Deng Yi's study was somewhat messy, with scrolls, documents, and papers scattered about.
A few sheets had even drifted to the doorway. Liang Qiang glanced down and immediately noticed they contained details about certain individuals who had been overly familiar with the former Zhao Family at specific times—
This was a denunciation letter.
But such a letter was casually tossed on the floor, indicating Deng Yi paid it no mind.
Liang Qiang averted his gaze, stepped around the papers, and stood still in the room, lifting his head to look around.
Amid the clutter of disordered papers and books, a man in the solemn official robes of the Grand Tutor sat in a chair, holding a document and reading with a furrowed brow.
His appearance was ordinary, but his long eyebrows and deep-set eyes, combined with the gravity of his official attire, made him imposing and difficult to look at directly.
Liang Qiang knew he shouldn't stare, but he couldn't suppress his curiosity. Coming from an official family and having a wide circle of friends, he was familiar with almost all the court ministers and noble clans. Yet, this Deng Yi had truly been a figure as insignificant as dust.
Even if he had indeed schemed his way to becoming Grand Tutor, no one now regarded him as a minor figure.
Deng Yi looked up and met the young man's gaze.
Startled, Liang Qiang quickly lowered his head and bowed in salute. "Liang Qiang pays his respects to the Grand Tutor."
Holding the document, Deng Yi asked, "Why are you dressed like this?"
Liang Qiang, still clutching his rolled-up military uniform, hurriedly bowed again. "This humble general was discourteous. I removed my uniform to avoid misunderstandings among the common people."
Deng Yi smiled faintly. Without needing further explanation from Liang Qiang, he understood the implication—the earlier commotion in the streets, the flowers thrown in welcome, were not for him. Liang Qiang didn't want to be surrounded and questioned.
Noble young men were very concerned with face, or perhaps, deeply insecure.
"I have wronged you, Young Master Liang, by having you come to the capital in a private capacity," he said indifferently.
Liang Qiang hastily bowed again, expressing that he dared not think so.
Deng Yi waved his hand. "I have many matters to attend to; there's no need for such formalities. Whether you feel wronged or not is irrelevant to me, and I don't care. I called you here to ask about the situation in the Border Commandery in a private capacity, and you should answer as a private individual, without any reservations." He pointed to a nearby seat. "Sit."
Liang Qiang understood that, in the present circumstances, he was the one as insignificant as dust. In Deng Yi's eyes, any dissatisfaction, grievance, or even hatred he might harbor was of no consequence.
He said no more and sat down as instructed, answering Deng Yi's questions one by one. As he spoke, Deng Yi didn't look at him at all—sometimes lost in thought, sometimes reading the document in his hand, occasionally frowning or nodding, as if verifying something.
Liang Qiang realized that Xie Yanlai must have just reported on the Border Army's situation at court. Deng Yi didn't trust Xie Yanlai—after all, he was from the Xie family—so he had summoned Liang Qiang to cross-check and verify.
Deng Yi finished questioning him quickly, marked the document with a brush, then looked at Liang Qiang and gestured. "Put your uniform back on."
Liang Qiang, who had been holding his military uniform all along, immediately stood up and put it on.
"Actually, you needn't worry. Wearing your uniform wouldn't cause any misunderstanding," Deng Yi said. "For you and your father to enter the military as convicted slaves and now be summoned to the capital by me is already a rare and honorable achievement."
Having donned his uniform, Liang Qiang acknowledged the remark and added, "This humble general was afraid of causing trouble for the Grand Tutor. My father and I cannot compare to Captain Xie."
Even Zhong Changrong had been very displeased, declaring that the Grand Tutor had not issued an official decree to the Border Army—this was a private letter. Therefore, the Army Envoy could only be Xie Yanlai, while he, Liang Qiang—
"This commander grants you a one-month leave to visit family," Zhong Changrong had said with a mocking smile. "You are permitted to go to the capital, that is all."Therefore, he could only come to the capital in a private capacity, following behind Xie Yanlai. If he were to wear his military uniform and be surrounded by the public on the streets, he wasn’t sure if it would be seized as a pretext against him.
Deng Yi laughed and said, "If you were the type to cause me trouble, I wouldn’t have called you here. Moreover, precisely because you and your father cannot compare to Captain Xie’s status, I invited you. Liang Qiang, do you understand what I mean by this?"
Liang Qiang understood and replied, "Everything I have achieved today is thanks to the Grand Tutor’s support."
Deng Yi said, "It was I who elevated you and your father, though of course, your bravery came first." After speaking, he set down the document. "Alright, you may return now."
Liang Qiang looked at him without moving.
Deng Yi made a sound of acknowledgment and added, "A trip to the capital is a rare opportunity. You can stay a few days, meet with old friends. Wear your military uniform if you wish, or civilian clothes if you prefer."
The young man in the hall still did not move.
Deng Yi looked at him and asked, "Is there something else, Young Master Liang?"
This was a clear dismissal.
He did trust them, but that was all. In Deng Yi’s mind, it wasn’t that he needed the Liang family—it was the Liang family that needed him. Thus, for the current Liang family, the Grand Tutor’s summoning and dismissing them at will, without obstructing their military achievements and promotions, was the greatest kindness he could offer.
As for support, or even treating them as his own people—that was not yet the case.
Liang Qiang understood this well.
To earn the Grand Tutor’s genuine regard, bravery alone was not enough.
Ah, Liang Qiang no longer considered the Grand Tutor his backer. He pressed a hand to his chest. Just as he arrived in the capital, one of his personal guards—or rather, his watcher—had handed him something.
"I’ve heard that to seek favors from the Grand Tutor, one must offer gifts."
The Grand Tutor would not send gifts to himself. The one who prepared this gift for him was the true backer.
And that person was not Grand Tutor Deng Yi.
Liang Qiang couldn’t say whether he felt regret or melancholy—or perhaps nothing at all. As a mere pawn, he had no right to any emotions.
Shaking off his distraction, before Deng Yi could speak again, Liang Qiang bowed and took out a scroll from his robe, presenting it with both hands. "Grand Tutor, this is a small token of respect from my father and me. Please accept it."
Deng Yi smiled and said, "Commander Liang knows me well." He pointed to the table. "Since you are sincere, I will accept it."
Liang Qiang placed the scroll on the desk. "As the Grand Tutor said, although I am not here on official business, I am a member of the Border Army. Therefore, I will seek lodging at the military camp. If you have any orders, Grand Tutor, send someone to the Capital Garrison to summon me."
With that, he bowed decisively and took his leave.
Did his words imply that Deng Yi might still have need of him? Deng Yi smiled faintly. The Liang family was indeed useful—or rather, anyone at odds with the Xie family could be of use. He would give the Liang family a boost, but true reliance was still out of the question.
He picked up the document Liang Qiang had left. Was it a list of gifts? The Liang father and son had done well for themselves—in such a short time, they had risked their lives to build a fortune. Or perhaps it was the Liang family’s hidden assets. Though they had been officially confiscated and exiled, these great families were like cunning rabbits with multiple burrows, inevitably hiding some private wealth.
But when Deng Yi opened the scroll, what met his eyes were names—the General of the Border Army, followed by his name, age, birthplace, and background—
None of this was unfamiliar to Deng Yi. Even before he became Grand Tutor, he had been acquainted with these generals. Now, their records were readily accessible to him.The section about the Grand General was only a few brief lines, after which the writing shifted to another name—the Chief Clerk under the Grand General. Although this Chief Clerk held a lower rank than the Grand General, the content about him filled an entire page—
As Deng Yi read on, his smile faded, his expression grew grave, and he stood up and walked out.
The attendant outside the door hurriedly asked, "What are your orders, sir?"
Deng Yi strode quickly outward. "Return to the Imperial City."
The visitors watched the commotion at the door as Deng Yi, who had just returned, hurriedly departed again, confirming their earlier speculations.
"Grand Tutor suddenly returned just to meet with Young Master Liang."
"To think Young Master Liang has earned such regard from the Grand Tutor!"
"I didn’t see him present any lavish gifts?"
"Perhaps he sent them earlier."
"The Liang family is about to make a comeback!"
Unlike usual, the visitors did not linger until dusk. Some rushed to deliver the news to their family heads, while others hurried to visit and inquire about this Young Master Liang.
……
……
Just as Young Master Liang’s private audience with the Grand Tutor caused small ripples in the capital, Xie Yanlai—who had stirred much greater waves—awoke in the Imperial City.
Upon waking, whether out of shame, anger, or something else, he rose and prepared to leave immediately.
Xie Yanfang and Xiao Yu approached from the other side.
"Are you returning to the barracks or going home?" Xie Yanfang asked. "If you don’t want to go home, you can stay at the Capital Garrison. If there’s any news from the Imperial City, I’ll have someone inform you promptly."
News from the Imperial City—Xie Yanlai glanced at Chu Zhao.
Chu Zhao was smiling at him and nodded when their eyes met. "The Capital Garrison isn’t far. Exchanging messages will be much more convenient than when you were in the Border Commandery."
But it was still far. Xie Yanlai raised an eyebrow at Xie Yanfang. "I’m afraid my family doesn’t want me back." Before Xie Yanfang could respond, he added, "Whether they want me or not, I’m going back."
Xie Yanlai clenched his fists, making his knuckles crack, a cold smile playing on his lips.
"I still have scores to settle with my nephews."
With that, he bowed to Xiao Yu.
"Your subject takes his leave."
None of the three in the hall had time to speak before Xie Yanlai strode out, but they were clearly accustomed to this and showed no surprise.
Xie Yanfang also bowed to Xiao Yu. "Your subject takes his leave."
Chu Zhao asked with a smile, "Is Third Young Master accompanying him back?"
Xie Yanfang chuckled. "Of course not. If I go back now, they’ll drag me into their disputes and demand I mediate. As for me, I won’t be returning home tonight."
Chu Zhao and Xiao Yu both laughed heartily.
After Xie Yanlai left and Xie Yanfang returned to his office, Chu Zhao did not continue cracking melon seeds with Xiao Yu.
"I’m going to speak with the Grand Tutor for a moment," Chu Zhao said. "Ah Yu, you practice writing a few pages first, so we won’t have to do homework tonight. I’ll summon the small opera troupe to perform for us."
Xie Yanlai clapped his hands joyfully. "Great! I want to see somersaults!"
Chu Zhao turned to Qi Gonggong. "Did you hear? Follow His Majesty’s orders—everyone must perform somersaults!"
Qi Gonggong smiled and acknowledged, "Yes. Your Majesty and Her Majesty will surely be delighted."
After Chu Zhao left, Xiao Yu did not return to the study but climbed onto the couch by the window.
"My Emperor," Qi Gonggong hurried over and whispered, "the Empress instructed you to practice writing. Don’t slack off, or you might get your palms struck by your sister."
Away from Chu Zhao’s presence, Xiao Yu’s childish demeanor vanished entirely.
"I know," he interrupted Qi Gonggong, frowning as he scanned the desk and even looked underneath it.
"Your Majesty, what are you looking for?" Qi Gonggong asked cautiously.Xiao Yu glanced at the almond shells on the desk and shook his head. "It's nothing." He leaped off the couch, flicked his sleeves, and strode toward the study with his hands clasped behind his back.
Qi Gonggong dared not inquire further and quietly followed.
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