Speaking of the past, Chu Zhao’s mind also wandered slightly. Back when she had blocked the Xie family from whipping Xie Yanlai in the street, then seized the opportunity to meet Xie Yanfang, she had indeed intended to form an alliance.

That Xie Yanfang who could occupy half the empire and leave Xiao Xun helpless was someone she wanted to befriend even more than Deng Yi, and was also the person she most feared and guarded against.

This fear and vigilance were buried deep in her heart, not daring to reveal even half of it.

In this life, she had saved Xiao Yu, not only cutting off Xiao Xun’s path to becoming Emperor, but also cutting off Xie Yanfang’s path to rebellion.

However, just because Xie Yanfang cherished and protected Xiao Yu in every way didn’t mean he could tolerate her, this Empress, sharing power. Like Deng Yi, even while cooperating with her, he could not tolerate her standing in the court and interfering in government affairs as a woman. But regarding Xie Yanfang’s attitude toward her, she genuinely felt his unquestionable approval and support.

When she wanted to go to the border commanderies to see her father, he had not opposed it, nor had he taken advantage of her absence to eliminate her already unstable foundation. He had even balanced against Deng Yi and helped her secure her position as Empress.

When she wanted to speak in court and participate in governance, he offered not the slightest opposition.

Nor was he sitting on the mountain watching tigers fight. Just as he had told her—to sit firmly in this court, Empress, you must become a tiger, you must fight for power yourself.

By doing nothing, he was supporting her, giving her a mountain to lean on.

He was just as considerate in daily small matters. The Xie clan was the Emperor’s only family, yet Xie Yanfang only allowed her to be the Emperor’s closest person. To this end, he forbade Xie clan members from entering the capital.

He never worried that a powerful Empress would weaken the Emperor, and indeed made people suspect that he even preferred to see it this way.

Throughout history, such maternal relatives were rare, not to mention this was Xie Yanfang.

Xie Yanfang—that wolf of Yan who in the previous life had caused ten years of instability in Da Xia and occupied half the empire—in this life lived without desire or ambition.

All his desires and aspirations seemed to have been satisfied by Xiao Yu becoming Emperor.

Chu Zhao examined Xie Yanfang carefully.

The young lord was gentle as jade, his eyes and brows clear and sharp, the corners of his mouth carrying a faint smile, refined and elegant.

What had Xie Yanfang’s expression been like in that lifetime? Unfortunately, in that life she had no opportunity to see him.

“Third Young Master,” she sat up straight and asked, “if it’s for the stability of the court, may I request that maternal relatives be prohibited from holding office?”

This statement was harsh enough, wasn’t it? Now that Deng Yi was gone from the court, she, this power-hungry Empress, was beginning to extend her hand toward the Xie clan.

Xie Yanfang nodded: “Of course you can.”

Chu Zhao looked at him, and he looked back at her, his eyes carrying a smile.

Although smiling, it wasn’t a playful smile—he smiled with ease, firmness, and sincerity.

He truly meant it—not the slightest bit false, insincere, or merely polite.

Chu Zhao smiled and gestured: “Third Young Master, try this dish.”

Xie Yanfang let out a soft breath: “It seems I answered correctly. If I had answered wrong, I wouldn’t get to eat dinner tonight.”

Chu Zhao laughed heartily and personally handed him the bowl of soup and rice she had filled.

“Has A’Yu been well-behaved during this time?” she asked.

Xie Yanfang smiled: “As a child, he’s acceptable. As an Emperor, it’s currently impossible to evaluate, because being Emperor is not defined by being well-behaved or not.” After speaking, he added, “He was also very saddened by Yanlai’s passing. Though this child didn’t spend much time with Yanlai, he was actually more concerned about Yanlai than about me.”

Chu Zhao knew why this was—because during that chaotic night, she had pushed Xie Yanlai before Xiao Yu. A fledgling in distress leaves a deep impression.

“He did not fail A’Yu’s concern. From guarding the city gate that night until now, guarding the border commanderies, killing Xiao Xun—he protected Da Xia for Xiao Yu,” she said softly. “A’Yu should and must remember this uncle.”

“No one will forget him,” Xie Yanfang said, lowering his head to pour wine, with some emotion. “When a person can do what they want to do and succeed at it, I greatly admire them.”

Speaking thus, he raised his head to look at Chu Zhao with a smile.

“I, Xie Yanfang, have never looked down on anyone, but those I can admire are also not many.”

“Before, in my eyes he was just a Xie family member. Now, he is Xie Yanlai who stands independent before the world and should be remembered.”

For someone like Xie Yanlai, truly intelligent people would all admire him. Xie Yanfang spoke from the heart.

Moreover, after success after success, to still be able to cast aside fame, merit, and achievement and depart alone—though she had suggested it at the time, she hadn’t expected he would truly agree.

“I also admire him,” Chu Zhao raised her wine cup.

Xie Yanfang clinked glasses with her lightly and said: “I’m very glad we could know such a person.” He drank the wine in one gulp.

Chu Zhao smiled and drained her cup as well.

“But to be honest, the flavors of Prince Zhongshan’s mansion aren’t as good as those in the capital,” Xie Yanfang said.

Chu Zhao laughed: “Lord Xie is too particular.”

She often addressed him as Lord Xie, but using such a teasing tone was a first. Xie Yanfang smiled: “I am indeed very particular, but most people can’t tell.”

Chu Zhao laughed heartily again.

……

……

Xie Yanfang returned to his lodgings bathed in moonlight. Uncle Cai circled around him, sniffing.

“You drank quite a bit,” he said, then examined Xie Yanfang’s face. “Looks like the conversation was very pleasant. Did she ask you to stay here? When will she leave?”

Xie Yanfang accepted the tea a servant handed him and said with a smile: “She didn’t ask. She wants to personally stay here to clear out and rebuild the provincial government offices.”

Uncle Cai was startled: “What? She doesn’t trust you, then. What did you talk about all evening?”

Xie Yanfang had already sat down, reclining against an armrest, the smile at the corners of his eyes like moonlight: “We talked about Yanlai. We kept talking about Yanlai, and then said that although Prince Zhongshan’s mansion’s food isn’t as good as imperial cuisine, it has its commendable aspects.”

“Talking about Xie Yanlai made you this happy?” Uncle Cai frowned. “Seems she’s truly not sad.”

“Wrong.” Xie Yanfang waved his finger at him. “Uncle Cai, what makes people happy is not avoiding talking about the deceased, but speaking freely about them.”

He raised his teacup.

“Brave people, though dead, still live on. Heroes should be the subject of legends.”

“Speaking of heroes is the happiest, most exhilarating thing in the world.”

After speaking, he threw his head back and drank the tea like wine.

Uncle Cai looked at Xie Yanfang’s manner and said helplessly: “You really are drunk. Be happy as you wish.” After speaking, he walked outside, calling out, “Prepare sobering soup.” He shook his head. “I never imagined there would come a day when I’d need to prepare sobering soup for the young master.”

Third Young Master Xie had been surrounded by servants like clouds since childhood, but rather than saying the servants looked after him, it was more accurate to say the servants looked after him according to his arrangements.

The young master had never arranged for anyone to make sobering soup.

The young master had never gotten drunk drinking with others.

If the young master got drunk, it was only from drinking alone.

Uncle Cai muttered as he left. Only Xie Yanfang remained in the room. He still reclined against the armrest. Night wind stirred the crabapple tree by the window, moonlight swaying over him.

“When speaking of heroes, heroes should live in one’s heart,” he said. “I’m very happy to speak of heroes with her.”

Speaking of them for a lifetime would be perfectly fine.

……

……

At the end of the fourth year of Xingping, snow fell heavily. Accompanied by the sound of firecrackers throughout the city, Chu Zhao, just as before, entered the capital city with light luggage and simple travel.

Though without the Empress’s formal retinue, the imperial city guards had received advance notice. They offered no obstruction whatsoever to the woman in the red cloak galloping through the flying snowflakes. The palace gates opened wide, the guards stood at attention, watching her pass through the city gates.

In the front court’s great hall, there were no officials standing in rows—only the figure of a half-grown child. His cloak and hat were covered with snow, making him look like a snowman.

When he saw the figure approaching on horseback, the snowman suddenly came alive, running down the steps, the flying snowflakes parting before him.

“Sister Chu—”

Chu Zhao quickly dismounted and opened her arms to welcome Xiao Yu. When he threw himself into her embrace, she nearly lost her footing.

“A’Yu has truly become a big child. Your strength is even greater than mine now,” she said with a laugh.

She examined the child before her. Having not seen him for nearly a year and a half, his eyes and brows had changed somewhat.

The childish innocence had already faded, replaced by the emerging spirit of adolescence.

Xiao Yu smiled broadly, took her hand and held it in his, breathing on it: “Sister’s hands are so cold. You must be frozen. How long have you been standing here freezing? Come, let’s go back and get warm.”

Chu Zhao smiled, withdrew her hand and placed it on his shoulder: “Your hands are even colder than mine. How long have you been standing here freezing? Come, let’s quickly go inside and warm up.”

Xiao Yu nodded and leaned against her as they walked together into the palace.

The guards and palace attendants who had withdrawn to the sides all shouted in unison, their voices carrying through the wind and snow.

“Welcome back, Empress—”

“Welcome the Empress’s return to the palace—”