Speaking of the past, Chu Zhao also drifted into a daze. Back then, when she stopped the Xie family from publicly flogging Xie Yanlai and seized the opportunity to meet Xie Yanfang, she truly intended to befriend him.
That Xie Yanfang, who could occupy half the empire and leave Xiao Xun helpless, was someone she desired to befriend even more than Deng Yi—and also the person she feared and guarded against the most.
This fear and vigilance were deeply buried in her heart, not daring to show the slightest hint.
In this life, by saving Xiao Yu, she not only cut off Xiao Xun’s path to the throne but also severed Xie Yanfang’s path to rebellion.
However, Xie Yanfang’s unwavering protection of Xiao Yu did not mean he would tolerate her, the Empress, sharing power. Just like Deng Yi, even when cooperating with her, he could not bear to see her, a woman, interfering in court politics. Yet, she genuinely felt Xie Yanfang’s attitude toward her was one of unquestionable approval and support.
When she wanted to visit her father in the Border Commandery, he did not oppose it. Nor did he take advantage of her absence to undermine her already unstable foundation. Instead, he balanced Deng Yi’s influence, helping her secure her position as Empress.
When she wanted to speak in court and participate in governance, he did not object in the slightest.
He was not merely watching from the sidelines as others fought. As he had told her, to stabilize the court, the Empress must become a tiger and seize power herself.
By doing nothing, he was aiding her, giving her a solid backing.
Even in daily matters, he was considerate. The Xie family was the Emperor’s only relatives, yet Xie Yanfang insisted that she alone be the Emperor’s closest kin, forbidding other Xie clansmen from entering the capital.
He never worried that a powerful Empress would weaken the Emperor’s authority. Instead, it made one speculate that he might even prefer it this way.
Throughout history, such Imperial Relatives were rare, let alone someone like Xie Yanfang.
Xie Yanfang—the Swallow Wolf who had thrown the Great Xia into turmoil for a decade in her previous life, occupying half the empire—now lived without desires or ambitions.
It seemed all his desires had been fulfilled with Xiao Yu ascending the throne.
Chu Zhao studied Xie Yanfang closely.
The gentleman was as gentle as jade, with clear, sharp eyes and a faint smile at the corners of his lips, exuding an air of refined elegance.
What had Xie Yanfang been like in her previous life? Unfortunately, she had never had the chance to see him then.
"Third Young Master," she straightened up and asked, "for the stability of the court, could I request that Imperial Relatives be barred from holding official positions?"
This was a harsh question. With Deng Yi no longer in the court, her, the power-hungry Empress, was now extending her reach toward the Xie family.
Xie Yanfang nodded: "Of course."
Chu Zhao looked at him, and he looked back, a smile in his eyes.
Though he was smiling, it was not frivolous—it was relaxed, resolute, and sincere.
He truly meant it, without the slightest pretense, hypocrisy, or politeness.
Chu Zhao laughed and gestured with her hand: "Third Young Master, please try this dish."
Xie Yanfang let out a soft sigh of relief: "It seems I answered correctly. Had I answered wrong, I wouldn’t have gotten to eat tonight."
Chu Zhao laughed heartily and personally handed him a bowl of soup and rice.
"How has A Yu been behaving lately?" she asked.
Xie Yanfang smiled: "As a child, he’s fine. As an Emperor, it’s too soon to judge, for an Emperor is not defined by whether he is well-behaved or not." He then added, "He was also deeply saddened by Yan Lai’s passing. Although this child didn’t spend much time with Yan Lai, he was more concerned about him than about me."
Chu Zhao knew the reason for this. During that chaotic night, she had pushed Xie Yanlai in front of Xiao Yu. A fledgling in distress leaves a lasting impression."He has lived up to Xiao Yu's concern. From guarding the city gates that night until now, defending the Border Commandery, killing Xiao Xun—he has protected Great Xia for Xiao Yu," she said softly. "Xiao Yu should, and must, remember this uncle."
"No one will forget him," Xie Yanfang said, pouring wine with a sigh. "To do what one wishes and succeed—I truly admire him."
He looked up and smiled at Chu Zhao.
"I, Xie Yanfang, have never looked down on anyone, but those I admire are few."
"Before, I saw him merely as a member of the Xie family. Now, he is Xie Yanlai, standing independently before the world, deserving to be remembered."
For someone like Xie Yanlai, any truly wise person would feel admiration. Xie Yanfang spoke sincerely.
Moreover, after achieving success again and again, he could still relinquish fame and merit, departing alone. Though she had proposed it, she never expected he would truly agree.
"I admire him too," Chu Zhao said, raising her cup.
Xie Yanfang gently clinked his cup with hers. "I'm glad we could know such a person," he said, draining his wine in one go.
Chu Zhao smiled and also drank hers down.
"To be honest, though, the culinary style of the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion isn't as good as the capital's," Xie Yanfang remarked.
Chu Zhao laughed. "Minister Xie, you're too picky."
She often addressed him as Minister Xie, but this was the first time she had done so in a teasing tone. Xie Yanfang smiled. "I am indeed quite particular, though most people don't notice."
Chu Zhao laughed heartily again.
……
……
Xie Yanfang returned to his residence cloaked in moonlight. Cai Bo circled him, sniffing.
"You've had quite a bit to drink," he said, then studied Xie Yanfang's face. "It seems the conversation went well. Did she ask you to stay? When is she leaving?"
Xie Yanfang accepted the tea handed by a servant and smiled. "No, she didn't. She intends to stay here personally to reorganize and rebuild the prefectural offices."
Cai Bo was taken aback. "What? She doesn't trust you? Then what did you talk about all evening?"
Xie Yanfang had already sat down, leaning sideways against an armrest, the smile at the corners of his eyes shimmering like moonlight. "We talked about Yanlai. We spoke of Yanlai the entire time, and then about how the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion's cuisine, though not as refined as Imperial Cuisine, still has its merits."
"You're this happy talking about Xie Yanlai?" Cai Bo frowned. "It seems she really isn't grieving."
"You're mistaken," Xie Yanfang wagged his finger at him. "Cai Bo, to make someone happy isn't about avoiding talk of the departed, but about speaking freely of them."
He raised his teacup.
"The brave, though dead, live on. Heroes should be celebrated."
"Telling tales of heroes is the happiest and most exhilarating thing in the world."
With that, he tossed back the tea as if it were wine.
Cai Bo watched Xie Yanfang's demeanor and sighed helplessly. "You're truly drunk. Suit yourself." He headed out, calling to others, "Prepare some sobering soup." Shaking his head, he muttered, "Never thought I'd see the day I'd need to prepare sobering soup for the young master."
Young Master Xie the Third had always been surrounded by numerous servants since childhood, but rather than them taking care of him, it was more that they followed his arrangements to care for him.
The young master had never ordered anyone to prepare sobering soup.
The young master had never gotten drunk drinking with others.
If the young master got drunk, it was only when drinking alone with himself.
Cai Bo grumbled as he left, leaving Xie Yanfang alone in the room. He remained leaning against the armrest, the night breeze by the window rustling the crabapple tree, moonlight swaying upon him."Heroes should live in our hearts," he said. "I'm glad to share stories of heroes with her."
Even if it takes a lifetime.
……
……
At the end of the fourth year of Xingping, heavy snow fell amidst the citywide firecracker celebrations. Chu Zhao entered the capital lightly equipped, just as she had done the previous time.
Though there was no imperial procession for the Empress, the Imperial City guards had received prior instructions. They offered no resistance to the red-cloaked woman galloping through the swirling snow, standing solemnly with palace gates wide open as she passed through the city entrance.
The main hall stood empty of officials, save for the figure of a half-grown child whose cloak hood was piled with snow, resembling a snowman.
Upon spotting the approaching rider, the snowman instantly came to life, dashing down the steps as if the dancing snowflakes parted ways for him.
"Sister Chu—"
Chu Zhao promptly dismounted, spreading her arms to welcome Xiao Yu. When he threw himself into her embrace, she nearly lost her balance.
"Our Yu'er has truly grown up, stronger than me now," she laughed.
Studying the child before her—unseen for nearly a year and a half—she noticed changes in his features.
The childish roundness had faded, replaced by emerging youthfulness.
Xiao Yu broke into a smile, taking her hands to warm them with his breath: "Sister's hands are so cold, you must be freezing."
Chu Zhao smiled, withdrawing her hands to rest them on his shoulders: "Your hands are colder than mine. How long have you been waiting here in the cold? Come, let's go warm up inside."
Xiao Yu nodded, leaning against her as they proceeded into the palace.
The guards and attendants stationed around broke into synchronized cheers that echoed through the wind and snow:
"Welcome to the Empress—"
"Welcome to the Empress's return to the palace—"
OpenNovel