Speaking of the past, Chu Zhao’s mind drifted a bit. When she had stopped the Xie family from publicly flogging Xie Yanlai and then used the opportunity to meet Xie Yanfang, she indeed had intended to establish a connection.

That Xie Yanfang, who could control half the empire and leave Xiao Xun helpless, was someone she wanted to befriend even more than Deng Yi, and also the person she feared and guarded against the most.

This fear and vigilance remained deeply hidden in her heart, not daring to show even the slightest trace.

In this life, by saving Xiao Yu, she had not only cut off Xiao Xun’s path to becoming Emperor but also severed Xie Yanfang’s path to rebellion.

However, Xie Yanfang’s careful protection of Xiao Yu didn’t mean he could tolerate her as an Empress sharing power. Just like Deng Yi, who, despite cooperating with her, couldn’t tolerate her standing in court and participating in governance as a woman. But from Xie Yanfang’s attitude toward her, she genuinely felt his unquestionable approval and support.

When she wanted to go to the border commandery to see her father, he hadn’t opposed it, nor had he taken advantage of her absence to eliminate her already unstable foundation. Instead, he had balanced against Deng Yi, helping her secure her position as Empress.

When she wanted to speak in court and participate in governance, he hadn’t opposed it at all.

He wasn’t just sitting on the mountain watching tigers fight. As he had told her, to secure a place in court, “Empress, you must become a tiger yourself; you must fight for power.”

He did nothing, yet in doing so, he supported her, giving her someone to rely on.

Even in daily matters, he was thoughtful. The Xie family was the Emperor’s only relatives, but Xie Yanfang only allowed her to be the Emperor’s closest person, forbidding Xie clan members from entering the capital.

He never worried that a strong Empress would weaken the Emperor, and even made people suspect that he might prefer to see it that way.

From ancient times until now, such imperial in-laws were rare, especially someone like Xie Yanfang.

Xie Yanfang, who in her previous life had caused unrest in Great Xia for ten years and controlled half the empire as the “Wolf of Yan,” lived without desire or ambition in this life.

It seemed that all his desires had been satisfied by Xiao Yu becoming Emperor.

Chu Zhao studied Xie Yanfang carefully.

The young master was as refined as jade, with clear eyes and a faint smile on his lips, elegant and understated.

What had Xie Yanfang looked like in that previous life? Unfortunately, she never had the chance to see him then.

“Third Young Master,” she sat up straight and asked, “For the stability of the court, could I request that imperial relatives not be allowed to hold official positions?”

That was harsh enough, wasn’t it? With Deng Yi gone from court, she, the power-hungry Empress, was now extending her reach toward the Xie clan.

Xie Yanfang nodded: “Of course you can.”

Chu Zhao looked at him, and he looked back at her, with a smile in his eyes.

Though he was smiling, it wasn’t a playful smile. It was relaxed, firm, and sincere.

He truly meant it, without any pretense, hypocrisy, or mere courtesy.

Chu Zhao smiled and gestured with her hand: “Third Young Master, try this dish.”

Xie Yanfang let out a gentle sigh: “It seems I answered correctly. If I had answered wrong, I wouldn’t get to eat tonight.”

Chu Zhao laughed heartily, personally serving him a bowl of soup and rice.

“Has A-Yu been well-behaved lately?” she asked.

Xie Yanfang smiled and said, “As a child, he’s fine. As an Emperor, I can’t comment yet, because an Emperor isn’t defined by whether he’s well-behaved or not.” He continued, “He’s also very upset about Yanlai’s passing. Although the child didn’t interact much with Yanlai, he cares more about Yanlai than about me.”

Chu Zhao understood why. Because during that chaotic night, she had pushed Xie Yanlai in front of Xiao Yu. A young bird in distress forms deep impressions.

“He didn’t fail A-Yu’s concern either. From that night guarding the city gate until now, defending the border commandery, killing Xiao Xun—he protected Great Xia for Xiao Yu,” she said softly. “A-Yu should and must remember this uncle.”

“No one will forget him,” Xie Yanfang said, lowering his head to pour wine, with a touch of admiration. “For a person to do what they want to do and succeed at it—I admire him greatly.”

He raised his head and smiled at Chu Zhao.

“I, Xie Yanfang, have never looked down on anyone, but those I admire are few.”

“Previously, in my eyes, he was just a member of the Xie family. Now, he is Xie Yanlai, a man who stands out from the world and deserves to be remembered.”

For someone like Xie Yanlai, truly intelligent people would admire him. Xie Yanfang spoke from the heart.

And after success upon success, to be able to set aside fame, merit, and achievement to depart alone, though she had suggested it at the time, she hadn’t expected him to agree.

“I admire him too,” Chu Zhao raised her wine cup.

Xie Yanfang clinked his cup gently against hers and said: “I’m glad we knew such a person.” He drained his cup in one go.

Chu Zhao smiled and drank hers completely as well.

“But to be honest, the taste of the food in the Zhongshan Prince’s mansion isn’t as good as in the capital,” Xie Yanfang said.

Chu Zhao laughed: “Lord Xie is too picky.”

She often called him “Lord Xie,” but this was the first time she used such a teasing tone. Xie Yanfang smiled: “I am indeed very picky, but most people don’t notice.”

Chu Zhao laughed heartily again.

……

……

Xie Yanfang returned to his quarters bathed in moonlight. Steward Cai circled him, sniffing.

“You drank quite a bit,” he said, examining Xie Yanfang’s face. “Seems like you had a pleasant conversation. Did she ask you to stay here? When is she leaving?”

Xie Yanfang accepted the tea handed to him by a servant and smiled: “No, she didn’t. She wants to stay here herself to reorganize and rebuild the provincial and commandery offices.”

Steward Cai was taken aback: “What? She doesn’t trust you then. So what did you talk about all night?”

Xie Yanfang had already sat down, leaning against an armrest, the smile at the corners of his eyes like moonlight: “We talked about Yanlai. We kept talking about Yanlai. Then we discussed how, although the food in the Zhongshan Prince’s mansion isn’t as good as the imperial kitchen, it still has its merits.”

“Talking about Xie Yanlai and still so happy?” Steward Cai frowned. “It seems she truly isn’t sad.”

“Wrong,” Xie Yanfang wagged his finger at him. “Steward Cai, making people happy isn’t about avoiding discussing the departed, but about freely discussing them.”

He raised his teacup.

“A brave person, though dead, still lives. Heroes should be legends.”

“Talking about heroes is the most joyful and exhilarating thing in the world.”

With that, he drank his tea like wine, throwing back his head.

Seeing Xie Yanfang’s behavior, Steward Cai sighed helplessly: “You did drink too much. Enjoy yourself as you please.” He walked out, calling for someone, “Brew some sobering soup.” He shook his head. “I never thought there would be a day when I’d need to prepare sobering soup for the young master.”

Third Young Master Xie had been surrounded by servants since childhood, but rather than the servants taking care of him, it was more like the servants followed his arrangements to take care of him.

The young master had never arranged for sobering soup.

The young master had never gotten drunk while drinking with others.

If the young master got drunk, it was only from drinking alone.

Steward Cai left, muttering. Only Xie Yanfang remained in the room, still leaning against the armrest. By the window, the night wind stirred the crab apple tree, and moonlight danced upon him.

“Speak of heroes, and heroes should live in the heart,” he said. “I’m happy to talk about heroes with her.”

He wouldn’t mind doing so for a lifetime.

……

……

At the end of the fourth year of Xingping, amid heavy snowfall and the sound of firecrackers throughout the city, Chu Zhao entered the capital lightly equipped and simply dressed, just as she had the last time.

Although there was no ceremonial procession for the Empress, the imperial guards had been instructed in advance not to hinder the red-cloaked woman galloping through the swirling snowflakes. The palace gates were wide open, with guards standing at attention, watching as she passed through.

In the front court of the palace, there were no officials lined up, only the figure of a half-grown child. His cloak and hat were covered with snow, making him look like a snowman.

When he saw the approaching figure on horseback, the snowman suddenly came to life, running down the steps as the dancing snowflakes seemed to part for him.

“Sister Chu—”

Chu Zhao quickly dismounted and opened her arms to welcome Xiao Yu. When he threw himself into her embrace, she almost lost her balance.

“A-Yu has grown into a big child, with strength greater than mine,” she said with a smile.

She examined the child before her. After almost a year and a half without seeing him, his features had changed somewhat.

The childish air had faded, replaced by the emerging aura of adolescence.

Xiao Yu smiled brightly, taking her hand and holding it in his own, breathing warm air onto it: “Sister’s hands are so cold. You must be freezing.”

Chu Zhao smiled, withdrawing her hand to place it on his shoulder: “Your hands are colder than mine. How long have you been freezing out here? Come, let’s go inside and warm up.”

Xiao Yu nodded and leaned against her as they walked into the palace.

The guards and attendants who had stood back all around them called out in unison, their voices carrying through the wind and snow.

“We welcome the Empress—”

“We welcome the Empress back to the palace—”