……
……
Deep in the night, the lanterns in the front court were even dimmer. After the night watch drum sounded, the palace city gates would be locked.
After seeing Chu Zhao off, Deng Yi didn’t return to the Grand Tutor’s hall. Instead, he stood in the corridor looking at the night.
“The Empress knows of the Grand Tutor’s assistance to her. She’s come to thank the Grand Tutor,” the clerk said with a smile.
If Deng Yi hadn’t issued the imperial edict, how could Empress Chu have negotiated with Prince Zhongshan? At this very moment she would already be dead in Prince Zhongshan’s mansion, and instead of flower petals welcoming her throughout the city, there could be mourning white throughout the capital.
Deng Yi said nothing.
“The Empress has seen the importance of the Grand Tutor’s assistance,” the clerk continued. “She’s come to form an alliance with the Grand Tutor.”
Although Deng Yi alone was powerful enough, having one more ally was always good, especially when that ally was the Empress.
And indeed, this Empress was now quite powerful.
Deng Yi still said nothing, then suddenly lifted his feet and moved forward.
The clerk was momentarily stunned and hurried to catch up: “My lord, where are you—?”
“I’m going home for a visit,” Deng Yi said.
For a moment the clerk didn’t even remember Deng Yi had a home—he might go back once or twice a month. The Grand Tutor’s mansion was practically just a storehouse for receiving gifts.
The clerk hurried to follow, summoning the imperial guards to prepare horses and clear the streets.
Deng Yi’s return set the sleeping Grand Tutor’s mansion into a flurry of activity, mixed with cries of alarm.
“Second Master! Why have you come back! Have you been dismissed? Lost power? Is this mansion about to be raided?”
Amid the chaos, a woman spoke urgently.
“Ah Er, it’s rained several times now. Your father’s and brother’s graves need repairing.”
“Mother, I’m not so busy these days. I’ll personally oversee the repairs.”
……
……
After washing and changing clothes, Chu Zhao quietly entered the sleeping quarters. Inside and out it was peaceful and still, with night lamps burning dimly.
She had A’Le and Xiao Man go rest while she walked toward the sleeping platform in the side chamber.
Previously, when Xiao Yu was frightened at night, he always needed her to sleep beside him. Upon her return, Eunuch Qi had told her that Xiao Yu could now fall asleep on his own.
But she had returned in such a hurry and hadn’t yet decided which palace to move to, so she was temporarily still staying here.
After just a few steps, light footsteps sounded from the inner chamber. A figure moved, and Xiao Yu poked his head out, softly calling “Elder Sister.”
Chu Zhao was startled: “Did I wake you?”
Xiao Yu held a bamboo tube and shook his head: “Elder Sister, are you done with your tasks? I haven’t slept yet—I was waiting for you.”
After the late-night meal, she had coaxed Xiao Yu to sleep before going to see Deng Yi. She hadn’t expected this child hadn’t slept at all.
“So you’ve learned to deceive people,” Chu Zhao walked over and poked his forehead.
Xiao Yu giggled.
Chu Zhao quickly covered his mouth and shushed him: “Not sleeping in the middle of the night—even the Emperor gets scolded for that.”
Xiao Yu indeed made no more sound, covering his mouth with one hand while smiling and nodding.
Chu Zhao’s gaze fell on the bamboo tube he held in his arms—so saying he could sleep on his own was actually this child deceiving Eunuch Qi and the others.
She sighed softly in her heart and pulled Xiao Yu by the shoulder, turning inward.
“Come on, let’s go sleep quickly. Otherwise, we won’t be able to get up for morning court tomorrow, and we’ll be laughed at by the civil and military officials,” she said in a low voice. “The Grand Tutor will also seize the opportunity to scold us.”
Xiao Yu covered his mouth with his hand, smiling and nodding.
Lying on the wide, soft dragon bed, Chu Zhao let out a long breath.
“It’s been so long since I’ve slept in such a soft bed,” she turned her head to look at Xiao Yu. “A’Yu, from now on we can both sleep soundly and peacefully.”
Was it because the bed was soft? Xiao Yu didn’t feel that a soft bed would make him sleep soundly. However, with Elder Sister Chu back, he could sleep soundly.
He nodded and closed his eyes.
(End of this volume)