When night fell, Xie Yanfang returned to the Xie family residence.
It wasn’t the previous Xie residence.
That estate had been the first to be surrounded and burned last night, though of course, the Xie family members had already left before that.
The Xie family naturally didn’t have only one residence in the capital.
Seeing Xie Yanfang walk in, the people in the household were excited, shouting “Third Brother,” “Third Uncle,” “Third Young Master” in chaos. The Xie family offspring were still numerous, completely unharmed.
Xie Yanfang wore blood-stained clothes. Seeing this scene, his cold gaze softened somewhat. Although this was a tragic affair, in this sudden chaos, the Xie clan members had not only escaped unscathed but had also killed the Third Prince, avenging themselves on the spot.
And the people in the household, looking at Third Young Master Xie, were all wildly joyful.
The young master wore blood-stained clothes, his face paler than usual. Last night, Third Young Master Xie had fought his way out of the city, killed his way to the hunting grounds, and killed his way back again—one could imagine how perilous his experience had been.
They had truly been worried, not daring to imagine what they would do if anything happened to Xie Yanfang.
“It’s good that you’re unharmed,” several young men couldn’t help but shed tears.
Xie Yanfang smiled: “Even if something happened to me, you’re still here. As long as one person of the Xie family remains, the Xie clan still exists. Don’t worry.”
These words excited everyone even more.
“Third Brother! How can we compare to you?” “Third Uncle, we only regret we couldn’t help you more.”
Xie Yanfang said, “Each does what they can. Those who can fight enemies alongside me are a help; those who can preserve their lives in chaotic battle are also a help.”
At this point, Du Qi stepped forward: “Enough, Third Young Master should rest. Whatever matters there are, we’ll discuss later.”
Xie Yanfang hadn’t closed his eyes for a day and a night. Everyone hastily made way.
Xie Yanfang walked past them toward the interior. Thinking of something, he turned and called to someone: “Seventh Uncle.”
Seventh Master Xie quickly responded.
“Does Yanlai know the address of the new house?” Xie Yanfang asked.
Seventh Master Xie said, “We haven’t told him yet. After the incident, we’ve kept our doors closed. Before your return, we didn’t act rashly.”
Xie Yanfang nodded and said, “Yanlai has merit in defending the imperial city. He now commands the city gate guards. Remember to tell him the family’s address, so he doesn’t lose his way home.”
Seventh Master Xie’s expression was shocked, as were the others.
Xie Yanlai?
Merit?
Xie Yanlai was actually still alive?
“Also,” Xie Yanfang continued, calling out “Steward Cai,” pressing his hand to his brow. Having held on for a day and a night, now that he was home, exhaustion swept over him. “Pass the order to all quarters: from now on, Yanlai is to be treated the same as I am.”
Everyone was even more shocked. The same as Xie Yanfang meant that whatever Xie Yanfang could know, Xie Yanlai could also know; whoever Xie Yanfang could command, Xie Yanlai could also command; whatever orders Xie Yanfang could issue, Xie Yanlai could also issue—
“What gives him the right!”
Many people blurted out.
Steward Cai wouldn’t question it. Xie Yanfang didn’t explain further to everyone either. Du Qi shouted at everyone to stop making noise and accompanied Xie Yanfang away.
What gave him the right? Xie Yanfang thought as he walked. Just because the Young Highness had embraced him and called him “Uncle.”
Xie Yanfang closed his eyes again. The affairs of this world were truly miraculous.
To accomplish things, he had deliberately avoided the Young Highness. He hadn’t expected that this avoidance had now become a regret.
“Young Master, stop thinking,” Du Qi said. “You must rest.”
Whether body or spirit, the impact of this day and night had been too great.
Xie Yanfang opened his eyes. Yes, no need to think anymore. These things didn’t matter. The Young Highness was still here; everything could be resolved.
People go from strangers to familiar, and people can also go from familiar to strangers.
He arrived at his room, removed his blood-stained clothes, walked naked into the bathing room, lifted a bucket of cold water and poured it over his head. After doing this three times, he dried himself, wrapped himself in a white robe, and threw himself onto the bed.
Maids approached and gently dried his scattered long hair with warm air.
The room was quiet and silent. The young master fell into deep sleep.
But the next moment, Xie Yanfang suddenly opened his eyes wide and propped himself up. The maids, caught off guard, nearly pulled his hair. They knelt trembling in fear and unease.
The young master paid them no attention.
“Something’s still not right,” he said.
The young master was thinking about matters. The maids didn’t dare disturb him, kneeling on the ground, holding their breath in silence.
Many things, many people flickered through his mind. He pushed them aside one by one, until only a small figure remained.
The girl had seen him and welcomed him happily, her eyes full of concern.
He closed his eyes, pushed aside the girl’s face, and replaced it with what the eunuchs had said, what the Young Highness had said, Deng Yi’s eyes—
When Deng Yi spoke to him, he would look at the girl, as if watching for her reaction.
He opened his eyes, swept these aside, leaving only one final scene: the girl walking out of the great hall, moving calmly among the imperial guards. With a raise of her hand, someone came forward to receive orders—
This wasn’t strange. To escort the Young Highness safely into the palace, she naturally had troops under her command.