A rough palm brushed across the tender cheek, carrying a chilling coldness.
The child’s body stiffened, unmoving.
His eyes fixed intently on Xie Yanlai, his lips twitched as if to say, "Uncle, I don’t understand your words," but no sound came out.
Xie Yanlai said nothing more. He withdrew his hand, took one step back, then another, and bowed deeply to the rigid child. "Your servant takes his leave."
Without waiting for permission, he turned and strode out.
Seeing him emerge, Qi Gonggong hurriedly stepped forward with a smile and bowed. "Safe travels, Commandant."
Xie Yanlai paid him no mind and walked straight past.
Unfazed by the dismissive attitude, Qi Gonggong quickly entered the hall and immediately noticed Xiao Yu standing by the table with an unsettled expression.
"Your Majesty," he hurried over and called softly, "Are you alright?"
Xiao Yu turned to look at him. Qi Gonggong saw a faint redness on the child’s tender right cheek, and his heart sank. Could it be that Xie Yanlai had struck His Majesty?
Although Xie Yanlai had defended the palace that night and now commanded the Dragon Guard Army to protect the Imperial City and capital, earning Miss Chu’s full trust, Qi Gonggong still felt uneasy about him.
He could confidently say Xie Yanfang was wholeheartedly devoted to His Majesty, but he dared not say the same for Xie Yanlai.
Though both bore the surname Xie, both were the Emperor’s uncles, and their status and future honors were tied to the Emperor, Xie Yanlai remained somewhat inscrutable.
He seemed to care about nothing—
Qi Gonggong knelt halfway down and asked cautiously, "Your Majesty, what happened?"
If Xie Yanlai had truly been insolent and struck His Majesty, he would definitely—report it to Miss Chu Zhao.
Xiao Yu looked at him, his eyes slightly reddened. "Uncle said that my sister was attacked."
Qi Gonggong was startled but also relieved. So that was it.
Xie Yanlai truly paid little heed to others’ feelings or status, but his heart was honest. Speaking this way was well-intentioned—even though His Majesty was a child, he should not be shielded with only pleasantries. Telling him the truth was what was best for him.
Moreover, since the danger was mentioned, it meant the danger had passed.
"Ah!" Qi Gonggong feigned shock, dropping to his knees and clutching Xiao Yu’s arm, his voice trembling. "What shall we do? What shall we do? Your Majesty, order the Grand Tutor to deploy troops at once!"
Xiao Yu couldn’t help but laugh and quickly helped Qi Gonggong up. "Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. Sister is fine now. She wasn’t scared at all and continued on her journey."
Qi Gonggong, still pretending to be shaken, asked, "Is that true? But what exactly happened?"
Xiao Yu replied, "I don’t know much either. Uncle just received the news, and we’ll have to wait for further details."
Qi Gonggong patted his chest. "How terrifying! This old servant has long said she shouldn’t have gone."
He sighed and lamented.
Xiao Yu comforted him, also speaking in defense of Chu Zhao. "How could Sister be the kind of person who gives up when faced with danger? If she were, she wouldn’t have saved me that day."
That night, Miss Chu could have chosen not to save them. With Chu Ling’s Dragon Guard Army, pledging allegiance to Xiao Xun would have secured her the position of Empress. As an adult, Qi Gonggong understood this clearly.
"Yes," he said, kneeling and stroking Xiao Yu’s arm. "Miss Chu is a courageous person, and her courage is for those she cares about. Your Majesty, like Miss Chu’s father, you are someone she would brave any hardship to protect and cherish."Xiao Yu nodded. "I know, I'm in my sister's heart." He pressed a hand to his chest. "And my sister is in my heart too."
Qi Gonggong bowed. "Your Majesty is wise." With that, he rose and took Xiao Yu's hand. "Your Majesty, finish your meal, and then let's begin your studies."
......
......
Xie Yanlai walked calmly through the palace grounds, not feeling in the slightest that his earlier actions toward the Emperor had been overly presumptuous.
The Emperor? So what if he was the Emperor? Just a little brat.
Whether he'd even survive was still uncertain.
And there were plenty of people dissatisfied with him. If the little brat wanted revenge, he might not even get his turn.
A mocking smile touched Xie Yanlai's lips, his eyes cold.
Moreover, the little brat truly had the blood of the Xie family running through his veins—already scheming at such a tender age.
Could Chu Zhao see it? If he told her, would that stubborn girl scold him again, saying, "What kind of life did you lead in the Xie family, to speculate about a child like that?"
At this thought, he sneered. He wouldn't bother meddling. Wasn't Chu Zhao herself just as cunning from a young age? Let the two schemers keep each other company.
He quickened his pace. Two figures came rushing toward him—one a palace guard, the other an officer. The guard was composed, but the officer seemed flustered, as if it were his first time in the palace. Though he moved swiftly, his steps were unsteady—
"Captain Zhang," Xie Yanlai halted and called out.
Only then did the guard and Zhang Gu notice him, hurriedly speeding up their approach. "Commandant Xie."
So they had news already? The coldness in Xie Yanlai's eyes faded as he looked at Zhang Gu. "Let's go inside and sit down to talk."
Details about the ambush, the investigation, the identities of the attackers, and the new guards—all of this would require a lengthy, detailed discussion.
But instead of following him, Zhang Gu stepped forward urgently. "A Jiu, something's happened."
The name "A Jiu"—one that should never have been used—made Xie Yanlai's breath catch.
What could have happened? How could she be in trouble? She shouldn't be—
"—Western Liang soldiers have invaded our borders," Zhang Gu continued.
A sharp breath flooded Xie Yanlai's entire being. He planted his feet firmly on the ground, his brows furrowing as he snapped, "So they've invaded! What is there to panic about?"
Zhang Gu was taken aback. Such a major event, and he shouldn't panic?
But looking at the young officer's stoic face, he marveled inwardly. Truly, A Jiu was extraordinary—calm and unflappable even under immense pressure.
Zhang Gu quickly regained his composure and said loudly, "The Commandant is right to admonish me."
Xie Yanlai glanced at him and asked in a low voice, "What happened? Explain carefully."
......
......
"The Western Liang envoy claimed they came to mourn the late Emperor and congratulate the new Emperor's ascension."
"But they brought ten thousand troops with them."
"Garrison General Chu Ling directly beheaded the Western Liang envoy, saying there was no need for the men to go—sending the head would suffice."
Meanwhile, in the main hall, Xie Yanfang had also received the news. He immediately summoned the Grand Tutor and other court officials. The Little Emperor, who had been eating, was urgently called to sit on the Dragon Throne.
As the courier's report was relayed, the officials looked shocked.
"This—" one official couldn't help but say, "General Chu is too— Shouldn't we be more cautious? Isn't this provoking war?"
Xie Yanfang replied, "General Chu acted decisively to intimidate and turn a passive situation into an active one. Since the Western Liang envoy brought troops, they came for war. No amount of caution could have avoided it."
Indeed, if they had truly come for an audience, why would they need ten thousand soldiers?"The King of Xiliang truly refuses to abandon his villainous ambitions!" an official exclaimed angrily. "After being beaten to his knees begging for mercy and hiding like a turtle for so long, now that he sees turmoil in our Great Xia court, he immediately jumps out with malicious intent!"
The entire hall buzzed with officials' angry murmurs about the despicable Xiliang rebels.
Deng Yi silenced everyone: "There's no need for such anger. The King of Xiliang has always been like this, and we've long known he wouldn't give up his wicked schemes. That's why we've always stationed heavy troops in the Border Commandery. Since he dares to come now, we'll just teach him another harsh lesson."
He turned and bowed to the Emperor seated on the Dragon Throne.
"I request Your Majesty issue an imperial decree to the entire nation, declaring war against Western Liang."
Xiao Yu sat on the Dragon Throne, showing no reaction either when he first heard the messenger's report or when the officials expressed their anger. The officials thought the child either didn't understand the seriousness of the situation or was frightened.
Only when he heard Deng Yi's words did Xiao Yu nod and say: "We must certainly engage in battle. Great Xia has never feared war."
The officials were somewhat surprised - the child had understood after all, and even knew how to respond appropriately.
A smile appeared on Xie Yanfang's face. This child who had witnessed his parents' tragic deaths and nearly been murdered himself - how could he possibly fear such things? He bowed and said: "We, your servants, would face death without fear for Great Xia."
Without further hesitation, all the officials knelt and proclaimed in unison: "We would face death without fear for Great Xia!"
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