He referred to Emperor Jingxi as “that person,” “this person.”
Ning Yinhua thought for a moment and nodded.
After all, the Emperor had come all this way to their remote town, and everyone knew why.
Avoiding him endlessly was pointless, and since the Emperor was so courteous, they couldn’t be rude in return.
So Ning Yinhua wrote the reply.
How to address the Emperor was a careful consideration.
Everyone saw through his identity but chose to show respect.
A wu said: “Then write it with his courtesy name, Zhilan.”
Her words caused the four men’s eyes to turn to her again.
A wu added: “It’s Zhilan…”
Ning Yinhua actually knew it well after years of study but hearing his daughter say it so casually was a bit jarring.
That was the Emperor’s courtesy name, a name all scholars would avoid mentioning lightly…
He cleared his throat softly: “Then we shall address him by his courtesy name.”
Ning Sanlang mumbled: “What kind of courtesy name is that? Sounds bad!”
Ning Yinhua explained: “Zhilan means ‘to hold the great image, guiding the world in a way that harms none, bringing peace and stability.'”
A wu said: “Right. It comes from the Tao Te Ching. It means holding fast to the virtue of the Great Way so that all under heaven are drawn to it.”
At her interpretation, the four all looked at her simultaneously.
A wu blinked: “Did I say something wrong?”
Ning Sanlang’s mood was complicated: “A wu, you’ve really learned a lot lately.”
She recalled how the old Emperor had forced her to study, holding her close and teaching her step by step, with all kinds of rules…
She blushed and murmured: “There are rules in the palace. Everyone has to study after entering. I was once an Imperial Noble Consort, so of course I know how to read!”
Ning Dalang recalled her words and finally understood: “You learned divination in the palace?”
A wu: “Mm, he insisted I learn it!”
The brothers naturally knew “he” meant the Emperor.
Ning Yinhua asked subtly: “The matter of trading with overseas countries, that too was instructed by the Emperor?”
Faced with her father’s question, A wu felt uneasy.
Her eyes darted: “Yes, well, he just said it casually. He mentioned going overseas to look for you all, so he brought it up in passing.”
Ning Yinhua fell silent.
Now, in hindsight, they realized the local officials hadn’t made things difficult when they landed; even the prefecture offices that had been warned to wait for them were all arranged by the Emperor.
He knew they had returned, that they had prospered, and thus ordered Yehan to bring A wu home for a family reunion.
This man wielded absolute power but had never thought of letting go.
Now, traveling thousands of miles in disguise, lowering himself humbly before them like a junior, he came in person.
At this moment, the Ning brothers recalled everything but remained silent.
They sensed their sister seemed unchanged, yet had truly changed.
Once standing at the pinnacle of power beside the Great Hui throne, her outlook, knowledge, and ideas were different from before.
After a long pause, Ning Yinhua said: “Let’s send the reply first.”
“Agreed.”
***
After Ning Yinhua sent the reply, Emperor Jingxi came to visit.
Early that morning, A wu had already gone out with Ning Sanlang to catch fish and shrimp nearby.
The Emperor arrived bearing gifts—nothing extravagant, just ordinary fruits as a token of goodwill.
Ning Yinhua understood the Emperor’s measure perfectly.
Naturally, the Ning family had tidied up the hall and prepared everything carefully.
Since Ning Sanlang had hit the Emperor before, luckily the bruises were long gone and neither side mentioned the incident.
As for the calligraphy copy, it truly was by Zhao Ziang, likely written in memory of his late wife.
The brushwork was fluid and masterful, twisting the wrist with ease—a style reminiscent of the Wei and Jin dynasties.
Ning Yinhua admired it greatly: “This is truly the finest small regular script!”
After the appraisal, mutual respect grew.
Their conversation gradually shifted to the East Sea Navy and the pirate problem, as well as overseas voyages and trade policies.
At first, Ning Yinhua was somewhat reserved and awkward, but under Emperor Jingxi’s patient guidance, he began to speak about his ambitions, his youthful essays, and his recent overseas travels and thoughts.
Their deep discussion revealed many shared views.
The Emperor mentioned the current state of shipbuilding for maritime voyages.
The Zhen’an Marquis Manor had dominated the East Sea for years, accumulating rich experience in ships and long voyages, but since Lu Yunjian’s defection, some crucial data had gone missing.
Ning Yinhua had his own ideas: “The maritime charts and navigation records accumulated by Zhen’an Marquis Manor are certainly helpful, but, if I may be frank, their ships are dominant only in the East Sea. For deep ocean voyages, they fall short.”
Emperor Jingxi listened sincerely: “Please, sir, offer your guidance.”
Ning Yinhua bowed respectfully, then spoke at length.
He explained that during his years of sailing abroad, he observed that Foreign Island Nations’ ships excelled over Great Hui vessels.
However, if Great Hui copied their designs directly, they wouldn’t perform well in the East Sea.
As for Great Hui’s East Sea ships, they were not convenient for deep ocean navigation either.
Emperor Jingxi asked: “Why is that?”
Ning Yinhua: “I believe it has to do with the winds.”
Emperor Jingxi: “Winds?”
Ning Yinhua: “Deep ocean ships must adapt to the currents, wind directions, and wind speeds of different regions.”
The Emperor frowned, then understood: “The ocean currents and sea winds around the East Sea are very different from those of the Foreign Island Nations. If we simply copy their ship designs, there will inevitably be flaws.”
Ning Yinhua: “Exactly.”
He then detailed the aspects of shipbuilding: durability, stability, and adaptability to different waters and climates.
Having sailed abroad extensively, these were all second nature to him.
Emperor Jingxi, having focused on maritime navigation and shipbuilding for years, was also somewhat knowledgeable.
Their in-depth discussion greatly inspired the Emperor.
At one point, Ning Yinhua expressed admiration for the Emperor whom he had respected since youth.
The Emperor sighed: “The pirate incidents in the past involved many, burying many talented people unjustly. This is a failure of the court and a fault of the sovereign.”
These words made Ning Yinhua somewhat ashamed.
In his youth, he had been full of ambition but was defeated after years of study.
Who would have thought that one day, in middle age, because of his daughter, he would meet the Emperor and discuss such matters at length?
He said: “I am but a man of limited learning, once suspected of misconduct—how shameful to say.”
Both men were learned and experienced—one ruling the court for years, the other having traveled abroad extensively.
Both were calm and worldly-wise.
They touched on the past lightly and then continued their discussions of various experiences.
When Ning Yinhua mentioned sweet potatoes and their characteristics, the Emperor’s eyes lit up with interest.
As the ruler who had met envoys from many nations, he had heard of sweet potatoes—exotic items.
But the Portuguese, who now dominated Nanyang, prized sweet potatoes and tightly controlled them, refusing to let Great Hui people have any.
He had once secretly attempted to acquire them but failed.
He was surprised that Ning Yinhua actually had the plant.
They went to the courtyard to look.
In the sunlight, sweet potato vines waved gently in the breeze.
Emperor Jingxi lifted his robe and crouched by the seedlings, gently touching the vines.
He said: “From what I’ve read, this plant can sustain hunger, with small ones as big as an arm and large ones as big as a fist. If this can be cultivated here, it would be a blessing to Great Hui, a boon to the state and lasting benefit.”
Ning Yinhua was excited to hear this.
Though sweet potatoes were grown in Lu Song, most in Great Hui did not know about them.
He hadn’t mentioned it lightly to anyone.
Unexpectedly, the Emperor valued it so highly.
He said: “After I cultivate these seedlings, if they grow well and the Emperor is interested, I will present some to Your Majesty.”
Emperor Jingxi: “I will await your good news.”
As he spoke, his fingers gently pressed the moist soil beside the seedlings.
Ning Yinhua smiled: “My little daughter waters and weeds diligently, hoping it grows quickly.”
He trailed off before adding softly: “I just hope these plants grow as well as those from Nanyang.”
The Emperor’s gaze fell once more on the seedlings, still glistening with moisture—that was her watering them.
After standing, Emperor Jingxi wiped the dirt from his fingers with a handkerchief, his eyes soft and smiling warmly.
By this time, it was nearly noon.
He checked the sun and prepared to take his leave.
The Ning family naturally had no intention of inviting him to lunch, and the Emperor, progressing gradually, did not want to be too forward.
Ning Yinhua rose to see him out.
At the corridor, as Emperor Jingxi ascended the steps, he suddenly turned his head.
His gaze casually swept past A wu’s room, lingering long and deeply.
Ning Yinhua felt it and paused briefly.
Emperor Jingxi slowly withdrew his eyes, lowering his lids, and spoke softly: “Sir Ning, the snacks I brought this morning were freshly made by my household cooks. The osmanthus and taro used were all from the Imperial Capital, preserving the original flavor. These were once her favorite. Please steam and eat them after she returns home. If left till tomorrow, they won’t be fresh.”
Ning Yinhua looked toward him.
The Emperor smiled gently: “Please stay, Sir Ning. I take my leave.”
After sending Emperor Jingxi off, Ning Yinhua watched his tall and graceful figure in silence.
He bowed his head, reflecting on the Emperor’s words.
This calm and steady ruler spoke of his daughter in a gentle and lingering tone, the tenderness and affection barely concealed, with a hint of loneliness.
For such a calculating and powerful leader, this fleeting display of parental love was almost unbelievable.
Since his arrival, he had not mentioned A wu once.
Even when Ning Yinhua inadvertently brought her up, the Emperor never responded.
He only spoke of the calligraphy, the East Sea, trade, and voyages.
Now, just before leaving, when everyone was off guard, he quietly showed this side.
Ning Yinhua sighed deeply within his heart.