"Report—"
"The Xiliang soldiers outside Yunzhong Commandery have been annihilated—"
"Great victory, a great victory at Wangcheng—"
"Empress Chu's great victory at Wangcheng—"
The galloping courier, bearing a fluttering silk banner on his back, charged through the city. The already bustling streets instantly erupted like firecrackers.
In the private room on the second floor, Qi Leyun slammed the windows open with two loud bangs. A cold wind swept in, carrying the clamor from outside.
The thinly clad girls inside complained, "Qi Leyun, what are you doing?"
Standing by the window, Qi Leyun raised her voice, "So everyone can hear it clearly."
The girls chided, "Do we need to hear it like this?" "We already heard it clearly."
These girls were either wealthy or noble, with well-informed sources. Moreover, this was a flying victory bulletin—their families had already received the news before it reached the capital.
Ignoring Qi Leyun by the window, they all turned their attention to Chu Tang, who sat in the center.
"Ah Tang, what exactly is going on?" "How did Chu Zhao end up at the border commandery?"
Chu Tang pressed a hand to her chest. "I can finally speak of this matter. I’ve kept it hidden with such difficulty. You have no idea how my heart and body have suffered—"
The girls interrupted her before she could finish, shaking her and saying, "Never mind your heart and body." "Just tell us what happened!"
Chu Tang laughed as they shook her, evading them and taking a few steps away.
"This matter is simple. While everyone in the capital was blaming my uncle for the general’s incompetence and lamenting the people’s suffering, Chu Zhao led troops out from the palace—" She stopped, thrusting her hand forward like a sharp sword, slashing downward, "—straight to the border commandery, to annihilate the enemy and rescue the people."
It sounded simple—so simple. But to accomplish it, so far and so perilous—the girls stared at her with intense emotion.
Chu Tang turned to look at everyone. "This is our Chu family. We save the nation and protect the people, unafraid of slander or danger. We do not speak; we act."
Qi Leyun slapped the windowsill. "How can we not speak! Before, General Chu was criticized. Now that there is merit, we must praise! Ah Tang, host a banquet at Chu Manor, send out invitations, and let everyone come to praise the Empress!"
...
...
"Absurd!"
In the court hall, after a long silence, every ear was filled with talk of the Empress.
Before the flying victory bulletin reached the capital, most court officials had already received the news. They had immediately besieged the Grand Tutor and Young Master Xie the Third.
Forget why the Empress appeared at the border commandery—suppress the news, mention only the great victory, not the Empress.
But it was useless. The flying victory bulletin, proclaiming the Empress’s name, had traveled through cities and towns straight to the capital, known to all.
In the court, the civil and military officials pressed the Grand Tutor, including Xie Yanfang and the Little Emperor seated on the Dragon Throne.
By now, everyone understood the situation clearly.
"Outside, rumors are spreading that the Empress, hearing of the people’s suffering from deep within the palace, grew restless and led troops overnight to the border—all lies!"
The Empress had not been in the deep palace long before this incident.
The court officials glanced at the Dragon Throne, where the curtain behind it still hung. No one had been behind it for a long time—of course, there should never have been anyone behind it.
Earlier, it was said that the Empress’s injuries, sustained while protecting the Emperor, had flared up, requiring rest, so she could no longer accompany the Emperor in court—they had fervently wished her injuries would never heal.
They had rejoiced and thanked heaven for its discernment.
Who could have imagined!
That Empress Chu, instead of attending court behind the curtain, had actually led troops to the border commandery.
Since ancient times, has there ever been such an absurdity!Even more absurd was that while the Emperor could be excused—being young and ignorant, unable to manage affairs—the Grand Tutor overseeing state affairs and Xie Yanfang could hardly claim ignorance!
If even those two were unaware, then Empress Chu had truly seized absolute control over the Great Xia.
"Grand Tutor, Lord Xie, how could you permit the Empress to commit such an absurd act?At this moment, the entire court voiced their questions in unison.
Deng Yi remained silent from start to finish.
"Gentlemen, this is not entirely absurd," Xie Yanfang said. "After all, this is a victory bulletin, a joyous matter—"
"Lord Xie!" an official angrily interrupted Xie Yanfang. "We are not discussing the victory bulletin, but the Empress leaving the palace!"
Xie Yanfang replied calmly, "It still relates to the same matter. The Empress left the palace to rescue border civilians."
"Lord Xie," an elderly official trembled as he spoke, "has our Great Xia reached the point where the Empress must lead troops into battle? Is this not absurd? If Great Xia truly faced such dire straits, this old official may be aged, but I would dare to fight to the death!"
Xie Yanfang bowed to him and said, "This official understands your heart, Lord."
Understanding—mere pleasant words, yet offering no solution. Several officials anxiously stepped forward—
"What is so absurd about it?" Deng Yi's voice cut through from the front. "If this is absurd, it is not without precedent."
Everyone turned to look at him.
"Do not forget," Deng Yi said, "His Majesty—was rescued by Empress Chu herself, who rode into battle and slew enemies."
He swept his gaze over the assembled officials.
"Our Great Xia is currently unstable, with absurdities occurring incessantly. Since Empress Chu could personally slay rebels to protect His Majesty, she can certainly go to the border to defend our territory."
"To have such an Empress is a stroke of luck amid our misfortunes for Great Xia. What grounds do you have for questioning?"
"Now that you hear the news, you call it absurd and claim you would go to battle. Why did you not say so earlier?"
"Of course, it is not too late to say it now—"
Deng Yi's gaze fell upon the elderly official.
"If you wish to follow the Empress's example and go to the frontlines to defend our territory, then please proceed to the border at once."
The court erupted in an uproar—this was a threat!
The elderly official, both furious and anxious, retorted, "Well done, Deng Yi! This official will remove my robes and go to the border to fight." He then called upon others, "Let us all go! Let us die for Great Xia. This court can be left to the Grand Tutor alone."
In the hall, many officials immediately removed their official hats. Some were indignant, others wept for the late Emperor, creating chaos.
This was the first time since the regency began that Xiao Yu witnessed such a scene. Seated high upon the Dragon Throne, he looked past these officials and seemed to see that night—that night had been similarly chaotic, no, that night was not chaotic; that night held only darkness, weapons, and flames.
Xiao Yu wanted to clutch the bamboo tube in his arms, but reaching out, he found nothing—the bamboo tube had been left in the bedchamber.
What to do? The bamboo tube was gone, and Sister was not here either—
"Ah Yu." A voice called out.
The voice resembled his mother's, yet it was different. He was beginning to forget his mother's voice.
Xiao Yu followed the sound and met a pair of bright, warm eyes.
"Ah Yu," Xie Yanfang said, "do you remember what your uncle told you?"
……
……
Before the court session, as Xiao Yu left the bedchamber, he saw Xie Yanfang standing at the door—this uncle, whom he never summoned, and who never came before him.
It was as if he did not exist.Yet he was indeed present. In the court assembly, he would see him, just like the other officials and court ministers.
That’s right—court ministers and officials.
Xiao Yu did not speak, waiting for him to perform the ceremonial bow.
"Ah Yu," Xie Yanfang said, but instead of bowing, he crouched down to look at him. "I know you don’t trust me and don’t like me, but this time, you must listen to what I say. This is to protect your Sister Chu."
Was this uncle trying to persuade him to bring Sister Chu back? This uncle was very clever—he must have guessed his and that other uncle’s true intentions. Xiao Yu moved his lips slightly: "Sister won’t be in danger. I believe in Sister. Those Xiliang soldiers cannot harm her. Lord Xie, there is no need to worry."
Xie Yanfang looked at him: "I know those Xiliang soldiers cannot harm her, but the people in the court can harm her. Harm is not necessarily physical—it can also be to one’s reputation. Ah Yu, you must protect her reputation. Just as she went to see her father to ease his worries, you must also support her from behind to ease her worries."
"I failed to protect your parents, and I failed to protect you. It is my incompetence that I could not protect those I wished to protect. But Ah Yu, you are different."
"Ah Yu, now you can protect those you wish to protect."
……
……
Xiao Yu looked at Xie Yanfang standing below. Amid the clamor of the court, his voice clearly reached his ears.
He withdrew his gaze and stood up.
"Silence!" he said.
The child’s voice was immature and not particularly loud amidst the court’s uproar.
But he was the Emperor.
Once the Emperor spoke, Qi Gonggong immediately shouted loudly, "Silence!" Then the imperial guards on duty in the hall roared in unison, "Silence!" while simultaneously striking their weapons, creating a thunderous rumble.
The clamor of the officials in the hall ceased instantly, and only then did they notice the Emperor standing.
The Little Emperor had spoken?
The Little Emperor rarely spoke. Apart from the initial "Rise" and the final "Court dismissed," he only listened during court deliberations.
Was it because he saw the chaotic arguments that the child grew fearful or displeased?
"Your Majesty," the officials bowed. Some begged His Majesty to calm his anger, while others wept in sorrow.
"My esteemed ministers, please hear my words," Xiao Yu said.
The young child’s voice was still immature, but none of the officials present laughed. They all looked up at him.
"The Empress is the one who leads the six palaces and should embody the virtue of maternal grace and moral guidance," Xiao Yu said. "But my Empress is different from those of the past. I survived the chaos because the Empress rescued me. Empress Chu is the daughter of Garrison General Chu Ling. Although she is a woman, she is brave and skilled in battle. Thus, my late grandfather appointed her as Empress, allowing her to continue guarding my safety. The people of Great Xia and I are one. The safety of the Great Xia people is directly related to my safety. As the Son of Heaven, I reside in the Imperial City and cannot personally go to the border to save the nation and protect the people. Therefore, I have asked the Empress to go to the border on my behalf to ease my worries. This is not an absurd matter—it was originally the late Emperor’s final decree."
The officials stared blankly at this child Emperor, their first thought being: Who taught him this? The Grand Tutor? Xie Yanfang? Or Empress Chu?
"Do not speculate recklessly, officials. The Empress’s departure from the palace was my command, and it was I who persuaded the Grand Tutor and Lord Xie," Xiao Yu declared clearly. "But in ordering the Empress to go to the Border Commandery, it is not that I distrust you, my esteemed ministers. The stability of the nation cannot be achieved by one person alone. The Empress inspects the Border Commandery on my behalf, while you, my esteemed ministers, stabilize the court for me. Both are the foundation of my peace of mind."
Having said this, the Emperor straightened his small face and scanned the hall."I ascended the throne young and hastily, upholding the late emperor's governance through civil means and quelling chaos through military might. Civil officials and military generals are all pillars of the court. All my ministers must serve with integrity and patriotism, and must not provoke discord or disrupt our court's discipline."
Though the final words carried a childish tone, they prompted the ministers to instinctively bow in reverence: "We dare not! We are at fault!"
As the echoes faded, the child's voice spoke again.
"This matter requires no further discussion of blame. The Empress's great victory is a joyous occasion for the state and should be celebrated."
The officials glanced at each other before bowing in unison once more: "We congratulate Your Majesty and the Empress."
...
...
So they've stopped denouncing Sister Chu and turned to congratulating her instead.
His words carried such weight.
He truly could protect Sister Chu.
Xiao Yu, standing before the Dragon Throne, couldn't conceal his excitement as he watched the bowing officials throughout the hall. Only then did he release his clenched fists at his sides, his palms drenched in sweat.
Among the bowing officials, Xie Yanfang looked up and smiled at him.
Meeting his gaze, Xiao Yu hesitated, uncertain whether to look away. But before he could, Xie Yanfang lowered his head to avoid eye contact.
Xiao Yu clenched his hands but didn't avert his gaze.
...
...
As the court session concluded and the officials in Deng Yi's hall dispersed, the constant buzzing and clamor finally subsided.
"Sir." A minor official presented hot tea.
Deng Yi accepted it and took a sip, gently pressing his fingers to his forehead.
"Who taught His Majesty to speak?" the official remarked. "To speak up at such a moment."
Deng Yi replied, "Who else but Xie Yanfang."
The official chuckled, "I thought it might be Empress Chu."
Though the comment seemed casual, a thought flashed through Deng Yi's mind: So now people are placing Chu Zhao on par with Xie Yanfang—and with himself?
"—Young Master Xie the Third is truly going all out for Empress Chu," the official continued with a smile.
"He has no choice but to give his all. Could we replace the Empress now?" Deng Yi said, looking up. "Regardless, it was most appropriate for His Majesty to speak at this moment."He could grant Chu Zhao free access to the Imperial Palace, but he couldn't shield her from questioning."
Deng Yi rotated the teacup in his hand, gazing at the Victory bulletin on the desk. A flying victory bulletin—that girl not only didn't conceal her identity but wanted the whole world to know.
"Is Empress Chu doing this—" the official asked quietly, "for her father? Whose idea was it? Young Master Xie the Third?"
Deng Yi suddenly laughed: "Young Master Xie the Third." He chuckled twice.
If he had only heard about Chu Zhao dealing with the Western Liang stragglers, Deng Yi wouldn't have thought much of it. But upon learning that the Proclamation of Victory proclaimed the Empress's bravery, he knew that Xie Yanfang's expression couldn't be any better than his own.
What's so funny? The official looked puzzled.
"This wasn't Young Master Xie the Third's idea," Deng Yi said with a laugh. "This was Empress Chu's own doing."
And it wasn't for her father's sake—it was for herself.
All along, this girl had followed her own counsel, always for her own benefit.
Previously, she seized the opportunity during the capital's chaos to be noticed by the late emperor and demanded the position of Empress.
Now, having achieved such merit through the Western Liang invasion, of course she wanted the world to see.
An Empress seen by all under heaven is no longer merely an ornament confined to the Imperial City.
The smile gradually faded from Deng Yi's face.
Was this girl asking for too much?
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