The galloping horses and troops in the capital had clearly increased in number, and sensitive citizens immediately became nervous.

What trouble had occurred now?

Pursuing the remnants of the Third Prince and Consort Zhao’s faction? Surely they wouldn’t need to deploy so many troops after all this time? Were there really that many remnants?

Or perhaps it was Prince Zhongshan—

Though the court had never said anything explicitly, the citizens had also noticed Prince Zhongshan’s abnormal behavior. Whether it was the Late Emperor’s burial or the new Emperor’s enthronement, Prince Zhongshan had vanished as if he’d disappeared—neither his person, nor envoys, nor gifts had appeared.

Prince Zhongshan had indeed been absent from the capital for quite some time, but to still be absent at a time like this made the citizens inevitably think of him.

Did Prince Zhongshan have some grievance?

Did the court have some grievance with Prince Zhongshan?

Could it be that having just experienced the turmoil of the Crown Prince and Third Prince, they were about to face turmoil between the court and a prince? Prince Zhongshan wasn’t like the princes without fiefs—he had territory, children, and wealth. If it really came to fighting, half of Da Xia would be stirred up.

Various rumors instantly flew wildly through the capital. Just as citizens were preparing to flee with their families, the court announced that the Xi Liang King had invaded and the Emperor had issued an edict to engage in battle.

War between two nations was an even greater matter than conflict between the court and a prince, affecting all of Da Xia, yet the citizens’ hearts actually settled down instead. First, the border commandery warfare was distant; second, it wasn’t as if they hadn’t fought before—the Xi Liang King was a defeated opponent. Moreover, foreign enemies invading was different from internal brothers fighting behind closed doors. Especially after seeing the young Emperor’s edict—

The young Emperor said he had suddenly encountered great upheaval, the imperial clan had turned on itself, and in one night he had lost his parents and closest relatives. Relatives were no longer relatives, and his imperial grandfather had also passed away from excessive grief.

The Xi Liang King, taking advantage of his family’s misfortune to attack, was utterly devoid of conscience, worse than beasts.

Though he was only six years old, he did not fear engaging in battle.

He would protect the people of Da Xia and defend Da Xia’s territory, just as the Late Emperor and successive ancestors had done.

This edict was written in a child’s tone, and many phrases even revealed childishness, yet no one mocked it or criticized it for not conforming to proper edict format. Instead, people read it with stirred emotions and stinging eyes.

Indeed, this was bullying. Who could tolerate it? Though the Emperor was young, Da Xia was vast and mighty—how could they allow themselves to be humiliated by Xi Liang youngsters?

In an instant, the capital swept away its anxiety and uncertainty, filled with righteous indignation and soaring morale. The lingering fear remaining from the Crown Prince and Third Prince’s turmoil also completely dissipated.

“This is how timing works,” Deng Yi said. “The Xi Liang King thinks this is his opportunity, but actually, this is also His Majesty’s opportunity.”

After this battle, the young Emperor’s prestige among the people would surely soar. The people would cherish him like their own child and respect him as the supreme sovereign.

He looked at Xie Yanfang sitting across from him and smiled slightly.

“Third Young Master wrote the edict well.”

This edict had no literary merit whatsoever, but its childlike sincerity, simplicity, and easy comprehension were extremely wonderful. Deng Yi’s praise was genuinely heartfelt.

He truly admired Xie Yanfang with sincere respect—Young Master Xie’s talent, learning, and conduct were all impeccable.

But it was only admiration, nothing more.

Xie Yanfang smiled: “The Grand Tutor’s decisive judgment was also good.”

Earlier, there had been some dispute in court about whether to announce the border commandery warfare. Most officials disagreed, saying continuous incidents would unsettle the people and easily cause chaos. But Deng Yi made the final decision, allowing no one to object—they would announce it to the realm and mobilize troops.

“Deng Yi!” An old official was so angry he directly addressed Deng Yi by name in court. “Whose court is this? Do your words carry absolute authority?”

Deng Yi looked at the old official and smiled, nodding: “This official was entrusted by the Late Emperor to supervise the state. At this moment, this is indeed this official’s court. This official carries the Late Emperor’s dying command and indeed dares to say his words carry absolute authority.”

Even thinking such things internally was one thing, but to say them directly was truly shocking. Was this what it meant for a petty person to become arrogant when successful? The old official fainted from anger. Deng Yi wasn’t courteous either—he didn’t even summon an imperial physician, directly having the Imperial Guards drag him out—

No one raised any more objections.

Xie Yanfang didn’t either. In fact, when Deng Yi finished speaking, he presented the proclamation he had drafted for the Emperor.

On this matter, Xie Yanfang and Deng Yi were in agreement.

“All for Da Xia,” Deng Yi said with a smile.

Xie Yanfang nodded and smiled: “For His Majesty, even if dangerous, it’s still good.”

Though they said the same thing, it seemed somehow different.

Neither elaborated further. At this moment, Da Xia and His Majesty were equally important. As for the future, if there came a time when one outweighed the other—

They would discuss that in the future.

However, on another matter, their opinions diverged.

Chu Zhao.

Deng Yi wanted Chu Zhao to return.

“The attack on the road is sufficient proof that she’s been targeted,” he said. “Now that warfare has erupted in the border commanderies, the risks on the road are even greater.”

Though in court they had to turn risks into morale, Deng Yi wasn’t ignorant of how severe the situation was—even more severe than what the citizens knew. The greatest danger might not even come from the border commanderies, but from Prince Zhongshan.

“With Chu Ling there, the Xi Liang King can’t easily break through, but Prince Zhongshan is different.”

“Da Xia has suffered successive upheavals—for the Xi Liang King, this is a good opportunity. But the Xi Liang King’s invasion is an even better opportunity for Prince Zhongshan.”

“I don’t want the next news to be that the Xi Liang King has captured the Empress and is standing outside the capital demanding entry.”

At this point, Xie Yanfang couldn’t help but laugh.

Deng Yi didn’t laugh. He looked at Xie Yanfang with a grave expression: “If that really happens, I would suggest the Empress, for Da Xia and for the Empress’s dignity, commit suicide.”

Xie Yanfang nodded with a smile: “Good, that would be very good. Prince Zhongshan’s infamy would be ineradicable.” Without waiting for Deng Yi to speak again, he added: “She personally experienced the attack. She knows the mortal dangers better than we do. So, as for what to do next, I think Miss Chu has her own judgment.”

Deng Yi smiled: “If she truly had judgment, she wouldn’t want to leave the imperial city at a time like this. Filial piety is understandable, but besides being someone’s child, she is also the empress of a nation. If she doesn’t want to be this empress, this official doesn’t mind replacing her with someone else.”

With that, he flicked his sleeve and left.

Seeing Deng Yi leave, Steward Cai, who had been waiting outside the door, entered.

“The Grand Tutor truly has quite a temper,” he said in a low voice.

Xie Yanfang smiled: “No helping it. As Grand Tutor supervising the state, if he had no temper, that would be disastrous.”

More than half of Deng Yi’s temper was his true nature, the other half was pretense.

Just a few months ago, Deng Yi had been someone who gave gifts and flattered people everywhere, seeking connections.

He had wondered earlier how Deng Yi would secure his position—now it seemed he relied on temper and ruthlessness.

He no longer needed to flatter anyone, so others had to flatter him, give him gifts, and seek his patronage.

“Now that the nation is in turmoil and unrest, gifts arrive at the Grand Tutor’s new residence day and night without stopping,” Steward Cai said with a half-smile. “Without the slightest attempt to hide it.”

“Playing the villain is the best approach for someone like Deng Yi, who came from powerless, lowly origins,” Xie Yanfang said, then smiled slightly. “It’s also good for our A’Yu.”

Steward Cai’s eyes immediately sharpened. Exactly—with Deng Yi dominating court like this, acting arrogant and tyrannical, monopolizing power and greedy for influence, when the Emperor came of age, the first person he would need to eliminate was him. No emperor could tolerate such a Grand Tutor.

Moreover, eliminating such a Grand Tutor would earn applause throughout the court, with everyone praising His Majesty’s wisdom.

“This Deng Yi, since he claims repeatedly to be acting for Da Xia,” Steward Cai sneered, “then let’s look forward to him serving as an example to warn future generations.”

These were still matters for the future. Xie Yanfang didn’t waste mental energy on them, because there would be too many variables in the future. Right now, the present was most important.

“Those who attacked Miss A’Zhao should be Prince Zhongshan’s people,” Xie Yanfang sighed lightly and pressed his brow. “So it seems the Xi Liang King’s sudden attack also owes no small credit to Prince Zhongshan.”

Steward Cai’s brows furrowed tightly.

“Young master, call Miss Chu back,” he said. “She truly isn’t alone.”

She also had the Dragon Majesty Army and Chu Ling’s border commandery forces.

If she fell into Prince Zhongshan’s hands, it would mean the Dragon Majesty Army and Chu Ling would also fall into Prince Zhongshan’s hands.

“Deng Yi said if Prince Zhongshan held Miss Chu hostage at the gates, he would kill her, but I don’t believe Chu Ling would bear to kill his own daughter.”

Not only wouldn’t he, he might even kill—Xiao Yu—for his daughter’s sake.

Chu Ling was a man facing death, and someone who could be close friends with that mad emperor, then break off contact and show no respect for over ten years—such a person was also insane.

Xie Yanfang lowered his hand, neither agreeing nor objecting.

“I’ll write her a letter,” he said.

He knew people like him were very difficult to persuade.

He would try—could he control this girl who hadn’t yet completely become someone like him?

……

……

Compared to the court’s tension, the citizens’ indignation, and the soldiers’ soaring morale, Xie Yanlai seemed much more leisurely.

He didn’t need to participate in court affairs, nor did he inquire about military matters. He sat in the Emperor’s bedchamber, looking at the child across from him.

The child no longer showed his previous intimate behavior, his small face wooden as he looked at him.

“I want to discuss something with you,” Xie Yanlai said, actually more at ease than before, his arm propped on the table, his phoenix eyes lifted.

Xiao Yu looked at him: “Speak.”

No longer calling him “Uncle,” nor addressing him as “Lord Xie”—as if facing a stranger.

Xie Yanlai didn’t care at all. Looking at the child, his phoenix eyes slightly raised: “You’ve used me several times now. This time, it’s your turn to let me use you.”