Doors and windows were opened, curtains drawn, and morning light flooded the room. Maidservants laid out an array of sumptuous dishes on the table, each casting excited and joyful glances at Xiao Xun.
"Young Master, you've lost weight."
"Young Master still looks handsome even after losing weight."
Hearing the maidservants' banter, Xiao Xun laughed heartily and touched his face. "Of course, I look good no matter what."
Prince Zhongshan, seated opposite him, hummed in agreement. "Only in Miss Chu's eyes are you not good-looking." He shook his head with a regretful expression. "If that young lady had taken a liking to you, our Young Master wouldn't have grown thin from excessive worry."
Xiao Xun chuckled. "Father, Miss Chu didn't reject me because of my looks."
That was true. Prince Zhongshan was merely teasing; he knew well that attraction could stem from appearance, but rejection could have countless reasons.
He waved his hand, and the maidservants withdrew.
"Eat something," he said.
Xiao Xun picked up his bowl and chopsticks and began eating voraciously. "I really am starving."
Prince Zhongshan smiled. "You've tasted every hardship on this journey. In life, one must experience everything."
Xiao Xun downed a bowl of soup in one gulp and added, "I'll taste it all. You, Father, need not."
Prince Zhongshan laughed. "The days ahead will be interesting—the Little Emperor, the Little Empress, the Little Grand Tutor, the Little Imperial Uncle—"
The term "little" here referred not just to age but more to their reputation, origins, and background.
Miss Chu was not only young but also little-known; the Chu family had remained obscure in the capital for over a decade.
The Grand Tutor was not young in age but came from humble origins—an obscure minor official.
The Imperial Uncle, Xie Yanfang, had some reputation earlier but had kept a low profile until hastily becoming the Imperial Uncle.
Overnight, these insignificant figures had seized control of the Great Xia Kingdom.
"It was my oversight," Prince Zhongshan sighed.
Xiao Xun said softly, "Father, you were not negligent. You anticipated everything, extended goodwill to Deng Yi and Chu Ling in advance, and we did our best to engage with Miss Chu. But no matter how earnest we were, we couldn't counter their ulterior motives. If there was any oversight, it was underestimating the ambitions of these insignificant figures and the Emperor's madness."
The Grand Tutor—the Emperor actually dared to bestow it, and that minor official Deng Yi actually dared to accept it.
The Empress—the Emperor actually dared to grant it, and that girl actually dared to take it.
Prince Zhongshan smiled faintly. "It was still our oversight. We underestimated them. Had we known earlier, forget their ambitions—I wouldn't have let these people exist."
As he spoke, he crushed a piece of pastry in his hand.
"But it doesn't matter," he said, gently brushing the crumbs away and gazing at the table. "The Emperor has gone mad, and we can go mad too. Let's see who outlasts whom. A Xun—"
He looked up and saw the young man opposite him, who had been eating ravenously, now slumped motionless over the table.
Prince Zhongshan sprang to his feet instantly.
"A Xun!" he called out, reaching out anxiously to touch the young man's face.
His face was warm, his long eyelashes fluttered, and there was a soft snoring sound.
He had fallen asleep.
He was truly exhausted. Finally home, he could no longer hold on.
Prince Zhongshan breathed a sigh of relief and gently laid Xiao Xun down on the couch. His heart ached with both pity and fury—his meticulously raised son had been tormented by these petty individuals!
Prince Zhongshan's usually gentle face twisted into a grimace. Since they did not wish to die with dignity, he would not hold back either.Ning Kun entered at that moment, looking even worse than Xiao Xun. "Your Highness," he said, "it's all because of that treacherous Deng Yi's viciousness and lack of honor—"
Prince Zhongshan already knew what Deng Yi had done and smiled faintly. "As expected of such a petty man—I never misjudged his malicious heart." He then asked, "What about the imperial decree? Let me see it."
Ning Kun replied, "The Heir Apparent has already burned it."
A flicker of amusement appeared in Prince Zhongshan's eyes as he glanced at Xiao Xun sleeping soundly on the floor mat. He chided lightly, "Why burn it? It might have been useful someday."
Ning Kun explained, "The Heir Apparent's pure filial piety couldn't bear the sight of such a thing. I originally suggested keeping it for you to see, but he wouldn't allow it."
Prince Zhongshan smiled. "Very well, you should go rest now. We can discuss everything after you've all recovered. Now that we're home, there's nothing to worry about."
Ning Kun nodded.
"Even if the imperial army presses down upon us, our Zhongshan Commandery need not fear."
Ning Kun smiled. "The imperial army didn't dare come before, and they won't dare in the future." He added, "Nor can they."
Prince Zhongshan gave a slight smile without responding, waving his hand in dismissal.
Ning Kun said no more, bowed, and withdrew.
Prince Zhongshan fetched a thin quilt to cover Xiao Xun, then sat down beside him and continued slowly eating the meal on the table.
...
...
While Prince Zhongshan set his heart at ease with his son's return, the new Emperor in the capital, having completed the enthronement ceremony and removed mourning garments, was holding his first court session.
After the officials rose from bowing and proclaiming "Long live the Emperor," they had scarcely time to feel moved at seeing an emperor on the Dragon Throne after so long before they were stunned anew.
The Emperor sat securely on the Dragon Throne, but behind the throne sat another figure as well.
Through a lowered curtain, the silhouette of a young girl was faintly visible.
"This!" The officials erupted in uproar. How could this girl be here again!
Attending the enthronement ceremony with the Emperor was one thing, but to actually follow him to court sessions? What was this—regent behind a curtain?
This was unacceptable!
The court instantly buzzed with noise.
Imperial Censors shouted reprimands before order was restored.
Deng Yi declared, "This is my arrangement."
One official said indignantly, "Grand Tutor, this is absurd! The late Emperor appointed you as Regent—do you even understand what regency means?"
Many officials exchanged glances in the ranks, some showing schadenfreude. This petty clerk Deng Yi was standing in court for the first time too.
Deng Yi showed no fear. "This Grand Tutor's regency is merely temporary. His Majesty will inevitably assume personal rule, so he must attend court—"
"Nonsense!" another official stepped forward. "His Majesty attending court is proper, but what precedent allows the Empress to attend court?"
Deng Yi looked at him. "Because His Majesty is still young, and the Empress never leaves his side, instructing him. As Grand Tutor and Regent, my primary duty is handling state affairs on His Majesty's behalf, not teaching him constantly. For the stability of the realm and His Majesty's swift familiarity with governance, who could be more suitable than the Empress?"
This remained feeble justification—any court minister could instruct the Emperor. As officials prepared to protest further, Deng Yi's patience expired.
"Since you acknowledge my regency, my presence alone suffices in this court." He said coldly, "If you consider the Empress' presence improper, then His Majesty need not attend court sessions until he completes his instruction."
That was even worse—the court would become Deng Yi's personal domain!
The officials immediately broke into renewed clamor."Let those with matters to present speak forth," Deng Yi declared. "Otherwise, this court session is dismissed!"
Following his words, the imperial guards standing solemnly in the hall thumped their halberds in unison and roared, their fierce gazes fixed upon the clamoring officials as if awaiting the command to strike.
The great hall fell silent instantly.
Deng Yi repeated in a grave tone, "Let those with matters to present speak forth. Otherwise, this court session is dismissed."
After a moment of silence, an official stepped forward.
"I have a memorial to present," he said.
All eyes turned to see that it was none other than Xie Yanfang.
Deng Yi nodded. "Speak."
Xie Yanfang then began to elaborate calmly, surprisingly making no mention of the Emperor and Empress's suitability, nor questioning the Regent Grand Tutor. Instead, he addressed the pressing matters of the court.
Seeing this, the other officials understood clearly—if even the Xie family raised no objection, why should they invite trouble? The dissenting officials swallowed their criticisms and stood with lowered eyes.
As the turmoil in the court subsided, Xiao Yu, seated on the Dragon Throne, breathed a sigh of relief. It had been truly frightening moments ago.
A hand reached from behind and gently poked his arm.
It seemed to say, "Do not be afraid."
Xiao Yu grinned, but Qi Gonggong beside him gave a soft cough, signaling disapproval. The child quickly wiped the smile from his face, assuming a stern expression as he sat upright.
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