Xie Yanfang had been away from the capital for more than half a year.

After Chu Zhao returned to the capital, Xie Yanfang also quickly came back, but soon the summer floods arrived, and many areas were devastated. Xie Yanfang volunteered to supervise the government’s relief efforts and settlement of disaster victims, keeping him busy for three to four months. But even after finishing this work, he couldn’t return, as his grandfather had fallen gravely ill, and he had requested leave from the court to return to Dongyang to care for him.

This year, after the New Year, Old Master Xie passed away.

Chu Zhao walked quickly to Xie Yanfang and motioned for him to dispense with formalities.

“I thought you wouldn’t return until after March,” she said. “His Majesty has been concerned about Old Master Xie.”

Old Master Xie was the Emperor’s elder, and apart from the court drafting posthumous honors, Xiao Yu had also sent Eunuch Qi personally to pay respects.

In truth, to Xiao Yu, Old Master Xie and even his maternal grandfather Old Master Xie had been quite unfamiliar. However, having lost his mother, Xiao Yu felt a certain closeness to his mother’s elders, perhaps because they represented his mother’s origins.

Xie Yanfang walked forward with her and said: “Grandfather was already in poor health due to his advanced age. The family had concealed the matters of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess from him at the time, and only tactfully informed him last year. Indeed, Grandfather was deeply shocked and nearly passed away on the spot. Fortunately, with A-Yu still alive, Grandfather found comfort and something to live for. He held on a while longer, allowing us to arrange all family and clan affairs. He spent another New Year with the family before departing.”

When the head of a clan passes away, it inevitably triggers some family disputes. Outsiders might see a clan as unified, but internally, this is rarely the case.

That Old Master Xie had time to arrange his affairs after death reduced quite a burden for his junior, Xie Yanfang.

The two conversed as they walked, soon arriving at the Emperor’s study.

“Third Young Master has returned as well,” Eunuch Qi exclaimed with pleasant surprise. Without waiting for them to speak, he turned around, “This old servant will go inform His Majesty right away.”

Xie Yanfang said: “No rush, His Majesty’s lessons—”

“Her Majesty has granted special permission; today’s lessons can end early,” Eunuch Qi said, then lowered his voice and pointed next door, “His Majesty insisted repeatedly that his lessons must be interrupted.”

Xie Yanfang smiled, then looked at Chu Zhao.

Chu Zhao smiled at him, offering tea with both hands: “Don’t blame me for leading His Majesty astray.”

Xie Yanfang reached out to accept it, feigning seriousness: “This must not happen again.”

Chu Zhao bowed her head with a smile: “Yes, Uncle, your admonishment is just.”

Uncle—Xie Yanfang had just raised the tea to his lips when he stopped, lifting his sleeve to hide his smile.

“Uncle!” a child’s voice called out.

Xie Yanfang lowered his sleeve and looked toward the door, seeing Xiao Yu enter. After half a year, the child’s appearance had changed—he had grown taller, his features more defined. With fair skin and beautiful eyes, dressed in brilliant yellow robes, whether due to the aura of an emperor or from his many experiences, his childlike innocence was almost completely gone.

Xie Yanfang rose to bow: “Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty.”

After accepting his bow, Xiao Yu walked several steps toward him, his eyes full of joy and delight: “Uncle, how have you returned?” Then, seeming to realize this wasn’t quite right, “I thought you would stay home longer.” He asked, “With great-grandfather gone, is the family very sad?”

Xie Yanfang looked at him with a smile, waiting for him to finish before saying: “Grandfather specifically instructed me before his death to return quickly to the capital to accompany A-Yu. His greatest concern was for you. He said, ‘Poor little one, born into an imperial family.'”

Xiao Yu’s expression dimmed. Indeed, if he had been born into an ordinary family, he wouldn’t have experienced so many human tragedies—

“No, no,” Chu Zhao interjected. “It’s fortunate you were born into the imperial family.”

Xie Yanfang and Xiao Yu looked at her.

“Born into an ordinary family, having lost your parents, you wouldn’t have so many people supporting and protecting you,” Chu Zhao said.

Xiao Yu had already walked to Chu Zhao’s side, smiling as he called her “Sister.”

“If that were the case, you wouldn’t be able to join me for flower-viewing today,” Chu Zhao continued, looking at him. “You’d be busy each day with three meals, uncertain about tomorrow, with no leisure to enjoy scenery.”

Xiao Yu nodded: “Sister is right.”

Chu Zhao held his hand: “But this isn’t just a hypothetical situation. At this very moment, many children in the world face such circumstances.”

Xiao Yu grew serious, saying earnestly: “I know. Though I am unfortunate, there are those more unfortunate than I. I must be a good emperor and help the unfortunate people of the world live better lives.”

Chu Zhao squeezed his hand and shook it gently, saying: “With Your Majesty like this, great-grandfather can truly rest easy in the netherworld.”

Xiao Yu broke into a smile, then looked at Xie Yanfang: “Uncle, I definitely won’t disappoint great-grandfather.”

Xie Yanfang nodded with a smile: “Not just your great-grandfather, but your grandfather and your parents will no longer worry.”

Xiao Yu leaned against Chu Zhao, then called for palace maids and attendants to help him change clothes, asking Chu Zhao which outfit would look best for the banquet.

“Your Majesty looks good in anything,” Chu Zhao smiled.

Xiao Yu was no longer the six-year-old child who thought wearing all his hairpins at once looked good. He was eight years old now.

“Uncle, help me choose,” he said, looking at Xie Yanfang. The young master wore common official robes, but he appeared completely different from the officials in court, unable to conceal his elegant charm. “I want to look as good as Uncle.”

Xie Yanfang smiled, without false modesty or telling the Emperor not to judge by appearances. Instead, he rose and said, “Alright,” then carefully examined each robe. After thorough consideration, he selected a deep purple robe.

“Won’t this be too somber?” Xiao Yu discussed with Xie Yanfang. “Sister is hosting a flower-viewing banquet with many, many flowers, especially bright ones.”

“Precisely because it’s a flower-viewing event, where the flowers compete in brilliance, people’s attire should be complementary,” Xie Yanfang explained, holding the deep purple robe against Xiao Yu. “A-Yu is young with fair skin; this won’t appear somber on you. When you wear it—”

He placed his hand on Xiao Yu’s shoulder, turning toward the large bronze mirror, looking at the reflections of the graceful young man and the child, and smiled.

“You’ll look as good as me.”

Xiao Yu smiled, no longer hesitating as he allowed the palace maids and attendants to help him change into the robe. He turned again to let Chu Zhao see: “Sister, do I look good?”

Chu Zhao sat watching and smiled: “Third Young Master is truly capable in all things. This robe makes A-Yu appear extraordinarily majestic.”

Xie Yanfang smiled, gazing at the girl for a moment, then suddenly said: “Let me select a robe for the Empress as well.”

Chu Zhao was startled and about to speak when Xiao Yu already happily agreed: “Chu Sister must look the best.” After saying this, he quickly added, “Chu Sister is already the most beautiful; I mean she should also be dressed the most beautifully.”

Children do grow up, already knowing how to compliment people, Chu Zhao thought with amusement. Not wanting to spoil the mood, she stood up and said, “Alright.”

The palace maids arranged themselves in a row inside the hall, with racks displaying a dazzling array of robes in various colors and styles. Chu Zhao was bewildered; she didn’t even know she had so many clothes.

“New pieces are made for Her Majesty each season,” the palace woman explained. “But Her Majesty rarely uses them.”

Chu Zhao was different from other empresses. She attended court and often wore a court dress. With numerous state affairs and no palace banquets, she only had a few everyday clothes—

And most importantly, the Emperor was still young, so the Empress did not need to adorn herself to please him.

A woman adorns herself for the one who delights in her.

Chu Zhao looked in the mirror, slightly distracted. In her previous life as Empress, she had far more clothes and jewelry than now, devoting more than half her attention to her appearance. But what use was it? Her existence wasn’t valued for her beauty.

In this life, there was no one for whom she would use her appearance to serve, nor would she serve anyone with her beauty.

A light vermilion dress was held up before her. Xie Yanfang stood beside her, looking at the girl in the mirror.

The girl had also grown up, her face more defined, with clear features. After more than a year of steady presence in court, her eyes shone like stars. When she put on the light-colored dress and smiled at her reflection, radiance emanated from her.

“Sister is truly beautiful,” Xiao Yu said, standing nearby.

Xie Yanfang also smiled slightly, looking at the girl standing beside him in the mirror.

She was truly beautiful.

Just like he had been in his youth.

Full of spirit, with a heart as pure as the clear wind and bright moon.