Emperor Xingwu looked at her with a smile.
“If you wanted to go, I’d spoil you too.”
Consort Li quickly declined. Her daughter was young and a princess, even if the emperor indulged her, no minister would dare speak against it.
But if she, Consort Li, followed, the ministers would definitely send in memorials condemning her as a bewitching consort who corrupted the ruler.
That was a label she could not afford.
Of course, Emperor Xingwu was only teasing her.
She didn’t want to be branded a bewitching consort, and he had no wish to become a foolish ruler either.
After the meal, he told Consort Li to wait in the back, then led his daughter to the front hall.
Walking with her father to the center of the grand hall, standing atop the elevated imperial dais, Qingyang widened her eyes and looked around.
Her head turned left and right twice before she said, “Father, this place looks just like Tai Ji Hall.”
Emperor Xingwu replied, “Pretty much. Tai Ji Hall is used for major ceremonies, not that often. For regular court, like the nine sessions each month, it’s always held here.”
The hall was empty in the center, and Qingyang’s attention was soon drawn to the ornate dragon throne in the middle.
She walked up and stared at the golden dragon carvings and embedded jewels, studying and touching them as she went.
The throne was too large, there were parts she couldn’t reach.
Emperor Xingwu lifted her onto it and let her explore freely.
After touching everything, Qingyang sat in the middle of the throne, patting the seat on both sides.
Looking at her father, she said, “It’s so big, I could lie down and sleep on it!”
Emperor Xingwu laughed.
He never understood why past emperors had insisted on making the dragon throne so oversized.
Sitting in the middle, you couldn’t even reach the armrests.
If you wanted to lean on one, you had to shift to the side, which from below probably didn’t look dignified at all.
Once she’d had her fill of the throne, Qingyang ran up and down the nine steps of the imperial dais.
Emperor Xingwu stood nervously at the bottom, ready to catch her if she stumbled.
He Yuan kept an eye on the time.
After the emperor had accompanied the little princess on a full circuit of the front hall, He Yuan stepped forward and respectfully said, “Your Majesty, Scholar Qian has arrived at the imperial study.”
From the sixth ke of the Chen hour to the second ke of the Si hour, Emperor Xingwu had allocated half an hour each day for reading.
After that came audiences and reviewing memorials.
Qingyang looked up and asked, “Father, who is Scholar Qian?”
Emperor Xingwu picked her up and began walking back as he explained, “His name is Qian Kongwen. He teaches Father the classics and histories. He’s just like the tutors in the Chongwen Pavilion.”
Qingyang asked, “But Father, you’re already a grown-up—why do you still have to study?”
Emperor Xingwu chuckled.
“Adults don’t know everything. The fewer books you read when you’re young, the more you’ll need to learn when you grow up. Father now rules the world, and even if I read until I’m old, I still might not finish learning everything an emperor should know.”
Qingyang hugged his neck tightly and said unhappily, “I don’t want Father to grow old.”
Emperor Xingwu froze for a moment, then hugged her back and gently stroked her head.
The imperial study was in the central hall.
Scholar Qian, who was on duty for today’s lecture, waited respectfully outside the main hall.
After excusing him from the formal salute, Emperor Xingwu was about to hand his daughter over to He Yuan, Consort Li was waiting in the rear hall.
But Qingyang didn’t want to leave.
She whispered, “Father, can I listen too? I promise I won’t make a fuss.”
Emperor Xingwu found it quite novel.
“You like listening to lessons?”
At her age, most children just wanted to play, how could she possibly sit still?
Qingyang nodded.
“I like listening, but I don’t understand most of it.”
Emperor Xingwu thought for a moment, then told He Yuan to inform Consort Li.
He carried his daughter into the imperial study.
If she got bored or restless, he could have someone escort her back.
The emperor wanted to amuse his daughter, so Scholar Qian naturally dared not object.
When he saw the little princess sitting quietly on the emperor’s lap, staring at him with those wide, watery eyes, she truly did look like a curious student.
Scholar Qian smiled and asked, “Your Majesty, shall I continue from where we left off before your departure from the capital?”
Emperor Xingwu looked to He Yuan.
He Yuan handed Scholar Qian a book with both hands.
“His Majesty has already finished reading the entire volume. The places where he had questions are marked. You may explain them in order.”
Scholar Qian flipped through the pages for a moment, then began his explanation, reading the original passages and then interpreting their deeper meaning along with the historical context.
Emperor Xingwu listened with full attention.
Qingyang listened intently too.
There was a lot she didn’t understand, if it were someone else, she might have started asking questions.
But she had promised her father to be good, so she held back and stayed silent.
When she didn’t understand, she’d watch Scholar Qian’s beard or robes, or look at the embroidery on her father’s dragon robe.
When she did understand, she fixed her eyes on Scholar Qian’s face.
During a break, Emperor Xingwu left his seat and walked around the study with his daughter.
“Does Lin’er enjoy the lesson?”
Qingyang replied, “I like it.”
Emperor Xingwu asked, “Do you understand what’s being said?”
Qingyang shook her head and immediately asked a question she remembered most clearly.
Emperor Xingwu patiently explained it to her. But time was short, and soon the two returned to sit in front of Scholar Qian.
Once the reading session ended, Emperor Xingwu ordered He Yuan to take Qingyang back.
Then he asked Scholar Qian, “What do you think of the princess’s potential?”
Scholar Qian remarked with admiration, “Your Majesty, this subject sees that the princess possesses both intelligence and focus, far superior to those of my nephews and students who are praised for cleverness in name only.”
That was exactly what Emperor Xingwu thought as well.
He began to consider arranging for his daughter to begin attending lessons at Chongwen Pavilion early, part study, part play, with tutors guiding her along the way.
After a short break, Emperor Xingwu resumed reviewing memorials.
“Your Majesty, Chancellor Yan requests an audience.”
“Let him in.”
Yan Xizheng, trusted Chancellor and also Emperor Xingwu’s father-in-law, entered the room.
As soon as he stepped in, Emperor Xingwu smiled and gestured for him to sit across from him, showing clear familiarity and warmth.
Yan Xizheng bowed slightly and declined, “This subject prefers to stand.”
He was strict about formalities, and Emperor Xingwu didn’t insist.
“What brings Chancellor Yan here?”
Looking at the emperor before him, vigorous and in his prime, Yan Xizheng’s expression turned solemn.
“Your Majesty has unified the empire and achieved your great ambition. The next step is to stabilize that legacy. While governance and bureaucracy can progress gradually, the matter of the crown prince must be settled early. Only by securing the foundation of Great Qi can we eliminate future struggles between princes and prevent ministers from making foolish assumptions or forming factions.”
Emperor Xingwu fell silent in thought for a moment, then said, “What you say aligns with My own thoughts. But I have three sons, what does Chancellor Yan think…”
Yan Xizheng replied, “What hesitation could there be, Your Majesty? The First Prince, born of the Empress, is already both learned and skilled in martial arts despite his youth. He is the eldest and the most virtuous, the only rightful candidate for the Crown Prince of Great Qi.”
Emperor Xingwu smiled and gestured for He Yuan to leave the room.
In a lower voice, he joked, “I thought Chancellor Yan would recommend the Second Prince.”
Yan Xizheng remained unmoved, answering firmly, “Your Majesty raised this subject to Chancellor despite my lack of brilliance. From that day on, I have been yours alone. Every strategy I offer is for the prosperity of Great Qi and the well-being of its people.”
“I would never act from personal bias. The Second Prince favors martial strength, neglects study, and resists instruction. Even if he were equally accomplished, in my eyes he could never surpass the First Prince.”
“Alright, alright. I was only teasing. No need to be so serious.”
Emperor Xingwu stepped around and patted Yan Xizheng lightly on the shoulder in reassurance.
Yan Xizheng asked, “Then, about establishing the Crown Prince…”
Emperor Xingwu replied, “We’ll do as you say. Go draft the edict for Me.”