4.

Yang Qinyu had seen this man half a year ago.

It was May, the young Emperor’s birthday. The Empress Dowager had invited all civil and military officials to a palace banquet.

Thanks to the influence of his father, the Prime Minister, Yang Qinyu also entered the palace.

Although called a banquet, it was merely officials sitting in their assigned places, exchanging polite greetings with forced smiles.

Words of humility and deference echoed endlessly.

Bored stiff, Yang Qinyu discreetly turned away to yawn. As he finished, his mouth still agape, he noticed someone.

The man wore all black, a stark contrast amidst the sea of vibrant colors. Yang Qinyu’s gaze was instantly drawn to him.

Normally, he wouldn’t remember a stranger for long, but that face was exquisite. Sharp features, each detail as if meticulously carved by Nüwa¹Nuwa (女媧) is a popular Chinese goddess associated with fertility and marriage. She is considered to be the first being with the ability to procreate and is the creator of all mankind. The most commonly told version of China’s creation story is where Nüwa crafts humanity from river clay. herself.

Yang Qinyu considered his self-control admirable. A lesser man might have pounced on the spot rather than remaining seated.

Throughout the banquet, his attention wavered between joining his father in dealing with sarcastic colleagues and stealing glances at that man.

Regrettably, the man stayed by the young Emperor’s side, eyes fixed ahead, with a cold expression. Yang Qinyu found no opportunity to make his acquaintance.

Later, he learned from Prime Minister Yang that the man was the current Regent, with exceptional skills. Until the young Emperor could rule independently, all matters of state passed through his hands.

Yang Qinyu felt relieved then.

“I had hoped to befriend him,” Yang Qinyu sighed to his father on their way home.

His father gave him a look and exclaimed, “Do you have a death wish?!”

Thinking about it, it seemed to make sense, so Yang Qinyu changed the subject.

The brief glance at the banquet ended up being just that, a brief glance.

5.

Little did he expect that barely half a year later, he’d encounter this man again while nearly flying through the air.

Yang Qinyu inwardly sighed, lamenting his miscalculation.

“I presume Your Excellency is the Regent. Although I am unworthy, this subject will serve His Majesty wholeheartedly.”

Through the wind and snow, Yang Qinyu thought he saw the man’s lips move slightly, but his attention was stolen by the young Emperor’s actions.

“Imperial Uncle, I need to attend to affairs first. Please escort Brother Qinyu to his quarters.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” The reply was brief yet impeccably respectful.

Yang Qinyu smiled, eyes crinkling. He genuinely wanted to befriend this man, but the other’s sidelong glance was decidedly unfriendly.

Alas, Yang Qinyu had been frail since childhood and thus particularly valued his life.

So, despite his impulse, he dared not act. He could only bow slightly as etiquette demanded. “I trouble the Regent.”

The young Emperor left, the Court Recorder following close behind, brush dancing across paper, eyes never leaving the page—a remarkable skill.

The page boy carrying Yang Qinyu’s luggage trailed behind.

Just as Yang Qinyu thought they’d continue in silence through the snow, the man before him suddenly removed his black cloak and forcefully fastened it around Yang Qinyu.

Raising his eyes in confusion, Yang Qinyu saw Xiao Buhuan lowering his gaze to carefully tie the strings.

In a daze, Yang Qinyu heard him say, “Yang Qinyu, when did you become such a smooth talker?”

6.

The Empress Dowager’s efficiency could rival the speed of passing messages at the Prime Minister’s residence!

On his third day in the palace, Yang Qinyu set off for the Imperial Study, guided by the gentle voices of palace maids and dazzled by the opulent surroundings.

As he walked, he observed the demeanor of those around him. Every maid and eunuch wore a serious expression, testament to their rigorous palace training—quite unlike the Prime Minister’s household.

Rumor had it the Imperial Study had underfloor heating. Upon entering, a wave of warmth rose from the ground, instantly creating a sense of comfort.

Truthfully, Yang Qinyu felt he had little to teach the young Emperor.

Picking up a book from the table, he asked, “Your Majesty has likely mastered the Four Books and Five Classics, poetry and prose. Some military strategy next, perhaps? And surely there are specialists teaching administration.” Yang Qinyu sighed softly. “Perhaps Your Majesty should set the curriculum.”

Looking down, he saw the Emperor’s somewhat dazed expression. After a pause, the boy said, “Brother Qinyu, though I rise early and retire late daily, I’ve learned little of the military and administrative matters you mentioned.”

“What did you say?”

“I’ve learned little,” the young Emperor repeated, standing at attention before Yang Qinyu, head slightly tilted back, expression earnest.

“The part before that.”

The Emperor thought for a moment. “I rise early and retire late daily.”

Yang Qinyu suddenly let out a long sigh, tossing the book aside and crouching to grasp the Emperor’s arms. “Come, the first lesson this subject will teach you is to sleep and rise early! You won’t grow tall otherwise!”

The young Emperor, startled by this, nodded dumbly.

“All this talk is less useful than teaching the Emperor something practical.”

At these words, Yang Qinyu glanced towards the curtains. Xiao Buhuan sat at a desk, holding a book, his brow furrowed as he looked up at Yang Qinyu.

Clearly not expecting him there, Yang Qinyu bristled, barely swallowing the words “Why are you here?!” after a long moment.

But Xiao Buhuan seemed to sense his unspoken question.

“Handling official business,” his gaze swept over like a winter breeze, causing Yang Qinyu to shiver. “And supervising.”

“Imperial Uncle is just here for official business, Brother Qinyu need not mind him,” the young Emperor said with a slight smile.

“Imperial Uncle… official business… Brother Qinyu need not…”

A faint sound drew Yang Qinyu’s attention. Looking around, he finally lifted a sheet of paper on the desk to find the Court Recorder crouched beneath.

Their eyes met in silent acknowledgment.

Yang Qinyu’s face turned stony as he lowered the paper once more.

7.

While Yang Qinyu tutored the young Emperor in the Imperial Study, Xiao Buhuan sat nearby, reviewing official documents with a stern expression.

His serious demeanor made Yang Qinyu feel on edge, as if he was sitting on pins and needles. He wasn’t truly focused, often stealing glances at Xiao Buhuan. Fortunately, the young Emperor was too young and earnest to notice.

Observing the boy trying hard to mimic his uncle’s document-reviewing posture, Yang Qinyu felt a strange sensation.

One large, one small; one genuinely stern, one truly diligent. Only he was putting on airs.

“Brother Qinyu, why are you smiling?” The young Emperor stopped writing, looking at him with a puzzled expression.

Damn, even Xiao Buhuan raised his head, frowning as he looked at him in silence.

That look instantly wiped the smile from Yang Qinyu’s face. He casually patted the Emperor’s head, saying seriously, “It’s nothing. This subject is merely pleased by Your Majesty’s insightful writing.”

The young Emperor suppressed his pride, though his face reddened slightly.

Yang Qinyu inwardly sighed: How pitiful, such a young child already unable to show his emotions.

Xiao Buhuan, who had been silent, suddenly spoke as he lowered his head to resume work. “Nonsense.”

Yang Qinyu clearly felt the young Emperor’s back stiffen. The boy bit his lip and continued writing.

Caught between them, Yang Qinyu felt he lacked the authority to comment either way. Offending the Regent’s dignity was unwise; appearing brainless was worse. He was damned either way.

After careful consideration, he decided to sacrifice himself. Patting the Emperor’s head, Yang Qinyu used his gentlest tone, saying, “Your uncle was referring to my opinion. Why are you nervous?”

The young Emperor looked up, confused. “But Brother Qinyu didn’t mention your opinion. How would Imperial Uncle know…”

Crouching down again, Yang Qinyu placed his hand solemnly on the Emperor’s shoulder.

“The Regent and I may share a telepathic connection.”

Xiao Buhuan raised an eyebrow at Yang Qinyu, his look saying, “What trick are you up to now?” But he voiced no criticism.

Seeing Xiao Buhuan’s reaction, Yang Qinyu felt emboldened. He continued, “The adult world is hard to understand. Your Majesty will need to study for a few more years to reach this level.”

The young Emperor paused, blinking, his childish face suddenly lighting up with realization.

“In heaven we’d be birds with joined wings, on earth two hearts beat as one!”²Forgive that sh*t translation. This was taken from a poem and an idiom.
The first part: 在天愿做比翼鸟 was taken from Song of Everlasting Regret by Bai Juyi. The complete phrase should be 在天願作比翼鳥，在地願為連理枝。(“Let’s be two birds in the sky flying side by side.” “Let’s be two branches on the earth inseparably tied.” – acc. to Ying Sun’s translation. ) The central idea of ​​”Song of Everlasting Regret” is to criticize Emperor Xuanzong of Tang for his love affair with Yang Guifei, which led to the An-Shi Rebellion. At the same time, the poem sympathizes with the love tragedy between Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei, and praises their everlasting love.
The second part: 心有灵犀一点通 is a well-known Chinese idiom originating from Li Shangyin’s untitled poem. Literally translated as “hearts have a spirit rhinoceros horn touching at one point”, it uses the imagery of a mythical rhinoceros horn believed to have supernatural sensitivity. This idiom describes a telepathic understanding between lovers or a deep spiritual connection where two people can understand each other’s thoughts and feelings without words.

“…”

Your Majesty, I’m afraid we’ll need to start over with poetry lessons.

TLN: I’m not giving this justice orz I will update the last four chapters tomorrow.

TL Notes

• 1
  Nuwa (女媧) is a popular Chinese goddess associated with fertility and marriage. She is considered to be the first being with the ability to procreate and is the creator of all mankind. The most commonly told version of China’s creation story is where Nüwa crafts humanity from river clay.
• 2
  Forgive that sh*t translation. This was taken from a poem and an idiom.
  The first part: 在天愿做比翼鸟 was taken from Song of Everlasting Regret by Bai Juyi. The complete phrase should be 在天願作比翼鳥，在地願為連理枝。(“Let’s be two birds in the sky flying side by side.” “Let’s be two branches on the earth inseparably tied.” – acc. to Ying Sun’s translation. ) The central idea of ​​”Song of Everlasting Regret” is to criticize Emperor Xuanzong of Tang for his love affair with Yang Guifei, which led to the An-Shi Rebellion. At the same time, the poem sympathizes with the love tragedy between Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei, and praises their everlasting love.
  The second part: 心有灵犀一点通 is a well-known Chinese idiom originating from Li Shangyin’s untitled poem. Literally translated as “hearts have a spirit rhinoceros horn touching at one point”, it uses the imagery of a mythical rhinoceros horn believed to have supernatural sensitivity. This idiom describes a telepathic understanding between lovers or a deep spiritual connection where two people can understand each other’s thoughts and feelings without words.