Standing in the court, Xie Yanfang was the youngest—both in age and experience.
His position in the court was due to his identity as the Emperor’s maternal uncle.
Of course, he did not mind this identity; he had always intended to use it to stand in the court, just not at this moment.
It was too hasty.
Too many unexpected events had occurred.
"Third Young Master, what does Deng Yi mean by this?" a voice questioned from behind.
Xie Yanfang turned and saw a group of officials following him. They varied in age and rank, but what they shared was their indignant expressions and their closeness to Xie Yanfang.
Even though his entry into the court was abrupt, the Xie family had been cultivating influence for a long time. Xie Yanfang, in particular, had built extensive connections. Although these court officials had little direct interaction with him, their families had received his favors and maintained friendships with him.
Friendships built on mutual benefit and reciprocity.
He was not truly an inexperienced fledgling; he had simply not stood in the court before. Now that he had stepped forward, he could spread his wings and soar.
These officials referred to Deng Yi by his name directly, disdainfully omitting his official title of Grand Tutor.
If one were to speak of a fledgling, Deng Yi was the real one. Xie Yanfang smiled faintly at the officials.
"First, he had the Empress join the Emperor in the enthronement ceremony, and now he has the Empress attend court with the Emperor," one official said gravely. "What exactly is he trying to do?"
"He acts as if his word is law."
"Has this court become Deng Yi’s domain?"
Other officials also voiced their anger and dissatisfaction.
Xie Yanfang listened with a calm expression, neither interrupting nor agreeing. Only after everyone had vented their frustrations did he speak: "He is doing this for the Emperor. His Majesty indeed needs to learn and grow quickly. Think about it—who could be more suitable than the Empress to teach His Majesty closely and personally at all times?"
An official tried to interject, but Xie Yanfang stopped him again.
"I know any of you could do it, but would Deng Yi allow it?"
To accompany and teach the Emperor—for a six-year-old Emperor, this meant becoming an extremely intimate figure, someone the Emperor would trust and rely on.
How could Deng Yi, who held the reins of power, allow anyone else to gain the Emperor’s trust?
"He is doing this for the Emperor," Xie Yanfang continued, "but also for himself. As Regent, he cannot spare the attention to teach the Emperor, yet he refuses to let us do it. Therefore, the Empress is the most suitable choice."
After all, the Empress was a woman. Once the Emperor came of age, she would retreat to the inner palace and could not—and would not—interfere in state affairs.
The officials nodded in understanding, but—
"Are we to tolerate Deng Yi like this?" they asked angrily.
Xie Yanfang replied, "For now, the Emperor is still young. The most important thing is the stability of the state. So, I ask you all to guard the court well and fulfill your duties—not for Deng Yi, but for the Emperor."
As he spoke, he bowed to the group.
The officials hurriedly returned the gesture, saying, "Young Master, you are too courteous," and "My lord, this is our duty."
Watching Xie Yanfang walk away slowly, the officials dispersed. Compared to their state just after leaving the court, their emotions had settled considerably.
This court was not Deng Yi’s domain alone. They were still here, and most importantly, the Xie family remained. In terms of closeness, they were the ones the Emperor trusted the most. Deng Yi was merely a product of circumstance, the late Emperor’s reluctant choice.
The late Emperor had passed away. How long could Deng Yi last?
However, for now, Xie Yanfang had not opposed any of Deng Yi’s actions.
"Perhaps Deng Yi has already discussed this with the Third Young Master," one official murmured quietly.It's highly likely that Deng Yi isn't foolish either—did he truly believe that holding the imperial seal and military authority meant he could do as he pleased? If Xie Yanfang had expressed opposition at the time, what could Deng Yi have done? Drive Xie Yanfang out of the court? Execute him on the spot?
He wouldn't dare, even if given a hundred times the courage!
So, it must have been discussed beforehand, and Xie Yanfang was persuaded.
Deng Yi also has his reservations—that's good.
The group's expressions relaxed further as they continued walking slowly, but another official halted.
"However, if Deng Yi is unwilling to leave the court and refuses to teach His Majesty, then Young Master Xie the Third must also be unwilling," he couldn't help muttering.
If Deng Yi is unwilling to let others teach His Majesty, and Xie Yanfang insists on doing so, how could Deng Yi stop him?
In fact, Deng Yi would probably be delighted if Xie Yanfang went—it would weaken Xie Yanfang's position in the court and trap him within the palace walls—
But Xie Yanfang is no fool!
Indeed, as Xie Yanfang said, the Emperor is still young, and it's too early for him to personally govern. For now, there's no need to worry about it; controlling the court is the priority.
Young Master Xie the Third's actions are entirely reasonable.
When Xie Yanfang returned home, the Xie family had already heard about the court affairs. Although Xie Yanfang was the only one from the Xie family currently serving in court, as he had said, not being in court didn't mean being distant from it.
Not being in court made it easier to act.
"Did Deng Yi discuss it with you?" Cai Bo frowned and asked. "What does he actually want? To curry favor with Chu Ling?"
Xie Yanfang looked at Cai Bo, his brow slightly raised. "No."
No to what? Cai Bo was taken aback. He didn't believe Deng Yi genuinely had the Little Emperor's best interests at heart.
"I mean, it wasn't Deng Yi who came to discuss it with me," Xie Yanfang said, stepping inside and removing his court robes.
Cai Bo was even more puzzled. Then who was it? One of Deng Yi's subordinates? He knew many in the court had already defected to Deng Yi's side, but had these ragtag followers grown bold enough to spout nonsense in front of Xie Yanfang?
"Cai Bo, don't be angry," Xie Yanfang said, tossing aside his court robes and turning back with a smile. "It was Chu Zhao—our Empress."
Cai Bo was stunned, then furious.
"Outrageous!"
"What does she think she's doing!"
...
...
Outrageous?
Xie Yanfang recalled his feelings when he was summoned to the palace and heard the girl sitting across from him utter those words—surprised, yet not entirely so.
The girl was still dressed in ordinary clothes, no different from the Miss Chu who had barged into the Xie residence demanding to see him.
Her expression was as spirited and clear as before, but now there was an added gleam in her eyes.
This gleam was not unfamiliar to Xie Yanfang. When he was thirteen and heard that the Crown Prince had come hunting, he had climbed the mountain with his longbow, looking down from above—his eyes must have shone with the same light back then.
It was the glow of eagerness.
He wasn't surprised, nor did he immediately show compliance. Instead, he calmly voiced his confusion: "Why?"
The girl looked at him and replied frankly, "Because I don't want A'Yu to depend on Deng Yi. I want him to stand independently in the court."
Xiao Yu is still a child. Whether it's Deng Yi or some other court official teaching him, he will inevitably develop a sense of dependence. If a ruler becomes emotionally reliant on a court official, he will inevitably be constrained by them.
Xie Yanfang, of course, understood this logic. But by saying this, Chu Zhao was telling him that she did not trust Deng Yi.
"I will stay with A'Yu. I will teach him," she said, then bowed deeply to Xie Yanfang. "I beg Third Young Master to allow me to do this—entrust A'Yu to me."
She was pleading with him.Xie Yanfang smiled, setting aside his thoughts as he picked up the tea from the desk and discussed with Cai Bo: "Of course I can't hand A-Yu over to Deng Yi, so entrusting her to that girl is most appropriate."
After listening, Cai Bo's expression shifted repeatedly: "It sounds reasonable, but who knows what that girl truly thinks—"
Ever since learning that the girl had personally asked the Emperor for the Empress's position, he couldn't help but regard her with wariness.
This was the Empress's throne.
Now she was also attending court sessions alongside His Majesty.
This girl's ambitions were far too great.
"If not for that, would she have risked life and limb merely out of chivalrous impulse?" Xie Yanfang chuckled, handing his teacup over to signal Cai Bo for a refill. "Attending court is truly exhausting—standing before the crowd, having to speak so much."
Cai Bo sighed helplessly as he poured the tea: "You never lacked for words even at home."
Xie Yanfang drained the cup in one gulp.
"No need to fear her intentions. Her only concern now must be: if A-Yu prospers, she prospers," he said. "For A-Yu's sake, we must treat her well."
Cai Bo set down the teapot: "Very well, if you say it's good, then it must be good." With that, he stood up. "You should rest now—there are still many matters awaiting you behind the scenes."
Xie Yanfang watched the old servant withdraw, then reclined lazily. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open.
He himself had been persuaded by that girl.
But what about Deng Yi?
How did she convince him?
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