“Previously when you ran from the capital, though you encountered me and were unluckily stopped, after returning to the capital, you experienced so much, yet ultimately you still set out on your journey again.”

“Moreover, this time you even made me your escort.”

“This shows that you, Chu Zhao, are favored by heaven.”

“Think about it again—in the capital you were despised by people and even dogs, yet no one could do anything to you. You even became Empress.”

Hearing this, Chu Zhao couldn’t help but glare: “Nonsense! What do you mean I was despised by people and dogs!”

She raised her head to look up. The young officer gazed ahead—she could only see his chin.

“You’re the one despised by people and dogs.” Chu Zhao said.

Xie Yanlai scoffed: “I’m an illegitimate son—despised by people and dogs. You’re the Empress—” He looked down at the girl before him and raised his eyebrows. “Similarly, despised by people and dogs.”

Chu Zhao laughed. She understood his meaning. Sitting in the position of Empress, many people loathed her. The court officials resented her appearing in court. Even Deng Yi had no choice but to select her. As for Xie Yanfang, he might prefer to choose an empress he could choose.

In that previous life, when she sat in the Empress’s position, she satisfied many people, but she was the only one who suffered misfortune.

In this life, when she sat in the Empress’s position, many people disliked it. Then this time, she wouldn’t be the unlucky one again, would she?

This digression slightly dispersed the tension. Chu Zhao raised her eyebrows with a smile: “Actually, days of being despised by people and dogs aren’t bad.”

Xie Yanlai scoffed: “See, this is exactly how you are. Who wouldn’t despise you after seeing this?”

“My father doesn’t despise me.” Chu Zhao said. “If my mother were alive, she wouldn’t despise me either.” She looked at Xie Yanlai again. “And you—”

Xie Yanlai freed a hand to pull the hood over her head, also blocking her next words. The girl’s voice turned into muffled sounds as she reached out waving her hands, like a cat.

Xie Yanlai curled his lip in a smile, focusing his gaze ahead. Suddenly he pulled the girl’s hood down again: “I told you, people despised by people and dogs will also have good fortune. Chu Zhao, look ahead.”

Chu Zhao looked ahead. Her vision was still somewhat blurred. She hurried to rub her eyes. At the same time, the lead messenger’s shout reached her ears.

“General Chu—General Chu has come—”

Actually, the messenger didn’t need to shout. Chu Zhao had already seen through her fingers the figures ahead. On the vast snowy earth, a group of mounted figures stood still. Who knew how long they’d been there—the heavy cloaks on their bodies had all turned white.

The man at the front sat tall as a mountain on his horse, lustrous white as jade.

……

……

When she saw through her fingers, Chu Zhao wished she could blink once and be before her father.

But when the horse truly galloped near and she could see clearly the man before her—his eyebrows, nose, and eyes—Chu Zhao instead became dazed.

“A’Zhao!” Zhong Changrong called out, somewhat worried yet unable to hide his sorrow.

Xie Yanlai said: “She’s fine.” He gathered the girl and brought her down from the horse.

Chu Zhao suddenly felt the world spinning. She cried out in alarm and came back to herself.

“Frightened our A’Zhao.” Chu Ling sat steadily on horseback and said with a laugh.

Xie Yanlai looked toward him, sensed something wrong, and knitted his brows. Chu Zhao had already rushed forward.

Chu Ling dismounted. Zhong Changrong hurried to extend a supporting hand and said: “Be careful—General, your health isn’t good.”

About to throw herself into her father’s embrace, Chu Zhao forcibly stopped herself and slowly extended her hand, touching Chu Ling’s arm—

“Are you confirming whether I’m real?” Chu Ling said with a laugh, spreading his arms. “Come, though A’Zhao has grown up, your old father can still lift you onto my shoulders.”

Chu Zhao burst into laughter, tears also flying out. Without further hesitation, she threw herself into her father’s embrace.

“Father.” She said chokingly. “It’s been so long—”

“So very long since you’ve seen me, right?” Chu Ling took up her words, saying with a smile, his hand gently patting his daughter’s head. “I know. I know everything.”

Yes, so very long. Having experienced death once before seeing her father again, Chu Zhao felt her father’s embrace that wasn’t warm—who knew how long he’d been waiting here. His robes were bitterly cold, even his hands were icy.

She had finally seen her father.

The scene of father and daughter reuniting moved people to tears. Even Zhong Changrong wanted to cry, except someone was moving back and forth before his eyes—

This damn brat. Zhong Changrong glared at Xie Yanlai. How was it him again!

Xie Yanlai also looked at him, gestured with his head toward Chu Ling’s direction, then pointed at his own eyes with his hand.

This damn brat—nothing could be hidden from him. Even the young lady hadn’t noticed. Zhong Changrong glared at Xie Yanlai once, silently warning: “Shut up.”

Xie Yanlai scoffed and turned his head.

The wilderness was truly too cold. Though the reunion was moving, Chu Zhao hadn’t forgotten about her father’s health. Though her father had personally come to meet her, Uncle Zhong had uncharacteristically urged her to come quickly—it must be extremely serious.

Father came to meet her to prevent her from being frightened, didn’t he?

After a few brief sentences, the group immediately returned to the city. However, because they weren’t far from the city, they hadn’t brought extra horses.

Zhong Changrong was about to have some soldiers dismount and walk, but Chu Zhao had already grabbed Xie Yanlai’s arm and waved her hand: “No need, no need. A’Jiu and I can share.”

Xie Yanlai frowned and shook her off, but didn’t say anything.

Chu Ling, being helped onto his horse by Zhong Changrong, looked over—

Xie Yanlai met his gaze.

Clearly knowing he could no longer see, Xie Yanlai still felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Chu Ling said with a smile: “Thank you, Captain Xie. I must trouble you for another stretch of road.”

What’s so troublesome for this brat— Zhong Changrong glared at Xie Yanlai. This stinking brat rolled his eyes at him. See, how detestable.

Xie Yanlai watched Chu Zhao mount, then he himself swung onto the horse, raised his whip and spurred it forward.

“Father.” Chu Zhao leaned forward and called out hurriedly.

Chu Ling smiled and lightly patted the horse’s head. Without him guiding the way, the horse quickened its pace and followed with clip-clops.

Zhong Changrong gave orders from behind. The soldiers who had been standing at attention set their horses’ hooves trampling through snow.

……

……

Following Chu Ling to the city, the officers had long been waiting. However, they didn’t engage in too many empty courtesies. After meeting, they withdrew to let father and daughter speak freely.

“Miss A’Zhao left the border commandery almost two years ago, didn’t she?”

“Yes, it really has been a long time. These father and daughter truly are reunited after a long separation.”

The officers discussed and sighed as they departed.

Xie Yanlai also didn’t stay behind. He went to meet Xiao Man, A’Le and the others. Calculating the journey, they should arrive soon.

“Speak at ease.” Zhong Changrong said in a heavy voice. “I’ll guard outside.”

The door closed. Inside the room were only father and daughter. Cloaks were removed. The warm charcoal fire made the bitterly cold robes become soft.

Chu Zhao looked at her father sitting in the chair—

“What are you looking at?” Chu Ling asked with a smile. “Because you’re afraid it’s a dream and don’t dare believe it?”

Chu Zhao sniffled and nodded.

Chu Ling beckoned to her. Chu Zhao came forward and half-knelt before him.

“A’Zhao, whether dream or not, as long as you live clearly awake, that’s enough.” Chu Ling said, then added: “Actually, my eyes have gone blind.”

Chu Zhao was stunned. She looked at her father’s eyes—clearly they were still so warm and spirited—

“This time.” Chu Ling’s warm eyes looked at her. “I must leave you again.”

……

……

The border commandery had heavy snow and bitter cold. The capital also welcomed its coldest time.

However, as victory dispatches continuously passed through the streets, even the cold winter became pleasant.

Several officials each holding a stack of documents walked through the imperial city, chatting and laughing as they walked. Suddenly one of them stopped.

“Gentlemen, you go see the Grand Tutor first.” He said with a smile. “I just remembered something. I’ll go handle it first.”

The other officials smiled and said “My lord, as you please,” watching that official head in another direction.

“What ‘handle other matters.'” One of them said quietly. “He’s taking the military reports from the northwest to show Third Young Master Xie.”

“All military and governmental matters are decided by the Grand Tutor.” Another official’s expression was dark.

Yet another shook his head with a smile: “If Third Young Master Xie wants to make decisions, how could the Grand Tutor stop him?”

That was true. The three exchanged glances. The one with the dark expression frowned helplessly, watching the departing official: “This is too blatant and unconcealed. Before it was private, now it’s completely open.”

……

……

Xie Yanfang looked at the document the official handed over but didn’t take it, saying: “Border commandery military reports should be sent directly to the Grand Tutor. No need to show them to me first.”

The official said: “This subordinate knows, but this one is somewhat special.”

Special?

Xie Yanfang reached out to take it and opened it: “—Military merit? This even less requires me to see it. The border commandery is now the priority. Whatever General Chu says he needs, give it to him.”

The official turned two pages and pointed at a line, saying quietly: “Military merit should naturally be given, but these two people—”

Xie Yanfang’s gaze settled on it, seeing two names.

He said: “Enlisting at this time, Second Master Liang and his son can be considered men of spirit.”

The official said: “Who knows what connections this Second Master Liang and his son used to grab this opportunity. Not only that, they’ve earned military merit. Their crimes are immediately canceled and they’ve regained official status.”

Xie Yanfang said: “This is how chaos brings forth heroes.”

The official laughed: “Third Young Master, don’t sigh. Should we just destroy this document?”

Xie Yanfang raised his eyes to look at him and said with a smile: “Why?”

“The Liang clan’s offense was because of the Xie clan.” The official said. Had Third Young Master forgotten? Impossible—Third Young Master had a photographic memory.

If the Liang clan received rewards and regained official status, a tree that had been dead and stiff would be revived—no enemy wanted to see this scene.

The Liang clan harbored grievances and hatred. They would threaten the Xie clan.

Xie Yanfang laughed heartily and tossed the military report back onto the desk: “When the Liang clan was prosperous before, they weren’t a threat to the Xie clan. How would they be now?”

“But, Third Young Master.” The official said with a bitter smile. “Now there’s the Grand Tutor.”

The Grand Tutor was very willing to support people who had grudges against the Xie clan. This time, the Liang father and son had only achieved minor military merit, but if the Grand Tutor intended to support them, he could help them rise swiftly, becoming the Grand Tutor’s lackeys, opposing the Xie clan at every turn. Very troublesome indeed.

For this kind of matter, one must prevent problems before they arose. Directly cut off the Liang clan’s lifeline. The Liang clan could forget about getting military merit.

Xie Yanfang looked at the official and nodded: “I know your intentions, but if this matter were done, it would instead lose the greater for the lesser. In this critical time of warfare, suppressing military merit and not approving it would give others a handle. The Grand Tutor could pursue it as the crime of shaking military morale. The Xie clan would also offend the entire border commandery army—”

He picked up the document, paused, then smiled.

“Better to let the Grand Tutor make the decision himself. Then it has nothing to do with me.”

The official seemed not to understand. Xie Yanfang gestured to him. The official hurried closer and listened to Xie Yanfang whisper a few sentences. A smile appeared on his face.

“This subordinate understands.” The official said with a smile, accepting the military report and bowing in farewell.

Where the Grand Tutor was located was the busiest place in the imperial city. Before the officials on this side finished their requests, those on the other side were already pushing forward. Finally when they had all finished, the clerks beside the Grand Tutor raised their hands to block the remaining people.

“Stop, all of you. Take turns, take turns eating. The Grand Tutor hasn’t eaten yet.” They said sternly.

The clerks before the Grand Tutor also couldn’t be underestimated. Though they all held insignificant scattered positions, they were all Deng Yi’s own people—his own people who had paid him money.

The money wasn’t small amounts, nor could ordinary families afford it. They were all from powerful aristocratic families. They sent money, Deng Yi arranged positions, and thus everyone became his own people.

The powerful aristocratic families gained opportunities, while Deng Yi gained supporters and assistance. Each took what they needed, everyone happy.

These clerks had considerable family backgrounds. The officials couldn’t look down on them and had to curry favor with the clerks to see Deng Yi.

Hearing the clerks’ words now, they could only withdraw.

“Remember to call me first after the Grand Tutor finishes eating.” Another official said quietly to a clerk while simultaneously using the pretense of adjusting his sleeve to slip a jade pendant to that clerk.

The clerk calmly and impassively accepted it.

This scene was seen by many. Someone shook his head helplessly: “How is this any different from when the Crown Prince governed before?”

Back then, the former Emperor didn’t handle court affairs, the Crown Prince was obsessed with archery and riding, the Yang clan was tyrannical, and the archery and riding officials ran rampant, amassing wealth just like this—

They had hoped that with the new Emperor and new Grand Tutor there would be a new atmosphere.

But looking now, they had thought too much. The former Emperor had absurdly found such a low-born clerk to be regent Grand Tutor. This Great Xia court would only become more absurd.

“We can’t say it like that.” Another official said quietly. “No matter what, the Grand Tutor hasn’t neglected court affairs. He handles them extremely quickly, accurately, steadily, and well—”

Yet another official nodded: “Let him collect money. Let him dominate power. As long as he does the work, let’s just endure these few years.”

Great Xia truly had disasters and difficulties.

Look at now—a little Emperor, an empress without propriety, a Grand Tutor intent on amassing wealth and dominating power. Well, fortunately, there was still Third Young Master Xie.

The officials withdrew to the corridor outside the hall, each with their own thoughts. But one official who had just arrived refused to withdraw and kept charging inside.

“Grand Tutor, this is urgent from the border commandery. General Chu said military merit must be rewarded immediately and cannot be delayed.” He shouted, holding up the documents in his hands.

Deng Yi, who had just sat down at the eating table with two clerks wiping his hands, raised his eyes slightly.

“What words are these?” He said. “Besides fighting wars, does General Chu now want to dominate the court as well?”

Hearing his words, the clerks standing at the door no longer hesitated and reached out to restrain the official trying to charge inside.

“Get out!” They shouted.

The official, being scholarly and weak, was pushed and staggered backward holding his documents.

The hall doors slammed shut with a bang.