Qiao Chu

"What did he say?"

Cai Bo waited for Xie Yanfang at the palace gate, watching Deng Yi surrounded by officials from afar.

"Did he ask about the Zheng family grain matter?"

"He offered condolences for my loss and said I’ve worked hard," Xie Yanfang said with a laugh. "The Grand Tutor is extremely amiable. He only thanked me for helping resolve the Hezhou stale grain case and didn’t press about what benefits I gained."

"Only you, Third Young Master, would find him amiable," Cai Bo remarked. "The entire court and His Majesty’s tutors certainly don’t share that view."

Though Deng Yi’s replacement of the Emperor’s tutors occurred after Xie Yanfang left the capital, he had learned of it immediately.

Yet he paid it no mind and certainly voiced no opposition.

Now, he simply smiled again. "Being strict about His Majesty’s studies is no bad thing."

Xie Yanfang then recounted how Chu Zhao had earlier wanted to take the Emperor to admire flowers, chuckling softly. "The Grand Tutor is quite strict with the Empress as well."

Cai Bo shook his head. "His strictness isn’t about the Emperor’s studies—it’s about preventing the tutors from growing too close to His Majesty. Changing them every six months ensures they remain strangers to the Emperor."

For an Emperor who had lost his family, the risk of latching onto the first familiar presence was too great.

"As for the Empress—" Cai Bo continued, "what does his strictness matter? In the end, he follows whatever she says. It was the same with the Prince Zhongshan affair and skipping lessons to play."

Recalling how Chu Zhao had spoken fearlessly before Deng Yi earlier, and how Deng Yi had ultimately let it slide, Xie Yanfang smiled once more.

He understood Cai Bo’s reasoning perfectly well. Yet the Grand Tutor’s strictness toward the Empress differed from his treatment of others—it was devoid of ulterior motives, a pure and overt sternness in both word and deed.

This strictness came from genuine concern.

Du Qi brought the carriage over, interrupting Xie Yanfang’s reverie. He lifted the curtain and stepped inside, followed by Cai Bo. The carriage was spacious and comfortable, with a tea set and stove arranged on the table. Cai Bo skillfully poured tea.

"Young Master, in the half year you’ve been away from court, the Grand Tutor and the Empress have grown even closer," Cai Bo said.

Naturally, he didn’t care about their closeness itself, but rather that the Empress might influence the Emperor to draw nearer to the Grand Tutor.

No one understood better than they how deeply the Emperor cherished this Empress—her preferences profoundly swayed him.

"Now that Third Young Master has returned and reassured the family, the Xie clan won’t come to the capital. We’ve truly become the Emperor’s distant relatives."

Cai Bo sighed softly at this.

"I know your concerns, Third Young Master. Avoiding conflict with the Grand Tutor and Empress is for the Emperor’s sake. But the Emperor is our family’s child. For the Old Master and the Master to be kept at a distance—it makes no sense."

"Distance won’t weaken the Emperor’s closeness to us," Xie Yanfang said softly, holding his teacup. "When I returned, his eyes lit up at the sight of me—no trace of estrangement, only greater affection."

Though he had left the capital, he wrote to Chu Zhao every fortnight, sharing his travels, relief efforts, the intricate webs among local officials, and even the plight of post-disaster survivors without reservation.

The girl would read these letters to Xiao Yu, knowing they helped the Little Emperor better understand his realm.

Sincerity and closeness were conveyed through these written words—perhaps even more effectively than in person.

Distance had never been the true barrier. Before, separation and resentment had festered between them due to life and death. But with time and his genuine efforts, even those walls had crumbled."Moreover, the Grand Tutor follows the Empress's every word. There's no need to be nervous about their closeness—they act this way because they share the same goals and desires. However, people are different, and it's impossible for them to always want the same things."

He looked at Cai Bo.

"Does the Empress know that the Grand Tutor issued two decrees to the Border Army?"

...

...

As night fell, Xiao Yu was already fast asleep.

There had been many activities at today's flower-viewing banquet—pitch-pot, archery, swinging, and polo—and Chu Zhao had accompanied Xiao Yu through all of them.

After returning, Xiao Yu even completed the homework promised to Deng Yi.

Exhausted from all this, the child fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

Chu Zhao picked up the bamboo tube by the bed.

"Your Majesty hasn't used this for a long time," Qi Gonggong said softly. "Should we put it away?"

Chu Zhao shook her head and whispered, "Let's wait a little longer. We shouldn't make decisions for him—wait until he says he doesn't want it himself."

Qi Gonggong acknowledged this and helped lower the bed curtains. "Your Highness, you should go rest now."

But Chu Zhao didn't go to rest. Instead, she went to the study to review memorials and check on court affairs—this was her daily study.

Although she was only overseeing governance from behind the screen and had no authority to comment on court matters, since she sat in the court, she couldn't afford to be deaf and mute.

A Le was burning incense in the room while chatting with Xiao Man. For some reason, they seemed to be having a disagreement.

"What are you two arguing about?" Chu Zhao looked up and asked.

Xiao Man snorted and ignored the question.

A Le smiled and said, "We're not arguing. I guessed that you'd write to Uncle Zhong tomorrow, while Xiao Man guessed you'd write the day after."

Although the court had official bulletins from the Border Commandery, Chu Zhao still maintained correspondence with Zhong Changrong. Of course, for security reasons, the letters were relayed through Xiao Man and Mu Mianhong.

Therefore, Chu Zhao would also write to Mu Mianhong.

The last time she wrote was before the New Year, and now spring had arrived in the blink of an eye—

Uncle Zhong was fine, and the Empress's movements could be tracked through court bulletins. But Mu Mianhong, in her efforts to train the fifty thousand troops, had secluded herself deep in the mountains, valleys, and wilderness, almost completely cut off from the world.

She must be very concerned about her.

"I wasn't guessing at all. What's there to guess?" Xiao Man snorted. "The court has issued decrees to the Border Commandery, and the Border Army will soon send someone to the capital. Zhong Changrong might even come himself. If there's anything to ask, you can just ask him in person."

Chu Zhao was well aware of this matter—it had been decided in court, and she had personally seen the decree.

A Le asked Chu Zhao excitedly and nervously, "Miss, will Uncle Zhong come himself?"

Chu Zhao laughed. "Why would Uncle Zhong come? He can't leave his post."

A Le then asked, "Then—will A Jiu come? Isn't A Jiu with Uncle Zhong? Uncle Zhong could send him as his representative."

A Jiu... Chu Zhao hesitated for a moment, then nodded and shook her head. "I don't know."

A Le said, "Miss, you should just directly ask the Grand Tutor to summon him."

Chu Zhao shook her head. "That won't do. This matter should be left to his own decision—we can't force him to come." She put down the memorial in her hand and looked at the bright palace lantern. "Besides, A Jiu really likes the Border Army."

In the Border Commandery, he was A Jiu, not Xie Yanlai.

To him, the capital was like a cage—better not to come.

"Don't worry. Uncle Zhong will arrange everything properly after receiving the decree," Chu Zhao said with a smile. "Let's just wait to hear Uncle Zhong's words in court."

A Le nodded and sat down opposite Chu Zhao."Uncle Zhong isn't coming, and A Jiu isn't certain either," she said, reaching out to grind the ink. "Miss, you should write a letter today. That way, when you're listening to Uncle Zhong speak in court, he can also hear you speaking from the Border Commandery."

Chu Zhao smiled and nodded: "Alright, I'll write two—no, three letters tonight." With that, she spread out the letter paper, lifted her brush, and dipped it in ink.

Xiao Man didn't approach but instead took a few steps outward, cautiously scanning the surroundings. Yet the corners of her mouth curved into a faint smile—among those two or three letters, there would surely be one for her aunt.

...

...

In the deep of night, Xie Yanfang, having washed up, was also writing something.

"Young Master." Du Qi pushed the door open, followed by Seventh Master Xie. "News from Yunzhong Commandery says Xie Yanlai will come to the court as an envoy of the Border Army."

Xie Yanfang looked up and uttered an "oh," his expression showing little change. But Seventh Master Xie's face had already turned ashen with rage.

"Didn't the people over there tell him?" he said bitterly. "We sent so many people over there—are they all fools?"

Xie Yanfang laughed: "Seventh Uncle, you know as well as I do—when has he ever listened to anyone?"

Seventh Master Xie certainly knew this too and said coldly: "It didn't matter if he didn't listen before, but if he interferes with our plans this time, let him never listen again. Let him die on the way—he's of no use anymore anyway."

Xie Yanfang, holding his brush, pondered: "Die on the way? Let me weigh the pros and cons."