The Xie family residence was illuminated by lanterns on this autumn night.
After bathing, Xie Yanfang sat in his room with his hair loose, wearing casual home clothes, reading the documents before him. Behind him, silent maids gently dried his hair.
The room was filled with the fragrance of green tangerines.
The documents in front of him had remained unturned for a long time. As the lamplight flickered, Cai Bo hurried in.
"Young Master," he said, "the Empress has left the capital."
Xie Yanfang looked up at the sky outside and remarked, "Just as expected of her temperament—once she decides to go, she leaves immediately."
Cai Bo wore a complicated expression: "I truly don’t understand this Miss Chu."
She had remained hidden and unassuming, then suddenly emerged to seize the position of Empress. She ascended the throne with the Emperor and attended court sessions together. Despite her youth, she carried out her duties as Empress with remarkable poise and even expertise. Yet, at this most critical moment, she abruptly abandoned everything in the capital to visit her father.
"What on earth is she thinking?"
Xie Yanfang said, "Her actions reflect her thoughts. Miss Azhao possesses a genuine, childlike sincerity."
She was neither deeply concealed nor immature—she simply did what she wanted, and whatever she set out to do, she accomplished.
Just like him.
Xie Yanfang reached out and turned a page of the book, his gaze fixed on it as he continued.
"Moreover, she didn’t leave on a whim—she made preparations."
She hosted a banquet, allowing the women of prominent families to see her, and even made a point of sitting beside the Emperor in the main hall to leave a deeper impression.
Furthermore—
Xie Yanfang smiled.
"With me in the capital, she can go wherever she pleases."
Cai Bo also smiled, adjusting the lamp on the desk to brighten it: "Indeed, with your support, Third Young Master, what does she have to worry about?"
He paused at this point.
"Since Miss Chu is no longer in the palace, why not have Seventh Madam go take care of His Majesty?"
Xie Yanfang shook his head: "No." Then added, "It’s not appropriate."
"Why is it not appropriate?" Cai Bo said unhappily. "She’s not in the palace now. A’Yu is still young and has no close relatives left in the palace. As his aunt, Seventh Madam has every reason to care for him."
Xie Yanfang nodded with a smile: "It may seem reasonable to us, but it won’t do for others."
"What? Would Miss Chu object?" Cai Bo frowned coldly. "When she was in the palace before, we said nothing and made no requests. Apart from you, no one from the family even visited His Majesty. We’ve shown her the utmost respect. Now that she has left the Imperial Palace of her own accord, and she’s not there, aren’t we, as His Majesty’s only relatives, even allowed to look after him?"
Xie Yanfang looked at the angry old servant, knowing that this was not just Cai Bo’s anger but the accumulated frustration of the entire Dongyang Xie family.
Since the incident, the clan elders had attempted to come to the capital three times—once after the Crown Prince, Crown Princess, and former Emperor passed away, once when Xiao Yu ascended the throne, and again a month after Xiao Yu’s enthronement.
All three times, he had stopped them.
Although the elders in the clan had complied, they were inevitably dissatisfied.
"Did Grandfather write to you again?" he said with a laugh. "He should speak to me directly. I’m not some unfilial descendant who ignores the words of his elders."
Cai Bo snorted: "Do you listen to your elders? You always make them listen to you. Who would dare speak to you?"
Xie Yanfang laughed heartily. Before Cai Bo could say more, he interjected, "Grand Tutor Deng would not agree."
Cai Bo was taken aback, then frowned: "Why should he object?""Even if he is the Grand Tutor, even if he is the Regent," Xie Yanfang said leisurely, "the Grand Tutor threw a fit because the Empress was leaving. That fit was because the Empress leaving the palace would cause trouble for him."
"This trouble is that our Xie family would take the opportunity to dominate the inner palace."
"We are A Yu's maternal relatives, his only close kin, but the Xiao imperial dynasty doesn't only have our Xie family as imperial relatives. Believe me, no sooner do we send someone in than—no, even now—Grand Tutor Deng is already selecting people."
"Even if he can't stop us from sending someone in, he certainly won't let us have our way."
Cai Bo slowly sat back down.
"If we send Seventh Aunt in, and Deng Yi also sends people in, with others adding fuel to the fire, what would the rear palace become?"
"With so many people competing in the rear palace, it would be most unfavorable for A Yu. He's still young, just a child. We cannot afford even the slightest accident."
The anger in Cai Bo's eyes faded, replaced by a hint of unease.
"What we need to do now is not compete with anyone for A Yu," Xie Yanfang said softly. "It's enough for A Yu to grow up safely, come of age, and personally handle state affairs."
Cai Bo let out a long sigh and bowed to Xie Yanfang. "Young Master, this old servant was impulsive."
Xie Yanfang smiled. "It's because we're close kin that you were impulsive. No blame, no blame."
Cai Bo raised his head and snorted. "See, even if the Old Master writes to me, it's no use. I still end up being persuaded by you, Young Master, and following your words."
Xie Yanfang laughed heartily. "Then what are we waiting for? Cai Bo, quickly go write a reply to Grandfather."
Cai Bo smiled helplessly and stood to leave. At the door, he paused and looked back at the young master sitting inside.
"What are you looking at?" Du Qi, leaning against the wall with his long sword in his arms, said with half-closed eyes. "Old Cai, no matter how much you look, you'll never see things as clearly as the Young Master."
Cai Bo snorted. "Not only am I less clear-sighted than the Young Master, I'm also less clear-sighted than that Miss Chu. With the Young Master here, she really has nothing to worry about."
This Miss Chu is truly fortunate to have the Young Master's protection.
Cai Bo paused again. Or rather, to have the Young Master compelled to protect her—As he pondered, the night outside grew somewhat noisy, the night breeze carrying faint sounds of women's laughter.
Cai Bo frowned. "Which courtyard is that? Making such a commotion in the middle of the night?"
Du Qi, still with half-closed eyes, merely twitched his ears and said, "It's our Young Master Yan Lai, of course."
Besides Miss Chu, there was also this Xie Yanlai, whom the Young Master was compelled to protect. Cai Bo knitted his brows—
Other members of the Xie family were not permitted to enter the palace, but he followed the Third Young Master in and out, witnessing firsthand how warmly the Little Emperor treated Xie Yanlai.
Several times he saw the Little Emperor smiling broadly at the sight of Xie Yanlai, looking up and calling him uncle.
Who would have thought the Xie family would have another person called uncle by the Emperor.
Of course, he also knew why this was. During that critical moment, Xie Yanlai's defense of the Imperial City appeared in the child's eyes as a lifeline and a towering tree for a child who had suddenly lost his parents like a lone bird separated from the flock, thus firmly recognizing this person.
The same was true for Miss Chu.
Such is fate and timing—these two insignificant individuals soaring to great heights.
And that Deng Yi, encountering the late Emperor's madness where he trusted no one, ended up with the heavy burden of the nation thrown onto this palace gate official.
Cai Bo let out a long sigh, then his eyes turned cold and sharp.
A person's life isn't built on luck alone. Let's see how long these people's good fortune lasts.Due to the national mourning, the nightly revelries of the young masters in the Xie family's deep mansions had vanished without a trace. Instead, the usually quiet Xie Yanlai's residence was now occasionally bustling with activity.
Xie Yanlai strode briskly outward, surrounded by maidservants.
One offered tea: "Young Master Yan Lai, have another sip of tea."
Another handed him a piece of fruit: "Young Master Yan Lai, try a pear."
Yet another held out an embroidered belt: "Young Master, please change to this one—it's newly made."
Xie Yanlai accepted everything without refusal. He took a sip of tea, held the pear in his hand while eating and walking, and even stretched out his arms to let the maidservants change his belt—
Surrounded by maidservants carrying lanterns, the lively scene resembled a blazing flame, blocking the winding paths of the Xie residence.
The young masters approaching from the opposite side of the path wore grim expressions.
"Xie Yanlai," called Xie Xiao, the one leading them, "in the middle of the night, you—"
Before he could finish, Xie Yanlai glanced at him and snapped, "How dare you speak to me like that!"
Xie Xiao’s face darkened further, and the rest of his words were cut short.
But Xie Yanlai wasn’t done with him. He said coldly, "Say it again properly!"
Xie Xiao’s face turned ashen, and he forced the words through gritted teeth: "Ninth Uncle."
Xie Yanlai smiled faintly: "Good, my nephew." As he spoke, he let go of the half-eaten pear, which fell and landed on his shoe. He lowered his head and frowned, "My shoe is dirty. Xie Xiao, wipe it clean for your uncle."
Xie Xiao jumped up in fury: "Xie Yanlai, don’t think just because you’re in power now, you can bully people—"
Before he could fully rise, Xie Yanlai lifted his foot and kicked him. The rest of Xie Xiao’s words turned into a scream as he tumbled to the ground.
The young masters beside him, caught off guard, nearly got hit in the commotion. They shouted in chaos, "Xie Yanlai, what are you doing!"
Xie Yanlai took one, then two steps toward them, a smile on his face and his movements leisurely. Yet, for some reason, the young men felt a chilling glare—
This fellow had fought his way out of the Imperial City on that night of turmoil, his hands stained with who knew how much blood—more than even Xie Yanfang.
Having killed many and now serving as the Imperial City Guard Commander, with all the military forces in the capital under his command—
Xie Yanlai stepped on Xie Xiao, leaned down with a curved smile, his phoenix eyes glinting with amusement: "What nonsense are you spouting? I bullied people even when I wasn’t in power."
With that, he twisted his foot, grinding and wiping it on Xie Xiao’s clothes, then withdrew it and strode past him.
"Now that I am in power, of course, I’ll bully people even more fiercely!"
The maidservants bypassed the young masters, continuing to chirp and flutter around Xie Yanlai like swallows.
The young masters helped Xie Xiao to his feet. Xie Xiao cursed relentlessly: "That bastard, that scoundrel, that ruffian, that villain—let’s see how long he can stay proud!"
…
…
At the main gate, whether it was the night patrol or the guards, all bowed and stepped aside at the sight of Xie Yanlai, not daring to ask a single question.
The gatekeeper rushed to open the door and brought his horse. Seven or eight attendants gathered respectfully, while outside, twenty to thirty soldiers stood at attention.
The maidservants watched as Xie Yanlai mounted his horse, reluctant to see him go: "Young Master, even late at night, you can’t rest?"
Xie Yanlai laughed heartily: "Rest? While I’m in power, of course, I’ll flaunt my authority to the fullest!" With that, he cracked his whip and galloped into the night-clad streets.
His attendants and soldiers followed closely, torches held high, their movement rumbling like thunder. The entire street trembled, the vibration spreading through half the city—In the deep of night, households jolted awake from slumber were filled with panic and anger. But upon catching sight of the identities of those galloping through the streets, they immediately fell into silence.
"It's the Ninth Young Master of the Xie family."
"Xie Yanfang's younger brother."
"That Xie Yanlai."
"Now that the Yang and Zhao families are gone, his family is the Emperor's only maternal uncle."
"One family bearing the prestige of two clans—"
"A few days ago, an official blocked this Xie Jiu's path on the street, and Xie Jiu raised his hand and struck him—"
The gatekeepers stood by the doors, feeling the vibrations under their feet and almost hearing the whispers of others in the night. They exchanged helpless glances. The Xie family had never been so arrogant, whether in Dongyang or the capital.
This Xie Yanlai—
But there was nothing to be done. Young Master Xie the Third had given orders: Xie Yanlai was to act as he pleased, and no one was to question or obstruct him.
So be it. As long as Young Master Xie the Third was around, everything remained under control.
The gatekeepers closed the doors, and silence enveloped the Xie residence, inside and out.
……
……
Outside the city, in the Capital Garrison, torches blazed as if burning, pushing back the darkness. Here, people moved about, horses neighed—no different from daytime.
A troop of soldiers passed by, and the soldiers along the way saluted, "Garrison General Zhang."
Zhang Gu, clad in officer's armor, maintained a calm expression and walked straight into a barracks room, surrounded by his troops.
The barracks corridor was spacious, brightly lit with desks, hanging maps, and nearby, a dining table, cushions, and a soft couch—a world apart from their humble courier soldier huts.
The attendants, who had been standing quietly at the rear, relaxed as if a heavy burden had been lifted once the door curtain fell. They swarmed to various spots in the room, touching and examining everything. Xin Ding even sat at the dining table, staring in disbelief at what was on it—
"In the middle of the night, there's actually a roasted pig's head!"
A soldier squeezed over, picked up a knife, cut off a piece of meat, and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing ravenously. "Country bumpkin, haven't seen much, have you? As a Garrison General, not only do you get meat at night, but after the national mourning period, there'll be wine too. By then, as Zhang Gu's personal attendant, you'll get a taste as well."
Xin Ding was so excited he forgot to eat, just sitting there stunned. What kind of good fortune was this? He clearly remembered not long ago thinking he was about to lose his head, and now he had been promoted—though he was still a soldier.
But as a personal guard of the Courier Soldier Camp's Garrison General, his status was entirely different!
Zhang Gu watched the crowd milling about and exploring the room, cleared his throat, and said, "Everyone, act with more dignity."
The soldiers quieted down but showed no fear, chuckling, "Boss, you're so composed. Walking all the way here, you carried yourself with such authority, even more steady than the previous Garrison General."
Zhang Gu's face flushed slightly. Of course, it had been an act. Beneath the armor, his legs had been trembling. Ah, he had lived half his life thinking it would continue like this until old age—that when he could no longer run, he'd become a courier soldier in some remote village station. Who would have thought he'd be promoted and put in charge of the capital's Courier Soldier Camp?
All because—
"All because we were lucky enough to meet A Fu on the road—"
"Shh, don't call her that. You must address her as the Empress—"
"Keep your voice down. Don't mention the past anymore. It's disrespectful to the Empress—"
The others chattered among themselves.
Zhang Gu snapped out of his thoughts, smiled faintly, then straightened his expression. A chance encounter, and A Fu had shown them such regard—he would not let her down! Especially since that child, she—"She's acting recklessly again. Last time she climbed over the wall at home, and now she's done the same to escape from the Imperial Palace."
A Jiu had stood before him earlier, saying this with a cold expression.
"But it's different from before. She doesn't need to resort to tricks and deception anymore—she has troops protecting her. There's no need to worry."
No need to worry? Zhang Gu thought, and then A Jiu appointed him as Garrison General.
"The Courier Soldier Camp is entrusted to you. You must personally oversee all news of her along this journey."
A Jiu then mounted his horse and turned it around, but the horse pawed the ground restlessly in the night, seemingly unwilling to leave. So the young man added from atop his steed:
"—If anything seems amiss, inform me at once."
With these words, the youth urged his horse forward and vanished into the darkness.
Zhang Gu sighed softly. A Fu had once again left the capital, setting out on the road to the Border Commandery. But this time, A Fu was no longer just A Fu, and A Jiu was no longer a mere courier. Even if he worried, he could no longer accompany them.
These two had met and formed a bond on the road, yet they could no longer travel together. How pitiable.
He would definitely protect A Fu well, so that the lovers—even if they couldn't end up together—would both live safely in this world, able to see each other and remain connected.
Zhang Gu's heart swelled with emotion. He took a deep breath, straightened his expression, and commanded sternly: "Everyone, stay alert! This is a critical moment—not the slightest mistake can be allowed in the courier messages!"
Indeed, with a promotion, his presence felt different. The attendants scattered throughout the room stood straight and responded in unison.
The night had reached its deepest hour. Standing on the capital city's walls, gazing into the distance revealed only pitch blackness—the entire world seemed to merge into one, indistinct and chaotic.
The wind tugged at his cloak, making it flutter behind him and occasionally slap against his body, as if trying to rouse the young man who had been standing there for so long.
Xie Yanlai stared into the thick darkness in the distance, unmoving.
Will she be alright?
Back when she was nobody, she was already being hunted down.
Now she's become the Empress, made an enemy of Prince Zhongshan, and is cleverly maneuvering between Deng Yi and Xie Yanfang—instead of staying safely hidden in the Imperial City, she's running out again. Isn't this just giving others an opportunity?
Doesn't she know her luck has always been bad?
Otherwise, she wouldn't have encountered him at that time, seen through at first glance, all her efforts wasted.
Otherwise, she would have been by her father's side now, free from all these schemes and worries, living carefree and happy.
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