After hearing Yu Jinghong’s explanation linking pastries to princely fiefs, Emperor An Yi burst into laughter.
“Minister Yu, as the saying goes—family affairs, state affairs, affairs of the world—you’ve truly connected them all.”
“Your Majesty overpraises me. Any matter contains principles. It depends only on whether one is willing to think deeply.”
“If this truly resolves the crisis, whatever reward you desire, I shall grant it.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The two discussed details late into the night. Yu Jinghong did not leave the palace; the emperor arranged quarters for him, and he attended court directly the next morning.
After several days of intense negotiations, the matter of the regional princes was finally settled.
The emperor then ordered the Astronomical Bureau to divine the future fortune of the Great An dynasty.
The result shocked them.
“Your Majesty!” the astrologers exclaimed. “An auspicious person has appeared in Great An. With this person present, the dynasty may enjoy centuries of peace and prosperity!”
“Who is it?” the emperor asked, unusually stirred.
“In three days at noon, auspicious clouds will gather above the capital. Wherever they converge will be the residence of this blessed individual.”
“For the next three days, cancel all trivial matters. I will witness it personally.”
Those three days felt like years to the emperor. He repeatedly asked the time, pacing in anticipation.
At last, the appointed noon arrived.
Standing atop the highest tower of the imperial city, he overlooked the capital. After a long wait, clouds of brilliant color slowly gathered in the sky.
They hovered—three full hours without dispersing.
The Astronomical Bureau was ecstatic. “Your Majesty, never in prior dynasties have such clouds lingered so long. This person’s fortune is profound indeed!”
At last, a report arrived.
“Your Majesty, the clouds have gathered above the residence of Minister of Revenue Yu Jinghong.”
“Is the auspicious one Minister Yu himself?”
An astrologer stepped forward. “Minister Yu has served court for years. It is unlikely to be him. Perhaps a young master or young lady within his household.”
“Above whose chamber did the clouds linger?”
“Your Majesty… above the courtyard of the Yu family’s legitimate daughter—Yu Hua.”
At that very moment, Yu Hua was still fast asleep, having stayed up late reading her illustrated storybooks.
The emperor recalled: the one who proposed the brilliant Tui’en Decree was precisely this twelve-year-old girl.
Perhaps… it was no coincidence.
Upon returning to the palace, the emperor personally summoned Yu Jinghong.
Yu Jinghong felt extremely uneasy. He had witnessed the auspicious clouds over his own residence.
“Minister Yu, do you know why I summoned you?”
“For the matter of the auspicious clouds, I presume.”
“Indeed. You are perceptive.”
Ordinarily, a single imperial compliment would be boasted about for days. Yet Yu Jinghong felt as if he were sitting on needles.
After a pause, he ventured, “How does Your Majesty intend to handle this matter?”
“Do not be nervous. This omen is a blessing. I intend for your daughter to enter court as an official. What say you?”
Sweat formed instantly on Yu Jinghong’s brow.
The emperor glanced at him lightly. “It is spring. Surely the weather is not so warm?”
“Your Majesty, forgive me—but my daughter has only just reached the golden hairpin age. How can she enter official service?”
“She is young, yes. But she is heaven-ordained and marked by auspicious signs. With her in court, Great An shall flourish.”
Yu Jinghong nearly wept. To attend the ruler is to attend a tiger. His daughter spoke without thinking, full of strange ideas. If she angered the emperor one day, the entire clan could be exterminated.
“Your Majesty, my daughter is unruly and ill-mannered. She is not suited to office.”
“Who is born suited? Education must begin from youth. I trust she will not disappoint me.”
“She sleeps until late morning each day…”
“Habits can be changed. You will accompany her to court.”
“She sleeps until the sun is high.”
“Then adjust her schedule. Speak to her. Do some ‘ideological work.’”
At this point, refusal was impossible. Yu Jinghong could only bow in acceptance.
Just before leaving, he turned back.
“Your Majesty, I have one humble request.”
“As long as your daughter enters office, name your condition.”
Yu Jinghong swallowed hard. “I beg Your Majesty to grant me a golden immunity plaque.”
Gasps erupted. Eunuch Li rebuked him. “Bold! Since the founding of Great An, no emperor has bestowed such an item—no matter the merit!”
Yu Jinghong immediately knelt. “Your Majesty, I seek only precaution. I know my daughter’s temperament. Should she speak rashly, I ask that the plaque serve solely to spare her life—never for other purposes.”
After a long silence, the emperor said:
“I grant it.”
Yu Jinghong kowtowed deeply. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“But mark this: if you fail to persuade your daughter to enter court, I shall not spare you.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Leaving the palace, Yu Jinghong knew the matter was settled.
His daughter entering court was inevitable.
He silently prayed she would not cause disaster.
On his way home, he made a special stop at “gold and jade fill the hall”, purchasing Yu Hua’s favorite pastries—the same shop where Yu Qingyun had once queued for hours.
By the time he returned to the Minister’s residence, night had fallen.
Shen Yanchu asked anxiously, “Why are you late again? More court troubles?”
“It’s about the auspicious omen. His Majesty has decreed that Hua’er must enter court as an official. I bought her favorite pastries to persuade her.”
“You know her temperament. She’s hardly suited for office.”
“Do you think I don’t know? But the emperor’s command is absolute. Now I must think how to coax our daughter into becoming an official.”
And thus, Minister Yu prepared himself—not for political debate—
—but for the far more perilous task of convincing his twelve-year-old daughter.