Deng Yi withdrew his gaze and nodded to Xie Yanfang. “It should naturally be so. The Third Prince’s crimes are unforgivable.”
Xie Yanfang straightened and added, “I have already killed the Third Prince.”
Deng Yi was relatively unsurprised. Xie Yanfang had tried to save the Crown Prince—to save him, he would dare to do anything. The Third Prince was his mortal enemy in his eyes, so he naturally had to kill him.
Chu Zhao, however, was surprised again. In the previous life, the Third Prince hadn’t died—she hadn’t expected that in this life, Xie Yanfang had directly killed the Third Prince.
In that life, events had occurred suddenly and Xie Yanfang hadn’t had the opportunity. If he had, he certainly would have killed the Third Prince with his own hands.
“I ask the Grand Tutor to also help conceal this,” Xie Yanfang bowed again.
Though the Third Prince’s crimes warranted execution, he was still the Emperor’s son. Only the Emperor could execute him.
Even though Xie Yanfang’s killing of the Third Prince was justifiable, it would inevitably make the Emperor wary.
Chu Zhao quickly also looked at Deng Yi. “Grand Tutor, Third Young Master is right. For the Young Highness’s sake, this matter must be concealed!”
See? She also knew how to protect those whose hearts were entirely focused on the Young Highness’s safety and honor.
Deng Yi paid her no attention, only looking at Xie Yanfang and nodding, once again saying, “It should naturally be so.”
Xie Yanfang bowed respectfully. “Yanfang thanks the Grand Tutor on behalf of my brother-in-law and elder sister.”
He held no official position. The Grand Tutor’s decision was a great matter of state—he had no qualification to praise it, and praise would seem like meddling.
But he was the closest relative of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess. For a family member to express thanks was appropriate and reasonable.
Third Young Master Xie was truly well-versed in human relations. Deng Yi smiled and nodded in return. “It is this subject’s duty.”
Xie Yanfang was no longer polite and said, “The Third Prince had bought off half the Capital Garrison. After fighting all night outside the city, I’ve mostly cleaned them up. From here on, I ask the Grand Tutor to take charge.”
Deng Yi said, “There are also quite a few remnants of the Third Prince and the Zhao family in the court. Manpower is insufficient. The matter of the Capital Garrison will still require Third Young Master Xie’s efforts.”
Xie Yanfang responded affirmatively, “Yanfang will spare no effort.”
Chu Zhao, listening to their conversation from the side, now said, “Third Young Master, we must also pursue and capture Prince Zhongshan’s heir.”
Xie Yanfang looked at her.
“My bringing the Young Highness to the imperial capital was actually a risky move,” Chu Zhao told him.
Xie Yanfang nodded. He could imagine how dangerous it was—after all, the entire city was full of the Third Prince’s people. However, for Miss Chu to dare take such a risk, she must have had confidence. What had Chu Ling left behind?
Of course, he wouldn’t actively ask this question.
“But at that time I had no other choice, not because of the Third Prince, but because Prince Zhongshan’s heir Xiao Xun came to surround and kill the Young Highness,” Chu Zhao said.
Xie Yanfang immediately understood and sighed softly. “Not surprising. With such a good opportunity, how could Prince Zhongshan’s heir miss it? Moreover, I believe the assassination of the Crown Prince was most likely Prince Zhongshan’s heir’s doing.” At this point, he bowed to Chu Zhao again. “If not for you, Miss Zhao, Yanfang doesn’t know how I would have faced this situation.”
Actually, it wouldn’t have mattered much—in the previous life, he’d handled it quite formidably, making Xiao Xun’s days very difficult. Chu Zhao smiled. Well then, in this life with her assistance, let’s make Xiao Xun’s days even more difficult.
“Just now when Yanlai and I went to the rear palace, we saw the Young Highness run out looking for you,” Xie Yanfang said. The guard was still standing by the door waiting for them to finish talking before approaching. Since he now knew who the sister the Young Highness spoke of was, he naturally took the initiative to mention it first.
Chu Zhao made a sound of understanding. “A’Yu woke up.”
He couldn’t sleep soundly.
“I’ll go check on him,” she said. She looked at Deng Yi, then at Xie Yanfang. With these two here, the court could be stable, and Xiao Xun could forget about having good days.
She curtsied to both men.
“The court’s affairs I leave to the Grand Tutor and Third Young Master.”
These words were spoken as if she already considered herself the head of the imperial household. Deng Yi thought to himself, but he said nothing. He glanced at Third Young Master Xie—
Third Young Master Xie didn’t yet know about Miss Chu becoming a member of the imperial family.
Miss Chu had been sincere and heartfelt upon seeing Xie Yanfang, protecting and relying on him in every way, yet she absolutely did not mention this matter—showing that she wasn’t truly being completely open-hearted.
The corners of Deng Yi’s mouth pressed together as he nodded slightly. “Miss Chu may go.”
Naturally, he wouldn’t mention it either.
This matter had nothing to do with him. This was a matter between Miss Chu and the Xie family.
Though Xie Yanfang felt Deng Yi’s half-smiling expression was somewhat strange, he didn’t pay much attention. Now everything had changed, but he, Xie Yanfang, was still here, and the Young Highness who carried Xie family blood was still here—then everything was still here.
“Thank you for looking after A’Yu, Miss Chu,” he said with a bow.
Chu Zhao sighed softly. “This is my honor.”
Being able to save Xiao Yu in this life was truly her good fortune.
…
…
Xie Yanfang watched Chu Zhao leave, seeing the guards around bow to her. She then beckoned a guard over, said something unknown, and that guard left to carry out orders—
These unfamiliar guards seemed very familiar with Chu Zhao—these must be the unknown troops that Chu Ling had left behind.
This palace, it seemed, was not only in Deng Yi’s control.
“Third Young Master Xie,” Deng Yi said.
Xie Yanfang withdrew his gaze.
Deng Yi raised his hand in invitation. “Please sit and talk.”