After seeing off Fu Tinghan’s family of three, Princess Hongnong supported herself on Ren Hui’s hand and walked circles in the garden to aid digestion. She said, “You were too presumptuous today.”

Ren Hui respectfully supported her hand, her voice still gentle. “Princess, your grandson is this grown now. Her Majesty’s position is secure, the Crown Princess’s authority grows daily, the court is stable—you’ve suffered your whole life. Why can’t you be a bit more willful?”

Princess Hongnong said, “Is senility in old age something to celebrate? Imperial Grandfather was wise and capable for half his life, yet in his old age became obsessed with personal feelings. Had he not insisted on establishing Father Emperor, the realm wouldn’t have fallen into such chaos.”

“Family happiness is for me merely a moment’s pleasure. To indulge in it, however, could potentially stir up other conflicts, and who knows how many would die.” Princess Hongnong sneered. “The world’s comings and goings are all for profit. Human nature is the most wicked thing—one should never gamble on human hearts. If I show even the slightest favoritism toward the Second Prince, who knows how many demons and monsters will breed in the shadows.”

“Commoners can turn to banditry for a single string of cash. The gentry and great families are also human—how much better are they? For private gain, what wouldn’t they do?”

Princess Hongnong had spent her entire life working for the Great Jin, raising the banner of righteousness everywhere to gather support, trying to shore up the collapsing edifice.

She had seen righteous people, but she had seen far more shameless and unprincipled individuals—they merely draped themselves in silk to cover their ugliness, putting on a show of righteousness to disguise their selfish desires.

She absolutely would not allow herself to become such a person. Never mind just being old now—even after death, she would not let her private desires run rampant.

Princess Hongnong said coldly, “There will be no next time.”

Ren Hui’s heart tightened. She knew the Princess was serious—even she would not be permitted a second occurrence.

She sighed inwardly and respectfully agreed.

Leaving the Princess Imperial’s mansion, Zhao Mingming continued chattering non-stop, but this time the carriage contained not only her voice but also Fu Jingjing’s.

He too had much to tell Father, chattering away as a supplement. Sometimes when he couldn’t compete with his sister, he would anxiously scratch his head and ears.

Fu Tinghan separated the two who were pressed together. “One at a time. Little brother first?”

Zhao Mingming reluctantly stopped, generously saying, “Little brother can go first. My throat is getting hoarse anyway.”

Fu Tinghan smoothly poured her a cup of sour plum drink.

Zhao Mingming happily sipped it while sitting with Father listening to Fu Jingjing talk.

“Father, I’ve already solved the nine-ring puzzle you gave me. I even created a new one myself that no one can solve, not even Elder Sister…”

Zhao Mingming protested, “That’s because I haven’t seriously tried yet. I only looked at it for less than a quarter-hour. Just wait until I get back and look at it again—I’ll definitely solve it.”

Fu Jingjing replied, “It only took me half a quarter-hour to create it…”

The siblings ultimately couldn’t each finish speaking without the other interrupting. Instead, they continued with this back-and-forth exchange all the way back to the Imperial Palace.

Zhao Hanzhang had known early on that they would dine outside the palace, so she didn’t wait for them. After eating by herself, she took a walk in the rear palace gardens.

When the three of them came chattering in, she had already circled the garden nine times and was slightly perspiring. She stood still by the roadside, right beneath a lantern.

As soon as Zhao Mingming and Fu Jingjing entered, they saw Zhao Hanzhang standing under the light. They broke into a run together, calling out, “Mother—”

Zhao Hanzhang asked with a smile, “What dishes did you have tonight? Did Grandmother eat well? Did you eat anything delicious?”

“We ate so much—all our favorite dishes, and also ones Grandmother likes. She had an extra bowl of rice and ate very happily…”

Fu Tinghan walked slowly forward, joining her in bringing the children back to the hall. The family of four gathered together to talk about what they had done today, then the conversation drifted to some interesting gossip.

Zhao Hanzhang said, “Jingjing is about to start school too. He’s so intelligent and has such talent in mathematics. I’m thinking of finding some different classmates for him.”

“I’ve heard that there’s a child prodigy in Jingzhou Province who at age eight could complete the entire ‘Nine Chapters on Mathematical Art.’ Guo Pu has already gone to see if he can inherit his mantle.”

Actually, Guo Pu most wanted Fu Jingjing, but although Zhao Hanzhang allowed him to teach Fu Jingjing astronomy, geography, and divination studies, she didn’t agree to let him take Fu Jingjing as a disciple.

She hoped her son would be capable, but she didn’t want him to become obsessed with mysticism.

She herself was full of doubts about this world, but these doubts were based on facts and certain experiences. She was confident she could handle such doubts without losing herself in them.

But Fu Jingjing was still a child.

She didn’t want him exposed to such philosophies too early. What he needed now was to objectively learn established knowledge. Future doubts and explorations could be his choice after his mind matured.

If he still chose Guo Pu then, she naturally wouldn’t obstruct him.

But now, he was still an innocent child. His direction needed parental guidance, so Zhao Hanzhang had directly refused.

Fu Tinghan said, “Several years older than Jingjing. Ji Yuan’s second son and Ming Yu’s eldest daughter are also very intelligent, about the same age as Jingjing. Why not choose them as study companions?”

Zhao Hanzhang replied, “I actually considered that, but they’ve already found schools for their children.”

With Zhao Mingming around, many officials didn’t want to send their children to Fu Jingjing’s side as study companions. Those who did want to send theirs, either Zhao Hanzhang mistrusted their motives or their children weren’t suitable.

Zhao Mingming looked at Father, then at Mother, and spoke up: “Mother, give me the list. I’ll go invite them.”

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at her. “Don’t get involved. Your brother is different from you. His talent lies in mathematics. I want him to happily do what he loves—there’s no need to force the children of court ministers. I think we should just organize a special class and find children who are especially intelligent and talented like him to study together.”

A youth science class—everyone who graduates could become scientists. How wonderful that would be!

Zhao Hanzhang said, “Select children from among the common people, regardless of status. Anyone interested can try. As long as they have ability, I’ll fund their education. In the future, these will all be pillars of the state.”

She continued, “Intellectual culture is the foundation of social progress, while science and technology is the path of social development and advancement. We must grasp this path firmly.”

Fu Tinghan couldn’t help but smile. “You’re wealthy now.”

Zhao Hanzhang proudly lifted her chin. “I’m quite prosperous now.”

Zhao Mingming was deeply moved. She pounced forward, hugging Mother’s arm and crying out, “Mother, give me some, give me some! I’m so poor!”

Fu Jingjing followed suit, pouncing into Zhao Hanzhang’s embrace and clutching her sleeve tightly. “Me too, me too! Just a little bit is fine!”

Zhao Hanzhang laughed heartily and hugged them both. “Alright, I’ll give you some.”

The next morning, when the two woke up, they received the gifts Zhao Hanzhang had prepared—a box of gold beans. The delivering eunuch smiled and said, “Her Majesty says this is half a year’s allowance for Your Highnesses. If it’s not enough, once you’ve spent it, come back and Her Majesty will give you more. However, Her Majesty also said that every expenditure of this money must be clearly recorded.”

He lowered his voice. “From what Her Majesty said, it seems she will audit the accounts later.”

Zhao Mingming’s mouth fell open. She just knew Mother’s money wasn’t easy to take.