The Xie family residence was lit with lanterns in the autumn night.

After bathing, Xie Yanfang sat in his room wearing casual clothes with his hair loose, looking at documents before him. Behind him, silent maids gently dried his hair.

The room was filled with the fragrance of green tangerines.

The documents before him hadn’t been turned for a long time. As the lamplight flickered, Cai Bo hurried in.

“Young Master,” he said, “the Empress has left the capital.”

Xie Yanfang raised his head and glanced at the sky outside, saying: “She’s true to her nature—deciding to leave and departing immediately.”

Cai Bo’s expression was complex: “This Miss Chu is truly unfathomable.”

She had been inscrutable, rising suddenly to claim the position of Empress, ascending the throne alongside the Emperor and attending court sessions. Young as she was, she performed the role of Empress admirably, even skillfully. Yet at the most critical moment, she suddenly abandoned everything in the capital to see her father.

“What is she thinking?”

Xie Yanfang said, “Her actions reveal her thoughts. Miss A-Zhao has a pure and sincere heart.”

She was neither inscrutable nor naive. She simply did what she wanted to do, and whatever she decided to do, she would see through to completion.

Just like him.

Xie Yanfang reached out to turn a page of the book. His gaze remained on it as he continued.

“Besides, she didn’t leave impulsively. She made preparations.”

She had held a banquet, allowing the women of noble families to see her, and had deliberately walked to the great hall to sit alongside the Emperor, making a deeper impression on everyone.

Moreover—

Xie Yanfang smiled slightly.

“With me in the capital, she can go wherever she wishes.”

Cai Bo also smiled, brightening the lamp on the table: “Yes, with you as her support, Third Young Master, what does she have to worry about?”

He paused.

“Since Miss Chu is not in the palace, perhaps the Seventh Madam should go look after His Majesty.”

Xie Yanfang shook his head: “No. It wouldn’t be appropriate.”

“How is it not appropriate?” Cai Bo said, displeased. “Now that she’s not in the palace and A-Yu is still young with no relatives left there, the Seventh Madam, as his aunt by marriage, looking after him would be perfectly reasonable.”

Xie Yanfang nodded with a smile: “It seems reasonable to us, but not to others.”

“How so? Would Miss Chu object?” Cai Bo raised his eyebrows, his voice cold. “When she was in the palace, we said nothing, mentioned nothing. Except for you, no one from our family visited His Majesty. We’ve shown her enough respect. Now that she has left the palace of her own accord, can’t we, as His Majesty’s only living relatives, look after him?”

Xie Yanfang looked at his angry servant, knowing this wasn’t just Cai Bo’s anger but the accumulated frustration of the entire Dongyang Xie clan.

Since the incident, the clan elders had attempted to come to the capital three times: once after the deaths of the Crown Prince, Crown Princess, and Late Emperor; once when Xiao Yu ascended the throne; and again a month after Xiao Yu’s enthronement—

All three times, he had stopped them.

Though the clan elders had complied, they were undoubtedly dissatisfied.

“What did Grandfather write to you this time?” he asked with a smile. “Tell him to speak to me directly. I’m not the kind of unfilial grandson who doesn’t listen to his elders.”

Cai Bo snorted: “Listen to your elders? Each time, you make the elders listen to you. Who dares speak against you anymore?”

Xie Yanfang laughed heartily, and before Cai Bo could speak, he said: “Grand Tutor Deng wouldn’t agree.”

Cai Bo was taken aback, his eyebrows rising: “On what grounds would he disagree?”

“Because he is the Grand Tutor, that he is the Regent,” Xie Yanfang said lazily. “The Grand Tutor was furious about the Empress leaving because her departure created trouble for him.”

“This trouble is that our Xie clan would seize the opportunity to dominate the inner palace.”

“We are A-Yu’s maternal family, his only close relatives. But the Xiao Dynasty doesn’t have just our Xie clan as imperial in-laws. Believe me, the moment we send someone in—no, at this very moment, the Grand Tutor is already selecting people.”

“Even if he can’t prevent us from sending someone in, he certainly won’t let us have our way.”

Cai Bo slowly sat back down.

“If we send in the Seventh Aunt, Deng Yi will also send in his people, and others will seize the chance to stir up trouble. What will the inner palace become then?”

“With so many people vying for influence in the inner palace, it would be most detrimental to A-Yu. He’s still young, just a child. We cannot risk even the slightest mishap.”

The anger in Cai Bo’s eyes dissipated, replaced by slight unease.

“What we need to do now is not compete for A-Yu,” Xie Yanfang said softly. “Rather, we need to ensure he grows up safely until he comes of age and rules personally. That is enough.”

Cai Bo heaved a long sigh and bowed to Xie Yanfang: “Young Master, this old servant was impulsive.”

Xie Yanfang smiled: “It’s because they’re family that you feel this way. No blame, no blame at all.”

Cai Bo raised his head and snorted again: “See? It’s useless for the Old Master to write to me. I still end up persuaded by you, Young Master, following your words.”

Xie Yanfang laughed heartily: “What are you waiting for, then? Cai Bo, go write back to Grandfather quickly.”

Cai Bo walked out with a helpless smile. At the door, he paused and looked back at the young master seated inside.

“What are you looking at?” Du Qi, leaning against the wall holding a long sword, said with half-closed eyes. “Old Cai, no matter how much you look, you won’t see as clearly as the Young Master.”

Cai Bo laughed: “Not only am I not as clear-sighted as the Young Master, I’m not as clear-sighted as that Miss Chu either. With the Young Master here, she truly has nothing to worry about.”

Miss Chu is truly fortunate to have the Young Master’s protection.

Cai Bo paused again, thinking—or perhaps, she had made the Young Master feel compelled to protect her—while pondering, the night outside grew noisy, with the wind carrying faint sounds of women’s laughter.

Cai Bo frowned: “Which courtyard is that? What’s the commotion in the middle of the night?”

Du Qi, still with half-closed eyes, merely twitched his ears and said: “That would be our Yanlai Young Master.”

Besides Miss Chu, there was also this Xie Yanlai whom the Young Master felt compelled to protect. Cai Bo furrowed his brow—

Though other Xie family members weren’t allowed into the palace, he had accompanied the Third Young Master in and out, witnessing firsthand how enthusiastic the young Emperor was toward Xie Yanlai.

Several times when the young Emperor saw Xie Yanlai, his face lit up with a smile as he looked up, calling him “Uncle.”

Who would have thought the Xie family would have another person called “Uncle” by the Emperor?

Of course, he knew why. In that critical moment, Xie Yanlai had appeared defending the Imperial City, becoming a lifeline and towering tree for a child suddenly bereft of parents, like a lonely bird separated from its flock. The child had latched onto him ever since.

The same was true of Miss Chu.

It was fate and destiny that these two unremarkable people had soared to such heights.

Then there was that Deng Yi, who encountered the Late Emperor’s madness when no one else would believe it, as the burden of the entire nation was thrust upon this palace gate official.

Cai Bo exhaled deeply, his gaze growing cold.

Life isn’t determined by luck alone. Let’s see how long their good fortune lasts.

Because of the period of national mourning, the nightly revelry of the Xie family’s young masters had disappeared. However, the usually quiet quarters of Xie Yanlai occasionally became lively.

Xie Yanlai strode outward, surrounded by maids.

One held tea: “Young Master Yanlai, have another sip of tea.”

Another offered fruit: “Young Master Yanlai, have a bite of pear.”

Yet another presented a brocade belt: “Young Master, you should change to this one instead. It’s newly made.”

Xie Yanlai refused nothing. He took a sip of tea, ate the pear as he walked, and simultaneously extended both arms to allow maids to change his belt—

With lantern-bearing maids all around, the bustling group was like a ball of flame, blocking the winding paths of the Xie residence.

The young masters approaching from the other side of the path had very unpleasant expressions.

“Xie Yanlai,” called out Xie Xiao, who was at the front, “In the middle of the night, you—”

His words were cut short as Xie Yanlai looked at him and rebuked, “How dare you! Is that how you speak to me?”

Xie Xiao’s face darkened further, and the rest of his words strangled.

But Xie Yanlai didn’t let him off, saying coldly: “Say it again properly!”

Xie Xiao’s face turned ashen as he forced words through clenched teeth: “Ninth Uncle.”

Xie Yanlai smiled slightly: “Good, my nephew.” As he spoke, his hand released the half-eaten pear, which fell onto his shoe. He looked down with a frown. “My shoe is dirty. Xie Xiao, clean it for your uncle.”

Xie Xiao jumped up in anger: “Xie Yanlai, don’t think you can bully people just because you’ve gained power—”

Before he could finish jumping, Xie Yanlai kicked him. The rest of his words turned into a scream as Xie Xiao tumbled to the ground.

The young masters beside him were caught off guard, nearly hit themselves, causing a commotion as they shouted, “Xie Yanlai, what are you doing!”

Xie Yanlai walked toward them one step at a time, smiling, his movements unhurried. Yet somehow, the young men felt a chilling glare—

This fellow had fought his way out of the Imperial City on that night of chaos, his hands stained with who knows how much blood, even more than Xie Yanfang’s.

Having killed many, he now commanded the Imperial Guards, with all the capital’s troops at his disposal—

Xie Yanlai stepped on Xie Xiao, bent down, and curved his lips with phoenix eyes, smiling: “What nonsense are you talking? I bullied people before I gained power, too.”

With that, he twisted his foot on Xie Xiao’s clothes, wiping them, then withdrew his foot and strode past.

“Now that I have power, of course I’ll bully people even more ruthlessly!”

The maids passed by these young masters, continuing to surround Xie Yanlai with their oriole-like voices.

The young masters helped Xie Xiao up, who cursed in succession: “This rogue, this bastard, this scoundrel, this villain—let’s see how long his smugness lasts!”

…

…

At the main gate, whether night patrolmen or household guards, all bowed and withdrew at the sight of Xie Yanlai, not daring to ask a single question.

The gatekeepers ran to open the gate and bring horses, while seven or eight attendants gathered respectfully. Outside, twenty or thirty soldiers stood at attention.

The maids watched Xie Yanlai mount his horse, reluctant to part: “Young Master, can’t you rest even this late at night?”

Xie Yanlai laughed heartily: “Rest for what? While I have power, I should naturally flaunt it!” With that, he cracked his whip and galloped into the dark streets.

His attendants and soldiers followed closely with torches, rolling like thunder, making the entire street tremble, then spreading to half the city—

People sleeping deeply in the night were startled awake. There were whispers in households, some fearful, some angry, but when they glimpsed the identity of the person racing through the streets, silence quickly fell.

“The Ninth Young Master of the Xie family.”

“Xie Yanfang’s brother.”

“That Xie Yanlai.”

“Now that the Yang and Zhao families are gone, his family is the Emperor’s only uncle.”

“One family bearing the prestige of two—”

“A few days ago, when an official blocked Xie the Ninth’s path in the street, he raised his hand and struck—”

The gatekeepers stood by the gate, feeling the trembling beneath their feet, seemingly able to hear the whispers in the night. They exchanged glances with helpless expressions. The Xie clan had never displayed such arrogance, neither in Dongyang nor in the capital.

This Xie Yanlai—

But there was nothing to be done. The Third Young Master had ordered that Xie Yanlai could act as he pleased, and no one was to question or hinder him.

Well, let him be. As long as the Third Young Master was in control, everything was manageable.

The gatekeepers closed the door, and the Xie residence fell silent inside and out.

…

…

Outside the city in the capital’s military camp, torch flames burned as brightly as day, pushing back the night. People moved about, horses neighed—no different from daytime.

A group of soldiers passed by, and passing troops all bowed: “Commander Zhang.”

Zhang Gu, wearing a commander’s armor, maintained a calm expression, looking straight ahead. Surrounded by his subordinates, he walked directly into a barracks.

The barracks had a spacious corridor, bright lamps, tables set up, maps hanging, and even food tables, cushions, and soft couches—a world apart from their small postal courier huts.

The attendants who had been standing quietly in the back, as the curtain dropped, seemed to shed a thousand-pound burden. They rushed to various parts of the room, touching this, looking at that. A recruit even sat at the food table, looking in disbelief at what lay before him—

“At this late hour, there’s even roasted pig’s head!”

A soldier squeezed past, picked up a knife to cut a piece of meat, and stuffed it into his mouth, gobbling it down. With a muffled voice, he said: “You country bumpkin, you’ve seen nothing. When you’re a commander, not only do you get meat at night, but once the mourning period is over, there’ll be wine too. As Commander Zhang’s attendant, you’ll get to drink some then.”

The recruit was so excited he forgot to eat, sitting in a daze. What good fortune was this? He clearly remembered not long ago thinking he would lose his head, yet unexpectedly, he had been promoted—though still a soldier.

But being a personal guard to the commander of the postal courier camp was a different status altogether!

Zhang Gu watched the men scattered around the room, coughed lightly, and said: “Behave with more dignity.”

The soldiers quieted down, though without fear, grinning: “Chief, you’re so dignified. All the way here, you carried yourself with such authority, even more steadfast than the previous commander.”

Zhang Gu’s face reddened slightly. Of course, it was an act. Under his armor, his legs were trembling. Ah, he had lived half his life thinking he would continue thus until old age, and when he could no longer run, he would become a postal courier in some mountain village. Who would have thought he would be promoted to command the capital’s postal courier camp?

This was all because—

“It’s because we had good luck and met A-Fu on the road—”

“Shh, don’t call her that! She’s the Empress—”

“Keep your voice down! Don’t mention the past events, it’s disrespectful to the Empress—”

The others were already chattering.

Zhang Gu came back to himself, smiled, then composed his expression again. A chance encounter, yet A-Fu valued them so. He would not disappoint her! Especially since this child had—

“She’s being willful again. Last time she climbed over the wall from home, and this time, having reached the palace, she still climbed over the wall to escape.”

Earlier, A-Jiu had stood before him, saying coldly.

“But unlike before, there’s no need for trickery. She has troops protecting her, so there’s no need to worry.”

No need to worry? Zhang Gu thought, and then A-Jiu had appointed him commander.

“I’m entrusting the postal courier camp to you. You must personally control the news of her journey.”

A-Jiu then mounted his horse and turned, but the horse pawed the ground in the darkness as if reluctant to leave. So the youth added one more sentence from horseback.

“—If anything seems amiss, inform me immediately.”

With that, the youth spurred his horse and disappeared into the night.

Zhang Gu sighed softly. Once again, A-Fu had left the capital and set out for the border commandery. But this time, A-Fu was no longer just A-Fu, and A-Jiu was no longer a postal courier. Despite their concerns, they could no longer accompany each other.

These two had met and formed a bond on the road, yet could no longer travel together. How pitiful.

He would protect A-Fu well, so that these people with feelings for each other—even if they couldn’t be together—could still live well in this world, able to meet and care for one another.

Zhang Gu’s heart surged with emotion. He took a deep breath and commanded solemnly: “Be alert, everyone! This is a crucial time. There must not be the slightest error in the postal communications!”

Having been promoted, his authority was indeed different. The scattered attendants in the room stood straight, responding in unison.

The night reached its deepest hour. Standing on the city wall of the capital, looking into the distance, all was pitch black. The entire world seemed to merge into one, indistinct and chaotic.

The wind blew against his cloak, making it billow behind him, occasionally slapping against his body, as if trying to wake the young man who had been standing motionless for so long.

Xie Yanlai stared into the thick night, unmoving.

Will she be alright?

Before, when she was nobody, she had been pursued and cornered.

Now, having become Empress, making an enemy of the Prince of Zhongshan, and cleverly maneuvering between Deng Yi and Xie Yanfang—instead of safely hiding in the palace, she had run out again. Wasn’t she just giving others an opportunity?

Didn’t she know her luck had always been poor?

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have met him at that moment, been seen through at a glance, all her efforts wasted.

Otherwise, she would already be by her father’s side now, without need for schemes or worries, free and happy.