After pacifying the populace, the court atmosphere showed no signs of easing, growing increasingly tense as officials remained overwhelmed with work.
Xie Yanfang had practically taken up residence in the Imperial City, only occasionally finding time to return home.
"You're back," said Seventh Master Xie. "Yan Lai has already returned, so I thought you should be coming back too."
Xie Yanlai didn't return home frequently either, though he did come back occasionally. Each time he returned, he would bicker and quarrel with the younger family members, giving Seventh Master Xie headaches. Yet he couldn't have Yanlai tied up and beaten, so he could only ask the other family members to avoid him.
"He's currently in favor, and the state needs stability. Our own family shouldn't be the first to cause trouble," Seventh Master Xie said through gritted teeth. "We'll endure it a little longer. Next year, we won't let him remain so pleased with himself."
Since everyone avoided him, Xie Yanlai couldn't find opportunities to show off when he returned home. After muttering "boring," he stopped coming back often, instead spending his days galloping around outside, gathering friends and flaunting his status.
However, after news of the war broke out, Xie Yanlai became more restrained. Whether sincerely or for show, he began to busy himself with work.
Although Xie Yanfang was also in the Imperial City, most official duties had nothing to do with Xie Yanlai, so the two rarely saw each other.
"He's back?" Xie Yanfang said. "Good timing. I have a few words to say to him."
Xie Xiao chimed in from the side: "Third Uncle, you're finally willing to talk to him. Someone really should lecture him—he's completely out of line. He's about to disgrace our entire Xie family. At this rate, we'll become even more despised than the Zhao Family."
Xie Yanfang smiled. "What are you talking about? How could he possibly disgrace our entire family? He's just one person—he doesn't represent the whole Xie family. The Xie family isn't just him alone; there are all of you too. If he loses face, you can earn it back."
Xie Xiao's small eyes crinkled into slits, both pleased and annoyed. "It's all because you're too tolerant, Third Uncle. He doesn't fear you at all."
"I used to be tolerant," Xie Yanfang nodded. "But now that I've entered court service, I can't afford to be too tolerant anymore."
Xie Xiao was about to say more when Seventh Master Xie shooed him away: "Stop bothering him with these trivial matters. He's finally back for some rest."
Xie Xiao ducked his head and scurried off—after all, he'd already made his complaint.
Seventh Master Xie inwardly cursed the fool. Even if the Third Young Master didn't return home, was there any family matter, no matter how small, that escaped his notice?
"But," Seventh Master Xie looked at Xie Yanfang, "he left in a hurry after returning, and said he wouldn't be back for some time."
He frowned.
"What is he planning to stir up now?"
Xie Yanfang stopped walking. "He won't be back for some time?"
No matter how busy state affairs were, didn't Xie Yanfang himself still return home regularly?
How could Xie Yanlai be too busy to come home? Or rather, what was keeping Xie Yanlai so busy that he couldn't return home? And how was it that Xie Yanfang didn't know about it?
"Young Master!"
Du Qi came rushing in from outside.
"Xie Yanlai has left the capital."
Xie Yanfang and Seventh Master Xie were stunned. Left the capital?
Why would Xie Yanlai leave the capital? Had he run away? Seventh Master Xie briefly entertained the thought before dismissing it. This wasn't like when he was a ten-year-old child—back then, Xie Yanlai had run away from the Xie family only to find himself with nowhere to go, nearly getting killed by stray dogs before dragging himself back, covered in wounds.
Now, adorned with all the wealth and status the Xie family had given him, where would he even run to?
While Seventh Master Xie's thoughts wandered, Xie Yanfang had already recovered from his surprise and asked: "How many troops did he take with him?"
Du Qi caught his breath: "So far we only know he took two units from the Capital Garrison."
Xie Yanfang stood still for a moment, then smiled faintly without speaking before continuing inside.Seventh Master Xie and Du Qi were both taken aback, calling out simultaneously, "Yanfang." "Young master." Where are you going?
Xie Yanfang turned back and said, "Since I've returned home, of course I'm going to rest."
This was natural, and both Seventh Master Xie and Du Qi knew it, but right now—
"What has Xie Yanlai gone off to do?" Seventh Master Xie asked urgently, his face full of anger. "He didn't even say a word! Does he have any regard for us at all?"
Xie Yanfang smiled and said, "He is no longer just a son of the Xie family; he is now a servant of the Emperor. Since he didn't inform the family, he must be acting on the Emperor's orders. Naturally, he doesn't need to regard us highly."
Seventh Master Xie was momentarily stunned and about to say something, but Xie Yanfang waved his hand to stop him.
"Don't worry," he said. "Let me rest for a bit, and then I'll go see His Majesty. It's not a big deal; there's no need to be tense."
With that, he walked leisurely inside.
What does it matter if he's a servant of the Emperor? In the end, the Emperor is also a son of the Xie family.
...
...
After washing up, changing clothes, and taking a short rest at home, Xie Yanfang arrived at the Imperial City.
Deng Yi was already at the Emperor's bedchamber. Xie Yanlai was in charge of the Dragon Guard Army, guarding the capital and the Imperial City, but the military power of the Great Xia still lay in Deng Yi's hands. Xie Yanlai's mobilization of troops and departure from the capital could not escape his notice.
The Emperor was still in his lessons, so Deng Yi did not disturb him and waited here instead.
As soon as Xie Yanfang entered, he was met with Deng Yi's sharp, knife-like gaze.
"Earlier, the court officials questioned me about whose court this is," Deng Yi said coldly. "What does it matter whose court it is? Outside the court, your Xie family calls the shots."
Xie Yanfang smiled and bowed. "Grand Tutor, please calm your anger. The Xie family would not dare."
Deng Yi retorted, "You've already done it, so why say you wouldn't dare?"
They were both named Xie. Whatever Xie Yanlai did, Xie Yanfang would naturally bear the responsibility. Did the court even distinguish between the two brothers?
Xie Yanfang did not defend himself by saying he had no knowledge of Xie Yanlai's actions.
"If a mistake has been made," he said solemnly, "Xie Yanfang will accept the punishment."
This was what it meant to be a family.
Deng Yi gave a faint "oh" and said, "Very well, then please hand over the Dragon Guard Army command token."
Deng Yi had never approved of Chu Zhao entrusting the Dragon Guard Army to Xie Yanlai. Although this girl respected and was close to him, she did not truly follow his every instruction.
She had her own ideas.
But now, Xie Yanlai had made a mistake and given him a handle. She could only blame herself for choosing the wrong person; she couldn't blame him for seizing power.
In truth—Xie Yanfang lowered his eyelashes slightly, then raised his eyes again. "Grand Tutor, in light of such an incident, it is indeed necessary to appoint a more suitable person to take over. However, the Dragon Guard Army belongs to General Chu. The decision on the candidate should be left to General Chu."
And then decide to give it to him? Deng Yi looked at the young lord before him and said, "The Dragon Guard Army is under General Chu's command, but it belongs to His Majesty and the Great Xia. General Chu is currently preparing to face Western Liang in battle, a matter of life and death for the Great Xia. He need not concern himself with affairs in the rear."
Xie Yanfang remained calm and unruffled, smiling as he replied, "In military operations, stability in the rear is also crucial."
The two were locked in a stalemate when footsteps sounded outside the door, accompanied by Qi Gonggong's drawn-out announcement: "His Majesty has arrived—"
Deng Yi and Xie Yanfang turned and bowed.
Xiao Yu stepped inside, his gaze shifting between the two, his expression uneasy. "Are you two quarreling?"
Xie Yanfang smiled at him. "Your Majesty, this is how the court is. Whether during or after court sessions, as long as court matters are involved, there will be disputes. Your Majesty must get used to it—do not worry or be afraid."He did not casually brush it off with soothing words, but earnestly told him that his smile was warm and bright. Xiao Yu averted his gaze and looked at Deng Yi.
Deng Yi said, "We were discussing the matter of Xie Yanlai privately deploying troops and leaving the capital."
Xiao Yu let out an "Ah" and said, "That matter." He looked at Deng Yi, his eyes sparkling, "It was I who ordered Uncle to go."
Deng Yi frowned.
Xie Yanfang had already guessed this, so he did not react strongly.
"Grand Tutor, Lord Xie, I asked Uncle to bring my sister back," Xiao Yu continued. "Everyone in court says the situation is tense and dangerous, so I want my sister to return. I worry she might be in danger, and my sister's affairs cannot be discussed with others, which is why I asked Uncle to help me."
He looked at the two officials, his expression uneasy, but he did not ask whether what he had done was wrong. Instead, his gaze remained resolute.
"I must ensure my sister's safety."
Deng Yi remained silent for a moment before saying, "Your Majesty should refer to yourself as 'We.' You must grow accustomed to this form of address."
OpenNovel