Prince Zhongshan actually wanted Xiao Xun to marry her, and then have her become empress in the future.
She would be Xiao Xun’s empress?
She truly hadn’t expected to hear such words in this lifetime.
Chu Zhao was momentarily stunned, but then smiled. It wasn’t so strange—in that previous life when Xiao Xun married her, it must have also been Prince Zhongshan’s scheme.
The father and son had always wanted her power.
Only the methods were different.
In the previous life, they only needed sweet words and honeyed promises to deceive her. In this life, Prince Zhongshan openly discussed benefits with her.
This was because the power dynamics had changed.
Seeing Chu Zhao smile, Prince Zhongshan also smiled.
“Is Miss Chu thinking that she’s already an empress and doesn’t need this prince to grant it?” he said. “Then this prince will make another promise—what you have now, you will still have. Beyond that, military authority over the border armies will be controlled by Miss Chu, independent of the court’s tiger tally.”
Military authority, military power independent of the court. Chu Zhao looked at Prince Zhongshan.
So being Xiao Xun’s empress could be exchanged for such power.
How foolish she had been in that lifetime.
She hadn’t reflected on that past life for a long time. After all, her wishes for this life had been fulfilled—but at this moment, being reminded of it, she couldn’t help feeling regret.
How well things could have gone for her. Perhaps she could have been the one slapping Xiao Xun.
“Miss Chu, what do you think?” Prince Zhongshan asked. “This prince is not joking.”
Chu Zhao came back to herself, her expression wistful: “I know the Prince is sincere, but unfortunately…”
She would never be Xiao Xun’s empress again.
Prince Zhongshan’s eyes also showed regret: “Are this prince’s promises insufficient? Whatever else Miss Chu wants, please speak freely.”
“Your Highness.” Chu Zhao smiled. “My only request is that the Prince cease hostilities.”
Prince Zhongshan’s smile faded: “Miss Chu, this prince can persuade you, but you don’t yet have the qualification to persuade this prince.”
Chu Zhao smiled slightly: “I’m not here to persuade the Prince either, but to threaten him.”
Threaten?
Prince Zhongshan laughed: “How will Empress Chu threaten this prince?”
Chu Zhao took the leather pouch from A’Le, lifted it to drink some milk tea, then looked at Prince Zhongshan. Her bright black eyes held a smile as she said: “Xiao Xun.”
Prince Zhongshan froze slightly, the smile fading from his face.
……
……
When the last trace of twilight disappeared from the earth, the killing at the city also ended.
The corpses of the defending soldiers were carried away, and Prince Zhongshan’s royal banner flew above the city gates.
“The local prominent families have three days to come pay their respects.” Xiao Xun walked slowly into the government office.
The office hadn’t been cleaned yet. The corpses of clerks and officials were scattered on the ground, the smell of blood overwhelming. Xiao Xun paid no mind, stepping over corpses and blood to enter the hall.
“I will promise them that I’ll hand control of this city to their sons and nephews,” Xiao Xun said.
The attendants around him nodded.
“Of course.” Xiao Xun smiled again, his dimples deep. “Those who refuse to obey needn’t be kept.”
The attendants nodded again, and a general laughed coldly: “Rest assured, Crown Prince. Master Ning has provided a list of all the prominent families along the route. We guarantee not a single one will escape.”
Xiao Xun reached out to pull up a chair that had fallen to the ground, casually brushed it off, and sat down.
“How many troops are ahead?” he asked.
Several soldiers spread out a map. A general stepped forward and pointed: “About ten thousand fled earlier. However, the prefectural city ahead has nearly twenty thousand garrison troops, and the capital’s battalion is also rushing to reinforce. But even with fifty thousand troops, they’re nothing to fear. Once we defeat them in battle, we can drive straight to the capital.”
Xiao Xun smiled: “Then we can send word to Father now to prepare to enter the capital.”
The generals all laughed heartily.
“No rush—when the time comes, let that little child personally invite the Prince.”
“That little child is probably already so frightened he’s gone into hiding.”
……
……
In the dead of night, cavalry galloped through the capital. The dense sound of hoofbeats pounded on the hearts of men, women, and children in every household behind closed doors and windows.
Inside the imperial palace, lights blazed and people came and went. The great hall buzzed with noise as countless new reports arrived before Deng Yi. Deng Yi discussed with the military officials and sent out countless orders.
“The next battle is crucial.”
“Communications with the border commandery have been restored. After General Chu’s departure, military morale is stable—even more vigorous. They’ve achieved three consecutive major victories, and even nearly surrounded where the King of Xi Liang is stationed.”
“Empress Chu led two forces to besiege Zhongshan Commandery, also sweeping all before her.”
But no one showed any sign of relief. Instead, their expressions grew more somber.
The victory reports from the border and Xi Liang couldn’t calm the people’s hearts. And while Empress Chu besieged Zhongshan Commandery, it had no effect on Xiao Xun—instead, it left the capital short of two reinforcing armies.
From their exchanges with Prince Zhongshan’s privately raised troops, the court had gained understanding—they were even more elite than anticipated.
It even stirred memories in some old ministers. When Prince Zhongshan was still a child, he had been extremely intelligent. The emperor of that time would hold him on his knee, and the child could understand battlefield tactics and formations. He often played war games with the eunuchs and palace maids around him. The Empress Dowager had greatly disapproved, saying this child was too fond of warfare and not of good character. Later—alas, after his leg was broken, the prince never played such games again.
But no one expected that this crippled prince, decades later, would arrange troops and formations again with overwhelming, unstoppable force.
However, these old ministers were soon imprisoned by Deng Yi on charges of cowardice in battle and disturbing the people’s hearts. Prince Zhongshan’s past was buried with them.
But facts couldn’t be ignored.
The next battle was key.
If Prince Zhongshan’s forces advanced further, they would truly reach the capital. Once that happened, people’s hearts would scatter and the court would be in danger.
The hall buzzed with discussion. Deng Yi took tea from a clerk and had just taken a sip when his gaze swept around and he noticed someone missing.
“Where is Minister Xie?” he asked.
An official knew and quickly said: “Minister Xie went to see His Majesty.”
With the whole court in turmoil, morning audiences had no set time and continued day and night. The young emperor couldn’t really help with anything, nor did he need to make decisions. The Grand Tutor had said he didn’t need to attend court anymore, but the young emperor not only insisted on attending but watched the war’s progress throughout. Even if he didn’t understand, when they worked through the night discussing matters, the young emperor stayed up watching.
However, the young emperor was very quiet. Even when he didn’t understand, he never asked questions or questioned any decisions. The Grand Tutor no longer tried to stop him and let him do as he pleased.
Xie Yanfang was quite willing to explain things to the young emperor. He must have gone now to discuss strategy on paper with the young emperor, amusing the child.
“Grand Tutor, Grand Tutor.” A palace attendant rushed over urgently. “Minister Xie wants to take His Majesty away.”
Take His Majesty away?
The officials and generals in the hall were startled, then greatly alarmed. Knowing the current situation was dire, was he taking the young emperor to flee?
Deng Yi said: “Absurd.” With that, he stood and walked out. The officials all hurriedly followed.
Before they reached the inner palace, they saw Xie Yanfang bringing Xiao Yu out.
Xiao Yu wore casual robes, clearly having been awakened from sleep.
“Minister Xie, His Majesty should remain in the imperial palace.” An official shouted first. “Where are you taking His Majesty?”
Xie Yanfang said: “I was just about to tell everyone.” He looked at Deng Yi. “I want to request that His Majesty personally lead the campaign.”
Personally lead the campaign?!
This was even more frightening than taking the emperor away from the capital to seek refuge.
Everyone was even more shocked. Leaving the capital to hide would tarnish his reputation, but personally leading a campaign, while sounding honorable, was too dangerous.
“Absolutely not!”
“Minister Xie, don’t be absurd!”
“This is all learned from Empress Chu.”
Hearing the cacophony, Deng Yi raised his hand to stop them: “Minister Xie, you know how dangerous the current situation is, don’t you?”
Xie Yanfang smiled: “I know, but precisely because it’s dangerous, His Majesty should personally lead the campaign.” He looked at the child standing beside him. “That night when the Crown Prince met his end, Prince Zhongshan’s hand was surely involved. Prince Zhongshan’s heir also came to capture and kill A’Yu. This father and son are A’Yu’s mortal enemies. Previously, A’Yu was helpless and powerless to resist. Now it’s different—he is the emperor. Before him stand thousands of troops, behind him stand you重臣 and renowned scholars. He should personally defeat his enemies. This is what an emperor should do for the people of the realm, and what a son should do for his father.”
He looked at Deng Yi again.
“Grand Tutor, please rest assured. I will personally take His Majesty to the front lines. He is my sovereign and also my nephew. I, Xie Yanfang, will absolutely not let him come to any harm.”
He called for Du Qi.
Du Qi stepped forward from among the imperial guards, holding a long blade with both hands.
Xie Yanfang reached out to take it, then looked at Xiao Yu.
“A’Yu, are you willing to go with me to the front lines to kill the enemy? I promise I can let you strike down your enemies with your own hands.”
As his words fell, Xiao Yu’s eyes blazed like fire in the darkness. He said loudly: “Uncle, I am willing.”
Xie Yanfang laughed heartily. Holding the blade in one hand and taking Xiao Yu’s hand with the other, he said: “Good, we’ll go kill the enemy together.”