“Report—”
“Xi Liang soldiers outside Yunzhong Commandery have been eliminated—”
“Great victory, great victory at Wang City—”
“Empress Chu has achieved great victory at Wang City—”
Galloping courier soldiers with flying silk banners on their backs passed through the city. The already bustling streets instantly exploded like firecrackers.
On the second floor of a private room, Qi Leyun pushed open the windows with two bangs. Cold wind rushed in carrying the clamor.
The lightly dressed girls inside complained, “Qi Leyun, what are you doing!”
Standing by the window, Qi Leyun said loudly, “So everyone can hear more clearly.”
The girls chided her. “Do we need to hear it like this?” “We heard it clearly long ago.”
These people were either wealthy or noble with well-informed sources. Moreover, this was a flying victory bulletin. Before it even reached the capital, their families had already received the news.
Everyone couldn’t be bothered with Qi Leyun at the window and looked toward Chu Tang sitting in the center.
“A’Tang, what’s going on?” “How did Chu Zhao get to the border commandery?”
Chu Tang pressed her hand to her chest. “I can finally talk about this matter. It’s been so hard keeping it secret. You don’t know how much my heart and body have endured—”
The girls didn’t wait for her to finish and interrupted, shaking her. “Never mind your heart and body.” “Hurry up and tell us what happened!”
Chu Tang laughed as she was shaken, dodging the girls and walking a few steps away.
“This matter is very simple. When everyone in the capital was denouncing my uncle for inadequate leadership and lamenting the people’s suffering, Chu Zhao led troops out from the palace—” She stood firm, extending her hand forward in a sweeping motion like a sharp sword striking down. “Heading straight for the border commandery to eliminate bandits and save the people.”
Very simple—it sounded very simple. But to actually do it, that far, that dangerous—the girls looked at her with excited expressions.
Chu Tang turned to look at everyone. “This is our Chu clan—saving the nation and protecting the people, not fearing infamy or hardship. We don’t just talk, we act.”
Qi Leyun slapped her hand at the window. “How can we not talk! Before there were faults, General Chu was cursed. Now there are achievements, we must praise! A’Tang, hold a banquet at Chu Garden, send invitations—everyone come praise the Empress!”
……
……
“Outrageous!”
In the great hall of the court, after a long interval, all ears were filled with talk of the Empress.
Before the flying victory bulletin reached the capital, most court officials had already received the news and immediately blocked the Grand Tutor’s and Third Young Master Xie’s locations.
Never mind why the Empress appeared at the border commandery—first suppress this news. Only mention the great victory, don’t mention the Empress.
But it was still useless. The flying victory bulletin shouting the Empress’s name passed through cities and towns straight to the capital. Everyone knew.
In the court hall, all civil and military officials questioned the Grand Tutor, including Xie Yanfang, as well as the young Emperor sitting on the dragon throne.
By now, everyone understood clearly in their hearts.
“Outside, there’s wild speculation spreading that the Empress heard about the people’s suffering in the deep palace and felt uneasy, leading troops to the border overnight—it’s all false!”
The Empress hadn’t been in the deep palace before this incident.
The court officials looked toward the dragon throne. The curtain behind it still hung there, though no one had been behind it for a long time—of course, there shouldn’t have been anyone behind the curtain to begin with.
At the time, they’d said the Empress’s injuries from rescuing the Emperor had relapsed and she needed rest, so she couldn’t accompany the Emperor to court anymore—they’d wished she would never recover!
They had celebrated and cheered, thanking Heaven for having eyes.
Who would have thought!
That Empress Chu wasn’t listening behind the curtain in court but had led troops to the border commandery.
Throughout history, where had there been such an outrageous thing!
What was even more outrageous was that the Emperor was one thing—young, understanding nothing, able to manage nothing. But the Regent Grand Tutor and Xie Yanfang—these two couldn’t claim they didn’t know!
If these two truly didn’t know either, then Da Xia was completely under Empress Chu’s control.
“Grand Tutor, Lord Xie, how could you indulge the Empress like this and commit such an outrageous act?”
At this moment, all civil and military officials questioned in unison.
Deng Yi had remained silent from beginning to end.
“Everyone, this isn’t really an outrageous matter,” Xie Yanfang said. “After all, this is a victory report, a joyous occasion—”
“Lord Xie!” An official angrily interrupted Xie Yanfang. “We’re not talking about the victory report now—we’re talking about the Empress leaving the palace!”
Xie Yanfang said slowly, “Actually, it’s still about this matter. The Empress left the palace precisely to rescue the border people.”
“Lord Xie,” an elderly official said in a trembling voice. “Has our Da Xia reached the point where we need the Empress to lead troops into battle? Isn’t this an outrageous matter? If Da Xia has truly reached this point, though this official is old and feeble, I dare to go to my death in battle!”
Xie Yanfang bowed to him. “This official understands my lord’s sentiments.”
Understands—just nice words, without saying what use this matter serves. Several officials stepped forward urgently—
“What’s outrageous about it?” Deng Yi’s voice hammered down from the front. “If this is an outrageous matter, it’s not the first time such things have happened.”
Everyone looked at him.
“Don’t forget, His Majesty—” Deng Yi said, “was personally rescued by Empress Chu who rode into battle killing enemies.”