Chu Ling said with a smile: “Thank you, Captain Xie. I must trouble you for another stretch of road.”
What’s so troublesome for this brat— Zhong Changrong glared at Xie Yanlai. This stinking brat rolled his eyes at him. See, how detestable.
Xie Yanlai watched Chu Zhao mount, then he himself swung onto the horse, raised his whip and spurred it forward.
“Father.” Chu Zhao leaned forward and called out hurriedly.
Chu Ling smiled and lightly patted the horse’s head. Without him guiding the way, the horse quickened its pace and followed with clip-clops.
Zhong Changrong gave orders from behind. The soldiers who had been standing at attention set their horses’ hooves trampling through snow.
……
……
Following Chu Ling to the city, the officers had long been waiting. However, they didn’t engage in too many empty courtesies. After meeting, they withdrew to let father and daughter speak freely.
“Miss A’Zhao left the border commandery almost two years ago, didn’t she?”
“Yes, it really has been a long time. These father and daughter truly are reunited after a long separation.”
The officers discussed and sighed as they departed.
Xie Yanlai also didn’t stay behind. He went to meet Xiao Man, A’Le and the others. Calculating the journey, they should arrive soon.
“Speak at ease.” Zhong Changrong said in a heavy voice. “I’ll guard outside.”
The door closed. Inside the room were only father and daughter. Cloaks were removed. The warm charcoal fire made the bitterly cold robes become soft.
Chu Zhao looked at her father sitting in the chair—
“What are you looking at?” Chu Ling asked with a smile. “Because you’re afraid it’s a dream and don’t dare believe it?”
Chu Zhao sniffled and nodded.
Chu Ling beckoned to her. Chu Zhao came forward and half-knelt before him.
“A’Zhao, whether dream or not, as long as you live clearly awake, that’s enough.” Chu Ling said, then added: “Actually, my eyes have gone blind.”
Chu Zhao was stunned. She looked at her father’s eyes—clearly they were still so warm and spirited—
“This time.” Chu Ling’s warm eyes looked at her. “I must leave you again.”
……
……
The border commandery had heavy snow and bitter cold. The capital also welcomed its coldest time.
However, as victory dispatches continuously passed through the streets, even the cold winter became pleasant.
Several officials each holding a stack of documents walked through the imperial city, chatting and laughing as they walked. Suddenly one of them stopped.
“Gentlemen, you go see the Grand Tutor first.” He said with a smile. “I just remembered something. I’ll go handle it first.”
The other officials smiled and said “My lord, as you please,” watching that official head in another direction.
“What ‘handle other matters.'” One of them said quietly. “He’s taking the military reports from the northwest to show Third Young Master Xie.”
“All military and governmental matters are decided by the Grand Tutor.” Another official’s expression was dark.
Yet another shook his head with a smile: “If Third Young Master Xie wants to make decisions, how could the Grand Tutor stop him?”
That was true. The three exchanged glances. The one with the dark expression frowned helplessly, watching the departing official: “This is too blatant and unconcealed. Before it was private, now it’s completely open.”
……
……
Xie Yanfang looked at the document the official handed over but didn’t take it, saying: “Border commandery military reports should be sent directly to the Grand Tutor. No need to show them to me first.”
The official said: “This subordinate knows, but this one is somewhat special.”
Special?
Xie Yanfang reached out to take it and opened it: “—Military merit? This even less requires me to see it. The border commandery is now the priority. Whatever General Chu says he needs, give it to him.”
The official turned two pages and pointed at a line, saying quietly: “Military merit should naturally be given, but these two people—”
Xie Yanfang’s gaze settled on it, seeing two names.
He said: “Enlisting at this time, Second Master Liang and his son can be considered men of spirit.”
The official said: “Who knows what connections this Second Master Liang and his son used to grab this opportunity. Not only that, they’ve earned military merit. Their crimes are immediately canceled and they’ve regained official status.”
Xie Yanfang said: “This is how chaos brings forth heroes.”
The official laughed: “Third Young Master, don’t sigh. Should we just destroy this document?”
Xie Yanfang raised his eyes to look at him and said with a smile: “Why?”
“The Liang clan’s offense was because of the Xie clan.” The official said. Had Third Young Master forgotten? Impossible—Third Young Master had a photographic memory.
If the Liang clan received rewards and regained official status, a tree that had been dead and stiff would be revived—no enemy wanted to see this scene.
The Liang clan harbored grievances and hatred. They would threaten the Xie clan.
Xie Yanfang laughed heartily and tossed the military report back onto the desk: “When the Liang clan was prosperous before, they weren’t a threat to the Xie clan. How would they be now?”