“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?