“The evil deeds of Prince Zhongshan and his son must be proclaimed to the world. Otherwise, it will be difficult to comfort the dead and inspire the living. But doing so will also harm Empress Chu’s reputation.”
“To prevent any damage to Empress Chu, please have the Grand Tutor also publicly reveal your past association with Prince Zhongshan, exposing the viciousness of the prince and his son, while also proving Empress Chu’s bravery and decisiveness.”
If he didn’t step forward, would he be the one damaging the Empress’s reputation?
Deng Yi sneered coldly: “Xie Yanfang, spare me your lengthy explanations. You want to drag out Chu Lan’s old affairs—you’re the one threatening Chu Zhao’s reputation. Why drag me into this? If you want to bully that young lady, go ahead, but I’m not so easily bullied.”
Bullying, Xie Yanfang nodded and sighed softly: “Yes, doing this means I’m bullying her. To avoid causing her irreparable harm, I can only come bully you instead.”
Deng Yi looked at Xie Yanfang, finding it quite amusing: “A person like you—should Miss Chu hate you or thank you?”
Xie Yanfang smiled slightly and said: “With a person like me around, Miss Chu will be very grateful to you, Grand Tutor.”
With that, he turned and left.
Deng Yi leaned back in his chair, silent and contemplative.
The minor official who had been hiding in the corner came forward and said in a low voice: “Grand Tutor, are you really going to testify to Prince Zhongshan’s treason?”
“This battle is unavoidable.” Deng Yi said. “The sin of heavy civilian casualties can only be borne by Prince Zhongshan and his son.”
“Then just let Chu Lan take the blame alone—after all, he’s the one who did it.” The official said. “Even if the Empress were here, at this moment she could only righteously eliminate her kin.”
If that young lady were here at this moment, would she push out her own uncle? Deng Yi thought about it and felt she would, but also felt she wouldn’t. This young lady was somewhat unpredictable.
“Don’t listen to Xie Yanfang. You mustn’t come forward.” The official urged anxiously. “If the Empress’s reputation is damaged, she’ll merely be confined and kept in the palace. But if someone seizes on your past involvement, it could be dug up in the future and ruin your prospects.”
The future—meaning when the Emperor grew up and took personal command, when the Grand Tutor was no longer regent and no longer held the imperial seal. When the sovereign wanted a subject dead, what could the subject do?
“Xie Yanfang is truly shameless. This is killing two birds with one stone. From now on, only their Xie clan will remain spotlessly clean.”
Deng Yi naturally understood this reasoning, but—
“Compared to others, having Miss Chu as Empress benefits me in every way with no harm.” Deng Yi said. “I must protect her. Even if we both bear tainted names, as long as we’re both here and united in purpose, the Xie clan shouldn’t expect good days.”
If he abandoned Chu Zhao without regard, that would truly be letting the Xie clan kill two birds with one stone.
That young lady had said before that she was generous, that she was someone who could give everything in return.
She was no longer the girl who could only treat him to a meal. Though her father was gone, she had secured the border army herself, earned military merits, and her reputation had spread throughout the world.
He opened the letter he had taken out earlier.
Xiao Xun had indeed written to him as well. The letter was very simple, just one sentence.
“Grand Tutor, will you open the gates?”
Deng Yi could barely remember what Xiao Xun looked like, but this one sentence was enough to conjure the image of a lofty imperial clan member.
This imperial clan member appeared courteous, gentle, and amiable, but in reality, all people under heaven were beneath their notice.
With a flick of his hand, Deng Yi tossed the letter into the fire basin, where it transformed into ash.
“He wants me to open the gates.” He said. “Before, you weren’t worthy, and you still aren’t now.”
He looked at the minor official.
“Make arrangements. Tonight I’ll go see Chu Lan.”
The official acknowledged the order.
…
…
When night fell, Qi Leyun couldn’t sleep. Her father’s words today had been strange and peculiar. When pressed, he refused to explain, only urging them to move out immediately. The family had been packing belongings until midnight, the clanging and banging making sleep impossible.
What did he mean by “everyone will be fine, but the Empress will have problems”?
Was he saying Chu Zhao would lead troops to aid the capital, and fighting was dangerous?
Chu Zhao wouldn’t be in danger—she even dared fight the Xi Liang people.
But it truly was exhausting. She had to fight the Xi Liang people and also Prince Zhongshan. This was probably the Empress’s duty. Qi Leyun felt both sympathetic and less worried. Drowsily about to fall asleep, just as she closed her eyes, commotion came from outside—it seemed many people were barging in.
Someone was shouting, someone was screaming, someone was crying, firelight flickering.
In an instant, Qi Leyun thought of the imperial princes’ chaos from before.
Could it be, again—
But there were no other imperial princes now.
Had Prince Zhongshan broken through?
Qi Leyun scrambled up urgently. Before she could call out, she heard maids shrieking as a group of people charged in with chaotic footsteps.
They were a group of black-armored guards, weapons in hand.
Qi Leyun also screamed in fright.
These black-armored guards didn’t kill anyone after entering, but scattered to search everywhere. Boxes and cabinets were turned out, but they ignored the money and jewels scattered on the ground. They quickly withdrew and the official standing at the door shook his head. “Nothing.”
Lady Qi held Qi Leyun while Master Qi repeatedly assured the official: “There really isn’t anything. Although we live here, we’ve never had any contact with them. We truly know nothing.”
What were they looking for? Qi Leyun was both frightened and confused.
“You saw Chu Tang today?” The official looked at Qi Leyun and asked. “Did she say where she was going?”