Xie Yanfang paid no mind to the commotion in the main hall, carefully examining the document he had written before summoning a eunuch inside.
"This is my detailed analysis of several court matters—deliver it to His Majesty," Xie Yanfang said. "His Majesty may glance through it when he has leisure after completing his studies."
The eunuch smiled respectfully. "You jest, Lord Xie. Your writings are so clear and easy to understand that His Majesty adores reading them. Every night before bed, he becomes so engrossed that Eunuch Qi has to urge him repeatedly before he'll put them down."
Xie Yanfang replied, "If His Majesty enjoys reading them, I shall write more for him."
He was in no hurry to approach Xiao Yu directly.
He would wait patiently, revealing his sincerity to this child, waiting for the boy to resolve his inner conflicts and come to him willingly.
Only when night fell, after all officials except those on duty had departed, did the Imperial City finally grow quiet.
Though the flood of officials had receded, Deng Yi's desk remained buried under mountainous stacks of documents. Amid his busy work, Deng Yi suddenly paused and called for an attendant.
A minor clerk approached.
"Go," Deng Yi said. "Fetch that military merit register."
The clerk hesitated briefly before realizing what Deng Yi meant.
"Your Excellency intends to approve Chu Ling's request?" he asked.
Deng Yi gripped his brush. "I'm not approving it for Chu Ling's sake. I want to see why they don't want me to approve it."
......
......
Fingers flipped through the military register as lamplight flickered. Soon the fingers stopped at one entry and tapped it lightly.
The clerk hurried closer to look, reading out the names: "Liang Yao, Liang Qiang." He gasped. "The Liang family!"
"So it's the Liang family," the clerk continued, clapping his hands in sudden understanding. "That fellow was doing it on purpose!"
Those who bought their positions had no particular skills except to serve as keen eyes and ears—as Deng Yi's extended senses. They had naturally noticed the official was Xie Yanfang's man.
"No wonder that fellow immediately went looking for trouble—he was deliberately trying to provoke you, sir," the clerk said. "The Liang family holds a grudge against the Xie family. The Liang family's exile to the Border Commandery was the Xie family's doing. Xie Yanfang certainly wouldn't want to see the Liang family earn military honors."
The clerk excitedly laid out the entire explanation himself while Deng Yi simply stared at the names in the military merit register. "Chaotic times produce heroes. War is tragic, yet for many it also presents opportunities."
Had he not also seized his own opportunity during turbulent times?
He didn't mind others having their chances too.
Deng Yi picked up his brush and wrote "Approved" at the end of the register, then stamped it with both the Grand Tutor's seal and the imperial jade seal.
"As General Chu wishes," he said.
......
......
Xie Yanfang left the Imperial City without layers of guards, accompanied only by Du Qi as they moved through the city streets. The night couldn't dim his elegance, and passersby couldn't help stealing glances.
"It's Young Master Xie the Third!"
"Young Master Xie the Third!"
Some whispered, others murmured excitedly, but no one disturbed him as they watched the young master proceed calmly on his horse, a pleasing sight to behold.
"Young Master Xie holds such an important position during these unstable times, yet he still travels without guards."
"He can't be compared to Grand Tutor Deng—Deng has streets cleared when he travels."
"How can an upstart compare to a scion of a noble family?"
Xie Yanfang remained indifferent to the surrounding gazes and discussions, absorbed in his thoughts. However, when urgent hoofbeats sounded from behind accompanied by shouts for clearance, Xie Yanfang immediately moved aside with Du Qi, watching as the Courier galloped past."The military honors and rewards from the Border Commandery," Du Qi said quietly, then added mockingly, "The Grand Tutor couldn't even wait for nightfall before rushing to send them off."
Xie Yanfang watched the departing courier: "This is just as well. General Chu won't be troubled by this matter." He then looked at Du Qi, "Has Miss Azhao seen her father yet?"
Du Qi nodded: "She has."
Xie Yanfang gazed into the distance: "General Chu's health has worsened, hasn't it?"
Du Qi nodded again, lowering his voice: "He's lost his eyesight now. Judging by the timing—he doesn't have long left."
Xie Yanfang sighed softly: "Miss Azhao must be both happy and sad right now."
......
......
The night in the Border Commandery was howling with fierce winds. The city was under curfew, with no one in sight except soldiers and horses.
A group of riders galloped in from outside the city.
Among them, a girl in padded armor stopped before the government office.
The soldiers waiting in front of the office saluted her, "Miss."
Previously, they had addressed her as Empress, but it always felt awkward. Chu Zhao waved her hand decisively and said, "We're not in the Imperial City. An Empress patrolling the city with soldiers is no longer an Empress. We're all family here—just call me 'Miss'."
So everyone comfortably addressed her as Miss, like one family.
"Would anyone like to come to the gatehouse for a drink to warm up?" Chu Zhao asked, lifting her heavy hood as she turned to the soldiers behind her.
Should they or shouldn't they? Ding Dachui didn't dare answer either, glancing at the young officer ahead—the one in charge hadn't come, but Ding Dachui still hadn't managed to become the decision-maker.
Xie Yanlai's entire face was wrapped in a scarf, leaving only his eyes visible. He shot Chu Zhao a glance: "Rather than drinking, Miss Chu should continue patrolling with us."
Chu Zhao giggled: "No." She put on a delicate, frail act, "Miss Chu is young and weak. She needs to rest. The heavy responsibility still falls on you brave men."
Xie Yanlai snorted disdainfully and urged his horse into a gallop. Ding Dachui and the others hurried to follow—
Though the one in charge hadn't come, Ding Dachui still hadn't managed to expose Ding Dashen's true nature to Chu Zhao, because every time he thought about saying it, he felt like someone was watching him, and he simply didn't dare speak up.
Oh well, take it one step at a time—having finally climbed onto the Empress's powerful branch, Ding Dachui didn't want to die so soon.
The group galloped away.
Chu Zhao, meanwhile, hurried into the government office, jogging all the way straight to the rear courtyard.
"Miss, Miss." A Le was waiting under the corridor, beaming, "It's even colder today."
Chu Zhao hummed in agreement, hugging her cloak tightly as she rushed into the room.
"Dad, are you asleep?" she called out loudly from the main hall, "I'm back."
Such a loud shout would surely wake even a sound sleeper. A Le chuckled.
A voice came from the inner chamber, calm and unhurried: "I know, I'm not asleep yet. I've been waiting for you."
Chu Zhao kicked off her boots, frozen stiff as ice. A Le helped her remove her cloak while two other maids slipped warm shoes onto her feet and patted her down with hot towels to warm her up quickly, also to prevent her from carrying the cold into the inner chamber.
A moment later, Chu Zhao hurried into the inner chamber and looked at Chu Ling lying on the bed.
Under the dim lamplight, the middle-aged man on the bed was pale as paper, his eyes dull, but a smile still lingered on his face, and he turned his gaze toward where Chu Zhao stood.
The girl smiled like a flower in the lamplight.
"Dad," she said with a hint of pride, "Guess what I brought back?"
Chu Ling replied: "Did the young lady on patrol catch any spies?""No." Chu Zhao laughed, spreading her hands that were still held before her to reveal a snow-white little rabbit. "I found a rabbit in the snow."
"A Zhao is amazing," Chu Ling said. "To catch a rabbit on a snowy night—was it A Jiu who caught it?"
"It wasn't A Jiu!"
"Alright, he spotted it first, but I caught it myself."
The girl's voice was clear and bright from the inner chamber. Chu Ling lay on the bed, listening with a smile, then felt something soft and furry in his hand.
"Father, look—the little rabbit is like a snowball," Chu Zhao said.
Chu Ling replied, "Rabbits can bite. Don't forget, when you were little, you got bitten and cried for three days."
Chu Zhao laughed heartily. "Did I? I don't remember that at all."
"Has it been that long?" Chu Ling asked with a smile. "Have you forgotten all your childhood memories?"
Yes, Chu Zhao thought as she sat by the bed. For someone who had lived a second life, childhood truly felt very distant.
"Father, tell me about when I was little," she said.
Chu Ling gently stroked the snow-white rabbit and began softly, "You were extraordinary as a child. When you were born, the room filled with red light. A passing fortune-teller immediately turned pale and pointed, saying it was a heavenly blessing—"
Chu Zhao laughed so hard she clutched her stomach.
"Father—have you been sneaking off to listen to storytellers at the teahouse again?"
A Le stood in the outer chamber, listening to the father and daughter's cheerful banter. She smiled too, wiping away a tear before quietly slipping out.
The night deepened, and the laughter in the room gradually faded.
Chu Zhao watched as the hand stroking the snow rabbit grew still. Her face turned as pale as the rabbit's fur. Slowly, she reached out to check Chu Ling's pulse, then let out a relieved sigh and slumped back onto the floor beside the bed.
Thank goodness—her father was still alive.
Even though the physician said he could pass away at any moment.
Chu Zhao cradled the snow rabbit in her arms, leaning against the bed and burying her face in her knees. Tears soaked her dress.
But still, she was glad. This time, she could be with her father when he departed.
...
...
The howling wind of the late night swept through without restraint. Xie Yanlai staggered as he walked back to his quarters.
With such strong winds, he paused to glance toward the government office, wondering if Chu Zhao could sleep through this.
Then he turned abruptly, his gaze shifting to another direction.
"Who's there?" he said coldly. "If you're skilled enough to get into the city, why bother hiding?"
The wind howled, rustling a shadowy figure that emerged from the corner of a building.
"Young Master A Jiu," a woman's voice said gently. "It's me."
Xie Yanlai let out an "oh," his expression half-smiling. "Auntie Ding? What's wrong? Are you unfamiliar with this place? Can't find where Uncle Ding is?"
Mu Mianhong took a few steps forward. Her frail figure swayed in the darkness, but the fierce wind couldn't sweep her away.
"A Jiu," she said, neither answering his question nor adding anything else. "I need to see General Chu."
Xie Yanlai laughed sharply. "I knew it. That fool Chu Zhao refused to guess your intentions, but I saw it right away—you're here for General Chu."
His hand moved to his waist.
"Don't draw your weapon."
The woman's voice carried a hint of laughter and—affection?
Xie Yanlai scoffed. Such tricks might work on a simpleton like Ding Dachui, but what use were they against him? He remained unshaken even if Mount Tai collapsed before his eyes. How could a few softly spoken words affect him?
"I am A Zhao's mother."A cold wind suddenly rushed into his mouth, turning Xie Yanlai's sneer into a cough. He withdrew his hand from his waist and pressed it against his mouth, suppressing the sound of coughing.
What the hell is going on this late at night!
……
……
"Aren't you dead?" Xie Yanlai asked hoarsely, glaring at the woman in front of him.
The woman smiled and asked, "Did A Zhao tell you about me?"
Although it was late at night, Xie Yanlai could still sense a familiar gaze—just like Zhong Changrong's, though Zhong Changrong glared while this woman smiled.
Xie Yanlai scoffed, "She didn't need to say anything. General Chu said it over a decade ago. Who in the world doesn't know?"
The woman opposite him fell silent for a moment, then nodded in the darkness. "Yes, you're right."
Was she heartbroken? Xie Yanlai's face remained expressionless. Whatever sad stories they had in the past had nothing to do with him.
"Xiao Man is one of my people," the woman said, not dwelling on her sorrow. She quickly lifted her head. "General Chu and Zhong Changrong know about me. Zhong Changrong and General Chu also know Xiao Man. You, A Jiu, don't question my identity either, so I won't waste any more time explaining."
Xie Yanlai stared coldly at her, neither admitting nor denying anything. He only said, "I don't care who you are. But if you came to me to reveal your identity to Chu Zhao through me, you've picked the wrong person. First, I'm not close to Chu Zhao. Her personal affairs are none of my business, and I won't meddle. Second, you've followed Chu Zhao for so long without daring to tell her who you are. General Chu hasn't said you're alive all these years. How troublesome you are, even a fool would know."
The woman's voice was sorrowful. "How pitiful A Zhao is. Don't you think she'd be overjoyed to know her mother is still alive?" She took another step forward. The fierce wind swept away the thick darkness, allowing them to see each other's blurred faces.
This Ding Dashen no longer covered her face. In the night, her complexion was as clear as the moon.
Her gaze was as gentle as moonlight.
"Child, do you have a mother?"
The moonlight was gentle, but Xie Yanlai, clad in black, stood like an iceberg. He said coldly, "Chu Zhao was raised by General Chu. He raised her well. Chu Zhao has lived without a mother for over a decade, and she doesn't need one now. As for whether I have a mother, it has nothing to do with whether she has one—Ding Dashen."
He also stepped forward, drawing the saber at his waist and pointing the tip at Mu Mianhong.
"Leave quickly. Don't let me see you again, or I will kill you."
The woman was not frightened. The sorrow on her face faded, replaced by a gentle smile as she whispered, "Good child."
What nonsense! Xie Yanlai could no longer restrain himself and was about to swing his saber—
The woman curtsied.
"A Jiu, I'm not here to make A Zhao acknowledge me. I came to you to ask if you could help me inquire with General Chu—if I could see him one more time."
"I know his time is near. I want to see him once more."
"And if General Chu agrees to see me, I also ask you to take A Zhao away so she doesn't find out."
"Everyone around him hates me and guards against me. If I show up, it will surely cause a commotion. A Zhao is always by the general's side, and I'm afraid she'll find out."
"That's why I can only ask you, an outsider who knows nothing, to trouble yourself and inquire for me."
"Mu Mianhong, thank you for your great kindness."
Mu Mianhong. Xie Yanlai was taken aback. That name sounded so familiar—back when he was a courier, delivering messages to the Border Commandery, he had made thorough preparations, studying every post station along the route and the customs of the Border Commandery.
The name Mu Mianhong was among them.
A bandit.
A great bandit.Back in the day, it was the great mountain stronghold that Chu Ling single-handedly eradicated—
The rumors from those years, the conflicts between Chu Ling and the Emperor, the truth abandoned for over a decade—
In a daze, it seemed he understood everything, yet nothing at all. Xie Yanlai shook his head—what did events from over a decade ago have to do with him!
He straightened up and sheathed his blade.
"If he refuses to see you, you must disappear immediately and never show yourself again," Xie Yanlai said.
This was his agreement. Mu Mianhong hurriedly bowed deeply once more. "Thank you, Young Master Xie."
Xie Yanlai walked past her, then paused and turned back, his tone icy. "Also, Chu Zhao is not some pitiful child. She lacks nothing and is blessed with parental love. There's no need for you to wallow in self-pity or indulge in sentimental delusions."
With that, he strode away and vanished into the night wind.
Xiao Man emerged from the side and snorted. "Aunt, that fellow is truly vicious. Hearing that a lost mother has reappeared—a mother-daughter reunion is such a joyous occasion—and yet what attitude does he have? Threatening life and death!"
Mu Mianhong watched the fading figure in the darkness and murmured softly, "His harshness is to protect A Zhao."
Upon learning her identity, this young man's first instinct was vigilance—he would not allow her to bring any harm to A Zhao.
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