Du Qi thought he was seeing things.
But he could shoot an arrow through a willow leaf at a hundred paces; no matter how high and thick the city gate was, he couldn't possibly mistake a human face.
Especially Xie Yanlai's face.
Who could forget that face once they had seen it?
The young man atop the city gate raised his slender eyes slightly and called out, "Third Brother."
Xie Yanfang's surprise faded as he nodded at him.
"Xie Yanlai," Du Qi shouted, "open the city gate immediately!"
Hearing this, the young man on the gate curved his lips into a smile, crossing his arms as he leaned forward. "Du Qi, are you... ordering me?"
Du Qi's face instantly darkened. Whether he was ordering Xie Yanlai or not was one thing, but Xie Yanlai was clearly provoking him on purpose.
Xie Yanlai was currently guarding the Son of Heaven's city gate; only the Son of Heaven could command him.
This was both cursing Du Qi for his insolence and audacity, and questioning Xie Yanfang.
This bastard! Du Qi gripped the crossbow in his hand—did he think he wouldn't dare shoot an arrow straight through him?
So what if you're guarding the city gate by the Son of Heaven's order? You're still a son of the Xie family!
Xie Yanfang patted Du Qi. "Don't you know his temper by now? Arguing with him will only infuriate you to death." With that, he looked up at the city gate, not mentioning entering the city, and only asked, "Yan Lai, is everything peaceful inside the city?"
Xie Yanlai nodded and hummed in agreement. "It's already settled."
Xie Yanfang said, "That's good," then turned his horse around.
Though displeased, Du Qi followed his lord as he turned.
From atop the city wall, Xie Yanlai's shout came: "Hey, Third Brother—"
Xie Yanfang looked back from his horse.
"Come on in," the young man on the gate said. "The palace also wants to know what's happening outside the city."
After saying this, he gestured to the officer beside him.
Du Qi watched as the officer, without another word, turned and personally descended to open the city gate.
This kid—how did it seem like he was already the leader?
Outside the city, the night had been earth-shattering; inside the city, it seemed the night had been anything but ordinary as well.
...
...
The city gate slowly opened. Xie Yanfang dismounted and walked over with Du Qi, casually scanning the area. He noticed that the imperial guards here were unfamiliar—not in terms of their faces, as they wouldn't remember every gate guard's appearance, but unfamiliar in their aura.
These were not the original imperial guards or gatekeepers.
Xie Yanlai also descended from the city gate, sauntering leisurely, his demeanor unchanged from before.
His clothes and face were clean, unlike Xie Yanfang and the others, who were covered in blood. But the already sharp young man now seemed like a tempered sword, gleaming with brilliance.
Moreover, the officer who had initially stopped them on the city gate followed behind Xie Yanlai, his expression respectful.
"How is His Majesty?" Xie Yanfang set aside his scrutiny and asked.
Xie Yanlai didn't refuse to answer, replying readily, "His Majesty already knows about the Crown Prince's demise and the Third Prince's rebellion."
Xie Yanfang glanced ahead. In the dim morning light, the area inside the city gate was in disarray, with cleanup already underway—soldiers and officials were extinguishing fires and moving corpses.
"The Crown Princess—" he began.
"Third Brother, go to the palace to see His Majesty," Xie Yanlai interrupted him. "Tell him what happened."
Xie Yanfang thought, just like opening the city gate, he had casually and easily told him to enter the palace.
"However," Xie Yanlai pointed at Xie Yanfang, "you must leave your weapons behind. By order of the Grand Tutor, aside from officials and soldiers, no one is permitted to carry weapons while moving about the city."
"Alright," Xie Yanfang nodded without the slightest hesitation, handing over his crossbow, sword, and other weapons to the nearby soldiers.
Though somewhat reluctant, Du Qi said nothing and handed over his weapons as well.Even without weapons, he could still protect the young master in times of crisis.
Xie Yanlai added, "I'll accompany you. It's not easy to enter the Imperial City gates." He then turned to the officer and said, "I'm heading to the Imperial City."
The officer nodded. "Go ahead, Yan Lai. I'll handle things here."
They were already on a first-name basis, like old friends or companions. Du Qi glanced at the officer, who was exceptionally alert and immediately returned the gaze with sharp, fierce eyes.
Du Qi averted his eyes.
Xie Yanfang remounted his horse, and Xie Yanlai took the reins of a horse brought over by a soldier. The two brothers rode one after the other, with Du Qi following closely, galloping forward.
Along the way, the once-bustling streets were in disarray. Many houses were still burning, and the ground was stained with blood. Corpses were continuously being collected and arranged. However, the streets were crowded—besides soldiers and officials clearing debris and extinguishing fires, many officials were patrolling.
Almost every street had an official leading a team.
Seeing the officials, more and more civilians emerged from their homes and hiding places, weeping before the officials and refusing to leave their side.
The officials comforted them one by one.
Though the streets looked horrifying, the atmosphere was not as panicked.
The court had already sprung into action. Indeed, order was being restored. Xie Yanfang withdrew his gaze and urged his horse forward.
As they approached the Imperial City, the number of soldiers increased, standing as densely as a forest. This area had been cleared, with no corpses, fires, or chaos—only occasional traces of blood remained on the ground.
As the three approached, the guards signaled for them to identify themselves. Xie Yanlai raised his token and said, "Xie Yanlai."
The guards stepped aside without questioning the other two.
This was not because they recognized Xie Yanfang but because they trusted Xie Yanlai.
Xie Yanfang glanced at Xie Yanlai once more. This was probably the most he had looked at his younger brother since he had entered the family.
Noticing his gaze, Xie Yanlai turned to look back.
Xie Yanfang smiled at him but did not ask why. Although he had many questions since their meeting at the city gate, he only said, "Yan Lai, you’ve truly impressed us this time."
Xie Yanlai also smiled, offering no further explanation and not shying away. With a lift of his phoenix-like eyes, he simply stated, "Last night, I defended this Imperial City."
One sentence was enough to answer all questions; one sentence was enough to summarize everything.
Defended the Imperial City? Really? Du Qi frowned. The Imperial City was not something one person could defend alone.
Xie Yanlai was brave and skilled, but within the palace guards, due to his status and the Xie family’s deliberate arrangements, he was just an ordinary soldier. How could he possibly command such authority?
Even if there were many of the Crown Prince’s supporters among the palace guards, the Third Prince’s seizure of the city would have involved eliminating them first.
To be honest, Du Qi was somewhat surprised that Xie Yanlai was still alive.
Members of the Xie family would have been among the first to be targeted.
Xie Yanfang showed no doubt and praised, "Yan Lai, you are remarkable. Just as you said, you are capable of taking on greater responsibilities."
Back when he refused the marriage alliance with the Liang family, his reason was that he was highly capable and could undertake more important tasks for the family. Xie Yanlai smiled but did not dwell on the topic, simply saying, "Let’s go."
With the token and Xie Yanlai’s name, they passed unimpeded into the Imperial City and proceeded directly to the inner palace.
"Third Young Master is here!"
Upon entering the inner palace, Xie Yanfang finally felt a sense of familiarity. Many people recognized him, calling out his name with excitement, though he did not recognize any of them.The eunuch was on the verge of tears, but he did not take him to see His Majesty.
"His Majesty is resting, and the imperial physician has ordered that he not be disturbed."
"Then we shall wait until His Majesty awakens," Xie Yanfang quickly replied.
What he had to say was not good news, and His Majesty would surely be agitated.
So what next—
Xie Yanlai spoke up from the side, "Third Brother, you should first go see the Grand Tutor. Matters concerning the Crown Prince are also important affairs of the court. Discuss them with him in detail."
The Grand Tutor? This was the second time the title "Grand Tutor" had been mentioned. Xie Yanfang, of course, knew of the Grand Tutor, but the Grand Tutor was practically non-existent. With the Yang Family in power, the Grand Tutor was merely a subordinate.
Now that the Crown Prince was gone and the Yang Family was no more, could the Grand Tutor issue orders?
Xie Yanfang asked, "Has Lord Liao already arrived?"
Xie Yanlai looked at him and smiled, saying, "Not Lord Liao, but Lord Deng."
Deng? Had the Grand Tutor been replaced? But it wasn't surprising. After such turmoil, His Majesty would inevitably replace many people. Xie Yanfang nodded and said, "Alright," then asked, "Which Lord Deng is it?"
He was familiar with all the high-ranking officials and ministers in the court, knew their temperaments and dispositions, so he could handle them with ease when they met.
Xie Yanlai smiled and said, "Deng Yi, Lord Deng."
Deng Yi? Xie Yanfang's expression showed a hint of surprise. He had naturally heard this name, and not long ago at that. But this person was not some high-ranking official or minister.
That petty official who had climbed the ranks through bribery had actually become the Grand Tutor?
The hall fell silent for a moment, but the silence was soon broken by the sound of hurried footsteps coming from within.
"Little Highness, Little Highness, please don't run," the eunuchs' urgent cries followed.
Little Highness!
Xie Yanfang quickly looked ahead.
After entering the city, Xie Yanlai had not volunteered any information, and he had not mentioned the Little Highness either. The palace maid had said that Qi Gonggong had taken the Little Highness to the Chu family. He thought that if Qi Gonggong had successfully reached the Chu family, then the situation was not yet completely stable, and Qi Gonggong would not rashly emerge. He would go there later to search. Alternatively, if Qi Gonggong had failed to reach the Chu family—then he would have to carefully reconsider.
Unexpectedly, the Little Highness had already returned to the Imperial Palace.
He couldn't help but take a step forward and saw a child running out of the hall.
The child was wearing undergarments, his hair disheveled, clutching a bamboo tube tightly in his arms. His small face was pale, and his eyes were filled with fear. Yet, despite this, he was a beautiful child, like a finely carved jade.
He looked more like a member of the Xie family.
"Ah Yu," he called.
The child stopped and looked at the person before him.
This was his first time meeting the Crown Prince's eldest son, and he never expected it to be under such circumstances. Life was truly unpredictable. Xie Yanfang said softly, "Ah Yu, I am Xie Yanfang."
Xiao Yu looked at him and suddenly said, "Uncle."
After calling out, he rushed forward.
Xie Yanfang quickly reached out, preparing to pick him up, but the child rushed past him and threw himself into the arms of another person.
Xie Yanfang turned his head.
"Uncle," Xiao Yu clung to the young man, completely unfazed by the cold, prickly armor.
Uncle, huh? Xie Yanfang watched the scene unfold. This night, the city had been turned upside down as well.
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