The night was deep, and the lamps in the Imperial Palace burned dimmer than before, but it hadn’t fallen quiet, especially around the front halls.
Imperial guards patrolled, officials who had finished their work stood in the corridors speaking in low voices, and eunuchs walked about carrying tea and refreshments. When they saw a procession slowly approaching, everyone stopped.
“Your Majesty the Empress,” they said, bowing their heads in salute.
Chu Zhao nodded. “Thank you for your hard work, gentlemen.”
The officials replied in unison, “It is our duty.”
Chu Zhao looked toward one of the palace halls. “Is the Grand Tutor here?”
The officials quickly responded, “The Grand Tutor is here.”
Chu Zhao looked at the attending eunuchs. “The autumn night is heavy with dampness. Take good care of the gentlemen.”
The eunuchs responded in chorus.
Chu Zhao passed by them and headed toward where the Grand Tutor was.
The officials watched as the Empress’s entourage included eunuchs carrying food boxes—enough, it seemed, to set out an entire banquet. Was she bringing the Grand Tutor a late-night meal?
The Grand Tutor’s three daily meals were now specially prepared by the palace kitchens, and now the Empress herself was personally delivering a late-night snack—
The regent Grand Tutor was truly exceptional.
However—
“I heard that after the banquet, Her Majesty and the Grand Tutor had an argument.”
“I heard that too. The Grand Tutor flew into a rage.”
“The Third Young Master Xie was also there.”
“Who knows what outlandish request the Empress made.”
“Did the Third Young Master Xie instigate the Empress—”
“Shh, careful what you say, careful.”
……
……
Many people entered the hall, their footsteps creating a jumble that made the originally quiet interior noisy.
Deng Yi sat at his desk without even standing up, as if the person entering wasn’t the Empress, let alone performing any salute.
The officials originally in the hall quickly ducked their heads and withdrew, pretending they hadn’t witnessed this scene—this Grand Tutor came from humble origins and rose suddenly to power, but his temper was exceptionally domineering.
What could be done? The young Emperor, the young Empress—they still had to endure under his control for many years.
Chu Zhao also seemed not to notice Deng Yi’s breach of etiquette. She had the eunuchs spread the dishes across an entire table, after which the eunuchs and palace maids all withdrew, leaving only Xiao Man.
Xiao Man usually made herself invisible, but this time she glanced at Deng Yi twice with slight wariness. She could sense this man harbored some ill will—
Though one could tell at a glance that this Deng Yi couldn’t fight or do battle, unlike that Xie Yanfang who appeared a frail gentleman but could actually kill.
However, these officials, even if they didn’t know martial arts, killed more people than those who did.
They killed without using blades.
“Grand Tutor,” Chu Zhao said with a smile, “these are dishes I personally selected. Please try them.”
Deng Yi said coolly, “This official is not hungry.”
Chu Zhao curtsied, saying with a smile, “Grand Tutor, please don’t be angry with me.”
Deng Yi replied, “Since Your Majesty has already made your decision, why would you listen to others? Whether this official is angry or not makes no difference, so this official is not angry.”
What he said was actually true. At this moment he felt no anger whatsoever—his expression was calm, his complexion cold.
He wasn’t angry, nor did he care.
Chu Zhao sighed softly and stepped forward. “Lord Deng.” She bowed again. “Zhao thanks you.”
No longer using the formal titles of Empress and Grand Tutor, she’d switched to their former forms of address. Deng Yi looked at her and said coolly, “This is a minister’s duty. I dare not accept Your Majesty’s thanks.”
Chu Zhao said, “When Lord Deng flew into a rage and berated me earlier, that was a minister’s duty in protecting his sovereign. The Grand Tutor’s displeasure with me leaving the Imperial Palace and the capital is actually beneficial for me.”
Deng Yi looked at her without speaking.
The girl smiled frankly. “If both the Grand Tutor and the Third Young Master eagerly urged me to leave, I would instead be afraid to go.”
She was being quite direct.
Only if the two of them disagreed could the three maintain balance.
Deng Yi said, “Your Majesty jests. What would Miss Zhao fear? Whether we agree or not, Miss Zhao’s luggage is already packed, just waiting to climb over the wall and leave tonight.”
Chu Zhao laughed and looked at Xiao Man. “Xiao Man, is our luggage packed?”
What kind of nonsense is this? Not understanding these capital people, Xiao Man turned her head and said gruffly, “I don’t know. I don’t handle packing. Ask A’Le.”
Of course Chu Zhao wasn’t really asking. She looked at Deng Yi with a smile.
Deng Yi fell silent for a moment, reaching for the fruit tea on the desk as if to drain it in one gulp, but he stopped and said, “I truly don’t care whether you go—”
Chu Zhao’s presence wasn’t necessary for him. On the contrary, perhaps her absence would be better. In his original plans, this girl hadn’t existed at all.