On the streets of the capital, a team of postal soldiers galloped, with brocade banners inserted behind them, brightly embroidered with the characters for “great victory.”

“Great victory—” the postal soldiers shouted, “Border army captures Western Liang King alive—Western Liang King has been captured—”

They ran even more arrogantly than the Dragon Guards, but the civilians on the street showed no panic or avoidance. Instead, they surged forward in disbelief.

How was there another great victory?

Not long ago, postal soldiers had pounded through the capital, bringing nightmarish news that Western Liang troops had broken through the border commandery and even occupied a city in Yunzhong Commandery.

The capital fell into chaos. Some people hurriedly reinforced their doors and windows, while others prepared to flee south, as if the Western Liang troops had taken a city in Yunzhong Commandery and were already not far away.

The Five Cities Military Affairs Office had to pacify, explain, and strictly maintain order, but before things had settled, Imperial Tutor Deng Yi had his household searched by the Empress—well, not yet searched, but the Imperial Tutor had been escorted back from the imperial city by the Dragon Guards, with Dragon Guards stationed outside his door. A household search was only a matter of time.

The Empress and the Imperial Tutor were fighting again!

Rumors in the streets became more clamorous and chaotic. Some said the Imperial Tutor was holding the Empress accountable for allowing the border army to become lax, leading to the Western Liang people occupying a city. Others said the Empress questioned the Imperial Tutor for interfering with the border army, causing loopholes. There were even claims that the Imperial Tutor was colluding with the Western Liang people because the Western Liang people had sent him great gifts.

This speculation was a bit far-fetched, but it seemed to have some basis.

The Imperial Tutor did indeed love receiving gifts—they were all presents, and if the Western Liang people gave them, he could naturally accept them.

For a time, civilians were inquiring everywhere and gathering outside the Imperial Tutor’s residence, so busy that they forgot about fleeing with their families.

How was there suddenly news of a great victory, and even the capture of the Western Liang King!

“I understand now, this is a tactic!”

“That’s right, it must be that the border army has begun the general attack on Western Liang. With a general attack, there’s bound to be a do-or-die spirit, and inevitably some oversights, which allowed Western Liang to occupy a city, but—”

“But the border army still broke through to where the Western Liang King was and captured him.”

“This is great news. Catch the thief by catching the king. The Western Liang King has been captured, and Western Liang’s fate is sealed.”

This time, without the Military Affairs Office personnel coming to pacify them, the civilians, based on the two consecutive news reports, completed a war strategy analysis.

Great victory, indeed a great victory.

The war was really about to end.

Border army mighty!

The Emperor was so young, and the Empress dared to go to war personally. Great Xia was precarious, yet still able to defeat Western Liang.

Heaven bless Great Xia!

Emperor and Empress mighty!

Shouts echoed through streets and alleys, from adults and children alike, and some even set off firecrackers.

Xiaotu squatted on the wall of Chu Garden, watching several children running by with firecrackers shouting “Emperor and Empress mighty!” He asked the old woman sitting in the corner, sewing shoe soles: “Mouse Granny, you moved so quickly. I haven’t even heard Miss A Tang’s instructions. Was it Sister Xiaoman who instructed?”

The old woman sewing the shoe soles laughed, rubbing the needle against the sole, and said: “It wasn’t us. We didn’t get involved this time.”

Xiaotu exclaimed: “Then this means we don’t need to fan the flames. Everyone has already started praising Sister A Zhao.” With that, he jumped down from the wall with a swoosh. “I want to join too.”

He made the crackling sounds of firecrackers with his mouth and chased after the group of children.

Mouse Granny smiled and continued sewing the shoe soles, appearing casual but keeping a close watch on all the movements around.

In the imperial city, a new round of busy activity began. Chu Zhao urgently summoned the court officials. Since the Imperial Tutor was absent, Xie Yanfang no longer avoided court and joined in, leading the court discussions.

News reports from the border army continued to arrive one after another. Tonight’s imperial city was destined to be a sleepless night.

As night fell, Xie Yanfang walked out from the duty hall with a minor official following behind. He exchanged smiles and greetings with the officials coming and going, walking outside the city gate before stopping. The old servant Cai Bo was waiting quietly outside, and seeing him come out, hurriedly presented a food box.

“The Seventh Madam has prepared a late-night snack for the young master and the Seventh Master,” he said, “and also the medicinal soup for the Seventh Master.”

Xie Yanfang nodded, and the minor official behind him hurriedly reached out to take it, stepping back a few paces.

Xie Yanfang stood with his hands in his sleeves, looking at the night scene. Suddenly, he tilted his ear to listen and said: “Listen, the sound of firecrackers.”

Usually, firecracker sounds would only appear in winter, but it was still late summer and early autumn, too early.

Cai Bo said: “They’ve been popping all day, everyone celebrating the border army’s great victory, congratulating the Empress and Emperor.”

Xie Yanfang looked at the night scene, nodding with a smile: “It’s wonderful. For a monarch, this is the happiest moment.”

Cai Bo snorted and asked: “Is the young master still going to the border commandery? Now that the Western Liang King has been captured, a censor is even more needed.”

Xie Yanfang’s expression was bored: “What’s the point now that he’s captured? Just send someone there casually.”

Cai Bo wanted to say something to tease him, but thinking about this matter, he couldn’t bring himself to laugh either, filled with anger: “How could it be so sudden!”

Xie Yanfang made a sound of agreement: “We were careless too.”

They knew Xie Yanlai was formidable, but never imagined he could be so formidable as to attack the Western Liang King’s tent and even capture the Western Liang King alive.

The Western Liang King was fierce yet cowardly, surrounded by Great Xia’s most valiant soldiers.

“Our Ninth Young Master has truly impressed us,” Xie Yanfang sighed.

“Who knows if he’s dead, or barely alive,” Cai Bo said coldly.

To achieve such a feat, one must have paid an enormous price.

Xie Yanfang said solemnly: “Even if he’s dead, it’s still impressive.” He never stinted on praising others; impressive was impressive. He nudged Cai Bo with his elbow and said with a smile, “Our family’s Ninth Young Master becoming so impressive is a great thing. Be happier about it.”

Cai Bo smiled coldly: “But this great thing always gets in the way.”

“It’s not too much in the way. We can still do what we need to do,” Xie Yanfang said, standing with his hands in his sleeves and looking to another side. “Send the Imperial Tutor on his way. Now is a good time for him to commit suicide to atone for his crimes.”

On the other side, Du Qi, seemingly hidden in the darkness, lowered his hands and responded affirmatively, then truly disappeared into the night.

Xie Yanfang looked at the night scene again, then, thinking of something, turned to Cai Bo: “How many portions of late-night snack did the Seventh Aunt prepare?”

Cai Bo was stunned for a moment: “Two portions, of course.”

Xie Yanfang made a sound of acknowledgment, nodded, and said: “Alright, let’s go back.” With that, he turned and walked back into the imperial city.

Cai Bo found it puzzling, but let it go—after all, the young master was often puzzling.

Xie Yanfang walked back to the duty hall, called another minor official, and had him take one portion of the late-night snack and medicinal soup to Master Xie Qi.

Master Xie Qi, as an official, was also busy in the imperial city today, discussing matters with his subordinate officials. The minor official carried the food and left.

Xie Yanfang didn’t enjoy the late-night snack meant for him. Instead, he covered the food box and said to the minor official who had been following him: “Take this to the Empress.”

The minor official was somewhat surprised: “All along, it’s been the Empress sending late-night snacks to the court officials. Among the court officials sent to the Empress, you’re the first, young master.”

Xie Yanfang smiled slightly: “Because, besides being the Empress, she is also my relative.”

That girl was too lonely. When she was firmly established in court and no longer needed to confront court officials, she should relax a bit.

People need emotion, care, and love.

…

…

The Imperial Tutor’s residence was brightly lit, but the coming and going of people had ceased.

Even the servants had disappeared to who knows where.

“I knew those from outside wouldn’t be reliable,” a servant complained loudly. “The household hasn’t even been searched yet, and their hearts have already scattered.”

Speaking, he arrived at Deng Yi’s study. The study was also lit, illuminating Deng Yi’s seated figure.

“Second Master,” he knocked and called. “The Old Madam has asked me to bring you a late-night snack.”

From inside, Deng Yi said: “Leave it outside.”

This was also a scene the servant was accustomed to. However, it had been a long time since he’d seen it. After becoming Imperial Tutor, he hadn’t had the chance to bring Deng Yi a late-night snack; there were too many people competing to do this task.

The servant put down the food box and admonished: “Don’t read too late, be careful not to strain your eyes. If the Old Madam finds out, she’ll scold again.”

Deng Yi made a sound of acknowledgment from inside.

The servant turned to leave, then stopped as he thought of something and asked: “Second Master, I’ve packed all the luggage, ready whether you’re leaving here or going to prison.”

From inside, Deng Yi seemed resigned. After a moment of silence, a voice came out: “Go to sleep.” Then he added, “Take good care of the Old Madam, don’t let her fall if she gets up at night.”

The servant was somewhat unhappy: “You don’t need to tell me, I know myself. Those maids and servant women are just for show, they’re not that attentive. I’ve always been the one taking care of the Old Madam.”

With that, he walked away with heavy steps.

Outside the door, silence returned. The night grew deeper, and the night wind occasionally swayed the branches, leaving dancing shadows on the windows and ground.

“What do you want me to see?” Deng Yi asked.

He wasn’t talking to himself. The room didn’t contain only him; in the shadow of the bookshelf behind him stood a person.

Hearing his question, that person stepped forward and suddenly reached out to cover his mouth and nose.

Deng Yi felt a stinging pain in his mouth and nose, not knowing what the person had applied to his hand. He slightly turned his gaze, using the light from the desk to see the person standing behind him.

The young man smiled slightly, his features handsome, dimples deep—it was the Crown Prince of Zhongshan, Xiao Xun, unseen for a long time.

Xiao Xun gestured with his chin toward a window of the study.

“Look,” he said softly. “They’re coming.”

Deng Yi looked in that direction, narrowing his eyes slightly, and saw in the interplay of light and shadow, wisps of smoke drifting in through the window cracks.