Standing in the court, Xie Yanfang was the youngest—young in age and light in experience.

He was able to stand in the court because of his identity as the Emperor’s uncle.

Of course, he didn’t mind this identity. He had been preparing to use this identity to stand in the court, just not now.

It was too rushed.

Too many unexpected events.

“Third Young Master, what does Deng Yi mean by this?”

A voice asked from behind.

Xie Yanfang turned around to see a group of officials following him. They varied in age and rank, but they shared the same indignant expressions and familiarity with Xie Yanfang.

Even though his entry to court was rushed, the Xie family had been cultivating relationships for a long time. Xie Yanfang, in particular, had extensive connections. Although he hadn’t had much contact with these court officials, their families had all received his favors and had dealings with him.

Relationships of mutual benefit.

He wasn’t truly a fledgling hawk; he simply hadn’t stood in court before. Now that he had stepped in, he could soar with wings spread.

These people addressed Deng Yi directly by name, disdaining his official title of Imperial Tutor.

If anyone was a fledgling hawk, it was this Deng Yi. Xie Yanfang smiled at the officials.

“First he had the Empress join His Majesty at the coronation ceremony, and now he’s letting the Empress attend court with His Majesty,” one official said gravely. “What exactly is he trying to do?”

“Whatever he says goes.”

“Has the court become Deng Yi’s domain?”

Other officials also expressed their anger and dissatisfaction.

Xie Yanfang listened with a mild expression, neither interrupting nor agreeing. After everyone had vented, he finally said: “He’s doing it for His Majesty. His Majesty indeed needs to learn and grow quickly. Think about it—to teach His Majesty closely and personally at all times, is there anyone more suitable than the Empress?”

An official was about to speak, but Xie Yanfang stopped him again.

“I know any of you could do it, but would Deng Yi allow it?”

Accompanying and guiding the Emperor meant being an extremely intimate person to a six-year-old Emperor, someone the Emperor would trust and rely on.

How could Deng Yi, who held power, allow others to gain the Emperor’s trust?

“He’s doing it for His Majesty,” Xie Yanfang continued, “and also for himself. He’s serving as regent and can’t divert his attention to guide His Majesty, but he’s unwilling to let us teach him. Therefore, the Empress is the most suitable choice.”

After all, the Empress was a woman. When His Majesty came of age, she would retreat to the rear palace and would neither interfere nor be able to interfere with court politics.

The officials nodded, understanding, but—

“So we just tolerate Deng Yi like this?” they asked angrily.

Xie Yanfang said: “His Majesty is still young, and the most important thing is the stability of the dynasty. So I ask everyone to maintain order in court and fulfill your duties—not for Deng Yi, but for His Majesty.”

As he spoke, he bowed to everyone.

The officials hurriedly returned the bow, saying, “Young Master is too polite.” “My Lord, this is our duty.”

Watching Xie Yanfang walk away slowly, the officials also dispersed. Compared to when the court had just ended, everyone’s emotions were much more stable.

This court was not Deng Yi’s domain; they were still here. Most crucially, there was the Xie family. In terms of intimacy, they were the ones His Majesty trusted most. Deng Yi was merely a coincidental choice made by the late Emperor out of desperation.

The late Emperor had passed away—how much longer could Deng Yi survive?

However, for now, Xie Yanfang hadn’t opposed anything Deng Yi had done.

“Perhaps Deng Yi has already spoken with the Third Young Master,” an official said softly.

It was very likely. This Deng Yi wasn’t a fool either. Did he think he could do whatever he wanted just because he held the imperial seal and military power? If Xie Yanfang had expressed opposition at that time, what could Deng Yi have done? Driven Xie Yanfang out of court? Executed him on the spot?

He wouldn’t dare even with a hundred times more courage!

So, they must have spoken, and Deng Yi must have convinced Xie Yanfang.

Deng Yi had his concerns, too. That was good.

The officials relaxed further and continued walking slowly, but another official stopped.

“However, if Deng Yi is unwilling to part with court power and teach His Majesty, then the Third Young Master of the Xie family must be unwilling too,” he couldn’t help muttering.

If Deng Yi was unwilling to let others teach His Majesty, and if Xie Yanfang insisted on doing so, could Deng Yi stop him?

Deng Yi would probably be eager for Xie Yanfang to go, as this would weaken Xie Yanfang’s position in court and confine him to the palace—

Xie Yanfang wasn’t a fool either!

Yes, as Xie Yanfang had said, His Majesty was still young, and personal rule was still far off. There was no need to worry about that now; controlling the court was the urgent matter.

The Third Young Master of the Xie family’s actions were both reasonable and appropriate.

When Xie Yanfang returned home, the Xie family already knew about what had happened at court. Although Xie Yanfang was the only one from the Xie family who could attend court now, as he had said, not being in court didn’t mean being distant from court.

Not being in court made it easier to get things done.

“Did Deng Yi consult with you?” Uncle Cai frowned and asked. “What exactly is he trying to do? Curry favor with Chu Wei?”

Xie Yanfang looked at Uncle Cai, raising his eyebrows slightly: “No.”

No what? Uncle Cai was stunned. He didn’t believe that Deng Yi genuinely wanted what was best for the young Emperor.

“I mean, Deng Yi didn’t consult with me,” Xie Yanfang said, stepping into the room and removing his court robes.

Uncle Cai was even more confused. Then who? One of Deng Yi’s subordinates? He knew many in court had already submitted to Deng Yi, but were these motley crowds already daring to speak boldly in front of Xie Yanfang?

“Uncle Cai, don’t be angry,” Xie Yanfang tossed aside his court robes and turned back with a smile. “It was Chu Zhao, our Empress.”

Uncle Cai was stunned, then immediately furious.

“How audacious!”

“What is she trying to do?”

……

……

Audacious?

Xie Yanfang thought about his feelings when he was summoned into the palace and heard those words from the girl sitting opposite him. Surprise, yet somehow not surprise.

The girl was still wearing ordinary clothes, no different from those of Miss Chu, who had burst into the Xie family residence to see him.

Her eyes, as before, were spirited and clear, but now with an added radiance.

This radiance wasn’t unfamiliar to Xie Yanfang. When he was thirteen and heard that the Crown Prince had come hunting, he had climbed the mountain with a bow to look down upon the scene. At that moment, his eyes must have gleamed with this same light.

It was… eagerness.

He wasn’t surprised, nor did he immediately express compliance. He calmly asked his confusion: “Why?”

The girl looked at him and frankly said, “Because I don’t want A-Yu to depend on Deng Yi. I want him to stand independently in court.”

Xiao Yu was still a child. Whether it was Deng Yi or some court official guiding him, it would make him develop dependent feelings. If an emperor became emotionally dependent on court officials, he would inevitably be constrained by them.

Xie Yanfang certainly understood this principle. But when Chu Zhao said this, she was telling him that she didn’t trust Deng Yi.

“I want to accompany A-Yu. I will teach him,” she said, then bowed deeply to Xie Yanfang. “Please, Third Young Master, allow me to do this. Entrust A-Yu to me.”

She was pleading with him.

Xie Yanfang smiled and brought his thoughts back to the present, picking up the tea from the table and discussing with Uncle Cai: “I certainly can’t entrust A-Yu to Deng Yi, so entrusting him to her is most appropriate.”

After hearing him out, Uncle Cai’s expression went through several changes: “It sounds reasonable, but I don’t know about this girl’s intentions—”

Ever since learning that this girl had requested the position of Empress from the Emperor herself, he couldn’t help but be wary when looking at her.

This was the position of the Empress.

And now she wanted to attend court with His Majesty.

This girl’s appetite was too big.

“Otherwise, she risked her life, just to help when seeing injustice?” Xie Yanfang smiled and handed the teacup over, gesturing for Uncle Cai to pour more tea. “Attending court is tiring, standing before people is tiring, having to say so many things.”

Uncle Cai reluctantly poured him tea: “You don’t speak any less at home.”

Xie Yanfang drained his tea in one gulp.

“I’m not afraid of whatever her intentions are. Her only intention now can be: if A-Yu is well, she is well,” he said. “For A-Yu to be well, we must treat her well.”

Uncle Cai put down the teapot: “Fine, fine. If you say it’s good, then it naturally is good.” With that, he stood up. “You should rest for a while. There are many more things you need to do in private.”

Xie Yanfang watched the old servant leave, then reclined. Suddenly, he opened his eyes again.

He had been persuaded by that girl.

But what about Deng Yi?

How had that girl persuaded him?