The letter from Xiao Guo was meant for Qi Wei, who was in Danta.

After Xiao Guo was captured, Qi Wei did not retreat with the army from Danta but remained north of Die City.

The imperial capital was heavily guarded, with eagle sentries, making it difficult to rescue Xiao Guo.

The last time Xiao Guo had attempted to escape from the palace, he had planned to meet Qi Wei at Die City, but unfortunately, he had not succeeded. This time, Ta Zhu revealed the complete layout of the capital’s prison to Qi Wei.

The prison break was scheduled for a month later. That night, Ta Zhu slipped away from everyone and left the city first.

When Qi Wei rescued Xiao Guo, the capital’s prison was engulfed in flames. The group rode their horses to a spot about ten li from the city wall, where they saw her, their faces filled with shock.

Xiao Guo was covered in blood, sitting on horseback, and helped Ta Zhu mount.

She wore red garments with a brocade belt adorned with red beads tied around her waist. Upon closer inspection, one could see that her belly was slightly swollen.

Xiao Guo held her in front of him on the horse and said:

“Don’t be afraid.”

Ta Zhu gently shook her head:

“I’m not afraid.”

They galloped south, with pursuers constantly behind them. Eagles screeched overhead, and Ta Zhu blew her bamboo whistle, causing her eagle to fight with the others.

Qi Wei, riding behind them, couldn’t help but look at her again, his brows furrowing even more.

The group finally shook off their pursuers on the grassland, but the Danta border was under strict guard, with frequent inspections, making it impossible for them to leave Danta.

After circling for more than three months, Qi Wei finally led them to a hiding place north of Die City.

Ta Zhu could no longer continue traveling through the night; she had started bleeding.

Xiao Guo stopped heading south. After giving Ta Zhu medicine to stabilize her pregnancy, he waited until she fell asleep before leaving the inner chamber with the soft couch and going outside.

Qi Wei’s hideout here was a horse fort that had been operating for many years, trading horses between Danta and Great Mu, while also serving as a place to gather military intelligence.

Qi Wei asked anxiously:

“Is it appropriate to bring her here?”

Xiao Guo:

“Since she is my person, it is certainly appropriate.”

Qi Wei saw his gloomy expression and lowered his voice to ask:

“Do you intend to take her back to Great Mu?

Does Madam High Prince know?

Heng’er is at a thoughtful age now…”

Qi Wei had been teaching martial arts to Xiao Heng for many years and had developed a deep bond with him. Xiao Heng was the heir of Prince Lu.

Prince Lu Xiao Guo had been granted marriage by the Emperor when he came of age. The following year, Prince Lu’s wife gave birth to Xiao Heng. Xiao Guo spent most of his time with the military, participating in several northern campaigns, rarely staying in the capital. With few descendants, Prince Lu’s household had only ever had this one son.

Ha Ta Zhu was from Danta. Even if she gave birth to a child, it would be impossible to bring the child into Prince Lu’s household. And if in the future…

If Xiao Guo truly became Emperor, she would be even less likely to enter the palace.

“Communications have been cut off; Prince Lu’s household knows nothing,” Xiao Guo said, looking directly at Qi Wei. “I must take Ta Zhu back with me.”

His voice grew lower:

“Even if…

Even if I cannot give her a formal position, she is still mine, and must remain by my side.”

Qi Wei was shocked. Xiao Guo had always been emotionally detached. Although he and his wife treated each other with respect, he had never shown much passion.

But now, with this Danta woman, Qi Wei could see something different.

Qi Wei then thought about the child in her womb. If it were also a boy, would he replace Heng’er…

Just as his mind was filled with these chaotic thoughts, he saw Xiao Guo suddenly turn around, his face immediately darkening.

Qi Wei looked up to see Ta Zhu standing at the wooden door, gazing at the two of them. She had been there for some time.

The weather was already warm, but Ta Zhu was sensitive to cold. She wore Xiao Guo’s black cloak, standing there with several white lanterns illuminating her. Her belly was prominently swollen, but her face was as white as a paper lantern.

Xiao Guo had not yet told Ta Zhu about Prince Lu’s household, about his wife, or Xiao Heng.

Throughout their journey, he had never found the right moment to speak. He thought, after crossing into Great Mu territory, there would be time.

During their rare moments alone, he could have revealed the truth, but a vague thought lingered in his mind: if he told her, Ta Zhu might not continue with him.

Now, however, she had learned the truth from someone else. Xiao Guo felt his feet grow heavy, rooting him to the spot as Ta Zhu’s eyes gazed at him, dark and deep.

Suddenly, she smiled:

“I was looking for some hot water. I didn’t mean to disturb you two.”

After she spoke, she turned and went back inside.

Xiao Guo, as if waking from a dream, rushed after her.

Ta Zhu lay back on the soft couch, cradling her belly. Xiao Guo turned her face toward him and saw that she wasn’t crying.

He sighed with relief:

“I had intended to explain this to you in detail in a few days. I…”

His words were halting. “I do indeed have a wife and a son…”

Ta Zhu continued to look at him expressionlessly.

After a few moments, “I understand now.”

She laughed softly, then sighed, “I blame myself for not thinking of it…

I was wrong.”

Hearing the word “wrong” from her lips, Xiao Guo’s heart sank. He hastily grasped her hand:

“Even so, if you come back to Great Mu with me, I can ensure you a life of luxury and honor.”

Ta Zhu laughed loudly, then looked at him carefully, her eyes full of mockery:

“Xiao Guo, I never sought a life of luxury. If I wanted to submit to someone for wealth and status, why wouldn’t I have become whatever Nineteenth Consort, which would also be a life of luxury?”

Xiao Guo gripped her hand tightly:

“How can you compare me with that lustful man? You care for me, acting from genuine feeling—how is that submitting to someone?”

Ta Zhu pulled her hand away:

“I will not go to Great Mu with you. This escape was only so I could safely deliver this child. If you find an opportunity to return to your Great Mu, then go. Our meeting was fate, but let it end here.”

Xiao Guo’s brows furrowed sharply:

“Nonsense. How could my flesh and blood be left to wander?”

He said through gritted teeth, “Having drawn me in, you cannot simply decide to end things!”

Ta Zhu touched her belly, angry enough to laugh:

“I am Danta by birth, living as Danta, and will die as a Danta ghost. I will never go to your Great Mu with you.

This child in my womb, though your flesh and blood, means little since you already have a son. This child, I will keep for myself.”

Hearing these words, Xiao Guo glared coldly:

“Ha Ta Zhu, how many of your words are true, and how many false?

What you said in prison that day was the truth?

We have a child together; how can there be any reason for separation?”

Ta Zhu was so angry her head felt dizzy. Not wanting to speak with him further, she hugged her belly, turned over, and said no more.

Xiao Guo was full of anger with nowhere to vent it, but the person before him was pregnant and couldn’t be disturbed.

He sat at the edge of the couch, took several deep breaths, and seeing Ta Zhu motionless, said coldly:

“In a while, when the border security relaxes, I will take you south.”

Ta Zhu did not answer.

* In the following months, the Danta border security did not relax but grew increasingly strict.

If it were just Qi Wei and Xiao Guo leading cavalry to break through, they might have a chance, but with the heavily pregnant Ta Zhu, it was impossible.

One day, dark clouds covered the sky, and heavy rain was imminent.

Ta Zhu walked outside and looked up to see what seemed like an eagle flying past in the layers of dark clouds.

Xiao Guo looked up as well, focusing intently. A black eagle with a white head suddenly dived down, emitting a sharp screech.

“Is that your eagle?”

He glared at Ta Zhu. “Is this another of your schemes?”

Ta Zhu saw his sharp gaze and laughed:

“You don’t trust me?”

She suddenly felt everything was meaningless:

“I can no longer trust you, and you can no longer trust me.”

She looked up again and saw several black eagles circling:

“That’s my brother’s eagle. If you want to leave, you must go now. Half a moment later, you won’t be able to.”

Nearby, Qi Wei exclaimed with alarm:

“Third Prince, we must hurry! Let’s go!”

Xiao Guo grabbed Ta Zhu:

“Come, come with me, get on the horse.”

Ta Zhu’s belly was as swollen as an upturned cauldron. Her feet had been swollen for days, making it impossible for her to ride fast, let alone break through checkpoints.

She looked at Xiao Guo helplessly but firmly said:

“Xiao Guo, I won’t go with you. Even with me, you couldn’t escape. Since the person coming is my brother, he won’t mistreat me. Go by yourself!”

A flash of blue lightning crossed the sky, and the sound of hoofbeats in the distance was like rain.

Qi Wei pulled at Xiao Guo:

“Third Prince, if we don’t leave now, it will be too late.”

He glanced at Ta Zhu standing there and urged, “There will be time to meet again in the future.”

Ta Zhu looked at Xiao Guo once more:

“Go quickly!

If you don’t leave now and are captured again, you’ll be severely punished.”

She turned to go back inside. “It’s going to rain. I’ll sleep a little more.”

Xiao Guo urgently grabbed her arm, pulling her halfway around. His gaze fell on her belly:

“Wait for me. After some time, I’ll come back for you!”

Ta Zhu laughed loudly:

“Alright, Xiao Hu.”

Xiao Guo saw her piercing smile and knew she didn’t believe him, but there was no time for explanations now.

“Wait for me,” he could only repeat.

The sound of hoofbeats grew closer. Xiao Guo mounted his horse and saw that Ta Zhu had already gone back inside, no longer visible.

Riding swiftly toward the Die City checkpoint, he and Qi Wei, along with twenty cavalry, fought their way through as the rain grew heavier.

* When Ha Dai arrived at the horse fort, he found it empty. After searching the rooms, he finally found Ta Zhu unconscious on the couch.

The white sheet beneath her was soaked with crimson blood, frightening him to his core. He immediately approached, patted her face, and shouted:

“Ta Zhu!

Ta Zhu!

Sister!”

Ta Zhu felt excruciating pain in her abdomen, as if a curved knife was stabbing through her. She opened her eyes, saw Ha Dai, and let out a long sigh of relief. Fighting through the pain, she said haltingly:

“Brother…

Please, save this child…”

Ha Dai lifted her:

“I’ll take you to find a doctor right away…”

Ta Zhu pulled at his braid by his ear, urgently saying:

“Even if I die, brother, you must save this child…”

Ha Dai yelled:

“Save your strength, don’t talk nonsense!”

Ta Zhu tried to smile, but suddenly noticed the fire-red mark under his braid. She immediately pushed aside his hair to look, causing Ha Dai to hiss in pain.

“Brother, when did you get this slave mark?”

She suddenly realized, “Was it because of me?”

Ta Zhu had sent a message to the Great Mu general, broken Xiao Guo out of prison, conspired with the enemy, and committed treason. The Ha clan’s crimes were unforgivable.

Ha Dai bringing troops to find Xiao Guo was partly to make amends.

But now Ha Dai said:

“It’s nothing serious!

For now, I’ll take you to Die City to find a doctor!”

Ta Zhu’s tears fell like rain, and the sharp pain in her abdomen made it hard to breathe.

In the pouring rain, Ha Dai carried Ta Zhu and finally found a medical clinic in Die City.

The baby was already full-term and had to be delivered. If it couldn’t be born, it would die in the womb, resulting in two deaths.

Ha Dai anxiously waited outside while Ta Zhu suffered excruciating pain inside. He paced back and forth, sweating profusely.

After a day and night of agony, Ta Zhu finally gave birth to a baby boy, though he was very weak and needed careful handling.

Ha Dai held the infant and examined him closely. He couldn’t make out much of the little red monkey’s features, but this was his nephew.

Ha Dai kept Ta Zhu hidden in Die City for a month, allowing her to recover.

The baby’s complexion gradually changed from red to white, becoming pink and healthier.

Ha Dai said:

“His eyes look like ours.”

Ta Zhu looked at him every day but felt he grew more and more like Xiao Guo.

Ha Dai finally asked her:

“What do you want to do now?

What about this baby?”

Ta Zhu had been thinking for months and had decided, “I can’t return to the capital, and neither can this baby.

I will take him to find another hiding place, living in anonymity to survive.”

Just as Ha Dai was about to speak, there was commotion outside the wooden door.

He grabbed the short knife at his waist and signaled Ta Zhu to be quiet.

Ta Zhu held the baby with one hand and reached for her red jade silver knife with the other.

Die City guards, accompanied by the capital’s imperial guards, had arrived.

Dozens of guards stood densely packed outside the door.

The leader held a red-hot branding iron.

Ta Zhu and Ha Dai were outnumbered. In a moment of carelessness, they were overwhelmed by four men who took the baby and handed him to the lead guard.

“This is a runaway slave of the Ha clan, who must be branded.”

Before he finished speaking, the branding iron was pressed against the baby’s temple, causing him to let out a heart-wrenching cry.

Ta Zhu’s eyes turned bloodshot. She lunged forward with her silver knife, slashing the man’s throat. Blood splattered everywhere as she took the baby back.

Fortunately, she was quick, and the red mark on his temple was not too deep.

Seeing this, Ha Dai immediately broke through the crowd, grabbed two horses from outside, and they both mounted and galloped east.

The eastern forest path was the easiest escape route.

The guards pursued closely behind.

Ta Zhu wrapped the baby in cloth and secured him to her front.

The two rode tirelessly for several hours, with the guards never stopping their pursuit.

The baby couldn’t withstand the prolonged jostling and began to wail loudly. Ha Dai looked concerned and glanced back.

Just then, arrows flew from the dense forest beside the road, targeting the pursuing guards. Dozens of men fell from their horses one after another.

Ta Zhu was startled and looked toward the roadside, where she could vaguely make out the shadows of horses and people.

She dared not stop and continued riding forward.

Suddenly, she heard a horse neigh, and a black steed leaped out from the forest. She could now clearly see the rider: a figure in black robes with his hair in a high topknot.

“Xiao Guo!”

Ha Dai exclaimed in surprise.

Ta Zhu abruptly pulled the reins, stopping before the black horse.

“Xiao Guo…”

She frowned as she examined him. His appearance was unchanged, except that he seemed thinner.

She suddenly came to her senses, looking around to see dozens of Great Mu cavalry emerging from the forest, with a four-horse carriage behind the group.

“How are you here?”

Xiao Guo stared at her intently for a while before shifting his gaze to the bundle at her chest.

Suppressing the surge of emotions in his chest, he slowly said:

“I only recently learned you were in Die City. Today I was heading there to find you but encountered you on the way.”

Ta Zhu was deeply shocked. She never imagined that Xiao Guo would truly return.

“Didn’t you go back to Great Mu?”

Xiao Guo:

“I returned to the southern desert camp, reorganized the cavalry, and selected elite soldiers and generals before I could come looking for you.”

Ta Zhu saw his gaze shift to the baby and immediately placed her hand protectively over the bundle, warning:

“You cannot take this child away.”

Xiao Guo smiled bitterly:

“May I see him?”  was

Ta Zhu hesitated, but finally handed the baby to him.

Xiao Guo carefully took the baby, holding him in his arms. His gaze passed over the red mark on the child’s forehead, causing a slight ripple in his phoenix eyes. After a long while, he simply said:

“He looks like you.”

Ta Zhu watched him hold the baby for quite some time, then said anxiously:

“Now that you’ve seen him, please give him back to me.”

Xiao Guo did indeed return the baby to her.

Ta Zhu couldn’t discern what Xiao Guo intended to do, but then heard him say:

“May I have a word with you in private?”

Ha Dai’s eyebrows shot up in anger:

“Why?”

Ta Zhu thought for a moment, then nodded:

“Alright.”

Xiao Guo dismounted and helped Ta Zhu down as well.

The two of them, along with the baby, entered the carriage.

The group continued eastward.

Ha Dai rode alongside the carriage, wishing he had an extra ear to hear what they were discussing.

When Ta Zhu entered the carriage, she was surprised to see a wooden cradle prepared for the baby.

Her suspicion grew stronger:

“What did you want to say to me?”

Xiao Guo gazed at the person before him. From their swift horse ride, her face was flushed, and her dark blue clothes were spattered with blood—traces of combat.

The hardships she must have endured to give birth and evade pursuers needed no explanation.

Xiao Guo looked intently at her face and said in a deep voice:

“Come south with me to Great Mu.”

Ta Zhu shook her head:

“I already said I won’t go.”

Xiao Guo glanced at the baby in her arms:

“What’s on his forehead?

Is that a Danta slave mark?”

Ta Zhu trembled involuntarily, then said harshly:

“What if it is? What if it isn’t?”

Xiao Guo laughed once:

“Ha Ta Zhu, could you bear to see him spend his entire life as a slave in Danta, unable to hold his head high, despised by others?”

Ta Zhu’s face darkened as he struck at her core concern:

“I have my solution.”

Xiao Guo continued:

“Regardless, he is my flesh and blood and must remain by my side.”

He paused, then added, “You must also remain by my side.”

Ta Zhu laughed:

“Why should I?”

Xiao Guo looked into her eyes and said slowly:

“You said you cared for me, and that you didn’t seek a life of luxury. So I wondered, what do you truly want?

Later, I realized—you seek sincerity, don’t you?”

Ta Zhu was stunned for a moment. Xiao Guo grasped her wrist:

“Come back to Great Mu with me. I promise you a life of honor and also…

I promise you sincerity. I will be sincere to you, wholeheartedly, and will never betray you.”

Ta Zhu’s eyes flickered slightly:

“Are you speaking the truth?”

Xiao Guo gave a half-smile:

“Of course it’s the truth.”

Ta Zhu said seriously:

“Then make an oath.”

Xiao Guo raised three fingers and said:

“I, Xiao Guo, will never in my life betray Ha Ta Zhu. If I break this oath, may I die terribly.”

Ta Zhu silently gazed into his eyes.

She loved Xiao Guo’s eyes the most—his phoenix eyes with their slight ripple that seemed to contain boundless charm.

From the first time she saw him, she loved his eyes, especially when he looked at her tenderly.

“Alright,” Ta Zhu said.

* The forest path led south to the southern and northern deserts. Heading south meant returning to the capital. Xiao Guo led his cavalry eastward, passing through Guo City and Tiger Hill before heading south to the capital.

On their last night in Guo City, Ha Dai came to bid farewell to Ta Zhu.

“Are you certain of your decision?”

Although he had asked this countless times throughout their journey, he still needed to ask once more tonight.

Ta Zhu nodded:

“I am certain.”

Ha Dai sighed:

“A’Yan will indeed have a better life in Great Mu.”

Xiao Guo had named the baby Xiao Yan.

Ta Zhu smiled:

“Brother, if you ever come south, remember to visit me.”

Ha Dai laughed once:

“Of course.”

They both knew how difficult that would be, but on this night of parting, neither mentioned it.

Ha Dai patted her shoulder, “Brother must go now.”

Ta Zhu smiled, not daring to nod, fearing tears would fall.

In the winter of the twentieth year of Yongjia, this was the last time Ta Zhu saw Ha Dai.

In autumn of the twenty-first year of Yongjia, Third Prince Xiao Guo led his army north once more and returned victorious.

In the winter of the twenty-first year of Yongjia, the Emperor passed away and passed the throne to the Third Prince Xiao Guo. The era name was changed to the first year of Yongyou.

Xiao Guo ascended the throne, making the former Princess Lu, Lady Gao, his Empress, and his eldest son Xiao Heng the Crown Prince.

Ta Zhu moved into Ping Cui Palace in the western garden of the imperial compound.

She had no official title; the people in Ping Cui Palace simply addressed her as “mistress.”

Empress Gao, along with others in the palace, called her “Ta Zhu” just as the Emperor did.

Ta Zhu had met Empress Gao before Xiao Guo’s ascension to the throne. At that time, she lived in a private residence in the capital, not in Prince Lu’s mansion.

Before Xiao Guo went to war, he spent every day with her.

After Xiao Guo went north again, she met Lady Gao.

To Ta Zhu, Lady Gao was a dignified woman of Great Mu.

She always wore a perfectly measured smile, and her every gesture was refined and elegant.

No wonder Xiao Guo had never been beaten before, she thought.

Lady Gao spoke politely:

“Are you Ta Zhu from Danta?”

Ta Zhu nodded.

Lady Gao smiled:

“Indeed, you are a beautiful sister.”

Although Ta Zhu didn’t like being called “sister,” by age, she truly was the younger one.

Ta Zhu smiled slightly.

Lady Gao continued:

“I hear A’Yan resides here?

This place is not as well-equipped as Prince Lu’s mansion. While the Prince is away from the capital, I thought of bringing him back to the mansion for better care.”

Ta Zhu immediately understood her intention and refused:

“Thank you, but my child is very well cared for here. There’s no need to trouble yourself!”

Strangely, Lady Gao didn’t insist. After drinking a cup of tea, she left.

After entering the palace, Ta Zhu also avoided dealing with Empress Gao, spending most of her time in Ping Cui Palace.

Until the second month after Xiao Guo’s ascension to the throne, Xiao Guo sent the barely one-year-old Xiao Yan to be raised under Empress Gao’s care.

One morning, Ta Zhu woke to find the baby gone from her chambers, and Xiao Guo had already left for court.

Like a cat with its fur standing on end, Ta Zhu grabbed her red jade silver knife and hurried toward the front hall. Halfway there, she encountered an attendant from the front hall:

“Please calm yourself, mistress. His Majesty said he would visit Ping Cui Palace after court.”

“Where is A’Yan?” she asked.

“In response to the mistress, the Second Prince is currently in the Empress’s palace. The usual nursemaids and servants are all there.”

Ta Zhu turned and headed toward Empress Gao’s Jian Xia Palace but was stopped by imperial guards before she could enter.

“The Empress already has her son. Why does she need mine?”

The palace gates remained tightly closed, with silence within.

Looking up at the bright sunlight, Ta Zhu bit her lip, turned around, and returned to Ping Cui Palace to wait for Xiao Guo.

When Xiao Guo finished court and entered Ping Cui Palace, he wore the bright yellow imperial robes with golden dragons coiling around them. Ta Zhu met him with her short knife in hand:

“Return my son to me.”

Seeing the knife in her hand, Xiao Guo frowned:

“You’ve been in the palace for over a month now. Haven’t you learned the rules yet?

Put down the knife. What kind of comportment is this?”

Ta Zhu only said:

“Return my son to me.”

Xiao Guo walked before her and took the silver knife from her hand. The cold jade pendants on his imperial crown struck Ta Zhu’s eyes.

She impatiently waved a hand, and Xiao Guo laughed softly before removing his crown.

He led Ta Zhu to sit down in Ping Cui Palace:

“This is for his good.”

Ta Zhu frowned:

“What nonsense…”

Xiao Guo covered her mouth, interrupting:

“Mind your language.”

He then tried to persuade her, “Being raised in Jian Xia Palace, you can still see him daily. Those who attend to A’Yan are the same people. You can visit him daily when he plays in the imperial garden or studies in the palace. It’s not much different from having him here in Ping Cui Palace.”

Ta Zhu’s frown deepened:

“He’s only one year old. Why can’t he stay with me?”

Xiao Guo didn’t want to explain that because of Ta Zhu’s foreign origin, Xiao Yan would face increasing criticism if he weren’t raised under the Empress’s care.

“His character must be shaped from a young age. Jade must be carved to become a treasure. Without proper molding, how will he establish himself in the future?”

Ta Zhu glared at Xiao Guo:

“I can see him whenever I want?”

Xiao Guo nodded:

“Of course.”

Ta Zhu understood in her heart that her background was not advantageous for Xiao Yan.

“Fine.

Then I will see him every day.”

The doors of Jian Xia Palace opened to her as Xiao Guo had promised.

In Jian Xia Palace, Ta Zhu met Consort Liu for the first time.

After seeing Xiao Yan, she went to the front hall and saw a woman in scallion-green robes. She had a beautiful face, and the golden butterfly hairpin she wore flashed in Ta Zhu’s eyes.

Empress Gao invited:

“Everyone is here today. Stay and have some refreshments.”

Xiao Guo had filled his harem without concealing it from Ta Zhu. He had told her that he was truly sincere only to her, and Ta Zhu believed him.

Before this.

The refreshments sent by Empress Gao were jujube cakes. For some reason, today’s jujube cakes tasted extremely sour.

Ta Zhu took half a bite and had to put it down.

Across from her, Consort Liu ate several pieces. Ta Zhu silently watched her, thinking that women from Great Mu had quite heavy tastes.

Empress Gao held up a golden silk handkerchief embroidered with butterflies and flowers, covering her smile:

“If Consort Liu enjoys them, I’ll have more sent to your palace.”

Consort Liu swallowed the jujube cake in her mouth, took a sip of tea, and smiled:

“Thank you, Your Majesty. These past few days, my morning sickness has been severe, and these sour jujube cakes suit my taste perfectly.”

Ta Zhu felt as if a thunderclap had resounded in her head. Her throat became dry and itchy, and her heart felt crushed by a sudden, enormous weight.

She could no longer suppress her coughing, which continued until tears came to her eyes.

A palace maid beside her immediately patted her back gently.

Empress Gao’s face showed concern:

“Ta Zhu, are you alright?”

Ta Zhu forcibly suppressed her cough and wiped her eyes:

“I have matters to attend to in my palace. I must take my leave.”

After speaking, she left Jian Xia Palace without looking back.

Her mind was in chaos, barely able to distinguish directions. She walked in circles before finally finding the path back to Ping Cui Palace.

The palace servants came forward to meet her, and seeing her face, they exclaimed in alarm:

“What’s wrong, mistress?

Why are you crying so much?”

Ta Zhu wiped her face, only then realizing that tears had been streaming down. The tears on her fingertips had already grown cold.

She then burst into laughter.

The servants were bewildered and quickly helped her sit down in the hall, bringing hot tea.

By the time Xiao Guo arrived, the sunlight had completely faded, and only a crane-shaped candlestick illuminated Ping Cui Palace.

As soon as he entered the vermilion-lacquered palace gate, he saw all the servants standing outside the hall. His heart sank as he walked inside.

Ta Zhu sat alone quietly by the table. Seeing him, she looked up at him once.

________________________________________

Xiao Guo had already learned about the events at Jian Xia Palace from the servants. Consort Liu’s pregnancy was his deliberate doing, and he had not intended to hide it from Ta Zhu.

Although Ta Zhu had no official position, she had a son and endless favor, which could make her a thorn in others’ sides.

Palace intrigue was full of unpredictable human hearts, something Ta Zhu did not understand.

Having recently ascended the throne, he inevitably had oversights.

Consort Liu was not from a prominent family and did not have deep schemes.

With Consort Liu and another son, Ta Zhu would be less conspicuous, and Xiao Yan could grow up safely.

His lips moved slightly, wanting to speak, but seeing her red-rimmed eyes and desolate gaze, he couldn’t utter a word.

Ta Zhu, seeing him approach, stood up, leaning on the rosewood table.

Her right fist clenched and unclenched. Using all the strength remaining in her body, she swung at him.

Xiao Guo didn’t dodge, taking the slap squarely on his right cheek.

The loud smack echoed, and the palace servants standing outside lowered their heads, not daring to breathe.

Ta Zhu, still not satisfied, swung another slap, but Xiao Guo blocked it with his hand. She tried with her left hand, which he also blocked.

“This tactic no longer works,” Xiao Guo said.

Ta Zhu pulled away from his grasp. She had thought she had cried enough and could cry no more, but now, hearing his voice, tears rolled down again.

“Your promise, have you forgotten?”

“I have always been sincere to you,” the Emperor said.

Hearing this, Ta Zhu laughed loudly:

“Sincere?

This is your sincerity?”

She could no longer cry, finding it all ridiculous:

“My son is given to someone else to raise, and you go have a child with another woman—this is your sincerity? Ha ha ha, Xiao Guo, this is your sincerity.”

She couldn’t help but laugh uproariously.

Xiao Guo, hearing her every word like a knife, said angrily:

“And you?

Have you been sincere to me?”

Ta Zhu stopped laughing, incredulous:

“How have I not been sincere?

Have I gone to have children with other men?”

Xiao Guo reprimanded coldly:

“How dare you.”

His expression darkened further. “This autumn, during the northern expedition against Danta, Ha Dai escaped with fifteen thousand troops by sheer luck because you sent a message by eagle, revealing the ambush locations to him in advance.

Was it not you?”

Ta Zhu’s heart skipped a beat. Since his return from the northern expedition, Xiao Guo had never mentioned this, and she had assumed he didn’t know.

Seeing her silent and pale, Xiao Guo continued:

“Did you ever consider that if he had received this crucial information and used it not for self-preservation but to set a trap, then in that campaign, I would have been buried in Danta soil, never to return? Did you ever think of that?”

Ta Zhu had indeed thought of this later and had been frightened by the possibility. Only when she saw Xiao Guo return safely did she feel the weight lift from her heart.

Now, with him mercilessly exposing her, she knew there was no defense. With a sorrowful expression, she said:

“What would you have me do? Stand by and watch my brother and my people all die?”

No matter how they pretended all was well, no matter how affectionate they were, Ta Zhu was ultimately a Danta person, a falconer of Danta.

Xiao Guo shook his head:

“I know your heart and never intended to pursue this matter.”

He was silent for a moment. “My sincerity toward you remains, even so.”

Hearing this, Ta Zhu thought of Consort Liu and the child in her womb. It was like a fishbone stuck in her throat, her emotions in turmoil.

“You promised me more than this. You promised me your undivided loyalty.

Have you forgotten?”

Xiao Guo slowly lowered his eyes:

“Things have come to this point…”

When he looked up again, he saw Ta Zhu’s dark brown pupils turning ashen.

Alarmed, he grasped her hand and said, “From now on, I promise you my undivided loyalty.”

Ta Zhu abruptly pulled her hand away, laughing self-mockingly:

“This must be my retribution. Empress Gao must have felt the same pain I feel now.”

Xiao Guo frowned:

“What do you and I have to do with Lady Gao?”

He knew exactly how much feeling existed between him and Lady Gao.

Lady Gao had wanted the position of Empress, and she had received it.

Hearing his words, Ta Zhu laughed again:

“Perhaps later, when Your Majesty meets someone else, you will tell her, ‘What do you and I have to do with Ta Zhu?'”

Xiao Guo thought her words increasingly absurd, knowing she was still angry. He said softly:

“Then what would you have me do?”

Ta Zhu said despondently:

“I don’t want to see you anymore.

Please leave.”

Xiao Guo left, thinking that in a few days, Ta Zhu would surely come to understand.

But for several months thereafter, Ta Zhu refused to see him.