When Xie Yanfang stepped into the hall, someone was already seated inside—
He wasn’t the only one, Xie Yanfang thought to himself, amused by his own observation.
“Grand Tutor,” he greeted with a bow.
Deng Yi turned his head and gave a slight nod. “The Empress will arrive shortly.”
Xie Yanfang nodded and, without waiting for further words, took a seat opposite him.
Noticing the smile on Xie Yanfang’s face, Deng Yi asked, “What has Lord Xie so pleased?”
Xie Yanfang’s smile widened. “Today, seeing His Majesty and the Empress seated side by side filled me with joy. The mere thought of it makes me laugh from the depths of my heart.”
Deng Yi twitched the corner of his mouth, averted his gaze, and paid no further attention to Xie Yanfang’s heartfelt laughter.
When Chu Zhao entered, Deng Yi and Xie Yanfang were discussing a game of chess. Earlier, during the banquet, since drinking and dancing were not permitted, everyone had sought other forms of entertainment. The long-unseen Elder Zhou had brought out a chessboard and challenged Deng Yi and Xie Yanfang to a match.
Chu Zhao was unaware of this. By the time she arrived with the other ladies, the chess game had already been put away.
“Who won?” she asked curiously.
Xie Yanfang laughed. “No one won. Elder Zhou dominated the board and thoroughly enjoyed his victory.”
Chu Zhao sat down. “Elder Zhou’s granddaughter, Zhou Jiang, is already exceptionally skilled and fiercely competitive—truly a family tradition. With just a few pointers from her, my chess skills improved by leaps and bounds. If I seek Elder Zhou’s guidance next time, I might even be able to challenge Zhou Jiang.”
Xie Yanfang smiled. “Elder Zhou mentioned that Your Majesty’s chess skills show remarkable intuition. With dedication, you are sure to achieve great things.”
As a scion of a noble family, Xie Yanfang was familiar with every prominent clan, and they, in turn, knew him well. Chu Zhao, as a young woman, had come to understand these families through other women. The literary gathering she had attended had also made her known among the noble houses.
“I am certain I will achieve something,” Chu Zhao replied with a playful smile. Then, turning to Deng Yi and Xie Yanfang, she asked pointedly, “So, between the Grand Tutor and the Third Young Master, who is the better player?”
Deng Yi, who had remained silent until then, answered first, “My chess skills are mediocre, nowhere near the Third Young Master’s.”
Xie Yanfang chuckled. “Every man has his merits and shortcomings. There are skills in which the Grand Tutor surpasses me.”
Deng Yi turned to him, a faint, mocking smile on his lips. “Such as?”
Xie Yanfang replied, “For instance, the speed at which you make decisions in court. I often struggle to keep up.”
Deng Yi responded coolly, “You are too modest, Lord Xie. No matter how quickly I decide, without your approval, little progress is made.”
As the court returned to normalcy, this newly formed administration saw Deng Yi and Xie Yanfang standing side by side, equal in rank, with undercurrents of tension swirling beneath the surface.
Chu Zhao had sensed this merely by attending court sessions, let alone witnessing their pointed exchanges face to face.
“Both of you are dedicated to state affairs, and disagreements are inevitable, but do not let them create distance between you,” she said with a smile.
Deng Yi corrected her, “Matters of the state are not personal grievances. How could there be distance?”
Xie Yanfang simply smiled and said, “Your Majesty need not worry.”
Chu Zhao laughed lightly. “I do not doubt either of your devotion to the state. It is precisely because I see your selfless dedication that I fear my request may not meet with your approval.”
Chu Zhao had summoned them for a reason, but ever since this young woman had begun attending court, her intentions had become increasingly difficult to decipher.
What unconventional request would she make this time? Surely, she wouldn’t ask to review memorials?Deng Yi remained silent.
Xie Yanfang said with a smile, "Speak freely. Having overcome countless hardships to reach this point, what is there left to fear?"
Chu Zhao replied, "I wish to leave the capital and visit my father in the Border Commandery."
Both Deng Yi and Xie Yanfang were taken aback. She had ascended the throne alongside the Emperor, attended court sessions with him, just hosted a grand banquet where she stood before the noble families and powerful officials—not only that, but she had also thrust her cousin into the spotlight—the momentum of Empress Chu was overwhelming.
Yet now she intended to leave the Imperial City, the capital...
"Is this really the right time?" Deng Yi asked, looking at Chu Zhao with disapproval in his eyes.
Xie Yanfang remained silent, lost in thought.
"My father's health is failing," Chu Zhao said earnestly, looking at Deng Yi and Xie Yanfang. "You both know better than anyone how much I've longed to return to the Border Commandery."
He had first met her when this girl had secretly run away from home to go to the Border Commandery. Deng Yi's furrowed brow relaxed slightly—he truly understood her genuine desire to return.
"I understand your feelings," he said in a gentler tone. "The court sent word to the Border Commandery immediately. Zhong Changrong personally returned, bringing imperial physicians with him. Minister Xie also sought renowned doctors to send along. We've just received replies from both the Border Commandery and your father."
He looked steadily at Chu Zhao.
Whether from the imperial physicians, the Xie family's renowned doctors, or Chu Ling's personal letter, all indicated that while his health was indeed poor, there was currently no immediate danger. Moreover, Chu Ling had expressed his intention to come to the capital soon.
Chu Zhao herself had received her father's personal reply.
Why, after receiving this news, was she not reassured but instead more determined to go to the Border Commandery?
"Is there some information we're not aware of?" Deng Yi asked.
He certainly didn't treat this girl as a child. He suspected she had independent sources of information and personnel beyond his control.
Chu Zhao shook her head. "No, the news from my father is exactly as you know it."
It was just that—
"If you want to go, then go."
Xie Yanfang, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke.
Both Deng Yi and Chu Zhao turned to look at him.
Xie Yanfang gazed at Chu Zhao with gentle eyes. "He's your father. If you want to see him, then go. You don't need a reason."
The girl's eyes brightened.
"She may not need a reason! But!" Deng Yi stood up, saying coldly, "The people and court officials do!"
"Chu Zhao, you are now the Empress, not that unruly little girl from the Chu family who could steal money from home and climb over walls to see your father!"
"Your home now is the Great Xia Dynasty."
"What time is this now? The turmoil has just subsided, the late Emperor has newly passed, a young emperor ascends the throne, remnants of the Third Prince's faction remain, and Prince Zhongshan remains silent—neither mourning the late Emperor nor paying respects to the new Emperor."
"At this very moment, you want to go see your father?"
"Yes, your father is seriously ill, but have you considered this? Why has your father, despite years of serious illness, never asked to return to the capital? Because he understands that those who eat the emperor's grain must serve the emperor's cause. He knows what it means to bear the responsibility of Garrison General."
"If your father were at the front lines and learned of your grandmother's critical condition, would he abandon his post and return?"
"Loyalty and filial piety are difficult to balance—a principle your father understands well. I don't believe you don't understand it too."
The Grand Tutor's clear, cold voice echoed through the hall, each word deliberate and sharp.
Chu Zhao looked at the man standing before her, feeling somewhat dazed. Had he reprimanded Xiao Xun like this in that previous life?
Would he raise his hand and slap her?The only palace maid standing in the hall was Xiao Man. She had been idly standing by but now tensed up, casting a wary glance.
Deng Yi, however, did not strike anyone nor speak further. With a wave of his hand, he flicked his sleeve, turned around, and strode away.
The hall fell silent. Xiao Man curled her lips and turned her head away.
"Grand Tutor certainly has quite the temper," Xie Yanfang said with a light laugh.
Chu Zhao smiled bitterly: "I'm the one who angered the Grand Tutor. This is the first time I've seen him so furious."
She sighed.
"It really wasn't appropriate for me to bring this up at this moment."
Xie Yanfang shook his head: "No, you weren't wrong. No matter the timing or your status, wanting to see your own father is never wrong."
Chu Zhao lowered her head, her shoulders slumping: "It's not wrong, but still somewhat inappropriate, isn't it?"
"There's nothing inappropriate about it," Xie Yanfang said, his voice firm. "You should go immediately."
Chu Zhao raised her head to look at him.
"Miss Azhao, don't let yourself have regrets," Xie Yanfang said softly. "Fulfilling your heart's desire is something truly worthwhile."
Chu Zhao bowed solemnly to him, then gazed at the elegant young master seated before her.
"To have met the Third Young Master in this lifetime is heaven's mercy upon me," she said sincerely.
......
......
She was happy to know him, grateful, and felt deeply at ease.
Though it sounded strange - if she hadn't met him in this lifetime, or any other, how would heaven have treated her?
Xie Yanfang didn't press about what the girl left unsaid, merely saying: "A Zhao, you're mistaken."
He looked at the girl before him.
"You don't need to thank others, nor is this heaven's mercy. This is simply you making yourself worthy."
Worthy of Xie Yanfang's acquaintance, friendship, protection, and affection.
He could also make this girl happier, more grateful, more at ease, and fond of him as well.
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