Before dawn, the imperial palace entrance saw the largest crowds of the day. As the sky began to lighten, court officials rushed in from all directions of the city. With some time before the palace gates opened, they gathered outside to chat.
“Did the Imperial Tutor discuss matters very late last night?”
“Yes, he kept quite a few people in the palace for in-depth discussions throughout the night.”
“The Six Ministries weren’t idle either; those on duty were summoned several times throughout the night.”
“What major issue was being discussed?”
“The most urgent matter now is the situation with Western Liang. After two years of fighting, it can’t go on indefinitely.”
“But it’s not something that can be resolved just by talking. In warfare, human calculations are no match for heaven’s will.”
“If the Imperial Tutor heard you say that, Official Zhu, he wouldn’t be pleased.”
“Official Xie wouldn’t be happy either. His brother paraded through the streets as the Brave Military Envoy of the border army, with citizens spontaneously laying flowers along his path, yet you claim his bravery is inferior to heaven’s will.”
The previously speaking Official Zhu was caught in his words, as the officials outside the hall exchanged mocking remarks.
A friendly official pulled Official Zhu aside, quietly reproaching him to speak less: “The current court situation is either an east wind or a west wind. Even if you disapprove, you must sway with it.”
Official Zhu’s face paled: “Whatever wind they may be, the Emperor still sits above.”
“The Emperor is still young,” his friend said helplessly.
Official Zhu replied: “There’s still the Empress.”
This time his friend didn’t contradict him. After a moment of silence, he acknowledged that though the girl was also young, considering what she had done over the past three years, she could no longer be treated as a child.
“The Empress relies heavily on the Imperial Tutor and Official Xie,” his friend said quietly.
Official Zhu snorted: “There will come a time when she won’t.”
This was even more unspeakable. His friend glared at him and was about to speak when several drum beats sounded. The palace gates slowly opened, and the chatting officials hastily stopped their conversations and entered the palace in order.
Deng Yi had also finished his breakfast and, attended by several minor officials, donned his official robes and walked out.
Officials who had been waiting outside the hall followed him.
“Imperial Tutor, Official Xie has taken leave again today.”
Deng Yi made a sound of acknowledgment: “What’s the reason today?”
“He said there was a family matter last night,” one official said.
Another official smiled: “I know about this. Indeed, something happened. Xie Yanlai returned home from the palace, quarreled with his brothers, and was disrespectful to his elders. They reportedly even fought, as intensely as those battles in the capital garrison.”
Yet another official laughed loudly: “Then Colonel Xie must surely be undefeated at home.”
All the officials laughed, though some shook their heads saying, “What propriety is this?”
Deng Yi calmly said: “Though his family lacks propriety, our Official Xie maintains his dignity.”
That was true. No matter how arrogant and unruly the Xie family’s sons might be, Xie Yanfang’s reputation remained clean, never tainted by association.
The officials were helpless yet resentful.
One official spoke softly: “But this time, it’s an excuse.”
Everyone looked at him, and even Deng Yi slightly turned his head.
The official hurriedly stepped forward: “Official Xie is using family matters as an excuse to avoid court because the Ministry of War has prepared a memorial requesting an appointment for Xie Yanlai, which will be discussed today.”
A request for Xie Yanlai’s appointment? The officials exchanged glances. Logically, Xie Yanlai could be rewarded for his military achievements.
“What appointment?” Deng Yi asked.
The official shook his head: “Their people are being secretive; I couldn’t find out.”
Other officials snorted dismissively: “What is there to hide?” “If they had the courage, they wouldn’t request a discussion or let others know—they’d decide themselves.”
Deng Yi smiled and said: “Very well, then we’ll wait to hear with respectful attention.”
As they spoke, they arrived at the outer hall. The court officials, already arranged in order, bowed and greeted the Imperial Tutor when they saw him. Deng Yi nodded slightly and stood at the front, waiting for the music to announce the Emperor and Empress’s arrival at court.
The Empress and Emperor were slightly late; last night’s small banquet had been too enjoyable. Though they had originally agreed to drink only one cup of sweet water, Chu Zhao ended up drinking four cups, until Xiao Yu finally coaxed her into surrendering her wine cup.
“I delayed His Majesty’s morning court,” Chu Zhao said. “Next time, if I oversleep, Your Majesty should go to court first. I can slip in when no one is watching.”
Xiao Yu firmly shook his head: “I must always be with Sister, never separated.”
Chu Zhao felt that while Xiao Yu had grown taller over the past year, his courage perhaps hadn’t increased. But there was no hurry; in another two years, at eleven or twelve, he would be a big child.
In two more years, he could take personal control of the government.
Time xpassed very quickly.
In her previous life, she had no children of her own. If she had had a child, if Xiao Xun had truly cared for her, could her child have become Emperor too?
Was this heaven taking pity on her, allowing her in this life to raise an Emperor?
Chu Zhao reached out to stroke Xiao Yu’s shoulder, amused by her thoughts.
The court hall lay ahead. Qi Gonggong signaled to the waiting eunuchs, and melodious music began to play. Chu Zhao composed herself and, holding Xiao Yu’s hand, entered the great hall.
Accompanied by the court officials’ prostrations and chants of “Long live His Majesty, ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years! Long live Her Majesty, a thousand years, a thousand times a thousand years!” Xiao Yu raised his hand to indicate “Ministers, rise,” while Chu Zhao walked behind the curtain and sat down, casually taking a drink of tea from the small table and tasting the imperial kitchen’s newest pastry.
Behind this curtain was her small world.
These actions didn’t affect her dignified posture. The ministers outside the curtain wouldn’t notice, or perhaps they simply didn’t look in her direction. Even the Emperor was now merely a figurehead; everyone addressed their words to the Imperial Tutor.
Court affairs could be simple or complex. Chu Zhao, having finished her tea and pastry, listened to the increasingly lively court, taking up paper and brush to note down important matters or things she found confusing, to review later with Xiao Yu.
However, today there were no particularly urgent matters, just continuations of what had been discussed in previous days. The officials had finally sorted out the advantages and disadvantages, and Deng Yi’s voice of approval constantly rang out.
It seemed today’s court session would end quickly.
Chu Zhao put down her brush and paper, preparing to take another sip of tea. Just as she raised the cup, she heard an official from the Ministry of War step forward to discuss border province matters.
He spoke in detail and earnestly, from the beginning to the present day, having clerks bring maps to show the important battles to all officials, aiming to prove that despite the stalemate, the Great Xia would eventually be victorious.
The court officials frequently asked questions, especially Deng Yi, making the session quite lively.
Chu Zhao forgot about her tea, listening attentively, both pleased and pouting. Yesterday, when Xie Yanlai was at court, they hadn’t discussed things so animatedly. It wasn’t that they didn’t care, but that they didn’t want Xie Yanlai to gain prominence.
Fortunately, Xie Yanlai had gained recognition among the people; regardless of his surname or name, everyone had seen this brave and battle-skilled good man.
“—Therefore, the war has reached a critical moment. The most urgent task is to finalize personnel.”
“The border army now has some who deserve rewards and some who deserve punishment, positions that need to be filled. This is the list of promotions drafted by our Ministry of War.”
“Three people should be promoted to Wei General. Xie Yanlai—”
Hearing the first name announced, Chu Zhao behind the curtain tightened her grip on the teacup, her eyes brightening with joy. Wei General—yes, Uncle Zhong had said that for more than a year, Xie Yanlai had effectively been filling the position of Wei General.
The city’s defense had been entrusted to him.
Uncle Zhong had reluctantly admitted that he had done very well.
It was right to make his position official.
This was also why he had been specially summoned to the capital.
Chu Zhao smiled as she listened to the official finish reading the names of the other two men. Then Deng Yi’s voice rang out.
“The other two are acceptable, but Xie Yanlai is not.”
Chu Zhao’s smile instantly froze. She nearly reached out to lift the curtain, but managed to restrain herself. The Imperial Tutor truly was—he shouldn’t be so fixated on status.
…
…
The officials who had made the recommendation also looked displeased, directly voicing what Chu Zhao wanted to say.
“Is my lord concerned about Colonel Xie’s background?”
“Does the Imperial Tutor think we’re showing favoritism and flattery?”
“Imperial Tutor, please look at Colonel Xie’s battle record over the past two years—risking his life, covered in wounds, killing thousands of Western Liang bandits.”
“In recommending the worthy, we don’t avoid relatives; in recommending relatives, we don’t avoid suspicion. Should Colonel Xie be denied rewards for his merits just because he’s a member of the Xie family?”
As some officials questioned, others refuted.
“Who exactly is showing favoritism and flattery?” “What is Xie Yanlai’s character? His conduct is disgraceful!” “Merit? Does he only have merit?”
“Is something wrong with the eyes of you people in the Ministry of War?” “How many times has Xie Yanlai disobeyed orders and acted willfully over these two years?” “He bullies others in the army, steals others’ achievements, and even leads troops to attack fellow soldiers!”
The court erupted into chaos. Sitting behind the curtain, Chu Zhao sighed. She would have a good talk with the Imperial Tutor later. No one in this world is perfect.
She had wanted to discuss this with the Imperial Tutor last night.
Deng Yi’s voice rang out in court: “Silence, all of you!”
At the Imperial Tutor’s command, the censors also shouted for order, and the hall quieted down.
“You’re overthinking this.” Deng Yi looked at the opposing officials. “Colonel Xie certainly deserves rewards for his merits, but this reward is excessive. Wei General—”
He shook his head.
“He’s not qualified.”
Behind the curtain, Chu Zhao pressed her lips together. If he wasn’t qualified, who was? His military achievements had been listed.
An official outside the curtain voiced this same thought. This was a military officer with a straightforward personality who called out: “Imperial Tutor, I know you people always consider matters thoroughly, ruminating over every person and issue until you understand it completely, but in warfare, we’re not so particular. He’s brave and skilled in battle, so he’s qualified for this position. I don’t judge people by their backgrounds. I, Old Dong, swear here that if I have any personal bias, may heaven strike me down with five thunderbolts.”
At these words, some officials’ expressions darkened. This crude man—was he saying that if they opposed, they had personal bias and deserved to be struck by heaven’s thunderbolts?
“How insolent!”
“What’s insolent about it? Is what Official Dong said wrong? It’s easy for you to move your lips, but do you know how difficult it is to fight at the front?”
“If Xie Yanlai isn’t qualified, who is?”
The hall instantly erupted into chaos again, and Deng Yi once more shouted for silence.
“Since you put it that way, this Imperial Tutor does indeed believe there is someone more qualified,” he said, not angrily, but looking at the indignant military officer. “However, this person might not be given important duties due to his background.”
Official Dong frowned: “Who?”
Deng Yi said: “Left Wing Army Lieutenant, Liang Qiang.”
Liang Qiang? This name seemed familiar to Official Dong. He was about to speak, but a voice spoke before him.
“No!”
It was a woman’s voice, not as loud as the officials’, but at that moment it echoed throughout the court.
The officials instinctively looked toward the front, toward the dragon throne—or rather, behind it.
The hanging curtain was lifted, and a girl wearing the Empress’s court robes stepped out.
The entire court fell silent, as if everyone was stunned.
Chu Zhao stood beside the dragon throne, not looking down at the assembled officials, but only at Deng Yi, who stood nearest.
“No,” she repeated.