Though the populace had been pacified, the atmosphere in court hadn’t eased at all. It grew increasingly tense, with officials overwhelmed with work.

Xie Yanfang had practically taken up residence in the imperial city, only finding time to return home occasionally.

“You’re back,” Seventh Master Xie said. “Yanlai already returned, so I thought you would too.”

Xie Yanlai also rarely came home, but he did return sometimes. Each time, he would quarrel and argue with the family’s young men. Seventh Master Xie would get a headache from anger, but he couldn’t tie him up and beat him. He could only tell the other young men to avoid him.

“He’s currently in favor, and the nation needs stability. We can’t cause trouble in our own family first,” Seventh Master Xie said through gritted teeth. “Let’s endure a little longer. After next year, we won’t let him get away with it.”

Since everyone avoided him, Xie Yanlai couldn’t find anyone to bully when he returned home. He would throw out a comment about being bored and not coming back much, instead spending his days galloping around outside, carousing with friends, and showing off.

However, after news of the war broke, Xie Yanlai had restrained himself. Whether genuinely or for show, he too had become busy.

Though Xie Yanfang was also in the imperial city, most official business had nothing to do with Xie Yanlai, so the two brothers hardly saw each other.

“He’s back?” he said. “Good timing. I need to have a word with him.”

Xie Xiao interjected from the side: “Third Uncle, you’re finally willing to speak with him. You really should talk to him. He’s completely out of line. He’s bringing shame to our Xie family. If this continues, we’ll be worse than the Zhao family.”

Xie Yanfang smiled: “What are you saying? How could he bring complete shame to us? He’s just one person, not the entire Xie family. And the Xie family isn’t just him—there’s all of you. If face is lost, you can earn it back.”

Xie Xiao’s small eyes couldn’t help but narrow into slits with both happiness and anger: “It’s all because you’re too gentle, Third Uncle. He’s not afraid of you.”

“I used to be gentle,” Xie Yanfang nodded. “But now that I’ve entered court as an official, I can’t be too gentle anymore.”

Xie Xiao was about to say something else when Seventh Master Xie drove him away: “Stop bothering him with these trivial matters. He’s finally home to rest a bit.”

Xie Xiao ducked his head and ran off quickly—he had already made his report.

Seventh Master Xie cursed the fool in his heart. Even if Third Young Master didn’t come home, was there anything in the household, no matter how small, that he wouldn’t know about?

“However,” Seventh Master Xie looked at Xie Yanfang, “after returning, he hurriedly left again, saying he wouldn’t be coming back for some time.”

He frowned as he finished speaking.

“What trouble is he stirring up now?”

Xie Yanfang stopped in his tracks: “He won’t be coming back for some time?”

No matter how busy state affairs were, didn’t he, Xie Yanfang, still come home?

What kept Xie Yanlai so busy that he couldn’t return home? Or rather, what made Xie Yanlai so busy that he couldn’t return home? And how did he, Xie Yanfang, not know about it?

“Young Master!”

Du Qi came running in from outside.

“Xie Yanlai has left the capital.”

Xie Yanfang and Seventh Master Xie were stunned. Left the capital?

What was Xie Yanlai doing, leaving the capital? Had he run away? Seventh Master Xie had this thought but quickly dismissed it. He wasn’t the ten-year-old child he once was. Back then, Xie Yanlai had run away from the Xie family but had nowhere to go. He almost died from wild dog attacks and returned dragging his injured body.

Now, with all the glory and wealth the Xie family had brought him, where would he run to?

While Seventh Master Xie was lost in his thoughts, Xie Yanfang had already recovered from his surprise and asked: “How many troops did he take?”

Du Qi stopped to catch his breath: “For now, we only know he took two units from the capital garrison.”

Xie Yanfang was still for a moment, then smiled slightly without saying anything and continued walking inside.

Seventh Master Xie and Du Qi were both stunned, calling out simultaneously, “Yanfang.” “Young Master.” Where are you going?

Xie Yanfang turned back: “I came home to rest, of course.”

That was natural, and both Seventh Master Xie and Du Qi knew it, but now—

“What did Xie Yanlai go to do?” Seventh Master Xie asked urgently, his face full of anger. “He didn’t even say a word! Does he have any regard for us at all?”

Xie Yanfang smiled: “He’s not just a Xie family member anymore; he’s also a subject of the Emperor. Since he didn’t inform the family, he must be doing the Emperor’s business. Naturally, he doesn’t need to consider us.”

Seventh Master Xie was stunned and was about to say something, but Xie Yanfang raised his hand to stop him.

“Don’t worry. I’ll rest a bit and then go see His Majesty,” he said. “It’s not a big issue. No need to be tense.”

With that, he walked inside at a leisurely pace.

What did it matter if he was the Emperor’s subject? The Emperor was ultimately a Xie family child.

……

……

After washing up, changing clothes, and taking a short rest at home, Xie Yanfang returned to the imperial city.

Deng Yi had already arrived at the Emperor’s bedchamber. Though Xie Yanlai commanded the Dragon Might Army guarding the capital and imperial city, Great Xia’s military power was still in Deng Yi’s hands. Xie Yanlai mobilizing troops and leaving the capital couldn’t escape his notice.

The Emperor was still in class, and Deng Yi hadn’t disturbed him, waiting here instead.

As soon as Xie Yanfang entered, he received Deng Yi’s knife-like gaze.

“Earlier, court officials questioned me about whose court this is,” Deng Yi said coldly. “What does it matter whose court it is? Once outside the court, you, Xie clan, have the final say.”

Xie Yanfang smiled and bowed: “Imperial Tutor, please calm down. The Xie clan wouldn’t dare.”

Deng Yi said: “You’ve already done it. What’s the point of saying you wouldn’t dare?”

They were both surnamed Xie. Naturally, Xie Yanfang would bear responsibility for Xie Yanlai’s actions. Would the court distinguish between the brothers?

Xie Yanfang didn’t defend himself by saying he didn’t know about Xie Yanlai’s actions.

“If a mistake was made,” he simply said with a composed expression, “Xie Yanfang will accept punishment.”

This is what it means to be family.

Deng Yi uttered an “Oh” and said: “Very well, then please surrender the Dragon Might Army command.”

Deng Yi had never agreed with Chu Zhao entrusting the Dragon Might Army to Xie Yanlai, but although this girl was respectful and close to him, she didn’t always listen to him.

She had her ideas.

But now that Xie Yanlai had made a mistake and given him leverage, she could only blame herself for choosing the wrong person; she couldn’t blame him for seizing power.

This was actually—Xie Yanfang’s eyelashes lowered slightly, then he raised his eyes: “Imperial Tutor, given what has happened, indeed someone more suitable should take command. However, the Dragon Might Army belongs to General Chu. The choice of commander should still be decided by General Chu.”

And then he would decide to give it to him? Deng Yi looked at the young nobleman before him and said: “The Dragon Might Army is under General Chu’s command, but it belongs to His Majesty and Great Xia. General Chu now faces Western Liang in battle, a matter of life and death for Great Xia. He needn’t worry about affairs in the rear.”

Xie Yanfang remained calm and unhurried, merely smiling as he said: “In military campaigns, a stable rear is also crucial.”

The two faced off, and footsteps were heard outside the door, accompanied by Qi Gonggong’s elongated announcement: “His Majesty arrives—”

Deng Yi and Xie Yanfang turned to bow.

Xiao Yu walked in, his gaze passing over the two of them, his expression somewhat uneasy: “Are the two ministers arguing?”

Xie Yanfang smiled at him: “Your Majesty, this is how the court is. Whether during or after court sessions, whenever state affairs are involved, there will be disputes. Your Majesty should get used to it and not worry or be afraid.”

He didn’t casually placate him but told him seriously. His smile was warm and bright. Xiao Yu turned his gaze to look at Deng Yi.

Deng Yi said: “We were discussing Xie Yanlai’s unauthorized mobilization of troops and departure from the capital.”

Xiao Yu uttered an “Ah”: “That matter.” He looked at Deng Yi, his eyes sparkling. “I ordered Uncle to go.”

Deng Yi frowned.

Xie Yanfang had already guessed this, so he didn’t have much of a reaction.

“Imperial Tutor, Master Xie, I ordered Uncle to bring Sister back,” Xiao Yu continued. “Everyone at court says the situation is very tense and dangerous. So, I want Sister to return. I’m worried she’s in danger. And Sister’s matter can’t be discussed with others, so I asked Uncle to help me.”

He looked at the two ministers, his expression uneasy, but he didn’t ask if what he did was wrong. Instead, his gaze was firm.

“I must ensure Sister’s safety.”

Deng Yi was silent for a moment, then said: “Your Majesty should refer to yourself as ‘We.’ You should get used to this form of address.”