That evening, Yu Jinghong returned home rather late.
At the same time, Yu Qingyun finally brought back the pastries Yu Hua loved most. She ate with immense satisfaction.
Shen Yanchu asked, “Why are you back so late today?”
Yu Jinghong hurriedly gulped down a cup of tea. “Don’t even ask. Do you know what happened at court today?”
“I’ve been at home. How would I know? Could it be that celestial omen in the sky?”
“You saw it too? Unfortunately, I didn’t witness it in person.”
“It was so grand—how could I not see it?”
“The Astronomical Bureau determined it was Yinghuo Shouxin—a dire omen.”
“What would cause such a phenomenon?”
Lowering his voice, Yu Jinghong said, “Yinghuo Shouxin usually signifies a ruler’s loss of virtue. His Majesty was furious and scolded the entire court.”
Shen Yanchu’s expression changed. “If word spreads among the common people, the court will be shaken.”
“Exactly. The regional princes are already heading to the capital. They’re determined to demand an explanation.”
“The late emperor had many sons, all enfeoffed as regional princes. If turmoil erupts, it’s the common people who will suffer.”
“His Majesty is deeply worried. The princes will arrive in three days.”
“Could the dynasty truly change?” she asked anxiously.
“If the dynasty changes, as the saying goes, ‘A new emperor, new officials.’ We ministers would all be dragged down.”
“Should we send the children away first? Spare them the hardship?”
“Let’s observe for now. None of the other ministers have acted. If His Majesty learns we’re preparing to flee, our whole clan will be doomed.”
Just then, Yu Hua’s inner voice drifted in.
【I remember there should still be a few years before this happens. Why is it early?】
“Host, since you’ve come to this world, you can’t rely entirely on your previous impressions. A butterfly effect may have occurred.”
Yu Jinghong and Shen Yanchu exchanged startled looks. Butterfly effect? Neither understood the term, but they dared not reveal anything.
Yu Jinghong gently squeezed his wife’s hand and said aloud, “I wonder whether His Majesty can overcome this crisis.”
Shen Yanchu sighed. “Who knows?”
【Of course he can. He just doesn’t know the method yet. It’s actually simple. The princes fear the emperor’s suspicion because their power keeps growing. They want security.】
“Host, they can’t hear you.”
【If they could, I wouldn’t say it! I’m only twelve. If I openly discussed state affairs, they’d think I was mad.】
“Perhaps you should help them. If war breaks out, the people—and your family—won’t be spared.”
【They only want more territory and influence, to avoid being swallowed by rival princes.】
“So what would you do?”
【Simple. Implement the Tui’en Decree. The princes would gladly agree. Their domains go to the legitimate eldest son, but as princes they have many concubines and many children. If the decree allows all sons to inherit portions…】
“Host, that’s too fanciful. Why would they agree?”
【You brag about being omniscient, yet you don’t get this? The Tui’en Decree appears to reward the princes—granting more autonomy—but in reality it divides their territories into smaller fragments. It weakens them so they can no longer contend with the central authority. It’s a classic ‘subdue the strong with softness’ strategy to strengthen imperial power.】
“Since you understand so much, won’t you tell your parents?”
【What’s the point? Would they believe me? Would the emperor?】
Moments later, Yu Hua’s footsteps retreated.
Silence fell.
Shen Yanchu turned to her husband. “Did you hear what Hua’er said? That ‘Tui’en Decree’—you should present it to His Majesty tomorrow. It might save the court and countless lives.”
Yu Jinghong’s eyes lit up. “This method is brilliant. I won’t wait until tomorrow. I’ll go now.”
“At this hour? His Majesty must be resting.”
“With matters like this, how could he sleep? If I resolve it tonight, perhaps he can rest.”
After straightening his robes, Shen Yanchu watched him leave.
At the palace gates, they had already been locked. After reporting urgent business, he was eventually admitted.
In the palace, Emperor An Yi wore his bright yellow dragon robe, his face heavy with worry.
“Minister Yu, what urgent matter brings you here so late?”
Yu Jinghong explained the Tui’en Decree in detail.
When he mentioned granting princes greater authority over appointments, the emperor frowned deeply.
“Is this not raising tigers to invite calamity? Would it not weaken central control further?”
“Your Majesty, on the surface it enlarges their autonomy, but in truth it promotes and demotes simultaneously. Consider this: every prince has multiple sons. If their lands are divided among them, each share shrinks.”
“It is like a plate of pastries. If one person eats, he is full. If many share, none can be fully satisfied.”
The emperor’s eyes brightened. He stepped forward and clasped Yu Jinghong’s shoulder.
“Minister Yu, this method is marvelous! If it succeeds, you will be a great contributor to the Great An dynasty.”
“This is but a minister’s duty. I dare not claim credit.”
This was my precious daughter’s idea, Yu Jinghong thought. How can I steal her merit?
“Tell me,” the emperor pressed, “how did you conceive of such brilliance?”
Yu Jinghong calmly replied, “It was not my doing, but my daughter’s.”
The emperor frowned. “If I recall correctly, your daughter has only just reached the golden hairpin age. How could she devise such a strategy?”
Yu Jinghong bowed. “Today, my second son bought pastries my youngest daughter loves. The two often quarrel over food. My daughter complained that with so little pastry, if they fought over it, neither would be full. It would be better for one to eat it all.”
He paused meaningfully.
“And thus, Your Majesty… I reflected upon the matter of the princes.”