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Outside the Emperor’s bedchamber, eunuchs and Imperial Guards stood solemnly in complete silence.
Inside the hall, a child’s “Ah!” of alarm was exceptionally clear and piercing.
But whether it was Eunuch Qi or the guards, all stood motionless, as if they hadn’t heard.
“Uncle,” Xiao Yu grabbed Xie Yanlai’s arm, his small face full of terror. “What happened to that elder sister?”
Xie Yanlai felt the child trembling all over and said: “She was injured a little—flesh wounds, nothing life-threatening. She’s continuing her journey now.”
The child’s eyes were somewhat dazed, not yet recovered from his fright: “She, she’s continuing the journey?”
Xie Yanlai sat with one hand holding a teacup, his expression half-smiling: “Of course. What else? Come crying back? Is that elder sister of yours that kind of person?”
Xiao Yu gripped his arm in silence for a moment. Elder Sister Chu Zhao certainly wasn’t that kind of person. When she had protected him before, when enemies caught up, she went up and killed them, then took him on horseback and rode forward, always forward. Even though this uncle’s arrows had been aimed at them then, even though the Grand Tutor’s palace gate was tightly closed and drove them away, Elder Sister had shown no fear—
“Elder Sister isn’t afraid,” he said. “Elder Sister is the most capable.”
Xie Yanlai scoffed: “Not afraid, sure, but most capable is going too far. Average at best. She just has good luck.”
Xiao Yu retorted: “Good luck is also a capability, and not everyone has it.”
Xie Yanlai snorted and withdrew his arm.
“Has Elder Sister written any letters back?” Xiao Yu asked again, his eyes fixed intently on him. “Let me see them.”
Xie Yanlai immediately shook his head: “No. Urgent courier reports—where would she have time to write letters?”
Xiao Yu looked disappointed, then asked: “Then can I write letters to Elder Sister?”
Xie Yanlai said: “The courier soldiers traveling the roads don’t have time to receive and read letters either.” However, he glanced at the child looking up at him eagerly and didn’t completely refuse: “The letters you write can only reach her after she arrives at Yunzhong Commandery.”
The child’s eyes bloomed with joy: “That’s fine too, that’s fine too. Elder Sister can read many of them all at once.”
Xie Yanlai stood up: “If there’s nothing else, this subject takes his leave.”
The child took his hand and called out: “Uncle, if it were someone else, they definitely wouldn’t tell me that Elder Sister was attacked. They would only say everything is fine.” Looking up at Xie Yanlai, his face full of trust, “Uncle is the person I trust most.”
Xie Yanlai looked down at the small child who wasn’t even as tall as his leg, the corner of his mouth curving: “This matter was inherently risky. Saying pleasant words can’t put one’s mind at ease. Knowing the true situation is what brings peace of mind.”
He reached out and stroked the child’s cheek.
This was probably the first time Xie Yanlai had been so intimate with him. Xiao Yu seemed surprised and stiffened. When he threw himself at Xie Yanlai, hugging his waist or arm, Xie Yanlai always disdainfully avoided or shook him off.
This uncle was even better-looking than that other uncle, but his aura wasn’t as pleasant as that other uncle’s. His hands were clearly very pale, yet when they touched his face, they felt like rough stone.
“Since you know I can set your mind at ease, don’t play little tricks in the future,” Xie Yanlai said in a low voice. “Little fellow, if you don’t like Xie Yanfang, go tell him directly. Don’t use me as a tool. Once or twice is enough—don’t do it endlessly.”