Qiao Chu

Xie Yanfang had been away from the capital for over half a year.

After Chu Zhao returned to the capital, Xie Yanfang also came back soon after, but then the summer floods arrived, causing disasters in many regions.

Xie Yanfang volunteered to oversee the government's efforts in resettling disaster victims and worked tirelessly for three to four months. However, upon completing his duties, he was unable to return immediately—his grandfather had fallen critically ill, and he requested leave from the court to return to Dongyang to attend to him.

After the New Year passed, Old Master Xie passed away.

Chu Zhao hurried to Xie Yanfang’s side and motioned for him to rise without formalities.

“I thought you wouldn’t return until after March,” she said. “His Majesty has also been deeply concerned about Old Master Xie.”

Old Master Xie was a senior relative of the Emperor. In addition to the court’s posthumous honors, Xiao Yu had sent Qi Gonggong to pay a personal visit.

To Xiao Yu, Old Master Xie—and even his maternal grandfather, Old Master Xie—had initially been distant figures. But after losing his mother, Xiao Yu grew closer to his mother’s elders, perhaps because they represented where she came from.

Xie Yanfang walked alongside her and said, “Grandfather was already advanced in years and in poor health. Back when the Crown Prince and Crown Princess passed, the family kept it from him. It wasn’t until last year that we gently broke the news to him. As expected, he was deeply shaken and nearly succumbed on the spot. Fortunately, A-Yu was still here. Grandfather found comfort and something to hold onto, which allowed him to hold on a little longer—long enough for us to settle family and clan affairs and spend one last New Year with everyone before he departed.”

The passing of a clan patriarch inevitably stirs internal strife. Outsiders may see a clan as unified, but the reality within is often far from it.

That Old Master Xie had time to arrange his posthumous affairs lightened the burden considerably for younger generations like Xie Yanfang.

As they conversed, they soon arrived at the Emperor’s study.

“Third Young Master has returned as well!” Qi Gonggong exclaimed in delight. Without waiting for them to speak, he turned and said, “This old servant will go inform His Majesty at once.”

Xie Yanfang replied, “There’s no hurry. His Majesty’s lessons—”

“Her Ladyship has granted permission for today’s lessons to end early,” Qi Gonggong said, then lowered his voice and pointed toward the adjacent room. “His Majesty insisted repeatedly that his lessons must be interrupted.”

Xie Yanfang smiled faintly and glanced at Chu Zhao.

Chu Zhao grinned back at him, offering a cup of tea with both hands. “Don’t blame me for corrupting His Majesty.”

Xie Yanfang accepted the tea and feigned sternness. “Let it not happen again.”

Chu Zhao laughed, bowing her head in a playful salute. “Yes, Uncle. Your reprimand is duly noted.”

Uncle—Xie Yanfang, who had just raised the cup to his lips, quickly set it down and lifted his sleeve to hide his laughter.

“Uncle!” a child’s voice called out.

Xie Yanfang lowered his sleeve and looked toward the door. Xiao Yu entered, and though only half a year had passed, the child had changed noticeably—taller, his features more defined, with fair skin and elegant eyes. Dressed in bright yellow robes, whether it was the aura of the throne or the weight of his experiences, almost no trace of childishness remained.

Xie Yanfang rose and bowed. “Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty.”

Xiao Yu waited for him to complete the salute, then stepped forward, his eyes brimming with joy and delight. “Uncle, why have you returned?” Then, as if realizing his words might be inappropriate, he added, “I thought you would stay home a while longer.” He asked further, “With Great-Grandfather gone, is the family very sorrowful?”

Xie Yanfang gazed at him with a gentle smile, waiting until he finished before replying, “Before his passing, Grandfather specifically instructed me to return to the capital quickly to be with A-Yu. What worried him most was you. He said, ‘Pitiful little child, born into an imperial family.’”

Xiao Yu’s expression dimmed. Indeed, had he been born into an ordinary family, he would not have suffered so many tragedies in life—"No, no," Chu Zhao interjected from the side. "It's fortunate you were born into the imperial family."

Xie Yanfang and Xiao Yu turned to look at her.

"If you were born into an ordinary family and lost your parents, you wouldn't have so many people supporting and protecting you," Chu Zhao said.

Xiao Yu had already walked over to Chu Zhao's side, calling out "Sister" with a smile.

"If that were the case, you wouldn't be able to accompany me to admire the flowers today," Chu Zhao continued, looking at him. "Busy with daily meals, uncertain about tomorrow, where would you find the mood to enjoy the scenery?"

Xiao Yu nodded: "Sister is right."

Chu Zhao took his hand: "And such things aren't just hypotheticals - there are many children like that in the world right now."

Xiao Yu stopped smiling and said seriously: "I know. Although I'm pitiable, there are people more pitiable than me. I want to be a good emperor, to make life better for the pitiable people in this world."

Chu Zhao shook his hand gently and said: "Only when Your Majesty acts like this will your great-grandfather truly rest in peace underground."

Xiao Yu broke into a smile and looked at Xie Yanfang: "Uncle, I definitely won't let great-grandfather worry."

Xie Yanfang smiled and nodded: "Not just your great-grandfather - your grandfather, your father and mother won't worry either."

Xiao Yu leaned against Chu Zhao and called for the palace maids and eunuchs to bring clothes to change into, asking Chu Zhao which would look best for the banquet.

"Your Majesty looks good in anything," Chu Zhao laughed.

Xiao Yu was no longer the six-year-old who thought wearing all the hairpins on his head looked good - he was already eight years old.

"Uncle, you help me choose," he said, looking at Xie Yanfang. The young master wore the common official robe, but looked completely different from the court officials, his elegance and handsomeness undeniable. "I want to look as good as uncle."

Xie Yanfang smiled, neither modest nor telling the emperor that appearances don't matter. Instead, he stood up and said okay, carefully examining each garment before selecting a deep purple robe after much consideration.

"Won't this be too dull?" Xiao Yu discussed with Xie Yanfang. "Sister's flower appreciation banquet has many, many flowers, extremely bright and colorful."

"Precisely because it's a flower appreciation event where flowers compete in beauty, whatever people wear becomes merely complementary," Xie Yanfang said, holding the deep purple robe against Xiao Yu. "A Yu is young with fair skin - this won't look dull on you. Wearing it—"

He put his arm around Xiao Yu's shoulder, turning them toward the large bronze mirror, smiling at the reflection of the elegant young man and child.

"You'll look as good as me."

Xiao Yu laughed, no longer hesitating as he let the palace maids and eunuchs help him change into the robe. He turned to show Chu Zhao: "Sister, does it look good?"

Chu Zhao, who had been sitting and watching, smiled: "Third Young Master truly can do anything. This robe makes A Yu exceptionally majestic."

Xie Yanfang smiled, glanced at the girl, and suddenly said: "Let me select a robe for the Empress too."

Chu Zhao was startled and about to speak when Xiao Yu happily said: "Sister Chu should have the most beautiful one." After saying this, he quickly added: "Sister Chu is already the most beautiful - I mean she should wear the most beautiful clothes too."

The child was really growing up, already knowing how to compliment people. Chu Zhao couldn't help laughing and naturally didn't want to spoil the fun, standing up to say: "Alright."

The palace maids arranged the clothes in a row within the hall, the clothing racks filled with dazzling arrays of robes in various colors and styles. Chu Zhao was dazzled - she hadn't known she owned so many clothes.

"New clothes are made for Your Majesty every season," the palace maid said. "It's just that Your Majesty doesn't wear them much."Chu Zhao was different from other Empresses. Chu Zhao attended court sessions and often wore court attire. With the state affairs being numerous and palace banquets scarce, her everyday wardrobe consisted of just a few pieces—

Most importantly, the Emperor was still young, so there was no need for the Empress to adorn herself to seek favor.

A woman dresses up for the one who appreciates her.

Chu Zhao gazed into the mirror, momentarily lost in thought. In that previous life, when she was Empress, she had far more clothing and jewelry than now. She had devoted over half her attention to dressing up, but what was the use? Her existence was never defined by her beauty.

In this life, no one could compel her to rely on her appearance, nor would she ever use it to serve others.

A light crimson dress was held up in front of her. Xie Yanfang stood by her side, looking at the girl in the mirror.

The girl had grown up too—her face had matured, her features were delicate and refined, and after more than a year of steady presence in the court, her eyes shone as brightly as stars. Dressed in the light-colored gown, she smiled at her reflection, radiating brilliance.

"Sister, you look truly beautiful," Xiao Yu said from the side.

Xie Yanfang also smiled faintly, gazing at the girl standing beside him in the mirror.

She was truly beautiful.

Just like he had been in his youth.

Full of spirit and ambition, carrying the breeze and the bright moon in her heart.