“What did he say?”

Cai Bo waited for Xie Yanfang at the palace gate, gazing at Deng Yi surrounded by officials.

“Did he ask about the Zheng family grain matter?”

“He offered his condolences and said I worked hard.” Xie Yanfang said with a smile. “The Grand Tutor was very amiable and kind, only thanking me for helping resolve the Hezhou old grain case, without investigating what benefits I gained.”

“Only you, Third Young Master, find him amiable and kind,” Cai Bo said. “All the officials at court, and His Majesty’s teachers, don’t think so.”

Although Deng Yi’s replacement of His Majesty’s teachers happened after Xie Yanfang left the capital, he knew about it at the time.

However, he paid no attention and didn’t object.

At this moment, he still smiled: “Being strict about His Majesty’s studies is also a good thing.”

Xie Yanfang then recounted how Chu Zhao wanted to take His Majesty flower-viewing earlier, laughing softly: “The Grand Tutor is also very strict with the Empress.”

Cai Bo shook his head: “He’s not strict about His Majesty’s studies—he just doesn’t want the teachers getting too close to His Majesty. Changing them every six months means these teachers are all strangers to His Majesty.”

For His Majesty who had lost his relatives, it was too easy to imprint on father figures like a nestling.

“As for the Empress—” Cai Bo said, “No matter how strict he is with the Empress, she says what she wants and he listens. It was so with Prince Zhongshan’s matter, and so with His Majesty skipping class to play.”

Thinking of what Chu Zhao said before Deng Yi earlier—she truly wasn’t afraid at all, and in the end Deng Yi let it go. Xie Yanfang laughed again.

Naturally he also understood Cai Bo’s reasoning. However, the Grand Tutor’s strictness toward the Empress was different from his treatment of others—it contained no ulterior motive. It was strictness in the literal, surface sense, purely displayed outwardly.

This kind of strictness was sincere.

Du Qi led the carriage and horses over, interrupting Xie Yanfang’s reverie. He lifted the curtain and sat inside the carriage. Cai Bo also climbed in. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with a tea stove and utensils set on the carriage table. Cai Bo skillfully poured tea.

“Young Master, you avoided court and left for over half a year. The Grand Tutor and Empress have grown even closer,” Cai Bo said.

Of course, he didn’t care that the Grand Tutor and Empress were close. What concerned him was that His Majesty would be led by the Empress to become close to the Grand Tutor.

They knew all too well how close His Majesty was to this Empress. The Empress’s preferences could influence His Majesty too easily.

“Third Young Master, this time you went back and pacified everyone at home. The Xie family won’t come to the capital—we’ve truly become His Majesty’s distant relatives.”

Cai Bo sighed softly at this point.

“I know Third Young Master’s concerns. Not clashing with the Grand Tutor and Empress now is for His Majesty’s good, but His Majesty is our family’s child. Yet Old Master and the Master can’t be close to him—it truly makes no sense.”

“His Majesty won’t become less close to us because of distance,” Xie Yanfang said softly, holding his teacup. “This time when I returned, His Majesty’s eyes shone when he saw me. Not the slightest estrangement—rather, we’re closer.”

Though he left the capital, he wrote letters to Chu Zhao every half month, describing what he saw on his journeys, what he heard during disaster relief, even the tangled relationships among local officials, not avoiding the misery of the disaster victims.

That girl would read these letters aloud to Xiao Yu, because she knew this would help the young Emperor better understand the realm.

Sincerity and closeness were conveyed this way through the pen tip.

Even better than face-to-face meetings could convey.

Distance never mattered. Previously, because of life and death, that child hated him and felt estranged from him. With time and his sincerity, hadn’t that now been resolved?

“Also, the Grand Tutor obeys the Empress’s every word. The Empress being close to the Grand Tutor isn’t anything to be nervous about. The reason they’re like this is because their goals are the same, their desires the same. However, people are different—it’s impossible for their desires to always remain the same.”

He looked at Cai Bo.

“Does the Empress know that the Grand Tutor sent two edicts to the border army?”

……

……

When night fell, Xiao Yu was already fast asleep.

Today at the flower-viewing banquet there were many entertainments—pitch-pot, archery, swings, polo. Chu Zhao played through everything with Xiao Yu.

After returning, Xiao Yu still completed the homework he’d promised Deng Yi.

After finishing all this, the exhausted child collapsed into sleep.

Chu Zhao picked up the bamboo tube by the bed.

“His Majesty hasn’t used this in a long time,” Eunuch Qi said quietly. “Shall we put it away?”

Chu Zhao shook her head, saying softly: “Let’s wait a bit longer. Wait until he says he doesn’t want it himself. Let’s not decide for him.”

Eunuch Qi acknowledged this and helped lower the bed curtains: “Empress, you should go rest now.”

Chu Zhao didn’t go rest, but came to the study to review memorials and check on court affairs’ progress. This was her homework.

Although she was only listening to governance from behind the curtain now and had no right to express opinions on court matters, since she sat in the court hall, she couldn’t be deaf and mute.

A’Le was burning incense in the room while talking with Xiao Man. They didn’t know what was said, but the two seemed to get into a dispute.

“What are you two quarreling about?” Chu Zhao looked up and asked.

Xiao Man huffed and ignored her.

A’Le said with a smile: “We’re not quarreling. I guessed Miss would write to Uncle Zhong tomorrow, while Xiao Man guessed Miss would write to Uncle Zhong the day after tomorrow.”

Although the court received reports from the border commandery, Chu Zhao still maintained correspondence with Zhong Changrong. Of course, for safety, the letters all went through Xiao Man and Mu Mianhong.

So Chu Zhao also wrote letters to Mu Mianhong.

The last letter was written before the New Year. In the blink of an eye, spring had arrived—

Uncle Zhong was fine. The Empress’s movements could also be seen in the reports. But Mu Mianhong, in order to train the fifty thousand troops, was hidden in deep mountains, hills, gorges, and wilderness, almost isolated from the world.

She must miss her very much.

“I didn’t guess. What’s there to guess about?” Xiao Man huffed. “The court sent an edict to the border commandery. The border army will soon send someone to the capital. Zhong Changrong might come himself. Whatever you want to ask, just ask face to face.”

Chu Zhao of course knew about this. It had been discussed in court, and she had personally reviewed that edict.

A’Le asked Chu Zhao nervously and excitedly: “Miss, will Uncle Zhong come himself?”

Chu Zhao laughed: “How could Uncle Zhong come? He can’t leave.”

A’Le asked again: “Then—will A’Jiu come? A’Jiu follows Uncle Zhong. Uncle Zhong could let him come in his place.”

A’Jiu. Chu Zhao hesitated, then nodded and shook her head: “I don’t know.”

A’Le said: “Miss, you should directly request the Grand Tutor to name him to come.”

Chu Zhao shook her head: “That won’t do. He must decide this himself. We can’t force him to come.” She put down the memorial in her hand, looking at the bright palace lamp. “Besides, A’Jiu really likes the border army.”

In the border commandery, he was A’Jiu, not Xie Yanlai.

To him, this capital was a cage. Better not to come.

“Don’t worry. When Uncle Zhong receives the edict, he’ll arrange everything well,” Chu Zhao said with a smile. “Just wait to hear Uncle Zhong’s words in court.”

A’Le nodded and sat down across from Chu Zhao.

“Uncle Zhong won’t come, and A’Jiu may not either,” she said, reaching out to grind ink. “Miss, you should still write a letter today. That way, when you hear Uncle Zhong speak in court, Uncle Zhong can also hear you speak from the border commandery.”

Chu Zhao smiled and nodded: “Good. I’ll write two letters tonight—three letters.” As she spoke, she spread out letter paper, lifted her brush, and dipped it in ink.

Xiao Man didn’t come over, but instead walked several steps outside, vigilantly surveying the surroundings. However, the corners of her mouth curved upward in a smile. Among two or three letters, there would always be one for Auntie.

……

……

Deep in the night, after washing up, Xie Yanfang was also writing something.

“Young Master.” Du Qi pushed the door open, followed by Seventh Master Xie. “News from Yunzhong Commandery says Xie Yanlai will come as the border army’s military envoy to have an audience at court.”

Xie Yanfang looked up, made a sound of acknowledgment, his expression showing no particular change. But Seventh Master Xie’s face was already ashen with anger.

“Didn’t our people there tell him?” he said hatefully. “We sent so many people there—are they all idiots?”

Xie Yanfang smiled: “Seventh Uncle, you’re not unaware—when has he ever listened?”

Seventh Master Xie of course also knew this, saying coldly: “It was fine if he didn’t listen before. But this time, if he affects our plans, let him never have to listen to anyone speak again—let him die on the road. He’s of no use anyway.”

Xie Yanfang held his brush, pondering: “Die on the road? Let me think about the pros and cons.”