Emperor Xingwu didn’t want his youngest daughter clinging to him all day, pestering him with endless questions, but after she stopped coming to see him for several days in a row, he grew restless again.
After all, she was the beloved daughter he’d thought of for over a year during his campaigns—so clever and lively, adorably sweet at such a young age, still at the age where she dared to be close with her Father Emperor and act spoiled as she pleased.
If he didn’t cherish these days, by the time she grew up, even wanting to hold her would no longer be appropriate.
On this day, after finishing three quarters of an hour of arithmetic at Chongwen Pavilion, Qingyang, as usual, took a shortcut through Qianyuan Hall, preparing to head to the Western Palace to find her Imperial Concubine.
Just then, a young eunuch bent low to block her path, smiling as he said, “Your Highness, His Majesty has nearly finished reviewing this morning’s memorials. He invites you to share lunch with him.”
Qingyang’s initial curiosity about her always-busy Father Emperor had mostly faded by now, and she replied reluctantly, “I promised to eat with Imperial Concubine.”
The little eunuch grinned even wider.
“His Majesty already told this servant to inform Consort Li in advance. The Imperial Consort should be eating by now.”
Qingyang had no choice but to turn toward the central hall of Qianyuan Hall.
Emperor Xingwu had just washed his hands. When he saw the little figure entering with He Yuanjing, he handed the towel to a palace maid and strode over to scoop up his daughter.
“You’ve been in class for so long—are you hungry, Lin’er?”
Qingyang: “I’m hungry.”
Emperor Xingwu immediately ordered He Yuanjing, “Serve the meal.”
The little princess was always quietest and asked the fewest questions during meals.
The nursemaid helped arrange food on a few plates for her and then left.
Qingyang glanced at the fragrant ribs, fish balls, shrimp, tofu, and vegetables in her dishes, eating alternately with chopsticks and spoon, her cheeks bulging, barely glancing at her Father Emperor across the table.
Emperor Xingwu watched with delight.
His daughter’s hearty appetite was even more pleasing than his own.
The nursemaid had portioned everything just right.
Qingyang slowly finished half a bowl of White Rice with her spoon, added a few slices of melon, and ended the meal contentedly.
The nursemaid came in to help the little princess rinse her mouth and wash her face.
When all was done, Qingyang said, “Father Emperor, I’m going to find Imperial Concubine.”
Emperor Xingwu: “Why not nap here with Father Emperor? After you wake up, then go find Imperial Concubine.”
Qingyang blinked and asked, “When I wake up, will Imperial Concubine have time to play with me? And will Father Emperor have time today?”
Emperor Xingwu smiled, “Today I’m not so busy. When Lin’er wakes up, Father Emperor will take you to the Imperial Garden.”
Qingyang: “I don’t want to go to the Imperial Garden. I want to go somewhere I’ve never been.”
This look was adorable in the eyes of adults, but Emperor Xingwu could see the seriousness in his daughter’s gaze, so he asked seriously as well, “Where hasn’t Lin’er been?”
Qingyang: “Outside Qianyuan Gate. Imperial Concubine says that’s the Outer Court, and I’m never allowed to go.”
Emperor Xingwu: “…Your Imperial Concubine is right. The Outer Court is where the officials work. Father Emperor doesn’t go there without reason either, or it would disturb them and delay their business.”
Qingyang: “What are they doing?”
Emperor Xingwu: “…”
Qingyang recognized the look adults had when they didn’t want to answer her, and, displeased, said, “If Father Emperor won’t take me, I’ll go find Imperial Concubine.”
Compared to a Father Emperor who didn’t want to play with her, Qingyang still preferred her Imperial Concubine.
Emperor Xingwu: “…If Father Emperor won’t take you, how about letting Jie Yu accompany you?”
He was willing to walk with his daughter, but she would surely ask endless questions along the way—Emperor Xingwu couldn’t take it.
Qingyang ran happily to Father Emperor, and after he lifted her high, she kissed his right cheek.
“Father Emperor is the best.”
Emperor Xingwu snorted, “Do you like Father Emperor more, or Imperial Concubine?”
Qingyang: “…I like both.”
Emperor Xingwu: “Imperial Concubine never lets you go to the Outer Court, but Father Emperor agreed. Why do you like us the same?”
Qingyang: “Imperial Concubine is afraid Father Emperor will be angry if she lets me go. If Father Emperor promises not to be angry, Imperial Concubine won’t stop me.”
Emperor Xingwu pinched his daughter’s cheek.
“You’re too clever!”
There was a couch in the Imperial Library.
Emperor Xingwu napped with his daughter for a short while before waking.
Stretching his limbs, he sat behind the imperial desk to continue reviewing memorials, occasionally glancing at the sleeping little princess.
If he loved his daughter tenfold while she was awake, that love multiplied a thousand times when she slept.
By the time the little princess finally woke, the sunlight outside was no longer so harsh.
Emperor Xingwu personally helped his daughter wash her face, reminding her as he did, “You may look at the Outer Court, but don’t run or play there, and above all, don’t disturb the officials at work.”
Qingyang: “I know.”
She’d heard these words far too often and didn’t want to hear them again.
Emperor Xingwu: “If an official asks why you’re there, what will Lin’er say?”
Qingyang thought for a moment and replied, “Father Emperor is busy, so I’m helping Father Emperor check if they’re working hard.”
That’s what Prince Yong said when he checked on her brothers’ studies at Chongwen Pavilion.
Emperor Xingwu was stunned, then laughed loudly.
“Good! Lin’er, say just that. If you really catch someone slacking off, come back and tell Father Emperor!”
Qingyang remembered Prince Yong’s words and also recalled how the guards at Chongwen Pavilion had stopped her before.
Worried, she asked, “What if the guards block me?”
Emperor Xingwu nodded and had He Yuanjing fetch a Dragon-Engraved Gold Waist Token. He said to his daughter, “With this waist token, it’s as if Father Emperor himself is present. No guard will stop you. Let Jie Yu hold it and show it to the guards when needed, but put it away immediately after. You mustn’t use it to show off in front of the officials.”
Qingyang took the token, examining both sides, and asked, “What does ‘show off’ mean?”
Emperor Xingwu: “…Hurry along, and let Jie Yu explain on the way.”
Crossing Qianyuan Gate, ahead stood the three great halls led by Taiji Hall. Since they weren’t in use at the moment, all the doors were locked.
Under the occasionally bewildered and nervous gazes of the guards, Qingyang peered through the cracks of each hall’s doors.
Seeing that inside was much the same as the front hall of Qianyuan Hall where court was held—spacious and empty—she lost interest in going in.
South of Taiji Hall, on the east and west sides, stood the Hall of State Affairs and the Central Secretariat.
Qingyang went to the Hall of State Affairs first, but this was where the two Prime Ministers and the Six Ministries’ ministers discussed matters, usually in the morning or when summoned.
Right now, only some minor officials were there.
After a quick look, Qingyang headed to the Central Secretariat.
Even before entering the courtyard, Qingyang could hear the low murmur of voices inside—clearly, there were many people!
Qingyang quickened her pace.
The two Prime Ministers presided over the Central Secretariat, usually working in the office, handling memorials and discussing state affairs.
When they had instructions, they would send minor officials in and out.
These minor officials bustled about, but when they saw a young girl in splendid silk attire appear in the courtyard, accompanied by a dignified eunuch who treated them neither arrogantly nor humbly, they guessed at once that this must be the Emperor’s own Qingyang Princess.
They didn’t know why the princess had come, but couldn’t spare the time to wonder.
After a simple bow, they returned to work.
Qingyang remembered Father Emperor’s words and didn’t stop any officials, but after observing the layout, she walked toward the central office.
Jie Yu whispered, “Your Highness, that’s where the two Prime Ministers work. Perhaps we shouldn’t disturb them?”
Qingyang kept walking.
Jie Yu shook his head helplessly, guessing that today the little princess would have to tour every corner of the palace to be satisfied.
The main office’s door was open. Inside sat four minor officials assisting the Prime Ministers. On seeing the princess, the four exchanged glances.
Jie Yu signaled that they needn’t be overly formal.
Qingyang followed the sound of voices to the eastern room.
Left Prime Minister Yan Xizheng and Right Prime Minister Dai Lun were discussing a local memorial. Glancing at the moving curtain, both looked over and saw a small hand part the fabric, followed by the appearance of a tiny child.
Yan Xizheng stood up in surprise.
“Qingyang Princess?”
Having walked so far and finally seeing a familiar face, Qingyang was delighted.
Her gaze swept over the two Prime Ministers, whose physiques were markedly different, and she pointed, “I know you. You’re the Left Prime Minister, and you’re the Right Prime Minister.”
The plump Right Prime Minister, Dai Lun, smiled and bowed.
“This minister, Dai Lun, greets Your Highness.”
Yan Xizheng also gave a perfunctory bow, casting an annoyed look at Jie Yu, silently questioning why he allowed the little princess to make mischief here.
Jie Yu bowed his head slightly, neither explaining nor producing the imperial waist token to defend himself.
After all, could the Left Prime Minister really argue etiquette with a three-year-old princess?
Even if he did, could he hold her accountable?
Qingyang could sense adult emotions and said to Yan Xizheng, “You go on with your work. Don’t mind me.”
Low-ranking officials in court revered the Prime Ministers.
At home, wives, concubines, and servants feared them.
But the three-year-old princess had been doted on since birth, enjoying honors surpassing even those given to the highest officials.
She knew well her Father Emperor was the mightiest in the land and had seen all the civil and military officials, led by Prince Yong and the Prime Ministers, kneel to greet her father.
How could she fear anyone who answered to her Father Emperor?
Thus, though only three, Qingyang’s gaze and tone toward the Prime Ministers naturally held the superior to the subordinate.
If she were older, such behavior would be disrespectful to high officials.