At autumn palace banquets, lotus seed soup was always served. The young Emperor wasn’t a picky eater, but he could always manage an extra bowl of lotus seed soup when it was garnished with fresh osmanthus flowers.

Today, however, he only took a few bites before setting it aside. Xiao Yu picked up the letter and read it again.

Seeing it was from the Empress, Eunuch Qi didn’t urge him to continue eating and ordered the attendants to clear the table.

While the Empress was away on campaign, letters had initially arrived once every fortnight. But following the great victory over the rebellion, the correspondence had become increasingly frequent, arriving almost every three to five days.

Ever since learning of Xiao Xun’s death and the Empress’s victory, the court had been permeated with an atmosphere of joy. Even the young Emperor, who typically maintained a quiet demeanor that never betrayed emotion, had worn a constant smile, barely able to contain his happiness.

But this letter had left no trace of joy on Xiao Yu’s face, only sorrow.

“Ah,” he sighed deeply, telling Eunuch Qi, “How heartbroken Sister Chu must be.”

The latest news reported that Xie Yanlai’s remains had been found.

Previous reports that had arrived alongside news of Xiao Xun’s death stated that Xie Yanlai had led a group of about a dozen men in successfully infiltrating Zhongshan Commandery to assassinate Xiao Xun, but Xie Yanlai’s fate remained unknown.

By then, everyone had already surmised that Xie Yanlai was dead, but without a body, the Empress refused to believe it.

Now, after capturing the city, people from the Zhongshan Prince’s mansion had confessed that, out of spite, they had chopped up all the assassins’ bodies and buried them in the mansion’s garden as fertilizer for flowers.

When the garden was excavated, they found the remains of more than a dozen people. Though decomposed, they tried their best to reassemble complete bodies for the deceased.

Xie Yanlai’s remains were among them.

Of course, the letter didn’t describe this scene in detail. Even Xiao Yu, who had witnessed battlefield carnage, couldn’t bear to imagine it. He sighed heavily again.

This was already who knows how many times he had sighed today. Eunuch Qi, seeing the child’s furrowed brow, sighed along with him: “Indeed, what can be done? War always claims lives. The Empress’s father also died on the battlefield.”

Xiao Yu shook his head: “Uncle and General Chu are different.”

General Chu had technically died from illness. Sister Chu had been prepared for his departure. But Xie Yanlai was different. Ever since that night when he guarded the palace gate, Xie Yanlai had always been brave and skilled in battle, charging at the front, resolving problems for Sister Chu.

Sister Chu had trusted him deeply and relied heavily on him. She surely never imagined that one day he would die.

Just as he had never imagined losing his parents one day.

He actually hadn’t seen this uncle for quite some time, but his impression remained vivid – those emotionless eyes that night at the city gate, and during their encounters in the palace, the complete lack of respect shown to him.

This uncle didn’t like him.

Or rather, didn’t like his position.

This was the opposite of his other uncle.

That uncle liked him, but only because of his position.

Yet he felt no particular affection for the uncle who liked him—after all, he only approached Xie Yanfang because of Xie Yanfang’s position. As for this uncle Xie Yanlai, who didn’t like him, he harbored no hatred either.

He had wondered what would happen if these two completely different uncles were to face off in a life-or-death struggle, who would win and who would lose, but now he would never know the outcome.

What a pity.

Xiao Yu sighed heavily once more.

“Your Majesty should reward General Xie Yanlai handsomely,” Eunuch Qi said softly.

Xiao Yu nodded: “Whatever rewards Sister Chu bestows, I shall double them.” Then he asked, “Is Uncle Yanfang going to Zhongshan Commandery? To escort Sister Chu back?”

Eunuch Qi replied: “He’s going to escort General Xie Yanlai’s remains back to the capital.”

Xiao Yu immediately sat up straight, eyes brightening: “Why don’t I go along as well?”

Eunuch Qi’s eyes also filled with anticipation: “To be honest, Your Majesty, this old servant wishes to go too.” Then, with resignation, he added, “But with the Empress away and Lord Xie departed, the court cannot be left unattended. Your Majesty must remain here. Only with Your Majesty in court can the Empress campaign with peace of mind.”

Xiao Yu leaned back in his chair and gave him a look, saying: “Eunuch Qi, you could just say directly that I can’t go. Why beat around the bush and use Sister Chu as an excuse? I’m not a child anymore.”

Eunuch Qi smiled sheepishly, neither confirming nor denying, and said only: “In this old servant’s heart, Your Majesty will always be as precious as a child.”

Xiao Yu laughed heartily, waving his hand: “I understand your feelings, Eunuch Qi. You’re different from others. You don’t need to be so cautious when speaking to me. Go attend to your duties. I want to write back to Sister.”

Eunuch Qi smiled and acknowledged, but didn’t leave immediately. He arranged the table properly and set out two plates of snacks.

“Lord Qi, we can handle these tasks,” two attendants smiled ingratiatingly nearby, stepping forward to help.

Many eunuchs served the Emperor, each with specific duties. These were specifically responsible for writing implements.

Of course, in Eunuch Qi’s presence, these attendants had to stand back.

But these young ones were becoming increasingly impatient.

“I’ve arranged things, and I’ll feel more at ease with you attending to him,” Eunuch Qi said with a smile, not dismissing them.

The two attendants responded cheerfully: “With your guidance, my lord, we feel more confident in our service.”

Xiao Yu pretended not to hear the exchange between the eunuchs. He held the letter in one hand while eating snacks with the other, neither stopping Eunuch Qi from serving him nor preventing the attendants from trying to do so.

For these people, serving the Emperor was the greatest honor, a blessing from the Emperor, and the meaning of their existence.

Being Emperor was simple.

As Xie Yanfang had once said, being Emperor required doing nothing at all.

When the Emperor did nothing, others would act, and even compete for the chance to serve.

Eunuch Qi took his leave, but at the doorway he looked back to see the two writing attendants standing eagerly at the table, asking, “Which brush would Your Majesty prefer to use?” “Would Your Majesty like something to drink?”

Xiao Yu continued reading the letter while answering their questions: “Use this brush.” “Just water will do, neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm.” “Little Yuan, go get me that paper with the pressed osmanthus flowers from a few days ago.”

The room buzzed with activity.

His Majesty had grown up and was no longer the child who cowered in the dark, frightened by the world. He was becoming increasingly adept at being Emperor.

Eunuch Qi withdrew his gaze and instructed the waiting attendants: “Listen to His Majesty’s commands. I’m going to rest.”

The attendants responded in a chorus of acknowledgment. Two came to escort him, while most remained stationed outside the hall—they couldn’t miss the opportunity now that the Emperor’s favorite had left.

“Grandfather, look at those rascals, each one getting more arrogant,” one attendant supporting Eunuch Qi spat bitterly.

The other attendant nodded quickly: “You should teach them a lesson.”

Eunuch Qi replied: “Remember, in this palace, only one person can discipline others, and that’s the Emperor. No one else should think of doing so. Think too much of yourself, and you’ll face more discipline.”

“My lord, those people want to steal His Majesty’s affection from you,” one attendant whispered.

His Majesty had previously relied solely on Eunuch Qi, but as he grew, he needed more people around him. A child’s dependence was easily gained but also easily lost.

Eunuch Qi smiled: “Don’t worry, that won’t happen.”

Since that child no longer wished to be treated as a child, he would no longer view him as one.

As someone who had survived so long in the palace, he knew how to maintain the Emperor’s favor by not seeking it.

……

……

“Attendant!”

Having finished his letter, Xiao Yu called out.

An attendant from outside rushed in first.

“Deliver this letter to Lord Xie and have him bring it to the Empress for me,” Xiao Yu instructed, then asked, “What’s your name?”

The attendant quickly gave his name.

Xiao Yu nodded and repeated his name: “From now on, you will carry messages for me.”

The attendant was ecstatic, loudly acknowledging the honor. He accepted the letter with both hands and hurried away.

Xiao Yu waved dismissively at the attendants standing by the table. The two attendants quickly retreated to the doorway. Hearing the silence within, they couldn’t help but glance up to see the young Emperor leaning back in his chair, seemingly lost in thought as he gazed at the table.

When the young Emperor was silent, his gradually maturing, slender eyes and brows appeared increasingly solemn, displaying a calmness that belied his age.

Suddenly, his mouth curved into a smile.

The two attendants were startled and quickly averted their gaze.

Xiao Yu smiled as he looked at the letter on the table, his joy spreading. Sister Chu would be returning soon.

The Western Liang Prince had been repelled, the rebellious Zhongshan Prince had finally been eliminated. From now on, Sister Chu wouldn’t need to campaign and fight. She would never leave again.

……

……

When the attendant delivered the Emperor’s letter, Xie Yanfang was already preparing to depart.

“Assure His Majesty,” Xie Yanfang smiled at the attendant, “I’ll travel faster than the imperial couriers.”

The attendant respectfully bowed and withdrew.

Seventh Master Xie muttered: “The child misses the Empress.” Watching Xie Yanfang fasten his cloak, he added, “But I never expected that Xie Yanlai would die like this.”

Xie Yanfang pressed his lips together. He hadn’t expected Xie Yanlai to act as he did either, but it wasn’t surprising.

This child, taken in by the Xie family midway through life, had been raised to be a lone warrior.

The ultimate fate of a lone warrior was to die brilliantly.

This was Xie Yanlai’s destined end.

Dying for a worthy cause was a joyful thing, but—

Xie Yanfang sighed softly: “The Empress must be heartbroken.”

That was why he had to personally go retrieve Xie Yanlai.

Giving the deceased proper honor was the best consolation for the living.

He then asked: “Is everything prepared for Yanlai’s reception?”

Seventh Master Xie nodded: “Rest assured, all arrangements have been made along the route. We guarantee this young man will return with full honors.”

This would also bring honor to the Xie family.

Xie Yanfang said no more. He took the horse, mounted with a swing of his leg, and looked ahead, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

The child missed her, and the adult missed her too.

All the messy branches and tendrils had been cut away, creating this unique, unprecedented Empress.

She was the treasure that he, Xie Yanfang, had carved and polished.

Time to bring her home.

He spurred his horse to gallop away, with Du Qi and others following swiftly behind.