Changning, her chubby fingers clutching the gilded ebony chopsticks, immediately stopped nibbling on the crystal bun in her bowl upon hearing the news. She looked up and asked, "Can Ning Niang study with Bao'er again?"
Over the past two years, she had grown taller, no longer resembling the round-headed, plump little glutinous rice ball she once was. Yet her cheeks still retained their baby fat, rosy and full. Her large eyes were dark as ink, framed by long, delicate lashes. Perhaps due to improved health, her hair had grown thicker and glossier than before, now neatly styled into playful little buns that made her look even more adorable like a doll carved from jade and snow.
Fan Changyu wiped the soup stain from the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief and said, "You mustn't call her that anymore. You should address her as 'His Majesty.'"
Changning stuck out her tongue but quickly corrected herself, "Can Ning Niang study with His Majesty?"
Yu Qianqian smiled and said, "See? Ning Niang also wants to study in the palace with Bao'er. Rather than leaving her alone with those old scholars, why not let her come to the palace? She'll have Bao'er as company. When you and the Prince Regent attend court in the future, you can send Ning Niang to Chongwen Hall. After court and political discussions, you can pick her up on your way home."
After Yu Qianqian's persuasion, coupled with Qi Yu and Changning's pleading eyes, Fan Changyu pondered for a moment before finally agreeing.
For now, both Changning and Qi Yu were still young, so having Changning as a study companion wasn't inappropriate. In a couple of years, as a general, Fan Changyu would inevitably be stationed at the border, and Changning would likely have to leave the capital with her.
As soon as she agreed, after breakfast, Qi Yu eagerly offered to take Changning to Chongwen Hall for a visit first. Yu Qianqian, concerned about the two children, sent her trusted matron to accompany and look after Changning, while she stayed behind with Fan Changyu in Cining Palace to chat about daily matters.
This wasn't Changning's first time in the palace, but it was her first visit to Chongwen Hall, where the young emperor attended lectures and handled state affairs.
Gazing at the resplendent yet solemn hall and the smiling attendants on either side, she clenched her little fists nervously, feeling somewhat out of place.
Noticing this, Qi Yu dismissed the accompanying palace maids and eunuchs to wait outside. He personally led Changning on a tour of Chongwen Hall, saying, "Gongsun has a gentle temperament, and his lessons are straightforward and easy to understand. You needn't be afraid of him..."
Changning, dressed in a light pink high-waisted ruqun with matching ribbons tied around her little buns, bobbed along behind Qi Yu like a plump, animated peach. She immediately retorted, "I'm not afraid of Uncle Gongsun! Uncle Gongsun likes me very much!"
Qi Yu frowned slightly, then added after some thought, "The Empress Dowager will also select a few suitable sons of court officials to serve as my study companions. If they bully you, don't be afraid. I'll stand up for you."
Changning let out an "Ah!" and pointed a chubby finger at the only desk in the hall, adorned with carved golden dragon patterns. "But there's only one desk here."
Back when she and Bao'er studied together in the Office of Presentations, they had always shared a low table. Even if more people joined, though this desk was large, it still wouldn't fit everyone, would it?
Qi Yu explained, "The Imperial Household Department will prepare additional low desks when the time comes."
Changning scrunched up her face in thought before declaring, "Then I'll still share a desk with you!"
After all, they were best friends!
Qi Yu hesitated briefly before finally saying, "No."
Disappointment flooded Changning's dark, expressive eyes. "Why not?"Qi Yu said, "That is the Dragon Desk. Only I may use it."
Changning's little face fell. "Can't I use it either?"
Qi Yu shook his head.
Changning pinched the corner of her clothes, lowering her head to mutter softly, "Stingy... fine then..."
They used to share everything equally before.
Qi Yu noticed the faint hint of a sob in her voice. When he looked closer, her eyes were indeed as red as the peach-pink dress she wore.
Unsure how he'd upset her, he floundered for an explanation: "You'll have your own desk soon, no need to share anymore."
After a pause, he added, "When no one's around, you can share the Dragon Desk with me."
Changning rubbed her eyes with chubby fingers. "Then when no one's around, can I still call you Bao'er? Calling you 'Your Majesty' makes you seem like a different person."
Children perceive changes in others' attitudes more slowly. Having only ever had this one playmate—the boy who protected her when she was kidnapped by the Sui family, then accompanied them to the capital—she'd always shared everything with him after learning his mother had been taken by bad people.
Suddenly having to follow strict protocols and growing distant felt unnatural to Changning.
Qi Yu studied her before replying, "You may, but you must call me Bao'er gege (older brother)."
Changning's mind worked quickly. Her dark grape-like eyes widened. "You're trying to take advantage! I'm your auntie!"
Their bickering yielded no resolution. Before other study companions could be selected, Changning began attending lectures at Chongwen Hall.
Two days later, during a break in Gongsun Yin's lecture, as he sipped tea to soothe his throat, he watched the young emperor retrieve various pastries from the Bronze Jian Jar behind him, arranging them all before Changning...
The familiar scene made Gongsun Yin choke on his tea.
Changning had just picked up an Almond Crisp with her plump fingers when she turned concerned eyes toward him. "Did you choke, Gongsun? Drink slower!"
Waving a hand, Gongsun Yin said, "It's nothing."
Demonstrating respect for elders, Changning stood and trotted over with the Almond Crisp. "Have some too!"
Gongsun Yin's expression grew even more peculiar, vividly recalling Fan Changyu's similar behavior at the Wenyuan Pavilion. The sisters were undoubtedly related.
A eunuch announced the Prince Regent's arrival to escort the Huaihua General and her sister home.
Gongsun Yin gave Changning a strange look. "You've both been staying in the palace these two days?"
"Of course!" Changning answered brightly.
His expression grew stranger still.
When Xie Zheng entered, Gongsun Yin's lips curled into a knowing, springlike smile. Anyone could guess Xie Jiuhang had quarreled with his general wife!
Xie Zheng ignored him, offering Qi Yu a slight bow. "Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Please rise, Prince Regent," Qi Yu responded.
Unaware of adult complexities, Changning sweetly called out, "Brother-in-law!"
Xie Zheng replied impassively, "My wife mentioned bringing her younger sister to visit the Empress Dowager. I've come to take her home."Qi Yu furrowed his little brows and said, "Prince Regent, your timing is rather unfortunate. At the request of Grand Royal Concubine An, Her Majesty has arranged a polo match in the West Garden to help the Grand Princess select a suitable husband. Since the Grand Princess herself will be playing, to ensure her safety, she invited Lady Fan to accompany her."
Upon hearing this, the faces of the two men in the hall turned green—though Gongsun Yin's was decidedly greener, his usual gentle smile freezing stiffly at the corners of his lips.
If the event was meant to help the Grand Princess choose a husband, then the polo field in the West Garden today would undoubtedly be filled with young noblemen from prominent families. Many unmarried noble ladies might also seize this opportunity to find themselves a desirable match.
Xie Zheng cast a brief glance at the rigid-faced Gongsun Yin before cupping his hands and saying, "In that case, I shall also go to the West Garden to join in the excitement."
Qi Yu was still too young to handle state affairs directly. Most governmental matters were first discussed and decided by Xie Zheng and his ministers before being presented to Qi Yu for review, allowing him to learn how to manage such affairs.
Burdened with countless responsibilities, Xie Zheng naturally hadn’t heard about the polo match arranged by the Empress Dowager to help the Grand Princess select a husband.
After Xie Zheng left the Chongwen Hall, Gongsun Yin also bowed to Qi Yu and said, "Your Majesty, today's lesson ends here. As for the line from the Book of Documents , 'The mind of man is restless, prone to error; the mind of the Way is subtle, hard to discern. Be discriminating, be undivided, so that you may sincerely hold fast the Mean,' Your Majesty may ponder its meaning and share your insights with me tomorrow. As for Miss Changning, you need only copy this sentence neatly five times. If you also have any thoughts, you may share them tomorrow."
Changning nodded obediently, while Qi Yu gave a dignified nod befitting an emperor. "We have noted it."
After Gongsun Yin withdrew, Changning immediately turned to Qi Yu and asked, "Bao'er, Bao'er, have you ever seen a polo match before?"
Qi Yu hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I haven't."
Changning's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Let's go watch! My sister and your grand-aunt are both playing today!"
Qi Yu glanced at the assignment Gongsun Yin had left behind and frowned slightly. Interpreting such a profound line was still quite challenging for him at this stage. To offer meaningful insights, he would need to consult additional texts.
After a brief hesitation, he nodded. "Then We shall order the carriage prepared for the West Garden."
Changning's eyes instantly crinkled with joy, and sweet words poured from her lips like honey. "I knew you were the best, Bao'er! After my sister, you're the one who treats me the best!"
Under Changning's effusive praise, the slight furrow in Qi Yu's brow gradually smoothed away.
Since his ascension to the throne, everyone around him had changed. He was no longer Yu Bao'er—just the "Your Majesty" who sat alone on high, forced to study tirelessly and bear the weight of the Great Yin Empire.
But there was still one person who refused to call him "Your Majesty," who still wished he could be "Yu Bao'er," and who didn’t believe their relationship needed to change just because he had become emperor.
Qi Yu was happy.
At least in front of this chubby girl who had accompanied him all the way from Qingping County, he didn’t have to maintain a cold, imperial demeanor—
The West Garden boasted the largest royal polo field, and now the viewing stands outside were a dazzling sea of silk and gold, filled with noblewomen and ladies of high rank.At the very center, beneath a grand canopy with Golden Guards standing by with swords drawn, was the seating area specially arranged for the royal family, offering the best view from the entire high platform.
Fan Changyu, dressed in martial attire, sat to Yu Qianqian's right, while the Grand Princess Qi Zhu sat to her left. The three women were close in age, and at first glance, all were adorned with cloud-like hair and blooming beauty, each possessing their own charm. However, Yu Qianqian, despite her youth, was already the Empress Dowager. Given the grand occasion today, her Pheasant Robe was of a darker hue and somewhat old-fashioned in style.
Qi Zhu had come today to scout for a potential consort, and her makeup was strikingly vivid. A delicate Floral Applique adorned her forehead, her hair was piled high in elegant coils, and she wore a crabapple-colored palace gown draped with a layer of Golden Thread Gauze Robe, exuding regal opulence.
What surprised many was that Fan Changyu, seated beside this most illustrious peony of Great Yin, was not overshadowed in the slightest.
Having served in the court for over a year now, she had met nearly every official, big and small. Yet, in daily life, no one would associate her with the word "peerless beauty." The most common praises she received in court were "valiant" and "heroic." It was only today, surrounded by beauties, that people suddenly realized her looks were also exceptionally striking.
Her gentle facial features lent her an air of dignified grace rather than sharpness, while her long, dashing eyebrows added a touch of heroic spirit. Though she had almond-shaped eyes, they were not tenderly affectionate but instead radiated composure and resolve—like a great ship at sea that had cast its anchor deep, unshaken by any storm.
So striking was her presence that many noble ladies stopped watching the young men below chasing the ball on horseback. Instead, they leaned forward, half-hiding behind their silk fans, stealing glances at Fan Changyu seated on the high platform.
Turning back, they couldn’t help but whisper to their companions: "Oh no, oh no! I find the General of Huaihua even more dashing than those young lords down there. This polo match isn’t half as captivating as the general!"
Another noblewoman groaned softly, "I’ll never marry someone like the Prince Regent in this lifetime, but could I at least wed a husband like the general?"
Fan Changyu remained oblivious to all this. Though she noticed many eyes on her, she didn’t understand why and simply allowed their gazes to wash over her, unperturbed.
When the polo match ended, Yu Qianqian asked Qi Zhu, "Did any young men catch Your Highness’s eye?"
Qi Zhu lazily fanned herself and shook her head. "Watching them was far less interesting than watching A Yu!"
Yu Qianqian chuckled. "The next match features Shen Shen, grandson of the Duke of Shen. Rumor has it he was once a figure spoken of in the same breath as the Prince Regent in his youth. Your Highness might want to take a closer look."
Just then, a stir arose from the men’s seating area, though it quickly settled.
Yu Qianqian asked her attendants, "What happened?"
A Golden Guard returned after investigating and reported, "Your Majesty, the Prince Regent and the Junior Tutor have also come to watch the polo match."
Yu Qianqian immediately shot Fan Changyu a teasing glance.
Unfortunately, their seating was too far from the men’s section, separated by a sea of people, making it impossible to see what was happening over there.
Qi Zhu suddenly stood up. "Shen Shen is playing? Then I’ll join this round as well."
Watching as Qi Zhu promptly led her attendants away to change, Yu Qianqian turned to Fan Changyu in bewilderment. "Could the princess truly have taken a liking to the young master of the Shen family?"
Fan Changyu was equally baffled.However, she had been invited today specifically to assist and protect Qi Zhu when she took the field. Since Qi Zhu was determined to participate in this match, Fan Changyu naturally had to follow along.
As she and Qi Zhu went to change into the standard martial attire, they passed by the men's seating area, where it was impossible to miss Xie Zheng, who occupied several seats all by himself.
After he took his seat, the surrounding area remained conspicuously empty—save for Gongsun Yin—as no one else dared to sit nearby, making him stand out even more.
Qi Zhu's departure from her seat was quite a spectacle, so Xie Zheng naturally noticed them.
Their gazes met in the air, and for a brief moment, Changyu was stunned.
This... this was the first time she had ever seen Xie Zheng dressed in a snow-white Confucian robe!
Elegant, refined, and peerless—like a true gentleman.
It was as if those hands had never wielded blades or halberds, as though they were meant only to hold brushes and scrolls.
Clearly, she wasn’t the only one taken aback. The noble ladies and young men in the stands were equally astonished. However, due to the Prince Regent’s formidable reputation in the court, no one dared to openly stare at him, resorting instead to furtive glances like thieves.
Changyu even overheard hushed whispers.
"Why is the Prince Regent dressed in such an elegant Confucian robe?"
"Exactly! When the Prince Regent first arrived, I mistook him for the Junior Tutor!"
"Shh... Rumor has it that the Huaihua General hasn’t returned to the Xie residence in two days. I heard the General has always admired the Junior Tutor, but the Prince Regent was too quick in petitioning for the marriage, forcing the General to comply. Now, it seems their relationship is falling apart. The Prince Regent is probably imitating the Junior Tutor’s attire to win the General back!"
Changyu stumbled mid-step, nearly face-planting right then and there.
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