Zhao Yan had not originally intended to stay for lunch, but Yu Qijian insisted he eat with her. She even personally peeled a small dish of shrimp for him and only felt satisfied after watching him finish it.
Zhao Yan felt that Yu Qijian had become especially talkative recently. Perhaps she was worried that her suggestion of sending him to school had caused some negative consequences. She had spent half an hour alone asking him about what happened in school today, and now she probably knew more about his academy than he did.
So this was what a sweet burden felt like.
His ears were a bit numb from all the talking, and only then did “Mother Empress” finally grow tired. Zhao Yan just wanted to hurry back to Hong Palace for his afternoon nap.
Before leaving, he reflected that his emotions were improper. Afraid that Yu Qijian might notice and feel hurt, he gathered his courage and kissed her on the cheek as a form of return gesture. But after kissing her, he was too embarrassed to look at her, and fled in panic.
Yu Qijian, still immersed in the sweet joy of motherhood, happily returned to her room to nap.
In the afternoon, she planned to write a script so that a theater troupe could perform for her. However, Fang Jinxian sent someone to summon her to the Imperial Secretariat, saying there was something to discuss.
Yu Qijian became extremely anxious. She changed clothes slowly and reluctantly, carrying deep distrust of Fang Jinxian the entire way.
Definitely nothing good!!
Mo Fang led her to a separate courtyard behind the Imperial Secretariat. Unlike the orderly elegance of the front offices, this place felt more like a quiet study, with green bamboo stalks and plum trees planted in the yard.
Fang Jinxian stood under the corridor, listening to a man in a green robe speak in a low voice.
The man stood tall and upright, his voice clear and gentle.
“The registration list and guarantees for entering the palace have all been prepared. This is the list of planned performances. Please, Chief Eunuch, review it.”
The green-robed man presented a booklet with both hands.
Fang Jinxian took it but did not immediately open it. Instead, he glanced toward Yu Qijian.
The man noticed her as well and turned around.
Yu Qijian saw his face clearly.
He looked to be about twenty-five or twenty-six years old. His features were bright and refined, his temperament gentle and scholarly. He did not resemble a typical wandering performer at all, but rather a slightly downcast, elegant scholar.
Upon seeing Yu Qijian, he immediately stepped back two paces and knelt, lifting his robe.
“This commoner Yue Jilian pays respects to the Empress Dowager.”
Yu Qijian first glanced at Fang Jinxian. Meeting his calm gaze, she said, “No need for formalities.”
Yue Jilian stood up and remained respectfully to the side, polite but not timid.
Only then did Fang Jinxian slowly open the performance list, his fingers tracing the neatly written lines of small script.
“‘The Peony Pavilion,’ ‘The Palace of Eternal Life,’ ‘Legend of the White Snake’… Manager Yue has prepared quite thoroughly.”
Yue Jilian bowed slightly. “The Chief Eunuch instructed that the performances should be lively and festive while also elegant in wording. This commoner did not dare neglect it. These are the troupe’s specialties, and the lyrics and music are clean and appropriate.”
“I heard Manager Yue once wrote a play called ‘Jade Green Case’ in his youth. Its wording seems to go beyond mere romantic sentiment?”
Yue Jilian replied respectfully, “The Chief Eunuch is perceptive. That play was written in my youthful ignorance and indeed had improper elements. It has long been sealed away and is no longer performed. Now I only seek to earn a living through my craft and bring joy to noble patrons. I would never again involve myself in political matters.”
Fang Jinxian stared at him for a moment, then closed the booklet and returned it.
“Remember your words. The palace is not like the outside world. One wrong step leads to irreversible ruin. You must know what can and cannot be said in front of the Empress Dowager and His Majesty.”
“Yes, this commoner will remember.”
Fang Jinxian turned to Yu Qijian, speaking in an official tone. “Your Majesty, this is Yue Jilian, leader of the Yunshao Troupe. The troupe will enter the palace in three days. The Imperial Secretariat will finalize the specific arrangements with him.”
Yu Qijian nodded, her gaze still on Yue Jilian, smiling. “Manager Yue has a nice name, and he looks like a scholar. How did you end up in this line of work?”
Yue Jilian lifted his eyes briefly, meeting hers for a moment before lowering them again.
“Replying to Your Majesty, my family fell into decline. One must find a way to survive. Though acting is considered a humble profession, it is still a form of learning. If I can bring joy to others, then I have not wasted my studies.”
“Well said,” Yu Qijian praised. “But Manager Yue, I have some ideas for stories. I wonder if you could help me present a good performance.”
“This commoner will do everything possible and will not disappoint Your Majesty’s expectations,” Yue Jilian said again, bowing.
Fang Jinxian watched the two of them exchange words back and forth. His brows faintly furrowed before he waved his hand.
“Manager Yue, you may leave for now. The details will be handled by others.”
“Yes, this commoner takes his leave.”
After his steady figure disappeared beyond the courtyard gate, Yu Qijian looked at Fang Jinxian and raised an eyebrow.
“You specifically called me here just to see him?”
Fang Jinxian turned and walked into the room. “His background is clean, the troupe is orderly, and they have a good reputation in the capital. Since Your Majesty wishes to select plays, it is only proper that you meet the person in charge, so that if you dislike it or if problems arise later, you will not say this minister was careless.”
“Not bad,” Yu Qijian said casually. “Good-looking, nice name, gentle and refined. I wonder what he’s like on stage.”
Fang Jinxian did not respond for a while. Only after entering the office did he speak in a cold tone. “Your Majesty should be mindful of your status. Do not become a laughingstock. You are requesting a troupe due to excessive grief, so keep a low profile to avoid criticism.”
“Fine, fine, I got it. Just acting like I’m grieving properly—I understand.”
Yu Qijian followed him in and noticed several documents laid out on the desk regarding Yue Jilian and the Yunshao Troupe.
“You really investigated him thoroughly,” she said, picking one up. “The Yue family of Nanzhou… a fallen scholarly family, parents deceased, property seized by relatives, brought his younger sister north to survive. Tch, not easy.”
During national mourning, all court entertainment was theoretically suspended. That was why Zhao Yan had suggested bringing in an external troupe, framing it as: “The Empress Dowager is deeply grieved and unwell, His Majesty is filial and considerate, and therefore invites a folk troupe to relieve her distress.” This avoided using the palace’s own troupe and prevented accusations that the royal family was indulging in pleasure, which could otherwise lead to criticism of Zhao Yan’s filial piety.
It also allowed the Imperial Secretariat and the Eastern Depot to oversee security.
Yu Qijian had not expected Fang Jinxian to be this efficient, so she thanked him sincerely. “Thanks. Chief Eunuch, your efficiency is really high.”
Fang Jinxian did not respond. He simply took the documents back from her and neatly stacked them.
“Since Your Majesty has seen him and has no objections, this matter is settled.”
Only then did Yu Qijian notice something strange about him today—though she could not quite pinpoint what.
She tilted her head and looked at him for a while, then suddenly asked, “You don’t seem to like this Yue Jilian very much?”
Fang Jinxian paused slightly in his movements and looked up at her. “Whether I like him or not has nothing to do with Your Majesty’s enjoyment of the play.”
“That’s true. Alright then—three days from now, right? Got it. If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back.”
Without lingering, Yu Qijian clapped her hands and left.
Fang Jinxian watched her figure disappear beyond the door before withdrawing his gaze.
He walked to the window. In the back courtyard, green bamboo swayed, casting scattered shadows on the ground.
The way Yu Qijian had looked at Yue Jilian earlier—openly curious, openly appreciative—was somewhat glaring.
She was still too young. She could not properly carry the dignity of an Empress Dowager, getting intrigued by a handsome man so easily.
“Mo Fang.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Keep a close watch on the Yunshao Troupe these next few days. Do not allow any mistakes.”
“Yes, Master.”
After giving the order, Fang Jinxian placed a candy in his mouth and slowly ground it between his teeth, suppressing that faint, inappropriate restlessness at his fingertips.