Long Ning’s chubby fingers gripped the gold-rimmed ebony chopsticks. Upon hearing this, she immediately stopped nibbling on the crystal dumpling in her bowl and looked up to ask, “Can Ning Niang study together with Bao’er again?”
In the past two years, her figure had grown taller, no longer resembling the round-headed, round-bodied glutinous rice ball of before. However, her cheeks still retained their baby fat, plump and adorable. Her big eyes were dark, with long, thick eyelashes. Her overall health seemed to have improved, as her hair was now thicker and neater than before. She could even style her hair in various ways, making her look increasingly charming and cute.
Fan Changyu wiped the soup stains from the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief and said, “You can’t call him that anymore. You must address him as ‘Your Majesty’.”
Long Ning stuck out her tongue briefly, then quickly corrected herself, “Can Ning Niang study together with Your Majesty?”
Yu Qianqian smiled and said, “See, Ning Niang also wants to enter the palace to study with Bao’er. Instead of letting Ning Niang listen to those old scholars all alone, why not let her come to the palace? She can be a companion for Bao’er. In the future, when you and the Regent Prince attend court, you can send Ning Niang to Chongwen Hall. After you finish the court session and conclude your discussions at Chongwen Hall, you can pick up Ning Niang and take her home.”
After Yu Qianqian’s persuasion, and with Qi Yu and Long Ning gazing at her expectantly, Fan Changyu pondered for a moment before finally agreeing.
Currently, both Long Ning and Qi Yu are still young, so having Long Ning as a study companion wasn’t inappropriate. In a couple of years, as the Great General, she would inevitably be dispatched to the border. By then, Long Ning would most likely have to leave the capital with her.
As soon as she agreed, after finishing breakfast, Qi Yu voluntarily offered to take Long Ning to Chongwen Hall for a look. Yu Qianqian, concerned for the two children, sent her trusted maid to accompany and take care of Long Ning, while she stayed behind at Cining Palace to continue chatting with Fan Changyu about domestic matters.
Although it wasn’t Long Ning’s first time entering the palace, it was her first visit to Chongwen Hall, where the young emperor studied and handled state affairs.
She stared at the magnificent yet solemn great hall, with palace servants smilingly attending on both sides and nervously clenched her little fists, feeling somewhat shy.
Qi Yu noticed this and instructed the accompanying palace maids and eunuchs to wait outside. He guided Long Ning around Chongwen Hall, saying, “Master Gongsun has a very good temperament, and the lessons he teaches are easy to understand. You don’t need to be afraid of him when you come to study…”
Long Ning, wearing a light pink chest-high dress with a matching ribbon on her hair bun, bounced along behind Qi Yu like an animated chubby peach. Upon hearing this, she immediately said, “I’m not afraid of Uncle Gongsun! Uncle Gongsun likes me very much!”
Qi Yu furrowed his brow, thought for a moment, and then said, “Mother Empress will also select a few suitable boys from among the sons of court officials to be Our study companions. If they bully you, don’t be afraid. We will stand up for you.”
Long Ning, however, let out an “Ah” and her gaze fell on the only desk inlaid with golden dragon patterns in the hall. She pointed at it with a chubby finger and said, “But there’s only one desk here.”
In the past, when she and Bao’er were in the Petition Hall, they used to write and study at a low table together. Even if more people came, although that desk was large, it still wouldn’t be enough to accommodate everyone, would it?
Qi Yu said, “The Imperial Household Department will arrange for more low tables when the time comes.”
Long Ning wrinkled her face in thought and said, “Then I’ll still share a table with you!”
They were the best of friends, after all!
Qi Yu seemed to hesitate for a moment, but finally said, “That’s not possible.”
Long Ning’s dark eyes brimmed with undisguised disappointment, “Why not?”
Qi Yu said, “That’s the Dragon Desk. Only We can use it.”
Long Ning’s little face fell, “I can’t use it either?”
Qi Yu shook his head.
Long Ning clutched the hem of her dress, lowered her head, and mumbled softly, “Stingy… if you won’t let me use it, then fine…”
They used to share everything equally before.
Qi Yu could hear a slight nasal tone in her voice, and when he looked, he saw that her eyes were indeed the same color as her peach-pink dress.
He didn’t know how he had made her cry and felt at a loss. He explained, “You’ll have your desk too. You won’t have to share with anyone else.”
After a pause, he added, “When no one else is around, you can use the Dragon Desk with Us.”
Long Ning wiped the corner of her eye with her chubby hand, “Then when no one’s around, can I still call you Bao’er? When I call you Your Majesty, it feels like you’re not Bao’er anymore.”
Children’s hearts are pure, and their understanding of the changes in the outside world’s attitude toward Yu Qianqian and her son is always somewhat delayed.
She had grown up with only this one playmate. When they were kidnapped by the Sui family, it was Bao’er who protected her.
Later, when Bao’er came to the capital with them, she knew that Bao’er’s mother had been kidnapped by bad people, so she always shared good things with him.
Suddenly having to observe etiquette everywhere and becoming distant felt very unfamiliar to Long Ning.
Qi Yu stared at her for a while before saying, “You can, but you have to call me Brother Bao’er.”
Long Ning’s little mind worked quickly, and she immediately widened her grape-like eyes, “You’re trying to take advantage of me. I’m your little aunt!”
The children’s bickering didn’t reach any conclusion. Before the other study companions were selected, Long Ning had already started attending lessons at Chongwen Hall.
Two days later, during a break in Master Gongsun’s lecture, as he was sipping tea to moisten his throat, he saw the young emperor take out various pastries from the bronze mirror vase behind him and place them all in front of Long Ning…
This familiar scene made Master Gongsun choke and cough repeatedly.
Long Ning had just picked up an almond pastry with her chubby hand. Hearing the cough, she looked over with her clear, big eyes, showing concern, “Did Master Gongsun choke? Master, please drink slowly!”
Master Gongsun waved his hand, “It’s nothing, it’s nothing.”
Long Ning, being extremely respectful to the elderly, stood up and pitter-pattered over to Master Gongsun with the almond pastry in hand, offering it to him, “Master, please have some too!”
Master Gongsun’s expression became even more peculiar.
Thinking of Fan Changyu’s past behavior in Wenyuan Ge, he felt that these two sisters were indeed born of the same blood.
Just then, a young eunuch waiting outside came to report that the Regent Prince had arrived to take the Huaihua Great General and her sister home.
Master Gongsun immediately looked at Long Ning with a strange expression, “You and your sister have been staying in the palace for these two days?”
Long Ning answered sweetly, “Yes!”
Master Gongsun’s expression became even more peculiar.
When Xie Zheng entered the hall, his lips curled into a smile before he even spoke, looking as if he was basking in the spring breeze.
Even a toe could guess that this Xie Jiuheng fellow had a tiff with his general wife!
Xie Zheng directly ignored him and only gave a slight nod to Qi Yu, “Greetings to Your Majesty.”
Qi Yu immediately said, “Regent Prince, please rise.”
Long Ning, unaware of the complexities between adults, still thought Fan Changyu had brought her to the palace just to play. She sweetly called out “Brother-in-law.”
Xie Zheng, maintaining his composure, said, “My wife previously mentioned bringing her young sister to the palace to keep the Empress Dowager company for a few days. I have come today to escort my wife home.”
Qi Yu frowned slightly and said, “The Regent Prince has come at an inopportune time. Mother Empress, at the request of the Grand Empress Dowager, is helping the Imperial Princess choose a consort. She has specially arranged a polo match in the Western Garden. Since the Imperial Princess will also be participating in the game, fearing any accidents, she invited Aunt Fan to accompany her.”
Upon hearing this, the faces of both men in the hall turned green, though Master Gongsun’s was more thoroughly green. That spring breeze smile froze directly at the corner of his mouth.
Since they were choosing a consort for the Imperial Princess, surely all the young nobles of the Five Tombs would be gathered at the polo field in the Western Garden today. Even many unmarried noble ladies might take this opportunity to find a suitable match.
Xie Zheng cast a faint glance at Master Gongsun with his stiffened expression, then cupped his hands and said, “In that case, this minister will also go to the Western Garden to join the festivities.”
Qi Yu was still young and couldn’t directly handle state affairs. Most matters were discussed and decided by Xie Zheng and the other ministers before being presented to Qi Yu for review, allowing him to learn how to handle these affairs.
Xie Zheng was busy with countless matters, so naturally, news of the Empress Dowager arranging a polo match to help the Imperial Princess choose a consort wouldn’t reach his ears.
After he stepped out of Chongwen Hall, Master Gongsun also bowed to Qi Yu, “Your Majesty, today’s lesson will end here. The phrase ‘The human heart is precarious, the moral mind is subtle; only by being refined and focused can one hold fast to the mean’ from the ‘Counsels of Yu the Great’ in the Book of Documents, Your Majesty can ponder its meaning on your own, and share your insights with this humble servant tomorrow. As for Lady Long Ning, please copy this sentence neatly five times. If you also have any insights, you can share them tomorrow as well.”
Long Ning obediently nodded, while Qi Yu, with the demeanor of an emperor, gave a slight nod, “We have noted it down.”
After Master Gongsun took his leave, Long Ning turned to ask Qi Yu, “Bao’er, Bao’er, have you ever seen a polo match?”
Qi Yu hesitated for a moment before shaking his head, “Never.”
Long Ning’s eyes sparkled, “Let’s go watch too! My sister and your aunt are both going to play polo!”
Qi Yu glanced at the question left by Master Gongsun, slightly frowning. Forming an opinion on this sentence was quite challenging for him at the moment. To say something substantial would require studying other books.
He hesitated for a moment but still nodded, “Then We shall order the preparation of carriages and horses to go to the Western Garden.”
Long Ning was immediately so happy that her eyes narrowed into crescents, and her sweet words tumbled out like they were coated in honey, “I knew you were the best, Bao’er! Except for my sister, you’re the nicest to me!”
Qi Yu’s slightly furrowed brows gradually smoothed out under Long Ning’s flood of exaggerated praise.
Since his ascension to the throne, everyone seemed to treat him differently. He was no longer Yu Bao’er, but the “Emperor” who sat alone on the high throne, having to study many things day and night and shoulder the responsibility of the entire Da Yin empire.
But there was still one person who didn’t want to call him “Your Majesty,” who preferred him to be “Yu Bao’er,” who didn’t think that just because he had become emperor, things between them should be different from before.
Qi Yu was very happy.
At least in front of this chubby girl who had accompanied him from Qingping County, he didn’t have to constantly maintain a cold face and try hard to put on an emperor’s air.
The Western Garden housed the largest royal racecourse. At this moment, the high stands outside the field were a dazzling sea of silk and golden hairpins, filled with noblewomen and ladies.
In the very center, under a canopy and guarded by sword-bearing Imperial Guards, was a special seating area arranged for the royal family, offering the best view of the entire stand.
Fan Changyu, dressed in tight-fitting clothes, sat to the right of Yu Qianqian, while Imperial Princess Qi Shu sat to Yu Qianqian’s left. The three women were close in age and, at first glance, all possessed cloud-like hair and flowery beauty, each with their charm. Only Yu Qianqian, despite her young age, was already the Empress Dowager. Given the grand occasion today, her imperial robe was of a deeper color and more mature in style.
Qi Shu was here today to choose a consort, so her makeup was applied elaborately. Her forehead was adorned with intricate floral designs, her hair piled high, and she wore a sea-tang-colored palace dress covered with a layer of gold-threaded gauze, exuding regal elegance.
Surprisingly, even sitting next to this most noble peony of Da Yin, Fan Changyu was not overshadowed in the least.
She had been in court for over a year now, and almost all officials, big and small, had seen her.
But usually, no one would associate her with the word “beauty.” The highest praise for her in court was “valiant” and “heroic.”
It was only when she was placed among a group of beauties like today that people suddenly realized her appearance was quite outstanding.
The gentle slope of her features made her whole person appear not fierce, but rather possessing a kind of grand beauty. Her long, spirited eyebrows added a touch of heroism. Although she had almond-shaped eyes, they were not coquettish but instead conveyed a sense of composure and determination. She was like a great ship at sea that had dropped a deep anchor – no matter how much wind and rain came, she would not be shaken in the slightest.
So much so that many noble ladies stopped watching the young men chasing and hitting balls on horseback in the field. Instead, they half-hid their faces behind fans, craning their necks to secretly observe Fan Changyu sitting in the high stands.
Turning back, they couldn’t help but whisper to their accompanying friends, “Oh no, I think the Huaihua Great General looks even more dashing than those young gentlemen down there. This polo match isn’t as good-looking as the Great General!”
The accompanying noble lady also lamented in a low voice, “I’ll never marry a husband like the Regent Prince in this lifetime. Can I marry someone like the Great General instead?”
Fan Changyu was oblivious to all of this. She only noticed that many people were looking at her, but not knowing the reason, she remained unmoved by their gazes.
After this polo match ended, Yu Qianqian asked Qi Shu, “Princess, did you find any outstanding young men?”
Qi Shu lightly fanned herself with her fan, shaking her head with disinterest, “Watching them is not as interesting as watching A’yu!”
Yu Qianqian then smiled and said, “In the next match, there will be Shen Shen, the grandson of Duke Shen. I’ve heard he was a figure comparable to the Regent Prince in his youth. Princess, you should take a good look.”
It was at this moment that a considerable commotion arose from the men’s viewing area, though it quickly subsided.
Yu Qianqian asked the people below, “What’s happening?”
After investigating, the Imperial Guard reported back, “In response to the Empress Dowager, the Regent Prince and the Imperial Tutor have also come to watch the polo match.”
Yu Qianqian immediately gave Fan Changyu a teasing look.
Unfortunately, their area was quite far from the men’s viewing area, separated by a sea of people, so they couldn’t see what was happening over there.
Qi Shu suddenly stood up and said, “Shen Shen is here? Then I’ll participate in this match.”
Watching Qi Shu directly lead her accompanying palace maids to change clothes, Yu Qianqian said to Fan Changyu with some bewilderment, “Has the Princess taken a liking to the Shen family’s young master?”
Fan Changyu felt completely bewildered.
She had been invited today to assist and protect Qi Shu during her turn in the competition. Since Qi Shu was participating, it was only natural for her to accompany her.
As she and Qi Shu went to change into their matching outfits, they passed by the men’s seating area and immediately spotted Xie Zheng, who was monopolizing several seats.
Once seated, the surrounding area was so empty that aside from Gong Sun Ying, no one else dared to sit nearby, making him strikingly conspicuous.
When Qi Shu made her grand exit, Xie Zheng naturally noticed them.
Their gazes met in the air, and for a moment, Fan Changyu was taken aback.
This was her first time seeing Xie Zheng in a snow-white scholar’s robe!
He looked so elegant and refined, a truly unique young gentleman.
It seemed as if his hands had never wielded weapons; they were meant only for holding a brush and writing scrolls.
She wasn’t the only one surprised. The noble ladies and young lords in the stands were equally astonished, but due to the imposing presence of the Regent Prince, no one dared to stare directly at him. Instead, they cast furtive glances, as if they were stealing peeks.
Fan Changyu even overheard some whispered conversations.
“Why is the Regent Prince wearing such an elegant scholar’s robe?”
“Indeed! When he walked this way earlier, I thought he was a distinguished teacher!”
“Shh! I heard that General Huaihua hadn’t returned to the Xie residence in two days. It’s said that the General has long admired the teacher, but the Regent Prince made his move too quickly, forcing the General to marry. It seems they can’t go on like this, and the Regent Prince is likely imitating the teacher’s style to win the General back!”
Fan Changyu stumbled slightly, nearly tripping and falling flat on her face.