Xie Yanfang didn’t care what happened at the great hall. He carefully examined the document he had written and called a eunuch in.
“This is a detailed explanation of several court matters I just finished writing. Send it to His Majesty.” Xie Yanfang said. “When His Majesty finishes his lessons, he can read it at leisure.”
The eunuch smiled respectfully: “Lord Xie jests. Lord Xie writes in such clear and easy-to-understand language that His Majesty loves reading it. Every night before bed he reads and can’t put it down. Eunuch Qi has to urge him before he’ll set it aside.”
Xie Yanfang said: “If His Majesty enjoys reading it, I’ll continue writing for His Majesty.”
He wouldn’t rush to walk directly before Xiao Yu.
He would wait slowly, showing his heart to this child, waiting for this child to let go of his grievances and come to him of his own accord.
By the time night fell and all officials except those on duty had left, the imperial city finally quieted down.
Though there were no longer crowds of officials, documents piled like mountains on Deng Yi’s desk. The busy Deng Yi suddenly stopped and called for someone.
A clerk approached.
“Go.” Deng Yi said. “Bring me that military merit registry.”
The clerk was momentarily stunned, then reacted and understood what Deng Yi meant.
“My lord is going to approve it for Chu Ling?” He asked.
Deng Yi held his brush and said: “Not approving it for Chu Ling. I want to see why someone doesn’t want me to approve it.”
……
……
Fingers turned through the document, lamplight flickered. Soon the fingers stopped at one place and tapped lightly.
The clerk hurried to look closer and read the names written there: “Liang Yao, Liang Qiang.” He exclaimed: “It’s the Liang clan!”
“So it’s the Liang clan.” The clerk clapped his hands again, suddenly understanding. “That fellow did it on purpose!”
Those who paid money to get in here had no other skill than being sharp-eyed and keen-eared, serving as Deng Yi’s eyes and hands. Naturally they had noticed that official was Xie Yanfang’s man.
“No wonder that fellow deliberately picked a fight right away—he was purposely trying to enrage my lord.” The clerk said. “The Liang clan has a grudge against the Xie clan. The Liang clan being exiled to the border commandery was the Xie clan’s doing. Xie Yanfang definitely doesn’t want to see the Liang clan gain merit.”
The clerk finished speaking animatedly all by himself. Deng Yi only looked at the names on the military merit document and said: “Chaos brings forth heroes. Warfare is a tragic thing, but for many people it’s also an opportunity.”
Hadn’t he himself also gained opportunity amid chaos?
He didn’t mind if others also had this chance.
Deng Yi raised his brush and wrote the character for “approved” at the end of the document, then took the Grand Tutor’s great seal and the imperial seal and stamped them.
“As General Chu wishes.” He said.
……
……
Xie Yanfang left the imperial city. He wasn’t surrounded by layers of guards—only Du Qi accompanied him. Walking through the marketplace, even the night couldn’t hide his elegance. Passersby couldn’t help but look over.
“It’s Third Young Master Xie.”
“Third Young Master Xie!”
Some whispered, some called out excitedly, but everyone refrained from disturbing him, watching as the young master rode leisurely with one attendant, a pleasing sight.
“Third Young Master Xie holds an important position and the situation is unstable, yet he still travels without guards.”
“Can’t compare with Grand Tutor Deng. When Grand Tutor Deng travels, he has streets sealed off.”
“How can a petty person who’s achieved success compare with a noble scion?”
Xie Yanfang paid no attention to the surrounding gazes and discussions, immersed in thought. However, when urgent horse hooves sounded from behind with urgent orders, Xie Yanfang immediately moved aside with Du Qi, watching a courier gallop past.
“Military merit rewards for the border commandery.” Du Qi said quietly, then added mockingly: “The Grand Tutor’s orders couldn’t even wait through the night—he rushed to send them off.”
Xie Yanfang watched the departing courier: “This is good. General Chu won’t be troubled by this matter.” He looked at Du Qi. “Miss A’Zhao has already seen her father, hasn’t she?”
Du Qi nodded: “She has.”
Xie Yanfang looked into the distance: “General Chu’s health has worsened, hasn’t it?”
Du Qi nodded again and said quietly: “His eyes can no longer see. By calculation—he doesn’t have much time left.”
Xie Yanfang sighed softly: “Miss A’Zhao must be both happy and sad now.”
……
……
The night wind howled wildly over the border commandery. The city was under curfew. Aside from soldiers, no other figures were visible.
A group of mounted soldiers galloped from outside the city.
Among them, the girl wearing padded armor stopped before the government office.
The soldiers guarding the government office bowed one after another: “Miss.”
Previously they had originally called her Empress, but it always felt awkward. Chu Zhao waved her hand grandly and said: “This isn’t the imperial capital. An empress patrolling the city with soldiers isn’t an empress anymore. Everyone is family—just call me Miss.”
So everyone comfortably called her Miss. They were family, after all.
“Want to come to the gatehouse for a drink to warm up?” Chu Zhao asked, lifting her heavy hat to look at the soldiers behind her.