Ashes to Crown

Chapter 248: Chapter 60: Actions (3)

The officials stared, stunned, at the child Emperor. The first thought that popped into their minds was, ’Who taught him this? The Grand Tutor? Xie Yanfang? Or Empress Chu?’

”There is no need for such speculation, my lords. It was my command that the Empress leave the Imperial Palace, and it was I who persuaded the Grand Tutor and Mr. Xie,” Xiao Yu announced in a clear voice. ”However, I did not order the Empress to the Border County out of distrust for you, my dear ministers. The country’s stability is not something one person can achieve alone. The Empress inspects the Border County on my behalf, while you all secure the country for me. Both are fundamental to my peace of mind.”

At this, the Emperor set his young features into a stern expression and surveyed the hall.

”I ascended the throne young and in haste. I adhere to the late Emperor’s principle of governing with civility and quelling chaos with martial might. Both Civil Servants and Military Generals are pillars of the court. All of my ministers must serve the state with integrity. You are not to provoke discord or disrupt the order of my court.”

Though his last words had a childish ring to them, they struck a chord with the ministers. They instinctively bowed low. ”We would not dare! We are at fault!”

When the echoes of their voices faded, the child’s voice sounded once more.

”There is no need for further censure. The Empress’s great victory is a joyous occasion for the country and should be celebrated.”

The officials glanced at one another, then bowed their heads in unison once more. ”We congratulate Your Majesty and the Empress.”

...

...

’They’ve really stopped denouncing Sister Chu. Now they’re congratulating her.’

’My words... they actually worked.’

’I really can protect Sister Chu.’

Standing before the Dragon Throne, Xiao Yu could barely conceal his excitement. As he gazed at the hall filled with bowing officials, the little hand clenched at his side finally relaxed, revealing a palm slick with sweat.

From among the bowing officials, Xie Yanfang raised his head and smiled at him.

Xiao Yu met his gaze and hesitated, wondering whether to look away. But before he could, Xie Yanfang lowered his head, breaking eye contact first.

Xiao Yu clenched his hand into a fist, his gaze remaining fixed.

...

...

When the court session concluded, the officials in the hall with Deng Yi also began to disperse. Only then did the buzzing clamor in his ears finally fade.

”Sir.” A Clerk brought him a cup of hot tea.

Deng Yi took the cup and had a sip, reaching up to gently press the spot between his eyebrows.

”Who taught His Majesty to do that?” the Clerk asked. ”To speak up at a moment like this...”

Deng Yi replied, ”Who else but Xie Yanfang?”

The Clerk chuckled. ”And here I was thinking it was Empress Chu.”

’And here I was thinking it was Empress Chu.’ The Clerk’s words seemed casual, but a thought flashed through Deng Yi’s mind. ’So, people are now putting Chu Zhao in the same league as Xie Yanfang... and me?’

”Third Young Master Xie is really sparing no effort for Empress Chu,” the Clerk continued with a smile.

”He has no choice but to be dedicated. It’s not as if we can get a new Empress now, can we?” Deng Yi said, looking up. ”Regardless, it was the perfect time for His Majesty to speak.”

’I can grant Chu Zhao the freedom to enter and leave the Imperial Palace, but I can’t stop others from questioning her.’

Deng Yi swirled the tea in his cup, his eyes on the victory report laid out on his desk. ’A public proclamation of victory... that girl isn’t just refusing to hide her identity, she wants the whole world to know.’

”Empress Chu... her doing this...” the Clerk asked in a low voice, ”Is it for her father? Whose idea was it? Third Young Master Xie?”

Deng Yi suddenly laughed. ”Third Young Master Xie?” He chuckled.

If Deng Yi had only heard that Chu Zhao dealt with the scattered Western Liang soldiers, he wouldn’t have thought much of it. But upon hearing the public proclamation celebrating the Empress’s martial prowess, he knew. Xie Yanfang—Third Young Master Xie—was probably looking just as grim as he felt.

’What’s so funny?’ The Clerk was confused.

”This wasn’t Third Young Master Xie’s idea,” Deng Yi said, smiling. ”It was Empress Chu’s.”

’And it wasn’t for her father, either. It was for herself.’

’This girl has always had her own plans, always acted for her own sake.’

’Before, she used the chaos in the capital to get the late Emperor’s attention and demand the title of Empress.’

’Now, having achieved such a great feat during the Western Liang invasion, she naturally wants the entire world to see it.’

’An Empress seen by the world is no longer just a decoration sitting in the Imperial City.’

The smile on Deng Yi’s face slowly faded.

’Isn’t that girl asking for too much?’