On the streets of the capital, a team of couriers galloped at full speed, their backs adorned with embroidered banners that gleamed with the bold characters of a victory bulletin.
"Great victory—" the couriers shouted, "The Border Army has captured the King of Xiliang alive—the King of Xiliang has been captured—"
They rode with even more audacity than the Dragon Cloak Guard, yet the people on the streets showed no panic or avoidance. Instead, they surged forward in disbelief.
How could there be another great victory?
Not long ago, couriers had stormed through the capital, bringing nightmarish news: Xiliang soldiers had broken through the Border Commandery and even seized a city in Yunzhong Commandery.
The capital descended into chaos. Some hurriedly reinforced their doors and windows, while others prepared to flee south, as if the Xiliang soldiers capturing a city in Yunzhong Commandery meant they were already close at hand.
The Five Cities Garrison had no choice but to pacify, explain, and strictly maintain order. But before this turmoil could settle, Grand Tutor Deng Yi had his residence raided by the Empress—though, to be precise, the raid hadn't happened yet. The Grand Tutor had been escorted back from the Imperial City by the Dragon Cloak Guard, and with guards stationed outside his gates, a raid was inevitable.
The Empress and the Grand Tutor were at it again!
The streets buzzed with even more clamor and confusion. Some said the Grand Tutor had accused the Empress of allowing the Border Army to grow lax, leading to the Xiliang occupation of a city. Others claimed the Empress had interrogated the Grand Tutor for meddling in the Border Army's affairs, causing critical oversights. There were even rumors that the Grand Tutor had colluded with the Xiliang people because they had sent him lavish gifts.
This speculation seemed far-fetched, yet it sounded somewhat plausible.
After all, the Grand Tutor did have a penchant for accepting gifts—and if the Xiliang people offered them, why wouldn't he take them?
For a time, the public busied themselves with inquiries, gathering outside the Grand Tutor's residence to gawk, so preoccupied that they forgot about fleeing with their families.
How, then, could news of a great victory suddenly arrive—and one that involved capturing the King of Xiliang?
"I understand now—this is a tactic!"
"Exactly! The Border Army must have launched a full-scale assault on Xiliang. In such an all-out effort, there's bound to be a do-or-die spirit, and inevitably, some oversights. That's how the Xiliang forces found an opening and seized a city. But—"
"But the Border Army still breached the King of Xiliang's stronghold and captured him."
"This is excellent. 'To catch rebels, first catch their leader.' With the King of Xiliang captured, Xiliang's fate is sealed."
This time, there was no need for the Garrison to pacify the crowds. The people, piecing together the two successive reports, had already mapped out the entire military strategy.
A great victory—it truly was a great victory.
The war was really coming to an end.
The Border Army is mighty!
The Emperor is so young, and the Empress dares to lead the troops into battle. Despite the Great Xia dynasty weathering storms, they've still managed to defeat Xiliang.
Heaven bless the Great Xia!
Long live the Emperor and Empress!
Cheers erupted across streets and alleys, from adults and children alike, and some even set off firecrackers.
Xiao Tu crouched on the wall of Chu Garden, watching as a group of children ran past, dragging firecrackers and shouting, "Long live the Emperor and Empress!" He turned to an old woman sitting by the wall, mending shoe soles, and asked, "Mouse Granny, you work fast! I haven't even heard Miss A-Tang's orders yet—was it Sister Xiao-Man who gave the command?"
The old woman mending soles chuckled, sharpening her needle against the sole, and said, "Not us. We didn't interfere this time."
Xiao Tu exclaimed in surprise, "Then it means we don't need to fan the flames anymore—everyone is already praising Sister A-Zhao." With that, he leaped down from the wall in a flash. "I'm joining in too."
Mimicking the crackling sound of firecrackers, he chased after the group of children.
Mouse Granny smiled and continued mending the soles, appearing casual but keeping a vigilant eye on all movements around her.The Imperial City began a new round of busyness as Chu Zhao urgently summoned court officials. With the Grand Tutor absent, Xie Yanfang no longer avoided participation and instead took the lead in presiding over the court discussions.
Dispatches from the Border Army continued to arrive incessantly, ensuring the Imperial City would remain sleepless through the night.
As darkness fell, Xie Yanfang emerged from the Duty Hall, followed by a minor official. He exchanged pleasant smiles with passing officials until he paused outside the city gate, where the old servant Cai Bo stood waiting quietly. Seeing him exit, Cai Bo hurriedly presented a food container.
"Seventh Madame prepared midnight snacks for the Young Master and Seventh Master," he said, "along with the medicinal broth Seventh Master needs to take."
Xie Yanfang nodded, and the minor official behind him promptly stepped forward to receive the items before retreating several steps.
With sleeves tucked, Xie Yanfang gazed into the night, then suddenly tilted his head to listen. "Hear that? Firecrackers."
Firecrackers typically appeared only in winter, yet here they were in late summer and early autumn.
Cai Bo replied, "They've been going off all day—celebrating the Border Army's great victory and congratulating the Empress and Emperor."
Xie Yanfang smiled while watching the night. "How wonderful. For an emperor, this must be the happiest of times."
Cai Bo snorted and asked, "Will the Young Master still go to the Border Commandery? With the King of Xiliang captured, an Imperial Censor is even more needed there."
Xie Yanfang looked bored. "What's the point now that he's captured? Just send anyone."
Cai Bo wanted to tease him, but thinking of the matter, he couldn't muster a laugh, his heart filled with irritation. "Why so sudden!"
Xie Yanfang hummed in agreement. "We were careless too."
They knew Xie Yanlai was capable, but never imagined he could be formidable enough to assault the King of Xiliang's tent and even capture him alive.
The King of Xiliang was both fierce and cowardly, surrounded by the strongest warriors of Great Xia.
"Our Ninth Young Master has truly surpassed all expectations," Xie Yanfang remarked with admiration.
"Who knows if he's dead or half-dead," Cai Bo said coldly.
Achieving such a feat would inevitably come at a great cost.
Xie Yanfang said solemnly, "Even if he's dead, he's still remarkable." He never hesitated to praise others—excellence was excellence. He nudged Cai Bo with his elbow and chuckled, "Our family's Ninth Young Master becoming so capable is a great thing. Cheer up."
Cai Bo sneered, "But this 'great thing' always gets in the way."
"Not too much," Xie Yanfang said, tucking his sleeves as he looked toward another direction. "Send the Grand Tutor on his final journey. Now is the perfect time for him to atone with his life."
From the shadows that seemed to blend into the night, Du Qi bowed and acknowledged the order before truly vanishing into the darkness.
Xie Yanfang took another look at the night, then turned to Cai Bo with a sudden thought. "How many portions of midnight snacks did Seventh Aunt prepare?"
Cai Bo was taken aback. "Of course, two portions."
Xie Yanfang nodded. "Never mind, then. Let's head back." With that, he turned and walked back into the Imperial City.
Cai Bo found it baffling, but shrugged it off—the Young Master was always being inexplicable anyway.
Xie Yanfang returned to the Duty Hall and called for another minor official, instructing him to deliver one portion of the midnight snacks and medicinal broth to Seventh Master Xie.
As an official, Seventh Master Xie was also in the Imperial City that day, busy discussing matters with his subordinates. The minor official carried the items over.
Xie Yanfang did not partake of his own share of the midnight snacks. Instead, he closed the food container and said to the minor official who had accompanied him earlier, "Take this to the Empress."
The minor official was surprised. "It has always been the Empress sending midnight snacks to the court officials. Young Master, you are the first court official to send some to the Empress."Xie Yanfang smiled faintly. "Because aside from being the Empress, she is also my family."
That girl was far too lonely. Once she had stabilized her position in court and no longer needed to contend with ministers, it would be time for her to relax.
Humans need emotions, care, and love.
……
……
The Grand Tutor's residence was brightly lit, but the former hustle and bustle had vanished entirely.
Even the servants seemed to have hidden themselves away.
"Just as expected, those hired from outside are unreliable," a servant grumbled loudly. "The house hasn't even been confiscated yet, and their hearts have already scattered."
As he spoke, he arrived at Deng Yi's study. The study was also illuminated, casting the silhouette of Deng Yi sitting upright at his desk.
"Second Master," the servant called out, knocking on the door. "The Old Madam sent me to bring you some late-night refreshments."
Deng Yi replied from inside, "Leave it outside."
This was a familiar scene for the servant, though it had been a while since he'd last performed this duty. After Deng Yi became Grand Tutor, the servant rarely had the chance to deliver late-night snacks—there were plenty of others vying for the task.
The servant set down the food container and added a reminder, "Don't read too late, or you'll strain your eyes. The Old Madam will scold you if she finds out."
Deng Yi acknowledged with a noncommittal sound from within.
The servant turned to leave but paused, remembering something. "Second Master," he asked, "I've packed all the luggage. It'll be ready whether we leave this place or end up in prison."
Deng Yi seemed to sigh in resignation inside. After a moment of silence, he finally responded, "Go to sleep." Then he added another instruction, "Take good care of the Old Madam. Make sure she doesn't fall if she gets up during the night."
The servant sounded slightly displeased. "No need for you to remind me, Second Master. I know my duties. Those maids and servants are all for show—they've never been attentive. I've always been the one looking after the Old Madam."
With that, he shuffled away noisily.
Outside, silence returned. The night grew deeper, and occasional gusts of wind rustled the tree branches, casting dancing shadows on the windows and the ground.
"What did you want me to see?" Deng Yi asked.
He wasn't talking to himself, nor was he alone in the room. A figure stood in the shadows behind him, near the bookshelf.
Hearing the question, the person stepped forward and suddenly covered Deng Yi's mouth and nose with a hand.
Deng Yi felt a sharp, stinging sensation and an acrid smell—he didn't know what substance the person had applied to their hand. He tilted his head slightly, using the desk lamp to see the person standing behind him.
The young man smiled, his features handsome and elegant, with deep dimples. It was Xiao Xun, the Crown Prince of Zhongshan, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.
Xiao Xun gestured with his chin toward one of the study's windows.
"Look," he whispered. "They're here."
Deng Yi narrowed his eyes slightly, gazing in that direction. In the interplay of light and shadow, he saw wisps of smoke seeping in through the window crack.
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