Over the following days, Yu Qijian devoted herself to raising the child.
The exhausting part was that the child was no ordinary child—he was the ruler of an empire.
It seemed that every word she said to him had to carry meaning and wisdom. If she tried to play with him or engage in anything remotely pointless, Fang Jinxian would appear behind her like a ghost and silently condemn her with his gaze.
As though he were constantly asking:
Why is Your Majesty not taking this seriously?
For the time being, she endured it.
As a result, spending time with Zhao Yan was even more exhausting than working a full day at a job.
One day, while writing an essay on governance, Zhao Yan raised a question about the saying:
“The people are of greatest importance; the state comes next; the ruler is the least important.”
“If the people are truly the most important,” he asked, “why are the laws so strict, and why do they mostly protect imperial authority and the dignity of the court? Is that not a contradiction between words and actions?”
Fu Zhong’s annotation read:
“This is the Sage’s teaching, intended to remind rulers to care for the people. Your Majesty should comprehend the Sage’s intentions and need not dwell on the literal wording.”
Zhao Yan was unconvinced and brought the essay to the two people he trusted most.
Yu Qijian read it and felt that such a question from a child was remarkably valuable. Just as she was about to encourage him, Fang Jinxian spoke first.
“Mencius said those words to warn rulers that losing the people’s support meant losing the realm. Laws preserve social order and moral principles, which are the foundation of stability. Without order, the people would suffer. There is no contradiction between the two. Your Majesty should understand the spirit of the statement rather than become trapped by its wording and fall into sophistry.”
His answer was steady and reasonable.
The logic was sound.
But the moment Yu Qijian heard it, the rebellious spirit she had developed from years of dealing with bureaucratic non-answers and evasive responses immediately surfaced.
“Yun Zhi’s question is excellent! He used the phrase contradiction between words and actions perfectly!”
Fang Jinxian: “……”
A vein throbbed faintly at his temple.
Yu Qijian continued,
“The Sage’s words are ideals. Laws are reality. It’s like… what Chief Eunuch always says—rules in the palace are more important than heaven itself. But sometimes, perhaps the people who made those rules haven’t fully lived up to the principle that the people come first. Since they can’t admit it openly, they can only enforce things in a roundabout way.”
Fang Jinxian frowned.
“Is Your Majesty criticizing the sages of old, or mocking the laws of the court?”
“Oh my, Chief Eunuch, don’t put such a huge accusation on me.”
Yu Qijian lifted her teacup.
“I’m merely following His Majesty’s line of thought and giving an example. Take you, for instance. You’re always talking about rules and decorum. But the last time His Majesty secretly buried the carrots he didn’t like under his rice, why didn’t you immediately expose him according to palace regulations? Instead, you waited until he finished eating before quietly having the dish removed and replaced with something else.”
Zhao Yan stared at Fang Jinxian in surprise.
A faint trace of red appeared at the eunuch’s ears, though his tone grew even colder.
“That was a trivial matter unrelated to law and order. Your Majesty should not confuse the issue and mislead His Majesty.”
“See? That’s called analyzing specific situations individually.”
Yu Qijian winked at Zhao Yan.
“To Chief Eunuch, helping you eat properly and grow up healthy is more important than rigidly enforcing the rule against wasting food. Then for the court, wouldn’t helping common people survive and live well sometimes be more important than stubbornly clinging to certain laws and customs that appear important but are no longer entirely suitable?”
“That’s twisting logic and changing the subject.”
Fang Jinxian was so irritated that he laughed.
Yu Qijian wore an expression that clearly said I said it, what are you going to do about it?
“I’m simply telling His Majesty that studying requires thinking, and governing requires flexibility. Not every principle written on paper remains correct forever, and not every rule must be followed without adaptation. Isn’t that right, Your Majesty?”
Watching the two of them clash, Zhao Yan felt a strange sense of familiarity.
It reminded him of the two senior eunuchs in the palace arguing over who should go receive a reward, each trying to undermine the other through indirect jabs.
“Mother Empress, Chief Eunuch, it seems both of you make valid points.”
“Your Majesty is wise.”
The two spoke in unison.
Then they looked at each other briefly before quickly looking away again.
Fang Jinxian said,
“Your Majesty is eloquent indeed. I admit I cannot match you. However, governing a nation is not a game. I hope Your Majesty will choose her words carefully.”
Yu Qijian replied,
“Chief Eunuch doesn’t follow every so-called rule every moment of the day either. From what I can see, you work tirelessly day and night and now even worry that His Majesty is thinking too much. Why not prepare a few more calming teas and get some rest earlier at night?”
Fang Jinxian: “…There is no need for Your Majesty’s concern.”
Yu Qijian smiled.
“You already have dark circles under your eyes.”
Fang Jinxian: “……”
Afraid she might actually drive him into a rage, Yu Qijian laughed.
“Alright, alright, I’ll stop.”
She turned toward Zhao Yan.
“Your Majesty, this essay is very well written. The question you raised is especially brilliant! Tonight you’ll get an extra serving of your favorite crab roe pastries.”
A faint smile appeared on Zhao Yan’s face.
“Thank you, Mother Empress.”
Fang Jinxian looked at the young Emperor, who had instantly been won over by crab roe pastries, then at the Empress Dowager beside him, whose face clearly said I don’t need to argue with you because I already won.
A wave of frustration lodged itself firmly in his chest.
Silently, he looked away.
No matter which side he examined, there was logic in it.
He had no desire to continue arguing with her.
Just as he was about to leave, Yu Qijian called out to him.
“Chief Eunuch, regarding His Majesty’s daily life and studies, I wrote a proposal last night. Would you like to take a look?”
Without even looking at her, Fang Jinxian extended his hand in front of her with a cold expression.
Yu Qijian burst out laughing.
“Chief Eunuch, has anyone ever told you that you’re very cute?”
Fang Jinxian: “…….?”
Zhao Yan immediately asked when he didn’t understand.
“Mother Empress, what does cute mean?”
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Yu Qijian pinched his cheek.
“It means very adorable. Your Majesty is cute too. Very cute.”
Zhao Yan’s face quietly reddened.
He glanced at Fang Jinxian and discovered that he was not the only one blushing.
Yu Qijian stood and retrieved the proposal, paying no attention to Fang Jinxian’s reaction.
She had merely teased him casually.
After all, the two of them standing together looked as though they had been carved from the same mold, and Fang Jinxian’s face was truly young and beautiful.
She had stayed up all night writing the proposal.
Partly to gain some leverage when negotiating with Fang Jinxian, and partly to stop him from constantly accusing her of not caring enough.
The two pages were packed with details, clearly outlining Zhao Yan’s future arrangements.
When Fang Jinxian accepted it and looked down, his eyelid twitched.
The handwriting was simply atrocious.
What caught his attention more was the childlike smiling face drawn at the bottom of the final page.
After a brief silence, he asked,
“Has Your Majesty truly practiced calligraphy before?”
Yu Qijian answered confidently,
“I really am terrible with a brush. As long as you can read it, what’s the problem?”
Patiently, Fang Jinxian read several lines before stopping.
“What character is this blurred mess supposed to be?”
“Play.”
Yu Qijian immediately snatched the proposal back.
“Come on, let me explain it.”
“The beginning is understandable, right? His Majesty should move to Hong Palace so he won’t need to travel back and forth every day. He can attend Master Fu’s lessons directly in the front hall after waking up. Before lunch, he can play in the rear courtyard. I will accompany His Majesty for two hours each day. After his afternoon rest, he’ll spend time reading…”
“Also, I suggest that for twenty days each month, he attend classes at Chongwen Academy alongside other students. He can interact with people, make friends, and build relationships more naturally…”
The woman spoke seriously about numerous arrangements.
Zhao Yan listened with sparkling eyes and a bright smile.
As for Fang Jinxian, his expression revealed nothing.
In fact, his brows gradually drew together.
Yu Qijian’s heart skipped a beat.
“What? Is it unsuitable?”
After thinking for a moment, Fang Jinxian replied,
“It is acceptable.”
Yu Qijian curled her lips, then immediately smiled.
“So… it can be done?”
“Yes.”
“Then it’s time for me to make my request.”
Fang Jinxian looked at her.
Yu Qijian cleared her throat.
“Arrange several opera troupes to perform at the Palace of Eternal Peace.”
“The Dowager Empress wishes to cultivate her artistic sensibilities.”