Extra 4

Changning gripped her gold-banded ebony chopsticks with her chubby little fingers. Upon hearing that, she immediately stopped nibbling on the crystal dumpling in her bowl and looked up.

“Does that mean Ningniang can study with Bao’er again?”

Over the past two years, she had grown noticeably taller. She was no longer the round little glutinous rice ball she used to be, though her baby-fat cheeks were still adorably plump. Her large eyes were dark and bright, framed by long, thick lashes. Now that her health had fully recovered, her hair had grown much thicker and shinier than before, allowing it to be tied into all sorts of cute hairstyles, making her look even more fair and lovable.

Fan Changyu wiped the soup from the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief.

“You can’t call him that so casually anymore. You should address him as Your Majesty.”

Changning stuck out her tongue before quickly correcting herself.

“Can Ningniang study together with Your Majesty?”

Yu Qianqian smiled.

“See? Ningniang wants to come to the palace and study with Bao’er too. Rather than leaving her all alone among those old scholars, why not let her come here and keep Bao’er company? In the future, whenever you and the Regent Prince attend court, you can bring Ningniang to Chongwen Hall. By the time you’ve finished discussing state affairs after court, you can pick her up and take her home.”

After Yu Qianqian’s persuasion, coupled with the hopeful looks from both Qi Yu and Changning, Fan Changyu pondered for a moment before finally agreeing.

After all, both children were still young. Having Changning serve as Qi Yu’s study companion wasn’t inappropriate.

In another two years, as Great General, she would likely be reassigned to the frontier.

By then, Changning would most likely have to leave the capital with her.

The moment she agreed, Qi Yu immediately proposed after breakfast that he first take Changning to visit Chongwen Hall.

Still worried about the children, Yu Qianqian assigned one of her most capable senior maids to accompany them and take care of Changning, while she remained behind to continue chatting with Fan Changyu.


—

This wasn’t Changning’s first time entering the palace.

But it was her first visit to Chongwen Hall, where the young emperor attended lessons and handled state affairs.

Looking at the magnificent yet solemn hall, with palace servants smiling respectfully on both sides, she instinctively clenched her little fists in nervousness.

Qi Yu noticed.

He dismissed all the accompanying eunuchs and palace maids, then personally led Changning around Chongwen Hall.

“Master Gongsun has a very gentle temperament, and his lessons are easy to understand. You don’t have to be afraid of him when you come here to study.”

Changning wore a light pink high-waisted dress, with matching ribbons tied around the little buns atop her head. She bounced along behind Qi Yu like a plump little peach spirit.

“I’m not afraid of Uncle Gongsun! Uncle Gongsun likes me very much!”

Qi Yu frowned slightly before saying,

“Mother also plans to choose several boys of suitable age from the officials’ families to become my study companions. If they bully you, don’t be afraid. I’ll stand up for you.”

Changning suddenly let out an “Ah!”

Her eyes landed on the only desk in the hall decorated with carved golden dragons.

Pointing at it with a chubby finger, she said,

“But there’s only one desk.”

Back at the Bureau of Transmission, she and Bao’er had always shared the same writing desk.

If several more people came…

Even if the desk was large, it still wouldn’t be enough.

Qi Yu replied,

“The Imperial Household Department will prepare more desks.”

Changning frowned as she thought for a moment.

“Then I’ll still share one desk with you!”

After all…

They were best friends.

Qi Yu hesitated before finally shaking his head.

“No.”

Disappointment was written plainly across Changning’s big black eyes.

“Why?”

Qi Yu answered,

“That’s the Dragon Desk. Only I may use it.”

Changning’s little face immediately fell.

“Not even me?”

Qi Yu shook his head.

Holding the hem of her dress, Changning lowered her head and muttered softly,

“Stingy… Fine, don’t let me use it then…”

Back then, they had always shared everything equally.

Qi Yu heard the faint trace of tears in her voice.

Looking closer, he realized her eyes had indeed turned as pink as the peach-colored dress she wore.

Unsure how he had made her cry, he hurriedly explained,

“You’ll have your own desk too. You won’t need to share with anyone.”

After a pause, he added,

“When no one else is around… you can share the Dragon Desk with me.”

Changning rubbed the corner of her eyes with her chubby hand.

“Then when nobody’s around… can I still call you Bao’er? When I call you ‘Your Majesty,’ it doesn’t feel like you’re Bao’er anymore.”

Children were innocent.

They always noticed changes in people’s attitudes much more slowly than adults.

Growing up, Bao’er had been her only friend.

When she was kidnapped to the Sui family, Bao’er had protected her.

Later, when Bao’er came to the capital with them after his mother was taken away by bad people, Changning shared all her favorite things with him.

Now…

Everything suddenly required rules and formalities.

Everything had become distant.

She wasn’t used to it.

Qi Yu looked at her for quite a while before saying,

“You can… but you have to call me Brother Bao’er.”

Changning’s little mind immediately began working.

Her round grape-like eyes widened.

“You’re trying to take advantage of me! I’m your little aunt!”

The two children argued back and forth without reaching any conclusion.

Before the remaining study companions had even been selected, Changning had already begun attending lessons in Chongwen Hall.


—

Two days later, during a break in Master Gongsun’s lecture, he was sipping tea to moisten his throat when he suddenly saw the young emperor retrieving plate after plate of different pastries from the bronze cabinet behind him and placing every single one in front of Changning…

The familiar scene nearly made Gongsun Yin choke on his tea.

Changning had just picked up a piece of almond pastry.

Hearing him cough, she looked over with her bright eyes full of concern.

“Master Gongsun, did you choke? Please drink more slowly!”

Gongsun Yin waved his hand.

“I’m fine… quite fine.”

Displaying remarkable respect for her elders, Changning immediately hopped down from her seat, ran over carrying the almond pastry, and offered it to him.

“Master, you should have some too!”

Gongsun Yin’s expression became even stranger.

Remembering what Fan Changyu had once done in Wenyuan Pavilion, he couldn’t help thinking that the sisters truly were cut from the same cloth.

Just then, a young eunuch outside came to report that the Regent Prince had arrived to escort General Huaihua and her younger sister home.

Gongsun Yin immediately looked at Changning with an odd expression.

“You and your sister have been staying in the palace these past two days?”

Changning nodded brightly.

“That’s right!”

Gongsun Yin’s expression became even more peculiar.

When Xie Zheng entered the hall, Gongsun Yin smiled before even speaking.

The smile on his face was positively radiant.

Anyone with half a brain could guess that Xie Jiuheng had quarreled with his General wife.

Xie Zheng completely ignored him.

Instead, he bowed respectfully to Qi Yu.

“This subject greets Your Majesty.”

Qi Yu quickly replied,

“Regent Prince, please rise.”

Changning knew nothing of the complicated affairs between adults.

Thinking Fan Changyu had simply brought her to the palace to play, she sweetly called out,

“Brother-in-law.”

Without changing expression, Xie Zheng said,

“My wife mentioned bringing her younger sister to the palace to accompany the Empress Dowager for a few days. I have come today to take her home.”

Qi Yu frowned slightly.

“The Regent Prince has arrived at an unfortunate time. At the request of the Grand Empress Dowager, Mother is helping Her Highness the Grand Princess choose a husband. A polo tournament is being held in the Western Garden today. Since the Grand Princess herself will also be competing, Mother invited Aunt Fan to accompany her in case anything happens.”

The moment those words were spoken…

The expressions of both men in the hall turned green.

Gongsun Yin’s became even greener.

His radiant smile froze completely.

Since the tournament was being held to help the Grand Princess choose a prince consort, every outstanding young nobleman in the capital would surely be gathered there.

Many unmarried noble ladies would also take the opportunity to find suitable husbands.

Xie Zheng casually glanced at Gongsun Yin’s stiff expression before cupping his hands.

“In that case, this subject shall also head to the Western Garden to join the excitement.”

Qi Yu was still too young to personally govern the empire.

Most state affairs were first discussed by Xie Zheng and the ministers before proposed decisions were presented to Qi Yu, allowing him to learn how to govern.

Naturally, with Xie Zheng occupied by countless important matters, news of something like the Empress Dowager holding a polo tournament to choose the Grand Princess’s husband had never reached his ears.

After leaving Chongwen Hall, Gongsun Yin bowed once more to Qi Yu.

“Your Majesty, today’s lesson ends here. Please reflect upon the sentence from the Book of Documents, Great Yu’s Counsels: ‘The human heart is perilous; the Way-heart is subtle. Be refined, be single-minded, and sincerely hold to the proper mean.’ Tomorrow, I ask that Your Majesty explain your understanding of its meaning. As for Miss Changning, neatly copy the sentence five times. If you have any thoughts about it, you may share them tomorrow as well.”

Changning obediently nodded.

Qi Yu inclined his head with all the dignity of an emperor.

“I shall remember.”

After Gongsun Yin left, Changning immediately turned to Qi Yu.

“Bao’er, Bao’er! Have you ever watched a polo match?”

Qi Yu hesitated before shaking his head.

“No.”

Changning’s eyes sparkled.

“Then let’s go watch! My sister and your grandaunt are both going to play!”

Qi Yu glanced at the assignment Gongsun Yin had left behind.

Coming up with a meaningful interpretation of that passage was still difficult for him.

If he wanted to answer well, he would need to consult many other books.

After hesitating briefly, he still nodded.

“Very well. I’ll have the carriages prepared for the Western Garden.”

Changning’s eyes curved into happy crescents.

Sweet compliments poured from her mouth as though coated in honey.

“I knew Bao’er is the best! Besides Big Sister, you’re the one who treats me the best!”

The slight frown that had lingered on Qi Yu’s face gradually disappeared beneath her endless praise.

Ever since ascending the throne, everyone had begun treating him differently.

He was no longer Yu Bao’er.

He was only “Your Majesty,” sitting alone upon the imperial throne, endlessly studying and carrying the burden of the entire Great Yan Empire.

But there was still one person…

One person who didn’t want to call him “Your Majesty.”

Who still wished he could simply remain “Yu Bao’er.”

Who didn’t believe becoming emperor meant everything between them had to change.

Qi Yu was very happy.

At least in front of the chubby little girl who had accompanied him all the way from Qingping County…

He didn’t have to constantly keep a solemn expression or force himself to act like an emperor.


—

The Western Garden contained the largest royal polo grounds.

At this moment, the viewing platform was filled with noble ladies and young maidens dressed in luxurious silks and glittering ornaments.

Beneath the grand canopy at the very center, guarded by Imperial Guards with drawn swords, sat the reserved seating for the imperial family, offering the finest view in the entire arena.

Fan Changyu, dressed in fitted riding clothes, sat to Yu Qianqian’s right.

The Grand Princess Qi Shu sat to Yu Qianqian’s left.

The three women were close in age.

At first glance, each possessed extraordinary beauty in her own unique way.

Only Yu Qianqian, though still young, was already the Empress Dowager. For such a formal occasion, she wore dark ceremonial robes that made her appear somewhat more mature than her years.

Qi Shu had come today to choose a prince consort.

Her makeup was exquisitely glamorous, a delicate floral ornament adorned her forehead, and her hair was arranged in an elegant high coiffure. She wore a begonia-colored palace gown beneath a gauzy golden outer robe, looking every bit the magnificent imperial princess.

What surprised everyone was that…

Even seated beside the empire’s most dazzling peony flower, Fan Changyu wasn’t overshadowed in the slightest.

She had served in court for over a year now.

Nearly every official had met her.

Ordinarily, however, no one would ever associate her with breathtaking beauty.

The praise she most often received was “valiant” and “heroic.”

Yet today…

Surrounded by beautiful women, everyone suddenly realized that her appearance was equally exceptional.

Her gently shaped features gave her an open, graceful beauty rather than a sharp one.

Her long, bold eyebrows added heroic charm.

Though she possessed almond-shaped eyes, they weren’t soft or flirtatious.

Instead, they radiated calm confidence and unwavering resolve.

She resembled a great ship dropping anchor into the sea.

No matter how violent the storms became…

Nothing could shake her.

Many noble ladies stopped watching the handsome young men competing below.

Instead, hiding behind their silk fans, they secretly leaned forward to steal glances at Fan Changyu.

One whispered to her friend,

“Oh no… General Huaihua is even more dashing than all those young masters below. The polo match isn’t nearly as attractive as the General herself!”

Her companion sighed quietly,

“I’ll never marry a man like the Regent Prince in this lifetime… Could Heaven at least let me marry someone like the General instead?”

Fan Changyu remained completely unaware of all this.

She only noticed many people looking at her.

Since she didn’t know why, she simply let them look without reacting in the slightest.

After the first polo match ended, Yu Qianqian asked Qi Shu,

“Your Highness, have any of the young gentlemen caught your eye?”

Qi Shu lazily fanned herself before shaking her head.

“I’d rather look at A’Yu than them.”

Yu Qianqian laughed.

“The next match includes Shen Shen, grandson of Duke Shen. They say he was once every bit as remarkable as the Regent Prince in his youth. Your Highness should take a careful look.”

Just then, a noticeable commotion arose from the men’s viewing area.

It quickly settled down again.

Yu Qianqian asked,

“What happened?”

After investigating, an Imperial Guard returned to report,

“Your Majesty, the Regent Prince and the Junior Preceptor have also come to watch the polo tournament.”

Yu Qianqian immediately shot Fan Changyu a teasing glance.

Unfortunately, the women’s seats were too far from the men’s section.

A sea of people separated them, making it impossible to see clearly.

Qi Shu suddenly stood.

“Shen Shen is here? Then I’ll play this match as well.”

Watching the Grand Princess head off to change with her attendants, Yu Qianqian looked at Fan Changyu in surprise.

“Has the Princess really taken a liking to Young Master Shen?”

Fan Changyu was equally puzzled.

However, she had come today precisely to accompany and protect Qi Shu whenever she entered the field.

Since the Grand Princess intended to play, Fan Changyu naturally had to join her.

As the two of them walked toward the changing rooms to put on their matching riding uniforms, they passed the men’s seating area.

It was impossible not to notice Xie Zheng.

He occupied several seats all by himself.

After taking his seat, no one except Gongsun Yin dared sit anywhere near him.

He was simply too conspicuous.

Qi Shu’s departure naturally attracted considerable attention.

Xie Zheng noticed them as well.

Their eyes met across the distance.

Fan Changyu froze for a brief moment.

It…

It was the first time she had ever seen Xie Zheng wearing snow-white scholar’s robes.

Elegant.

Refined.

Peerless.

It was as though those hands had never held swords or halberds.

As though they had only ever been meant to hold a brush and scrolls.

She wasn’t the only one startled.

The noble ladies and young gentlemen throughout the stands were equally astonished.

Because of the Regent Prince’s overwhelming authority, no one dared stare openly.

They could only steal furtive glances.

Fan Changyu even overheard people whispering nearby.

“Why is the Regent Prince wearing such elegant scholar’s robes today?”

“Exactly! When he first walked over, I almost mistook him for the Junior Preceptor!”

“Shh… Haven’t you heard? General Huaihua hasn’t returned to Xie Manor for two days. I heard she’s always admired the Junior Preceptor, but the Regent Prince requested the marriage so quickly that she had no choice but to marry him. Now things are probably falling apart. The Regent Prince is dressing like the Junior Preceptor to win her back!”

Fan Changyu stumbled.

She nearly pitched forward and landed face-first on the ground.