Zhao Yān spent half a month of peaceful days at Huayang.

When bright summer rains arrived again, they returned to the capital in early July. On the way, Zhao Yān and Wenren Lin visited West Mountain, clearing away the overgrown weeds from the grave and offering incense in worship.

“Zhao Yǎn, happy second birthday.”

Zhao Yān gently brushed away the maple leaves from the blue-gray tombstone and replaced them with a small bunch of freshly picked wildflowers.

……

The first thing Zhao Yān did upon returning to the palace was to summon the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Rites to improve the examination and selection system for the autumn provincial examinations. This would pave the way for selecting scholars from humble backgrounds for next year’s metropolitan and palace examinations, balancing the court’s composition.

After the autumn examinations, Wang Yu and other reformists, under Zhao Yān’s guidance, began to establish women’s academies.

Women’s schools had existed since the previous year, but they only accommodated orphaned daughters or young sisters of fallen soldiers. Court officials and scholars had no objections to this. However, when it came to promoting education for women throughout the capital and the entire Great Xuan, allowing equality between men and women, and erasing hierarchical boundaries, those self-righteous conservatives naturally couldn’t sit still.

In the Hanming Hall, the two factions in court began a month-long verbal debate.

“If all women go out in public, reading books and playing around, who will manage the household? Who will support their husbands and teach their children? If everyone doesn’t want to stay at home to bear and raise children, and the population thins, over time, our Great Xuan will face the predicament of having no soldiers for battle!”

…

…

The speaker was Jiang Qingfu, the Director of the Imperial Academy, a sixty-year-old elder who kowtowed, earnestly admonishing: “I beg the Princess Regent to consider!”

“Isn’t that why we’ve invited you to discuss this matter? Elder Jiang, please rise and speak.”

Zhao Yān smiled impassively, gesturing for Li Fu to come forward and help him up.

Director Jiang made a show of wiping away tears and stood up, trembling.

Liu Baiwei seized the opportunity to speak: “Raising children doesn’t necessarily have to be done by women; fighting in battle doesn’t necessarily have to be done by men. Director Jiang’s perspective is still somewhat limited.”

“The Prince of Yingchuan has no real power. Standing in this court to discuss state affairs is overly presumptuous.”

“Major state affairs are everyone’s responsibility. I eat the emperor’s salary, so I should share his worries. How can I not speak?”

A young man standing with Director Jiang flicked his sleeve and snorted: “I see it as turning black and white upside down, confusing yin and yang. The country will no longer be a country!”

Liu Baiwei seized upon this weakness, raising an eyebrow: “Vice Minister Luo, your words are disrespectful to heaven and earth. The Censorate should quickly note this down and impeach him!”

The young man surnamed Luo, realizing he had misspoken in his emotional state, turned purple and hurriedly knelt to show his loyalty: “This minister was merely discussing the matter at hand with absolutely no disrespect intended toward the Princess Regent. I beg the Princess Regent to understand!”

“According to precedent, Vice Minister Luo’s words warrant stripping him of his official robe and administering twenty strokes of the cane to uphold court discipline.”

Zhao Yān closed her eyes for a moment, and seeing cold sweat seeping from Vice Minister Luo’s forehead, she smiled leisurely and said, “Considering that Vice Minister Luo acted out of sincere concern for the country, the caning will be waived. Instead, he shall forfeit one month’s salary and return home to reflect facing the wall.”

Vice Minister Luo sighed with relief and could only bow his head and say, “Yes.”

As they left Hanming Hall, the tense atmosphere immediately relaxed.

Liu Baiwei and Wang Yu came forward, smiling and saying: “Vice Minister Luo, a Uyghur lamb restaurant has opened on Yongxing Street. Shall we go try it together?”

Vice Minister Luo and Director Jiang returned the bow and laughed: “The Prince’s interest is not in the wine itself but in trying to extract words from this official, I suppose? Next time, next time. Today, allow this official to go home and think about how to refute you tomorrow.”

Liu Baiwei smiled expansively, stepping forward: “Don’t hold such a grudge. We’re all working for the Great Xuan! After court, we should eat what we should eat and drink what we should drink. Come on! Today, I’m treating!”

With that, he hooked an arm around Vice Minister Luo’s shoulder and turned back to the somewhat reserved young man: “Wang Yu, come along!”

Zhao Yān stood in front of Hanming Hall, watching as the two groups who had been at loggerheads in court walked away, chatting with each other.

Wenren Lin approached with his hands behind his back, following her gaze, and laughed in his deep voice: “Your Highness is becoming more and more adept at managing officials.”

“The Grand Tutor deserves some credit for that.”

Zhao Yān still playfully called him Grand Tutor in private. She moved closer, gently bumping his arm with her shoulder. “Don’t you find the current court situation interesting? The two factions may argue in court, but once the court is dismissed, they remain colleagues who talk and laugh together, knowing and respecting each other. They don’t engage in large-scale purges of dissidents like the Late Emperor or Wei Yan’s faction did because of differing interests.”

This is what is meant by “gentlemen harmonize without being the same.”

Because young lives had been lost in a turbid world, she was dedicated to clearing a path of clarity.

Wenren Lin gazed at her bright eyes and nodded in approval: “Yan’er is truly impressive.”

“You’re just flattering me.”

Zhao Yān glanced at the palace attendants standing with bowed heads around them. Though her words expressed disdain, the smile in her eyes couldn’t be hidden as she whispered, “However, Director Jiang did remind me of something. In our dynasty, women traditionally marry at fifteen when they come of age. If women could also spend ten years studying diligently, becoming knowledgeable and reasonable, marriage and childbearing would certainly be delayed. I hope that regardless of gender, everyone can have the freedom to choose between domestic and public roles, but the Great Xuan’s military strength cannot wane. So I wonder if we could appropriately increase the number of female soldiers, allowing capable women to go to the battlefield as well. You’re experienced in this area, so Prince Su’s support would be greatly appreciated.”

Wenren Lin drew out an “Oh,” turned and entered the hall with a smile, leisurely pulling out a chair to sit down: “That depends on how Your Highness requests this prince’s help.”

Zhao Yān was momentarily at a loss for words. She followed him in, placing both hands on the desk as she looked at him.

“Wenren Yao Fei, don’t push your luck too far!”

“Is that not allowed?”

Wenren Lin rested his finger against his temple, his beautiful eyes filled with laughter, showing no signs of self-reflection. “As soon as Your Highness returned, you became busy with state affairs. How long has it been since you’ve spent time with your fiancé? When this prince stays a little longer at night, he gets chased away by the female officials in charge of the bedchambers.”

Zhao Yān suddenly found herself understanding the behavior of those infatuated emperors in history books who favored only one person.

But she was a resolute Princess Regent who absolutely could not surrender to the temptation of mere male beauty.

“In a few days.”

She raised the corners of her eyes, leaning forward on the desk. “In a few days, I’ll return to the Eastern Palace to stay.”

“A few days?” Wenren Lin’s obsidian eyes deepened.

“Tomorrow. Today isn’t possible.”

Zhao Yān unconsciously swallowed, straightening her posture firmly: “I must go review memorials now. Don’t disturb me.”

“Very well.”

Wenren Lin leaned closer instead, saying in a low voice: “While Your Highness reviews the memorials, this minister will review Your Highness.”

Those words!

Recalling that outrageous memory, Zhao Yān was so embarrassed that she grabbed the vermilion brush from the desk and threw it at Wenren Lin.

Wenren Lin caught it effortlessly, spinning the brush nimbly between his fingers and laughing triumphantly.

The next day, Wenren Lin cleared his entire schedule, helped Zhao Yān finish processing the memorials, and then took her out of the palace by carriage.

In September, the sweet osmanthus filled the air with fragrance, and seasonal fruits and melons lined the streets.

“Why did you suddenly think of taking me out of the palace to play?”

People came and went on the streets, peddlers calling out incessantly. Zhao Yān, wearing a veiled hat, lifted a corner of the light gauze. “I thought…”

Wenren Lin seemed to see through her thoughts and asked with a raised lip: “Thought what?”

Zhao Yān cleared her throat lightly.

She had thought that Wenren Lin wanted to try out that newly refined medicinal oil with her.

“Although it may disappoint Your Highness, this prince’s mind isn’t entirely occupied with that matter.”

Wenren Lin’s expression was calm, appearing completely proper. “I feared that Your Highness would wither from being confined in the palace for too long, so I brought you out for some fresh air.”

Zhao Yān made a pretend whimper.

Wenren Lin’s eye twitched, and he asked sideways: “What are you doing now?”

“I’m so touched! With a husband like this, what more could a wife ask for?”

Zhao Yān said with a smile, raising one hand to lift the veil of her hat.

Wenren Lin’s expression didn’t change, but the line of his lips curved upward a few degrees. He raised his hand to pinch the back of her neck and said, “Let’s see if there are any locations or residences you like.”

Zhao Yān was surprised: “Residences? Are we selecting a new site for the women’s academy?”

Wenren Lin seemed to pause slightly, and seeing her eyes shining brightly, he didn’t deny it.

Thinking of something, Zhao Yān whispered: “This money can’t come from the state treasury, and with the tax reductions in many areas at the beginning of the year, we haven’t accumulated enough funds in the imperial household. I had originally thought… to postpone the decision until next spring.”

Wenren Lin laughed and said leisurely, “Just look first. It can be deducted from Your Highness’s betrothal gifts.”

“Really?”

Zhao Yān hurried after him, her eyes crescent-shaped with delight. “I was thinking of purchasing the academy site in Daning Ward. The location is inexpensive and quiet.”

“What else?”

“What else?”

“If Your Highness were to choose a private residence, which area would you prefer?”

“That would be Yongchang Ward, close to both the Eastern Palace and Taiji Palace.”

Zhao Yān excitedly planned with her hands behind her back, but then realized something: “Why are you asking this?”

“No reason,” Wenren Lin said calmly, with an inscrutable smile in his eyes.

“You’re lying. There must be something!”

Zhao Yān was suspicious, but no matter how much she pressed, Wenren Lin maintained his leisurely pace, unwilling to reveal anything.

In the end, Zhao Yān chose to locate the women’s academy next to Mingde Academy. First, there happened to be several acres of long-abandoned residences for rent or sale there, and the price was reasonable. Second, Mingde Academy held important significance for Zhao Yān and all those who had struggled to receive an education.

The renovation, transformation, hiring of female teachers, and selection of talented girls of suitable age… After nearly half a year of preparation, the capital’s first formal women’s academy was tentatively launched.

The first batch of selected female students wasn’t large, totaling less than sixty.

Some were unmarried female relatives from reformist officials’ families, setting an example for their family’s political stance. Some were talented young women admitted based on their genuine abilities. A few others came from small households outside the capital, hoping to use the women’s academy as a stepping stone to find a good husband…

After the initial entrance examination, half of those fishing in troubled waters were eliminated, leaving only twelve students in the end.

But Zhao Yān was already very satisfied.

In the second year of Yongping, in August.

The annual imperial lecture was established in the palace, presided over by the newly appointed Minister of Finance, Zhou Ji. At the same time, the women’s academy was officially opened.

The students’ Confucian robes were personally modified by Zhao Yān—light blue and white wide-sleeved robes, adorned with ceremonial ribbons, jade ornaments, and fragrance pouches. As they moved, they appeared graceful and elegant.

The female students were either reserved or lively, but when they bowed to the statue of Confucius, they were all equally respectful and serious.

In Mingde Academy, just across the wall, several spirited young scholars heard the clear female voices from next door, finding it both novel and somewhat disagreeable.

One of them sneered: “What can women learn? I’m afraid they’ve come here to curry favor and seek good husbands.”

Another chimed in: “Exactly! Brother Zhang, I think you should stay away, lest some little lady sets her eyes on you and tarnishes your scholarly achievements.”

The recitation from next door paused momentarily.

Then light, quick footsteps approached.

Below the wall, a crisp voice responded: “The people next door are too shameless, speaking as if we would be interested in the likes of you.”

“That’s right!”

Another female voice said, “Women who come here don’t have it easy and are certainly diligent and hardworking. Even if we were in the same academy as you, we would only be thinking about how to surpass you in scholarship and statecraft. The sea of learning, the sages of past and present—we will devote our lives to pursuing these. How are we not superior to you in every way?”

“Isn’t that so! Whenever they see women, they assume we’re coming for them. How conceited they are!”

“Some men only know how to gain confidence by restraining women. It’s truly pitiful. Fellow students, don’t waste words on such people. Let’s continue our studies.”

The young men who had been gossiping instantly turned red with shame and didn’t dare to retort. Muttering something about “a good man doesn’t argue with women,” they returned to their study chambers in pairs, studying more intensely than usual, as if trying to save face.

From the top of the zither tower, Zhao Yān observed everything from her high vantage point.

“Wenren Shaoyuan, I suddenly have an idea.”

She narrowed her eyes, tugging at Wenren Lin’s black sleeve. “What do you think would happen if we regularly held joint examinations on poetry, prose, classics, and discourse between Mingde Academy and the women’s academy, ranking the top performers and posting the results for recognition?”

That would likely lead to intense competition from both sides, making for quite a spectacle.

Wenren Lin rested his hand on the carved railing and nodded in assessment: “Running side by side, they would surely advance a thousand miles daily. Your Highness’s strategy of competition is well-conceived.”

“I think it’s feasible.”

Zhao Yān’s eyes grew even brighter as she smiled, “Perhaps before long, many female tutors and female ministers might emerge from here. By then, congratulations would come from all directions, embracing all phenomena.”

Wenren Lin thought about that image, and it wasn’t bad at all.

“Your Highness will be busy again.”

Wenren Lin followed her hand that was tugging at his sleeve, intertwining their fingers.

“That’s why I have the Grand Tutor here.”

Zhao Yān had no worries, smiling as she followed Wenren Lin down the tower.

Wenren Lin glanced at her, gently hooking her palm.

Zhao Yān curled her five fingers, not willing to be outdone, and hooked back.

Like children, under the cover of their sleeves, they secretly “fought” with their fingers.

On this auspicious day and time, a wedding procession was passing by on the street.

The beautiful, bright red bridal sedan chair had light-floating curtains, and the veiled young bride, holding a ceremonial fan, could be faintly seen. The onlookers clapped their hands in welcome, smiling.

Several female students who had just been dismissed from class and were out for fresh air held hands, standing on tiptoe in the crowd, exclaiming: “Look! How beautiful!”

The bride in the sedan chair also secretly glanced from behind her fan, casting an envious look at those freely moving young girls in their scholarly robes.

At this intersection of surging crowds, they had all chosen their respective paths, moving forward without hesitation.

“Yan’er.”

Before getting into the carriage, Wenren Lin called out.

“Hmm?” Zhao Yān lifted her skirt onto the footstool and looked back at him.

Today, the sunlight was just right, and so was the atmosphere.

Wenren Lin hooked her finger, his dense eyelashes half-lowered, his tone intimate and deep, as if after thousands of careful considerations.

“Let’s get married.”

He said, “Let’s build our own home.”

The autumn wind blew, sending the colorful papers scattered by the wedding procession fluttering.

Zhao Yān suddenly understood what that unspoken intention hidden in Wenren Lin’s eyes had been when he had asked her if she had any preferred private residence locations the previous year.

A man who had walked through the abyss finally glimpsed the light and said he wanted a home of his own.

① 君子和而不同 (jūnzǐ hé ér bù tóng): A saying from the Analects of Confucius meaning “gentlemen harmonize without being the same,” suggesting that people of virtue can maintain harmony despite having different opinions.