Xie Yanlai leaned against the couch and closed his eyes. No one in the room scolded him for his impropriety before the emperor, and the conversation continued uninterrupted.
"As soon as I heard Yanlai was appointed Army Envoy, I had a premonition and immediately requested leave."
"Hah, Minister Xie, did you know Yanlai would cause trouble?"
"Yanlai causing trouble is a minor matter. I simply didn’t want Grand Tutor to use it as an excuse to trouble me. If we were to argue, a small matter could escalate into a major one in just a few words."
Xiao Yu invited Xie Yanfang to sit down again.
Xie Yanfang glanced at the couch where the two were seated, then at Xie Yanlai leaning against it. Of course, there were plenty of other places to sit in the room, but it wasn’t necessary.
"Your Majesty," Xie Yanfang waved the document in his hand, "I happened to encounter a eunuch fetching the roster of fallen soldiers from Grand Tutor’s office, so I took it to review."
As he spoke, he opened it and sighed softly.
"They were all so young."
Xiao Yu nodded: "Many heroes are among the youth." He then glanced at Chu Zhao. "Sister is the same."
Chu Zhao shook her head: "I cannot compare to them. They are far braver than I."
"The Empress had this roster brought for Your Majesty to see, correct?" Xie Yanfang asked.
Chu Zhao nodded: "Matters of casualties are not suitable for extensive discussion in court, lest it affect morale."
After all, the war had dragged on for some time, and the prolonged effort had left everyone somewhat weary.
"Yet it is precisely during such weary times that we must not lose heart," Xie Yanfang said, turning his gaze to Xie Yanlai by the couch. "Yanlai, is there anything you wish to say about the Border Army?"
Xie Yanlai, eyes still closed as if asleep, replied without opening them: "Nothing worth saying. Those of us in the thick of battle don’t feel weary. Our perspective differs from those sitting comfortably far away."
Xie Yanfang responded: "It is precisely because our perspectives differ that we need eloquence. If you come here and say nothing, isn’t your trip in vain?"
Xie Yanlai opened his eyes and looked at him: "My words carry no weight, Third Brother. You, whose words do, should speak more."
Chu Zhao cleared her throat lightly: "It’s not as if there hasn’t been plenty of discussion."
Xie Yanlai immediately turned to glare at her, irritation flashing in his eyes.
Before he could retort, Chu Zhao smiled again: "Yes, yes, you need not speak—just act. Leave the talking to me and Third Young Master." She then glanced at Xie Yanfang.
Don’t argue now.
Xie Yanfang, of course, obliged the young woman’s goodwill, nodding with a smile before turning to Xiao Yu: "Your Majesty, let us review this casualty roster together. To understand the war, we must first understand the people involved."
Xiao Yu agreed.
Xie Yanfang beckoned to him: "Let’s go to the side chamber. The Empress can continue questioning Yanlai about the Border Army here."
Xiao Yu promptly rose and joined Xie Yanfang.
Chu Zhao remained seated, smiling without objection: "Minister Xie, do not make His Majesty weep."
Xiao Yu protested: "Sister, I never cry."
Xie Yanfang smiled without comment, taking Xiao Yu’s hand as they headed to the side chamber.
This was a deliberate arrangement to allow Chu Zhao and Xie Yanlai to speak privately.
Xie Yanlai seemed oblivious, closing his eyes once more and leaning against the couch—until Chu Zhao flicked a melon seed onto his face.
"What are you doing?" he grumbled.
"Minister Xie avoids confronting Grand Tutor in court to prevent disputes, and now he must avoid you too," Chu Zhao said.
"Is that so?" Xie Yanlai drawled. "Minister Xie’s conduct is indeed as refreshing as a spring breeze—knowing when to advance and retreat, possessing great vision. With him in court, the Empress can rest easy."Chu Zhao tossed another melon seed at him with a laugh, "I was just saying how skilled he is at handling matters, not commenting on myself. Why the sarcasm?"
Was she implying that Xie Yanfang had done well, and it had nothing to do with her? Did she not trust him either?
Xie Yanlai opened his eyes and first glanced toward the side hall, frowning, "You dare say such things? Aren't you afraid the loyal ministers and officials might overhear and feel disheartened?"
Chu Zhao smiled, "Loyal ministers and officials wouldn't eavesdrop on my conversations. Rest assured, Minister Xie."
Rest assured of what? That they could freely speak ill of others together? Xie Yanlai snorted.
"Whether I speak or not is unimportant," he said after a moment of silence. "These loyal ministers and officials have their own agendas. I am merely a catalyst—my presence is enough. What they choose to do has nothing to do with me."
Chu Zhao replied, "Don't say that, Captain Xie. What happens next still depends on you."
Xie Yanlai turned to glance at her.
The girl was peeling an almond and, noticing his gaze, pointed to the fruit platter, "Want some? These roasted almonds are delicious."
Xie Yanlai glared at her.
"I'm not flattering you. Regardless of what anyone says, the outcome of this battle—whether we win or lose—rests on you soldiers in the Border Commandery," Chu Zhao continued, ignoring his glare as she carefully cracked open an almond shell. "No matter what others say or do, your arrival here must reinforce your own resolve and bring that confidence back to everyone."
She looked up at Xie Yanlai again.
"How are things on your side? Uncle Zhong always emphasizes the good and downplays the bad."
Xie Yanlai leaned against the couch and said, "The Border Army's situation isn't particularly favorable now. Just like in the court, the officers have differing intentions. But don't worry—although Zhong Changrong highlights the positives, he handles matters with discretion and can control the situation."
Chu Zhao naturally trusted Uncle Zhong and asked further, "To achieve the victory and the goals you mentioned, how long will it take?"
Xie Yanlai closed his eyes, tapping his knee, and said, "Five words: haste makes waste."
Chu Zhao smiled faintly, peeling another almond, "When Western Liang took advantage of our unpreparedness and the chaos in the court to launch their attack, we were in a rush. But after fighting for so long, we're no longer anxious."
Xie Yanlai remained silent.
"Hey, what happened in the military camp?" Chu Zhao pressed. "Did your sharp tongue offend someone again?"
Xie Yanlai let out a dismissive grunt.
Chu Zhao chuckled, "As soon as I heard about the commotion in the Capital Garrison, I knew it involved you. But," she picked up a small hammer to crack a stubborn almond shell, "knowing it was related to you put me at ease. I was sure you could resolve it."
She laughed again.
"And it shows how clever I am. Xiao Man only told me how fiercely you fought, but it was only when I pressed for details about your condition that she remembered to describe your injuries. I immediately thought of a way to help you out of that predicament."
She chattered on, especially after mentioning "helping you out," but instead of hearing Xie Yanlai snort in rebuttal, she leaned forward to look and saw him leaning against the couch with his eyes closed.
"Hey," she said, "the almonds are peeled. Do you want some?"
Xie Yanlai did not decline Her Highness's favor.
The young man rested his hand on his bent leg, leaning against the couch with his head slightly tilted back. Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, dancing on his long eyelashes.
Chu Zhao picked up an almond shell and threw it at the young man's face.
The young man didn't move a muscle.He's fallen asleep again, Chu Zhao smiled slightly, though it wasn't surprising. At the Capital Garrison, he had first single-handedly fought over a dozen people, then engaged in three consecutive duels, followed by riding into the capital city, and finally walking from the main streets to the Imperial City—he must have been utterly exhausted.
Earlier in the court, he had forced himself to stay alert, but now here he could finally relax and rest.
Chu Zhao lowered her head and continued shelling almonds, the occasional cracking sound echoing in the room.
Xiao Man glanced at A Le, who looked back with a questioning expression in her eyes.
This girl is too foolish, Xiao Man had no choice but to whisper her question: "Are we just going to let Captain Xie sleep like this?"
Shouldn't we offer him a bed, or at least drape a blanket over him? And besides, sleeping so casually in front of the Empress—doesn't that count as disrespect before royalty?
A Le smiled: "No need to bother, we're used to it."
Used to it? Xiao Man was completely baffled.
Xie Yanfang emerged from the side hall and paused at the entrance, his gaze immediately falling upon the scene before him—the young girl sitting comfortably on the daybed, casually shelling almonds, while the young man leaned against the side of the daybed, head tilted back in deep slumber.
He watched quietly for a moment before withdrawing his gaze and returning to the side hall.
"Uncle," Xiao Yu held the documents, "I've finished reading. Shall we go discuss them with sister?"
Xie Yanfang replied: "No hurry. You've seen the tragedy of war—now let me tell you about its cruelty."
Xiao Yu made a noncommittal sound, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. He glanced toward the main hall, wondering what his sister was doing. Earlier when he won at cracking melon seeds, she promised to shell almonds for him—
Actually, he wasn't particularly interested in whether war was tragic or cruel.
He had witnessed it with his own eyes.
The only reason he agreed to listen to Xie Yanfang was because Sister Chu wanted him to.
"Let the Empress speak with your Uncle Yan Lai for a while," Xie Yanfang saw through the child's thoughts and addressed them directly. "Your Majesty, you cannot speak in court yet, but the Empress is a few years older than you. She will have opportunities to speak, and it's good for her to prepare beforehand."
Anything that was good for Sister Chu, he naturally wouldn't oppose. Xiao Yu nodded and sat back down properly.
However, Xiao Yu's hands resting on his knees clenched slightly—even if he were present, he wouldn't disturb his sister's conversation with his uncle.
......
After the court session ended, Deng Yi didn't remain in the Imperial City as usual. A minor official whispered a few words in his ear, and Deng Yi immediately left the Imperial City to return home.
Seeing his return, the visitors waiting in the gatehouse grew excited.
The Grand Tutor's residence saw constant streams of visitors, though most only came to express their regards—very few actually got to meet the Grand Tutor in person.
Although the Grand Tutor never refused gifts, not many managed to gain audience with him.
Deng Yi entered his home surrounded by servants and imperial guards, while the excited visitors in the gatehouse crowded toward the doorway.
"Is the Grand Tutor resting today?"
"Does the Grand Tutor have time to see me?"
"Who do you think you are? Just a prefect from the provinces—"
The gatehouse filled with noisy banter and sarcastic remarks, until suddenly a steward approached. The commotion immediately ceased—even the servants in the Grand Tutor's household held higher status than these officials.
Particularly this steward, whom everyone addressed as Master Li—he was in charge of managing the Grand Tutor's guests.
"Master Li, is the Grand Tutor really seeing visitors today?" "Master Li, I submitted my visiting card three days ago." "Three days? I submitted mine a month ago—"
Steward Li frowned and waved his hand, and the clamor instantly died down.
Ignoring the eager stares, he simply announced: "Young Master Liang, the Grand Tutor will see you."Young Master Liang? The people in the gatehouse stared blankly, instinctively looking around, until they saw the young man sitting on the bench at the very back stand up.
It was actually him?
When this young man had entered, he was travel-worn and only wearing undergarments. Everyone had assumed he had been robbed and had come seeking charity. He seemed odd and out of place, so no one paid him much attention.
He didn't speak either, simply sat down at the very back, leaning against the wall with his eyes closed, dozing off.
Probably just a servant from some family delivering a message, sitting here to show face, knowing full well he couldn't possibly expect to see the Grand Tutor.
No one expected the Grand Tutor would actually want to see him.
Who is this person?
Another thought crossed someone's mind: Could it be that the Grand Tutor returned so suddenly just to see him?
The young man still spoke very little. He answered "Yes" and followed Steward Li out.
The gatehouse buzzed with discussion again, when suddenly someone gasped.
"Liang! Could it be... someone from Minister Liang's family back in the day?" he exclaimed. "No wonder I thought this young man looked familiar just now. I must have seen him before at Minister Liang's residence."
But which young master was he?
The Liang family had disappeared from the capital for so long that he couldn't recall.
This statement immediately caused an uproar among the others.
"Minister Liang?" "The Liang family isn't completely wiped out?" "They actually dare come back to the capital?"
Hearing the buzzing behind him, Liang Qiang, who was following Steward Li inward, glanced back.
Don't worry. Not only is the Liang family not dead, not only can they come to the capital, but before long, they will become famous throughout the capital.
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