seeing them once at the Empress’s banquet, there had been no other interaction.

She knew that at that moment, sitting before those old masters and madams, it wasn’t her but Chu Zhao.

Though Chu Zhao wasn’t physically present, she could still stand before these aristocratic families.

And could request their help.

Chu Tang took a deep breath and exhaled, comforting her parents: “Don’t say more now. First hide safely.”

After settling her parents in their room and having the servants keep watch, Chu Tang came out and called for Little Rabbit.

Little Rabbit was crouching on the wall looking into the distance. Hearing the call, she jumped down.

“Did you get a message out to her saying we’ve hidden?” Chu Tang asked in a low voice. “Has she sent another letter? Is there any new news?”

Little Rabbit said: “I sent it out when we left the city.” She added, “There’s no new news from Sister Xiao Man’s side, but there is other new news.”

Chu Tang asked: “What?”

Little Rabbit said excitedly: “Fighting has started. That Prince Zhongshan’s heir cut off the heads of three court officials.”

…

…

At the same time, Xie Yanfang also received this news, while playing chess with Old Master Zhou.

After Du Qi whispered from beside him and stepped back, Xie Yanfang immediately told Old Master Zhou.

“This is called revealing the dagger when the map unfolds.” Old Master Zhou said, placing a chess piece.

Xie Yanfang shook his head: “His intentions have long been known to everyone. Now this is—checkmate.”

As he spoke, he placed a chess piece.

Old Master Zhou quickly looked at the board, his expression vexed: “You youngster can’t beat me at Go, but you’ve been hiding a trick at Chinese chess.”

Xie Yanfang smiled: “Actually, my Go is also passable. If I gave it my all, I could beat you too, Old Master. But now, with something weighing on my heart, I don’t dare take risks in my actions. What I can give my all for now is what my older sister left behind—a child who witnessed his parents’ brutal deaths with his own eyes, transformed overnight from an innocent child into Da Xia’s Emperor. I want to see him grow steadily, impervious to evil.”

He finished speaking and bowed with cupped hands.

“Prince Zhongshan and his son once held a blade to Xiao Yu’s neck. Chu Lan witnessed it. Please, Old Master, help His Majesty reveal the truth to the world.”

Old Master Zhou looked at him and returned the bow.

“Master Xie.” He said. “Like you, I firmly believe His Majesty survived great calamity and is impervious to evil. The world has long seen clearly the wolfish ambitions of Prince Zhongshan and his son.”

Before Xie Yanfang could speak again, he stepped forward and slammed the chess board heavily.

“As for that traitor Chu Lan, once Prince Zhongshan and his son are captured, he cannot escape death.”

So, before capturing Prince Zhongshan and his son, he would not hand over the traitor Chu Lan. Xie Yanfang looked at Old Master Zhou. Outside the flower hall, chaotic footsteps sounded as groups of black-armored guards gathered.

The lead soldier said: “We’ve searched everywhere. Nothing.”

Xie Yanfang said to Old Master Zhou: “My apologies for the offense. Then we’ll continue searching other areas of your estate.”

Old Master Zhou smiled amiably: “Master Xie, please do as you wish.”