"Who goes there at the Archives?"
The sword-bearing guard on duty stepped forward with a stern face, blocking Sui's path.
Sui gave his name.
The guard glanced behind him and replied coldly, "The Archives are closed today. Please return, young master."
"Not even to borrow a book?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because the Archives are closed today."
"Why are they closed?"
Sui remembered clearly—today wasn’t a scheduled closing day for the Archives.
The guard grew impatient, his eyes widening like brass bells. "I said you can’t enter, so you can’t enter. Why can’t you understand plain words, child?"
Sui blinked but didn’t move.
He only wanted an explanation—why was this man so harsh?
The two stood frozen, one tall, one small, staring each other down.
Amid the standoff, a creak sounded as the doors of the Archives opened. Jiang Fusheng emerged from within.
He waved Sui over. "Young Master Lu, come inside."
The guard protested, "Eunuch Jiang, this—"
Jiang Fusheng gave him a meaningful look. "Commander Li, this is His Majesty’s decree."
The guard immediately lowered his head in acquiescence.
Leading Sui inside, Jiang Fusheng turned to him with a smile. "Go ahead, young master. Look for whatever books you wish, but remember—do not disturb His Majesty’s peace."
Sui was first struck by the sheer volume of books filling the hall. Nodding obediently, he replied, "I understand. Thank you, Eunuch Jiang."
"You’re too kind, young master."
Jiang Fusheng smiled warmly. Perhaps it was fate, but he had taken a liking to this refined, clever young master of the Lu family.
Sui felt as though he had stepped into an ocean of books, his short legs carrying him eagerly between the towering shelves.
A quiet, solitary attendant was responsible for organizing the books. After circling the area without finding what he sought, Sui approached the attendant for help.
The attendant, a reserved boy who spoke little, simply pointed toward the third floor.
Without hesitation, Sui headed for the stairs.
Children’s footsteps are naturally heavy, and though Sui tried his best to tread lightly, his ascent still echoed with rhythmic thuds.
Step by step, the sound reached Emperor Jingxuan’s ears.
His temple twitched. Lifting his gaze, he saw Sui—book bag slung over his shoulder—panting from the climb.
Spotting the emperor, Sui hurried over and bowed respectfully. "Your Majesty, Chang Sui apologizes for the disturbance!"
After their last encounter, Sui’s impression of Emperor Jingxuan had shifted from merely a stern ruler to a kind man. Thus, his courage in the emperor’s presence had grown.
Emperor Jingxuan’s lips twitched, momentarily speechless.
At least the boy knew he was being disruptive.
But given his youth, the emperor chose to let it slide.
He returned to his book, savoring the rare tranquility.
Yet within a quarter-hour, a faint shadow fell across his page. Looking up, he met Sui’s earnest gaze—his bright eyes brimming with unspoken words.
Emperor Jingxuan raised a brow. "Something the matter?"
Clutching his book, Sui asked, "Your Majesty, may I sit here?"
His hopeful eyes darted to a small desk in the corner.
"Do as you please."
The emperor then added with a sidelong glance, "But if you make noise, I’ll have you thrown out."
Sui straightened, his expression solemn. "Chang Sui swears not to make a sound!"
Settling cross-legged at the desk, he arranged himself neatly, carefully setting aside his book bag before retrieving paper and brush to jot down his thoughts. Soon, he was fully absorbed in reading.
Emperor Jingxuan occasionally glanced his way, noting how studious the boy appeared—far more so than the Crown Prince or the Third Prince.
Studying Sui’s features, the emperor saw traces of Yun Wan—the soft mouth, the delicate nose, the fair skin.
Only the eyes were different. Those must have come from his late father.
Just as he was about to look away, he noticed Sui frowning at a passage in his book.
The emperor glanced over and scoffed. "You don’t know such a simple character? Your mother would be disappointed."
Sui copied the unfamiliar character onto his paper before meeting the emperor’s gaze with unwavering honesty. "This is my first time seeing it. Not knowing is natural. ‘To know what you know and know what you don’t—that is true knowledge.’ Once I learn it, I’ll remember."
"Mother wouldn’t be disappointed. She says I’m the smartest, most wonderful child she’s ever met."
His voice was soft but firm, carrying the gravity of a little adult.
A flicker of approval crossed Emperor Jingxuan’s eyes, though his tone remained dry. "Of course she praises you. You’re her child."
Sui nodded. "I know. Mother always praises me. She says all mothers do that. Didn’t Your Majesty’s mother praise you?"
The moment the words left his mouth, the emperor’s expression darkened.
Realizing his blunder, Sui clapped a hand over his lips. "I’m sorry! Did I say something wrong?"
"Chang Sui apologizes to Your Majesty."
Emperor Jingxuan fixed him with a cold stare, waiting to see how this apology would unfold.
Sui promptly opened his book bag, pulling out one item after another and arranging them on the desk. Hands clasped, his wide, watery eyes pleaded.
"These are my most precious things. If Your Majesty doesn’t mind, please pick one!"
Book bag, brush case, bookmark, embroidered pouch...
Ordinary trinkets, hardly treasures. The emperor picked one up idly.
A pained look flashed across Sui’s face.
Noticing, Emperor Jingxuan smirked. "What? Regretting it already?"
Sui puffed his cheeks and admitted, "A little. Because... Mother made all of these."
The emperor’s fingers stilled. Suddenly, every item on the desk seemed priceless.
"If you’re apologizing, do it properly. These will suffice as your atonement."
With a sweep of his hand, he claimed them all.
Sui: "......?"
---
The next day, Sui returned home empty-handed, dejectedly recounting the incident to Yun Wan.
She was momentarily speechless.
"Gone is gone. I’ll make you new ones."
Sui hugged her. "Thank you, Mother."
Yun Wan stroked his head tenderly. "But remember—never say such things again. His Majesty spared you because you’re young, but others won’t be so lenient. No one likes hearing remarks like that."
"At least you realized your mistake and apologized."
Sui nodded. "I understand, Mother. I won’t say such things again."
This lesson had been painfully costly!
Yun Wan added, "As punishment, you’ll write two extra pages of calligraphy tomorrow."
Sui had no objections.
"And in the future, you mustn’t be so informal with His Majesty. He is the sovereign, and you are..."
Meeting Sui’s innocent, questioning gaze, she gently touched his face. "You’ll understand when you’re older."
Sui tilted his head, only half-comprehending. Then, suddenly, he asked, "But if His Majesty asks about Mother, can I tell him?"
"Wh-what?" Yun Wan froze.
Scratching his head, Sui explained, "Yesterday, His Majesty asked what Mother likes. I said she loves all kinds of spices and the chestnut pastries from Wuxiangzhai."
Yun Wan: ".........."
She had been wondering why there was suddenly an extra box of incense and a package of chestnut cakes in the fragrance room this morning.
