Xie Yanfang strolled into the court hall, first glancing at Deng Yi standing in front, then looking toward the back.

The officials were taking their positions in order, conversing with one another, creating a slight commotion in the hall.

“Censor Xie,” an official next to him said in a low voice with his hands tucked in his sleeves, “haven’t you noticed fewer people attending court these past few days?”

Xie Yanfang said: “Indeed, there are fewer.” Then he smiled. “But there are also some new faces.”

As they spoke, two more officials entered: one in a civil official’s robe and the other in a military general’s attire, one frail-looking and the other burly. They seemed unremarkable, but the noise in the hall immediately died down. The officials’ expressions were indifferent, even contemptuous, but all eyes were fixed on these two men.

One was Ding Dachui, Commander of the Protection Bureau, and the other was the former Hanlin Editor, now Deputy Commander of the Protection Bureau, Zhu Yong.

“How absurd. How are they qualified to attend court?”

“What Protection Bureau? Putting on a title means they can attend court?”

The surrounding discussions were as piercing as the gazes, but Ding Dachui, being ignorant, was fearless and unconcerned. Zhu Yong, firm in his resolve, even smiled and greeted the officials beside him.

Seeing his greeting, the nearby officials couldn’t continue insulting him to his face—no one strikes a smiling face.

Some turned away, refusing to look at him, while others couldn’t help but glance at the dragon pattern on Zhu Yong’s waistband. Whatever the case, this Protection Bureau and this Zhu Yong were now the Empress’s right and left arms. Even the Grand Tutor couldn’t interfere with them. They arrested whoever they wanted, and whoever they declared guilty had their home confiscated.

Better not to offend them and risk retaliation.

So a few officials squeezed out smiles for Zhu Yong.

This scene didn’t escape the eyes of others. An official at the front smiled subtly at Xie Yanfang: “Commander Ding rarely attends court. He’s usually at the Protection Bureau raiding homes. His presence today suggests some officials are going to be in trouble.”

He glanced toward where Deng Yi stood.

“The Grand Tutor will have more to worry about. His people are becoming fewer and fewer.”

Deng Yi controlled everyone in the Ministry of Revenue, from top to bottom, and Xie Yanfang’s faction of officials was quite happy to watch the spectacle.

“Chief Censor, you’re right. We should observe quietly. In times like these, those who jump around enthusiastically will be struck hard by the Empress.”

Although everyone was dissatisfied with the Empress’s actions—an Empress interfering in governance had always been a major taboo—Xie Yanfang had said that for now, this was a good thing.

“Compared to us, the Empress has more authority to prevent the Grand Tutor from controlling everything.”

Now it seemed indeed to be the case.

If the music announcing the Emperor’s arrival hadn’t begun playing, these officials would have wanted to applaud.

The Emperor and Empress entered the hall hand in hand. The officials put aside their various thoughts, bowed deeply, and proclaimed: “Long live His Majesty, long live, long live His Majesty.”

Sure enough, as soon as the court session began, without waiting for the Grand Tutor to speak, Ding Dachui stepped forward: “I have a matter to report.”

He was speaking directly to the Empress, not even glancing at the Grand Tutor.

Chu Zhao said: “Please speak.”

“The investigation into the Huzhou summer floods by the Ministry of Revenue is mostly complete,” Ding Dachui said. “The clues have been sorted out. I request permission to inspect Huzhou and make arrests.”

Indeed, many more people were going to be in trouble. Officials in the hall exchanged glances, some gloating, others annoyed. Who were they to say an investigation was complete? Whatever they said became the truth?

“It’s good that the investigation is clear,” the Empress’s voice descended from above. “The Huzhou matter is of great importance. Besides investigating corrupt individuals, the dikes and water channels must also be improved. Therefore, Grand Tutor, please arrange for the appropriate departments to assist the Protection Bureau in handling this case.”

The officials in the hall were startled. Had they misheard?

The Empress was saying more than usual today?

Wasn’t a single word of approval enough? Why mention the Grand Tutor? And ask for his cooperation?

Everyone’s eyes turned to Deng Yi.

It didn’t matter how much the Empress said; the Grand Tutor wouldn’t respond anyway.

Deng Yi’s face was wooden as he said: “The Ministries of Personnel and Justice will assist.”

The hall fell completely silent, as if the Empress had spoken and no one had responded.

After a moment of stillness, officials from the Ministries of Personnel and Justice came to their senses and hurriedly stepped forward: “We accept the command.”

The Empress spoke again: “Master Zhu, I’ll trouble you to go to Huzhou again with the Ministries of Justice and Personnel.”

Zhu Yong quickly stepped forward: “I accept the command.”

The Empress said no more, and the officials returned to their positions.

Deng Yi’s voice sounded again: “Ministry of Rites, has the ceremonial protocol for the Prince of Zhenguo been drafted?”

The official from the Ministry of Rites was slightly slow to react before stepping forward to answer yes.

“Read it aloud for everyone to review,” Deng Yi said.

The official from the Ministry of Rites was somewhat flustered, taking out the ceremonial list that had been prepared long ago and reading it aloud in court.

The rich voice of the Vice Minister of Rites, with its rises and falls, echoed in the hall. The officials seemed to both hear and not hear it, their minds still lingering on the previous exchange between the Empress and the Grand Tutor.

Compared to the list read by the Vice Minister of Rites, the words between the Empress and Grand Tutor were so brief they could almost be ignored.

But their significance was enormous.

The Empress had taken the initiative to have the Protection Bureau cooperate with the Grand Tutor, no longer acting independently and autocratically.

And the Grand Tutor had responded to the Empress’s words—didn’t this mean the Grand Tutor had accepted the Empress’s interference in governance?

This was a major change!

…

…

After the court was dismissed, discussions were everywhere. The Grand Tutor’s residence was visited by countless officials. Even the newly established Protection Bureau, adjacent to the Ministry of Justice and usually deserted, had many officials tentatively entering—

The Censorate naturally also had a steady stream of visitors.

But everyone was disappointed. Xie Yanfang had gone home immediately after court.

“The Third Young Master doesn’t seem concerned. It appears he knew about this beforehand.”

“Since the Third Young Master knew, there’s nothing to worry about. Everyone needn’t be too anxious.”

Having failed to see him, people felt relieved and dispersed.

…

…

“What exactly is going on?”

Xie Yanfang could avoid the officials by returning home, but he couldn’t avoid Seventh Master Xie.

Seventh Master Xie had taken leave and wasn’t at court. Upon hearing the news, he was about to rush out when he bumped into Xie Yanfang returning home.

“This matter,” Xie Yanfang said as he just stepped into the room, stopping, “I don’t know either.”

Seventh Master Xie’s expression became more solemn: “Even you don’t know?”

Xie Yanfang said: “Seventh Uncle, I’m not a deity. How could I know everything?” He took a cloth from a maid to wipe his face, allowing them to remove his official robe.

“But didn’t you say the Empress thinks like you?” Seventh Master Xie frowned, somewhat complaining. “How could you not know what she’s thinking?”

This statement somehow sounded very pleasing. Xie Yanfang immediately smiled: “Fine, then let me think carefully.”

Without putting on an outer robe, he sat down directly on a cushion by the window, assuming a posture of deep contemplation.

Seventh Master Xie had watched him grow up and had been tricked by him enough times. He wasn’t falling for it now and said helplessly: “Stop joking, Third Brother. This is no small matter.”

Indeed, it wasn’t a small matter. Xie Yanfang looked at the chessboard on the table.

“The Empress went to see Deng Yi last night,” Butler Cai came in to pour tea and told Seventh Master Xie. “It seems they reached an agreement and decided to each take a step back.”

Seventh Master Xie was irritated: “If they each take a step back, they’re taking a step forward together, leaving us with nowhere to go.” He asked further, “What exactly did they discuss? They were openly hostile, so how did they suddenly reconcile?”

Butler Cai shook his head: “That we don’t know. You know, Seventh Master, although we can glimpse movements in the palace, the Grand Tutor controls the outer city guards, and the Empress herself controls the Dragon Imperial Guards protecting the inner palace. We cannot get close to their private conversations.”

When those two closed their doors to talk, outsiders could never eavesdrop.

“Yanfang shouldn’t have returned the inner palace guard token to Ah-Yu,” Seventh Master Xie said angrily.

Xie Yanfang, who had been examining the chessboard, heard his name and came back to himself: “What shouldn’t be taken shouldn’t be taken. Taking it would only cause trouble. As for what the Empress and Grand Tutor discussed, it doesn’t matter that we don’t know.”

Seventh Master Xie said: “How can this not matter?”

Xie Yanfang didn’t tease him as usual but shook his head and then nodded: “It does matter.” He sighed. “Miss Ah-Zhao is still too kind-hearted.”

With that, he waved one sleeve and picked up a brush with the other hand.

“Being kind-hearted is a good quality, but to be a good Empress, to move mountains and seas, how can one not be ruthless?”

“Then let me help you remove this kindness again.”