Within the Imperial City, officials walked in small groups, appearing the same as before yet fundamentally different.
In the earliest days, officials would split into two factions—one clustered around Grand Tutor Deng Yi, the other following Xie Yanfang.
Later, when Grand Tutor Deng Yi was gone, Xie Yanfang became the leader.
Now, with Xie Yanfang also absent, the officials seemed lost, their expressions tinged with confusion as they had no one left to follow.
"What do we do next?" someone murmured softly.
"Just wait," another sighed. "Endure a little longer until His Majesty assumes personal rule."
From behind them came a cold snort: "That’s why someone couldn’t wait to harm the Empress."
Hearing this, everyone turned to look at the official who spoke.
"Lord Xue, you are mistaken," an official immediately retorted sharply. "Clearly, it was the Empress who couldn’t wait to harm others."
"Who harmed whom—the guilty know in their hearts," Lord Xue shot back without backing down.
The official sneered, "Is that so? Are we judging by intentions now? Pity there’s no Garrison Guard left to arrest me and debate right and wrong."
Most of the Garrison Guard had perished in the hunting grounds, the remainder imprisoned, their headquarters sealed shut. Overnight, the Garrison Guard ceased to exist.
Just as the Empress had vanished from the court.
A flicker of melancholy passed through Lord Xue’s eyes, his demeanor deflating. Other officials quickly stepped in, pulling the two apart and leading them away.
"Lord Xue," one official sighed. "The outcome is decided. Keep some thoughts to yourself."
Regardless of who intended to harm whom, the Empress had lost. The defeated become outlaws, while the Xie family emerged victorious, hailed as meritorious subjects.
Lord Xue’s face tightened, his hand clenching at his side. Was it really that simple? Were the defeated automatically branded as traitors?
"Look," the official suddenly said, tilting his chin toward the front. "Someone has entered the Grand Tutor Hall."
After Deng Yi, no new Grand Tutor had been appointed, yet the Grand Tutor Hall had not lain idle. The Empress often went there to handle court affairs, and when she was away on campaigns, Xie Yanfang would take her place.
Now the Empress had fled as a fugitive, and Xie Yanfang was injured. Who could have come?
……
……
Outside the Grand Tutor Hall, officials gathered, peering inside intermittently. The interior was also filled with clerks, but the former clamor and liveliness were gone.
They held documents in their hands, watching the man lounging casually behind the desk.
Guards and eunuchs stood solemnly behind him.
The mask on his face left everyone dazed, but the object he tossed in his hand was even more bewildering.
The Imperial Seal.
"Third Young Master is recuperating from severe injuries, and His Majesty is still young. As a member of the family, I’ve come to keep watch for them," the man said, his voice slightly hoarse.
His face was hidden, and his voice gave no clue to his age, but his build suggested youth.
A young master of the Xie family.
The Xie clan had long resided quietly in Dongyang, largely unknown to most. Only Xie Yanfang was familiar to the court, along with the deceased Xie Yanlai.
"How should we address you, Young Master?" an official asked. "Are you taking over Third Young Master’s position as Imperial Censor?"
The man looked at him. "No need to ask my name. I hold no official post and will not attend court. I’m merely here to help oversee matters and use the Imperial Seal to review your memorials." He pointed at the documents in the official’s hands. "Come, read out your affairs."
Though some officials wore complex, hesitant expressions, the Xie family’s supporters clearly knew of this arrangement in advance. They stepped forward one by one, reporting the matters they had handled.
Watching this scene from outside the hall, the officials exchanged glances. What was this?
"At least a Regent Grand Tutor had an official title," one official muttered under his breath.Titles and status are also constraints, with court officials and the entire populace watching.
Without any official title or status, the world remains unaware, yet he holds all the power—isn't this the legendary act of controlling the emperor from behind the scenes and ruling as a shadow king?
One official sneered, "With the Empress removed and the Xie family dominating, they can do as they please. Whether they have a title or not is entirely up to them."
"Endure it," another official sighed helplessly. "Endure until His Majesty takes full control of the government."
But would things truly improve once the Emperor assumed power? Many silent officials pondered this inwardly.
A sharp crack echoed, as if a memorial had been slammed onto a table, jolting everyone out of their thoughts and drawing their attention inward.
One official’s face flushed crimson.
"Are you here to plead for Empress Chu’s innocence?" the masked man asked.
His gaze from behind the mask was icy, and the guards’ blades nearby gleamed coldly. The tension in the hall reminded everyone of that morning court session.
It was said that the Emperor and Empress had rushed back overnight from the hunting grounds and hastily announced an early court session the next day.
Initially, everyone assumed it was due to Zhu Yong’s indiscriminate arrests and clashes with officials, which had disturbed the Emperor and Empress, prompting their swift return. However, the next day, only the Emperor appeared in court—the Empress was absent, and Xie Yanfang was nowhere to be seen. Instead, soldiers surrounded the hall, and a eunuch stood before the assembly to announce that the Empress had attempted rebellion and fled to avoid punishment.
The entire court erupted in uproar.
News of the turmoil at the hunting grounds outside the capital spread, along with accounts from officials who had witnessed the chaotic clashes.
"Zhu Yong deliberately lured us there—we saw him charging in with a blade—"
"Many were fighting, and half the mountain forest was set ablaze—"
Even though over half a month had passed, officials still felt disoriented.
The Empress had vanished just like that.
Yet, she hadn’t entirely disappeared. Some officials persisted in mentioning her and demanding answers—
One had publicly questioned earlier, and now another had submitted a memorial.
Others looked at the official with a mix of pity and exasperation. Why were so many people so foolish? Did they insist on being labeled as the Empress’s accomplices, arrested, and executed along with their entire families?
Despite the stares, the official raised his head, unwavering.
"As an Imperial Censor, I demand a thorough investigation into the Empress’s alleged rebellion."
"We need witnesses, evidence, and a complete examination of the hunting grounds."
"The Empress, entrusted by the late Emperor, fought Western Liang and quelled rebellions, earning great renown. Without a proper investigation, the realm will remain unsettled."
The hall grew even quieter, the silence suffocating, until the masked man let out a scornful laugh.
"Sir," he said, "one unresolved case will not shake the realm."
With that, he hurled the memorial at the official.
"Rejected."
Struck by the memorial, the official staggered back but refused to yield. "As an Imperial Censor—"
"Then cease being one!" the masked man roared. "Drag him out!"
Guards stepped forward, seized the official, and hauled him away.
"I—"
The official’s voice was swiftly muffled.
Silence quickly returned to the hall. The masked man scanned the room and asked, "Who else wishes to investigate?"
No one spoke.
Leaning back in his seat, the masked man waved a hand. "Enough for today. I’m tired. We’ll address other matters another time."
Tired... He truly didn’t take it seriously. The officials filed out in orderly rows, and those waiting outside hurriedly dispersed.
The Grand Tutor Hall returned to silence."Young Master." The attendant asked respectfully, "Would you like to have your meal?"
The masked man glanced at the memorials piled on the desk and said, "Take these and deliver them to His Majesty." He stood up, "I'll join him for the meal."
...
In the Emperor's bedchamber, attendants came and went bringing Imperial Cuisine while palace maids deftly and silently arranged the dishes. Though many people were present, the atmosphere felt stagnant and devoid of life.
Xiao Yu sat before the dining table, eating mechanically, accepting whatever food the palace maid offered.
Someone entered.
No attendant announced the arrival, nor was there any formal notification. Seeing him, the attendants immediately cleared a path.
He approached the table and pulled out a chair to seat himself.
A palace maid set out bowls and chopsticks for him.
Then all the attendants and maids withdrew, leaving only the two of them in the hall.
"I've sent the memorials to your study. Go review them after your meal," he said, never once looking at Xiao Yu throughout.
Xiao Yu lifted his head: "Uncle—"
"Good nephew." The man spoke with a faint, ambiguous smile, reaching up to remove his mask and revealing phoenix-like eyes. "You don't have to read them if you don't want to. I've already reviewed everything for you."
His eyes smiled, his words were gentle, and he addressed him as nephew—something he had never done before, having always called him Your Majesty.
Yet there was no warmth in this scene. Xiao Yu felt no comfort, only a chilling coldness.
Just like when he had witnessed similar scenes as a child at the palace gates.
Only now, there was no warm hand to hold him.
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