Chu Zhao wanted to find Deng Yi to discuss matters concerning the border army.

During the morning court session, Xie Yanlai had said little, but she knew Deng Yi wasn’t indifferent to the border army—he would certainly inquire about it privately. Since Deng Yi disliked the Xie family, she would take the initiative to draw him into speaking more about it.

However, it was unfortunate timing. When she arrived at the front hall, the officials said the Grand Tutor wasn’t there—he had gone home.

Chu Zhao remarked, “That’s rather unusual.”

The officials heard this and smiled awkwardly, uncertain whether the Empress was praising or criticizing.

“Is Old Lady Deng well?” Chu Zhao asked again.

Though Deng Yi’s home was filled with gold, silver, and jewels, those were all external possessions. The only person Deng Yi truly cared about was his old mother.

So it was concern for the Grand Tutor’s family! Now the officials could respond properly, saying in succession, “The old lady is well, thank you for your kind thoughts, Your Majesty,” and “The old lady has had a good appetite recently. The Grand Tutor probably went to purchase her favorite pastries again.”

After exchanging a few pleasant words between sovereign and subjects, Chu Zhao departed. She had just returned to the rear palace and hadn’t yet entered her hall when an inner servant came running hurriedly: “The Grand Tutor has returned.”

Chu Zhao immediately turned back toward the front hall, but still failed to see Deng Yi.

The officials looked apologetic: “The Grand Tutor is currently deliberating on several important matters and instructed that he not be disturbed.”

Chu Zhao hesitated. If she absolutely insisted on entering, Deng Yi probably wouldn’t drive her out, but she could attend morning court sessions because she accompanied the young Emperor. After all, the rear palace was not supposed to interfere in government affairs. Now that court had already adjourned and the Grand Tutor was supervising the state and deliberating on national affairs, it wasn’t appropriate for her as Empress to barge in again.

In many matters, Deng Yi turned a blind eye to her actions, indulging her wishes and whims. She couldn’t make Deng Yi lose too much face.

To maintain a long-lasting working relationship with Deng Yi, she should avoid friction over small matters as much as possible.

Regarding the border army matter, it would take some time before decisions were reached anyway. She could see him after court adjourned tomorrow.

There was no urgency.

So Chu Zhao instructed the inner servants to have the imperial kitchen prepare dinner, ensuring the officials deliberating on state affairs wouldn’t miss their meal. The officials outside the door expressed a thousand thanks for the Empress’s gracious benevolence and respectfully saw her off.

“The Empress truly trusts and favors the Grand Tutor,” one official remarked with feeling.

“The Grand Tutor supervises the state. If she doesn’t trust and favor him, she’ll be careful not to even keep her position as Empress secure,” another official commented without sentiment but with some wariness. “She’s now Empress, so the Xie family are also her relatives. When the time truly comes for the Xie family and the Grand Tutor to be in opposition, that’s when we’ll see whom the Empress truly trusts and favors.”

Chu Zhao paid no attention to the officials’ private discussions behind her. Being the subject of private discussion and debate was itself a skill. In that previous life when she was Empress, the officials in the front court didn’t discuss her at all—but neither did they have her in their eyes.

After this back and forth, by the time she returned to the rear palace, dusk had fallen and lamps were being lit.

“Sister.” Xiao Yu held up two sheets of calligraphy to show her. “I’ve finished writing them both.”

Chu Zhao sat down. “Good, I’ll examine them carefully.” She took the papers and indeed looked them over seriously before nodding. “Written both quickly and well.”

Xiao Yu’s face filled with smiles.

Eunuch Qi added ingratiatingly, “His Majesty was very focused. He didn’t even drink a sip of tea, sitting motionless until he finished writing. He even had this old servant check them twice.”

Chu Zhao reached out to stroke Xiao Yu’s head. “Our A’Yu is a child with a determined will.”

Xiao Yu leaned against her. “Sister taught me.”

“Others may teach, but whether you learn or not depends on yourself.” Chu Zhao smiled. One shouldn’t lecture children too much. She clapped her hands and instructed Eunuch Qi, “Good. His Majesty finished writing early, so we’ll enjoy the benefits. Have the theater troupe perform now. His Majesty and I will watch while we eat—we’ll treat it as a small banquet.”

Eunuch Qi smiled and acknowledged the order.

“Since it’s a banquet—” Chu Zhao laughed again. “Why not have them send some wine as well?”

Xiao Yu immediately chimed in from beside her, “I want some too.”

Eunuch Qi looked at the one large and one small person, shaking his head helplessly and pointing outside. “The Grand Tutor is still in the outer hall. Empress, if you lead His Majesty to drink, be careful he’ll send someone to scold you.”

“One cup each, peach blossom wine—it’s just sweet water.” Chu Zhao laughed, then added, “The Grand Tutor is busy in the outer hall. He can’t be bothered with us.”

Eunuch Qi was only teasing. Peach blossom wine indeed didn’t count as alcohol. He smiled and acknowledged the order, leading people to make arrangements—some to transmit the meal order, some to summon the theater troupe. The sleeping chamber became noisy and lively.

Naturally, Chu Zhao and Xiao Yu didn’t need to do anything. After putting away the finished calligraphy, Xiao Yu hesitated, then said, “Sister doesn’t keep her word.”

Chu Zhao made a sound of surprise. “How could I possibly be that kind of person?”

Xiao Yu pointed at the table. “Where are the almonds you promised?”

One couldn’t casually coax older children. Chu Zhao remembered now—while cracking melon seeds, she had indeed said something offhand. She hadn’t actually forgotten; when talking with Xie Yanlai, she had even shelled almonds—only she’d forgotten to save them for Xiao Yu.

Thinking of how Xie Yanlai had rushed into the palace, said only a few words before falling asleep exhausted, and how upon waking his temperament would surely make him hurry away without even drinking tea, she had placed the shelled almonds in a small pouch and tied it to Xie Yanlai’s belt—it could be considered imperial grace and favor.

However, Chu Zhao’s words turned in her mouth before she swallowed them back and changed to something else.

“I ate them,” she said with an apologetic smile. “While talking, I unconsciously kept shelling them and eating them without thinking, and ended up finishing them all.”

Xiao Yu’s face instantly bloomed into a smile. “So Sister ate them! Then Sister can shell more for me.”

The matter was settled. Chu Zhao smiled and nodded. She had been away from childhood for too long and suddenly remembered that promises were very important to children. To say something was for him, then turn around and give it to someone else—that would be very hurtful.

“Tonight while watching the play, I’ll shell all the nuts for you,” she promised generously.

Xiao Yu beamed with delight, then shook his head. “Sister and I will eat them together.”

Chu Zhao reached out to pat Xiao Yu’s head. “Good child.”

While the front court and rear palace of the imperial city each had their liveliness, the Xie residence’s night couldn’t remain peaceful either. Quarreling, brawling, cursing, and cries of pain rose and fell in succession. Fortunately, the Xie residence had deep courtyards, and servants were posted throughout the grounds, keeping idle people at a distance.

It wasn’t until deep night that the Xie residence finally returned to tranquility.

Xie Yanlai threw himself headlong onto the bed, and four or five maidservants called out in alarm as they pulled him up.

“Young Master, you must wash and change clothes before getting into bed.”

“Young Master, these beddings and covers were all specially made by your sisters, dried until soft and fumigated with fragrance. You can’t get on them all dirty.”

Xie Yanlai was both amused and exasperated. “Are you preparing for my person or for my body?”

The maidservants coaxed him kindly, “For both person and body.”

“I already washed when I had my audience with Her Majesty earlier,” Xie Yanlai said, lying there refusing to get up. “Weren’t these clothes ones you selected?”

“Earlier was earlier.” The maidservants were helpless, looking at the mud, dirt, and—blood on Xie Yanlai’s body.

He had just finished another quarrelsome brawl with his brothers at home.

Xie Yanlai had no choice. Knowing that if he didn’t comply, this group of maidservants could keep him awake all night with their nagging, he could only rise and follow their instructions to wash. The maidservants all followed him in, working together with many hands to remove his clothes. Xie Yanlai thought of something and stopped them—

He raised an eyebrow. “I know you want to check my injuries. No need. All of you, get out.”

The maidservants exclaimed in surprise, “Young Master actually guessed!” But they refused to disperse. Instead, they simply brought out all kinds of wound-wrapping medicines. “Young Master, let us look.”

Xie Yanlai waved his hand. “I was already examined in the imperial city. The imperial—”

His words fell, and the previously reluctant maidservants’ eyes suddenly lit with joy. “So the Empress already looked you over?” “That’s good, then. That girl named A’Le must have been there too.” “If they’ve examined you, there’s nothing to worry about.” “A’Le’s medicine is the most effective.” “I told you from the start, Young Master, once you went to the imperial city, we didn’t need to worry. The Empress is there.” “Exactly! The Empress even sent someone to fetch Young Master’s clothes. I guessed it right then.”

Xie Yanlai’s head ached. “What nonsense! I meant the imperial physicians!”

The maidservants giggled with laughter. In any case, the imperial physicians also followed the Empress’s orders. They removed his outer robe and withdrew.

Xie Yanlai had just removed his clothes and was about to enter the bathing tub when the maidservants’ voices rang out again from outside. “Oh! Young Master, where did this sachet come from?” “Young Master, did you have maidservants attending you in the border commandery who embroidered this for you?” “Young Master is beautiful and kind-hearted, so naturally someone would be devoted to him.”

Xie Yanlai said irritably, “What nonsense are you talking! Throw away all the dirty clothes and accessories!”

His words had barely fallen when the maidservants’ voices came again. “Ah! Why are there almonds in this sachet?”

Almonds. Xie Yanlai’s head felt as though it had been struck by a hammer, and the clear sound of tapping echoed in his ears. Earlier, he had fallen asleep in front of that girl again, accompanied by her endless chatter and the sound of a small hammer tapping, quite noisy—

She had been shelling almonds.

Almonds.

Before Xie Yanlai’s eyes flashed the almond shells on the small table in front of that girl in the palace—

“They’re mine! Don’t touch them! Bring them in—” he heard himself shouting loudly.

The maidservants weren’t as obedient as before. “Young Master, we’ve put them away safely for you. After you finish washing—”

“No!” Xie Yanlai simply rushed out, ignoring the maidservants’ deliberately exaggerated squeals and teasing laughter. He snatched the sachet and rushed back into the bathroom.

The tragedy of having that Xin Ding steal his pastries years ago could not be repeated!

……

……

In the deep of night, with the maidservants withdrawn from the room, Xie Yanlai lay clean on the soft bed but couldn’t fall asleep no matter what.

Yet earlier, sitting on a footstool and leaning against the couch, he had been able to sleep.

Thinking of this made him feel vexed again. How had he fallen asleep again! He hadn’t even said more than a few words.

Xie Yanlai reached out to pound the bed, finding a reason: because Xie Yanfang had been there, he hadn’t needed to say much anyway. He might as well have slept.

Xie Yanlai picked up an almond and tossed it in his mouth, crunching it with a crisp sound as he chewed.

She could talk and laugh, and even had the mood to shell almonds for him, which showed she was doing well.

Coming back to see her once, even if it meant being manipulated and calculated against, then locked away in the deep residence for who knows how many days—he could rest easy now.

……

……

That night, many people slept well, while many others didn’t sleep at all. When dawn’s light first broke, the doors to the hall where the Grand Tutor stayed finally opened.

The palace lanterns that had flickered all night seemed somewhat weary and feeble. The officials also had red eyes, one by one, though their spirits were quite excited.

“Although we can’t verify everything completely in such a short time, from what we’ve confirmed so far, the people, backgrounds, and relationships in the register sent by the Liang father and son are all correct.” One official said happily, then gnashed his teeth in hatred. “These officers, relying on the mountains being high and the Emperor far away, have formed cliques and pursued private interests in the border commandery. They’ve nearly turned the military camp into their own home.”

Deng Yi showed no anger. Hearing these words, he even smiled slightly. “For soldiers to treat the military camp as home is originally a fine compliment.”

“That’s so they’ll devote themselves wholeheartedly to protecting Da Xia’s stability,” another official sighed. “Not so they can seize merit and power, with one person achieving success while all their cronies rise with them.”

“Don’t be so indignant,” Deng Yi said calmly. “Military authority has always been of paramount importance. When the Crown Prince and Third Prince were around, weren’t their subordinates all eagerly maneuvering within the military? It’s just that before, we only knew whose people were whose on the surface, who had inserted themselves where. Now, besides the surface level, we understand clearly those deputy generals, assistant generals, and even commandants.”

He glanced at the documents in his hand.

“Compared to the surface-level generals, these people are the key. The great generals come and go in rotation, but these lower-ranking officers entrench themselves in the border commanderies, managing their territories like iron fortresses.”

“Now that we know the relationships between them, when we look at the border army, everything before our eyes is bright and clear. In the future, they won’t be able to conceal achievements or file false reports anymore,” one official said happily.

“We can also deploy troops more effectively now,” another official added.

This was the most crucial point. Breaking bones while tendons remain connected—knowing where the tendons hidden beneath flesh and skin lie, one can truly sever hands, feet, and arms completely.

Especially the Xie family’s hands and feet.

Who would have thought the Xie family had infiltrated so deeply without anyone noticing?

“However.” Another official’s expression grew grave. “How could Liang Ji have traced these confidential relationships so clearly?”

The Liang father and son had been with the border army for less than three years, hadn’t they?

“Who assisted them?”

“The Liang father and son’s ability to enlist must have been due to someone’s help.”

“What’s that person’s background?”

“Actually, there’s no particular background. We haven’t investigated closely yet.”

Deng Yi interrupted everyone’s speculation and discussion.

“I don’t care who’s behind him or through what connections he obtained this information,” he said. “These things are real, reliable, and useful to us. And he’s willing to be used by me. So I trust him and will use him. The affairs of this world are just that simple.”

The officials were talking inside the room. Seeing the door open, a junior clerk entered carrying tea and water, then said to Deng Yi, “The Empress came twice yesterday.”

Deng Yi frowned slightly. Though that girl liked to act on her own initiative, this past year and more she had been conscientious as Empress, very respectful toward him as Grand Tutor. Regarding state affairs, she studied seriously and listened attentively, never speaking an extra word out of turn.

Apart from attending morning court, the rest of her time was spent in the rear palace teaching the young Emperor.

Why had she suddenly come looking for him yesterday, and twice at that?

Hmm, yesterday—Xie Yanlai had returned.

“Grand Tutor, would you like to see the Empress before morning court?” the clerk asked. “To find out what matter the Empress wishes to discuss?”

Deng Yi shook his head. “Let’s wait until after court adjourns.”

There was no urgency either.