Chương 14: Chapter 12 Interlude 3 (R)

Sun Hao, Emperor of the Tianjing Empire, sat in his study gazing in fascination at the abacus resting on the desk when Jiangjun Han Xin entered without bothering to knock.

"What's so important you had me summoned when I'm at my busiest, interrupting my men's training session?" he said the moment he walked through the door, looking at the Emperor.

"You know, she called me Father", Sun Hao told him without looking up from the abacus beads he was playing with. Han Xin stared at the Emperor for a moment, his mind completely blank, processing the fact that he'd been summoned just to hear something so trivial.

"In the nearly fifty years since my first son was born, not one of them has ever called me Father. It must be the Heavens' doing that the first to do so is my only daughter. I wonder if I can get her to call me Papa like when she was a baby", Sun Hao continued, setting the abacus down and looking at Han Xin.

"Please, have a little dignity. You're the Emperor", Han Xin replied, standing in the center of the study.

"Now, if you've called me here just for that nonsense, I'm leaving. I have things to do."

"I suppose that would be too greedy of me. But no, I called you for something more entertaining. I want you here when I tell Taijian Li Ming what this is", Sun Hao said with a smile, pointing at the abacus on the desk.

"And what is that?" Han Xin replied, not moving from the center of the study, looking as though he might leave at any moment.

"I don't want to have to say it twice. You'll hear it at the same time as Taijian Li Ming, so sit down. I don't think he'll be long", Sun Hao answered. Han Xin looked at him through narrowed eyes, as though contemplating leaving, but in the end he sat down in a chair "This had better not be another piece of nonsense about your daughter." Sun Hao smiled and seemed about to say something when a knock came at the study door.

He said nothing and with a gesture of his hand the door opened, revealing the lavishly dressed figure of Taijian Li Ming, the Empire's chief eunuch and the Emperor's right hand. Taijian Li Ming entered the study and bowed to the Emperor "Your Majesty, I come at your summons."

"Sit", the Emperor told him, now serious and with no trace of his earlier smile, gesturing toward a chair in front of the desk. Taijian Li Ming straightened and sat in the indicated chair without sparing Han Xin so much as a glance, though he could not help fixing his eyes on the strange device sitting on the desk.

"I see you've noticed", Sun Hao said, seeing his gaze settle on the abacus.

"Take a guess. What do you think this device is for?"

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but I wouldn't dare guess its purpose from its appearance alone", Taijian Li Ming replied.

"Pay attention. We'll give you a demonstration", Sun Hao said. Over the following minutes, Sun Hao gave a brief demonstration of how the abacus was used, under the increasingly astonished gazes of both Taijian Li Ming and Han Xin. When Sun Hao stopped and leaned back in his chair, Taijian Li Ming could not help alternating his gaze between the Emperor and the abacus.

"This is astounding! And not only that, it's extremely simple. How has no one thought of something so simple before?" Taijian Li Ming could not help exclaiming.

"Probably because if you've cultivated enough and have the Yin Gate open, an instrument like this is unnecessary", Sun Hao replied.

"So in truth it's only useful for commoners or very low-ranking officials." Taijian Li Ming stroked his chin as he thought for a moment, then said "And the former don't have the time while the latter usually lack the impulse to step away from convention and come up with new ideas."

"Exactly. But… what is your opinion of the invention?" Sun Hao asked.

"It's very practical, ideal, as you said, for commoners and low-ranking officials, and above all far simpler than the current system, especially for calculations with small numbers. The only flaw I see is that for larger numbers, the height it would need might make it somewhat unwieldy, Your Majesty", Taijian Li Ming answered.

"That is for the scholars to handle, let them do their job and refine this handmade invention into something more refined", Sun Hao replied.

"But now we have another equally important matter. What reward should we give to the person who devised the abacus?"

"The rank of Nan at the very least, along with some small property. Unless, of course, they are already a noble. May I ask Your Majesty who the inventor of this… abacus is?" Taijian Li Ming answered.

"Of course. There is no need to keep it secret. It was our daughter", Sun Hao replied, his tone carrying pride. Taijian Li Ming's mind went suddenly blank, and he could not help saying "Which daughter?"

"Are you telling us we have more daughters somewhere that you haven't informed us about?" Sun Hao replied, narrowing his eyes. Taijian Li Ming, still in shock from the revelation, could not help asking "Your Majesty, are you telling me that Zhāohuán Wen, who is barely four years old, invented this?" Han Xin, still seated discreetly off to one side, could not suppress a smile, now understanding exactly why Sun Hao had summoned him, particularly given Taijian Li Ming's well-known opinion of little Wen.

He began eyeing the table with the drinks, regretting not having poured himself a cup to enjoy the spectacle. Sun Hao fixed the eunuch with a stare, his face turning serious "Are you insinuating that we are lying, Taijian Li Ming?" Taijian Li Ming recovered from his shock and, quickly realizing what he had said in his surprise, bowed until his forehead struck the desk "No, Your Majesty, of course not. It is only that the surprise overcame me for a moment.

I beg you to forgive your humble servant for his transgression." Sun Hao stroked his beard as though considering several options, but in the end told Taijian Li Ming "We shall let it pass this time, but we expect nothing of the sort to happen again."

"I am grateful for Your Majesty's infinite kindness in pardoning his humble servant", Taijian Li Ming replied without raising his head. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"Let us continue with the matter we were discussing. What reward do you think we should give our daughter?" Sun Hao went on. Taijian Li Ming thought for a moment while Sun Hao waited, and at last answered "Zhāohuán Wen has no need of titles, but my reports indicate she appears to be very fond of books. I therefore thought that rewarding her with unrestricted access to the Imperial Library, even when she is not with her tutor, might be a suitable reward."

Sun Hao considered the proposal for a moment and finally replied "We approve the proposal. Send a Nei Shi to communicate the reward."

"At once, Your Majesty", Taijian Li Ming answered.

"But if I may ask, how shall we arrange for the scholars to learn to use the abacus, as Zhāohuán Wen has named it?"

"Our daughter's tutor is in the Imperial Library. He has received instruction from her on how to use it. Send someone to fetch him and have him teach the others to use and build them, as well as to attempt to refine the device", Sun Hao replied. Taijian Li Ming rose and bowed "I shall carry out your orders at once, Your Majesty." Taijian Li Ming made a move to take the abacus, but Sun Hao placed a hand on it "Our daughter's tutor has one. This one we shall keep."

"As you wish, Your Majesty", Taijian Li Ming said, after which he turned and left the study.

"Do you think all this is advisable?" Han Xin said suddenly after Taijian Li Ming's departure.

"You're complaining that your daughter is in danger, and this only makes her an even more tempting target."

"Actually, no", Sun Hao replied.

"Everyone knows that despite her rank, Wen is not truly a threat to their candidacy for heir. But they've grown too comfortable. Their petty conspiracies and maneuvers are becoming repetitive and frankly uninspired. Having their disabled four-year-old sister suddenly turn out to be more brilliant and intelligent than they are might push some of them out of their comfort zone, if only to save face."

"I never thought you'd drag your daughter into the court's machinations, especially given how you feel about it", Han Xin replied.

"Neither did I", Sun Hao answered, his face full of weariness.

"But an Emperor must do what an Emperor must do." Xueshi Wenxue was in the Imperial Library, surrounded by a sea of ancient books and valuable manuscripts, preparing to spend some of the finest days of his life. Although his counsel to his pupil had been sincere, his plan of having the imperial princess Zhāohuán Wen go directly to the Emperor to present the abacus in person, while locking himself inside to prevent information about the device from spreading, had worked perfectly.

He now had the opportunity to read whatever book he wished without interruption. With a smile of satisfaction, Xueshi Wenxue reclined in a wooden armchair, holding an ancient treatise on the fauna of the forbidden northern region. The silence and peace of the library were a rare luxury, and he planned to savor every moment, relishing the tranquility and the pleasure of reading without the usual distractions of his pupil. The hours passed, and the sun began to descend, bathing the room in a golden light.

Xueshi Wenxue looked up from his book, contemplating the shelves brimming with ancient wisdom. He knew Zhāohuán Wen would need at least three days to secure an audience with the Emperor, more than enough time to immerse himself in his own studies. However, his pleasant confinement was abruptly interrupted by the sound of firm footsteps approaching. Two Jin Wei, their armor gleaming, entered the library. Xueshi Wenxue frowned, annoyed by the interruption.

"What is it?" he asked, his tone full of barely contained irritation.

"I ordered the library sealed until the court says otherwise."

"Taijian Li Ming is looking for you, Xueshi Wenxue", one of the guards replied in a voice that was respectful but firm.

"You are to bring with you something called an abacus." Xueshi Wenxue felt a chill of worry run down his spine, but with a resigned sigh he closed the book he was reading and rose, collecting the abacus he had used as a pretext for his self-imposed confinement. He followed the guards through the palace's gardens and corridors until they reached an austere but imposing study. There, waiting with an inscrutable expression, was Taijian Li Ming. The eunuch, ever meticulous, beckoned him closer.

"The Emperor has ordered you to meet with several of your colleagues to teach them how to build the abacus and how to use it, as well as to attempt to refine the invention to make it more manageable or useful", Taijian Li Ming announced without preamble.

"While you carry out this task, you are excused from teaching Zhāohuán Wen." Xueshi Wenxue felt a mixture of relief and disappointment. He had underestimated his pupil, assuming she would take longer to secure the audience. He bowed respectfully to Taijian Li Ming, accepting the instruction without objection. As he followed the Jin Wei toward the place where his colleagues awaited, he could not help but allow himself an ironic smile. His plan had worked, but his pupil had proved more astute than he had anticipated.

Upon entering the room where the other scholars waited, Xueshi Wenxue prepared himself for his new task. Although he had lost his prized hours of solitary reading, the situation presented a new opportunity: a task ordered by the Emperor himself could mean a promotion. And with a higher rank, he might find more free time to read in peace. In the tranquil courtyard of the Pavilion of the Scent of Clouds, Guifei Xiang tried to concentrate on her painting.

The soft sound of the brush on silk, the distant birdsong, and the murmur of wind through the trees usually formed a symphony that calmed her mind, allowing her to capture the beauty of her surroundings with delicacy. Today, however, she could not find that peace. Her thoughts kept circling back to the Emperor's recent visit to receive her daughter's gift. While she attempted to render the image of a lotus in bloom on the canvas, her mind betrayed her, dragging her back again to recent events.

She had always sensed the Emperor favored her daughter, but his haste in coming had only underscored it further, without her understanding why. Every brushstroke she made seemed to blur, reflecting the chaos of her thoughts.

"I should call Lingxi", she murmured to herself, almost without realizing it. Her faithful handmaiden had always been a calming presence, a source of good sense in her life at court. Just as she was thinking of her, Fei Yi Lingxi appeared in the courtyard's doorway, her expression grave.

"My lady", Fei Yi Lingxi began, her voice laden with formality.

"A Nei Shi has arrived bearing a decree from the Emperor." Guifei Xiang's heart stopped for an instant. The painting forgotten, she rose and made her way to the room where the Nei Shi awaited. She entered the room with firm steps and knelt before the Nei Shi, an imposing figure dressed in the palace's ceremonial garments. The Nei Shi, her gaze impenetrable, held a sealed scroll.

"Before reading the decree, Zhāohuán Wen must also be present", the Nei Shi said in a voice charged with authority. Guifei Xiang looked at Fei Yi Lingxi and commanded in a firm voice "Go and fetch Zhāohuán Wen." Fei Yi Lingxi nodded and left the room swiftly. Guifei Xiang remained kneeling, the cold floor beneath her knees, her mind racing like a horse. It was clear the decree had to do with her daughter's gift to the Emperor, but wasn't it too soon? Only a few periods had passed since she had given it to him.

Zhāohuán Wen entered the room, her curious gaze settling on the Nei Shi. Fei Yi Lingxi helped her sit in a chair. Guifei Xiang, still kneeling, apologized on her daughter's behalf "Forgive me, honorable Nei Shi, but due to her condition, my daughter can only be seated in a chair."

"That is not a problem", the Nei Shi replied with a slight nod, after which she produced a scroll and broke its seal. The room filled with a tense silence as she began to read the imperial decree.

The Nei Shi's voice rang clear and solemn as she read through the decree's formalities, but the principal matter was revealed at the end when she pronounced the final words "And in recognition of her brilliant invention of the abacus, Zhāohuán Wen is granted unlimited access to the Imperial Library, whenever she so desires." The Nei Shi, having read the decree, rose and left the room with the same formality with which she had arrived, and no one moved to stop her. Guifei Xiang slowly turned to look at her daughter.

Wen, wearing an expression of pure joy, was letting out enthusiastic exclamations, oblivious to the protocol and gravity the situation demanded. Her laughter and excited words filled the room, a display of her innocence and happiness.

"Mother! Did you hear? I can go to the library whenever I want!" Wen said, her eyes shining with enthusiasm.

"Yes, my little Wen", Guifei Xiang replied with tenderness.

"You've been very clever. I'm so proud of you." The sun was setting, bathing the courtyard in a golden light. The day, which had begun like any other, was ending with an unexpected joy. Guifei Xiang looked up at the sky, grateful for the promising future that awaited her daughter.

Life at court would continue to be a battlefield, full of intrigue and danger, but in that moment, in the warm glow of the sunset, Guifei Xiang allowed herself to enjoy her daughter's happiness, a happiness that illuminated her heart and gave her the strength to face whatever might come.