The rough palm slid across the tender cheek, sending a chilling coldness through him.

The child’s body stiffened, motionless.

His eyes stared straight at Xie Yanlai. He moved his lips, as if wanting to say “Uncle, I don’t understand what you’re saying,” but in the end said nothing at all.

Xie Yanlai said nothing more. He withdrew his hand and stepped back one step, then two, before bowing to the frozen child: “This subject takes his leave.”

Without waiting for permission, he turned and strode out.

Seeing him emerge, Eunuch Qi hurriedly bowed with a smile: “Safe travels, Captain.”

Xie Yanlai didn’t even glance at him and walked straight away.

Eunuch Qi didn’t mind his attitude and quickly entered the hall. At first glance, he saw Xiao Yu standing by the table with an off expression.

“Your Majesty,” he hurried over and called softly, “Are you all right?”

Xiao Yu turned to look at him. Eunuch Qi saw the child’s tender right cheek was slightly red, and his heart immediately sank. Had this Xie Yanlai struck His Majesty?

Though this Xie Yanlai had defended the palace city that night and now commanded the Dragon Majesty Army protecting the imperial city and capital, and though Miss Chu trusted him greatly, looking at this Xie Yanlai only made him uneasy.

He could be certain that Xie Yanfang was wholeheartedly devoted to His Majesty, but this Xie Yanlai—he dared not think the same.

Though they both bore the surname Xie, though they were both the Emperor’s uncles, though their status, position, and future honor and disgrace were all tied to the Emperor—

This Xie Yanlai was still somewhat inscrutable.

He seemed not to care about anything—

Eunuch Qi knelt halfway down and asked carefully: “Your Majesty, what happened?”

If this Xie Yanlai had truly been insolent and struck His Majesty, he would certainly—tell Miss Chu Zhao.

Xiao Yu looked at him, his eyes slightly reddening: “Uncle said that Elder Sister was attacked.”

Eunuch Qi was startled, but also relieved. So that was it.

Xie Yanlai truly didn’t care about others’ feelings or status, but his heart was honest. Speaking this way was also well-intentioned—though His Majesty was a child, one couldn’t simply tell him pleasant lies to deceive him. Telling His Majesty the true situation was actually what was best for him.

Moreover, if he could speak of danger, it proved the danger had passed.

“Ah!” Eunuch Qi acted shocked, falling to his knees and grabbing Xiao Yu’s arm, his voice changing pitch. “What should we do! What should we do! Your Majesty, quickly have the Grand Tutor mobilize troops!”

Xiao Yu was amused and quickly helped Eunuch Qi up, saying: “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. Elder Sister is fine now. Elder Sister isn’t afraid at all and is continuing her journey forward.”

Eunuch Qi still seemed shaken: “Is it true? But what exactly happened?”

Xiao Yu said: “I don’t know much either. Uncle just received the news. We’ll have to wait for more detailed reports.”

Eunuch Qi patted his chest: “How frightening! This old servant said from the beginning she shouldn’t go.”

He sighed and groaned.

Xiao Yu comforted him, also speaking for Chu Zhao: “How could Elder Sister be the kind of person who wouldn’t do something just because it’s dangerous? If she were like that, she wouldn’t have rescued me that day either.”

That night, Miss Chu could actually have chosen not to save them. With the Dragon Majesty Army in Chu Ling’s hands, if she had allied with Xiao Xun, Xiao Xun would have made Miss Chu an empress too. As an adult, Eunuch Qi understood this very clearly.

“Yes,” he said, half-kneeling on the ground and stroking Xiao Yu’s arm. “Miss Chu is a courageous person, and her courage is for those she cares about. Your Majesty, you are like Miss Chu’s father—both are people she will protect and care for despite all dangers.”

Xiao Yu nodded: “I know. I’m in Elder Sister’s heart.” He pressed his hand to his chest. “Elder Sister is also in my heart.”

Eunuch Qi bowed: “Your Majesty is wise and discerning.” He then stood up and took Xiao Yu’s hand. “Your Majesty, finish your meal, then begin your studies.”

……

……

Xie Yanlai walked through the palace with a calm expression, not feeling at all that his earlier actions toward the Emperor had been improper.

The Emperor—so what if he was the Emperor? Just a little brat.

Whether he could even survive was still uncertain.

Moreover, there were plenty of people dissatisfied with him. It might not even be the little brat’s turn to seek revenge.

A mocking smile appeared at the corner of Xie Yanlai’s mouth, his eyes cold.

Besides, the little brat was truly worthy of having Xie family blood—at such a young age, already so cunning.

Could Chu Zhao see it? If he told her, would that damned girl scold him again: “What kind of life did you have in the Xie family, that you’re so suspicious even of a child?”

Thinking of this, he sneered coldly. He wouldn’t meddle in others’ affairs. Wasn’t Chu Zhao also cunning at a young age? Let those two cunning ones muddle along together.

He strode quickly forward when two people came rushing toward him—an Imperial Guard and a military officer. The guard was fine, but the officer seemed somewhat flustered, as if entering the palace for the first time. Though walking quickly, his steps were unsteady—

“Zhang Tou’er,” Xie Yanlai stopped and called out.

Only then did the guard and Zhang Gu see him. They quickly quickened their pace: “Captain Xie.”

News had come this quickly. Xie Yanlai’s cold gaze dissipated as he looked at Zhang Gu: “Come inside and sit down to talk.”

How the attack happened, how it was investigated, the attackers’ identities, and matters regarding the new guards—all would take at least half a day to explain in detail.

But Zhang Gu didn’t follow him forward. Instead, he stepped closer urgently: “A’Jiu, something’s happened.”

The improper address “A’Jiu” made Xie Yanlai’s breath catch for an instant.

What had happened? How could something happen to her? Nothing should happen to her—

“—The Xi Liang forces have violated the border,” Zhang Gu continued.

Xie Yanlai drew a breath that flooded through his organs. His foot landed on the ground as he scolded with furrowed brows: “If they’ve violated the border, they’ve violated the border! What’s there to panic about!”

Zhang Gu was stunned. Such a major matter, and he shouldn’t panic?

Looking again at the expressionless face of the young officer before him, he sighed in admiration. As expected, A’Jiu was extraordinary—calm in the face of events, his composure unchanged even if Mount Tai collapsed before him.

Zhang Gu quickly regained his composure and said loudly: “The Captain’s rebuke is correct.”

Xie Yanlai glanced at him and asked in a deep voice: “What’s the situation? Explain in detail.”

……

……

“The Xi Liang envoy said they came to send off the Late Emperor and congratulate the new Emperor on his enthronement.”

“But they brought tens of thousands of troops.”

“General Chu Ling directly beheaded the Xi Liang envoy, saying they didn’t need to send a person—sending the head would suffice.”

At this moment in the great hall, Xie Yanfang had also received the news and immediately had someone summon the Grand Tutor and court officials. The young Emperor, who had been eating, was also urgently called to sit on the dragon throne.

Hearing the courier report, the officials’ expressions showed shock.

“This—” an official couldn’t help saying, “General Chu is too—shouldn’t he be more cautious? Isn’t this provoking war?”

Xie Yanfang said: “General Chu made a decisive judgment to demonstrate威严, turning passive into active. Since the Xi Liang envoy brought troops, they came for war. No matter how cautious we are, it’s unavoidable.”

Indeed, if they truly came to pay respects, why would they need to bring tens of thousands of troops?

“The Xi Liang King truly has an unrepentant treacherous heart!” an official said angrily. “Beaten until he knelt begging for mercy, cowering for so long, and now seeing our Da Xia court in turmoil, he immediately jumps out with ill intent!”

Officials throughout the hall clamored angrily about the detestable Xi Liang traitors.

Deng Yi silenced everyone: “There’s nothing to be angry about. The Xi Liang King has always been like this, and we’ve known his treacherous heart never dies. That’s why we’ve always stationed heavy troops in the border commanderies. Since he dares come now, we’ll teach him a harsh lesson again.”

He turned and bowed to the Emperor on the dragon throne.

“This subject requests Your Majesty issue an edict to the realm to engage Xi Liang in battle.”

Xiao Yu sat on the dragon throne. Whether it was hearing the courier report earlier or the officials’ anger, he had shown no reaction. The officials thought the child didn’t understand or grasp the severity of the situation, or perhaps was frightened.

Hearing Deng Yi’s words, Xiao Yu finally nodded and said: “I will certainly engage them in battle. Da Xia has never feared war.”

The officials were somewhat surprised. The child understood! And he even knew what to say.

A smile appeared on Xie Yanfang’s face. A child who had experienced his parents’ brutal deaths and nearly been murdered himself—how could he fear these things? He bowed: “We subjects, for Da Xia, have no fear of death.”

The officials hesitated no longer and bowed in unison: “We subjects, for Da Xia, have no fear of death.”