In the morning court hall, the officials’ expressions were grave.

Before attending court, they had already heard the news.

Alas, the era name had changed, a new year had arrived, but it seemed there would be no new fortune.

The first news of the new year was that Chu Ling had died.

This second piece of news was also expected.

Even with the Grand Tutor present, he couldn’t stop the officials from discussing in low voices. The hall buzzed with murmurs until Xie Yanfang entered accompanying the Emperor.

Xie Yanfang wasn’t even wearing court robes—clearly he had come directly from the rear palace.

Seeing Xie Yanfang like this, the officials were both surprised and unsurprised—Xie Yanfang rarely entered the inner palace, even less than Grand Tutor Deng Yi, let alone staying overnight in the rear palace. However, now that such events had occurred, as the Emperor’s only family member, it was natural for Xie Yanfang to enter the palace at midnight to accompany the Emperor.

After the Emperor took his seat and the officials completed their prostrations, Deng Yi said, “Prince Zhongshan’s manor troops, one hundred thousand strong, have come to defend the capital. Currently they are still five hundred miles from the capital.”

Not all officials had advance knowledge. Some were momentarily stunned, and one person who had been drowsing awoke and blurted out, “One hundred thousand troops—this is wonderful! The capital has nothing to worry about!”

After he finished speaking, he found everyone looking at him with strange expressions.

What was wrong? He blinked, his body stiffening as he became fully alert.

Prince Zhongshan—where did he get troops, one hundred thousand of them!

When imperial princes were enfeoffed as princes and given territories, they could only receive clothing, food, and tax revenue. They had no military, political, or financial authority. Even manor guards had fixed quotas.

One hundred thousand manor troops equaled the entire capital garrison.

Prince Zhongshan—what did he want to do!

Deng Yi said calmly, “What he wants to do, we all understand in our hearts. His reaction since the incident has made it very clear.”

Not attending the funeral, not coming to court, maintaining silence—when a prince behaved this way, it indicated treasonous intentions.

“Now that Chu Ling is dead and the Xi Liang King poses an even greater threat at the border, he finally has the opportunity to declare his intentions to the world.”

The court officials fell silent. Actually, they had all guessed this earlier. It was just that with the nation so unstable, there could be no more turmoil. They had only hoped Prince Zhongshan would remain silent.

Wait until the nation stabilized, wait until the young Emperor grew older—

But how could Prince Zhongshan wait?

Prince Zhongshan would only wait for Chu Ling’s death, for the border regions to be too preoccupied with their own troubles, then advance on the capital unhindered and unstoppable—

“This is treason!” An official stepped forward and declared sternly, “Your Majesty, please immediately issue a proclamation!”

The court officials all chimed in: “Subjugate Prince Zhongshan!” “Prince Zhongshan has one hundred thousand manor troops, but our capital also has one hundred thousand soldiers, plus other prefectures.” “The troops from other prefectures have remained unmoved, not supporting the border, precisely to guard their territories and prevent the emergence of treasonous subjects like Prince Zhongshan!”

“Prince Zhongshan’s troops have spread rumors along their route that Chu Ling is dead and the Xi Liang King’s great army has invaded, causing panic among the people and drawing tens of thousands of civilians to follow them,” Deng Yi said, looking at the officials. “These civilians are at the very front of their formations.”

With this statement, the clamor throughout the court suddenly ceased.

Everyone understood what this meant.

To repel Prince Zhongshan’s troops, they would first have to kill these common people. How could the court slaughter civilians?

“Prince Zhongshan—how despicably shameless!” The court officials ground their teeth.

What could be done? Should they just let Prince Zhongshan’s troops advance step by step toward the capital, toward the imperial city?

“Grand Tutor, I shall issue an edict,” the young Emperor’s voice rang out. “Command Prince Zhongshan’s manor troops to divide and garrison, defending the capital together with the capital forces. Would this be acceptable?”

The officials quickly looked toward the young Emperor. Yes, this was a delaying tactic. Their gazes shifted to Xie Yanfang—this must be Minister Xie’s idea.

Deng Yi didn’t care whose idea it was. He nodded. “Since Prince Zhongshan claims to be defending the capital, Your Majesty should let them defend the capital. To defend the capital, they must obey court orders. If they refuse—”

Then they would be treasonous subjects whom everyone had the right to execute.

When fighting broke out then, civilian casualties would be Prince Zhongshan’s evil doing.

“We have long been prepared for Prince Zhongshan’s treacherous heart. Troops from all regions did not aid the border precisely to prepare for this day,” Xiao Yu continued. “When the nation is in turmoil, many will inevitably stir up trouble. The Xi Liang King is thus, and Prince Zhongshan is also thus. I have experienced life and death, experienced upheaval, yet I still sit here today. I believe Da Xia will surely weather this crisis once more.”

The child on the dragon throne spoke these words in a childish voice with a calm expression. The court ministers’ hearts stirred with emotion. If even a child was not afraid, what did they have to fear! They all bowed and declared loudly, “We ministers shall devote ourselves entirely until death, standing with Your Majesty, standing with Da Xia!”

……

……

After the officials dispersed to attend to their duties, only Deng Yi, Xie Yanfang, and the young Emperor remained in the court hall.

Some news could be shared publicly; other news only they could know.

Though they had long prepared for this day, when it actually arrived it was still unexpected.

“Prince Zhongshan’s private army isn’t one hundred thousand,” Xie Yanfang said, looking at Deng Yi. “Two hundred thousand.”

Deng Yi’s expression remained calm. “Prince Zhongshan wages an unjust war. The court’s troops can fight ten to one.”

Xie Yanfang said, “Two hundred thousand troops, only discovered at five hundred miles—this means the courier stations, relay posts, and checkpoints along the route have already been cut off by them. The Empress at the border likely doesn’t know the news yet and cannot provide support.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yu on the dragon throne clenched his hands.

Deng Yi said, “The court sent no reinforcements to the border campaign. Naturally, the border need not divide forces for the court’s battle. There is no need for the Empress to know.”

Xie Yanfang nodded. “It’s good that the Grand Tutor has decided. I believe the court will certainly prevail in this battle.”

Deng Yi nodded without saying more, bowed to the Emperor, turned and strode away quickly.

“Your Majesty,” Xie Yanfang said to Xiao Yu, “you can return to rest now.”

He extended his hand.

“You’ve done everything you should do.”

Xiao Yu said, “Minister Xie has worked hard.” But he didn’t place his hand in Xie Yanfang’s. Instead, he descended on his own.

Xie Yanfang said nothing, lowered his hand, and followed Xiao Yu and Eunuch Qi out of the great hall. Outside, imperial guards stood in dense formation, protecting Xiao Yu.

Xie Yanfang stopped and bowed. “This subject respectfully sees off Your Majesty.”

Xiao Yu never summoned him into the rear palace.

But this time, Xiao Yu paused and turned back. “Minister Xie, the situation is urgent now. You may come see me at any time without needing to climb walls.”

Xie Yanfang raised his head, watching as Eunuch Qi approached holding a command token with both hands.

“Minister Xie,” he said, “this is the command token for the rear palace guards. After the Empress left, it was given to Young Master Yanlai. After Young Master Yanlai departed, this old servant has been holding it.”

Xie Yanfang reached out to accept it and smiled at Xiao Yu. “Good. I won’t climb walls anymore.”

……

……

In the Grand Tutor’s hall, people came and went. Officials bustled about noisily.

Deng Yi sat behind his desk. A clerk beside him quietly read document contents to him while he extended his hands to warm them by the fire, appearing rather leisurely.

“Grand Tutor,” an attendant approached and said quietly, “His Majesty has given command of the rear palace guards to Xie Yanfang.”

The clerk stopped reading and raised an eyebrow. “Quite quick.”

Though the Grand Tutor held the imperial seal and military tally and governed Da Xia, there was one force not under the Grand Tutor’s control—the Dragon Guard Army.

After the upheaval and palace purge, all the Emperor’s guards were managed by the Dragon Guard Army.

And the Dragon Guard Army was firmly in the Empress’s grasp.

After the Empress left, it was given to Xie Yanlai—though by rights it should have gone to Xie Yanfang.

Xie Yanlai led troops, so giving it to him was more appropriate and barely justifiable.

When Xie Yanlai left, it went directly to the young Emperor—

Still not to Xie Yanfang.

The people in the palace and court all had sharp eyes and immediately speculated on the implications. Who didn’t trust Xie Yanfang? The Empress or the young Emperor?

For a time, private discussions abounded.

Of course Deng Yi knew who it was. The people around him also knew. They didn’t need to discuss this—they discussed when Xie Yanfang would obtain it.

“Prince Zhongshan has actually helped him,” the clerk said.

Deng Yi said, “It was inevitable. Without Prince Zhongshan, Minister Xie would have gotten his wish soon enough.”

His Majesty had no one to rely on—how could he truly become estranged from his own maternal uncle? A child’s face, a child’s heart—the most changeable thing in the world.

He had tried to stop her before. That girl insisted on choosing to go to the border, so she couldn’t blame others for taking the Emperor.

Of course, whom the Emperor was close to had nothing to do with him. He didn’t care either. His position as Grand Tutor was unrelated to the young Emperor, and the young Emperor couldn’t do anything to him.

“Once the edict is drafted, send it out immediately,” Deng Yi said. “Select the proclamation officials with great fanfare.”

The officials acknowledged this.

……

……

However the officials busied themselves, Xiao Yu no longer cared. He knew he had done everything he could. Returning to the rear palace bedchamber, he obediently went to rest.

Last night he hadn’t slept. Xie Yanfang had explained Prince Zhongshan’s troop movements to him and taught him what to say and how to draft the edict.

Though it was daytime, because he was going to sleep, the lamps still had to be lit.

Since the Empress left, Xiao Yu required lamps lit when sleeping alone.

Eunuch Qi attended to Xiao Yu’s washing, tucked him in properly, and said softly, “Your Majesty, rest easy. Nothing will happen. At the border, Her Majesty is there—Xi Liang cannot break through. In the capital, the Grand Tutor and Minister Xie are here—Prince Zhongshan cannot break through either.”

Xiao Yu nodded. “I know. I’m not afraid. They tried to kill me before—failed once, failed twice.”

Thinking of that night, Eunuch Qi felt as if it were a dream. He nodded. “Your Majesty is blessed by heaven. Evil spirits cannot invade.”

Xiao Yu smiled, but the smile was brief, vanishing instantly.

“Also, Minister Xie is guarding in the side hall,” Eunuch Qi said quietly. “Prince Zhongshan has been plotting for a long time. Not everyone in the palace is reliable. Minister Xie will remain by Your Majesty’s side.”

Xiao Yu made a sound of acknowledgment but said nothing.

Eunuch Qi added, “Your Majesty giving the command token to Minister Xie was a very good decision.”

He knew Xiao Yu was cold toward Xie Yanfang, blaming him for failing to save his parents and himself.

He didn’t think this was wrong. An emperor could certainly throw tantrums at anyone. Imperial relatives or not, they were all subjects.

But an emperor also needed to assess situations and manipulate hearts.

Fortunately, the young Emperor had done so proactively without needing his counsel.

Xiao Yu said, “He is my maternal uncle. He cannot leave me. He will protect me wholeheartedly.”

Eunuch Qi said, “Your Majesty is sagacious.”

After speaking, he lowered the bed curtains. Just as he was about to withdraw, Xiao Yu inside said, “Extinguish all the lamps.”

Eunuch Qi was both surprised and pleased. He acknowledged this, called for the eunuchs to extinguish all the lamps, and withdrew with his people.

Though it was daytime, with the curtains drawn, his vision was dim. Xiao Yu kept his eyes open, staring at the canopy above.

Whether he gave the command token or not, what difference did it make? Even the Dragon Guard Army couldn’t stop them. Might as well play the good person.

He reached under his pillow, pulled out a bamboo tube, and clutched it tightly to his chest.

……

……

Eunuch Qi came to the side hall and saw Xie Yanfang leaning back writing.

“My lord, please rest as well,” he said softly.

Xie Yanfang smiled at him. “Eunuch, please go rest yourself. I’ll finish writing this letter.”

Eunuch Qi pointed toward the Emperor’s bedchamber. “Since you arrived, all the lamps have been extinguished.”

Xie Yanfang looked in that direction and sighed softly. “A’Yu has suffered.”

Eunuch Qi also sighed. “As long as His Majesty can grow up safely, this suffering won’t be in vain.”

“His Majesty will certainly grow up safely,” Xie Yanfang said.

Eunuch Qi said no more. As an attendant, he didn’t get close to anyone besides the Emperor. After urging him not to overwork himself, he took his leave.

Xie Yanfang didn’t detain him and didn’t rest either. He continued writing several letters before setting down his brush. Du Qi entered from outside and said, “How long can this delay things?”

Xie Yanfang smiled slightly. “Not even one day. Young Master Xiao has come this far—where would he still care about face?”

He had the Emperor do this not to delay, but to grow closer to the Emperor, to add fuel to the fire of this matter, to make the coming confrontation known throughout the realm.

Gongs and drums clamored, banners waved, breaking the capital’s tranquility. The people were alarmed and uneasy.

“What’s happening?”

“No need to panic,” government officials and city patrol guards explained to the civilians. “To ensure the safety of the capital’s people, His Majesty has summoned Prince Zhongshan to add one hundred thousand troops. They can advance to support the border or withdraw to defend the capital.”

So that was it! The people breathed sighs of relief. Good, good. Though Chu Ling was gone, the court still had responses. Adding troops was good. Fortifying the capital’s defenses was good.

To let more civilians know this good news, the officials took fifteen days to complete what was normally a ten-day journey before meeting Prince Zhongshan’s heir’s troops.

Besides the civilians originally gathered near Prince Zhongshan’s forces, even more people followed upon hearing the news, witnessing Prince Zhongshan’s heir receive the imperial edict across the vast wilderness.

That night, countless bonfires blazed across the wilderness. The officials brought wine and meat bestowed by the Emperor to reward the soldiers. The atmosphere was quite lively.

Prince Zhongshan’s heir’s command tent, however, was very quiet.

Xiao Xun looked at the imperial edict before him, raised his hand, and threw it into the brazier.

“I hate imperial edicts most of all,” he said.