Yuchi Chong said softly, "Of all virtues, filial piety comes first. I returned from the Northern Frontier chiefly for the Grand Empress Dowager's funeral. My intention in resigning was also to guard her Mausoleum. But since Your Majesty says the fighting on the Northern Frontier is urgent, I can only forgo paying my filial respects before the Grand Empress Dowager's Mausoleum and return to the frontier as soon as possible." Yuchi Chong had already made up his mind. Whether it was Xue Lingjun or Xue Daoming, he would avoid offending either lightly, but he would not readily help either of them, too.
Not a trace of a smile appeared on Xue Daoming's face. He said coldly, "Commander-in-Chief, did you come to the Yong Capital solely to fulfill your filial duty?"
Yuchi Chong said, "The Grand Empress Dowager's kindness toward me was as weighty as a mountain. Though I traveled day and night, I still arrived a step too late and failed to see her one last time. I have truly let her down."
Xue Daoming said, "In consideration of your filial devotion, I grant you special permission to stand guard at the Grand Empress Dowager's Mausoleum."
Yuchi Chong's heart gave a startled jolt. Was Xue Daoming preparing to approve my resignation? Surely he wouldn't? The Black Hu people had merely suspended their attacks on the Northern Frontier; they would not lay down their weapons and end the war just like that. It was not yet time to put away the bow because all the birds had been shot. Had his attitude angered Xue Daoming, or was the emperor deliberately following his lead to provoke Xue Lingjun's faction? Yet Xue Daoming had not made himself entirely clear. He had neither agreed to Yuchi Chong's resignation nor said how long he was