Fang Jinxian fell silent again.
He remained silent for so long that Yu Qijian finally urged him,
“If you won’t agree, then I’ll have no choice but to write a letter home and ask my mother for help.”
Fang Jinxian: “……..”
Yu Qijian became even more displeased.
“Not even that? Don’t force me to use the Phoenix Seal for the first time! I think that would be a complete waste of its power. For something this small, all it takes is a word from you, isn’t that right, Chief Eunuch?”
At last, he spoke.
Slowly.
Each word was pronounced with deliberate clarity.
“The empire is still in mourning. Your Majesty is certainly in high spirits.”
Hearing this, Yu Qijian lowered her head and wiped away a nonexistent tear.
“I understand. The Late Emperor has passed away, and I am heartbroken. I have been weighed down by grief for many days. Fortunately, my son is considerate and specifically suggested inviting opera troupes into the palace to soothe my troubled mind…”
Fang Jinxian’s gaze drifted toward Zhao Yan.
The young Emperor nodded seriously in confirmation.
“Since His Majesty has already approved it, why does Your Majesty require me to arrange it?”
Yu Qijian leaned closer and lowered her voice so only the two of them could hear.
“I just arrived here. I don’t know anyone, and I don’t dare invite random people into the palace. What if someone tries to assassinate me and sneaks in during the confusion? If I die, wouldn’t that create a lot of trouble for you?”
At the end, she lowered her voice even further.
Her eyes sparkled with both grievance and expectation.
“You can screen them for me.”
The faint fragrance unique to her suddenly occupied his senses.
Fang Jinxian lowered his eyes.
The moment he met her gaze, something he had painstakingly built within his heart silently collapsed at one corner, leaving behind a brief moment of weightlessness.
Why was it that in less than half a month, Yu Qijian had gone from disliking him to trusting him with such reckless ease?
Was it merely because she acknowledged their alliance?
Or was it because, in her mind, he was the only person who knew she was not the real Lady Yu?
Was that why she did not need to hide anything from him and could be unusually honest?
But that made no sense.
If it were him, he would regard such a secret as the deadliest leverage someone could hold over him.
Even if they appeared united on the surface, he would still keep two eyes and a knife behind his back, constantly guarding against betrayal.
How had that secret instead become a bond that made her believe he was worthy of trust?
Worthy of entrusting her safety to so easily?
His hands had never been stained with blood.
Yet countless lives had passed through them.
His fingers tightened inside his sleeves.
Fang Jinxian took half a step back, creating distance between them.
His voice returned to its usual calm neutrality.
“This servant obeys Your Majesty’s command.”
Having achieved her objective, Yu Qijian stopped pressing the matter.
Turning toward Zhao Yan, she smiled brightly.
“Looks like we’ll have performances to watch now.”
Fang Jinxian said nothing further.
After giving a formal salute, he departed.
His pace leaving the Palace of Eternal Peace was slightly faster than when he had arrived.
Yet at a corner, he encountered the Chief Imperial Physician hurrying toward him.
The physician bowed respectfully.
“Chief Eunuch, the Imperial Medical Bureau has just received notice. Madam Yu from the Empress Dowager’s maternal family submitted a request today, saying she is worried about Her Majesty’s health and wishes to enter the palace tomorrow to visit her.”
For the past half month, the Palace of Eternal Peace had claimed that the Empress Dowager was unwell and had not appeared in public.
The Yu Clan had finally grown restless.
Without stopping, Fang Jinxian merely replied,
“Mm. Follow the regulations.”
After returning to his office, he did not immediately begin handling official matters.
Instead, he spread out a sheet of plain paper.
Dipping his brush into ink, he frowned faintly before beginning to write.
First: Any troupe granted entry must have a clean record for three generations. Both the troupe leader and principal performers must have guarantors who jointly accepted responsibility and provided signed pledges.
Second: Before entering the palace, all personnel must undergo centralized inspection at the Western Garden examination quarters. The Directorate of Palace Eunuchs and the Eastern Depot shall jointly verify identities, record portraits, and collect handprints.
Third: All performances must be submitted for review ten days in advance. Any content involving state affairs, palace matters, ghosts, spirits, or seditious themes shall be removed.
Fourth: On performance days, Imperial Guards shall secure the area within thirty feet of the stage, while the Eastern Depot shall deploy hidden agents beyond that perimeter. Unauthorized personnel shall not approach.
Fifth: All instruments, costumes, and storage chests shall be inspected twice, both before and after performances.
…
The brush moved smoothly.
Soon, a detailed set of regulations was complete.
Without expression, he handed the document to Mo Fang.
“Proceed according to these instructions. Within three days, submit a list of qualified troupes.”
Mo Fang accepted the order and acknowledged it.
Fang Jinxian placed a piece of malt candy into his mouth.
His gaze rested vaguely upon the pile of memorials awaiting review.
Yet what occupied his thoughts remained those eyes, bright as stars.
He was still distracted when a knock sounded at the door.
Mo Fang had returned.
“Master, the Empress Dowager has arrived. She says she’s here to deliver a thank-you gift.”
One of Fang Jinxian’s brows lifted slightly.
Back at the Palace of Eternal Peace, she had not mentioned anything of the sort.
He bit through the candy with a crisp crack and swallowed.
“Let her in.”
Yu Qijian entered carrying a food box.
Her steps were light and cheerful.
She set the box directly onto his desk with a familiarity that made it seem as though she were returning to her own home.
“Here.”
She opened the lid.
Inside were several golden pastries.
“Freshly baked chestnut pastries. His Majesty couldn’t finish them, and I thought it would be wasteful to let them sit around.”
Fang Jinxian glanced at them but did not touch them.
“What is the meaning of this, Your Majesty?”
“A thank-you gift.”
Yu Qijian answered as though it were obvious.
Her gaze wandered around his office.
“Didn’t you agree to help me arrange the opera troupes? I’ve always been very clear about repaying favors.”
This was her second visit.
The last time she had come here, the experience had been unpleasant because of the Dowager Consort’s corpse.
Now, under broad daylight, she could clearly see everything.
The duty room was essentially Fang Jinxian’s office.
Ancient books, case files, official documents, brushes, inkstones, paper, elegant ornaments, and a potted asparagus fern by the window filled the space.
One thing stood out in particular.
Every inch of the room was paradise for anyone with obsessive-compulsive tendencies.
Everything was arranged neatly according to height, thickness, and color.
The floor tiles were polished enough to reflect one’s face.
The scent of ebony wood lingered in the air.
Peaceful.
Orderly.
Fang Jinxian’s measured voice broke the silence.
“Using leftovers as a thank-you gift. Interesting idea.”
Yu Qijian remained perfectly self-assured.
“The value of a gift isn’t important. It’s the thought that counts. Giving gifts isn’t about what you want; it’s about what I have.”
The corner of Fang Jinxian’s mouth unconsciously curved upward.
“You say that, yet this servant does not enjoy sweets.”
“Oh, stop pretending.”
Yu Qijian rolled her eyes.
“Don’t think nobody notices just because you sneak them. You carry candy around all the time, don’t you?”
Fang Jinxian’s smile vanished immediately.
“?”
“I’ve seen it. Several times when His Majesty was doing his lessons and I stepped outside for some air, I saw you standing there sucking on candy while daydreaming. But here’s a friendly reminder.”
She pointed at him.
“Be careful of cavities.”
“Cavities?”
“Dental worms.”
Yu Qijian nodded solemnly.
“Eating sweets makes them grow most easily. They’ll eat all your teeth until they’re gone, and then you’ll look very ugly. Brushing your teeth after eating can prevent them.”
From her somewhat exaggerated explanation, Fang Jinxian unexpectedly sensed a trace of genuine concern.
Feeling oddly uncomfortable, he lowered his gaze.
“Understood.”
His tone revealed nothing.
Yu Qijian nodded in satisfaction when she saw how obediently he accepted the advice.
This client was becoming easier and easier to work with.
It even made her feel more enthusiastic about her job.
Without any reservation, she picked up a chestnut pastry and took a bite.
“The Imperial Kitchen recently hired a chef from Jiangnan. His skills are really excellent.”
Fang Jinxian no longer refused.
He picked up a pastry and tasted it.
Yet his eyes drifted unconsciously toward her face.
The flavor in his mouth mattered less than the contented expression she wore while eating.
It seemed that every food she tasted became a seasoning for happiness itself.
As he watched her, a strange feeling of envy emerged without reason.
The feeling made him unexpectedly sharp-tongued.
“Your Majesty seems to have quite a lot of free time.”