Qiao Chu

Hearing the laughter from the nearby hall, Xiao Yu halted his steps, then turned and retreated back into the study.

The official from the Ministry of Rites, who was teaching today, had been speaking with Xie Yanfang. Both looked over when Xiao Yu suddenly returned.

Without a word, Xiao Yu sat back down at his desk. The official, knowing the Little Emperor was taciturn, dared not ask questions and hurriedly bowed before taking his leave.

"What's wrong?" Xie Yanfang asked, pointing at the booklet in Xiao Yu's hand. "Didn't you say you were going to have Sister Chu look at your essay?"

Xiao Yu replied, "Sister Chu is speaking with Uncle Yan Lai."

Xie Yanfang made an understanding sound. So Yan Lai had indeed come here first after being released from prison instead of returning home.

"Your Uncle Yan Lai will soon return to the Border Army," he said. "He came to bid farewell to the Empress and you. There's no need to avoid them."

Xiao Yu nodded. "I know, but—" He sighed softly. "Sister Chu hasn't been happy these past couple of days. It's rare to see her enjoying a conversation with Uncle, so let her have a little more joy."

He looked down at the papers spread before him. Writing well, studying hard, being a good child—none of these could ease Sister Chu's troubles. He could only watch as the Grand Tutor bullied her.

He was the Emperor, but he didn't possess the imperial seal.

"In a few years, when I retrieve the imperial seal and assume personal rule, Sister Chu will be able to do whatever she wishes. No one will dare to interfere."

As he said this, he glanced at Xie Yanfang, nodding with both intimacy and determination.

"At that time, Uncle won't need to hold back either. You'll be able to speak freely."

Xie Yanfang couldn't help but laugh. Looking at the child's sincere face, he felt almost ashamed to suspect the boy was subtly criticizing him for not speaking up for Empress Chu in court.

"Does A'Yu think the Grand Tutor is bullying Sister Chu?" he asked, sitting down opposite the boy.

Xiao Yu looked surprised. "Does Uncle think otherwise?"

Xie Yanfang couldn't suppress another laugh. This child always deliberately showed his hand in front of him—the kind of "I know you'll see through me, but I want you to see through me" transparency.

He composed himself and shook his head. "I don't think so. In court, such disputes are normal. Haven't you witnessed arguments among court officials before?"

Xie Yanfang had been away from the capital for half a year. Even when present, he would skip court five out of ten days. But Xiao Yu was different—unless ill, he had to attend every session.

Of course Xiao Yu knew about the frequent quarrels in court—major disputes every five days, minor squabbles every three. To him, it was all meaningless. What amused him more was when officials, in the heat of argument, would weep before him—crying about wanting to join the late Emperor in death.

Then go, he'd think. Why just cry? Why not dash your heads against the court floor and be done with it?

Seated on the Dragon Throne, he looked down at these quarreling officials without finding their noise disturbing. Their suicide threats didn't frighten him either.

Death—what was there to fear? He had seen countless commoners die before his eyes, watched soldiers lose limbs in battle, witnessed ground soaked through with blood.

His own parents could die. He himself had nearly been killed several times. What did it matter if these court officials died?

If they die, they die.

But however court officials quarreled and threatened each other with death was irrelevant. Arguing with Sister Chu was different.

Xiao Yu looked at the nobleman sitting across from him and shook his head. "Uncle, Sister Chu is the ruler. They show no respect for their sovereign—this is treason."

Treason deserved death. Yet he couldn't make them die.

Seeing the restless anger rising in the child's eyes, Xie Yanfang reached out and tapped the desk. His slender fingers produced a clear, rhythmic pattern on the wooden surface."There is indeed a distinction between ruler and subject," he said. "But that doesn't mean the Emperor can do whatever he pleases without restraint, nor does it mean subjects must blindly obey whatever the Emperor says. That's why we have remonstrance and acceptance of counsel, so that blessings may flow down to the people—"

Xiao Yu made an understanding sound and interrupted him: "I know, my tutor has explained this. But if it weren't for holding the imperial seal, I wonder if the Grand Tutor would dare to oppose His Majesty. I believe Sister Chu leading troops into battle herself would be a better and more correct decision than the Grand Tutor's."

While you were discussing grand principles with him, he questioned personal motives. This child emperor was truly extraordinary. Xie Yanfang smiled with satisfaction and said: "Since you ask this, I'll tell you something treasonous—"

He paused here and glanced around the room.

Noticing this, Qi Gonggong stepped forward to pour tea, smiling as he said: "Third Young Master, please set aside your censor-in-chief identity and speak casually with His Majesty as nephew and uncle. This old servant will guard by the door, ensuring no one overhears."

After speaking, he retreated to the doorway, motioning for the palace maids and eunuchs standing outside to move farther away. He faced outward but remained standing inside the room.

This old servant would only withdraw when Xiao Yu and Chu Zhao were together; at all other times, he stayed by Xiao Yu's side.

Xie Yanfang withdrew his gaze.

"Between ruler and subject, it's actually not about right or wrong. To put it bluntly, it's a game of chess. To simplify further, it's about mutual benefit. Subjects receive the ruler's salary and serve the ruler's affairs, while the ruler needs subjects to govern the realm on their behalf. Neither can do without the other, yet each has their own private interests. So, A'Yu, this is only the beginning. There will be many more situations like this in the future, especially after you obtain the imperial seal. That doesn't mean you can then do whatever you want—"

He leaned slightly closer to the child.

"At that time, all the civil and military officials will stop arguing with each other and instead turn their focus to you and your Sister Chu. They will dispute, they will strive to win, they will seek to suppress you both."

Xiao Yu's face paled slightly as he gripped the documents, saying: "I'm not afraid. I am the Emperor."

Xie Yanfang smiled, reaching out to hold the child's hand, and said softly: "Of course you needn't be afraid. You are the Emperor, but you shouldn't argue with them."

Xiao Yu was taken aback, blinking as a child's confusion appeared on his face.

"How can one person argue against so many?" Xie Yanfang said with a laugh. "No matter how clever our A'Yu is, how can one person's thoughts outmaneuver so many others? I mentioned earlier about subjects receiving the ruler's salary and serving the ruler's affairs—all the court officials and government clerks across the land can be used by you. What you need to do is have others argue on your behalf. Don't do what you want to do yourself—have others do it for you."

Xiao Yu stared blankly: "Then how do I make them act according to my wishes?"

Xie Yanfang said: "By not letting them know your wishes."

Xiao Yu looked even more bewildered. Then—

"If they don't know your wishes, they won't know what you want to do, and naturally they can't argue with you about it," Xie Yanfang said with a smile, twirling his finger on the table. "Then you can follow your own wishes and have them argue according to your intentions."

Xiao Yu watched him, seeming to understand yet feeling like something was still missing. He stared intently at Xie Yanfang, as if waiting for one final phrase to achieve full comprehension. But Xie Yanfang suddenly changed the subject.

"You're still too young to understand these matters," he said.

Instantly, Xiao Yu couldn't conceal his frustration: "You said it, and I'll think about it myself. Whether I understand or not is for me to know."This undisguised restlessness was his true nature. Xie Yanfang seemed not to notice, neither panicking nor comforting, only shaking his head: "I know A'Yu is clever, but children and adults are fundamentally different. You may think you understand, but in reality, you only grasp half the meaning—seeming to understand while not truly comprehending. That is of no use to you and will only confuse your mind. Don’t rush these matters. Just quietly observe the court. Your uncle will explain things to you step by step, letting you learn through practice. Only then will you truly understand, just like—"

He raised his hand and gently touched Xiao Yu’s cheek.

"As when I took you to the battlefield to face the traitor Xiao Xun, I was with you, so there was no need to fear."

Xiao Yu looked at the gentleman before him. His hand was warm and gentle, his eyes like spring water—just like his mother, whose face he had almost forgotten.

In his daze, Xie Yanfang withdrew his hand, sat up straight, and smiled.

"However, there is one thing His Majesty can practice right now."

Xiao Yu quickly asked, "What is it?"

Xie Yanfang replied, "Do not show anger toward the Grand Tutor."

Xiao Yu gasped and frowned, "He bullied Sister Chu—"

"I mean, do not let others discover your anger toward the Grand Tutor," Xie Yanfang said with a laugh. "If they find out, they will argue with you. Not only would that fail to help your Sister Chu, but it would also make her worry about you."

Xiao Yu pondered, "If they don’t know I’m angry with the Grand Tutor, they won’t keep an eye on me."

"Then you can watch them argue among themselves," Xie Yanfang said. "In the court, there are countless things to quarrel about. Not everyone can have their way in everything, and the Grand Tutor is no exception."

This time, Xiao Yu nodded solemnly, "I think I understand."

"Essentially, don’t let others guess your thoughts," Xie Yanfang explained. "The Emperor’s heart must remain inscrutable and unmeasurable. Do not let those you despise know your feelings, nor let those you favor know. This way, no one can manipulate you through your preferences or aversions. Only then, seated in the court, can you command and govern all under heaven."

Xiao Yu nodded again, stood up, and grasped Xie Yanfang’s hand, saying, "Thank you, Uncle, for your guidance."

Ah, after expending so much effort and speaking from the heart, this child finally showed him genuine warmth. Truly, he possessed the innate heart of an emperor, and he would sculpt this imperial heart into his most desired form.

Xie Yanfang smiled and gently nudged him, "Go now. Let Sister Chu see the essay you’ve written. If you’re happy, Sister Chu will be happy too."

This time, Xiao Yu obediently took the manuscript and left cheerfully. Xie Yanfang did not follow but stood outside the hall, listening to the laughter coming from Chu Zhao’s study.

Xiao Yu’s laughter, Chu Zhao’s laughter, and Xie Yanlai’s grumbling.

"I don’t know how to read, Your Majesty. There’s no use showing me—I wouldn’t understand it anyway."

"Your Majesty is so young and writes so well. Aren’t you ashamed, being so much older and illiterate? What are you so proud of?"

"Even though Uncle is illiterate, he can slay enemies. He has every right to be proud."

"Your Majesty is sagacious. When the time comes for Your Majesty to rule with absolute authority, bestow upon me high ranks, titles, and generous rewards."

"Don’t you go corrupting the child."

"Your Majesty is so wise, how could I possibly teach him anything?"

Inside the hall, the three of them bantered back and forth, lively and cheerful. Standing outside, Xie Yanfang listened and smiled faintly. See, he hadn’t disrupted Sister Chu’s happiness after all.

So there was no need to overthink it. How could an emperor be trapped by the emotions of others?Xie Yanfang withdrew his gaze and walked out. As he left the inner palace, he couldn't resist looking back, almost as if he could still hear the laughter and chatter drifting from the hall.

Being entangled in the joys and sorrows of others—could that, too, bring happiness?

……

……

A night passed, yet this thought lingered in Xie Yanfang’s heart.

After collecting the rewards on behalf of Xie Yanlai, Xie Yanfang took leave from the morning court session again. He sat idly playing chess, lost in thought, and even posed the question to Cai Bo, who had come to pour tea. The old servant was utterly baffled.

“What’s so happy about that?” the old servant retorted, wide-eyed.

“I don’t know,” Xie Yanfang said, resting his chin on his hand as he gazed at the chessboard. “That’s why I’m curious.”

Cai Bo snorted, picked up a chess piece, and placed it decisively. “Young Master, you’ve lost.”

Xie Yanfang straightened up and exclaimed, “Ah! How did you spot that oversight?”

Cai Bo chuckled. “Now that you’re entangled in the joys and sorrows of others, are you happy?”

Xie Yanfang burst into laughter, then smiled faintly and nodded slowly. “Indeed, I am a little happy.”

True or not? Cai Bo frowned. “Young Master, what nonsense are you thinking? Have you grown bored from watching too much excitement these days?”

Xie Yanfang laughed. “How can there ever be too much excitement? Not at all, not at all.” As he spoke, he reset the chessboard.

Cai Bo then turned to serious matters.

“Last night, Xie Yanlai didn’t return home. He went drinking with his comrades in the army. Lin Kun, the youngest son of Lin Feng from the Military Horse Department, hosted.”

Xie Yanfang hummed in acknowledgment, placing a chess piece without much concern.

“Last night, the Grand Tutor’s residence also held a banquet. Our newly appointed General of Roaming Campaigns, Liang Qiang, attended as well.”

Xie Yanfang smiled and placed another piece. “As he should. From now on, he’ll be a disciple under the Grand Tutor’s wing.”

Cai Bo continued, “As with previous banquets, we had informants stationed inside and out, monitoring everything from the guests in attendance to the dishes served.”

Xie Yanfang hummed again.

“Besides us, there was another group keeping watch,” Cai Bo said. “Though they concealed their movements, their identities were not hidden. This old servant saw their Waist Tokens with my own eyes—they were from the Dragon Guard Army.”

Xie Yanfang paused, the chess piece in his hand hovering mid-air, and looked at Cai Bo.

Cai Bo met his gaze and smiled faintly. “Also, during this morning’s court session, the Empress still did not lower the screen.”

Xie Yanfang tossed the chess piece aside. His calm, pond-like eyes suddenly rippled with emotion, and he laughed heartily.

With her courage, insight, soldiers, and authority, how could Miss Azhao obediently sit behind a screen? How could she pretend to be amicable with everyone?

If she did, even as Empress, what would distinguish her from the ordinary, mediocre masses?

As Empress, Miss Azhao should stand above all others—heartless, emotionless, and unconstrained.

This version of Miss Azhao—

Xie Yanfang gazed at the chessboard before him, his eyes sparkling brilliantly. “This is the Empress I want.”

And she was all the more like him.