Chapter 300 - 87: Opportunity

Chapter 300: Chapter 87: Opportunity

How could the clamor, objections, and doubts of the court officials possibly stop Xie Yanfang?

Who could stand in the way of what he, Xie Yanfang, set out to do?

Xie Yanfang vaulted onto his horse, holding Xiao Yu.

Ever since the Crown Prince died and the new emperor ascended the throne, he, Xie Yanfang, remained a dashing young master in the eyes of the world. He was the Emperor’s only relative and most trusted uncle. He had entered the court as an official, secured a high position, and was simply without equal.

But for him, he was still trapped in that one night.

He was still wearing the inner robes he’d been startled from sleep in, clutching a long saber, covered from head to toe in blood.

He had watched helplessly as the Crown Prince died, as the Crown Princess Consort died, as the young highness was saved by someone else, and as some unknown nobody vaulted to a position above his own.

Third Young Master Xie had never been so disgraced in his entire life.

’How could he possibly accept it!’

Finally, lured by this external threat, the King of Zhongshan had personally delivered himself to his doorstep. In this one battle, Third Young Master Xie would wipe away his shame, display his might, establish his prestige, and win back the heart of a child.

Xie Yanfang looked down at the child sitting before him.

Wrapped in a cloak, Xiao Yu’s jade-like face seemed to glow under the light of the torches.

Hoofbeats thudded from all sides as the Imperial Guard shouted, "His Majesty leads the campaign personally!" Their cries echoed through the streets of the Capital City. The people hiding in their homes heard the shouts in disbelief. At first, those on the main thoroughfares peeked through cracks in their doors and windows, and they indeed saw a child. Although many had never laid eyes on the Xiao Emperor, who else could it be, sitting there before Xie Yanfang? In an instant, they all rushed out. The crowds swelled, and the entire Capital City erupted in a fervor.

"I will personally go and question the King of Zhongshan!" Xiao Yu shouted to the crowds surging in from the streets. "He claims to protect the Great Xia, so why does he harm my people? If he shows no remorse, I will cut him down myself!"

The child’s voice was young and his words somewhat immature, but it only sent the crowd into a greater frenzy.

"Rest assured, everyone," Xiao Yu added. "My leading the campaign does not mean we have reached a moment of crisis. The Empress could lead troops to the Border County to face the King of Western Liang, so of course I will not just sit idly in the Imperial City."

The child shook open his cloak and, with a small hand, raised a sword nearly as tall as himself.

"Kill those who violate the Great Xia!"

"Kill those who harm my people!"

The childish voice was immature, yet loud and stirring. No one saw him as a mere child. This was the Emperor, the Son of Heaven, their sovereign. The people on the streets were moved to tears, roaring themselves hoarse, "KILL—"

The gates of the Capital City, shut for many days, swung open. Countless citizens followed the Emperor’s troops, determined to accompany His Majesty to the front lines.

The bright torches made the entire Capital City look as if it were ablaze.

Xiao Yu looked up at Xie Yanfang, his eyes sparkling and his cheeks flushed. "Did I say the right things?"

Xie Yanfang nodded. "You spoke very well. Even without my instruction, you had Miss Chu to teach you. You’re much better than I expected."

’Sister Chu is, of course, very good.’ A smile bloomed on Xiao Yu’s face.

"Now that Sister Chu isn’t here, it’s my turn to teach you," Xie Yanfang added, brandishing the long saber in his hand. "This time, I will teach you how to kill your enemies. Yu, this time, I want you to kill someone with your own hands."

He looked down at Xiao Yu.

"Yu, do you dare?"

So excited his ears turned red, Xiao Yu nodded vigorously. "Uncle, I dare." He raised the longsword in his hand, mimicking the way Xie Yanfang held his saber.

’My real, true uncle is finally here. Soon, I’ll make that title—Uncle—truly heartfelt, truly irreplaceable.’

Xie Yanfang let out a great laugh, raising his saber and spurring his horse onward. The steed neighed and galloped forward.

"This is unacceptable." "How can this be allowed?" "Grand Tutor—"

Amidst the roaring cheers, the officials’ clamoring could still be heard.

Deng Yi stood before the palace gates, watching them leave. After Xie Yanfang had spoken and the Xiao Emperor had cried out his agreement, Deng Yi had not said another word, nor had he tried to stop them. A throng of officials had rushed off to follow Xie Yanfang’s party, leaving only a handful of people by his side.

Deng Yi silenced their clamoring with a chuckle.

"I was indeed a little worried at first," he said, gazing at the clamorous Capital City that seemed to burn like a fire. "The King of Zhongshan has been amassing power for so long; winning this battle would not have been easy. But now that Xie Yanfang has stepped forward, I’m no longer worried. The King of Zhongshan has always believed this to be his opportunity, but in reality, it is merely an opportunity for Xie Yanfang."

...

...

As morning light once again bathed the land, the local aristocratic Family Heads waiting outside the government office stirred from their stiffened states. The sons and nephews accompanying them cautiously began to massage their elders’ limbs.

"Father, can you still hold on?" they asked in low, worried voices.

The elders were all in their sixties or seventies and hadn’t endured such hardship in many years.

"Hardship?" one Family Head said softly. "Compared to those from the other families who were beheaded and are now lying quietly on the ground, I suppose this is a little trying, isn’t it?"