She was seeing Grand Tutor Deng again.
Grand Tutor Deng wore official robes so red they appeared black. With no imperial guards beside him, he stood alone on the palace city gate like a solitary crane.
Just as in that other life, he had indeed become Grand Tutor again.
And moreover, he controlled this inner palace city.
“Lord Deng,” Chu Zhao called out loudly, breaking into a smile. “Lord Deng, I am Chu Zhao.”
Standing on the gate tower, through the hazy blue-green, Deng Yi could already see the girl clearly. Even if he couldn’t see her clearly, he would recognize her.
He nodded. “Miss Chu.”
His expression and voice were calm, as if he had merely encountered her on the road and was exchanging greetings. There was no surprise, nor any joy.
Chu Zhao’s smile became somewhat awkward. Yes, they weren’t actually familiar. Any familiarity came from the escort. Seeing Deng Yi had become Grand Tutor, what was she so happy about?
Deng Yi had become Grand Tutor as in the fated timeline, so his next step would be to respectfully welcome Xiao Xun as Crown Prince.
“Lord Deng,” Chu Zhao hurriedly said, pressing her hand on the shoulder of the child before her. “I’ve brought the Young Highness.”
In this life, the Young Highness still lived. The Crown Prince still had an heir. His Majesty didn’t need to adopt Xiao Xun as Crown Prince.
Deng Yi looked down and saw the child before Chu Zhao. His expression remained unchanged—no excitement, no doubt.
“If the Young Highness is with Miss Chu, that’s truly excellent,” he said. “Then please, Miss Chu, continue to protect the Young Highness well. It’s not safe here. Miss Chu should leave with the Young Highness first.”
What?
To actually—
Chu Zhao was stunned, surprised, yet seemingly not that surprised.
Eunuch Qi was shocked. Originally, when Deng Yi appeared, he had been even more delighted than Chu Zhao. This boy was even more capable than he’d imagined. The reason he had promoted Deng Yi before the Emperor was that he felt this person could be useful—as for how to use him, he hadn’t figured that out yet.
Who would have expected such events to occur?
In the chaos, Deng Yi had emerged prominently.
This was probably what they called fate and timing.
Regardless, Deng Yi certainly knew who had given him this timing and fate. Back when the Crown Prince passed by and Eunuch Zhu had intended to take the opportunity to teach Deng Yi a lesson, he had spoken up to stop it. At that time, Deng Yi had understood and had even bowed to thank him.
Excellent! Deng Yi, seeing the Young Highness and seeing him, would surely know what to do!
But now what was this?
Deng Yi looked at the Young Highness yet remained unmoved, and even wanted to send them away?
“Deng Yi!” He stepped forward and shouted. “Have you gone mad? This is the Young Highness!”
Deng Yi looked at him. “Eunuch Qi, it’s even better that you’re here. With you watching over the Young Highness, His Majesty can be more at ease.”
Eunuch Qi had been immersed in the imperial city for a long time. At this moment, how could he still not understand?
His face turned deathly pale.
His Majesty might be safe, but this inner palace city had indeed changed hands.
Deng Yi!
Whose man was he?
The Noble Consort’s?
Hearing Deng Yi’s words to Eunuch Qi again, Chu Zhao’s heart suddenly sank. She understood. It seemed that at this very moment, Deng Yi had already chosen Xiao Xun to be Crown Prince.
Back then on the road, she had been watching Deng Yi and Prince Zhongshan talking. Perhaps at that time, Deng Yi and Prince Zhongshan were already old acquaintances.
Otherwise, how could it be so coincidental that he was the one to pursue and investigate her, and Prince Zhongshan was the one who reached out to stop her?
Chu Zhao looked at this inner palace gate, so close at hand, yet she couldn’t enter.
She held the child before her tightly. Having rescued this child from Xiao Xun’s hands, could she still not prevent Xiao Xun’s fate of becoming Emperor?
“Miss Chu, go—” Eunuch Qi said through gritted teeth in a low voice, looking hatefully at the figure standing on the gate tower.
Actually, whether they could leave was still uncertain.
Since Deng Yi refused to let the Young Highness see His Majesty, would he really let the Crown Prince’s orphan go? Eliminating the root was safest.
Perhaps he lacked the ability to attack. Defending a city was easy; engaging in battle was difficult. So while Deng Yi was willing but unable, they should flee quickly.
As long as they lived, there was always hope.
Deng Yi on the gate tower seemed to see through his thoughts. He smiled slightly and took the first step to turn and take his leave.
He was leaving.
Just like that, he was leaving.
She couldn’t let him leave!
“Deng Yi!” Chu Zhao shouted loudly. “You still owe me a meal!”
Owe a meal?
Eunuch Qi was bewildered. What was she talking about at a time like this? So what if he owed a meal? What would owing two or three meals matter?
On the gate tower, Deng Yi, who had turned to leave, stopped in his tracks.