“Your Majesty, you cannot go. If you want to talk, just talk at the front lines.”
Old Bai said urgently.
“If you enter Prince Zhongshan’s mansion in the commandery city, won’t you become a hostage?”
If she became a hostage, what would there be to talk about? Instead, it would give Prince Zhongshan leverage to negotiate with the court—a fatal blow to the capital’s side.
“It won’t be fatal.” Xiao Man rarely turned her head to speak. “That Grand Tutor and that Master Xie won’t be threatened.”
Xiao Man had witnessed how fierce those two men were—though Master Xie wasn’t fierce, he seemed even more frightening.
Chu Zhao laughed heartily: “They’ll say, ‘For the greater good, Your Majesty the Empress, please commit suicide.'”
A’Le said helplessly: “Miss, you’re still joking at a time like this.”
This matter truly wasn’t a joke.
Chu Zhao smiled without saying more. They would indeed do that, but she didn’t blame those two.
She simply wouldn’t give them the opportunity.
Just as she’d guessed that Xie Yanfang and Deng Yi would drag out Chu Lan’s past affairs, she understood their approach. She wouldn’t beg them—she would find ways to deal with it.
Her father was gone, but she still commanded troops. She and her mother had reunited, and Chu Tang was useful. Though her family background appeared thin, she, Chu Zhao, was not helpless and alone.
In that previous life, Xiao Xun could sit on the throne—half of it was propped up by her strength.
Each person had their own path. In this life, they’d see who could attain success.
“Don’t worry.” She winked at Xiao Man. “After all, I have Xiao Man’s help.”
Xiao Man had been about to snort, but thinking of the messages Chu Zhao had her deliver to the capital and the arrangements made, she couldn’t help asking: “I wonder if it will work.”
Chu Zhao nodded proudly: “Of course it will work. A-Jiu said I won’t be that unlucky in this life.”
It would work because that A-Jiu said so? What was that about? Xiao Man snorted, but didn’t turn her head away: “Then I’ll go with you.”
They wouldn’t let her bring troops, but surely she could bring a maid.
A maid who could hold a pass against ten thousand—only she could do that.
“Her Majesty the Empress can bring two maids.” A’Le quickly said, fearing being left behind. Though she wasn’t as capable as Xiao Man, she could at least serve as a human shield to block blades.
“The Empress should also have a guard.” Ding Dachui said from the side.
Seeing everyone look at him, he quickly added:
“Commander Xie said so.”
He looked distressed again.
“Our lives are all in Commander Xie’s hands.”
Seeing Old Bai about to speak as well, Chu Zhao laughed: “I understand everyone’s intentions. No need to argue—A’Le and Dachui will come with me. Xiao Man and Old Bai will stay outside.”
Xiao Man frowned, about to speak, when Chu Zhao grasped her arm.
“Xiao Man, whether I can be safe depends on you.” She said in a low voice. “As long as that matter is accomplished, even if you’re not by my side, you’ll still be protecting me.”
Xiao Man pressed her lips together without speaking, turning her head away.
Chu Zhao smiled, turned and strode forward. A’Le and Ding Dachui hurried to follow.
Old Bai, hand on his blade, accompanied them on horseback to Prince Zhongshan’s battle formation.
“Her Majesty the Empress enters the city—quickly make way.” He shouted sternly.
Seeing that Chu Zhao brought only one maid and one guard, Prince Zhongshan’s battle formation slowly parted. Behind them, the commandery city’s gates also gradually opened.
Chu Zhao didn’t look back, spurring her horse forward, passing through the solemn soldiers and generals, the cold weapons, going straight toward Prince Zhongshan’s mansion.
Prince Zhongshan’s mansion gates stood wide open. Chu Zhao dismounted, examined the door plaque, and walked in leisurely.
Prince Zhongshan stood in the front hall, smiling.
“Miss Chu, we meet again.” He said, his expression somewhat emotional. “Not seen for a year, and Miss Chu has become Empress.”
Chu Zhao’s expression was also emotional: “Indeed, not seen for a year, and Your Highness has become a rebel.”
…
…
A year ago at this time, Chu Zhao had also entered Prince Zhongshan’s mansion.
Meeting again now, things had quite changed while people remained the same.
However, this young lady’s attitude was still discourteous. Prince Zhongshan smiled, not taking offense just as before.
“When I met Your Highness then, was it—not a coincidence?” Chu Zhao asked curiously again.
This was her longstanding speculation. Actually, she hadn’t wanted to come to Prince Zhongshan’s mansion then. She’d come along to prevent Deng Yi from connecting with Prince Zhongshan, thinking she’d prevented Deng Yi from speaking privately with Prince Zhongshan. But later, Xiao Xun still traveled to the capital with them, making her suspect Deng Yi and Prince Zhongshan might have already known each other.
Prince Zhongshan laughed heartily: “Of course it wasn’t a coincidence. Deng Yi told me Miss Chu was passing through. I specially asked him to bring Miss Chu to visit my home. I originally wanted to establish ties with Miss Chu and General Chu, but unfortunately our fortune was thin—Miss Chu didn’t take a liking to us.”
Chu Zhao’s speculation was confirmed. She nodded in understanding: “So I was being watched from the moment I left the capital. The world’s affairs and fates are indeed all man-made.”
This young lady was merely reflecting, showing no unusual reaction, seemingly unconcerned that Deng Yi had long associated with him. Prince Zhongshan smiled, also feeling relieved. Someone who could persuade Deng Yi to open the gates for her even when he had the advantage that night—how would she care about such small details?
She only used this person, not his heart. As long as Deng Yi served her purposes, what did it matter where his heart lay?
Miss Chu, so young yet so open-minded and experienced.
“Miss Chu, please enter.” Prince Zhongshan looked deeply at this young lady and invited her in.
Chu Zhao nodded and walked into the hall first, with A’Le and Ding Dachui following closely.
“Today I won’t bother with courteous phrases like asking Your Highness why you’re doing this.” Chu Zhao sat down and said directly.
Why Prince Zhongshan was doing this—of course to become Emperor. She’d personally witnessed Prince Zhongshan’s lineage become emperors, so there was no need for empty words.
Seeing servants about to serve tea, she raised her hand to stop them. “I won’t drink Your Highness’s tea either.”
She’d already died once from poison in his son’s hands. In this lifetime, she would never touch anything the Xiao clan gave her.
A’Le raised a leather pouch: “We brought our own.”
Prince Zhongshan smiled again. The officials and generals behind him sneered coldly: “If Empress Chu is so timid, why come here at all?”
Chu Zhao said: “Caution is not cowardice.” She looked at Prince Zhongshan. “I can fight Your Highness with real blades and die in battle, but dying from a cup of poisoned wine truly wouldn’t be worth it.”
Prince Zhongshan’s generals grew angrier: “Who would poison you?” One even reached out to snatch tea from a maid and drank it in one gulp. “What a petty mind.”
Prince Zhongshan smiled and raised his hand to stop them: “Don’t mind these small matters.” He looked at Chu Zhao again. “Miss Chu’s caution is correct. This prince doesn’t care about methods when killing—as long as someone dies, it’s worthwhile. However, currently this prince can’t bear to harm Miss Chu.”
His expression was both emotional and sincere.
“This prince greatly admired General Chu, and you, Miss Chu—the student has surpassed the master.”
Xiao Xun initially couldn’t bear to either, but later did. Because what he treasured wasn’t her as a person, but her power and influence. Such sweet words now left her completely unmoved. Chu Zhao said: “I came today to have Your Highness withdraw. This battle cannot be fought. Civilian casualties are too great, lives destroyed—how innocent they are.”
Prince Zhongshan paused, then laughed heartily. The generals behind him also laughed uproariously.
“Empress Chu, then you shouldn’t have come here.” They said. “You should go tell your little Emperor husband that for the sake of the people, to avoid destroying lives, he should quickly abdicate.”
Prince Zhongshan smiled and stopped everyone again, saying to Chu Zhao: “Miss Chu, though you’re still young, this prince doesn’t think you’re ignorant. You should understand clearly—this is unavoidable.”
Chu Zhao was silent for a moment, her gaze falling on Prince Zhongshan’s crippled leg. She said: “Your Highness, is it because you were harmed and crippled back then that you’re so obsessed?”
Prince Zhongshan didn’t answer this question, smiling faintly: “Miss Chu, there’s no need to debate who’s right or wrong. Even if this prince is utterly evil, it’s only temporary. Once this prince enters the Imperial City, there will be another narrative.”
Chu Zhao said: “If the court granted Your Highness the golden seal and cord, with authority like the feudal lords of early Han, would Your Highness stop the war?”
Was she negotiating terms? The generals on the side looked at each other and laughed.
They all said: “Is this a condition offered by Deng Yi and Xie Yanfang?” “Your Highness can wield the imperial seal himself—why would he want a golden seal?”
Prince Zhongshan looked at Chu Zhao: “You’re offering this condition yourself, aren’t you? Deng Yi and Xie Yanfang would never say such things. They’re even more eager for battle than this prince—to forge illustrious prestige for that little child, for themselves, cast from the blood and flesh of all under heaven.”
Chu Zhao didn’t answer, only saying: “Your Highness, since I dare make this promise, I can certainly accomplish it.”
Prince Zhongshan looked at her, smiled, and waved his hand. The generals standing beside him were stunned—the prince was actually dismissing them.
“Your Highness.” One general said. “You mustn’t.”
This Chu Zhao had entered claiming to guard against poisoned tea. They naturally also guarded against Chu Zhao suddenly attacking. Though Chu Zhao’s side only had a round-faced maid and a dull-looking guard—who knew what underhanded means they might have hidden?
“Miss Chu didn’t come to kill this prince.” Prince Zhongshan said, then smiled again. “Miss Chu also knows very clearly that even if she killed this prince now, it would be futile.”
He waved his hand again.
“No harm. Wait outside the door. This prince has a few sincere words to say to Miss Chu.”
The generals could only acknowledge and withdraw to stand solemnly outside the door.
“Miss Chu, this prince understands now.” Prince Zhongshan said. “You didn’t come as a messenger for that little child, Deng Yi, and Xie Yanfang. You came only as a messenger for the people under heaven. You even dare offer the promise of letting this prince establish himself as a feudal lord. You truly have a bodhisattva’s heart.”
Chu Zhao shook her head: “I don’t have a bodhisattva’s heart. I’m now Da Xia’s Empress. I cannot watch Da Xia collapse into chaos with the people suffering without doing something. If I can resolve your unwillingness and prevent upheaval under heaven with people displaced and wandering, I can grant this compensation.”
She’d only just become Empress, yet discussed the realm with more ease than he, a true imperial clan member—as if the realm were truly in her grasp. Prince Zhongshan couldn’t help smiling: “Miss Chu, this prince said earlier that this prince has always admired General Chu and wished to associate with him, and also appreciates Miss Chu.”
He looked at Chu Zhao and said solemnly:
“Miss Chu, would you be willing to join forces with this prince?”
So now Prince Zhongshan was negotiating terms with Miss Chu?
Chu Zhao smiled: “I have no reason to join forces with Your Highness.”
“Miss Chu.” Prince Zhongshan leaned forward slightly, saying deliberately: “If this prince ascends the throne as Emperor, then A-Xun will be Crown Prince, Miss Chu will be Crown Princess, and in the future you’ll still be Empress. How would that be?”
Prince Zhongshan wanted Chu Zhao as his daughter-in-law? No, that wasn’t the key point—Prince Zhongshan was also promising to make Chu Zhao Empress? A’Le and Ding Dachui were stunned.
Chu Zhao looked at Prince Zhongshan, her expression also slightly stunned.